Sunday, August 30, 2020

State of the Business

Sinningia 'Gabriel's Horn' grown by Gary's Specialty Plants




The State of the business.

 

            Presidents give State of the Union addresses, trade magazines collect State of the Industry facts.  I should give a State of this Business report.

 

            This recession is not affecting me this time as houseplants are in high demand, contrary to the 2009 recession, which crushed sales of Annuals.

 

            If you don’t have a job, you really don’t have to buy a Petunia.

 

            Houseplants may be different.  They don’t cost much, and they could make you feel better.

 

            Some of those who are employed, which is over 80% of the work force, are interested in houseplants.  And on the collector side of things, don’t really care what rare plants cost.

 

            I have unusual plants and strive for the rare.  It’s where the money is.

 

            If there is a trend, it’s that price barriers are breaking, and we don’t’ have to get squeezed by high input costs.  We can charge more if necessary and garden centers are able to profit from higher prices.

 

            Price is a signal.  If indoor gardeners will pay higher prices, we should produce more uncommon plants.

 

            The State of this Business is very good.




 

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Doomsday Update

We're going to be alright 


Doomsday update.

            On March 15, when the United States shut down, I didn’t think that we would ever sell another plant.
           
            The Horticulture industry was panicked.  With Spring plant sales in jeopardy, it was easy to predict bankruptcy ahead.

            But retail sales started to open up and doomsday was averted.

            The pent-up demand overwhelmed garden centers and most recorded extra high sales.

            What happened to us?

            We had several eCommerce customers who suddenly found themselves with double the orders.  Indoor gardeners were trapped at home.  Hey, “Let’s order a plant.  UPS will bring it to my house.”

            We have had difficulty growing enough plants to catch up.

            No one could have predicted this year’s events.  No one knows how to predict what’s next??

            If I continue the baseball metaphor, now I’m winning 46-23.  Impossible, unlikely game?

            Yes.