I have been hard at work trying to get the tropicals up for winter. It odd I don't remember planting that many plants. Most that are left are the cannas. Another thing I have been hard at work on is my Colocasia Hybrids. From what I gather I maybe the only person breeding Colocasias for new unusual foliage. Their are about 6 places in the world that are working on Colocasia hybrids for better food crop. Most forms being produced look very similar no coloring. I am trying to produce larger colorful forms hardier forms and just unique oddities. It usually takes me 3 years to release a plant. Colocasias pollinated in the summer are now ripening up and the berries are full. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks to get the seeds to sprout and from their it can take me as long as a year to get them to a decent height. The main problem is fungus attacks at early stages. I hope to improve my methods of keeping them fungus free this year. Many of these plants will have to be tested a extra year to see how hardy it is some may take a few years to study. In those years I cannot release any until I know if I need a patient on certain ones. Unfortunately patients are not cheep or easy to get. Even if I get a patient on a plant it does not mean anyone will enforce it besides myself which is some of the major problems with the plant business world at the moment. The patient is certificate letting everyone know that this hybrid was made by me and is controlled by me. Meaning people who sell it will give me a portion of the profits. Now I am not at all a business person but if I can make a living breeding odd new plants it would be a dream job. Unfortunately for years many breeders have give plants away only to have large scale nurseries make good profit off the plants, changing the names to the plants, and no payment to its hybridizer. Which is a quick fix for the industry. The thing that plant collectors large scale sellers and nurseries should note is that these hybridizers are feeding the industry with new plants. If I had the money space and area I would breed more and more plants. This is the only way the industry will grow and that new exciting plants will make the market. Stronger healthier and much prettier plants are all being done by breeders. The thing is that a few colleges and back yard growers are the sources for these hybrids. Many of the colleges are now patenting their plants and reaping great reward from it. Hopefully small time collectors and in home hybridizers like myself can do the same. Sorry for the rambling but thought I would share my thoughts.
Me rambling on hybrids and the plant world.
Brian,
I understand your need to protect your investment. It is not just money but your time, blood, sweat and tears. I understand how it may be hard to enforce but is there anyway to perhaps sell the patent? So even though you may not get royalties, perhaps you can get a lump sum up front?
These days, big business will do whatever it can to get even bigger. It is a shame that the little guys are the ones to suffer. It almost seems like the big guys are making the rules to keep out the little guy, but it is the little guy that really drives it all.
Keep faith, hang in there! You will have us to help support you! We all have to stick together!
Ana
I would find an investor to go in with you....get the up front money for the patent and go from there.....I think you have a great future....your plants are gorgeous...judy
Brian....you have Dmail...
MerryMary