Palms, Tropical Plants Galore, The 15th Annual Fall 'Ganza in its Entirety

[Palmarum]

Searle Brothers Nursery, Inc. &

The Rainforest Collection®

presented...

The 15th Annual Fall Extravaganza

October 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th - 2013

When we were setting up for this years Fall 'Ganza we started to get nervous about the weather. If we were anxious about anything, it was the weather. We knew we had a record setting amount of plant material for sale, even for a Fall 'Ganza, it was a lot of plants. So plant supply wasn't going to be the issue, it was the day to day precipitation that we encountered the week leading up to the first day that kept our minds busy. For example, the Wednesday before the first weekend (2 days prior) the nursery received just under 4 inches (10cm) of rain in one day. Not only did we not want it to rain, we wanted the inland sea that formed to drain away. Which it did. The rain ended just before Friday and we had some awesome weather for both weekends.

We have protocols in place in case it did rain and S. Florida locals know about being out-and-about in bad weather so it would never be a sale ending event if it did pour (which has happened). We just like it to be as perfect as possible, especially for me, when it comes to taking photographs. This Fall 'Ganza had a huge display of plants out for sale, including a Palm selection numbering about 325 species across 475 size groups upon opening time on the first Friday morning. A record Croton supply of 216 cultivars dazzled collectors. The Bromeliad section seems to physically grow every sale and take over more territory showing off amazing plants of all colors. Landscape ornamental varieties reached an all time high with about 150 types across various plant families. Seasonal favorites including tropical flowering trees/shrubs/vines were out in force, along with gingers, heliconias and their allies. One of a kind rarities were mixed in here and there to keep the backyard collector busy...

We also had a larger than average volunteer base and they took measures to be at the sale on Friday and through the first weekend. In addition to the plant talk that ensues, conversation also included talk on the upcoming IPS Biennial in South Florida next year. Since the itinerary has been released and it is noted that the nursery will be a location during the Biennial, this topic could be viewed as a preview of said stop. Although the nursery will be in a different setup, you can get an idea of what the visit will include...

Due to multitasking during the sale, I am never able to take all the photos I would want, but I try. I arrived early and put out my stuff and saw Jim coming my way...

- First Friday, Oct. 4th, 7:38AM - Last minute preparations were underway around the nursery as I finished mine in the shadehouse. Esteemed volunteer, veteran palm nut and Forum member Jim Glock (jglock1) looks over the rare of the rare on the first table.

- The tables were stocked and ready to be looked over, poked and prodded.

- Looking in through the side entrance to the main shadehouse. Got to make sure to have the brochures ready, and dry.

- 7:39AM - Turning to the left in the same spot above, the Palm & Cycad Full Sun section receives some of the first sun beams of the morning. I had just turned the cards back over.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:41AM - The Croton section gets looked over early, more so from the volunteers that will be working the area. IPS Director, Biennial engineer and FM. Ray Hernandez (Ray Tampa) looks through cultivar after cultivar along with Jeff Searle and fellow palm/croton fan Judy Glock.

- The Tropical foliage section in its prime.

- Just past the entrance, the sidewalk is cleared of hoses and swept clean in preparation of getting dirty again by cart and foot traffic.

- In the corner of the Tropical foliage section, looking back towards the sidewalk. Bat Plants of both colors, (black) Tacca chantrieri, (white) Tacca integrifolia await visitors on the round table.

Ryan

[doranakandawatta]

Next?

[Palmarum]

Next?

They are coming, I need Food...

[doranakandawatta]

Sorry Ryan,

I just look forward...

BTW many thanks for posting all these lovely pics,

How will I do if I come to Miami Biennale and fly back with Swissair? Air-cargo?

[Palmarum]

- A quick shot of one of the crowded Aroid tables, randomly filled with different species and varieties.

- 7:44AM - Outside next to the holding area, I took a look down the main road to see the crowd gathering at the gate. The white car belongs to volunteer Mandy Searle, arriving too close to opening time and having to 'part the masses' to get inside.

- A minute later I closed about a third of the distance to the gate to get another photo of the plant hungry. The diehards take up a position at the gate, while the others relax in their vehicles waiting for 8:00 to come.

