The 20th Fall 'Ganza - Palms & Plants Bursting at the Seams

[Palmarum]

The 20th Annual Fall Plant Extravaganza!

presented by...

Searle Brothers Nursery, Inc. & The Rainforest Collection^®

 

October 5th, 6th, 7th, - 12th, 13th, 14th - 2018

SW. Ranches, South Florida

Welcome to the Fall 'Ganza, in retrospective. The event took place about a month ago, but it seemed like it was just yesterday, even though planning for it began over two months ago. This sale was unique as the plant selection was the greatest and most diverse as we have ever had it, by far, when compared to Extravaganzas of the past. This feat is usually shared among the Fall events as they generally carry a greater selection than those presented in the Spring, thanks due in part to the lengthy summer growing season. For the first time we actually ran out of room in the sales area. We tried to pull and place every plant group before the first Friday, but could not. There were some last-second plans to extend the sales area, but we did not have the time to implement them; just time to make mental notes for the future. Plant groups were squeezed in where they could fit, others shared space with other nearby plant types, some were left on trailers, and certain rare and weird plants that didn't really fit anywhere were tagged and just left out in front of a section.

As an overview to the plant selection, I went through just the sign and display cards I put out during the sale which totaled 709 cards, each representing a different species, hybrid, cultivar or variety. These included Palms and the other botanical and horticultural groups at the sale. There were 6 (out of 320) Palm groups that didn't have a card, due to plants without a name (sp.), those that were very new to cultivation and had no or very little real information pertaining to them, or those extremely rare ones pulled at the very last second to surprise and freak out the collectors. The Croton section held 166 different cultivars, but only 7 had a card. Something I might have to work on. The Bromeliad section is constantly changing, and only a portion of them have cards, leaving about 80 varieties that were on display without a sign. Aroids were either grouped by species or mixed together, with signs for only a few and the Orchids featured under the barn were without signs. The Landscape plant section were mostly covered with signage, minus 6 groups, and not every plant within the 'odd and weird' had a card. This adds up to about a 1000 different plants that we had out on display, that is a lot.

One of the main topics of discussion during the sale was the year of time since Hurricane Irma, which affected many of the volunteers and plant people in attendance. Those affected by the storm were giving reports on what plants recovered, and those that did not. We saw a huge surge in plant collectors, many of which crossed the tri-county area, the state of Florida, and places beyond to attend the sale. I saw the beginnings of home gardeners becoming enthusiasts, enthusiasts becoming collectors, and collectors becoming even more plant crazy if that is possible. To round out the excitement, we had Paul Craft on hand to promote his new book "The Palms of Cuba". There was much more, and I tried to photograph as much of it as I could.

 

Friday, October 5th

- 8:01AM - Friday morning was as hectic as it always is. I was not able to get my camera out and ready until a minute before we opened. We were busy pulling plants right up to and after the gates were opened. We managed to do this while coping with the Friday morning surge. As I was making my way to the front, I went past crew members placing a batch of White Candles, Whitfieldia elongata, in where ever they could fit. Travis Searle is on the right, (A) pushing plants across the trailer. The sense of urgency was heavy as we were running out of time, but this was nothing new. I was busy in the shadehouse and missed the opening at the gate. As I reached the main road, the crowd was already halfway to the sales area.

- 8:02AM - I took a position so I could observe the crowd without being in their way. They made good time, walking as fast as they could without reaching a jog. As the first part reached me, (C) I could see the second part of the crowd coming down the road. The early Friday morning crowd is usually divided into two groups, those who wait at the gate and those who wait in their vehicles.

- As the attendees reached the sales area, carts were grabbed and brought into tow. As they made it past the orange fence of the holding area, they had their first choice to make: which direction to go. Some took a long, passing glance at the Tropical Fruit Trees and the Landscape Palms as they went on by.

- 8:03AM - I followed part of the morning surge heading for the front entrance to the main shadehouse. These are typically the attendees focused on Palms and Crotons. The entrance area along the sidewalk was bordered on both sides by two, very large Coccoloba pubescens that welcomed the plant hungry with their giant oversized leaves.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:04AM - The first three to the Croton section, Greg K. and Forum members Randy Wiesner (palmislandRandy) and Mike Harris (waykoolplantz) dive into the selection. They move carefully from one cultivar to the next, checking those on display against those in their collections, long since memorized.

- 8:05AM - 8:15AM - Near the sidewalk intersection, volunteer, plantsman and FM. Tim O'Donnel (kwtimo) checks out a palm or two, as collector Steve Resh looks over a bushy 7 gal. Lanonia dasyantha sitting on a nearby cart. A mature, (B) nearly full-sized 7 gal. Areca oxycarpa gets a good looking over, before joining a stash in the holding area, which included (C) a tall and robust 15 gal. Dypsis pilulifera aka. Dypsis sp. 'Jurassic Park', a tall 3 gal. Dypsis pinnatifrons in the back, and two, three-gallon Joeys, one each of Johannesteijsmannia magnifica and Johannesteijsmannia perakensis.

- Time to get the drinks ready. Amadeo and Travis add the first layer of ice to the red cooler, followed by pack after pack of sodas and drinks. They were going to be in need throughout the day. Turning around to walk back, I was presented with a giant Brom... a green form Alcantarea imperialis that nearly filled a cart by itself. I can't tell if the plant makes the cart look small, or the cart makes the plant look big.

- 8:17AM - 8:31AM - A graceful Hyophorbe indica in a 25 gallon pot, goes for a ride along with a mass of different Crotons. I was photographing another cart of plants when Steve stepped in front, playing a joke by pretending to 'relieve' the owner of a troublesome palm. He was reaching for a 3 gal. Dypsis mirabilis, the popular Candy Cane Palm, which was sitting next to a 3 gal. Chamaedorea deckeriana, both riding the same cart seen before with the Lanonia dasyantha and a mix of other plants.

Ryan

[Missi]

Love Steve's shirt! "I think I have enough plants.....said no gardener, ever" 

[DoomsDave]

Watching that

I feel almost sane!

