a friend wants to sell her plants

16 years ago

I have a friend who is attemping to put an end to her obsession with orchids. A list of her plants can be seen in the farm and garden section dated Tuesday 10/23 at Boston.Craisglist.org. I am also going to print the list here.

While I am obviously working to help my friend get money for her plants, I find myself pondering this question. What is the real dollar value of our plants? What is the best method to sell plants? I think this is a mysterious realm. Box stores get $30 for big white phals. Florists get $50 for similar plants. In my limited experience, orchid fanatics eventually join clubs where they have access to club auctions and divisions and get plants for next to nothing.

So, I am caught up in the question of how best to realize income for my friend from her sale of these plants. Feedback is welcomed.

The spelling is not perfect, but close enough to get you info and images at Google.

ascada blue tahourdin "bronze grape"

paph delenatii

phrag china dragon (grande 4N gigantea x bessea flavum)

angraceum scottanium

slc. ken dream "moonlight lady"

phal schilleriana

epi. radiatum maui mint

dtps. cracker "blue martini"

neofinetia falcata shutenno

mediocalcar decorata

mexipedium xerophyticum "oaxaca"

jewel orchid lusidia discolor

phrag sedenii

paph shadow magic x paph macabre pie

oncid sharry baby

oncid twinkles

5 mini african violets, (2 are named)

2+ bonsai trees in their own pots

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Comments (5)

gardnergal
16 years ago
It's hard to make a fair offer without knowing the conditions of the plants and how they have been grown recently. Pictures would help. I looked at her post on Craigslist and she says they have been neglected and probably won't bloom for her, but these remaining ones are in the "best" condition. Her honesty is admirable, but I don't think you will see much interest, with the exception of a local buyer who can see what they are getting. Perhaps taking them to a club in her area would put her in touch with buyers who can offer a fair price.
Ann
quicksilver
Original Author
16 years ago
Great! First step a link to a site with detailed photos of the plants. Keep the ideas coming.
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toyo2960
16 years ago
I agree with gardnergal, without seeing the plants, it's hard to make a judgement as to worth. However, most of the plants listed are fairly common and have no clonal or varietal name. If they were awarded or "famous" plants that's something. It's easy to get price quotes for these. If your friend belongs to a local orchid club, she can try and sell them there. In the end, if there is no demand for these plants, donating them to the local orchid society is the best thing to do.
quicksilver
Original Author
16 years ago
I think she is working to get images up on a website. I appreciate the comments and interest that have come from this site.
spiced_ham
16 years ago
If you want the plants to actually leave your possession, $15-$20 per healthy plant unless it is a truly rare, expensive plant. In bloom add $5.

Experienced hobby growers who know the value of plants generally get most of their rare plants from friends as free divisions or trades. Or they know the places online to get them. No real orchid grower will pay high box store-garden center prices. For novices and the general non orchid public orchids are like cars, once off the lot the price plummets. A $50 florist's blooming white noid Phal is worth $5 on the street out of bloom.

Two people can sit side by side selling orchids, one a private collection, and the other a professional vendor. Same plants. The vendor will get $5-$10 more per plant and sell twice as many because people think they are "new cars". I've sat in both chairs. It's very frustrating

a friend wants to sell her plants

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gardnergal

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a friend wants to sell her plants

Comments (5)

gardnergal

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toyo2960

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