[WLC]

That's a step in the right direction.

While I'm trying to attract pollinators to plants I grow from seed in a space I share with other gardeners, I'm miffed by other gardeners buying potted plants for planting without knowing if they were treated.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/25/us-usa-agriculture-bees-idUSKBN0F02HR20140625

 

[Bees In Miami]

Agreed....a SMALL step in the right direction. They aren't saying they can't use them, but they have to be labeled. Did you know what a Neonic was before you started beekeeping? Regardless...hope it helps.

 

[Haraga]

Well I would say that your problem is a result of choices you have made. Rest assured that you are not alone.

 

[Tenbears]

That is like putting a band aid on the finger of someone who has a cut on their toe. The problem with neonics for bees comes in the planting of neonic treated seed, Not after the plant is grown.

 

[Hambone]

That's a step in the right direction.
While I'm trying to attract pollinators to plants I grow from seed in a space I share with other gardeners, I'm miffed by other gardeners buying potted plants for planting without knowing if they were treated.http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/25/us-usa-agriculture-bees-idUSKBN0F02HR20140625

That is like putting a band aid on the finger of someone who has a cut on their toe. The problem with neonics for bees comes in the planting of neonic treated seed, Not after the plant is grown.

Ten read the bold. Maybe retailers will buy less of those if they read the label? Probably not.

 

[F6Hawk]

Did you know what a Neonic was before you started beekeeping?

There are a LOT of things I wasn't aware of before I started keeping bees.

 

[WLC]

Folks usually buy horticultural plants for their floral displays among other things.

While they aren't all attractive to pollinators, and they aren't all treated with neonics, the concentrations of pesticides used are largely unregulated.

The status quo needs to change.

I think Home Depot is doing the right thing even though it's not a complete solution to the issue of the impact of horticultural pesticide use on pollinators.

 

[jim lyon]

Stop the presses! I've got to agree with WLC on this one. Folks do deserve to know what they are buying and then let the marketplace decide. If the choice is a near perfect treated specimen vs. a less than perfect pesticide free plant it will be interesting to see which the consumer chooses. The prices will no doubt also be a bit higher for the untreated as there will most likely be some insect losses from the greenhouse that will have to be built into the pricing.

 

[wildbranch2007]

Stop the presses! I've got to agree with WLC on this one.

funny that was my first thought also, now if they would put a sign up in the Pesticide Isle telling the consumer to read and obey the label's, that would impress me even more.

 

[WLC]

In my opinion, most consumers won't bother with labels when it comes to plants.

They just want a nice looking display.

As soon as the display is over, they'll dig them out and replace them with the next blooming plant.

Some wise guy might figure out that if you include a product name for the pesticide used on the plant, and sell the pesticide product as well, some people will think, "Hey, that works really well.", and buy it for their garden.

Not everyone is interested in organic gardening.