Small orchid nursery for florists and garden centres

Florists, independent garden centres, gift shops, interior planting firms and some retail customers.

You sell batches of plants at wholesale prices on regular orders, plus higher-margin retail sales to visitors and online customers.

• Growing plants to a consistent quality
• Planning crop cycles and stock
• Building relationships with trade buyers
• Basic business and cost control

• Energy costs can be the biggest running expense, so model them carefully before committing
• Check with your local council whether you need planning permission for greenhouses or a change of use
• Check plant health and registration requirements with Defra or the Animal and Plant Health Agency, including plant passports for trade sales
• Check CITES rules if you deal in any species orchids
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance if you hire staff
• Trade customers may pay on account, so plan for cash flow and late payments
• Losing a batch to pests, disease or a heating failure can be costly

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on your greenhouses, heating, stock and any premises. Energy can be the biggest running expense, so model it carefully before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on your crop size, trade customers and any retail sales. The estimate assumes at least around 25 hours a week. Trade customers may pay late, so plan your cash flow.

Check with your local council whether greenhouses need planning permission or a change of use. Check plant health and registration with Defra or the Animal and Plant Health Agency, including plant passports for trade sales, and CITES rules for any species orchids.