South Florida Palm Society Holiday Party and Auction

[Moose]

SFPS 2014 Holiday Party (1).pdf

[Moose]

Members line up at the buffet line, lots of shrimp that was quickly snatched up

[Moose]

This has been a fixture at all sales and holiday parties for more years then I can remember. The Free Palm Seed table.

[Moose]

Mike Harris (FM Waykoolplantz) checking out the seed offerings. South Florida Palm Society president Lenny Goldstein (FM Leonard Goldstein) grabbing a quick bite just before getting the huge auction commencing.

[Moose]

The desert table was simply amazing. 10 minutes after these photos, these tables were hit hard as the collective blood sugar levels in the room skyrocketed.

[Moose]

Andrew (FM Mandrew 968) was the mover and shaker for this event. The room looked splendid with the festive holiday set up. You can tell much effort was expended. Some shots of a few attendees trickling back from the buffet line.

[Moose]

The tables were quickly filling up. The buzz of the upcoming auction filled the air.

[Moose]

Ellis Brown (FM EllisB) with his wife Rusty. Thought the guy to the left is a PT forum member but he claims he is the twin of a guy residing out in California.

[Moose]

Kept trying to get a shot of Ryan (FM Palmarum) in mid-chew. He was not cooperating. Hmmmm, he had no camera so you are gonna have to live with what I shot.

[Moose]

Hey look its forum member Copter Guy, Travis Searle. He said his copter was at home sleeping so sorry no drone shots this evening.

[Moose]

Better post a photo of a palm or this thread may get moved.

A very nicely colored leaf of a Chambeyronia, uncertain as to which species or cultivar. Some lucky attendee walked away with this beauty at the end of the evening.

[Moose]

Here is an earlier shot of some of the auction palms as they were arriving and being organized.

[Moose]

A little gem waiting to get snatched up

[Alicehunter2000]

More please .... love seeing the Homo sapien var. palmus fanaticus shots....helps with identification in situ at a later point in time.

[NorthFlpalmguy]

great looking event.

[Moose]

It was difficult to take individual shots of the palms since there was only so much room on the stage and they were getting packed together as more and more donations were arriving. This is a rattan palm from the genus Calamus, uncertain as to the species. I jokingly tongue in cheek told someone that it would be a good palm to plant under his daughter's window. He pointed to an Aiphanes he had already acquired and replied, "that is where this one is going".

[Moose]

While the auction was well underway, a certain well known forum member hitting that buffet line again ...

[Moose]

A perfectly grown 7 gallon Coccothrinax borhidiana. What a wonderful donation that fetched much attention and funds for the South Florida Palm Society. Sorry, I did not catch what it went for.

[Moose]

There were some large specimen palms in the auction that were literally hitting the roof ...

[Moose]

An earlier in the evening shot before the stage got jammed ...

[Mandrew968]

calamus.JPG

It was difficult to take individual shots of the palms since there was only so much room on the stage and they were getting packed together as more and more donations were arriving. This is a rattan palm from the genus Calamus, uncertain as to the species. I jokingly tongue in cheek told someone that it would be a good palm to plant under his daughter's window. He pointed to an Aiphanes he had already acquired and replied, "that is where this one is going".

No, Ron--that was a Desmoncus orthocanthos from MBC and the Coccothrinax borhidiana in the 15 gallon(from Mike at Botanics) pot only fetched a measily $170.00. Just goes to show you the deals that can be had at these holiday parties!

[Moose]

calamus.JPG

It was difficult to take individual shots of the palms since there was only so much room on the stage and they were getting packed together as more and more donations were arriving. This is a rattan palm from the genus Calamus, uncertain as to the species. I jokingly tongue in cheek told someone that it would be a good palm to plant under his daughter's window. He pointed to an Aiphanes he had already acquired and replied, "that is where this one is going".

No, Ron--that was a Desmoncus orthocanthos from MBC and the Coccothrinax borhidiana in the 15 gallon(from Mike at Botanics) pot only fetched a measily $170.00. Just goes to show you the deals that can be had at these holiday parties!

Looks like I'm just chock full of dis-information here. I apologize to all of those who visit this thread. Next year I'll leave all the photographic coverage to Mr. Street.

Here are a couple of shots of the loaded up Moose Land express prior to leaving for the holiday party. Two Sabal palms to be transferred into Ken Johnson's truck for Keith and a couple of crotons for the auction.

[Moose]

One of the crotons I donated was in a one gallon containers and was tagged "Key Lime". It is not the croton known as Key Lime, it was found growing under my Key Lime Tree. If you won Key Lime at the auction, it is one of my seedlings and is one of a kind. Sorry, I neglected securing a photo. The other croton donated was a one gallon Mercer. Mercer is a rare croton in Florida, a cultivar that was developed at the University of Hawaii. It is a slow grower and is sensitive to cold. I had another same size Mercer auctioned off last December that went for $80. I'm sure it went real cheap Monday night and someone got a great deal.

Here is what the mother plant of Mercer looks like in my garden.

[Moose]

Breaking from all the festivities, had a smoke and took the opportunity to transfer Keith's palms into Ken's truck.

[Ken Johnson]

Thanks for the good coverage Ron! SFPS provided 12 pounds of shrimp but a member brought a bunch more. Good thing. It was very popular. Mike Street cooked the pork and I cooked the rice. That may have been the best buffet ever. Some people did ask if we could have sushi...next year? Denise did a great job keeping up with the auctioneer. That was a hectic pace for sure.

[Ken Johnson]

Theses pictures were taken by Lou Sguros.

This croton is SOLD! to this lucky buyer

[Walter John]

Great reporting Ron, that certainly was a steal for that Coccothrinax borhidiana Andrew. Pounds of shrimp ? Is that English pounds ?

[Ken Johnson]

Pete B. hauling out a load. Rhapis was purchased by FM Waykool!

[BS Man about Palms]

Thanks for helping feel we were there Ron!!

[Moose]

Bill and Ken - thank you for your kind words.

Here is a shot of a fabulous looking variegated Rhapis that was donated.

[Moose]

Now we see Ken Johnson in action. Lots of bidding going on for the variegated Rhapis. You can see it right in front of Ellis Brown. Ellis was extremely helpful assisting Ken, selecting the next palm to be auctioned and distributing them to the winning bidders.

[Jeff Searle]

The locals that do not attend this event are really missing a great night. The food might have been the best ever, and the palm selection was beyond good. Thanks Ron for the coverage and photos.

PS,,,,,Ryan was at a loss without his camera I think.

[Moose]

The locals that do not attend this event are really missing a great night. The food might have been the best ever, and the palm selection was beyond good. Thanks Ron for the coverage and photos.

PS,,,,,Ryan was at a loss without his camera I think. He did look naked without it

I want more shrimp ...