[Moose]

[Moose]

4 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

Watching that

I feel almost sane!

Egads!   

[Dave-Vero]

I was fully occupied with Other Stuff and anyway am suffering from Full Yard Syndrome.  Among other things, a 2017 Extravaganza Copernicia baileyana that I'd set up to replace one at a local public garden that died after Irma (it had been 4' high and growing gangbusters).  It didn't get a slot in their latest wave of palm planting (a bunch of donations), so I'm playing parent to the Bailey, repotting and keeping it happy until I can persuade that garden that they have a perfect spot.  They do.  It just needs some Philodendron removal. 

That garden's donated palms included a few from Searle.  Nice ones, despite having been kept in pots too long.

I'm impressed at how well Alcantarea imperialis has adapted to cultivation.  I've seen it growing next to Douglas firs in New Zealand, flowering splendidly in the conservatories at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, and my two overly-shaded backyard monsters are probably ready to flower.  

[Palmarum]

- 8:38AM - One of the great duos in rare Palmdom, a Licuala peltata var. sumawongii and a Red Sealing Wax Palm, Cyrtostachys renda, both in seven gallon pots. As I was describing one of the palms in the full sun section, I noticed a golf cart coming down the main road, weaving in and around the sale traffic. I knew who it had to be. As it got close, I noticed it was being driven by Jeff Searle, carrying Paul Craft and two boxes of his new book.

- 8:43AM - As Paul was setting up, I continued to dart back and forth across the sales area during the peak of Friday morning. I was crossing through the side shadehouse entrance when I saw a peculiar palm heading my way. It was the lone, 7 gal. specimen of Cyphophoenix alba, formerly known as Veillonia alba, being carted in reverse by its new owner, smile and all. The photo doesn't show the unique leaf bases, so you will need to use your imagination. As it was being wheeled past me, I wondered if the small one-gallons that were part of the group were now sitting by themselves on the sidewalk, sans the larger showcase plant. (B) Outside along the main road, a customer's careful and well-thought-out plan led to the purchase of the lone, 15 gal. Copernicia fallaensis, the smaller plant of its group.

- 8:44AM - Author, palm nut and FM. Paul Craft (licuala) was selling the first copy of his book, 'The Palms of Cuba' before he was completely ready. The book signing was scheduled for 9:00, but a few customers couldn't wait. With pen in hand, Paul signs the first sold book of the day, with more to come. As customers bought their copies, some would buy a second or even a third as a gift or for someone who could not attend.

- 9:07AM - Tim and Jeff join forces to lift and move a 15 gal. Coccothrinax litoralis from the back of the full-sun palm section to a waiting golf cart. (C) A different cart was making its way past me at the same time, carrying a varied spread of palms and other plants, including a flawless 7 gal. Basselinia pancheri that was pure eye candy. I knew it would not last long on the sidewalk; it made it an hour before being grabbed. It is hard to see, but if you look to the left of the crownshaft and follow along the bottom of the tablecloth, you will see the spathe of a new inflorescence.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 9:09AM - 9:21AM - It was busy. The Friday morning rush didn't disappoint as the palm and plant hungry were here in force. I had to put my camera down a few times just to help load, pull, and move plants around. (A) The tables are always the epicenter of the rarest of the rare palms. I used to organize the table species by different criteria, but now I try to mix the species so no two of the same genera are sitting next to one another to avoid confusion, but this isn't always possible. The first table is always reserved for the extremely and ultra rare, if they fit on a table. In the first shot, a crowd peruses the tables including IPS Director and FM. Cindy Adair (Cindy Adair), dressed in a palm shirt of course. Later, Cindy joined a conversation with other Forum members, including palm world veterans Ron Kiefert (Moose), Volunteer Jim Glock (jglock1) and Rick Hawkins (rick). I am not sure what the conversation(s) was or were about, as I only heard a word or two in passing. It was interesting no doubt.

- 9:49AM - 10:06AM - (A) Look out, big palm coming through. A load of palms (and a book) gets carried out of the shadehouse via a cart. The unmistakable look of a Dwarf Betel Nut Palm, Areca catechu cv. 'Dwarf', is attractive and this 15 gal. specimen drew quite a few looks as it made its way to the holding area. It was joined by a cache of smaller one-gallon species, including a Coccothrinax of some kind, a Hydriastele pinangoides and an Astrocaryum mexicanum. (B) As it passed by, I noticed the group held a few more surprises including a 1 gal. Areca novohibernica, (the name now includes Areca guppyana) and a 3 gal. Hydriastele pleurocarpa* among other things. (C) Plant transport specialist Kylie Searle helps a customer by carrying a 1 gal. Licuala grandis to their cart...

- 10:08AM - ... Which was getting full with a couple palms and a lot of Bromeliads.

- 10:28AM - The busy morning continued unabated until around lunchtime. (A) The main road was packed full of plant groups, on both sides, along its entire length through the sales area. The common landscape plants were mixed with some of the more unusual flowering shrubs and ornamental items that did not fit anywhere else. (B) The side road, usually a bastion of just the shade-grown and partial sun loving plants, was now packed with all sorts of oddities. The Purple Ground Orchids, Spathoglottis plicata, on the left were very popular. They were restocked, sold-out, then restocked again a few different times throughout both weekends.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:31AM - The Orchid selection filled a number of tables under the barn. Most were hybrids with a few species orchids. Look through the flowers, and you can see Cindy in the back.

- 10:35AM - Up front, the entrance and check-out area was filled with plants, attendees and volunteers. (A) In photo center, Larry Searle writes up receipts and keeps the entire process moving smoothly. (B) One trailer had a mix of plants, spread between different customers.

- We were fortunate this time to have Broward Orchid Supply on hand to sell their wares during the sale. They had a large assortment of all sorts of mounting options, growing mediums, tools, fertilizers, containers and more. They are seen around the county at different plant related events.

- 10:37AM - (A) One customer and his plants go for a short ride out to the parking area. One group of plants after another go through the checkout. They moved through by tractor, trailer, cart, dolly, and even by hand. (B) This one trailer had a mix of ground orchids and other plants and they seemed to belong to two different friends shopping at the same time. In the center, rear, Amber Searle keeps everything organized.

