Propagating to sell...any tips from you who do?

17 years ago

I am finally propagating enough that I'm considering having a sale this year or perhaps wintering things over and having one next spring, with the possibility of turning it into a small part-time local buisness in the future for supplemental income.

Questions:

Is it true that all professionals use soiless peat-based mixes? I used store-bought potting soil when I pot up for trades but from what I'm reading on the internet they say to never do that for "sale plants". Is this because of soil-born diseases? And how would a small-timer like myself get ahold of the good stuff in larger amounts?

When is the best time to dig up field-grown cuttings (like 1-2 year old Butterfly Bushes) for potting? Should this be done while they're still dormant prior to spring green-up or should they be potted in the fall and then overwintered in an unheated hoop house? I have historically had a black thumb when it comes to potted plants so the less time I have to care for them in pots before a sale the better their chances are lol.

I propagate cuttings in an automatic misting rooting bed and then move them to a nursery bed to grow on for a year or so which most of them seem to like very much. But I dug up some beautiful 1-3 gallon sized Butterfly Bushes for the swap as well as for some friends and despite my care in digging all the roots, watering them well and providing shade the Honeycomb and Black Knight varieties seemed to go into shock badly. The Nanho Blue on the other hand was hardly phased. I'd like to avoid this shock in the future. It may be weeks before they are looking nice again and by then we'll be in the heat and alot of folks don't like to buy/plant when it's that hot, not to mention the plants won't like it.

I've read some interesting things in the "market" forum although most of those folks sell produce and I was hoping for some advice more specific to things I grow. I propagate mainly perennials/landscaping shrubs. Right now Butterfly Bushes, Pee Gee Hydrangeas, Chrysanthemums & Artemesias are what I have excess of but will have more variety this year.

Any tips will be helpful! Sincerely, Squirrellypete

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Comments (5)

girlgroupgirl
17 years ago
Hey Squirrley:
We don't field grow anything "officially" but dig and divide from the garden. I start as soon as anything pops up because you want to be able to provide water at this critical time. For example, I've stopped dividing now because we will shortly be going into a complete water ban here. Cramps the style!
At church we use Fafard for potting. Shrubs, daylilies and larger perennials get a mix of Farard and "pine bark fines". Sunshine mix is another great potting medium that pro growers often use. If you can get a business # then you can buy in bulk at wholesale and it is feasable. If not, these are expensive growing mediums. The pine bark fines help drainage, and they also help to keep the pots from getting too dry.

The main reason growers don't use peat based mixes is that they dry out and are hard to re-wet. So there has to be a very concentrated effort on keeping everything moist all the time.

The hardest thing to do when home growing is to try and have plants ready for the public. Professional growers may field grow but then pot up early into greenhouses and force bloom for buyers. You need to build up a customer base locally that will understand you are not seeing blooming plants. It can be done.

GGG
vnginger
17 years ago
squirrellypete,
Congratulations on deciding to go into business...
I know the lady in my subdivision divides her plants to sell & she makes pretty good money twice a yr. doing it. Her plants are rather expensive compare to HD or Lowe's.... However, my neighbors & I always support her by buying her plants.
So good luck with your decision & your business. It's exciting to go into a business that you enjoy.
vnginger
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buford
17 years ago
I've moved some butterfly bushes, including a black knight, and they always wilt until they get aclimated. I just moved two on Sunday and they looked like heck today until I soaked them. If you do it in the fall, and cut them back, that might be better.

Good luck. Let us know when the first sale is.
georgia-rose
17 years ago
I use Natures Helper (3 parts) and MiracleGro (one part) for potting woodies and trees and about 50/50 for perennials, ferns and the like. I have used Fafard in the past, but the mix I wanted, wasn't always available locally, so I began mixing my own and experimenting along the way, until I found the right one.
I gave up on Bfly bushes and all of the Hydrangea paniculata cultivars, including PG's. They didn't sell for me.
Good luck with your endeavor. It can be a terrific learning experience and a lot of fun! It never was anything more than a hobby for me, that sort of got out of hand, But I eventually learned to take control and have scaled back to a manageable level.
squirrellypete
Original Author
17 years ago
I know we've been talking in e-mails but just wanted to thank you all for posting your info/advice here as well. Thanks guys & gals!

Squirrellypete

Propagating to sell...any tips from you who do?

Comments (5)

girlgroupgirl

vnginger

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Propagating to sell...any tips from you who do?

Comments (5)

girlgroupgirl

vnginger

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buford

georgia-rose

squirrellypeteOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

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