Did you know we grow the vast majority of plants we Sell? - It's true! Of course, it won't all fit in the retail greenhouse you've come to know and love. With over two acres of growing space under cover, & lots additional outdoor space, the farm feeds the benches in both of our locations with a constant flow of fresh plants. Our production facility (or, "Farm") is a flurry of activity from January on, producing hundreds of thousands of Telly's quality plants for your enjoyment! Here are some of the "behind the seeds" views:
In fall 2009, George starts digging holesin the ground in Shelby Township.
Within weeks, from those holes spring our new super-structure headhouse for production.
The 18,000 square foot structure connects 14 individually climate controlled greenhouses (an additional 42,000 square feet of growing space) into one complex.
By early spring, every inch of space counts & even the floor of the headhouse becomes valuable growing space for 1000's of fledgling Telly's quality plants.
In Troy, seeds are sown & cuttings are rooted . . .
. . . by the thousands . . .
Placed on computer controlled, heated benches, they are kept under mist as they begin to grow & develop roots. Our exacting conditions ensure quality & uniformity.
With several hundred of different plants on these benches at any given time, under a complex schedule, each is delivered to Shelby for transplanting, when ready.
At the farm, plants are staged & prepared for transplanting.
This machine fills our pots & flats with our favorite potting mix - Sunshine LC1.
This high-tech robot does some of our transplanting for us . . .
but with a constant eye on quality, we prefer to transplant most things by hand.
With George at the helm, everything is kept running on schedule to ensure plants are ready when needed.
Telly's is a true family business. Here, as is so often the case, Gust & Nikki help, putting in days as long (if not longer) than the rest of us.
Once transplanted, growing is overseen by Mike Maran, our industry award winning grower. Under his care & direction, plants are tended & nurtured until ready for sale.
