How It Started
In 1990 I have written to a well-known cactus seeds collector in Mexico, requesting some cactus seeds. He sent me much more than I could use. A friend suggested advertising them for sale in a gardening magazine, which I did. The seeds were sold within a few weeks and people were asking for more. After writing letters to some other cactus seeds collectors, nurseries, private collectors, cactus clubs and societies, etc., I established a network of suppliers in Australia and overseas, providing me with a great choice of numerous species, varieties and forms of cacti. I encouraged my customers to send me their “wish lists” and I would hunt for the seeds of the species they were interested in. More often than not, I would get them, even though several times it has taken me a few years. (But getting some species into Australia is impossible, because they are classified by AQIS as weeds.)
Through the years the number of regular customers grew. Most of them commented very favourably on the germination rate, quality of the seeds, etc, which helped me to weed out the unreliable suppliers. The reputation for the quality of seeds, ever increasing number of species on the seed list, prompt responses to requests for seed lists or for seeds made me the top cactus seeds dealer in Australia just six years after the first offer. In 2001, with almost 3700 cactus species on my list, I had the biggest cactus seeds list in the world, though others were offering a much larger selection of succulent seeds. Since 2004 my lists have the biggest selection of cactus AND succulents seeds hovering at about 7,000 names (this year it is a staggering 8,300 items), while the second largest list is hovering around 6,200 names.
The seed list could be much bigger, but AQIS regulations prevent me from importing numerous genera and species of cacti. On my list there are “prohibited imports“, but are supplied by local growers. Those seeds were harvested from plants imported to this country before any restrictions were introduced.
In the last few years the sales were increasing beyond my expectations. I contribute it to more and more severe restrictions on water uses, which I believe will be getting harsher. The last financial year’s increases were certainly stimulated by my statement about a price hike this year – see page “Prices”.
Within a few years I will be a pensioner and this business will nicely supplement my pension. It will also keep me busy – I intend to expand the website substantially.
If you are looking for Hoodia gordinii, Australian buyers can buy my Hoodia products from www.hoodiacompany.com , overseas buyers need to visit the website of my hoodia suppliers - www.hoodiafarmers.com