Key Points
- Julaluck June Weir opened Pure Maiden Flower Farm in 2019.
- The mother-of-two's passion for gardening provided the inspiration for the venture.
- The secret to success is to be '100 per cent dedicated'.
Pure Maiden Flower Farm in the city of Bendigo is a brainchild of Julaluck June Weir, a mother of two.
Established in 2019, the farm specialises in growing various species including ranunculus, dahlia, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers and is a supplier to florists in Bendigo and nearby towns.
Ranunculus flowers during the Spring season. Credit: SBS / Parisuth Sodsai
But things changed when she married an Australian man and moved to his family home in Bendigo, which was surrounded by farmland.
"I was more of a city girl. Back in Chiang Mai [in northern Thailand], I never did any gardening. My mum grew some roses in pots, but I was not really interested.
"After I moved to Australia, I was looking for a hobby. So, I started gardening, and I started having fun and enjoying it a lot."
Ranunculus is one of the main flowers June is growing. Credit: SBS / Parisuth Sodsai
While learning to grow flowers as a hobby, June saw pictures that her friend posted on Facebook of a chrysanthemum, which had been grown on a farm in Chiang Mai.
It inspired her to grow them at home.
"I had never seen that kind of chrysanthemum before. I Googled where I could buy seeds of these chrysanthemums," she explains.
"It led me to 'Chrysanthemum Bendigo Australia', a group of chrysanthemum enthusiasts, that I immediately joined. Growing chrysanthemums gave me the idea that I could grow them and sell them to the public because you never saw these kinds of Chrysanthemums anywhere else."
Ranunculus have a similar look to roses. Credit: SBS / Parisuth Sodsai
Poppies blossoming during the Spring season at June's farm. Credit: SBS / Parisuth Sodsai
“When I told my husband’s family I wanted to grow flowers commercially, they laughed at me because I was used to killing everything I planted.
"But my mother-in-law allowed me to grow my flowers on her planting plots. I started by growing zinnia and sunflower from seeds and selling them on Facebook. That generated some interest from customers.
"I realised it was possible and began to see the opportunity. I knew I should focus on one type of flower first and learn how to grow it to meet commercial standards. So, I started focusing on chrysanthemums as my first crops."
Chrysanthemums blossom from late Summer to Autumn. Credit: Supplied / Belinda Jordaan
Self-educating and learning from a process of trial and error were essential for June to succeed.
"I read many books, both in Thai and English, about growing flowers. Any books, I would read them all. I also learnt from the internet and YouTube."
Various types of flowers are cut fresh every morning. Credit: SBS / Parisuth Sodsai
For that reason, a positive attitude is vital.
"Not long after I started my farm, I experimented with growing snapdragons, and some crows were destroying my flowers. So, I had to make scarecrows to frighten the birds away. Two seasons ago, we had cabbage moths eating our dahlia flowers.
"Last Spring, our farm was flooded. Each growing season has different challenges. But to be a farmer, you must accept you are always at the mercy of nature, a factor you cannot control.
"There are other factors you can handle. For example, I grew some of my flowers in greenhouses to prevent them from hails and frosts. I try to focus on solutions rather than problems."
June considers her life "complete and fulfilling". Credit: Supplied / Belinda Jordaan
"Strangely, I have never longed for city life since farming. I feel very content when I wake up early to harvest my flowers and see my children playing while I work with my husband. It's the lifestyle I want," June says.
"I can stay home and do the things that I love. I, therefore, think that my life is now complete and fulfilling. This flower farm provides income for the family. It's not just a hobby. It is a real family business."
June has a piece of advice for other migrants who aspire to set up their own businesses.
"First, find your passion and what you want to do. What do you really like to do? What are you passionate about? Then, learn about it in depth. Read a lot about it and try your best. Be 100 per cent dedicated."
