Gary's Gesneriad Farm
Monday, September 1, 2025
Friday, August 29, 2025
The Venture Capital Method of Growing Plants
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| Begonia serratipetala |
The Venture
Capital Method of Growing Plants.
Venture capital dominates the
business news because the unicorn stories are so spectacular. The ventures that lost capital are not discussed. One winner, 100 losers. The one successful idea takes the money –
non-refundable- and becomes the category king.
All other ventures cease to exist.
Can we find new plants to introduce
to the gardening public with the venture capital model?
We look for new plants, continually,
in the hopes of finding the next big sparkling plant that blows up on the internet.
New houseplants are hard to find,
but the Etsy, eBay, Facebook system has allowed plant collectors who are
experts with a few plants to sell their new ones for high prices. The speed of the internet has revolutionized
the distribution of rare plants. Yeh.
So, what does venture capital have
to do with this?
Since I never know which new plant
will catch on to be the ‘Hot’ plant of the month, I must buy a lot and hope one
rises to the top. The remainders can
ride along as average. Sometime later,
one or two may zoom to the top. Or fade
away.
Where do these plants come from?
New species are being found all the time. There are described species that are put into
cultivation and determined to be commercially sought after. Hybridizers introduce great new clones all
the time. Some are better.
So, if new clones are for sale on the
internet for hundreds of dollars, how much venture capital should be risked
looking for the one plant that will pay off all the other losers?
Thursday, July 10, 2025
What to know about the Trump Tariff Tax, REVISED
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| Tolumnia imported from Thailand |
The current threat of the Trump Tariff Tax for Thailand is 36%.
I was too conservative suggesting that 25% would be crippling. If the Trump Tariff Tax on Thailand plants becomes 36%, it will end trade and make an enemy of Thailand, a friend during the Vietnam War.
My hypothetical order of $6,000 would have to pay $2,160 for the Trump Tariff Tax.
No more Orchids.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
What to know about Trump Tariff Tax, Part II
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| Tolumnia imported from Thailand |
If Trump demands a Trump Tariff Tax of 25% on items imported from Thailand, then the buyer must pay that unnecessary fee.
A shipment of $6,000 must pay $1,500 import charge for the Trump Tariff Tax.
If the Trump goal is to force me to buy these Orchids in the United States, that idea will fail.
These Orchids will never be grown here because the high cost will prevent them from ever being sold.
Tariffs always work. They raise prices unnecessarily and reduce the growth rate of the economy and my small business.
Tariffs stifle free enterprise and cripple my small business. Very Un-American.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
What to know about the plant tariff
Saturday, June 21, 2025
We need to know the answer
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| Tolumnia - one fan - two spikes - high bud count |
Flowering is the only thing that matters with houseplants. The more flowers the better. For commercial production, the most flowers for the least cost is ideal.
I've found 10 Tolumnia that have two spikes on one fan out of a population of 10,000. That is one tenth of one percent. You could say that it is rare.
What causes double spikes to occur? It is genetic or culture? These double spike plants are seedlings, meaning that all characteristics segregate undependably. If I find one, should it be cloned, so we get superior plants?
Or is it culture meaning it is capable of double spikes but only if it grows with good culture?
If you know, tell me. Thanks






