Searle Brothers Nursery, Inc. &

The Rainforest Collection ® _presents...

The 14th Annual Fall Plant Extravaganza!

October 5th, 6th & 7th

October 12th, 13th, & 14th

2012

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It is that special time again and I can feel it coming like a sixth sense. The upcoming Fall season for plant events has started to heat up around the South Florida area and it has already spread like a fever. I recently attended a crowded, local plant society meeting of the B.U.S.H. Club and they handed out calendars forecasting plant events and the weeks ahead were packed full. The first two weekends of October were of course noted with The 14th Annual Fall Extravaganza as it represents the ceremonial kick-off for the autumn event season. The fellow 'BUSH'ies' (as they like to be called) were all looking forward to the 'Ganza as I answered numerous sale and plant related questions. I made available a stack of sale flyers and they all vanished prior to the end of the meeting. All in all, it looks to be a great time ahead for the plant fanatic.

The spring and fall Searle Brothers’ Plant Extravaganzas have become a great way for IPS Members, Palmtalk Forum Members and fellow tropical palm & plant enthusiasts to come together and meet in the South Florida area. The events have always been a great way to spend a weekend in the company of those who share your passion for gardening and collecting tropical ornamental plants. To describe the events as just mere plant sales would be an understatement; as they have become much more in the form of social events for our friends and family. Forum members, friends and fellow plant collectors have all come from far and wide to attend and we are continuously surprised in the distances they will cover to share in the event. In regards to the following details, I have tried to include as much information about the upcoming Fall Extravaganza as I can. If you see something that you need to know that is missing and should be added, please post the idea(s) here or contact me, Jeff Searle or the nursery with the methods listed below and let us know...

South Florida Location:

Searle Brothers Nursery, Inc.

6640 SW 172nd Avenue

Southwest Ranches, Florida 33331

Western Broward County

*see Map below...

Fall 2012 Schedule:

Friday, October 5th - 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday, October 6th - 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday, October 7th - 9:00AM - 4:00PM

also the following weekend...

Friday, October 12th - 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday, October 13th - 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday, October 14th - 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Barbecue Lunch:

Our Famous Weekend Free BBQ Lunch

First Weekend: (Saturday 11:00AM - 2:00PM) – (Sunday, 11:00AM - 2:00PM)

Contact List:

Nursery Office #: (954) 434-7681

Nursery Fax #: (954) 680-2750

Nursery Website: www.rainforestcollection.com

Nursery Email: Searlebrothersnursery@yahoo.com

** Added Note - In regards to contacting Jeff Searle, take note that he is currently in Thailand on the Biennial and will not be able to answer or return messages until he returns. **

Jeff Searle #: (954) 658-4317 Email: palms@rainforestcollection.com Private Message: PM Jeff Searle

Ryan (Palmarum) Email: rdgpalm@bellsouth.net

Directions:

This is a general street map of western Broward County, Florida showing the location of the nursery (Palm tree symbol). Using Sheridan Street would be the best option to get to the nursery if you are heading west through the county. If you are taking the Florida Turnpike, use the Griffin Road exit from the north, or the Pines Blvd. exit from the south. If you need any additional directions, please contact the nursery, Jeff or I (Ryan). When you get close to the nursery, look for large power lines as they run east and west above the nursery. Parking is along the shoulder of 172nd Avenue in front of, and down the street from, the nursery entrance. If you intend to arrive early before sunrise (and many usually do) be wary of hard-to-see speed bumps along 172nd Avenue and there is a possibility of a speed trap as well.

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Plant Availability, Photo Requests:

For plant availability including a copy of the ever-growing list of palms, cycads and other information regarding which plants and species will be for sale, please contact the nursery, Jeff Searle or I (Ryan). The plant selection process has already begun and will continue right up to the last day before the Extravaganza, (sometimes even on the mornings of the event if the need applies.) The sale lists for palms, cycads and crotons will be made available as soon as they are completed. Special selections might be pulled for sale as requests, but only if the plants are available. There will be certain species, varieties and cultivars that will only be available in limited quantities. These rarer plants will likely sell out quickly in the morning hours, so be sure to arrange your wish list accordingly. Plant groups may have been moved around the sales area, relocated, or added in with others. In order to speed your way to your favorite plants please ask a nearby volunteer as to their location.

