Re: Oh My Heart hosta

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While I was putting ideas to paper, Dan beat me to a lot of what  I wanted to suggest. But let me add some suggestions anyway..

1. By requiring a signed form, this appears to be too one-sided to protect the seller, you. Buyers might insist upon paying by check , requiring that they be released  from your agreement once you indorse  their check or share with anyone else any part of the money they give you for the hosta. This carries negotiations too far  to absurd limits of complexities  and becomes non-workable. I say forget such a signed form.

2.A sales agreement by you to limit sales in  any one season to a specific number (say 100) at a specific price (say 100 dollars for a two year old plant) would provide a gross income of 10,000 dollars for the new plant the first year.Is this not satisfactory for a new, outstanding plant? It seems better than most outright single sales of such plants for the  tissue culture market. If you feel you can not sell 100 plants at this price, then demand is not matched with supply and price., requiring  that you modify your sales agreement  perhaps to a limit of 75 plants at 100 dollars(= 7500dollars gross) or 50 plants at 90 dollars ( =4,500 dollars gross) . The plan for sales at a given price should be determined by you in order to allow supply and demand come into play. This flexibility and gradual price changes over time allows for simplicity  without enforcement of one-sided ,  complex sales agreements to protect the seller.

3.It seems that a different sales plan will be needed each year to respond to supply and demend which also changes each year.As a tc lab may become involved with your plant in the future, this is to be expected and accepted by both the seller and all buyers during the early years.

4. The above is what probably actually happens to some extent in the open, changing hosta market. We have no control over this  except in the earliest years. Even then, control is not complete. We must accept these economic and financial facts of life. And of course, we all know what has been discussed herein.
I have just tried to put it into words on paper.
Jim Hawes
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Dan Nelson wrote:

Ran,How much money do you feel you should make on 'Oh My Heart'. If you sold forty at $150. each......that would bring in $6,000. Are you thinking maybe $60,000.? The history of hosta sales seem to reflect that no one gets rich selling hostas....... And it's hard for me to imagine thousands of people paying $150. each when such a plant can be produced for just a few dollars. If you mention $150. for a hosta to people on the street....you are going to get strange looks.......I'm not so sure these strange looks aren't justified.. If you mention a $150. hosta to a hosta collector.........that strange look will already be in their eye......before you open your mouth...... I think most hosta serious collectors are already into trading with other collectors......and cutting the cost of their collections drastically. It's all about marketing anyway.....the hosta does not have to be that good.....it's the marketing that counts.......look at Tattoo for instance......I got mine as a bud cutting for free.........and 'Little Sun Spot' that I got for ten dollars looks better. Then I got some 'Little Sun Spot' liners for $3.75 ea. Is getting rich on a hosta cultivar just a pipe dream? I think it is. I wish there was a way for Ran to make lots of money on 'Oh My Heart' and get tens of thousands into peoples gardens......and even for sale at Wal-Mart........I'm not sure there is....but I still hope he does. I would like to see great hostas.....at every mobil home in America......great....inexpensive.....hostas.....everywhere.... It's going to happen to. One day. Hostas are just too easy to propagate for it to happen any other way. Dan Nelson   

----- Original Message -----

From: r*@netsync.net

To: hosta-open@mallorn.comSent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 8:19 AMSubject: Re: Oh My Heart hosta

 AnnIt blooms like that !  It is in it's eleventh year, and buds starting to show look like the best year yet!  I have (OS) stock, of about 40 plants, many of which have bloomed as well.  It is in 5 test gardens, and has preformed equally well there.  Now my problem.  I don't know how to sell it, and make sure one of the TC labs doesn't pick it up and run it.  I have worked many years to bring this plant to readiness, and have no intention of seeing someone else use my hard work to make money!  I have explored A patent, but so far that has not worked.  I am considering using a system of a signed form by each purchaser promising not to divide or share any part of the plant.  If anyone has any thoughts on this I would sure like to listen.ThanksRan Lydell10749  Bennett Rd.Dunkirk,  NY  14048

----- Original Message -----

From: A*@nd.edu

To: hosta-open@mallorn.com

Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 5:35 PM

Subject: Re: Oh My Heart hosta

 S*@aol.com wrote:
>
> Does it really flower that.  Picture in Hosta Library/    Thanks Chris

Wow! Is this one that is available or one that's still be nutured along?
That is spectacular!
--
Anne

A*@nd.edu
229 DeBartolo
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
219-631-8679
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