One of the sales people at Costa Gardens who put out these plants responded on our other forum site and was not happy with his company decision to do this. He tried to correct this practice but because of sales, he can't. I have to admit they do sell quality plants under that paint and glued on (real) flowers. I thought they were fake but was told they are dried straw flowers. What happens to them after the store over waters them and people who don't have a clue how to take care of them take them home is another thing. Paint and glue giving them a already weak advantage.
I remember K-Marts (before Sears) selling good quality succulents only due to the fact that they were totally neglected and never watered, while there tropical plants were all dead or dying. They would reduce the whole tray and I would pick out the succulents cheap. Even purchased some nice fancy window boxes with soil for a $1 and was asked why buy dead plants. The pot and soil was worth much more than $1. Oh, the good old days. Most K-Marts are gone with the dinosaurs.