Ryan

[Jeff Searle]

I never got a count maybe Ryan would know more, but it was nice to see so many IPS Forum members come by and support us. Thanks to you all!

Jeff

[Missi]

AWESOME I love following these after each sale!! Oh @Cindy Adair I just love your style!! 

[Palmarum]

- 10:42AM - The front corner of the sales area, where the side road and main road meet, often serves as a prominent showcase for plants and is often the first area seen by sale attendees. This Fall, the spot was dominated by three, massive Carpoxylon macrospermum. They were in large pots of different sizes and anchored the spot perfectly. The area immediately to the front of the them and the space between the pots became frontage for other plants, including the Brindabella 'Purple Prince' Roses in the center of the second photo.

- "Carson smile... come on, smile already." On the third attempt, Carson Searle gives an excited smile. In the second photo, we learn that certain things may be just out of reach.  

- 11:48AM - 11:59AM - Friday afternoon was not as busy as the morning, but there was a constant flow of customers throughout the day. (B) I was making my rounds checking on the signs and what was selling and what wasn't, when I took this photo trying to fit the entire plant selection along the main road in one shot. I did not succeed. I usually take a photo like this while standing on a ladder, but didn't have one close by. I was standing at the end of the road, almost parallel with the edge of the shadehouse.

- 12:38PM - In addition to the phenomenal plant selection, the 'Ganza also featured reptiles, in the form of three, young, Red Foot Tortoises, Chelonoidis carbonarius. I am not sure how old they were but they were larger than hatchlings. They spent their time at the sale in a large container up-front near the registers, munching away on turtle salad. They were products of Jeff's adult tortoises. Much to everyone's surprise, the babies are often found roaming the yard in random places.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 3:20PM - In between helping customers, the last hour or so of Friday was spent restocking or stocking plants we did not have room for the day before. This was a slow process as the late afternoon crowd had arrived. (B) One more shot of the Carpoxylons from the view seen from Kylie's point of view.

Post Tour - Jeff Searle Residence

- 6:06PM - When the excitement and craziness of Friday was over, we made the trek over to Jeff's house for the traditional 'Post Tour'. This is what we call the tour through the yard while talking about plants, the sale, the plant world, etc. often with an adult beverage in hand. We started with the first group of people, shortly after we all arrived. We began at the front side of the yard and meandered around before heading south. Speaking of Carpoxylon, this specimen growing in the yard was sporting a number of inflorescences. Directly across the path from the Carpoxylon, was this recently-planted Acanthophoenix. For some reason the flash did not fire, so I can't read the tag nor remember the species. It is either A. crinita or A. rubra.

- 6:06PM - 6:09PM - (A) Down the path a little ways, a plot held a young Tahina spectabilis. It was getting a lot of attention. (B) As we made our way through the front section, we double-backed to the driveway to pick a new direction. As I waited, I photographed between the Bismarckia trunks to capture a part of the Copernicia collection. (C) Turning around, I took notice of who was in the current group. Jeff was listening to Jerry Schilling, a familiar face in the Croton world, as the two of them spoke with FM. Mike Harris (waykoolplantz) (center), while Andrea was pointing things out in the yard to Steve and Judy Glock.

- 6:12PM - People entered and exited the tour regularly, depending on what else was going on at the house. We crossed through Croton beds, made our way past some flowering trees and vines, then entered one of my favorite areas, the domain of the Licualas. The grouping of Licuala sallehana was looking very nice, as these specimens had been growing steadily for a couple of years. Not far from them was one of the Licuala mattanensis 'Mapu' showing its trademark mottling.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 6:14PM - As the tour continued, we encountered small surprises here and there, as we traversed different areas of the yard. One such palm surprise was a first-inflorescence on an Orania palindan that has been growing in the yard for some time. Not far away and around a bend in a path, a Pelagodoxa henryana strives to reach towards the canopy.

- 6:18PM - In Palm Circle, a pocket of the rare and unusual, a Licuala sp. 'Timika' reaches its possible full size. It has always been difficult to photograph, as it is rather dark in this area of the yard, and the use of a flash distorts the strange coloration on the leaves; which are very dark, bronze-green with a grey sheen. A nearby Zamia skinneri female shows off her near-mature cone.

- 6:21PM - A regular favorite among those who join the tour, Calyptrocalyx yamutumene forms a compact clump in one part of Palm Circle. For a member of its sometimes tricky-to-grow genus, this species is an excellent performer in S. Florida. It grows steadily, clumps often, sports multiple crowns of bifid leaves with only the minimal of care, and it is cold tolerant. This specimen handled the cold of 2009 and '10 without a blemish.

- 6:24PM - One of several specimens of the 'thin-leaflet, blunt form' of Pinanga coronata. Crotons were a key part of the tour, as always, and they receive their due attention.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 6:26PM - Near the back of the property, the entire leaves of a Hydriastele cylindrocarpa grab the attention of the tour. The leaves will probably divide more with time, but they seem to alternate back and forth between being partially divided and entire. Before the big Hydriastele name change, this palm had just entered cultivation under the old name Gulubia cylindrocarpa. Steve goes in closer for a better look, without spilling a drop.

- We neared the turtle pens just in time to see one of the four-legged lawn mowers in action. One was walking towards us and got near the edge of the enclosure, just close enough to look right down at the African Spur-thigh Tortoise, Centrochelys sulcata, and his giant shell. We didn't have anything for him, so he turned and walked away, heading towards the 'great barrier wall'. There are three tortoises in the large pen and they tend to fight with one another, so they are kept separate. This doesn't deter them from trying to get into their neighbors area however. That reinforced concrete block wall was once straight. Notice the 'patrol path' along the wall.

