Pondering about selling first year haskaps

General Fruit Growing
#1

In retirement I plan on running a backyard nursery. Between now and then I like to execute what I call proof of concept; basically I propagate and sell in particular ways to see if my assumptions agree with reality.

In the past I have propagated haskaps, let them grow for a season, and sold them the next season for $20. By then the plants have gone through 3 growth spurs; the initial, late summer, and in the spring. At this point they have achieved a fairly decent market size. This year I’m considering selling first year plants, basically well rotted cuttings. These I would sell for $10. Basically half the money but with a significantly reduced work load.

Does this sound sensible? Something you think people would be interested in?

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#2

I don’t mind paying more in exchange for years. Our growing season is too short and the winters are so long.

That being said, people seem to love a “good deal” and something that is $10 would be a very attractive price for the average person that isn’t a plant addict.

I’ve been to some of the neighborhood backyard nursery sales and people go crazy for flowers- and everything is priced under $20. You’d probably make more selling flowers than you would selling haskaps (perennial flowers).

#3

Every time I go to restoring Eden the cheap cutting tables by cash register get me into trouble. The deals for small rooted cuttings

Go for it. :scissors::crossed_fingers:

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#4

Probably. I just have more fun propagating edibles and upon retirement fun is high on the priority list.

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#5

@don1357 do you have any specific resources you recommend on propagating haskaps, and/or would you share a bit more about your process for taking cuttings and holding them for a year?

#6

sell some of both.

#7

There is a very long thread in the subject with lots of good approaches.

Me, I have a super short season where growth doesn’t usually start until May. In other to get a head start I may take my cuttings in late February and may temporarily stick the bundles in the snow. By mid March the latest the bundles are stuck in moist peat moss with a heat underneath, warm bottoms and cold tops promote root growth over leafing, which improves survival. By mid April they go into pots and would be ready by June.

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#8

Your theoretical prices are too high for “seedlings” or their grafts.

But, if you have trialed and fruited the seedlings and they are superior in some manner…
then I think you possibly have a viable business idea.

Seedlings should be under $2 each in my estimation. But, I suppose the right price is anything someone is agreeable to pay.

#9

Plants are rather expensive here, and well rotted cuttings are a step well above seedlings in both development and survival. Heck some of my cuttings have pushed fruit the first year.

Next year I may try seedlings of some things like Nanking cherries.

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