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Last Saturday was the most gorgeous day of the year so far here. My husband and I drove over to Eco Park for the semi-annual Cape Coral tropical plant sale. We came home with three palms and went to work preparing planting beds for them. I took these photos not long after sunup today. In the back yard: Livistona mariae. This palm looks a bit stretched out but it is about 7-8' tall and should provide some shade for our D. carlsmithii. Trunk and fronds Livistona jenkinsiana. The fronds remind me of a Licuala but this should be much hardier. Trunk and fronds We also planted our little redneck palm near its teddybear coustin. I will post its photo in another topic.

... with his burn't fingers tucked under his armpit. Makes sense that Andrea keeps Jeff away from the grill back at the nursery!

They all got planted and then some additional cultivars. I think I may be up to 66 different ones now. Then the cold weather beat the crap out of them. Well at least it killed all of the croton scale as well. Some budding is happening with the warming of the weather. Hopefully we will have an exposion of color to share in 30 days. Need to start pushing them with water soluble fertilizers! The moose is loose in the Spring!

Here's the seed still attached and the new leaf coming up. It will have shade for another twenty minutes or so and the rest of the day in full sun. This particular seed is in an area that gets watered three times a week. The orange PVC pipe in the lower left hand corner is the location of this seed. It has a lot of room for growth, sun all day and no chance of "eating my house" like bubba said! Thanks again, Kris. Peter

All of mine (4 potted) spent pretty much all of Jan., most of Feb. and some nights in March indoors. Otherwise, they'd all be high-priced mulch. Kind of like most or all of my Arecas, Hydriasteles, Heterospathes, Rhopaloblastes, etc.

Hi Root down, Welcome to PalmTalk! As you may already know, a number of other Forum members live in "palm challenged" areas, so you should be able to get plenty of information and assistance. Aloha from the Big Island, Bo-Göran

- 5:50PM: Its hard to describe these two photos, but let's say the topics of conversation ranged all across the spectrum. - 5:53PM: Bill thought he was back in California for a moment and had to walk up hill. - 5:57PM: This is 'Rheedii', one of the oldest croton cultivars dating back hundreds of years. It was agreed upon that this specimen was a great example of how good this cultivar can look. Ryan

- 8:23AM: The center of the booth, with a Heterospathe cagayanensis on the right in the 10 gallon. - Across from the tables... - ...and the tables themselves, with various one gallon palms and cycads. - The very back of the booth, looking towards the front, through the familiar white tent. That tent has many miles on it for sure. Ryan

A Washie is a rodent?

Warning Will Robinson!

Palm City's Nurserymen Sure-Gro Palm Fertilizer (8-2-12) works for me in Lake Worth Florida. That is the proper formula for Florida soils, a palm special with micronutrients. Ron.

Dean - an interesting historical accounting of where the term "stumphead" derived from. Actually I have always been curious how that "classification" came about. Ron.

Please also post these on the new ICS site. New Site for the International Croton Society HERE with a new Gallery HERE, and an area for Unknown Cultivar IDs HERE

Man is it hot! I have a three day weekend to get these 34 crotons in the ground. I am encountering alot of rock. Regretting that I did not road trip to Tampa today, big plant sale at the University of Florida. The International Croton Society has a booth to raise funds. Alot of rare, unusual and hard to find cultivars were donated by their members for sale in the booth. Crotons have recently had a big resurgency in popularity. Despite the scale outbreak, crotons are being sought after and nurseries that specialize in them have realized a jump in sales. Back to work! Ron.

"Wooten's Beauty"

"Royal Flush"

"Revelation"

"Pride of Winter Haven"

"Multicolor"

"Mrs. Snyder Disraeli"

"Gloriosa"

"Diane"

"Christian's Landscape"

Ryan, Thank you for the photo journal. I appreciate the photos and the descriptions, which are always first rate, a lot. It is an opportunity to see plants to which I may not be normally exposed to. Heck, it just means more for the wish list. To those in distant lands, it is nice the way you always indicate who the forum members are. So if we meet at a biennial, or some other function there can always be that early recognition. Thanks again on a job well done. I'm looking forward to the next episode. Robert

