The future of orchid growing

[Leafmite]

One thing that I found interesting while reading about the history of cattleyas and the cut flower (corsage) industry is how they would import hundreds of plants from their native countries, usually taken from the wild, on time for holidays and various popular times, harvest the blooms, then, afterwards, discard the plants! Apparently, this made some species cattleyas quite uncommon in their native habitats. Perhaps this isn't true but I am thinking that if it is, perhaps it is good that the orchid business has changed.

[ALToronto]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

One thing that I found interesting while reading about the history of cattleyas and the cut flower (corsage) industry is how they would import hundreds of plants from their native countries, usually taken from the wild, on time for holidays and various popular times, harvest the blooms, then, afterwards, discard the plants! Apparently, this made some species cattleyas quite uncommon in their native habitats. Perhaps this isn't true but I am thinking that if it is, perhaps it is good that the orchid business has changed.

It's absolutely true. At the time, nobody without a "hot house" could dream of growing orchids. Not to mention all the pests and fungi they carried - it just wasn't healthy! And nature was so bountiful, it would surely replace everything that was taken.

We had to lose a lot of plants and animals before the concept of extinction really sank in. And yet there is still a market for rare birds as pets, and wild-collected orchids are still sold with fake certificates. I bet the vendors who buy these illegal plants aren't the ones closing down.

[Sharry]

Thinking on this discussion, and looking at web discussions, orchids are so addicting that there will always be a market. Evidently there is a worldwide market for very expensive named varieties. That will not be most people, most people can't afford it. Same reason most people can't afford fancy sports cars. But even if one can't afford a fancy sports car one can enjoy a car show and dream about owning one.

There is a place for big fancy space-hogging Catt need a greenhouse. They still have cache. If people can bring them to shows, we commoners can enjoy them too. We can turn around and buy the $25 mini catt or even the $5 one off the garden center TLC shelf.

The other thing is for local growers to focus on quality- too often I have bought orchids from growers of repute with problems. In two separate occasions I bought orchids where twist ties were used to anchor plant without roots in a pot so they seemed well established.

[palm521]

I REMEMBER a long time ago back in my birth country, that an aerangis luteoalba were prized at around 90 USD. (BS) because it was rare, you can get one today as cheap as 8-25 USD

the business is so big.. that some growers in thailand grows primarily one type of orchid, (Rhynchostilys gigantea or retusa) or vandas, or phalaenopsis (china?)

what might be happening is the classic supply and demand rules being in full effect, the supply might overgrow the demand , pushing prices down, and making it more affordable. i am quite confident that those mass growers are not looking to have 25,000 or more of the same exact plant hanging in their nurseries , they are being constantly sold, and as in any other business a stock out is nothing more than a call for others to fulfill what you cannot.

how much will it cost a selected cultivar without the presence of a mericlone? ( sometimes thousands)

i believe the business model is changing, but quite sure it is not shrinking, it is growing. however as other people posted , the presence of online buying and having so many options out there creates strong competition affecting the prices, the good part of it, is that the orchid family is so big , that something that might be widely available in one place , might not be in the next, some growers are just specializing in one or several species or hybrids , as in any business, differentiation in modern day is a must or you will simply be consumed by those who are bigger and can bring cost down and sell the same cheaper.

think about the US car industry and how the Japanes/korean/others industry affected the US? competition is dangerous for those who can differentiate themselves.

also think about how many "patriots" opened up factories in Asia instead in their countries (cheaper salaries , cut down in cost equal more profit )

bottonline if you dont adapt and/or change where is needed, you are doomed.

back to plants:

who remember the prices of Phragmipedium Bessae when it was recently discovered? or if you want to go even further in time, a "regular" kovachii ? imagine how much will it cost or better yet, how much some people will pay for a division of the first alba version of a regular kovachii?.

besides volume as the most important factor that determines a price point for any given plant, (or any product) , rarity within the market will also play a role in how prices are set. and market will always regulate it. if too expensive it will not be sold, besides maybe a few people that can (silently) afford it.

i am quite sure there is a market for those 2,000+ dollars near BS plants, otherwise orchid nurseries will never bother offering them, that is what i call the silent yet rich customers, that will pay any amount of money for something that they really want to have.

same applies to any other hobby , specially those that are suited for "collectors"

Antonio.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by palm521

i am quite sure there is a market for those 2,000+ dollars near BS plants, otherwise orchid nurseries will never bother offering them, that is what i call the silent yet rich customers, that will pay any amount of money for something that they really want to have.

Here's a great example of one of those collectors who can afford $2K+ plants without batting an eyelash, Dorrance "Dodo" Hamilton, a Campbell Soup heiress and philanthropist:

A Doyenne in Full Bloom

and she more recently contributed $1 million for a 'Horticourt' display pavilion for the annual Philadelphia Flower Show, where among the many plants entered in competition are displayed hundreds of orchids, including many of her own ribbon-winning orchids.

http://phsonline.org/media/resources...rt_Release.pdf

[MattWoelfsen]

Jayfar, have you had a chance to attend this Flower Show? Just reading both articles makes me want to schedule a trip to Philadelphia next March.

What you linked to, seems to support the argument that as long as people spend the time and money to pursue their hobby, there will always be a market for orchids, and vendors who will supply them with product.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Jayfar, have you had a chance to attend this Flower Show? Just reading both articles makes me want to schedule a trip to Philadelphia next March.

What you linked to, seems to support the argument that as long as people spend the time and money to pursue their hobby, there will always be a market for orchids, and vendors who will supply them with product.

Yep, I go every year at least once or twice or thrice. Only went once this year and attendance overall was down somewhat due to unfounded predictions of a major blizzard (the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society reports they lost money on it this year and it's their major fundraising activity).

The show is great for looking over the the competition entries in the 'Horticourt' (not just orchids, but they're a major part of it). It's not the greatest for buying orchids, save for a few notable vendors, such as Parkside Orchids and Waldor's. Too many vendors specializing in NOIDs really.

[ron-in-norcal]

Jeremy, thanks for starting this thread and pointing me towards it. It's very interesting. I do think an commerce presence is one of the most necessary parts of doing business. Still, I wish there had been a solution to keep such a spectacular business as Golden Gate Orchids going. His plants were just fantastic. I'm glad I got a few things from him while I lived up there, though I sure wanted a lot more!

[My Green Pets]

Wow. Jaw-droppingly awesome thread. Thanks for bumping it up!

[plucker]

The future will continue to change, and those business's who adapt will thrive.
E-commerce has given people the opportunity to find something that was once unavailable.
The labour market will dominate costs, hence China, and Thailand come into their own.

The demographics of the market is a senior aged person who would like a near flowering sized plant and not too willing to spend a small fortune for it. They have time to care for plants, unlike the youth who travel for work or have family commitments, and are time poor.

Collectors will always pay anything to get that something special/rare.

The size of blocks of land have decreased historically, so those growing outdoors have less space and smaller greenhouses, although thanks to the big box stores, more people grow them, and indoors.

Most vendors are elderly themselves, even when entering the market or have passed it down the line.

There will always be a significant market for orchids.
Techniques will be enhanced to grow bigger, better and faster flowering with increased regularity. Orchid breeding will continue to chase these characteristics.