Newish Orchid Business owner from Savannah, GA

Hi folks, I just came across the link to this forum while perusing Marni Turkel's flask list. I started a small orchid business about 1.5 yrs ago in Savannah, GA. So far, it's local only. I offer plants for sale but I also offer leases and rental of plants or unique orchid arrangements. I've been growing orchids for 27 yrs and my doctoral work is discussed in Eric Christenson's Phalaenopsis monograph... I was the first person to suggest that Doritis and Kingidium were not genetically distinct from Phalaenopsis. I spent the 11 yrs prior to starting my business as an academic at small teaching institutions and a combination of fortuitous luck and a need to escape the frustrations I had with the process of academia led me down a new path. While starting your own business certainly comes with its own set of stresses, I really enjoy it. I look to forums for cultural advice (even after 27 yrs, you can learn more), direction to materials I may be hunting for, etc. I also hope other orchid businesses are willing to share the knowledge they've gained over the years for making this venture successful.

Thank!

 

At one time I had collected over 50 species of Phalaenopsis but I lost a number to some "crud" that, in the midst of the all the other demands of academia (I had no staff to care for the plants - I did everything), I had no time to figure out and treat properly. However, I worked on the Vandeae, particularly the Aeridinae and continue to collect obscure genera and species as I come across them. I have a fondness for Cleisostoma and the various genera that are close to it. Other than the "common" ones, they don't appear very often, so I keep an eye out as I look for business stock. As for my business, I can't compete with the pricing of Phalaenopsis so, I "rescue" them as I see them on clearance and revive them for use in leasing/sales/rentals. I have been growing my collection of Oncidioids and Dendrobiums for my business as I can find high quality plants for reasonable wholesale rates and my clients appreciate them, particularly the Oncidioids. I specialize in making arrangements with natural materials that, I hope, stand out from the pile of random orchids in a basket with the pots hidden by spanish moss. That look is fine for someone doing it themselves but work that is being paid for should be a step above that. I'm not sure if it's okay to mention business names on here so I won't until I know but I post photos of my arrangements on my business Facebook page (my website is way behind, unfortunately).

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks

 

Since I'm local to Savannah, I don't think I'll lean too much toward "advertisement". I appreciate the heads up though!