Gransnet forums

Gardening

How long can a plant live in dark cupboard?

(11 Posts)
Grannieinatwist Fri 31-May-24 09:16:42

Hello fellow grans,

Quite a strange subject, but here is my problem;

I purchased a blueberry plant online for my husband’s birthday next Friday. It is arriving tomorrow. I have just realised I have given myself an issue with where to hide it? He will find it in the garden as he is often out there. So silly of me. I was thinking to keep it in my dressing room cupboard, but do you think a plant could survive 6 days in the complete dark?

Oopsadaisy1 Fri 31-May-24 09:20:27

Can’t you get a neighbour to keep it for you? It probably wouldn’t kill it but it won’t do the plant any good.
Can you give it to him early?

Sago Fri 31-May-24 09:21:00

No!
Ask a neighbour to look after it.

OldFrill Fri 31-May-24 09:21:54

I'd give it to him early and tell him he can plant it on his birthday. He can then think about where to plant it. Lovely present!

sassysaysso Fri 31-May-24 09:28:35

I ordered some plug plants about a year ago that got held up in the post for three weeks when of course they received no light or water. They arrived very sorry for themselves, totally brown and dried out, but I didn't give up on them and with a lot of nurturing they slowly turned green and are now flourishing outdoors.

So while I think the plant may well survive in a cupboard for six days, it will be in a rather pitiful state when you bring it out and not in the best condition to give as a present.

Oreo Fri 31-May-24 09:30:27

OldFrill

I'd give it to him early and tell him he can plant it on his birthday. He can then think about where to plant it. Lovely present!

I agree with this, don’t put the plant in a cupboard!

joannapiano Fri 31-May-24 09:34:50

Cruelty to a plant! Give him his present .

foxie48 Fri 31-May-24 09:48:53

If you have a large enough garden you could pop it out in a border and the chances are it won't be noticed. I've done this stacks of times as I often get OH a special plant for his birthday. If not, I'd ask if a neighbour could have it for a few days but I'd avoid a cupboard.

Jaxjacky Fri 31-May-24 09:59:24

Neighbour, friend or family best, but I have kept plants in the boot of my car for a few days, with the parcel shelf removed.

Beechnut Fri 31-May-24 12:40:36

I hid a plant in a cupboard. When I went to get it out it had grown a lot trying to find the light and gave me a fright when I moved the clothes 😂

Grannieinatwist Fri 31-May-24 13:54:24

Thank you all! It turned up today infact.
No cupboard based on this advice 😁 Iv popped it in the garden around the corner and told him there is a ban on him going round there for now 😄