My latest 10 members of the family

16 years ago

Ok, so here is my FF order of 10 conifers. The shipping costs were reduced on a 10+ tree order, so I ordered 10 and basically got an extra tree for free.

I called up FF and placed my initial order. I gave them a future shipping date and they were extremely flexible. They mentioned that the Hoopsii was sold out as was the Vanderwolf. No biggie. I waited too long to get a Hoopsii. They are really accomodating and helpful .. no rushing, just helpful and courteous.

The owner, Ray, personally checked on my items and mentioned that a couple of my choices were not the best ... and suggested alternatives that fit my requirements. I was really impressed at all they did to make sure I would be happy IN ADVANCE.

My order shipped out late Monday afternoon from OR, and arrived at my house Thursday afternoon.

My wife didn't tell me about the shipments arrival ... so I opened the garage to see 10 tall boxes, containing my 5 gallon treasures ... first impression: extremely clean shipping from FF ... boy do these folks package like champs. Everything arrived in excellent shape ... I think two small broken branches among all 10 trees ... not bad.

Ok -- first, a pinus strobus blue shag. This was quickly my oldest daughters favorite ... really unique needles and look. Can't stop touching those soft needles!

{{gwi:677795}}

Pinus Strobiformis (reflexa) Southwest White Pine

Picea Omorika 'Nana'

Picea Abies 'Pendula' - My youngest daughter adores this one. My wife didn't have the same reaction -- haha.

And in the yard ... wondering whether to lead it upward, or just let it spill down into the cobbles ...

Picea Abies 'Aurea' ... not much yellow visible, except on leader tip and a few top branches a bit.

more to follow ...

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Comments (11)

conifers
16 years ago
Smokin'!

Dax
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
is there anything so exciting... as a box of conifer love... lol ...

tell me your holes were bigger than pot size ....

ken
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FPT. It's too bad your marginata had/s Scale. Unless your other plants have bugs, scale/eggs were probably on the plant when purchased. BTW, did you isolate your marginata? I don't know if you want to spend time ridding scale, return or replace with variegated marginata. ???? People here have different methods ridding insects. Some work, some do not. There are two things I do to prevent/kill insects. I dislike chemicals, avoid using as much as possible. Therefore, my plants are sprayed w/a home-made insecticide. Since your plant has scale, I'll explain what I do to rid and avoid those brats! lol Did you ever hear of Fish Emulsion? FE is an organic fertilizer, high in N. It also works, as an insecticide, by spraying foliage. Kills Scale, big time. The owner of a Citrus Nursery in FL once told me they spray their trees w/FE as a Scale preventative. Because my plants never had scale, I half-listened. lol. Then, in 1999, I ordered an Olive Tree. On Day 2 while misting plants, I noticed a brown bump on an olive leaf. I approached the Olive, and discovered, not one, but hundreds of brown bumps. That's when it hit me...SCALE! I immediately phoned the Citrus nursery owner, asking the proper dossage of FE and water. (BTW, olive was purchased elsewhere.) She said, one capful of FE to approximately 16oz water. I mixed FE and water in a 16oz spray bottle, shook thoroughly and sprayed away. 1-2 days later, all signs of scale were gone. A week or two later, 'can't recall,' I applied a second application. FPT, I swear to God, since that day, my plants never contrated scale again. Ever. 2. Every 2-wks during winter, my plants are sprayed w/natural ingredients such as garlic, hot pepper, citrus rind and a few other things. Once a month FE is added to other ingredients, then sprayed. Works like a charm. Forgot to mention. The Olive tree sat between two Citrus trees. Citrus closest branches were loaded w/scale. The morning I sprayed olive tree, neighboring plants were entirely sprayed, too. Can't hurt, right? And, while spraying leaves to rid insects, the plant is also foliar fertilized. The only con about FE is an odor. It has a fishy smell that lasts 2-3 days indoors. There is an odor-less type, but I've never used it so can't comment. Fish Emulsion cost is about 7.99 for a 32oz bottle. Good luck, Toni
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bunkers
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, at least 3 times wider or more.
jaro_in_montreal
16 years ago
Encouraging to see that your plants arrived in such good condition.

I have a few on order from FF as well -- from back in October '07.

And although I was told all the items on my list are available, I think I will still be somewhat shocked if all of them actually arrive:

Larix lyallii
Larix kaempferi 'Wolterdingen'
Cryptomeria japonica 'Mushroom'
Cunninghamia lanceolata Glauca
Pinus monophylla
Taxus baccata 'Amersfoort'
Tsuga sieboldii

.
treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
16 years ago
I too have had great experiences with FF in the past. I decided to place another order with them this spring.

Abies numidica
Amelanchier grandiflora 'Forest Prince'
Buddleia alternifolia
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Davidia involucrata
Eucalyptus neglecta
Eucalyptus paucifolia var. debeuzevillei
Fraxinus profunda (tomentosa)
Fuchsia riccartonii
Laburnum watereri 'vossii'
Nyssa aquatica
Prunus sargentii
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
it looks like the move from z8 to 5 was timed perfectly ....

you may have had problems in a week or two.. if the stock had started to elongate... in z8 ... and you move it to z5 ... where there continues to be the threat of very hard frost or freezes ... thru most of may ....

you got so excited.. MAYBE ... wont speak for your state of mind ... that you forgot about HARDENING them off ... you just ran out ans planted them ....

as i said ... they look perfect ...

but consider such if you insist on getting more deliveries ...

if you took it all into consideration.. bravo .. maybe the next newbie will think about it otherwise ....

ken
bunkers
Original Author
16 years ago
Ken, obviously I probably didn't do any hardening (that I am aware of) ... as I don't know what that means. Could you explain?

I did check the weather at the source ... and the week prior to my shipment, it was down to 30 F and snowing (in OR) ... and it was warmer here than there.

I am facing a substantial snow tonight ... I've had a couple luight dustings of snow since planting them.

Today, high winds and tonight a snow storm.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
dormant shipping is just fine ... either direction ...

the problem is if z8 stock has tender new growth ... and is shipped to colder zones ... it would be subject to frost freeze harm.. or death ...

if the stock is actively growing.. you would be better off holding them in the garage until your threats of frost/freeze are near done ...

i think yours were fine .. from the pix ... they are dormant.. and acclimating to your zone ...

snow is irrelevant ... dont worry about it ... freeze would worry me... but what are you going to do ... cover them all with sheets for the night ...

what i was afraid of.. was that you got so excited.. and made another order .. for delivery in a week or two ... and the stock would come budded out... or actively growing ...

ken
toyo2960
16 years ago
Never ordered from Forest Farm. But nice plants!!

I should look into their catalog again.
bobnorth
16 years ago
My 2 cents on Forest Farm -- I was extremely disappointed in the plants I received. The size of the 2 items, 1 tree 1 plant, were pitifully small. And WAY OVERPRICED. If others have had good luck, you're lucky. I was RIPPED OFF by Forest Farm.
bunkers
Original Author
16 years ago
From what I can tell, bobnorth is a habitual flamer of ForestFarm (FF). He has no credibility in my book. He offers no facts of substantied experiences ... just name calling and empty claims. This the worst part about the internet and these message boards ...

My latest 10 members of the family

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conifers

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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