- 6:32PM - The southwest corner of the yard is one of the newer planted areas. (A) I photographed a solitary specimen of Areca vestiaria as I waited for the crowd to catch up. As the tour entered the corner, Jeff introduced an unusual species of a familiar genus to the tour. (B) This is one of the few Neoveitchia brunnea in cultivation. It has reached a size point where the mostly undivided leaves have become finely divided as the palm has grown out into more sun. It is similar to its more common cousin N. storckii, but differs in the size and length of the leaflets. They are shorter and held stiffer, and they form an oval when seen from below. (C) One of the mature Dwarf Betel Nut Palms, Areca catechu cv. 'Dwarf' found in the yard.

- 6:34PM - The tour caught up, and those in attendance had changed as some joined late and others went back to the house to work on the great dinner that was planned for later. Steve and Tim make their way through as Jeff greets new arrival and FM. Elvis Cruz (Elvis Cruz). As the tour visited the southwest corner, I went ahead to photograph the large Tahina spectabilis.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 6:36PM - We got the 'dinner bell' in the form of a well-placed yell from across the yard, so we wrapped up the tour and headed back to the house. We entered the patio area and Jeff points out one of the Hybrid Sealing Wax Palms, Cyrtostachys sp. 'hybrid', to Elvis and Cindy. This form of the hybrid has the orange-red coloration with striations along the trunk internodes.

- Other tour goers were elsewhere in the yard and they had to be summoned as we headed for some good eat'n. We knew the appetizers were ready and that it was only a short while until the main courses would be served. Before entering the house, I took one last shot of Mike Harris admiring one of the Beccariophoenix fenestralis growing near the pool.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

Saturday, October 6th

The morning of the second day began with... rain. We dodged a light rain as we ran around and restocked the sales area where we could. In addition to the individual rare items, certain whole blocks of plants were gone and had to be replaced with more of a different plant.

- 9:35AM - As the first shower of the morning subsided, I began shooting with an overcast sky and the continued threat of more rain. The weather report for the day was varied and presented us with the scenario of rolling showers through the morning and afternoon, delivered via wave after wave of dark clouds. (A) Along the tables, Jim Glock describes the best way to grow a particular palm. (B) The full sun palm section was thinned out but still held a good selection, including the larger Copernicia fallaensis.

- 9:43AM - Larry and Shane get the tractor ready for the day as the sales area slowly filled with customers. Most plant people who attend sales and events in S. Florida know to plan ahead with rain gear. Those new to the plant sale world learn quickly. It comes with the territory, so most inclement weather would not be a deterrent, minus the day-long deluge.

- 9:47AM - Order ready to go. Volunteers get an order together in the Holding Area and get it loaded onto a trailer. The morning was slow, even for the first Saturday, but it quickly gained momentum as time went by.

- Rays of sunshine began to poke through the cloud cover as the line for the registers grew longer. One trailer load of mixed plants gets sorted by Larry, while his daughter Michelle Searle writes them down on a receipt. On the left and in the back, landscape designer Candy provides design assistance as the plants are tallied. (B) One loaded cart filled with Cordylines and Crotons moves past in a hurry heading for the checkout.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 9:51AM - Larry couldn't get away from the checkout if he wanted to. He was needed in the front area for most of the morning. He finishes sorting another order as Amber writes the receipt. Surprise Forum member. As I was photographing another loaded trailer in line for the checkout, FM. Rick Leitner (TikiRick) walks into the shot. If you ever have a chance to attend a 'PRE' or tour of his yard and collection, you should not miss it.

- 10:02AM - Questions and inquiries summon me back to the shadehouse for an instant and I shoot the action along the way. I go through a collectors wish list and find what still remains along the sidewalk and the tables, then find what is long sold out and finally break the news of a few species on the list that are beyond rare and are not in cultivation. As I continued to search the sidewalk, I came across a familiar scene. Jim was helping customers with their Red Sealing Wax Palm, Cyrtostachys renda, questions; this plays out many times at every Extravaganza as Jim has incredible experience growing palms in all sorts of situations.

- 10:04AM - The need for more plant info draws me back outside along the main road to answer questions, as it continued to fill with customers. (B) In the Bromeliad section, customers have a vast array of plants to choose from. They are organized by genus and by their preferred amount of light exposure. (C) Immediately to the east of the Bromeliad section, the landscape ornamentals begin the next area, with no room to spare. A new cultivar of Mussaenda called 'Marmalade' made its debut at the sale, seen center and center-right of the photo. The orange-yellow bract color is unique and showy when compared to the traditional red, pink and white species and cultivars.

- 10:06AM - As the action level increased, those normally doing other functions jumped in and helped out in other areas. Andrea Searle gets behind the wheel of a tractor and drives it from its waiting position to the holding area, which was a bit of a challenge as the area long the main road in front of the holding area was busy with foot traffic heading in both directions.

Ryan

[Missi]

4 hours ago, Palmarum said:

- 6:21PM - A regular favorite among those who join the tour, Calyptrocalyx yamutumene forms a compact clump in one part of Palm Circle. For a member of its sometimes tricky-to-grow genus, this species is an excellent performer in S. Florida. It grows steadily, clumps often, sports multiple crowns of bifid leaves with only the minimal of care, and it is cold tolerant. This specimen handled the cold of 2009 and '10 without a blemish.

I love my Searle C. yamutumene, that's for darn sure!! 

[Palmarum]

- 10:07AM - The main intersection is always a hub of activity during the 'Ganza sales as everyone has to pass through this one spot. It is often a great location to photograph the action. (A) The plants featured at the corner get multiple looks, as they are looked over repeatedly, as people come in and head out, of the sales area. The roses were very popular and were restocked during both weekends. (B) The 'Purple Prince' cultivar of Brindabella Rose was another new plant at the Extravaganza. It is a fast growing rose bush with highly fragrant flowers that was bred to adapt to S. Florida conditions.

- 10:12AM - Staff and volunteers working the front area dive into loaded trailers and packed carts, one after another. (B) Out in front of the Tropical Flowering Tree and Heliconia section, Jim helps customers find plants while adding a unique and humorous touch to the situation, in a special way only he can do. I can't explain it any other way, you just had to have been there. (C) The side road was busy with traffic when I noticed a palm-laden cart heading in my direction...

