The Bulb Hunter

This article is a truly inspiring story about a young guy who has followed his heart and done something cool.  The obvious bits are interesting enough:

Mr. Wiesinger makes a living finding pretty things in ravaged places. In 2004 he started the Southern Bulb Company with the aim of reintroducing flowers long out of vogue, committing himself exclusively to those that have ably asserted themselves against the particular cruelties of exceedingly hot weather for decades, even centuries.

Drawing on a business plan he devised three years ago as a senior in Texas A&M's horticulture program, he collects the bulbs and propagates them on his small farm in Mineola, about two hours east of Dallas. Afterward, he distributes them to nurseries and over the Internet through his Web site, southernbulbs.com.

But there are many other interesting tidbits, including the unusual lifestyle of the friends who run the company together.  Also interesting--and disheartening--was the news that this young nursery isn't profitable yet.  I find it discouraging to think that this guy is providing such valuable material and getting so little in return.  In fact, I'm continually amazed by the relatively low prices fetched by plants and plant materials.  Maybe gardeners are instinctively cheap people.

Link: The Bulb Hunter - New York Times.