Re: Quiet List/ The Trade

---

    I recently attended a dinner and trade show put on by my hort supplier over in Louisville, Ky. Was quite interesting and enjoyable. Two salesmen sat at our table and were quite enlightening. One was speaking of his last major show in Atlanta this past summer. Said it was like an empty bowling alley. Those that did attend were not buying. He related that the wholesalers have been doing so-so, but retailers are now backed up and can not move what they have. Drought over the past 3 years has seemingly convinced many gardeners not to add anything new.

    Talking to some friends in PPA I am told that there is a feeling going around that the perennial market has become saturated over the past few years. Over production. Mostly over production of the same old stuff over and over going out to the same major catalogs of rewholesalers. Tissue culture is now cranking it out for the masses. Wonderful...now everyone can have one for less than $5. Sure took the wind out of profit sales for rare or unusual market in many cases.

    Many of those supplying the box boxes are doing production at right on the profit line or less than in order to keep their help from wandering off during winter. The big squeeze is on so we can go purchase our bedding and annuals each spring at very unrealistic prices. Loss-leaders mostly.

    Having said all that, there are owners outside this mass homogenized madness who are making a profit and doing ok. Simply by becoming aware and becoming a needed niche market. Doing their homework, staying focused. Being on the internet and having a web site is now, more than ever, a necessity to reach out to an even smaller piece of the pie. Those that are local only are suffering from local droughts. A good web site takes one outside of the local to where someone somewhere is wanting something new for their garden where it rained last week.

    The time for a shake-out is probably now here in the trades. probably will be best for all when it is over.. except for the guys who got trapped in the squeeze and could not react (act) quickly enough to survive and find profits.

    Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
www.munchkinnursery.com
g*@munchkinnursery.com
Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana