SFPS Fall Palm Sale at Fairchild TB Gardens + Palmboo Gardens Tour

[Palmarum]

- Saturday morning, 8:44AM: The booth location for Jeff Searle's plants had been moved down from where it was just a year ago, but we found ourselves in a great spot right along the main path of the sales area. We had just finished with the final touches in the booth when I took out the camera. These two front tables held the rare of the rare as usual and they were loaded with quite a few species. The palm with a red new leaf in the center is Loxococcus rupicola.

- The man... the legend... the moose knuckle himself, Forum member Ron Kiefert...

- The booth had plenty of room to space out the plants so nothing was crowded. In the very windy front part of the booth we placed everything that was both rare and heavy enough not to fall over. The sparsely clumping palm towards the left with the leaf base fiber is Wallichia siamensis, which I just found out has been lumped in with Wallichia caryotoides. The large palmate palms in the foreground are Tahina spectabilis in 7 gallon pots with smaller ones in front in deep pots.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:49AM: Ron was busy watering the plants in vendor #67 Claude Roatta's booth which was next door to ours. The constant heavy wind was drying out the smaller plants.

- It might not look it, but the wind was quickly becoming a pain. The customers would be arriving in about 40 minutes and hopefully they will thin out the booth somewhat.

- This shot was looking down the row of booths along the path. There were 18 vendors in total at the Fall Sale this year and they were scattered around the sales area which was located in the Palmetum section of Fairchild TB Gardens.

- Looking into Vendor #4 and Forum member Bill Olson's (Bill Olson) shaded booth located across the sales area. He enjoys this location under a huge oak tree. Bill is standing in the right of the photo.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:51AM: Cousin It perhaps? A pair of sunglasses decorates a large Old Man Palm, Coccothrinax crinita at the front of vendor #66 Ron Croci's booth. It was positioned to sell the smaller three and one-gallon plants that were placed around it. The popularity of this species will never go down.

- In addition to the arrival of so many Forum members, we also saw many friends and cohorts in the palm world attend the sale this weekend. Collector and landscaper Andre Joris drove up from Key West with his friends to shop for the rarest species they could find. He stands next to a huge, flowering Burretiokentia hapala that stood prominently in Ellis Brown's (#68) booth. His neighbor Danny ended up buying it later in the day.

- Looking through Ellis's booth I came across this well-grown Pigafetta filaris. It begged for someone to touch it.

- 9:02AM: At the corner of his patch of grass, Ellis placed this group of Pelagodoxa henryana. They were getting hit by a gust of wind when I took the photo, so they weren't growing at an angle.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 9:04AM: We still had a half hour or so until the sale opened so more perusing and shopping continued. Jeff and I came across Vendor #66 Ron Croci and his son Ronnie as they were writing the last few tags.

- "I, Claude... me strong." Vendor #67 Claude Roatta flexes as he finishes dumping a wheelbarrow full of beer bottles, left over from the night before, into the recycling bin.

- The best way to finish a Pseudophoenix collection. This two-gallon Pseudophoenix ekmanii was ready for transport to a new home as soon as someone placed it in their cart... and bought it.

- 9:09AM: Vendor #65 Leslie Veber had this mature and currently fruiting specimen of Syagrus schizophylla.

Ryan

[markpeters77]

Thanks for those pics! Seeing such stunning plants laid out for sale/planting in the garden, makes me so jealous!! Oh to be able to grow such beauties outside here in Scotland - come on genetic modifiers, let's get hardy-ing up some tropicals!!

[Palmarum]

- 9:09AM: It always amazes me as how certain containerized species will flower and set seed prolifically at a regular pace. This Syagrus does it without flinching.

- We had a new feature in the sales area to gawk at this Fall. If you may remember, we had a large metal sculptured 'head' in the front sales area a year ago, now we were treated to this large antique church bell. The framework was designed to ring the bell, but the cables were tied up and set above and the bell's clapper had been removed. I guess we were not trustworthy enough to be left alone with it. I am not sure as to the history behind the bell, except that it belonged to a church that was heavily damaged and was in a state of being reconstructed.

- In a matter of a few minutes, I discovered two extremely rare palms that had made their way to the sale this weekend. The first one I stumbled upon while browsing the selection in vendor #80 Tim McKernan's booth. He had brought this impressively grown, Pholidocarpus majadum to the sale and put a very, very acceptable price on it. I was shocked to see it, as members of this genus never show up for sale, nor would I expect to see any. Pholidocarpus is a rare cousin to Livistona and Licuala and is often considered to be the middle-link between the two genera. It was promptly purchased not long after the sale opened, not by me however.