- Many smiles and signs of contentment ran through the over-sized golf cart at this point. We were following the path, and were a stone's throw from the sales area. It was 2:20 PM, and we came across this large group of an Allagoptera species. There were quite a few of them, and all were brilliantly colored. - Patrick was thanking us at this point for taking the tour, and slowing the cart down so we could disembark. Off to the right side was this cluster of Dioon spinulosum, a great landscape cycad. They had a great overall shape from growing in the filtered light. Ryan

- The tour, and the day for that matter, was coming to a close. It had been a great sale, and a wonderful time touring the center. As Patrick made some final twists and turns returning us to the sales area, we came across a dramatic geological feature unique to Montgomery B. Center, and Miami-Dade county. Running through most of the property, is this exposed limestone ridge, called the Silver Bluff Escarpment. It is comprised of oolitic limestone, and is part of a larger limestone system called the Miami Formation. Although this system, and most of the ridge runs through the county, it is most pronounced and visible in only a few locations. The Escarpment is about 150,000 years old, and marks the location of an ancient shoreline during the late Pleistocene epoch. - The drive got us very close to sections of the Escarpment, including this one part. Various tree species do their best to dig into the top of the ridge. That partially hollowed out area in the lower right of the photo, was an ancient sea cave long ago. - An area of interest along the Escarpment included this one depression, which might have included a coastline feature long ago, such as a cave or inlet. Today, it is occupied by a healthy Gumbo Limbo, (Bursera simaruba) and a couple of Coccothrinax. - The end of the tour was upon us, and we were talking amongst ourselves on the golf cart. We were relishing in what we had seen, and what we each thought was the biggest surprise of the tour. One last group of palms to temp the customers' cameras were these young but impressive Pseudophoenix vinifera. Ryan

- These four photos represent two species of palms I was really looking forward to seeing again. I had remembered them from years ago, and I was anxious to see how much they had grown. First, was the gathering of Mazari Palms, Nannorrhops ritchiana, for which the center was famous for having in their collection. These palms are some of the largest known individuals outside their native range, and were awesome specimens. They had grown quite a bit from what I remember. Sorry for the foreground shadows, as we were moving, and the sun was facing us at this point. - The next clustering Mazari Palm, Nannorrhops ritchiana, further to the left of the one above. This one was pushing newly-grown inflorescence spikes, and looks as if it had been doing so for some time. - We turned the next corner, and came upon a small pond bearing the second noted species, Nypa fruticans, the Mangrove Palm. This palm is so unique, in more ways than one, and has always been a peculiar favorite among palm collectors who consider it a challenge to grow. These plants had grown considerably in the past 14 years. Those brilliant orange rachises stand out nicely from a distance. - One more parting shot of the Nypa fruticans as we left the vicinity, heading back towards the sales area. These palms were loving life, growing with the tidal changes, along with the mixed, brackish water. Ryan

- Heading further towards the back of the center, we drove over a land bridge separating two tidal lakes. These bodies of water are connected to the sea by way of small canals, and exhibit changes in depth according to the tides. I photographed the one on my side of the golf cart. If it was just a bit calmer, with no wind, I would have had a mirrored reflection in the water. - I turned around as we were moving, and took this shot over my shoulder. Same lake, different angle. - Near the extreme edge of the property, was a collection of a Borassus species. The cart was moving so I couldn't get the entire tree in the picture. The palm was almost to the point where it would produce trunk, or what I like to call "going vertical". The natural brush line in the background is the edge of the center. - We left the edge of the property and made our way back to the starting point of the tour, back at the sales area. In a split second decision, I spun my camera around to capture this one Bactris sp. as Patrick continued guiding us through the Montgomery B. Center. Ryan