- ... it was loaded with a mix of pinnate species. The cart was parked in front of the Block section of landscape palms and I surmised more would soon be added to the stash. From left to right: in rear, a 3 gal. Dypsis carlsmithii, a 7 gal. Kentiopsis oliviformis, in front, two, 1 gal. Betel Nut Palms, Areca catechu, a 3 gal. Roystonea oleracea, and two, 3 gal. Carpoxylon macrospermum.

- 10:26AM - My prediction turned out to be correct. A pair of 15 gal. Teddy Bear Palms, Dypsis leptocheilos, were selected and added to the cart load of palms. The entire group went through the checkout and made its way to the parking area, transporting customers along with their new plants. As I was taking photos of the roses, I noticed something different about the massive Carpoxylon macrospermum anchoring the corner spot. The two towards the front had a second color, white, of flagging tape around the trunks, meaning they were sold, as the pink was used to tie the lavender tags onto the trees. It turns out they had been purchased by the Naples Zoo, which included payment for delivery. This leads to another topic that I have not done yet, but remember this moment, as I can't post a link to the future. Not yet anyway.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:28AM - Ground orchids, being restocked once again. Customers were taking plants straight off the trailer as soon as it arrived. As they continued to cherry pick their favorites, Larry and crew continued to unload the plants to their sale spot.

- 10:30AM - Plantsman and long-time volunteer Derek Burch makes his way through the crowd as the sale activity begins to pick up, as the morning approaches midday. (B) No cart, no problem. A 7 gal. Kentiopsis oliviformis gets hand carried out of the shadehouse. (C) I followed a group of loaded carts heading to the holding area; they arrived to find it busy. Volunteers manning the section keep the customers' plant groups organized and separated.

- 10:36AM - "Well, what is that thing there?" A customer group notices the banana-like seed pods on a specimen of Milky Way Tree, Tabernaemontana litoralis, near the front of the Tropical Flowering Tree section. One customer points at the pods, while another on the left goes in closer to read the card. The yellow seed pods were interesting, as the tree at the front of the row was the only one with them. The rest were showing their regular white flowers. (B) Not far to my right, a palm-laden cart rests for a moment. It is carrying a trio of three gallon palms, from left to right: a new species for the sale, Corypha lecomtei, Chuniophoenix hainanensis, and an Orania palindan.

- 10:43AM - Occasionally, due to situations where time is an issue, practicality wins over design. A customer was putting together a large order and used a spot near the edge of the shadehouse as a temporary holding area. They selected and grabbed items through most of Friday and this morning, creating this cache of the rare and unusual. It consisted of everything small enough to be easily moved here, while the larger plants received flagging tape. It was an impressive collection, too vast to mention in its entirety.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:44AM - 10:48AM - As I arrived to photograph the cache pictured in the above post, the loading of the entire order had begun and it was all hands on deck. One squad began to load the smaller items, while another one went to retrieve the larger palms sitting in their spots along the sidewalk. One of the first to be moved was a 20 gal. Satakentia liukiuensis, being pushed pot first, followed by a 20 gal. Pritchardia sp. moving out head-first.

- 10:53AM - One of the rarest items in the order, a 15 gal. Cyrtostachys loriae, pivots over onto the dolly, before getting turned and pushed down the sidewalk. In the second photo, you can see Jim pushing and pulling plants over to fill the void created by the C. loriae departure.

- 10:54AM - The C. loriae arrives at the waiting line of trailers, before being loaded. (B) One trailer was quickly filled with the smaller items. In the center of the photo, with the glaucous, coated crownshaft, is a 7 gal. Dypsis albofarinosa.

- With a combined effort, a 20 gal. Heterospathe intermedia gets lifted and loaded into place. Even without a name, the Pritchardia sp. was quite nice with those showy Pritchardia leaves.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:55AM - One palm that stood out that I had to photograph before it went to its new home, was this 7 gal. Loxococcus rupicola, center of the frame with the characteristic blue tint to the leaves. It was the first time we had this species in a seven gallon pot, making it one of the largest specimens displayed for sale. This is more significant as this palm was not supposed to grow in S. Florida. Early attempts with small plants and seedlings were problematic until growers figured out what it wanted. This plant was also showcasing the species for a group of one gallon plants, soon to be relocated to the tables.

- The cache of smaller items nearly filled this trailer. From the back, one could see the tall, 7 gal. Balaka seemannii on the left, and a form of Salacca zalacca in a seven gallon pot, near the center. (B) Next to leave the shadehouse, was a 15 gal. Mealybug Palm, Dypsis mananjarensis...

- It was quickly loaded and the crew went in search of the remaining items in the order. I got in close to take the palm's portrait, which included all those unique, raised mealybug-like, striated scales.

- 10:57AM - A 7 gal. Astrocaryum standleyanum was the last and spiniest plant of the order to be loaded. (B) After everything was loaded and secured, the caravan of palms made its way slowly down the main road to the checkout area. (C) After the careful checkout was completed, the order made its way out to the parking area to a waiting transport.

Ryan

[Jeff Searle]

On ‎11‎/‎9‎/‎2018‎ ‎3‎:‎42‎:‎48‎, Missi said:

I love my Searle C. yamutumene, that's for darn sure!! 

Your pretty funny. If others only knew how easy these grow here in our climate and how beautiful they turn out to be, they would be amazed. I'm glad to hear how much your enjoying it!

Jeff

[Palmarum]

- 11:01AM - I ran ahead to photograph the loading. I got to the parking area ahead of the tractor and looked for a good spot to shoot from. (B) Certain customers really come prepared for all-out plant mania. Wait a minute, I could stand on that...

- I climbed onto the back of the rental truck and turned around, just in time to catch the convoy on its way towards me. I was hanging on with one hand, shooting with the other, hence the angled view.

- The morning rain had caused the turf of the parking area to get a little rough. With direction from Jeff, the tractor steered around the deeper ruts and headed for the transport truck and trailer and pulled along side.

