2026 - What I did today.

Last autumn I  ordered six raspberry Polka canes. Planted them in a temporary bed and waited till spring. Only one of the six canes popped. I had a determined moan at B&Q/Carpeth plants (not the easiest to deal with but I had the bit between my teeth and didn't give up). Hopefully the canes are being replaced. Watch this space.

There was a parcel on the doorstep, a bit small for raspberry canes  thought I.  Opened it up and found this (mug alongside for size comparison)



Its a Hypoestes Phyllostachya Red Polka Dot

Not going to get many raspberries off that!  To top it all they don't have a phone number and all communication is by email which appears very AI like.

A further instalment:

Carpeth now say that my order number, that refers to 6 canes from B&Q, is in their system as being a baby Polka Dot Hypoestes plant and they consider it as having been already replaced.     round 3 to continue tomorrow.