- More volunteers discuss plants and where to stand, where to go when opening time arrives.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:54AM - Everything was ready so it was time to open the gates. We decided to use a different method to opening the gates using two golf carts instead of one. To leave one free to stay ahead of the crowd (Jeff and myself), a second would stay behind to open the gate, this time crewed by Andrea Searle (driving) and Michelle Searle (recording video).

- Shooting off the back of the chase golf cart, looking back at the register area and receipt writers tent. We were being pursued by Dumbo2 as she was trying to keep up.

- Keeping our distance, Jeff and I pull up to the gate as Andrea parks her golf cart off to the side. I took the photo as Jeff hit the brakes.

- The parking lot as it was just before opening. As we approached the gate, the remaining customers exited their vehicles and made their way over, stretching and loosening up their joints.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:54AM - Jeff turned the golf cart around and I got in the tail gunner position as Andrea opened the gates...

- The chain keeping the gates closed was removed and they sprung open. Jeff hit the 'gas' pedal to keep us ahead of the crowd. The sun was right in their eyes so we had to make sure they didn't run into the golf cart.

- Jeff increased our speed and the gap widened. The crowd began to pick up momentum.

- We began to pull away as we made it for the sales area.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- With Dumbo2 in hot pursuit, we get a comfortable lead as we enter the sales area.

- Passing the register area with volunteer Kathy on the right getting everything ready as her brother Larry Searle hands out the price sheets to the receipt writers. His canine follower Charlie is never that far from him.

- Carts at the ready. Even with all these carts here, they will vanish into the sales area. It is why we suggest customers bring their own just to make sure they will have one.

- [wave] They are rounding the turn...

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- Here they come. The majority of the crowd makes the turn down the side road heading for the shadehouse. The minority head straight down the main road heading for the side entrance, to get to the palm tables first, bypassing the Croton crowd. FM. Nyssa (SunnyFL) is out in front in blue with her husband Larry following in behind.

- The talk doesn't stop while they are moving. Some small jeering and friendly banter of competition goes on as they make their way pass each other. FM. Ron Kiefert (Moose) gets ahead of this pack on the left, followed by FM. Rick Leitner (TikiRick) on the right.

- FM. Randy Wiesner (palmisland) [in black] begins the turn onto the shadehouse sidewalk with others close behind.

- Volunteer Chris Mayhew makes it to the Croton section to help spread and fulfill everyone's plant addiction. He is shopping as well, but the red shirt means he will be multitasking a lot.

Ryan

[TikiRick]

Always a great time!

[LJG]

Almost like a Wal-Mart Black Friday event. Some day you will have a trampled shopper.

[akamu]

looks fun what is the snakeskin aroid on the left in the aroid pic, it looks similar to caryota zebrine

[akamu]

WHAT IS THE STRIPED AROID ON THE LEFT ON THE TABLE IT LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE CARYOTA ZEBRINA PALM TOMMY WANT WINGY

[rick]

Wow I thought the sales tables looked full on saturday. I need to wake up earlier.

That aroid appears to be Alocasia zebrina.

[Peter Pacific]

This is one event I'm sorry I missed...I won't be in the States for another week!

Ryan, Jeff I hope you had a great time.

Peter

[Palmarum]

looks fun what is the snakeskin aroid on the left in the aroid pic, it looks similar to caryota zebrine

Rick is correct, it is A. zebrina or one of its closely related cultivars.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:56AM - They kept coming after the initial surge, with different groups going off in different directions.

- Time for the parking lot to form.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:57AM - As the time stamps may allude to, the action is going by faster than it seems. Palm and Croton seeking customers have to share the sidewalk, so it is a bit of a game to get your cart through.

- Ron's first strike gets put in his wheelbarrow. Others brought 'cart guards' to keep an eye on their mobile stash as it grows.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 7:58AM - Yes, collector Lamar is moving that fast. It is not an illusion.

- In the center of the photo, partially obscured, Jeff does his best to locate specific plants, describe cultivars and to greet customers all at the same time. He is using his hands to describe the height of a specific cultivar, being sought by a customer.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- Finding a safe spot to shoot from was a challenge. I remembered I brought a step ladder to the sale and I would need it later. Entering the frame from the left, local collector and FM. Mike Harris (waykoolplantz) was staying mobile between the Croton section and the holding area.

- "Got that one, check... That one I couldn't get in time... That one I need to look for next."

