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my god, well it looks like i have a 50-50 chance,huh....well it seems as though most of you have ordered plants or bulbs...i have ordered pumpkin seeds of different varieties what should i do if none of them ever grow? this is my first time ordering online..............im a little worried.bummer.
On May 15, 2009, fluffysquirrel Sicklerville, NJ wrote:
I've ordered a couple of times from this company, as I was attracted to the low price on Ebay. It took awhile to get here, but the plants were generous and healthy. Thing is, their customer service leaves alot to be desired. I called, and the woman who answered seemed moody and had no knowledge of the plant I had inquired about. "I dunno. *sigh* Hoooold on..." I was on hold for awhile, but she finally got back on the line and said they had one more of a particular plant. I saw they relisted it on Ebay for 17.99 rather than the original 7.99. Also, they don't answer their emails or Ebay correspondence. This can't be good for business. I won't be doing business with them anymore.
On May 3, 2009, balberth Sunnyvale, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:
I ordered a single carnivorous plant from Hirt's using E-bay - a drosera, or sundew.
It arrived quickly, but the packing left something to be desired. These plants are usually grown sitting a tray of water, and Hirt's used masking tape to secure the soil in the container - which doesn't work so well on a wet pot. The plant ended up kind of bare-rooted by the mailing process.
I washed off and re-potted the plant when received, and it seems to be getting better - it was a fairly large specimen, which in this case means a couple inches across. It did also develop an infestation of thrips shortly after it was received - my guess is the insects came with the plant, and were allowed to prosper due to the stress resulting from its shipping mishap.
I think part of the problem here is that carnivorous plants are quite specialized things, and Hirt's is not a specialized nursery as such... but I probably won't be ordering and drosera from them again, at the very least.
Ordered "Plum Lemon" tomato plants, and received "Yellow Plum" instead. Sent an e-mail to customer service, who replied that the varieties are "one and the same." These ARE two different varieties, and there ARE two different listings on Hirt's website, so something's wrong somewhere... Also: it won't be planting tomato planting time in my area for another five or six weeks, and I get these plants on March 27?
On April 1st, 2009, magnaastra changed the rating from negative to neutral and added the following:
To be fair, the plants I received WERE healthy and well-packed. Just wish they were more clear about varieties.
I tried this company for the first time this year for their unusual seeds. The package came in a reasonable time. All the seeds were in small ziplock bags and no planting information. Planting per normal recommendation for the pant types I got resulted in very poor performance. Less than 30% of the cauliflower germinated and less than 5% of the spinach. I have received no feedback from the compnay and their website leaves you with the impression that seed sales are "as is" with no guarantee. Needless to say - I may be shopping around in the future.
On a good note - all the Hmong Cucumbers did germinate. This is the only company that seems to have Red Hmong Cuke seeds.
On Apr 14, 2008, DallasDad Murphy, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
I've had mixed results with Hirt's. Over the past six months or so, I've ordered a large number of things from them -- seeds, starter plants, and potted houseplants.
Most of the seeds have been viable. I had some trouble with a few varieties, so reordered and had trouble again (no germination). I called them to ask for culture instructions, and they didn't have any suggestions beyond what I was doing already. They did send me replacement seeds without my asking. Still no luck, so either the seeds are just no good or my germination technique is wrong.
Some of the starter plants I ordered during the winter arrived damaged. They appeared to have frozen slightly during transit. Hirt's replaced them. Once they asked me to email photos before replacing them. In each case, they both refunded my money AND sent replacement plants.
A few of the starter plants I ordered this spring (Feb and Mar) were pretty sickly-looking. Spindly and weak. They did not survive transplanting. I should probably have called and gotten replacements right away, but since I went ahead and put them into the ground, I didn't feel right complaining to the company weeks later when they died. (The hardy hibiscus were the worst problem. Of a flat of 25, only 10 lived. On the other hand, I ordered another flat of 5 later on, and all 5 are doing well. They were much larger and sturdier than the first group. Perhaps the first plants were too young to be shipped?)
The potted houseplants were exactly as advertised, and are all thriving.
I ordered seeds from Hirt's for the first time this year. Seeds were in good condition, and are just starting to pop up. I was impressed with the unique variety of seeds and some plants they have to offer.
Though they are lacking in planting/sowing instuctions, at least with the seeds I ordered.
On Oct 27, 2006, IndoorGardner Falls Church, VA (Zone 7a) wrote:
If you are ordering more than one plant, order them all at the same time, otherwise you will pay separate shipping even though they packed it in the same box.
I ordered to two wisteria bonsais. They were really bad looking. I am trying to nurse them back to health. I will have to let you know how it works out. From reading the other post I don’t think I will be buying from them again.
On Jun 18, 2006, Highmtn Cliff Dweller, WA (Zone 8b) wrote:
My first order from Hirt's was really sub quality. I was disappointed, and had ordered several things that were unique. Not one of them survived.
I was on the "lust hunt" for a true blue Hibiscus, and fell in love with their deep "Blue Satin" variety. So... I decided to give them one last chance this spring. The plant arrived in perfect condition - exactly as it had been described. The shipping was a little slower then it should have been, but the plant was none the worse for wear.
On May 10, 2006, pixie62560 South China, ME (Zone 5a) wrote:
I have bought from them off ebay at least 5 times. The flower bulbs are big and healthy and always bloom for me. The "live" plant, ones that come in pots are not that great. They either look like they are about to die or sick. The last ones I bought had little buggies coming out of the dirt!!!!!! I had to spray all of my plants after that. I think I will stick to bulbs, IF I ever buy from them again.