- The tour continues, and we made our way to Nell's House via a short drive through a shaded area. Sitting all by itself, was this one Kentia Palm, Howea forsteriana. This species always has a great following, and many customers always ask for it. If it grew faster, it would be even more popular. - At 2:07 PM, the tour reached a highpoint by reaching the original Montgomery Home, now called Nell's House. The house dates back to the early 1930's and looks the same way it did back then. The house now serves as offices for the center, and contains the Montgomery Archive. I took advantage of the stop, to get off and take some shots. This is the rear of the house. All the dogs seemed to enjoy the tour as well. - In the same spot I took the above photo, I turned 180 degrees around and shot this one. This is the view looking out the back of the house. It creates a pleasing sensation just to look down the field, with the palms on both sides, illuminated with the near midday sun. Does it inspire you to work more on your yard? Hmm... You can see the grass trails left by all the previous tours that weekend. - I jumped back on board, and we were off again. We made new tracks in the grass, as we followed the vista towards the back of the center. These giant Pseudophoenix vinifera were the most talked-about palms by those who took the tour before I did. We made a slow half-circle around this section, gawking and making strange noises while staring at these perfect palms. I got flashbacks from seeing the massive ones in the Dominican Republic. A few of the trees were mature, and were in different stages of production. The palm in the right of the picture, is Corypha utan. Not a shabby plant either. Ryan

- Every section of the tour was more impressive than the last, many of these palms were full size, mature specimens. We were moving at a good pace, and I snapped away. Here is another grouping of those ultra-rare Corypha taliera, with a large one in the center of the photo. The far right edge of a Princess Palm (Dictyosperma album) grouping can be seen on the left. Almost every where you look, there is a palm to gaze at. - Within a span of a second, and the wheel-length of the golf cart, we moved in front of the Princess Palm, Dictyosperma album, cluster. They are great palms, and have been in cultivation for such a long time. Each palm has a compliment of newly-shown spathes, just ready to throw out inflorescences. One of the major pathways through the center can be seen. We didn't follow any set path, we just meandered through looking for palms and enjoying the grounds of the center. Patrick did a great job showing us the majority of the 120-acres of the center in great detail. - Here is a shot from my backyard...just kidding It would be great it was part of my yard, but it is not. This is a passing shot of one pathway we crossed as we headed towards the interior of the center. This ancient Gumbo Limbo, (Bursera simaruba) leans over the path, growing outwards into more light. I do not know how long it has been there, but nonetheless a long time. It might even be an original member of the grounds, since it is a native. - One of the biggest surprises for me by far, was the discovery of this selection of Haitian Oil Palms, Attalea crassispatha. From when I was at the center last, about fourteen years ago, I didn't remember seeing them. And I did not know there were such large specimens outside Hispaniola. A treat for the eyes and camera. Here is a close-up of the leafbases, with larger plants in behind. Ryan

- We continue along the Palm Walk, making our way into the interior of the center. This Phoenix sp. is another participant in a 'drive-by' shooting. - A very popular species among collectors, Sabal mauritiiformis specimens occupy this one corner of the Palm Walk. There are larger individuals in the center, but like always, I shoot first ask questions later. - While brightly lit by the afternoon 1:58 PM sun, we arrived at this very colorful group of Bismarckia nobilis. They were all robust, and had great color. Even though a very popular palm in South Florida, it is still nice to see them at the center. - One of the female Bismarck's had a full infructescence, so I took an additional close-up of it. Those branching palms to the right, were some more Hyphaene thebaica. Ryan

It was $175.00. Ryan

- While I was looking among Scott Cohen's plants, I looked across the aisle and noticed that SFPS Show Chairman and vendor #80 Tim McKernan was in his booth at the moment. I had been trying all weekend to get a photo of him next to his award winning Pseudophoenix vinifera. With all the duties of a show chairman, he was quite busy most of the weekend. His palm won Most Unusual Palm, and why I wasn't sure why it was so unusual, it was still a well grown palm in all respects. - An additional angle including the entire palm. It was for sale as well, if anyone was interested. - I went back into Scott Cohen's (#88) booth to photograph this one remaining Coccothrinax macroglossa. It had excellent leaf base fiber and glaucous leaf undersides. The palm was very large for the pot it was in, so it was more than ready to go into the ground. It was old enough to begin flowering, an amazing feat for any species of containerized Coccothrinax sp. - A larger view, showing the entire palm and pot. It was the perfect "grab 'n go" size for collectors. By the end of the day, I do remember it leaving on someone's cart. Ryan