Like with previous events, I will be able to provide preview photos of the actual plants for sale. They will be posted in this topic for those who are interested. Send me a message or an email with the names of the plants you would like to see, including members of specific groups or genera. Sale booklets or sale lists will be made available at the Extravaganza. They will include the list of palms, cycads and crotons for sale. Holders located at both entrances to the main shade house will have the booklets on display along with other important information. As soon as I have a basic list of species and varieties for sale, I will be able to email or PM it to anyone who would want a copy. Each plant will be priced with either a lavender tag or will have the price written on the pot.

Featured Plant Groups:

The plant selection at the Extravaganza is constantly growing and changing. The largest and most diverse group is by far the Palms, of which there will be over 300 species available in various different sizes. The Fall is also the peak time for crotons as the summer months are the ideal time for production.

Palms:

Aroids:

Bamboo:

Bromeliads:

Cycads:

Crotons:

Cordylines:

Ferns:

Heliconias and Gingers:

Orchids:

Tropical Flowering Trees and Shrubs:

Landscape Ornamentals:

Rare and Hard-to-find Exotics:

and more: There is always a chance a new & exotic species of tropical plant will make its way into the sales area.

The Sale Flyer:

The nursery will soon mail out sale flyers to everyone on our mailing list. If you are on the mailing list and do not receive one, please let Jeff or myself know. In addition, if you would like to be placed on the mailing list for future Extravaganza flyers, please send a message to me with your address.

Plant Carts:

We do provide a limited amount of carts for customers to use, but it is recommended that you bring your own plant shopping conveyance. The carts do go quickly in the morning of each day, soon after the gates open and customers make their way to the sales area. During the day when they are returned from the holding area or the parking lot, they are placed back on the concrete pad across from the register area.

Accommodations:

There is a very nice Hampton Inn within a short driving distance of the nursery. It has been used by our customers, volunteers and family members in the past who travel a long way to reach the Extravaganza and who require a comfortable place to stay. The Hampton Inn Pembroke Pines/Ft. Lauderdale West is located at the intersection of I-75 and Sheridan Street. (see map above...) If you like to inquire about the hotel, follow the link below:

Link: Hampton Inn Pembroke Pines

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Previous Extravaganza:

The Spring Extravaganza of earlier this year had plenty of great moments for our friends, family members and fellow plant aficionados. It was the first time the Extravaganza had taken place over two weekends (deliberately) and represented the 30th Anniversary of Searle Brothers Nursery. The weather was phenomenal and there was a spirited, addictive atmosphere of a tropical plant sale. To relive the events of the sale and to look over the last Extravaganza, follow the link below.

14th Annual Spring Extravaganza...

Link: http://www.palmtalk....topic=32209&hl=

Information and Invitation:

If you need any more details regarding plants, directions, or anything that I have not included above, feel free to contact the nursery, Jeff Searle or myself by the methods mentioned above. Feel free to post any messages, questions, etc. in this topic. Jeff Searle, I and all the family members and volunteers look forward to meeting everyone including new and familiar Palmtalk Forum members and IPS members at the upcoming Extravaganza. Be sure to find one of us and introduce yourself. You will be sure to find other Forum members at the event as well, possibly walking right past you down an aisle or grabbing for the same plant. The entire Searle family and the masses of volunteers will be waiting to help you find that perfect plant.

We hope to see you there!

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Ryan

I didn't make the biennial or Thailand....see you at the sale....hope to hear some tales.

Hey, there SHOULD be a pic of a Searle shirt on the other side of the world... anyone?

Please post a list of the crotons that will be on offer

Please post a list of the crotons that will be on offer

The crotons are going to be pulled starting tomorrow, Thursday and will probably be finished by Saturday. As soon as the list is done and I have it processed, I will post it on a Palmpedia topic and send it out to those interested. I have the original palm/cycad list now and will be processing it soon. Same goes for the palm/cycad list when I have it finished.

I was out at the nursery today and the palm selection is shaping up to being a near-record group. It could be about 365 species across various sizes, with more/less being pull between now and next week. I will get the requested photos as soon as the layout within the shadehouse is completed, plus other photos of the sale coming together.

Ryan

Hey Ryan, will you e-mail the list of palms if I PM you? Thanks

Me too please!

I have the first draft of the Palm & Cycad list ready for viewing. It is about 85% complete with the number and variety of species and sizes. There are currently 370 species, spread across 475 size groups. I even found out later today there are 3 more to add. I have posted the current draft at Palmpedia to make it easier to read, and I will be sending it out to everyone who requested a copy...