- Donning one of his trademark hats, collector and grower Steve Nock adds another plant to his cart. His significant other, Marie is not far away diving into the selection head first.

- Andrea takes up a position on the right to watch the action and to offer play-by-play commentary.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:00AM - The shadehouse sidewalk was busy for most of its length. Getting past the choke-point of the Croton section was no guarantee of easy travel. Bringing your Palm book with you makes it handy for most of the species.

- Mike inspects his cart of new acquisitions. His collection is ever growing and his friend Greg K., loading the cart on the left, keeps it all organized. In addition to the Crotons, there is also a large Nenga pumila (with the sunlit yellow leafbases) on the cart as well.

- Croton talk is endless. Jeff and Chris work out where some cultivars are located, while Judy already knows where everything is located. In behind them, volunteer Tim O'Donnel (walking plant) helps a croton fanatic get a plant to their cart.

- Tim wasn't ready to wear one of the red shirts quite yet. It might have gotten a bit overwhelming for him his first time volunteering.

Ryan

[doranakandawatta]

Ryan, Some more palm pics?

Huge Pelagodoxa and other treasures?

Thanks in advance.

Philippe

[Palmarum]

- 8:11AM - Step ladder activated. I took the step ladder and brought it with me to get more elevated, depth rich shots. I was in a position behind the caution tape, by the sidewalk when I noticed the 'moving' palm coming past me. Those upright leaves belong to a 10 gallon Dypsis canaliculata being pulled on a cart belonging to FM. Jerry Pezzeminti (Pez) who you can barely see between the Normanbya normanbyi and the Chamaedorea oblongata.

- Meeting of the old school veterans, no-pun intended. Nursery patriarch and Korean War veteran Frank 'Pops' Searle watches the events unfold from his golf cart while talking with long, long time local legend of the plant world and World War II veteran Ziggy Mayotte [red hat].

- It might not look it, but this shot of the chaos was only made possible due to a foot and a half of elevation from a step ladder. I would use it more often when I can think to bring it and not have it be in the way.

- For a brief moment a palm found its way into the croton section, it was on the cart of a customer who hit the palms first. It is a Chamaedorea costaricana 7 gal. elevated by the cart.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:16AM - From the back of the Croton section, Larry and FM. Nyssa (SunnyFL) find another favorite for their yard, due in part to Judy's help. It was love at first sight for Nyssa.

- One note of contention and Croton fanatics swarm to investigate.

- "Ahhh." She was happy enough to cuddle with her new plant.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- This is your brain. This is several brains when they are addicted to Crotons.

- Jeff often mentions how many of the original Croton people, the growers, collectors, hybridizers from the early days are slowly vanishing. This could be a preview shot of the next generation of Croton experts. Scary isn't it.

- Known over at Palmpedia as simply (Bullwinkle), Mike is carefully looking over every detail.

- I think the cart is getting full. I have witnessed trading going on between collectors, even during the sale with plants they have on their carts and haven't even bought yet.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:19AM - Larry, volunteer Chris Mayhew and FM. Rick Leitner (TikiRick) listen to Ron as he describes the history behind a particular Croton. One of Ron's many talents is his ability to retain and tell origin stories of many different plants.

- One more plant... FM. Randy Wiesner (palmisland) who has brought plant collecting up to a new degree, grabs one Croton at a time. His yard, among many others' yards in attendance, has become a living work of art.

- Mike and Jeff go back and forth describing what they think a certain cultivar should look like.

- You can still get through, maybe not if you have a large cart.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:21AM - The rush inside the shadehouse continued for a while and stretched into the rest of the morning. I began to receive more requests for plant info, and questions to be answered, so I began to move around the sales area.

- Out along the main road it was business as usual, with a gathering amongst customers to the Bromeliad section.

- There were many to choose from, as Larry Searle did not make it easy for you to pick your favorites.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 8:25AM - Make way. The sounds of carts bumping into each other were common for this area.

- I spent about a half hour inside the shadehouse on station, answering questions and directing customers to certain species, so like always the amount of photos I take starts to diminish. As I followed the sound of my name being called down the sidewalk, I turned and jumped on the stepladder. The large segmented pinnate leaf jutting out from the right belongs to a Hydriastele dransfieldii. It spent much of the sale anointing people on the head as they walked by.