- In front of the register tent, next to the entrance, a very informative display was setup to inform customers to a new potential threat. Entomologist Amy Roda Ph.D. had come on behalf of the USDA to tell people about the red palm mite. This small pest is working its way through the Caribbean on its way to Florida. Amy was one of the speakers who gave a presentation at the 'Everything Palms' workshop that took place a few weeks ago up in Broward co. She is not sure when a red palm mite infestation will occur in Florida, or to what kind of damage it will do. We will have to keep our fingers crossed. - A warming photo for those of you who are in a less than tropical climate. The weather was again perfect for the second day of the sale. Another interesting photo taken when my camera had been borrowed. - The sale is now at its peak for Sunday morning. At 10:30 AM, long time multi-society member and grower Dale Holton arrived at the sale and spent time visiting. He spent a while in the booth talking with Jeff Searle. Both Jeff and myself have known Dale for a long time. He is often a vendor at many of the palm sales. - Another specimen of a 'Ayanishiki' variegated Lady Palm, Rhapis excelsa, (Kannonchiku). It is a very detailed cultivar, and its popularity is increasing. This individual was for sale in vendor #88 Scott Cohen's booth. Ryan

- The meeting continues...with all the highlights being described in detail. It is amazing to me, even with my years as a society board member, all the work that goes in to making a sale work. SFPS President Bill Olson, positioned in the photo just under the tent, makes this point clear to all who attended the meeting. One detail in particular, was the reaching of the $40,000 mark in sales by Saturday afternoon. A feat not easily acheived by a society sale in a new location. - At this point, Bill turns the meeting over to the Executive Director of Montgomery Botanical Center, M. Patrick Griffith, Ph. D. He is towards the left of the photo, the one wearing the radio. He wanted to share with everyone his appreciation to the society and its people for creating such a wonderful opportunity for the center. Patrick spoke of how well the sale had run and been maintained, and the large amount of customers who had partaken on the center tour. He looks forward to future sales and events that will take place at Montgomery. - Shortly after a quarter to ten, the meeting had concluded, and everyone scattered. I saw the chance to take this photo of vendor #24, and Forum member Ken Johnson (Ken Johnson) and his son Victor, so I did. - Figuring I needed another photo of Ken in action, I asked for another shot of him in his booth. Here, he sits on the root ball of a Satakentia liukiuensis, and gives it a good hug. Ryan

With the arrival of the unexpected daylight savings time, Sunday morning began a bit later for some. It was no where near as busy or hectic as was Saturday morning, but still there were customers looking among the booths. - At 9:32 AM, this one customer in particular comes to look over the booth, paying special attention to the Verschaffeltia splendida that we positioned at the front. Another great photo that was not taken by me; but by Dominique Shim, grand-daughter of Dave Romney, who once again borrowed my camera. - A few minutes after the above photo was taken, SFPS President Bill Olson went around to all the vendors, inviting them to a late morning meeting. He is at the far left of the photo, walking towards the back of the sales area, with the other vendors in tow. - While groggy and sleepy, but nonetheless awake, vendors take their seats while el Presidente Bill Olson, on the far right this time, begins his meeting. It was interesting to have so many vendors in one spot. In most sales, this never happens, maybe only a few times in many years. From left to right: vendors' Leslie Veber (#65), Rick Johnson (#99), Jeff Searle (#57), Chuck Grieneisen (#13), Jody Haynes (#91), and Ken & Victor Johnson (#24). - The meeting focused on giving everyone the great news on how well the sale had done for Saturday. Bill talked about all the hard work all the vendors and volunteers had done to pull the sale off without any major problems. A wider angle showing the entire meeting was a natural shot at this point. The morning sunlight peeks through the canopy behind them. Ryan

