Fairchild Tomorrow, Pro Tips?

January 3, 2018

Down in central FL over the holidays, I think I’ve finally convinced my wife to let me make the trip down to Fairchild tomorrow 1-4-18. Not a lifelong dream but a years-long one at any rate. Anyway, who has some pro tips? Must see? Must avoid?

January 3, 2018

43 minutes ago, Xerarch said:

Down in central FL over the holidays, I think I’ve finally convinced my wife to let me make the trip down to Fairchild tomorrow 1-4-18. Not a lifelong dream but a years-long one at any rate. Anyway, who has some pro tips? Must see? Must avoid?

Enjoy your visit, but it will be chilly! You will enjoy every part of the garden.

January 3, 2018

You could keep on driving to Key West because that whole city is one giant palm garden --- and it's a high of 69 F in Key West today (not warm, but warmer than the rest of Florida during this freak deep freeze). Then, after the freeze retreats, you could return to Miami and tour Fairchild under warmer, sunnier conditions. Miami should be 72 degrees on Sunday, and then goes up to the high 70s after that.

January 4, 2018

Unfortunately I’m nearing the end of my stay and it’s Fairchild tomorrow or never. We just spent the whole day at Disney yesterday where the high temp was 53 and much of our day there it was in the 40’s plus it was cloudy and windy. I’m a bit disappointed that Miami will only be in the 60’s tomorrow but it’s supposed to be sunny and all in all it will be a significant upgrade from conditions here in Cocoa tomorrow where it will be literally freezing in the morning and a high of only 53.

I’ve never been south of about Melbourne in FL so I’m pretty excited to go. As for Key West oh I’d love to go that far, but just not in the cards tomorrow.

January 4, 2018

http://www.fairchildgarden.org/Science-Conservation-/Plant-Collections/Tropical-Fruit-Collection/List-of-Living-Plants

When I go to Fairchild I usually go through their plant list (link above) for specific plants to keep an eye out for, then I go to through the map (also in the link above) so I can make sure to see everything that I wanted to see in that trip.

January 4, 2018

@Xerarch My advice, veer to the south and walk through past the cactus garden first then make your way past the cycads and then in the back by the big copernicia fallensis then head back heading north and finish walking around the lake at the very end. Walking around the lake will take some time, so if you're tight on time your best bang for the buck is go through the south part then walk really fast to the north east part to see the other big Copernicia then cut loose. There are just some sweet bismarckia, copernicia hospita, sabal's, coconuts, seronoa repens, other odd ball copernicia that I couldn't ID and livistona that you could see just about anywhere on north side. You could spend just about all day long on the south side as there is a lot of very cool stuff on that side. Don't focus too much on individual species, just take it all in.

January 4, 2018

Prepare to be amazed. Fairchild Gardens is one of the best palm gardens in the US if not the best.

I would start at the rare palm house. I can spend hours in there. When you finish there, just outside that area is a walkway with tons more rare palms and lots of orchids. They have a stream with waterfalls running through it. Be sure to check out the palm near the backside by the walkway. You have to really look but they have some seriously spiny plants aiphanes, bacteria, astrocayrum. They are hard to see so I usually step off the walkway and look around.

After that, head over to the Copernicus section. They have nice specimens of Bailey's but the c. Fallenses is amazing. Also lots of corypha s

Take the tram ride early on to get oriented.

Have a blast and share your pics afterwards.

January 4, 2018

My favorite area would have to to be the Cuban's. Also, you can hide in the heated palm house when it gets too cold. I go a couple times a year & it's a treat!

January 4, 2018

13 hours ago, Zeeth said:

http://www.fairchildgarden.org/Science-Conservation-/Plant-Collections/Tropical-Fruit-Collection/List-of-Living-Plants

When I go to Fairchild I usually go through their plant list (link above) for specific plants to keep an eye out for, then I go to through the map (also in the link above) so I can make sure to see everything that I wanted to see in that trip.

Me too! Love that list along with the plot map!!

Fairchild IS my Disney World! Make sure to allow several (SEVERAL!) hours. Don't pass up the Conservatory/Rare Plant House and butterfly house! There are some neat plantings beside the Mulch Path, on your way to the Palm Collection I personally wouldn't waste time seeing the bamboo collection because it isn't anything that special (if you want to see a stunning bamboo collection, visit Naples Botanical Garden). Also, when the sun is out, keep your eyes open for basking iguanas around the ponds!

Also, make sure to take in the sights around Coral Gables. It's the loveliest little town! If you have time, Take a hike through Matheson Hammock State Park just next door.

January 7, 2018

So I did get my first trip to Fairchild in a few days ago, and I have to say I give the place an A+. Actually if you’ve seen A Christmas Story, I’m pretty much what Ralphie imagined his teacher to be when she graded his paper “A+ + +!” It was amazing. And I agree with Missi, Fairchild is my Disney, I did Disney last week with family and it was amazing but I’m really more at home at Fairchild. No waiting in lines, beautiful palms, no lines, magnificent tropical trees, no lines, great weather, no lines!

I was also very impressed with Miami and Coral Gables (first time that far south in Florida too) a true tropical vibe, mature banyan trees everywhere along with every other kind of tropical everything. Wife and I had some great Cuban food before going to the gardens. We just had a great time.

I used to imagine (as in like a week ago) that if I were ever to live in Florida, I would live in coastal Brevard like my in-laws. I’ve always been impressed with the mature coconuts and many other tropical species that really do well on the island. Very impressive for the latitude in the US. But after Miami, oh boy, it’s so amazing down there, so much more tropical.

Anyway we just got back here to sub-zero Ohio early this morning after an 18 hour drive so I’m not much in the mood for posting pictures. But stay tuned I’ll probably get around to it later.

January 7, 2018

Stunning right off the bat, Albizia niopoides even though I couldn’t find a label. Many things had labels of course but I was frustrated a number of times when I couldn’t find one to save my life, must be an incredibly difficult task keeping things labeled and where they can be found.