- 9:15AM: The second surprise came a few minutes later, next door in Vendor #50 and FM. Faith Bishock's (budrot) booth. We were not sure if there was going to be a show with awards or not during the sale, so vendors brought would-be show plants with them. It turns out there were no awards this Fall Sale, but it didn't keep certain vendors from showing off their prize-worthy plants. Faith had her hand on her Metroxylon amicarum that she now had to guard. This species of Metroxylon has never been seen in South Florida cultivation, until now. Its rarity is hard to describe, but a price/offer of $1000.00 was floating around, but Faith would probably turn it down. Jeff Searle and FM. Jim Glock (jglock1) were also surprised to see it. For those who may not know, M. amicarum is the only member of the genus that flowers pleonanthically, or does not die after flowering.

Ryan

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

What a treat Ryan! Thanks for the glimpse! Hopefully next Time I won't be so crippled and can enjoy the sale ---walking!

Ryan I'm going to PM you about something; watch for it!

Paul, The Pqalm Dr.

[Palmarum]

- 9:16AM: This morning also celebrated Jeff Searle's birthday and many people brought good tidings to him in their own, personal way. Friend and eager stuntman Jaime was sneaking in behind Jeff to do something to him while I took photos, but he chickened-out at the last minute.

- SFPS Director Lenny Goldstein readies the society tables by stocking them full of free seed and seedlings.

- Similar leaf forms can be confusing. Can you tell where the Pritchardia palms end and the Double Coconut, Lodoicea maldivica begins?

- 9:29AM: In the last minute before the sale opens, vendors get everything tagged and prepped for the customers. We had a few art vendors including Vendor #84 and FM. Linda Talbot (Linda Apriletti) seen on the right getting everything ready under the tent.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 9:46AM: The sale opened very windy with a decent group of customers that quickly made their way to the sales area from the lowlands parking lot. A good hike if you haven't walked it before. Everyone made their way from booth to booth in typical browsing fashion, making that quick appraisal of each group of plants before moving on to the next.

- The wind kept us busy as if we were not describing a palm, we were picking it back up. The sales area was kept bug-free and cool due to the constant wind so only the vendors were irritated by it.

- The majority of the palms and cycads in the booth each had a display card and the cards themselves seem to catch the wind very well.

- 9:58AM: I am convinced that Faith can sell anything to anyone. Her enthusiasm is second to none and it shows in every conversation.

Ryan

[Moose]

Ryan - you are dead on about "more forum members than you can count". I have not seen this many FM's in one place since the Biennel in Costa Rica! It was an amazing turn out.

[Palmarum]

- 9:58AM: The first half hour of the sale saw the largest arrival of customers then it slowed to a trickle by 10 in the morning. In the center, long time palm vendor from the old days De Hull discusses the sale with SFPS Treasurer George Alvarez.

- Tons of free seed to choose from...

- ...from large to small, there were many species represented on the tables.

- 10:04AM: Collector and FM. Mike Harris (waykoolplantz) connects with John, the owner of the Green Parrot Bar in Key West, and they discuss everything audio equipment related. They quickly got to a level of detail I had never heard before.

Ryan

[Moose]

- 9:58AM: The first half hour of the sale saw the largest arrival of customers then it slowed to a trickle by 10 in the morning. In the center, long time palm vendor from the old days De Hull discusses the sale with SFPS Treasurer George Alvarez.

- Tons of free seed to choose from...

- ...from large to small, there were many species represented on the tables.

- 10:04AM: Collector and FM. Mike Harris (waykoolplantz) connects with John, the owner of the Green Parrot Bar in Key West, and they discuss everything audio equipment related. They quickly got to a level of detail I had never heard before.

Ryan

It is a misnomer that Enest Hemmingway hung out at Sloppy Joe's. Interestingly the Green Parrot was his favorite place to ibid. It was closer to his home as well.

[Kris]

Very nice palm collection...Seeing it makes me feel high & dry !

Thanks a lot for that coverage with images that are almost life like...

Lots of love,

kris

[Palmarum]

- 10:06AM: "Hey Ray!" I spotted veteran collector and FM. Ray Gompf (Ray_G) looking through the front tables when I ambushed him from under the tent, using some of the signs as cover. I cannot imagine the yard he must have by now, not to mention what little space he has left to plant.

- Sometimes you can get from A to B much faster when your the only one in the car. FM. Tom C. (tikitiki) made a speedy trip down from Orlando to get in the sale early and left the family at home this trip. He covered the distance in an impressive time.

- 10:16AM: On the left, FM. Ned Steel (OldNed) examines the stash belonging to Mike Harris as it gets added to fairly regularly.

- The area in front of Jeff's booth saw a variable 'who's who' of people in the palm world over the weekend. FM. Jim Glock (jglock1) and vendor #67 Claude Roatta get into a heavy discussion about something towards the left, as a customer cuts through carrying a Ravenea krociana. At this point I was surprised to see Dr. John Dransfield standing right in front of the booth talking with Jeff, along with his wife Sojetmi and Dr. Scott Zona.

