I received a Superior plum tree from Online Orchards yesterday. Initially I was pleased with the price and low shipping cost. They are in Oregon, I am in WA.
Shipping time was also very short.
However, upon opening the box I found the tree already pushing out, not too uncommon for this time of year I suppose. Also, very unusual, the root ball if you want to call it that, was wrapped in burlap. I thought hmmm, good idea maybe for keeping the ball moist but able to breath.
But then I unwrapped the burlap and the rootball was completely wrapped in cellophane package wrapping??!! So what was the purpose of the burlap?
I took off the many wraps of plastic to find wet, moldy smelling straw. Upon close inspection of the tree it is clear that a lot of this mold is growing on the tree.
My conclusion: Despite the fact that the tree does not have good roots and was improperly packed, the tree was also packed for shipment way before it was sent to me. This level of fungal development dosent happen in just 4 days.
I contacted the company, via their email, and i imagine, at best, all they are going to do is send another tree so I cleaned off the rootball, sanitized it in Oxidate soak and planted in pot.
It seems to me that this company is a re seller who has little experience at what they are doing. I would give them a thumbs down.
there’s like nothing