I purchased a couples sets of Japanese Maple seeds via eBay. On May 17 I received a notice that they would ship "within 6 days".
It's June 10 and nothing. I sent $10 for a $7.xx total order and instead of adding insurance or upgrading shipping I guess they thought it was a tip. I went back and realized they got my address slightly wrong in their confirmation e-mail (checked all my sent messages and it was not my error)-- sent a note this evening and waiting for a reply. The wrong address would still be on this route so I don't think that explains the missing seeds. I look forward to upgrading this report to a positive.
On June 12th, 2005, hoa_rd added the following:
I received two replies because I copied both addresses that this seller had written from in confirming purchase/payment etc.
The first reply said "a replacement will go out tommorow"
The second reply came about a half day later and said "we have had delays due to a warehouse move and will get those out ASAP".
I guess I get a choice of which to believe . . . at least neither said "screw you buddy".
Still looking forward to upgrading to "positive" . . .
I have ordered from this company several times and overall would recommend them. The plants are small but usually make it here fine.
One complaint I do have is last year I placed a small bulb order and they left out 3 of the hyacinths (I paid around 1.50 apiece for them but never got them) I purchased, but otherwise I've been overall pleased with my orders from them.
On October 12th, 2005, cls009 added the following:
I placed an order for some bulbs this fall, and yet again they stiffed me 3 of the bulbs that I had ordered/paid for. I chose not to complain because the total for the bulbs left out was less than 5.00, and I figured it would be more trouble than it was worth to try to get them to send them.
Two times in a row not even being able to fill the order properly is ridiculous. I will be avoiding this company in the future.
I ordered several tomato plants in the spring of 2004, and I never received them. However, I was never charged for them, either. They lost my order, despite e-mail confirmations I received.
On Sep 8, 2004, CaptMicha Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote:
I have bought from this company a few times. The shipping time is moderate but although I followed the provided directions, I have never had much success w/ their seed. It's my guess that their seeds aren't quite a fresh as they should be.
On Mar 5, 2004, quietscream Nicholson, GA (Zone 7a) wrote:
i have had different luck with this company . one time plant will be nice and next time not so nice . last thing i ordered was a staghorn fern. it had mealy bugs all over it. i know the difference between spores and mealy bugs. i just cleaned the plant up and kept it away from the others i have. i was really shocked at this because i have never received a plant from anyone with bugs already on it.
On Nov 4, 2003, Missyinbama Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) wrote:
Extremely fast shipping and excellent packaging. Amaryllis and garlic bulbs were large and healthly and perennials adequate. Free bonus included. So far I am very satisfied, and I will upgrade this company to a positive if the amaryllis blooms are the species stated in the web site (I ordered from the company site, not ebay.)
On Sep 30, 2003, WillowWasp Jones Creek, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:
Bought a Seemanii Passifloria for them via e-bay. I have been somewhat satisfied with the product they sent me....The plant was very small for the price paid. But at least it is begining to grow, unlike some of the other experiences.
However, since I see all the negative responses of the way others were treated. I think I will count myself lucky and not buy from them again. There are just to many other places to buy good plants and seeds, and not have to pay out your money and put up with such nonsense...
On Jul 21, 2003, junkergirl11 Columbia Station, OH wrote:
I live just down the road from Hirts. Last year I was a first time customer and bought a truckfull of merchandise for a very large gardening project. It is a well established business in our community with an old fashioned reputation for excellence. I am impressed with their prices but unimpressed with their advice and labeling..They have an excellent selection of largely unknown perennials to our area..I was duped into thinking that certain perennials were in fact "perennials" for our zone 5 when in fact they were not....this was the case on almost 1/3 of what I bought and planted including Cortaderia Selloana and bunny tails. I am not a novice gardener and should have known better to do more homework before buying. Shame on me. I plant with great care before and followup with aftercare of all plants. I was dismayed when 8 large clumps of grasses labeled as Miscanthus sinensis Gacillimus I planted never came back in Spring. Zero Zip nothing......not a blade, nothing but dead patches. It was not my planting methods..(others a few feet away have returned just fine). I believe mislabeling runs rampant in this store... I returned to the store to inquire and got "gee, we don't know what happened!" I was out a large amount of money not to mention a lot of time. I had all my labeling sticks and a receipt and no offer was made for reimbursement. In all fairness, the many tufted hairgrass I bought and planted has done very well and is quite established for 1 year old plantings.
Bottom line, do your homework...known what your buying for what zone and this retailer should be o.k. to do business with.
I emailed in advance asking if the kyoto moss spores could be placed in full sun... oh sure they said... So I ordered them. Quick shipping. Have had the spores for 2 months. there is a tinge of green. However, every time I attempt to put them near sun, (as far as I know they only like shade) they shrivel up and die.
They seem to have a good thing going, just abyssmal customer service and uninformed order techs.
I ordered hollyhock, delphinium, and meadowsweet from this company through EBay. Each variety was sold for $17.99 per 8 plants. They arrived in 3-4 days and were packaged carefully. HOWEVER, the plants were very small for the price paid and did not appear to be well rooted. Four of the hollyhocks had all yellow leaves w/ blacks spots, obviously diseased. I emailed Hirt's and they said they would send replacements but have not received. What ticked me off is that he did not offer any apologies for the inadequate plants. I will not order from this company again b/c I can get better through Bluestone or my local nursery.
