"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
"ManWorld42" wrote in message
m...
That was how much my local Petsmart wants for a small bunch of Java
Fern. Are they crazy or do aquatic plants really cost that much?

The price doesn't sound too unreasonable, assuming it's of a decent size
(3-1/2" - 4" leaves). I used to purchase plants wholesale and price them
for retail. Aquatic plants do not have a standard mark-up. They tend to
fall into 3 price ranges, the lowest costs pennies to buy, and the real
cost is transport, inspection, duty, then the labour to separate, bundle
with weights and plant them in tanks which are maintained like a farmer's
plot of land. The top price range is for plants like Anubius attached to
wood, or Riccia fluitans or other high demand plants. The middle range
has a very reasonable mark-up, is not cheap to purchase (for the store),
but also is unlikely to die on you (or the store). This is where
Madagascar Lace, Undulatus, loose Anubius and Java ferns fall.

The Java Fern I saw at Petsmart was $9 CDN for a plant about 4" tall. I
passed.




The fish clubs can be a good source, but I've been to a couple of their
auctions where plants sold for prices at retail prices and higher, so
buyer-beware. IMO, the best way to get plants is to be trading with
fellow hobbyists.
--
www.NetMax.tk