- The customer had sent ahead an experienced driver with an open trailer and screen to cover. With Jeff directing, the larger plants were loaded first and positioned near the back, with the heavy containers over the trailer's axles. (B) The palms were lined up, pot to pot, to create full rows from side to side, leaving room for the first row to lie down. (C) After the larger palms were on board, the smaller items were next.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 11:06AM - One by one, each of the smaller plants were loaded. Starting at the row of larger material, the smaller plants were loaded into alternating rows, pot to pot, leaving space for the next row of plants. (A) A 7 gal. Heterospathe longipes is put into position. (B) As each row reached the edge of the trailer, a smaller plant was chosen to wedge in between to make the row tight, with less room for the plants work themselves loose.

- The driver decided to pack the smallest items last, in rows, laying them over like dominoes after they were all loaded. (A) This one row of three plants included the aforementioned Loxococcus rupicola on the right, with a 7 gal. Cyphosperma naboutinense to the left, and a 7 gal. Kentiopsis magnifica further to the left. The loading was done quickly as the sale was still going on back inside and we had to get back.

- 11:08AM - A 3 gal. Dypsis pinnatifrons was squeezed in next to a 3 gal. Dypsis mirabilis as the remainder of the order was packed in and made ready for travel. A piece of shade cloth was tied down over the load. I noticed a change in the weather, it began to get windy with periodic gusts. Notice the leaves of the Carpoxylon in the distance. I began to think of more rain on the way.

- 11:17AM - Back inside, lunch was underway. BBQ smoke carried throughout the sales area in all directions as customers continued to shop. (B) The outline of the holding area changed from one moment to the next, as plants came in and went out.

Ryan

[Missi]

19 hours ago, Jeff Searle said:

Your pretty funny. If others only knew how easy these grow here in our climate and how beautiful they turn out to be, they would be amazed. I'm glad to hear how much your enjoying it!

Jeff

Well it had the very best start with you guys! Thanks so much for making such amazing plants available...and at such well-grown and nice sizes!

[Palmarum]

- 11:19AM - As the BBQ lunch began further down the side road, sale activity continued, with attendees divided into groups getting plants and those getting food. At the transfer point in front of the holding area, Shane and volunteer Judah Berry take turns carrying 15 gal. Christmas Palms, Adonidia merrillii, from their holding spot to a waiting trailer.

- 11:25AM - The barn began to fill with those wanting an early lunch. The Orchid selection had thinned out considerably, which was good timing as we needed the table space for lunch goers. As people went through the lunch line and got their burger or hotdog, or both, they grabbed a drink and found a seat. As I was watching it all unfold before me, (C) I noticed another gust of wind and an approaching line of dark clouds. As I took my fair share of BBQ fare, I made a mental note to go fetch my umbrella.

- 12:12PM - After a busy lunch multitasking between eating and describing plants, I returned to the sidewalk just as the rain came. (A) I was heading back to the white tent when the skies opened up and they began to unload on the shadehouse. At first, the rain was moderate, even with the dispersal action of the shade cloth. (B) I turned around to head outside to see the full strength of the rain. I was shooting while holding an umbrella.

- (A) When I reached the shadehouse entrance, I turned to look over the Croton section. Beyond the shadehouse, the world seemed to fade to gray. (B) Even sale plants can be useful. The oversized leaves of the Coccoloba pubescens provide emergency shelter from the rain. They did good as a natural umbrella.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 12:13PM - I exited the shadehouse just in time for the deluge to begin. The only time all weekend the roads were clear. (B) Turning to the right, the barn was packed with people seeking shelter from the downpour. It was standing room only, so my next choice was to head back into the shadehouse and make for the white tent.

- Making sure to walk carefully, I re-entered the shadehouse heading down the sidewalk. The rain reached a deafening intensity. It was the heaviest rainfall through the shade cloth as I could remember. As I made my way down, I saw a pair of customers seeking refuge from the rain under another large-leafed plant, but I didn't have the time or the angle to snap a photo.

- 12:15PM - I reached the sidewalk intersection and I took a moment out in front of the tent to see how far down the sidewalk I could see. It was not far. (B) With a turn to the right, I took another shot showing the different plants on the table getting watered. No need for the hose today.

- I made my way to the back of the tent and got up on a chair to try and keep myself dry. I figured I might as well keep shooting, forgetting however that a bright camera flash resembles a nearby lightning strike. (A) After scaring everyone under the tent, I took another shot, with everyone ready for the flash this time. Judy Glock got soaking wet, as she was out in a far corner of the sales area when the rain hit. (B) We were getting a torrential rainfall. No rain was on my lens, but as I was shooting this group of Licuala grandis out the back of the tent, it seemed like I was shooting through a waterfall. (C) I slowly turned to the right to try and see some break in the rain, but I could barely see the poles holding up the shadehouse.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 12:45PM - The rain went on for at least twenty minutes, followed by the usual drizzle until it was clear enough to resume the sale. Attendees quickly emerged and went back to business looking for plants. The sales area was thoroughly drenched. (A) An inquiry from a customer led me to the side road and eventually to the holding area. A pair of loaded carts were going through some pre-checkout sorting. (B) Within a short while, a line of a trailers formed yet again at the checkout. 

- The roads were soaked but not flooded. The wave of rain caused a minor interruption at best. The clouds started to move on and sunlight worked its way back to the sale. (A) The main road was getting back to where it was, including a look through by Steve Resh, in the green, attending for his second day. (B) People leaving the barn were making their way down the side road, checking out the plants they got a good, long look at, courtesy of the rain. (C) With Dumbo2 as the small canine escort, Jeff and Andrea keep things moving.

- 12:48PM - At least the plants were happy with the rain, the Bromeliads especially. They each had a fill-up for their collection cups, including the two groups of Aechmea 'Blue Tango' and Aechmea 'Del Mar' both with similar blooms.

- The main road was returning to normal, with more customers on the way.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 1:31PM - Signs of the heavy rainfall were everywhere, including those personally touched by it. A volunteer was helping a customer load plants when a passing cart hit a puddle and splashed him with mud. He managed to wash off half of it before I could take the photo. He took the whole episode with stride. (B) In a moment between writing up customer orders, Larry poses with daughter Michelle.

