Hello All, I ordered persimmon rootstock in bulk… a quantity of 50. I have put most of them in pots and kept them in the garage. Those not in pots were heeled in a storage tote with dirt. They have been watered lightly once a week.
The roots were pretty dry by the time they arrived, and I have noticed that most of them are dead, at least at their tops. Hopefully the lower buds are OK.
Since I have never ordered rootstock before, is it generally accepted that ordering in bulk means not so great quality?
I ordered about that many in total one time. They came in sawdust properly moist. Although one was clearly picked up off the floor after having been stepped on repeatedly and was clearly ruined. I tried it, but it was dead. All the others were good
Can’t speak to persimmons, but I would expect maybe 5% of apple rootstock and maybe slightly more of pear to not make it. I don’t expect my suppliers to catch every “iffy” rootstock and I don’t have time to baby them either.
When I order bulk I lose a couple from a bundle of a hundred sometimes and usually find they have included a few extra though some may be sub standard size. Many times it’s who you order from that determines what the quality will be. Copenhaven and Williamette trees look great and lawyers trees are always a bit small comparatively with the other 2 but very healthy regardless. All 3 seem very good but all 3 are very different trees. Lawyers has incredible prices and things no one else carries sometimes and vice versa with other items. If your having a problem never hesitate to call a reputable nursery such as 3 mentioned and if the trees arrive beat up they will file a shipping problem claim against ups or usps. Those companies will not send you dry dead trees.