- 8:52AM - Later in the hour, I went out to visit the register area and found Jeff pulling triple duty, helping the writers by pulling tags and counting plants.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- The sturdy and reliable Royal Poinciana, Delonix regia, doing its best to interfere with exposure. One part will be fine, the other will be too dark or too light. A passing cloud, however benign when it comes to dropping rain, wasn't helping with the light.

- With help from his daughter Michelle on the right, Larry Searle counts and sorts the plants on one customers cart. In amongst the Crotons and a few smaller plants, the collection included that 3 gallon Drymophloeus sp. 'Patipi' a.k.a sp. 'Irian Jaya' out in the foreground...

- ... That palm has been around for years and still doesn't have a epithet that I could find. It probably isn't a Drymophloeus after all, and might end up in Hydriastele or in another cousin genus.

- 9:13AM - Back in the Rainforest... That red shirt ahead in the mix belongs to Jim, and if he is not helping with the Crotons, his expertise in Palms is at work along the sidewalk.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- One customers ongoing stash included a 3 gal. Areca vestiaria var. 'Maroon Leaf' (left), 3 gal. Mauritiella armata (silver color), 3 gal. Iriartea deltoidea (wide leaflet), and a 3 gal. Kentiopsis magnifica (right side). Some others were in there as well, but I could not make them out.

- One last minute addition was this grouping of Dwarf Betel Nut Palms, Areca catechu var. 'Dwarf'. It was a chance to try and surprise customers who may not have expected them, and it worked.

- The two larger 15 gal. plants were sold by this point, but it was negotiated to delay their removal to try and sell the 7 gal. specimen, and it worked.

- 10:00AM - The holding area during one of the low capacity moments as the morning started to turn into the afternoon.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:04AM - Certain orders needed more than a small cart to get out of the shadehouse. Working like a well oiled machine, Andrea and Jim lift a 10 gal. Dypsis heteromorpha onto a waiting trailer.

- It was soon joined by a 10 gal. Clinostigma samoense. They were pushed to the corner of the trailer as there was a lot more coming to join them.

- A minute or two later, Andrea came back with a loaded cart being pushed by volunteer Tim O'Donnel.

- She had her hand on a Caryota obtusa, Thai Mountain Giant, and was keeping it steady as it passed under the low opening of the shadehouse entrance. On the right of that palm was a Deckenia nobilis in a 7 gal. pot and in behind was a bushy 7 gal. Calyptrocalyx sp. 'Boalak', among other items.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- The broad bipinnate leaves of the Caryota obtusa are a show stopper. Even more so on large established specimens.

- One Palm at a time, they get loaded onto the trailer...

- This stash keeps growing...

- 10:11AM - The afternoon sun was creeping up, but thanks to the lower humidity it was rather pleasant inside the shadehouse.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- Congestion along the sidewalk intersection. This area in front of the tent and tables is always the hub of activity for the determined Palm & Cycad enthusiast. One of the smaller Hydriastele dransfieldii (7 gal.) finds its way onto this cart along with a 3 gal. Lepidozamia peroffskyana and other plants. A 7 gal. Licuala peltata var. sumawongii on the left gets some pink flagging tape as it awaits an empty cart.

- Cathy Berger (red shirt) and her husband Lew on the right have been collecting for many years and have made it a science to determine what else can fit into their yard.

- 10:26AM - The large trailer mounted collection outside the shadehouse continued to grow for much of the late morning. Other customers worked their way around it and we were lucky this was not Saturday at this time, as it would interfere with the BBQ lunch crowd. In the lower left corner of the photo, one of the last Old Man Palms, Coccothrinax crinita, in a 7 gallon gets hauled away.

- The first trailer is almost full. A lot more had been added during the time I had walked away.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 10:27AM - A closer view of the same shot above shows more detail of what was added to the trailer. A 3 gal. Dypsis paludosa was added, along with that large Archontophoenix purpurea with the purple crownshaft, a Bentinckia nicobarica (whitish ringed trunk) next to that, and another Clinostigma sp. at the end. There was a lot more on board I just didn't have the time to look through it all.

- Time to load the second trailer. Tim was a machine loading everything quickly, including the tall Veitchia metiti his hands are on. Next to that resides a Copernicia sp. of some kind, followed by the large Kerriodoxa elegans and the 7 gal. Johannesteijsmannia altifrons.