Ryan

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

Looked mighty fine, Adam! Rains health off too, I hope. You all deserved BETTER than average PALM SALES because there wasn't muck else to occupy oner's time in So. Fla. How many photos did wou "snap, " just guessing!

You, Adam are an invaluable asset to the So. FLA. IPS, I cannot even be aware of all your contributions! I know, though, that we are damned fortunate to have you, Adam! You're a treasure beyond words.

Paul

[epicure3]

Looks like a great time. Those rare palms are amazing. I know if I lived in S. Florida, I would be at Fairchild every weekend. Seems like they are always having special events for palms, tropical fruit and trees.

[Jeff Searle]

Ryan,

Some great pictures as usual. I think the one of Ray peeking through was really good. Classic. I think saturday set a record for all-time on having forum members all at one sale. It was great seeing all, and I know some of you drove long distances.

BTW...who in the hell is Adam? Did I miss something?

Jeff

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

Looks like a great time. Those rare palms are amazing. I know if I lived in S. Florida, I would be at Fairchild every weekend. Seems like they are always having special events for palms, tropical fruit and trees.

If you have the cash...they've got the palm that is "right" for your

home's collection!

Pablo

[Breadfruit Bill]

BTW...who in the hell is Adam? Did I miss something?

I was wondering the same thing... But who ever he is, I'm sure he made one heck of a contribution!

Do ya think Ryan = Adam when you're mucho muy bueno meds?

[Borgy230]

haha, that would be my guess!!!!

[Moose]

haha, that would be my guess!!!!

Looks like the palm doctor has managed to hijack Ryan's (Adam's ?) thread.

By the way, if you have cash - Publix will have the right food for you to take home. If you don't....

[LauraAnu]

Great photos as usual Ryan. Everyone of your posts make me want to take the next plane to Florida so I can add some of those awesome palms to my collection.

Laura

[John in Andalucia]

Ryan, your photos are uncannily professional! The shot of Ray Gompf is brilliant, and I'm still smiling!

[junglegalfla]

Great pics Ryan! I have got to make the effort to get to the next sale!! So close but yet so far.... Nice to see all the familiar faces again.

[BS Man about Palms]

Ryan, great shots and I echo the part about Rays photo. Its great!!

[paulgila]

it was awesome to meet all the people from palm talk! i just checked out a few of the plants at jeffs booth & 1 or 2 others--it was unbearable to see so many amazing palms that i couldnt take home.

[palmcurry]

If I was in FL, I would have been there for sure. Especialy with the free seeds on offer!

[paulgila]

matt & i both took advantage of the free seeds! got some stuff i always wanted to try,like l.rotundifolia.

[Palmarum]

- 10:20AM: We did not know it before this day, but Dr. Dransfield was in town to give a talk at the Montgomery Botanical Center. I think it is for the anniversary of MBC. Either way, it was a nice surprise to see him walking past the booth at a South Florida palm sale. Both He and Dr. Scott Zona (far left) are Forum members, although the Forum didn't come up much in the way of conversation.

- A second later, I turned 180º around to capture what was going on behind me in the sales area. There were a good number of customers walking around looking through the booths.

- There is something about the word "complementary" that really brings people over to a loaded table. Lenny is very knowledgeable about all things palm related and will discuss things with customers and members all day long. The hair color on the guy on the right was like that... and not altered by me.

- 10:21AM: Being a fellow IPS Director, FM. Faith Bishock (budrot) knows Dr. John Dransfield quite well. I am not sure what they discussed, but there was a bit of humor involved.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:23AM: Just before Dr. Dransfield walked off to continue his way through the garden, Jeff got an idea... He went back to the front table in the booth and grabbed a small palm to see if Dr. Dransfield could identify it. He did, very easily, since Jeff had chosen a Dransfieldia micrantha to try and stump him on the identity. Without having to think twice, I took this photo of Jeff and Dr. Dransfield posing with his namesake palm.

- Mike Harris showed me this unique opportunity to photograph the similar leaf forms of Pritchardia and Lodoicea next to each other. I was tempted to put a price tag on the Double Coconut, just for the fun of it.

- FM. Randy Wiesner (palmisland) already made his choice and thought of a way to get the Double Coconut, Lodoicea maldivica home... somehow.

- 11:29AM: The distances that some of the Forum members traversed to get to the sale was inspiring. FM. Catherine Presley (Creekside) came all the way down from Sarasota to mingle with the palms and us crazy Forum members. She and her husband and I had an interesting conversation about strange reptiles that have appeared around the state.

Ryan

[DoomsDave]

WHOA!

