rare and exotics

[EddieM]

I'm thinking of starting to start (maybe a little business) growing unusual, perhaps a bit rare and more exotic plants.

Some of the things I have for consideration are:-

1) A Physic garden, ok not particularly rare or exotic granted.

2) Asian herbs, Inc Wasabi, Saffron & Galangal (you get the idea)

3) Chillies

4) Orchids (might be a bit of bother)

5) Lilies

6) Old roses (PITA I know)

7) Malmasions. (very rare)

8) General old varieties of old favourites.

9) Alpines

10) Picotees, I like picotees (papaver picotee , Camilla (Margaret Davis)

Any other things you think I should consider?

 

[plastic_peanut]

I really like the idea, would start with what you have identified and see what response you get. This will hopefully give you something to build upon.

How do you intend to market and sell them?

 

[EddieM]

I really like the idea, would start with what you have identified and see what response you get. This will hopefully give you something to build upon.

How do you intend to market and sell them?

It's a completely fair question re marketing / selling, I'll start off just growing stuff personally, the market will of course be limited to "enthusiasts" as the bulk market is for pretty generic stuff, not that there's anything wrong with that, but some people I'm sure want something less mainstream.

 

[HawkEye244]

Good luck EddieM. I can't really add much to this because I grow a lot of plants on my allotment but mostly veg that I can eat.
Sounds like you're lucky enough to have a bit of space outside to get going. I wish I had.
I guess the only way to know is to find out..?

 

[plastic_peanut]

Would still treat it like any other aspiring business if you are looking to make money.

Competitor analysis etc etc.

Anyway I would be interested in a purchase if you do mail order? Assuming you aren’t in the Manchester area

 

[EddieM]

I'm adding to the list

Bilberries (blueberries if you must, but a totally different species) Cloudberries, lingonberries.

Hmm, could be awkward, lot of different environs needed there!

 

[EddieM]

Would still treat it like any other aspiring business if you are looking to make money.

Competitor analysis etc etc.

Anyway I would be interested in a purchase if you do mail order? Assuming you aren’t in the Manchester area

Close enough.

 

[EddieM]

Oh and oriental acers and maples.

 

[HawkEye244]

Never tried any of those!
Perhaps start with a few to begin with to get a feel for it and build on that ?
What part of the UK are you in?

 

[EddieM]

Never tried any of those!
Perhaps start with a few to begin with to get a feel for it and build on that ?
What part of the UK are you in?

Always gonna be north of England not South, done with that.

 

[EddieM]

Never tried any of those!
Perhaps start with a few to begin with to get a feel for it and build on that ?
What part of the UK are you in?

Should give some a go, rewarding, old varieties can be a bit of a pain, as newer varieties have had vigour bred in and disease susceptibility bred out, but say in the case of many roses, the scent has also gone.