Mary,
It's whatever you want it to be. At one time, I wanted to get to the point where I was almost exclusively using my own plants in selling seeds. Financially, it makes the most sense. But I came to realize that there were some problems with that kind of thinking.
Firstly, that would mean that I would have to be creating worthy seedlings every year. That is a pressure that major hybridizes are under, and I don't want that pressure. I only keep about 400 seeds per year, and to expect exceptional seedlings from each batch is unrealistic.
Secondly, one of the reasons I get certain outside plants is to be able to offer something new and exciting, which is certainly part of the seed selling game. The newest offerings sell better with seeds....just the way it is.
Thirdly, in using only my own creations, I found it harder and harder to let go of the seeds...lol. I had more attachment to them. Getting something out of my wheelhouse is easier to sell. I remember when BASS GIBSON came out, as outstanding a cultivar as it is, I had no interest in teeth, so selling those made perfect sense. Also, I have found that I get bored easily, and then to overdue things I like (talk to wife...lol). Adding a few from other hybridizes allows me to change things up and keep it fresh. Seeing a hundred green dip seedlings bloom in my yard makes me go green blind. I need things to keep changing.
I have found that the more I know the less I truly know, so I don't always trust my own instincts, meaning that take a risk sometimes, you can be surprised by the most unlikely crosses.
Hope this helps.
Thank you both.
