The ending first

Achimenes 'Petite Fadette'

 

The ending first.

 

            Some authors argue that you should write the ending of the story first.  Then the beginning.  It makes it easier to fill in the middle.

 

            How should the Achimenes project end?  The goal is to create a new commercial flowering plant for the shady patio.  What would that look like?

 

            Major crops dominate international horticultural businesses.  They advertise continuously, they have big displays at trade shows, they have research stations introducing new varieties yearly.  But their categories are already established --- Geraniums, Poinsettias, Chrysanthemum.  Gerberas, New Guinea Impatiens, Roses.  The new ones --- Angelonia, Calibrachoa, Bacopa.

 

            Achimenes must start a new category.  Why have a big trade show exhibit if there is no supply?

 

            I see the end game as a regional introduction to a new flowering plant.  Achimenes in flower will be commonly available at Independent Garden Centers on the East coast.  Home gardeners will learn to love their cheery display of colors in the shade.  Achimenes rhizomes will be available nationally from retail eCommerce sellers.  The best Achimenes varieties from the World-class hybridizer, Serge Saliba, will be introduced every year.

 

            There will be one source of supply from the developer of the Achimenes crop --- Gary’s Gesneriad Farm LLC.

 

            After several years of regional success, then it will go bigger or stabilize.

 

            To go bigger requires a lot of muscle.  Competitors will take up Achimenes or the project will be taken over by big players.

 

            Only then, will Achimenes be shown at the big trade shows and gardeners will find their new flowering shade plant everywhere.