Business Troubles?!

[Franco24]

I thank you all for your input! I'm really trying to put things in perspective. Last season I did this - I ended with about $1500-2000 sales with about a grand of clear profit. Which I don't think is too bad for a first time seller.

I did best with the species cattleyas and the oddball orchids (for example draculas and ghost orchids) ...

I realize I won't be able to quit my day-job for a good while (if ever) and support myself fully on orchids -> but thats why I'm going for a biology degree with minors in botany and marine biology. Hopefully to work in conservation ...

I have MANY connections throughout this hobby. I've sat down for lunch with Andy, Harry, and Jennifer of Andy's Orchids, i've been working closely and attending shows with Chris Rehmann (immediate past president of the AOS). Who has really taken me under his wings as a young orchid grower. I mean - I think my collection and knowledge of orchids is pretty impressive for a 19yr. old college student ...

Turning this hobby into a small business was nice - it was able to support my orchid addiction. However I feel it could amount to more than just "pocket change" if I played my cards right.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Franco24

I realize I won't be able to quit my day-job for a good while (if ever) and support myself fully on orchids -> but thats why I'm going for a biology degree with minors in botany and marine biology. Hopefully to work in conservation ...

I'm always surprised by the number of marine biology people who grow orchids. I got my marine science degree from U of Hawaii and have been growing orchid since I was 13. I always thought it was a weird combination, but over the years I have A LOT of marine bio people who are really amazing orchid growers! Looks like you are on the right path!! lol

[Brooke]

You can import flasks or even orchids when the vendors come to the USA to shows without an import permit. Doing your own breeding, flasking, replating and then growing them in compot and eventually into a 2" pot takes years. This whole process takes quite a bit of room in your establishment.

I will respectfully disagree with AlToronto because there are many flasks of Phals available than the common ones you find in big box establishments. The newer novelty hybrids are usually smaller, bloom more often on shorter spikes that rebloom year after year. Phal species are very much in demand and hard to come by.

I would suggest contacting some vendors in Taiwan and also the Ecugenera people in Ecuador who always have flasks for sale. Poking around the internet should give you some people to contact.

Good luck.

Brooke

[Franco24]

It just seems like a hard time for many in the business and there is not much available at reasonable wholesale prices anymore. Whereas there were tons of great places last year - a couple of which have gone out of business

On another note - I might buy 5-10 flasks from Mick, Ecuagenera, and a couple other distributers I know of this season and start to grow them on - and see where that gets me. I have nursery permits for US distribution, and can get my import permits if I wish (maybe ill buy some flasks locally and see how I do - and then if I decide to expand start importing). I'm not ready to give up on the business aspect just quite yet ... I mean heck - even if I just use the Facebook page and eBay to sell divisions of my plants ... no need to shut everything down completely! Right?

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by Franco24

It just seems like a hard time for many in the business and there is not much available at reasonable wholesale prices anymore. Whereas there were tons of great places last year - a couple of which have gone out of business

On another note - I might buy 5-10 flasks from Mick, Ecuagenera, and a couple other distributers I know of this season and start to grow them on - and see where that gets me. I have nursery permits for US distribution, and can get my import permits if I wish (maybe ill buy some flasks locally and see how I do - and then if I decide to expand start importing). I'm not ready to give up on the business aspect just quite yet ... I mean heck - even if I just use the Facebook page and eBay to sell divisions of my plants ... no need to shut everything down completely! Right?

Right.
And who knows, may be you'll get inspired to start business in Canada as we're here rather starving for variety, even with Phals (I'm on a look for the blue ones like Purlple Martin and likewise.)
Of course, I know, I know that there are regulations, permits, and the rest - the reason why we're NOT enjoying buying and shipping from US (in other words, vendors find it too expensive and not profitable to do business.....) But may be it would take a young enthusiast like yourself to change the status quo!

Best of wishes for all your plans!
Lilia

[keithrs]

Check out Marni's site too.... Marniturkel.com

She has some great lesser known flasks.

[ALToronto]

Originally Posted by rlilia

Right.
And who knows, may be you'll get inspired to start business in Canada as we're here rather starving for variety, even with Phals (I'm on a look for the blue ones like Purlple Martin and likewise.)
Of course, I know, I know that there are regulations, permits, and the rest - the reason why we're NOT enjoying buying and shipping from US (in other words, vendors find it too expensive and not profitable to do business.....) But may be it would take a young enthusiast like yourself to change the status quo!

Best of wishes for all your plans!
Lilia

Lilia, I'll keep you in mind when I go to the Southern Ontario Orchid Society show in two weeks. If I find a nice blue one, would you like me to pick it up for you and ship it to you when the weather gets warmer? PM me if you'd like to continue this discussion.