Palm & Cycads:

Palmpedia Link to the list: http://www.palmpedia...e-List-and-Info

As I find additions I will add them to the posting at the Palmpedia topic, but like usual, species can be added to the list at any time leading up to the sale. I will also be adding the Croton list to the Palmpedia topic once it is ready. The early photo requests will be taken as soon as the plants get to their sale location.

Ryan

I have finished the first draft of the Croton list, and have posted it on Palmpedia and have sent it to those who were interested.

Ryan

During last Saturday, I was out at the nursery getting things ready and I was able to take some photos of the sales area, and a few photo requests. Things are coming together, with some emphasis on adding new plants and making use of more area. We always make notes on what things to add or change from the last 'Ganza.

- Inside the shadehouse, the palms and cycads have filled up the space along the sidewalk. This shot was taken from the shadehouse entrance, looking down towards the intersection. I took many of these photos as we returned from lunch, the time was about 1:00 PM, so the sun was almost straight above me, not the best angle.

- At the side sidewalk, looking towards the white tent and the intersection. The tables were getting set up along with their gallons and small plants. This Fall, there is a bounty of gallons and small plants as to fill up about 6 tables. The list was updated again this morning, and the total number of species stands at 383, a new 'Ganza record, many of which are small plants.

- Standing in the intersection looking east...

- Turning 180º from the shot above, looking west towards the entrance...

Ryan

- One request was for the Seychelles favorite, Verschaffeltia splendida. It is available in three sizes, #3 gallon {$45.00}, #7 gallon {$75.00} and #15 gallon {$185.00}.

- Another view of the grouping, showing more of the smaller plants and bases.

Ryan

- This is a new one for the 'Ganza and already a popular photo request. This is a Cyrtostachys sp. that we call a possible hybrid. It is very similar to Cyrtostachys renda in size, habit and shape, but differs in some unique ways. First, this palm is much faster growing than C. renda, so much so that it is scary. It has a orange-red, striped crownshaft and petioles, a dull red, newly emerging leaf and it is (wait for it) cold tolerant. We are still going through naming ideas for it, but for now it is just the palm seen before you. The #1 gallons are {$15.00}, #7 gallons {$150.00} and the one #15 gallon is {$500.00}.

- A tighter shot of the larger 15 gallon plant...

- Zooming into the crownshafts and petioles. Green shows through some of the striping.

- The stripping is reminiscent of the Sealing Wax cultivar known as 'Apple' but is distinctively different. When Jeff Searle was in Thailand, he saw a larger specimen of this plant next to 'Apple' and he could tell they were different.

Ryan

- Before leaving the shadehouse, I photographed the Croton area as it was being set up. This is just the first load, prior to being divided into groups and set into position. They vary alot in color, which is putting it mildly. They also vary in price, between as low as $12 to as much as $75 or more for the rarer ones.

- The side entrance the shadehouse is flanked on both sides by the full sun palms.

- The main road, lined with group after group of landscape plants, both common and unusual.

- Getting almost run over by Travis Searle, as he was showing Jeff's long time neighbor Ronnie Calderon around the nursery. Ronnie was getting a early look at everything as the sales area was coming together. He might look familiar from other 'Ganza event topic photos, paintball photos I might have posted, along with a certain wedding reality TV show.

Ryan

- This is a new one for the 'Ganza and already a popular photo request. This is a Cyrtostachys sp. that we call a possible hybrid. It is very similar to Cyrtostachys renda in size, habit and shape, but differs in some unique ways. First, this palm is much faster growing than C. renda, so much so that it is scary. It has a orange-red, striped crownshaft and petioles, a dull red, newly emerging leaf and it is (wait for it) cold tolerant. We are still going through naming ideas for it, but for now it is just the palm seen before you. The #1 gallons are {$15.00}, #7 gallons {$150.00} and the one #15 gallon is {$500.00}.

How cold tolerant is it exactly? Would it live in a 10a? Is this palm a one time thing or do you expect to have these for a while to come?

- The start of the landscape plant area along the main road. The prime spot in front of it has yet to receive an occupant. Probably a showy plant yet chosen.

- Bromeliads, with more to come. Larry Searle always seems to take this group of plants to the extreme when he sets up this area.

- Looking west down the main road, as people come and go. The Bromeliads reside in that shaded area on the left.

- A new improvement. As I was in the shadehouse, two of the BBQ guys came over and installed these ceiling fans to better control the heat coming off the grills. They were actually on full speed when I took the shot, hoping for more blur.

Ryan

Zeeth

How cold tolerant is it exactly? Would it live in a 10a? Is this palm a one time thing or do you expect to have these for a while to come?