Now that was a gathering!

Love the picture of Jeff and Dr. Dransfield . . . .

[bgl]

Ryan,

Great thread with lots of excellent photos and commentary. Always fun to see the social aspect of these events and you do an outstanding job keeping track of everybody!

Bo-Göran

[Palmarum]

- 11:26AM: When the time got past eleven in the morning, we knew to expect even more Forum members to start arriving at the sale. It was the unofficial meeting time for everyone to gather in one spot, in this case it happened to be in front of Jeff's booth. From left to right, FM. Pedro Broberg (sur4z), surfing palm nut Harry 'Dawg' Gilbert, FM. Dave Martin (Dave-Vero), FM. and Vendor #82 Christian Faulkner (cfkingfish), Jeff Searle and FM. Keith Austin (bubba). As everyone was talking and moving about, someone spotted Ken Johnson coming from behind me, with Paul and Matty following close behind...

- 11:28AM: As soon as the trio got close to the booth, FM. Paul Denton (pohonkelapa) handed Jeff his birthday present, a t-shirt with a familiar modified 'photo' printed on the front. It was one of the 'submissions' in that "Should Jeff change his Avatar" thread from earlier. FM. Matt Bradford (MattyB) got in close to take a photo, as everyone including myself was doing the same. Jeff for once was speechless. We have to get him to wear that shirt at the next event...

- 11:29AM: "It's ok Paul..." Keith goes over to comfort Paul as everyone rushes over to shake hands with Matt and seemed to ignore Paul's presence...

- 11:51AM: The next several minutes was a constant exchange of "name - Forum name" and so on as members got together as a group and ventured off to explore the garden with Paul, Matt and Ken. Jeff and I were helping customers in the booth and sales area as we watched the customers move around. The vendors' booths extended all the way down to that showy Copernicia fallaensis in the center of the photo. Vendor #26 Susan Casey stands in front of her booth towards the left.

Ryan

[Peter Pacific]

Ryan,

Great thread with lots of excellent photos and commentary. Always fun to see the social aspect of these events and you do an outstanding job keeping track of everybody!

Bo-Göran

Hi Ryan,

Now, there's another palm show!!! It was good to see the pics of Jeff Searle and many of the other forum members at Fairchild, I wish I could have been there. I was at Fairchild several times this summer but couldn't make this one. You should have someone take pictures of YOU!!! And about those palms...incredible, just, incredible. I should start planning another trip to the states around the next palm show...Ryan, please keep me posted!

Again, great job Ryan, thanks a lot.

Peter

[palmislandRandy]

Ryan, the Palmtalk journalist!

[Palmarum]

- 11:56AM: A palm gets carried to a waiting cart, in this case a Kerriodoxa elegans and FM. Ron Kiefert (moose knuckle) does the honors.

- 11:59AM: At close to lunchtime on Saturday, a short line had been nearly continuous at the registers. The concrete platform the bell framework was sitting on made a handy waiting area for customers to rest upon. You can spot those date palms in the distance moving with the wind, which showed no signs of stopping.

- Catherine and her husband stroll along the sales area looking for palms to bring back with them. They are just about in front of vendor #27 Armando Reyes's booth.

- 12:08PM: The Kerriodoxa elegans finds its way into a kid's cart while he was gathering together the palms belonging to collector Rosita Stoik. I think he wasn't sure if it would all fit or not.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

Peter Pacific Posted Today, 10:12 PM

...I should start planning another trip to the states around the next palm show...Ryan, please keep me posted!

Hey Peter, the next major palm event is the South Florida Palm Society Holiday Party on the first Monday of December, and the next set of show/sales are the Searle Extravaganza and the SFPS Spring Sale in the beginning of March 2010. There is also the TPIE convention near the end of January here in Ft Lauderdale. This is what I know off the top of my head.

...You should have someone take pictures of YOU!!!...

palmisland Posted Today, 10:25 PM

...Ryan, the Palmtalk journalist! ...

See, I knew it would happen as soon as someone asked for it...

Ryan

[tew]

This has to be one of the most enjoyable posts on this Forum each time there's a show in S. Florida. Hope to see you at the spring show !!

Thanks, Ryam, for always providing such superb coverage!

Tom

[edric]

Good work Ryan, thanks for sharing, Ed

[kylecawazafla]

Excellent photos Ryan!! Your camera is much better than mine! I had a great time meeting many people on here for the first time there. I can't wait until the next one. I realize now that it's not that bad of a drive from Gainesville to Miami! It took me 9 hours to get down there (the seminole reservation in south central FL has a speed limit of 25 mph and 45 mph for a looooooong stretch) but it only took me 4 hours to get back! Fairchild Tropical Gardens is definitely one of my favorites places in the world. I wish I could live down there!!!