New and Unread Tree-Mails
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Name: Jared Nicholes Nampa, Idaho  jnicholes Apr 30, 2018 8:57 AM CST |
| Hello, Once again, I am working as a garden associate at Lowes. I am the water. I take care of all the plants and make sure that they stay alive. This season however it is very difficult. Let's just say, that I am the only good waterer right now. All the other waterers are kind of lazy. A lot of plants are being reduced, but the sad thing is that it is all preventable. It really makes me agitated that all the other waterers are doing a really bad job at the watering, and leave me and me alone to fix their mistakes. The plants always have a chance to recover. My current assignment right now is making sure that they do. When I try to give them advice, and told him that a lot of plants are dying, they don't listen to me. I have already taken further steps to fix this problem. It really makes me agitated and sad. I hate seeing plants suffer. Does anyone have advice on what I can do to make sure that the plants that I am taking care of at my work recover? Jared |
Name: Mindi Hammerstone Tracy, CA (Zone 9b)    MindiHammerstone Apr 30, 2018 10:15 AM CST |
| Bluntly, I would go to HR about the lazy people not doing their jobs. The store will be losing money because of those idiots!! Not to mention the needless deaths of once healthy plants!! Just my opinion of course and good luck!! Mindi |
Name: Cindy Hobart, IN zone 5 aka CindyMzone5   Shadegardener Apr 30, 2018 10:31 AM CST |
| Jared - I can sympathize. I was a plant merchandiser to Lowe's for one summer. I did work through late Aug when most of the nursery staff (ie the folks that water) were cut back after the 4th of July. Always made sure my plants looked good on the tables. But wilting plants seemed to be an acceptable loss vs. payroll. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb |
Name: Will Creed NYC Profess plant consultant & educator  WillC Apr 30, 2018 2:51 PM CST |
| I don't know the dynamics of your workplace; how approachable your colleagues are and whether your supervisor can provide appropriate back-up for you. I can sympathize with your situation as my job includes rescuing plants that people have inadvertently damaged through improper care. In most cases, it is not laziness, but just bad information retrieved online and in books and from other people. It can be frustrating to have to correct a serious problem that could have been easily avoided in the first place. That said, I understand that the poor care is often a teachable moment and that my venting does them or me no good. Be as patient as you can and be creative in the way that you approach other responsible parties. And always look at the poorly cared for plants as a challenge and for your horticultural skills to shine. Will Creed Horticultural Help, NYC www.HorticulturalHelp.com Contact me directly at [email protected] I now have a book available on indoor plant care |
Name: Rick Moses Derwood, MD (Zone 7b)            RickM Apr 30, 2018 3:01 PM CST |
Jared, something else to keep in mind is that if the plant has bloomed, they want it gone. The opinion of management tends to pander to the instant gratification of a plant in full bloom so people don't have to wait. To me, waiting is half the fun! I've bought many a clearance plant at Lowes, brought them home and planted them only to be greeted by a beautiful bloomer the next season. Depending on the depth of your knowledge, you might try convincing customers that all the plant needs is some water and a good home. LLK: No longer by my side, but forever in my heart. |
Name: Jared Nicholes Nampa, Idaho jnicholes Apr 30, 2018 4:02 PM CST |
| Hello, Thank you all so much for the advice. I really appreciate it. To be honest, I was very agitated earlier because of this, but I am feeling better now. I apologize if I took it out in a wrong way. Management already knows. I talked to them about it and showed them the evidence, which is the dying plants that were apparently "watered" that day "thoroughly." I appreciate everybody's advice. I will take it. It just makes me sad seeing plants wilt. They just look so sad, and that makes me sad. Anyway, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it Jared |
Name: Cindy Hobart, IN zone 5 aka CindyMzone5 Shadegardener Apr 30, 2018 4:09 PM CST |
Jared - perhaps you can get a job at an independent nursery where your love of plants will be appreciated?  Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb |
Name: Jared Nicholes Nampa, Idaho jnicholes Apr 30, 2018 4:13 PM CST |
| Hello, @Shadegardener, with all due respect, I would rather stick with Lowes. They were the ones that called me and wanted me back for the watering season. They do appreciate my work. They said that I am the best waterer. Jared |
Name: Mindi Hammerstone Tracy, CA (Zone 9b) MindiHammerstone Apr 30, 2018 5:24 PM CST |
| Good for you Jared. Loyalty is a good thing and bring good things in the future for you!! Maybe you'll have your own nursery one day. One never knows 😀 Mindi |
Name: greene Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b) I have no use for internet bullies!             greene May 3, 2018 8:42 PM CST |
| It's good that Lowe's appreciates you and knows that you do a good job. My best advice is to not talk about this with the other employees. You know and management knows and that's enough. Just keep doing your best and you will continue to shine above all others. Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith" |
Name: Yardenman Maryland (Zone 7a)  Yardenman May 5, 2018 12:32 AM CST |
Name: Jai or Jack WV (Zone 6b) Om shanti om.            Jai_Ganesha May 5, 2018 8:00 AM CST |
| Lowes is a perfectly acceptable place to work and I support you in working there. Anyone who suggests you should find an "independent nursery" is misguided as to the nature of your original question. Keep going! |
Name: Jared Nicholes Nampa, Idaho jnicholes May 5, 2018 1:48 PM CST |
| Hello, It is hard to be a waterer because there are hundreds of plants that all need water, and all the other waterers are sometimes lazy. This problem was fixed by management, by the way. Everything is good and the plants are happy now. Jared |
Name: Mindi Hammerstone Tracy, CA (Zone 9b) MindiHammerstone May 5, 2018 1:58 PM CST |
| Jared, Glad to hear the good news!! I imagine that being a waterer would be difficult when done correctly and would take much time!! You obviously care about the plants. That is very cool!! 😀 Mindi |
Name: Jared Nicholes Nampa, Idaho jnicholes May 7, 2018 10:47 AM CST |
| Hello, Just wanted to let you all know that the problem has been resolved. I am not agitated anymore. One of you mentioned something about an independent nursery, truth be told, that is actually it's one of my dreams. I love plants, and one of my dreams for a hobby is having multiple green houses, each one has different replications of different environments, like tropical, desert, aquatic, low lights, etc. I would basically study how each plant survives in its own environment. That is one of my dreams. Jared |
Name: Deb Planet Earth (Zone 8b)    Bonehead May 7, 2018 11:07 AM CST |
| Jared, your multiple habitat greenhouse idea sounds lovely. How fun that would be to really focus on each house, getting each all set up and populated before moving to the next. I hope you are able to make that happen. I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned. |
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