Question
Always fond of flowers, I've recently discovered that I love orchids and am growing a couple in my home.  Thinking of retiring from the rat race is about 5-7 years and moving south to the Carolinas.  I know there's plenty of information available about growing orchids as a hobby, but do you know of any about growing them and selling them as a part-time or boutique business?  I'm wondering if it could be profitable as a supplemental retirement income.  I'm just trying to think of doing a work that I would enjoy.  Do you know where I could find articles or resources about start-up costs for such a business, expected incomes, profits, etc.?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Diane

Answer
Hello Diane,

I'm afraid I can't be of much help in your quest for information about growing orchids as a business as I am strictly a hobby grower.  

But I can tell you that it would be difficult to make a living growing and selling orchids on a small scale unless you specialize in growing some of the less readily available but popular orchids.  Orchids such as paphiopedilums, phragmepediums, zygopetalums, pleurothallids, etc.  I'd stay away from phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids due to the fact they are mass produced overseas (by the millions) and it would be difficult to compete on price.  

If you are serious about wanting to try, let me know and I'll see what information I can dig up in my orchid library.  

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.  

Jim Kawasaki