Here is the situation with our hybrids --
1. Johnny's Selected Seeds has distribution rights to anything that is deemed to be a potential product that we both can be proud of, and we both can make $$ on.
2. When we release a variety with Johnny's, there is a year lag between when a hybrid is selected for release, and when it is released. This is because hybrid seed needs to be produced, and this takes approximately one year.
3. We may first release a small number of hybrids directly on our website, only with Johnny's permission, and only when we think they have potential (even if they are a bit off-beat). We have not decided if we will release any hybrids directly in 2017 because our field trials have not been fully evaluated.
4. Anyone interested in trialing some of our test hybrids in 2017 may do so by joining our
Collaborating Members program.
A note about Johnny's support of us -- Johnny's helped us finish up and release the 7 varieties of true-breeding Artisan Cherry Tomatoes that are available. Because the lines are true-breeding, and they were not PVP protected, Johnny's essentially subsidized our work, but then lost most every advantage after the first year of release. Indeed, in the second year, many other seed companies released the varieties and basically siphoned off a large portion of the seed sales of the Artisan Cherry tomatoes. With it, we actually saw a decrease in our royalties the second year of release and the royalties we have seen have come no where close to covering the costs of our breeding work (past and present).
I am relating this, not because Johnny's Selected Seeds or Artisan Seeds need any sympathy, or because we wouldn't do it all over again. This is because, in the future, we also plan to release hybrid varieties that will combine other traits (long shelf life, disease resistance and better architecture) with the flavors and colors we have developed. The hybrids should allow us to make a profit, if and only if they are truly valuable to growers. We think they will be.
At the same time we will continue to produce some new exciting OP varieties, that will very likely make us nothing, even if they become very popular. The reason is, when a variety becomes popular, there are always a number of businesses that want to sell them too, and in the case of an extremely popular variety, one can also expect to be undercut by larger seed businesses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RJGlew
Thank you, the charge is fair, & I'll look later today. I am patiently awaiting your hybrid availability - any chance for the 2017 seaason?
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