- 2:43PM - As fate would have it, it rained again. Within two hours of the first downpour, another wave of rain hit the nursery. With the first drenching still present, the new rain piled on, flooding a few areas; requiring us to move some plants around, change walkways, etc.

- 2:52PM - With the second wave of rain behind us, it was time to continue restocking plants for Sunday. With the fear of additional rain over the remaining hours of the sale, all available hands were brought together to assist in restocking the sales area as fast as possible. Along the main road, one group to receive more material was the Double Tahitian Gardenias, grown in seven gallon pots and mounted on trellises. After them the 'Purple Prince' Roses were next, as their new-found popularity had them at the top of the list for regular resupply.

- 2:54PM - The last wave of rainfall brought with it some wind gusts. As the rain and wind departed, some plants had to be picked up and placed upright. Candy was doing exactly that within the Bromeliad section, while at the same time moving more plants towards the road. The pattern of rain, clouds, some sun and rain again continued for the rest of the day. I took one more photo of a gathering by the holding area, before I was needed back inside the shadehouse.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

Sunday, October 7th

- 10:17AM - Sunday morning held some fantastic weather, which didn't say much when compared with what we saw the day before. Even with the on and off rainfall, Saturday was still busy and productive. The morning of the third day was in in typical Sunday fashion, slow to start, but with an increasing intensity as we approached lunch time. We used the hour before, and the hour after we opened, to concentrate on what plants we could restock. As the second hour of the day began, customers arrived with targets set on their most wanted of plants. (A) Escorted by Shane, one customer came along to pick out which palms she wanted. (B) As they sorted through the selection, two seemed to stand above the rest and were loaded onto the bucket of the New Holland Loader.

- They were two, large, triple Christmas Palms, Adonidia merrillii, and they were perfect for their future landscape destination. With Travis Searle at the controls, the two triples made their way slowly to the sales area...

- 10:20AM - 10:27AM - After entering the sales area, the New Holland had to be escorted down the road to make sure no one or no thing was run over. I followed the event towards the front area, when a customer's question took me into the Tropical Flowering Tree and Heliconia/Ginger section. (B) As I was describing a plant, I noticed a fluttering yellow distraction in the corner of my eye. It turned out to be a giant yellow sulphur butterfly, one of a few different species that I couldn't narrow down. It was hanging off one of the 3 gal. Cassia roxburghii, a legume, one of sulphurs favorite plants. (C) A loaded cart rolls by as I continued to answer questions.

- 10:56AM - Here is an example of a last minute addition. As we were pulling plants during the early morning hours, we noticed a new red leaf waving to us from a block of Chambeyronia macrocarpa var. hookeri. There were no others pulled for the sale and the name was not in the species booklet or part of the online sale list, but we pulled it anyway because of the new leaf. Sometimes we refer to these as 'unadvertised specials'. The lone plant was tagged, signed, and placed on one of the tables, where it awaited the palm enthused public. I believe it sold some time during the second weekend.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:57AM - Taking a step outside of the shadehouse, I took notice of the growing attendance. (B) As I was among the landscape plants, I took a closer look at this broad-leaf form of Purple Queen, Tradescantia sp., that I was not able to identify prior to the sale. The plants with the better form were cherry picked already. If anyone has a name on this I would appreciate it. I found the name 'Big Bertha' but plants with that name seemed to be different, even when compared with those with the stout, wider leaves. (C) Back inside the shadehouse, it was business as usual as palms get chosen and carts get loaded. The rear of this cart, held a nice collection of full sun palms.

- 11:08AM - As we were pulling more Red Sealing Wax Palms, Cyrtostachys renda, for Sunday, I noticed one of the seven gallon-sized plants was sporting, off all things, an immature inflorescence. We had seen this before on various palms, but it was a first for me seeing it on such a small C. renda. I doubt it will do anything productive, but it is a bit quirky nonetheless. It almost appeared as an emerging sucker that had been transformed into an inflorescence. (D) The 3 gal. Lemurophoenix halleuxii waiting on the first table just happened to have a new leaf and it just needed to be photographed.

- 1:43PM - 1:53PM - After lunch, we needed to pull more of the smaller Verschaffeltia splendida for the corner spot. The restocking continued, whether it was for the day or for the second weekend. (B) Jeff and Shane pull more Bolero Cordylines for the side road, as the (C) remaining Orchids were relocated to tables along the side road or inside the main shadehouse.

- 1:54PM - 1:59PM - Kylie was not afraid to get dirty and it showed, more often than her parents would have liked. (B) After the lunch rush at the BBQ, the afternoon hours held a consistent flow of customer traffic. (C) While giving a palm a hug, Candy held the attention of a couple as she explains different methods of landscape design, her forte.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 2:00PM - The Tropical Flowering Tree section saw a stretch of action throughout the afternoon. Trees of different species were pulled from all parts of the section, (A) including a tall Jacaranda mimosifolia that waited to be loaded, (B) followed by a group of Hibiscus and a mystery purple-red Tabebuia.

- One of the popular flowering shrubs of the Fall 'Ganza was Clerodendrum minahassae. It has a mix of common names, including Starfish Clerodendrum. The larger, seven-gallon sized plants were covered in blooms.

- 2:06PM - A new batch of Guzmania bromeliads were brought up to replace other bromeliads that were selling out. The receipt writers tent had to be moved over due to the rain. Under the same tent, a Vanda hybrid shows off its blooms.

