An unusual business opportunity in the Little Karoo is up for purchase by somebody with an interest in plant propagation and horticulture, more particularly of succulents.
The eight year old business, Mooiloop Plants, is for sale as owner Dolores Coullie is retiring.
Coullie says “I have thousands of plants, most of which need hardly any care other than to be protected from too much rain or pampering.
Rarity drives demand
“As these plants are in huge demand due to their rarity I sell each between R60 and R600 a plant. 90% of the plants I sell for R100 each. I have chosen to sell only in South Africa but get constant queries from overseas customers desperate to buy my plants.
“My nursery is not open to the public and have chosen to do business over the internet.” While the business has no website at present, all marketing is done through its Facebook page, Mooiloop Plants. Customers make contact via WhatsApp and orders are despatched by courier at buyer’s cost.
To keep costs down, orders are sent bare-root, so buyers need to repot their plants or plant them out on receipt.
Protected plants on permit
Many of the species propagated at Mooiloop Plants are rare and protected, and may only be traded under permit conditions. Says Coullie “There are some 90-plus protected plants on my permit, which I don’t use to its full potential.” To expand into catering for international customers an international license is easily available, she adds.
Repeat orders
With species including Tylecodons, Albuca, Drimia and others in her offering, Coillie says her customer base of 3 000 Facebook followers is characterised by good repeat ordering, and includes nurseries countrywide.
Currently the nursery is housed in two 10 x 15m shadecloth greenhouses in Rooiheuwel, Oudtshoorn. However, Coullie says the business will readily move to the buyer’s premises, wherever that may be. “I will uproot – literally – the plant stock and send it and the empty pots to the new owner.”
Little care required
One of the characteristics of Karoo succulents is that they require hardly any care. Once potted in suitable soil minimal watering and fertilization is given. This closely mimics the conditions they would find in the arid Karoo countryside.
Apart from the stock of plants for sale, Coullie maintains a stock of mature plants for seed production and propagation. These are included in the deal.
Says Coullie “I will support the new owner in any way I can. I will involve myself for a full year to help the buyer with the shifts in seasonal growing, from summer to winter.”
Excellent reputation
She adds, “The nursery has an excellent reputation and I cannot keep up with its growth. I would be thrilled to pass on this wonderful little business and the joy it brings to somebody who might enjoy it as much as I have.”
As a price guideline she is prepared to sell the nursery as a going concern for R460 000, or the plants only for R300 000.
Prospective buyers can WhatsApp Coullie on 072 670 1067 or email dolores.coullie@gmail.com
Main image: Translucent leaves of Cotyledon orbitcularis, one of the species available through Mooiloop Plants. Pictures courtesy Mooiloop Plants.