help and advice for a new market grower
clinchbilly
10 years ago
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boulderbelt
10 years agoUser
10 years agoRelated Discussions
What do 'serious' orchid growers think of cheap mass market phal?
Comments (21)Gary, it's more than *either* bozo *or* snobbish. Big middle of the continuum where most of us hang out. Knowing that live orchids are thrown out to die is tough. However, my 40 indoor plants are crowded, and just one of those large big box Phals would push a couple off the shelf. Denninmi, for me, the most important thing is to enjoy our orchids, whatever their source or price. I'm glad the big box stores have Phals and other orchids at low prices. I might never have gotten into orchids had it not been for one of those stores. Before then, I thought orchids demanded hothouse conditions and didn't know commercial growers existed. The stores introduce loads of uninformed folks to orchids. Your question about quality... Masses of big box orchids, identified or not, come from Thailand. Others may know if quality is similar to those from US commercial growers, but *I* feel better buying from a grower whom I can contact to see if they have an orchid not listed in their catalog, get detailed info about a particular plant, could visit if in the area, whatever. Your question about what the availability of these plants at low prices to the general public means to more professional orchid growers... I wonder about that, too, if I'm understanding your question. Have big box sales had a detrimental effect on US professional, commercial growers? My understanding is countless plants come from factory farms in Thailand, where the weather's ideal; utility, labor, transportation, & other costs are low; and the mammoth greenhouse compounds are largely or completely automated. It seems impossible for US growers to compete, but perhaps the two markets largely draw different customers. Or maybe hobbyists continue to buy from US growers while shopping at big box stores for inexpensive, blooming orchids that aren't available from US growers at those prices anyway. There are bound to be other variables. And... just know - for $15-$25 plus shipping, you can get a blooming size Phal from a US commercial grower, or one of the multitude of other orchids that grow in Phal conditions. These plants aren't likely forced to bloom, as the big box orchids are. If you order during the orchid's natural blooming season, you'll receive a spiking plant. Otherwise, it will flower during its next season, as most of yours probably do now. Enjoy, WhiteCat8...See MoreNew rose grower, advice on climbers
Comments (33)Hi mendicino! Thank you for your reply. I do have deer, but this particular stretch of fence line is immediately in front of the house, near the driveway. The deer seem to a) avoid the house, b)avoid the cars in the driveway, and c) avoid the dogs inside the fence! I think it's the dogs that are the most effective; even though they aren't outside all the time, they have marked up the property pretty well (HA!) I have hostas and fruit trees inside the fence line that are untouched; now my raspberries and blackberries outside the fence line? Fair game! So we'll see. It's all an experiment in this garden and I'm trying to be zen about the inevitable future plant losses, not just roses, but all the plants I plan on experimenting with in the next few years. I did discover that the vineyard up the road has a beautiful rose garden; luckily we're good friends with the owners so I am going to head up there and start asking questions, too....See MoreAdvice for new market grower with a microfarm?
Comments (22)I was up and through Peoria a couple weeks ago on my way over the Dadant's in Hamilton. We are a little south and east of you - the home place is between Decatur and Champaign and I live down in the Mattoon-Charleston area. We do two markets in Decatur and one in Monticello during the season but know a fellow that has been IIRC to the Riverfront Market in Peoria (meat seller) and liked it OK. Bloomington is a bit farther from you but has a really good market, as does Springfield. I really do not know much about the smaller markets in that area but U of I Extention had a website listing a bunch of them. As you probably have figured out the easy part of our job is the growing - marketing takes a little more work. My observation has been that the first year or two you need to work on building your customer base. In an established market people know who they have dealt with in the past and IIHO tend to favor them at least for their primary purchaces. After people get to know you and your produce you'll develop you own following - especially if you can find a nitch product that others do not have. That means your going to have to sell yourself as much as your product. I try to greet as many of the people walking by with a simple "Good morning" or something to that effect. Most respond back; quite a few will stop and engage you in conversation. That both creates the potential for a purchace and makes your booth look busy. Busy looking stands tend to draw more people. Learn as much as you can about your produce and be willing to share that in a concise way. As far as the organic draw - I really could not say. My gut says that most of our customers are more interested in the freshness and locality of our produce than if we are or are not organic. That is going to depend a lot on the market so you may find different. One thing to do is look into taking WIC and Senior Nutrition Farmer's Market vouchers. They are easy to do and free to sign up for but it takes a little time to get set up. It opens another avenue of revenue and frankly are great programs. Tom Here is a link that might be useful: Illinois Farm Direct Market Search...See MoreGrowers/vendors needed for Ardmore growers' market
Comments (0)I know most of you (including me) grow for your own consumption, but I wanted to help get the word out that the Ardmore "Market Place on Broadway" growers' market is looking to recruit some new vendors. This organization is ran by the local growers' association. Vendors can set up a booth for $20 on Saturdays and it's free on Wednesdays. Call Melvett Chambers at 405-207-6515 for details. Can also sell nuts, eggs, honey, etc. The market is held in downtown Ardmore (off of main street) next door to Key's Grocery. It will start up again April 21. Please help get the word out! They also have a facebook at www.facebook.com/marketplacebroadway...See Moreclinchbilly
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