...continuing on Saturday... - Just before lunch, I made my way over to the front tent to see how things were going, and see the flow of palms going out. The sale was organized so customers were funneled out through this tent, so no plants went missing. With the line of customers behind me, I shot this photo of vendors and volunteers working under the tent. On the far left, vendor #50 Faith Bishock comes over to talk with everyone, as vendor and Forum member Linda Apriletti (Linda Apriletti) (#84) takes her turn at the register. Volunteer Carol Olsen talks with vendor #31 Albert Livingston as volunteer Shane Tanner [center-right] pays for palms he had gotten. - Even if you don't know him, you would certainly recognize the hat. Grower, consultant, radio talk show host, Murry Corman sits and weaves coconut palm leaves and leaflets along side another volunteer. They made a wide range of items for display. - Back under the tent, vendor #50 Faith Bishock discusses many things with SFPS volunteer Lenny Goldstein. New arrivals to the sale look over packages of free palm seed to the left. The parking lot in the distance is quite full at this point, 1:40 pm. A small selection of palm prints were on display and for sale, hanging from the edge of the tent. - I took advantage of a short break in the action to get myself some lunch. After making my way to the food tent, I found SFPS board member Jeff Chait manning the grill as vendor #80 Tim McKernan adjusts the gas supply. SFPS Vice-President and Forum member John Demott (Redland) looks over the operation from behind the tent. On the far right, vendor #68 Rusty Brown serves customers in front of the tent. Ryan

Well if you had made the trip you would have been welcomed to the sale with fun times and great palms. You know just about everyone, since they are the same vendors from the last sale you visited. For when-ever and where-ever Palmfest 2007 will be, try to come out and see us then. Ryan

- After talking with Chuck Grieneisen for a short while, I continued around the bend in the aisle and came to his neighbor, vendors #66 Ronnie & Ron Croci. They have been in the business for a while now, even though I can still remember their first sale years ago. Every year, their selection gets better and larger. They have one of the "must visit" booths of the sale when it comes to early morning shopping. - I took a quick second shot to show the Pseudophoenix vinifera, Ron Croci was sitting in front of. You can see their booth had thinned out a bit. It was full just a few hours earlier. - After receiving the ribbon for his award-winning Wallichia densiflora, vendor #71 and Forum member Bob Johnson (Bob Johnson) poses again in front of my camera. It had won the award for Best Grown Palm, and it was flawless. Another newer vendor, Rick Johnson (#99) can be seen in the background towards the left. - One of the original all-time vendors, #25 Carol Graf works on her inventory list while seated in front of her booth. She was lucky to get one of the first booths near the entrance to the sale. Ryan

- Many of the early bird customers, who had searched the sales area in the morning, had begun to compile their palms together. One such customer had retained the services of transporter Travis Searle (Paintball Guy) to get them to the cash register, then onto their car. - The flow of customers had increased by this point, and passes even my expectations for this sale. I was relieved and surprised to see the amount of people coming to visit the center. Arriving at the sale at 10:11 AM, for which he is a vendor at, is vendor #88 Scott Cohen stopping by the booth to talk with Jeff Searle and myself. - The booth got particularly crowded at this point so I shot across the tent to capture customers perusing the smaller palms on the tables. - During the Friday-night pre-sale, five awards were handed out to vendors who had put palms in the show. Two of those awards went to Jeff Searle, for both of the palms he entered. The palm on the left, Licuala sp. 'Togu Budo' won Rarest Palm and the award of Best Overall went to the Dypsis onilahensis. Ryan

- Going along the aisle back towards the entrance, I came across a new vendor to the sale, who is also a Forum member. Bob Johnson (also Bob Johnson on the Forum) came all the way down from Orlando to put his palms on display. He had a great selection of tropical palms, including this Wallichia densiflora. - The sale was officially open at this point, so I made my way back to the booth. It was 9:47 AM, and one of the first customers I talked to was the Forum's own Tom Christian (tikitiki). He was shopping for himself and his neighbor, who he got this Caryota gigas (obtusa) for. Tom and his wife made a great duo for palm shopping, as they both liked simular species. - The sale was in full swing at this point, so there were many customers filling out the sales area. I turned around for one second and found another Forum member, Michael Feely (Mike4284m). He had found a Calyptrocalyx species he had been looking for. I tried to get a group photo of Forum members but I was pushing my luck at that point. All in due time. - While standing out in front of the booth answering questions, I took a photo looking down the main aisle. Customers were gathering palms up as they go. You can see the shade provided by some fairly large oak trees. Ryan

