Schlegel Greenhouse in
Schlegel sells eight- and 10-blossom, single-stem poinsettias “with a stem as fat as your finger,” said Paul Schlegel, the founder’s son and second-generation grower. “The bracts on these larger poinsettias are often 15 inches across. They’re an impressive site.”
The company also grows 36-inch poinsettia trees combined with duckfoot ivy.
The larger, eight- and 10-blossom poinsettias are started earlier and produced as single-stem crops.
“With all of our single-stem poinsettias, we trim the side shoots or laterals to let all the energy go to the single bract, which produces a 15-inch (diameter) bract,” Paul said.
The 2007 season was successful for the grower, despite all the discussion about a slow economy.
“Sales last year were really strong. Anything bigger than a 6-inch sold well. Sales of 6-inch poinsettias are flat in this area,” Paul said.
Schlegel’s customers typically prefer traditional colors. The painted and glittered varieties aren’t yet on the most-wanted list, except for one color.
“Blue was a big seller because of the [
Old-school ways
All poinsettias are watered with drip irrigation, but there’s not a lot of automation involved in production.
“We’re old-school. We do things the old-fashioned way -- the way dad taught me -- and we just dig in and get the job done,” Paul said.
Schlegel purchases poinsettia plugs from Krueger-Maddux Greenhouses in Sunman, Ind. Schlegel uses Sunshine SB series growing media and some custom-blended mixes from Sun Gro.
Quality control is crucial, so Paul and his staff walk the greenhouse “constantly,” he said.
“We’ve done well by poinsettias. We raise a high-end product and our customers appreciate it,” Paul said.
Schlegel Greenhouse also grows a variety of spring annuals.
These high-end products are grown with a staff of six full-time employees, including production manager Terry Christian and sales and customer relations representative Jason Wall.
“I am very thankful for my staff. Without them we couldn’t get along,” Paul said.
Growing a legacy
Paul’s father started his own business in 1972 after years of working in the floriculture industry. Louis’ father, Louis Ignatz Schlegel, started a greenhouse in 1927 as a hobby near Cleveland. The younger Louis joined the business in 1948, and the pair grew primarily cut flowers. He moved his family to Indianapolis in 1967.
Paul’s father purchased a greenhouse vegetable range on the outskirts of the city and started growing geraniums, then cut snapdragons and potted mums, Paul said.
Paul joined the business in 1979. Paul’s wife Marsha and their son Zach help run the business.
Paul’s father, who will be 80 years old in November, still comes to the greenhouse every day, and Paul continues to learn the business from his dad. Paul’s son Zach is concentrating on the production side of the business.
“Zach is out in the greenhouse learning constantly and being very observant,” Paul said.
Room to expand
With an eye on the future, the company added 20,000 square feet of gutter-connected greenhouses last year. The new Harnois houses are equipped with roof vents and a Bartlett environmental control system.
“We now have the infrastructure in place for future growth,” Paul said. “Before we were basically land-locked with no room for expansion.”
The new range is about a 1/2 mile from the original location, which is still in use.
Paul wants the new site to house most of the company’s pick-up sales because the facility is set up better for delivery trucks.
Face-to-face meetings spur fundraising sales
Fundraiser accounts to schools, churches and civic organizations make up about 25 percent of Schlegel Greenhouse’s sales.
The best way to build fundraiser business is through face-to-face appointments, said owner Paul Schlegel. He makes initial contacts on the phone, but closes the deal with a personal visit. He sells to public and private schools, churches, dance studios, gymnastics clubs -- anyone who needs to raise money.
“When you’re dealing with public schools, it’s best to target the individual departments, like the orchestra, the booster club or the band,” he said. “Be tenacious. Let them know how your product can help them build profits.”
He tries to be as service-oriented as possible, such as creating order forms for the groups, helping groups with sales goals and offering selling tips.
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There is some speculative growing when it comes to fundraising sales, but he tries to prebook as many orders as possible.
Schlegel sells spring annuals for spring fundraisers and poinsettias for fall fundraisers.
For more: Schlegel Greenhouse, (317) 784-6038; www.schlegelgreenhouse.com.
Schlegel Greenhouse
Founded: In 1972 by Louis Francis Schlegel.
His son, Paul, became a partner in the business in 1979.
Paul’s wife Marsha and their son Zach also help run the business.
Terry Christian is the production manager and
Jason Wall is a sales and customer relations representative.
Location:
Production space: 100,000 square feet.
Crops: Pansies, geraniums, begonias,
New Guinea impatiens, fuchsia and poinsettias.
Market: Independent garden centers, florists,
interiorscapers and groups for fundraising.
Business mantra: Never take any of our customers
for granted, and to honor our past with
what we do today and in the future.
- Kelli Rodda