Re: Mail Order Nurseries / One Speaks

BTW - Gene - I've re-read that article you wrote on gentians half a dozen times.  Do you think any of them could survive in Texas??


---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: kmrsy@comcast.net
Reply-To: gardenchat@hort.net
Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2003 17:23:33 +0000

>Gene,
>I'm sure you're right on almost all counts. I hope your prediction of "I
>will say that one day there may only be the big discounters
>
>> remaining, or close to it."  doesn't come true in my lifetime.  
>
>I have no interest in being some sort of 'plant elitist', but with the
>space I have I want to grow interesting things. That doesn't mean
>there's no room for tradition - I've got Tawny Daylilies (Hemerocallis
>fulva) and Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium), some old fashioned
>peonies, hostas w/out names, Black-eyed susans, and purple coneflowers.
>These plants appeal to me with their natural, unapologetic vigor. But I
>also want more Fringecups (Tellima) and Naval Worts (Omphalodes),
>18-inches-at-maturity Lilacs, Colchicum, Hardy Cyclamen, Species
>Woodland Peonies, Epimediums, and on and on. For these I must depend on
>mailorder.
>
>
>I know you try very hard, Gene, and it must seem like an uphill battle
>at times, but we really need people like you. And I, for one appreciate
>you and Munchkin Nursery. It's a tough business, but we're glad you
>continue to plug away at it.
>
>
>Kitty
>> Well, Gang
>>     You knew I would eventually have to jump in here;-)
>>     One of the things that gets lost in a conversation among ourselves is we
>> are "preaching to the converted". Most on this list are above average on
>> plant knowledge. Not as with the general population of gardeners or
>> yardeners. Not everyone shares your passion or depth of knowledge.
>> When I grow on or order 72 plugs to grow on for 6 months to a year for
>> resale, I need a market for same. If I do not sell them I go out of
>> business. There is a balance in all this and it is a fine line. If I get too
>> far ahead of the curve I "eat the plants". Too far behind and "everyone"
>> already has one. Also I must build a customer base that wants the rare,
>> unusual, or different from their neighbors. ... and will purchase a plant
>> that is going to cost them a bit extra. Most gardeners want what they have
>> seen elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that, unless you are among the "few".
>>     I spend a tremendous amount of time educating gardeners hoping that they
>> may one day become a customer. Articles in magazines, on my web site,
>> newspapers, etc. Slide presentations and lectures each month all over the
>> place. All these email lists each day, 7 days a week. One on one with
>> customers here. My catalog which I must write and publish each year. And so
>> on.......
>>     Will you notice and purchase from me??? Odds say you will not. The
>> majority of gardeners will purchase what they know where they live ( and
>> most likely from a very large discount store). Nothing wrong there or "bad",
>> just reality. We live on a very thin slice of the gardening pie here.
>>     But, I will say that one day there may only be the big discounters
>> remaining, or close to it. No one to ask questions of, no one to pass out
>> printed information or maintain a web site where you can check up on a
>> plant. Just here it is, and it will be tiny and poorly cared for. Shoppers
>> will have gotten what they purchased over the years.
>>     Gene E. Bush
>> Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
>> www.munchkinnursery.com
>> genebush@munchkinnursery.com
>> Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> > Well, Jim, as others have said; depends a lot on where you are and
>> > what plants you're interested in.  I've ordered plants via mail for
>> > 30 years because I wanted something I couldn't otherwise get.  Yes,
>> > if you can find what you want locally in a nice large pot, you're
>> > ahead of the game, but even around here, where more and more is
>> > becoming available, the really choice and rare stuff is only going to
>> > be found via mail.
>> >
>> > IMO we need to support our mailorder nurseries.  Many of them are the
>> > last remnants of true nurseries where they propagate and grow the
>> > plants they sell.  Most garden centers and large local nurseries
>> > around here buy in their plants; don't grow a thing; never propagate
>> > at all.  The people selling don't know much about plants, even the
>> > ones they're selling.  The knowledge and years of hands on experience
>> > in growing and propagating rare and difficult or unusual plants rest
>> > with our *good* mailorder nurseries.
>> >
>> > Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>> message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
>message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
>
>

--
Pam Evans
Kemp TX/zone 8A



--

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index