calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 137
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| Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: a greenhouse for me? |
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hello everyone,
i am so crazy about plants that i'd like to have a business involving them.
right now i work in an office doing imports. not bad, but not thrilling either.
and i seem to spend a lot of time on the balcony takig care of my plants.
and i have realized my country is in need of nice plants. all you can get is plants in plastic pots, and there is no art in it.
i have been to asian countries and i have seen the way they present their plants. nicely matched, decorated, trimmed, nice clay pots... it's like an art.
i'd like to have a greenhouse and take care of plants and then sell them.
land is quite cheap compared with other european countries - but not for long - and i am sure it could be a good business.
i am not sure i have all the money to buy the land and actually build the greenhouse.
if there are other people thinking about starting such a business - it doesn't have to be here in my country - DO let me know. we can combine our forces and start something nice.
LET ME KNOW!
Calin
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Primsong
Flower of the Shire
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Location: Oregon (Map)
Posts: 1770
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| Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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What a great idea - I do hope you can make it happen! Maybe you can at least start out with learning about where you might be able to sell them nearby and for how much - this would give you an idea of what kind of plants would be the most in demand, so you know what to start growing as soon as you have your space. Use the time to also decide where or how you will get the nice containers and pots - is there a local supplier, or a way to dress up what is already available, for instance.
Best of luck!
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cajunbelle
Daylily Diva
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Location: zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
Posts: 3011
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| Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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Calin, I pray that you can get your dream going. I would also, one day, love to do this. I think Prim gave you some good advice. Try this site, he gives some good information on propagating plants:
http://www.freeplants.com/
If this link does not work Google Mike McGroarty
I would also suggest that you read all that you can on this subject. The more informed you are the better your chance of success. Good luck.
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Sharon
Phil. 4:13
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 11196
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| Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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Calin have you thought of erecting a poly tunnel instead of a greenhouse? Many nurserymen and growers over here use them are they are cheaper than greenhouses.
You can get them in almost any size just Google 'polytunnels' and you should find loads of info. 
Good luck with your venture.
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Location: Texas (Map)
Posts: 6755
PlantStew: 219 |
| Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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That is a good idea eileen.I have one
in the makings and trying to get it finished before frost.Shanna's brother is doing it for me.Lots of people build them from PVC pipes here and use extra heavy plastic sheeting .Mine is being made from an old PVC gazebo .It will be only 12 by 12.It will be big enough for my plants in pots .I will also have shelves so I can have more room to start new plants for spring. I have heavy plastic that is 20 by 25.It is enough to go under and have the shelves sit on so if the wind gets high it will be on the south side of the house.It may not look so great but it will work and save lots of my plants.I can then hang 100
watt bulbs down low or an electic heater if really cold or both.I hardly ever gets in the teens here .
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 137
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| Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:01 am Post subject: |
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hello everyone. thanks for the good advice. i checked mike's website and it sounds cool. but i am thinking about something else. a green house with really large, tropical, exotic plants, nicely fit in cute containers.
i am not sure polytunnels will help plants survive in really cold weather that lasts from november to april, sometimes.
the problem with growing little plants from cuttings is that everyone is doing the same thing. my mom goes to a neighbor and sees something nice, she asks for a little branch. common people over here don't pay money for small plants that they can get from neighbors or relatives.
i am thinking about targeting richer people, who have large houses and can spend a little on plants. or hotels, restaurants, shops. or just people who can afford things.
the problem is i have the desire and will but i lack the know-how and maybe some of the capital.
i have ideas and i have seen things at the flower markets in taipei and hong kong and they would do well here. but the technology and investment is what i need.
i guess i'd have to visit some of the nurseries here and even talk to them if they want to expand.
thanks for all good ideas
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Garden-shmarden, Flower-bower... the showyer, the bigger, the exoticker, the better! 
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1256
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| Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Visiting nurseries sounds like the way to go, see the why's and hows of it. I bet if you could offer buisinesses not only unusual plants, but a service to care for the plants (feed, water, keep the leaves trimmed & dusted, etc.) you could really get somewhere!
Best of luck to you!
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Mary
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calinromania
On The Way Up
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Oradea, Romania (Map)
Posts: 137
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| Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:29 am Post subject: |
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Yup. Unfortunately there aren't many greenhouses like the one i'd like to own.
We basically have polytunnels and they normally import shrubs and fir threes and little ornamental trees that don't need a big load of care.
No tropical plants available.
Maybe because their maintenance during the winter months would be too expensive.
This is the major drawback. We get a long, cold winter here.
And I have no idea how tropical plants would behave during this cold time, and more importantly when spring and summer come - will they bloom, set fruit? and so on
IF I have some exotic plants it would be normal to show some flowers and fruits.
But I guess I'd have to take some chances, otherwise I'd just be thinking what if...
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Garden-shmarden, Flower-bower... the showyer, the bigger, the exoticker, the better!
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 11196
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