We got these poor things in around March/April, before I started with my current position (plant merchandizing lead). We're told not to mess with them, they're fine in the bags they're shipped in, and to "non-sell" them when the blooms die. For months they held on, but I think a grand total of 5 were bought. Moved them to clearance when the blooms died, still no luck. Finally, I got chastised for hanging onto them once we got a new shipment in…so I was forced to hand them off to a manager to non-sell aka scanned out and thrown in the dumpster (we're a RETAIL store not a NURSERY bla bla bla).

Obviously I couldn't let them go to the landfill so out the dumpster they went and into my car! Everyone was thoroughly parched and there's a mild mealy bug infestation, so I pruned them, sprayed them down. 37 in total. They're gonna hang out away from my others, of course. Going to re-pot in a couple weeks after they've had time to recover from being dehydrated.

By the way, the new shipment I've taken out of the bags and they're getting proper care, it's a smaller shipment but they're already selling way better with how I've merchansized them.

Stay tuned for updates!

by lostinthelegs

11 Comments

  1. Plantaehaulic

    Woah! I rarely see AV on clearance section. And never seen that many been rescued. Great job saving them👍.

  2. sweetlovebitter

    If you’re able to nurse them back to health there’s probably a local African violet chapter that would love to have them ! I would just disclose any potential pests you’ve noticed

  3. RedPoppy23

    Yay for the rescue! “So shines a good deed in a weary world”

  4. AVeryFineWhine

    Clearly, the store didn’t believe in watering them. Oh, those poor dry babies. Hope you have success in rehabbing them. I bet you’ll get some of them back. And what a good opportunity to try some propagation. But thank you for saving them. You remind me of when I feel sorry for some plants in a store and buy them to rescue them lol. Those poor babies deserved better treatment. Both the ones that I’m talking about and yours!!!

  5. Infinite_Storm_470

    The exciting part will be seeing what color blooms they have. Nice rescue!!

  6. Neither-Attention940

    You’re a hero!

    I worked at a Home Depot and I always wanted to cry when I had to throw stuff out. ESPECIALLY ones in CERAMIC! 😭😭

    I started my collection with 7 leaves I pinched off of ones being thrown out (as it was a no no to even do that much)

    Now I’m not sure how many I have because they’ve grown and multiplied lol.

    Again
 you’re a hero!

  7. ShinyUnicornPoo

    Thank you for saving these beautiful babies!  I wish my local big box stores would just put plants *next to* the dumpster and I’d happily save some for sure.

  8. PhoxyGilbs

    Wow! Good on you! Also do you have a dream job?? Plant merchandiser!

  9. HeyItsMezz

    thankfully i work at a garden center that allows us to take discard plants, no questions asked. i would be so sad if i wasn’t allowed to take these.

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