- Everything gets pushed together to make room. A Caryota cumingii was added along with an Allagoptera caudescens at the right end. When in doubt, get it all.

- 10:39AM - Jeff Searle directs traffic as the double trailer load pulls forward to the holding area, opening up the side road once again. The cart next to him was loaded to the brim. It had a Licuala peekelii on the back along with a Chamaedorea elegans var. 'Negrita' (3 gal.) on the left corner.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

Hopefully, the Forum will remain as is for a little while, so I might as well post...

- Cathy takes her time looking from palm to cycad to plant, checking out every little specimen.

- The large purchase being carried by the trailers gets moved next to the holding area. There was more of the stash in a grouping just inside the orange fence. The customer was in the process of keeping it all organized.

- Also needing a trailer of their own, Cathy and Lew get their plants arranged and organized near the back of the holding area with help from Amadeo.

- That Bromeliad was rather top heavy, due to the weight of the bloom and had to be laid down. They must have an unbelievable yard, as they have been collecting for many years.

Ryan

[buffy]

It just never gets old. Searle Palm Porn at its best.

[Palmarum]

- Friday afternoon became rather busy as customers got off work and more collectors who traveled long distances started to arrive. I took a few more photos during the end of the day, in between helping groups of collectors. In the Croton section, Ron transformed from customer to volunteer to assist both Chris and Judy.

- In the world of Crotons, the debating, describing and arguing never seems to end. Rarely, an actual issue or conflict involving identification does get settled to the satisfaction of those in the local circles. I stress rarely. As I was photographing, the group of volunteers for the Croton section went off into several tangents involving plants brought to the sale as trading material; stowed in the shadehouse behind the caution tape.

- Judy, Ray, Chris and Ron took turns comparing their own experiences growing and comparing the plants before them. Usually, there are no customers in the Croton section when they do this.

- The last photo from the first Friday shows the typical scene for this time of day, one or two customers at a time going through the checkout.

- Friday >> Saturday - Sunday -- Friday - Saturday - Sunday

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- First Saturday, Oct. 5th, 8:48AM - The early hours of Saturday morning were busier than normal, as the initial hour of restocking flew by while everyone was getting ready to open. The actual restocking process continued through the morning and into the afternoon hours. We restocked where we could. The grouping of Licuala peltata var. sumawongii was an example of having more to pull, but not all sizes. The large 7 gal. plant in the back that was sold the day before, was replaced, along with some more 1 gallon plants. The larger 1 gallons and 3 gallon plants were finite however, and once they sold it was it on those sizes.

- The typical slow pace of the 'Ganza Saturday morning rang true yet again. The customers that arrived this early created a more calm and easy going atmosphere than the Friday morning rush. We continued to pull replacement plants as they entered the sales area.

- 9:07AM - There were still collectors arriving on Saturday morning. Even with the large crowds on Friday morning, there are still some diehard collectors who can not make to the sale on that day. One in particular brought one of the larger aluminum carts into the shadehouse and starting grabbing plants left and right, including (left to right) a 7 gal. Ptychosperma salomonense, 7 gal. Dypsis psammophila, a leaning but robust 15 gal. Metroxylon vitense, 3 gal. Pelagodoxa henryana, and a 3 gal. Cyrtostachys sp. 'Hybrid'.

- 9:43AM - With the assistance of volunteer Tim, a Caryota urens gets escorted to the holding area.

Ryan

[Palmarum]

- 9:43AM - As the palm with its new owners go down the side road, landscape designer Candy comes around to meet up with a pair of customers and help with their design dilemma.

- 10:10AM - Andrea drops off a few customers at the shadehouse entrance via the golf cart.

- Whenever possible, we try to have an actual example of a flower, bloom, etc. out on display in front of the plants for sale. The availability varies from plant to plant and the time of the year, but when there is a cut flower out for show it gets a lot of attention. These are Red Ginger blooms, Alpinia purpurata. Those PVC holders were custom made. You would be surprised how often people ask how we got those flowers to grow out of the pipe like that.

- 10:23AM - Red shirt meeting. Across the side road from the group, the BBQ grills were being fired up as lunch was being prepared.

Ryan