- 2:14PM - Jeff gets into a serious plant discussion with a pair of customers within the holding area. (B,C) Two other customers use teamwork to select specimens of Pseuderanthemum seticalyx* from the group and proceed to pack a cart with them.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 2:16PM - 2:33PM - "That one there... and these two here..." A plan comes together for a group of friends who use the side road to layout a potential landscape idea using a few Rojo Congo Philodendrons and other plants. Sunday was busy until closing. The remainder of the day played out as (B) the second photo, with one group of plants and customers after another through the checkout. Jeff and Andrea chat it up with a customer duo as the day slides into history.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

Friday, October 12th

- 10:04AM - The four day period between weekends was spent avoiding the rainy weather and restocking the sales area. Even with the larger than average selection, it was difficult to fully restock what plants we had on display during the first weekend. The second Friday is always a mix of spontaneous sales and a total random collection of events, from the strange to the norm and everything in between. Periods of the day can be very slow and uneventful, while others can be more colorful than most. One of the first sales of the day involved a colorful character in his own right, and (A,B) his choice of plant material on the trailer reflected this fact. It included a couple of large gingers and a lot of Bromeliads. As I waited for the order to grow, a customer drew me back down the main road for a quick plant question. (C) On my way back, I noticed the new growth on this unknown cultivar of English Ivy. There are a select group of ivies that seem to do well in S. Florida, this being one of them, but the cultivar name has eluded me so far. Please post it or PM me with the name if anyone happens to know what it is.

- 10:07AM - 10:19AM - Known by various nicknames, landscape designer 'Mike' looks through the Bromeliad section with help from Larry. (B) As colorful as the plants he buys, Mike is heavily tattooed from his neck to his toes and everything in between. He is a people person and enjoys talking to everyone he meets. After getting his order through the checkout, (C) he proceeds to load his truck. As it is the second Friday, landscapers and wholesale customers usually bring their vehicles into the regular parking area.

- 10:35AM - 10:45AM - The day was divided into small batches of customers, usually one at a time. The attendance was just busy enough to have at least one group of customers in the sales area at any given time. As expected, the skies opened up and it began to rain, but it didn't deter those already en route to the sale, as some came prepared with rain gear. Those without, took a moment to wait out the rain under the giant Royal Poinciana that protects the area.

- 10:47AM - 10:51AM - Rain or shine, one determined youngster wanted to pull his mothers cart. He was doing well, until (B) he noticed he wasn't being followed so he turned around and went back to his group of familiar faces, who were speaking with Larry and Karen under the tree. 

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 11:17AM - As the fourth day of the sale moved from morning to midday, I began to hear this distinctly heavy and 'guttural' aviation engine sound in the skies above. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as it got louder and closer and I thought 'that is not usual'. The area is frequently used for general aviation, but this sound was not general in anyway. As it got closer (and enjoyably louder) I moved to get the best view I could, but I was within the shadehouse. As it passed over the nursery I got a closer look, and it was a North American P-51D Mustang. It donned on me it must be out west practicing for the Fort Lauderdale Air Show. The sound of that engine was a welcome surprise.

- 11:39AM - With added fighter support, the sale continued. Jeff assisted a collector with finding more than a few things on their wish list, including: a pair of 3 gal. Areca macrocalyx var. 'Mariae', a unique, mostly-solitary-growing 3 gal. Red Sealing Wax Palm, Cyrtostachys renda, two Verschaffeltia splendida of two different sizes, 1 & 3 gal., and a grouping of 3 gal. Calyptrocalyx sp. 'Boalak'. As the sale was completed, the lot headed out for the parking area.

- 12:16PM - Within the shadehouse, one could tell the plants were happy with the rainfall. A newly emergent leaf on a Dypsis lastelliana seemed to pop open after the morning's wave of rain. The second shot showing the base of the palm.

- 12:28PM - When in doubt about how many plants to get, get one more, as there may not be any more when you go back. Right at the middle of the day, there was a run on Ficus lyrata, Fiddle-Leaf Figs. They all seemed to be picked up in a matter of minutes. As one couple contemplated on how many to get, another customer came and picked up one of the last and walked to the front... (B) before placing it on a cart, with the urging of Shane. (C) As one group was going out through the checkout, another was on its way in.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 1:47PM - 1:52PM - Ground Orchids were a popular item over both weekends, basically until we ran out of them. It became a theme where almost every cart with a mixed group of plants, contained at least one ground orchid. The nursery is always looking for new and better varieties to try. (B) Along the tables, a common situation developed that involved the reaction of sale goers to a rare, unusual and often expensive plant featured on the tables. This time, I was able to capture it...

- The reaction evolves in different ways but the outcome is usually the same. In this situation, two attendees notice a never-before-seen palm, how it looks, what it becomes, and how it is priced and they react. Then they just have to show it to their friend, who they bring over and point out said plant. This plays out often at most plant sales, and it fun to see how people react differently to it. Some of the reactions over the years have been priceless. I have seen a regular plant person become a palm enthusiast in an instant as a result, and I have had weird and strange negative reactions among non-plant people.

- 2:16PM - A large, solitary Veitchia heads out through the checkout to hopefully solve a problem. The buyer was in the middle of turmoil with his dreaded H.O.A. (lightning and thunder crashes) as they had a bizarre requirement for plant life in their domain. He had been brought to his wits end trying to solve the issue without resulting to queen palm hari-kari. With time and proper camouflage, the plan should work. 

- 2:37PM - The second Friday moved along, one customer at a time. The majority of the attendance seemed to be split between regular sale goers that walked in and those collectors that could not make it on the first weekend. Larry writes up a customer with a bromeliad and one of the new 'Marmalade' Mussaenda plants.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 2:43PM - One palm that always seems to get a beating is the Hydriastele dransfieldii that resides in the holding area. Whether it's a hurricane, tropical storm, falling branch, etc. it always seems to get thwacked. It always comes back, time and time again. It has been flowering for a short while now and was sporting a new inflorescence.

- 2:51PM - Across from the holding area, the Coccothrinax sp. 'Azul' was looking very blue, as the sun was striking the leaves at just the right angle. It has been talked about for a while that this palm is the same as Coccothrinax macroglossa, and it is mentioned that way now as of the arrival of the 'The Palms of Cuba' book. I will remake the card and will try to keep 'Azul' as part of the common name. Perhaps 'Yuraguana Azul'... or something else, at least more than just 'Blue Palm'? ... Camaguey Blue Fan Palm... I might just leave it as Yuraguana. I will have to see what people think.

 

Ryan