Unlike the Red Sealing Wax Palm, which are grown in a protected house. These Cyrtostachys sp. were left in a regular shadehouse and received upper 30s with no damage, not even a spot on their dark green leaves. The palms are in zone 10a now. Like any species grown, availability can never be predicted, but the source is stable at the moment. There should be more grown down the line.

Ryan

- Hot dog. Travis and I were riding around as I was taking photos and came across Larry and his German Shepard Charlie. It was a typically hot and humid day and the dog often jumps into the nursery pond to cool off.

- Travis got him to stare at attention as he soaked in the pond water.

Ryan

Zeeth

How cold tolerant is it exactly? Would it live in a 10a? Is this palm a one time thing or do you expect to have these for a while to come?

Unlike the Red Sealing Wax Palm, which are grown in a protected house. These Cyrtostachys sp. were left in a regular shadehouse and received upper 30s with no damage, not even a spot on their dark green leaves. The palms are in zone 10a now. Like any species grown, availability can never be predicted, but the source is stable at the moment. There should be more grown down the line.

Ryan

Sounds like a very promising palm!

I love seeing these pictures! I'm very thankful to have been able to attend the sale last fall. Hoping to return again soon

Yes, it does seem too good to be true... and looks like a lipstick to me!

Yes, it does seem too good to be true... and looks like a lipstick to me!

Being this palm is pretty new in cultivation, and you still at a beginners level, I can see where you would be confused. But trust me when I say, it's the opposite of Cyrtostachys renda in more than one way.

It is a beautiful and very interesting palm. Are any of the other known Cyrtostachys species significantly hardier than C. renda, such that if it were crossed with C. renda, the resulting hybrid might be more cold hardy? Also, if this new palm were simply a cultivar of C. renda (which it looks like), I would think it very strange that it is both more cold hardy and fast growing, as experience has shown it to be.

I would be interested in more information on the parentage of this palm, if known.

It is a beautiful and very interesting palm. Are any of the other known Cyrtostachys species significantly hardier than C. renda, such that if it were crossed with C. renda, the resulting hybrid might be more cold hardy? Also, if this new palm were simply a cultivar of C. renda (which it looks like), I would think it very strange that it is both more cold hardy and fast growing, as experience has shown it to be.

I would be interested in more information on the parentage of this palm, if known.

From a growers standpoint, I have had these now for approx. 3 years now. Maybe 4. And all from a 4" size pot. So, not only have I grown these from a few inches tall to approx. 7-8' in this time ( pretty dang fast if you ask me), but no cold protection other than sitting in my shadehouse, which I would never do with the more widely known, C. renda.

As far as the parentage goes, you'll need to ask Jeff M.

I hope you have great weather and large crowds eager to buy all those wonderful plants! I certainly see some I'd be trying to bring home with me if I didn't need to be at work... Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job most days (and am glad to be employed), but work sure does interfere with hobbies sometimes!

I was just admiring the color, Jeff. I can tell it's not a lipstick(petiole color, for one thing).

I hope you have great weather and large crowds eager to buy all those wonderful plants! I certainly see some I'd be trying to bring home with me if I didn't need to be at work... Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job most days (and am glad to be employed), but work sure does interfere with hobbies sometimes!

The weather was fabulous yesterday! Ran into many palm collectors. Great day assisting with cultivating tips, helping with selections for the proper garden aspect and sharing the love of palms.

Ron.....it was great to see quite a few Palmtalk members come by. Besides yourself, Waykool, Ray in Tampa, Judy and Jim Glock, Tropico, Ellis Brown, Mike in Coral Gables, just to mention a few. The weather finally turned nice for friday, and the "buzzzzz" of the conversations was the Thailand Biennial. People are commenting about reading all the great replies and the topics.

I'll get to the Fall Sale ONE of these days..

I'll get to the Fall Sale ONE of these days..

Bill,

I think it's been long enough. And just to let you know, your name continually comes up in conversations still. You are missed....

Sorry I missed it. I was out of town this past weekend and I can not get down this weekend but I will see you in the spring.

I miss being down there too.. THIS time its warmer there than here... 53F last night... bbbrrrrr

Hope its fun down there!

Tom / Bill,

We really missed you guys too. It's been great talking to so many palm people these last 2 weekends. Bill, we got some scattered rains during the morning today and then the sun came out and it turned out to be pretty nice. But 53 last night??? Jeeeez! The humidity has started to drop some here and so it's not so steamy hot now. I think this summer has broken all records for the rainiest season ever. It's been wet! But I hope you all can make it back in the spring.