- The time now at the sale is 8:52 AM, and many customers have arrived and are looking around the sales area. The registers were not open yet, but without charging admission, it was hard to keep them from coming in. Most didn't mind, as long as they remembered where their favorite palm was before someone else got it. One such customer, wondered into my shot of these Kentiopsis oliviformis in front of Ron Croci's (#66) booth. He had numerous sizes of this popular species for sale. - Many years ago, taking photos as a kid, I took a simular shot to this one and entered it in a contest at school and won. I took it at Flamingo Gardens during one of the Broward County Society sales years ago. I just happened upon this Chambeyronia macrocarpa in the booth of Ron Croci (#66), and took the simular shot with the morning sun in behind. - Almost every Chambeyronia macrocarpa that vendor Ron Croci (#66) had brought had a new red emergent leaf. I gathered them all up and posed them for this photo. The range of the color red that appears is quite amazing. - Also featured in the booth of Ron Croci (#66) was this well-grown group of Pelagodoxa henryana. Ronnie Croci, Ron's son, stated that some of them might be the narrow leaf form, as he got some seed in a while back. Ryan

With the pour of every glass of wine, the conversations got louder it seemed. Here are the last two photos from the pre-sale on Friday. - The last motion of the event included awards being given in five categories. They were Best Native, Most Unusual, Most Rare, Best Grown, and Best Overall, or Best of Show. President Bill Olsen had called everyone over to view the presentation. - One of the awards went to Show Chairman and vendor #80 Tim McKernan. He won Most Unusual for his very large Pseudophoenix vinifera. In addition to the certificate, winners also got a ribbon to hang on their winning plant. Pictures of the sale next time... Ryan

It was great idea to have this pre-sale party, and I wish more people had known about it and came. Future events can only get larger and more popular with time. I had a great time photographing and viewing this event in an uncommon, but pleasant fashion. It was a great preamble to the first palm sale at Montgomery, and it opened the door to many more to come. - SFPS Show Chairman and vendor #80, Tim McKernan acts surprised as I took his picture. He had just opened a bottle of champaigne and began to pour it for members of the SFPS Board. - Champagne anyone? Take a glass. - The recipients of the champagne, the South Florida Palm Society Board of Directors, the very people that make the society happen. There are more board members than are pictured here, but it was just luck on my part to get all these when I did. From left to right: Show Chairman, Palm Report newsletter editor and vendor #80 Tim McKernan; Board member and Palm Report newsletter editor Dr. Jeff Chait; Board member and Palm Report newsletter editor Sandra Farwell; Vice-President and Forum member John Demott (Redland); board member and vendor #35 Steve Stern; board member, artist, and vendor #84 Linda Apriletti; board member Lenny Goldstein; and vendor #4, el Presidente himself, Bill Olsen. - The alcohol is flowing quite well at this point, and many people are enjoying the company of other members. The bottles of booze can be seen on the table, I forgot to ask on the following morning how much was left over. I forgot about two other photos taken at the end of Friday... Ryan

- The sun begins to set, and the last few rays of sunlight reach the top of this huge Encephalartos kisambo. It was one of many featured cycads in the booth of Jody Haynes, vendor #91. The row of coconut palm varieties can be see to the left belonging to Dave & Shirley Romney (#33). - Vendors and pre-sale customers begin to gather around the refreshments as they were being prepared under the tent. There were hors d’œuvres, desserts, and plenty of other treats that guests had brought with them. There was one salmon spread that I could not get enough of. To wash it all down, there was a nearly endless supply of beverages, wine, and liquor. To be able to shop for palms, with great food and drink, was incredible with Montgomery B. Center as a backdrop. - Sharing in the members only event was John Corrigan, Ziggy Mayotte and vendor #26 Susan Casey. These are all great people I have known for years, and it is an event in itself just to see them all again. - M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director of Montgomery Botanical Center, joins in and tries some of that salmon spread I liked so much. Ryan

It was great visiting. The Montgomery staff did a great job of showing off the Center's magnificent collection. Montgomery's cultivated populations of palms of known provenance are enormously important for supporting research, horticulture, and conservation. Montgomery is able to develop and maintain its collections for the long term, and to take advantage of the variety of soil and moisture conditions on the site. Fairchild and Montgomery, between them, have more Attalea crassispatha (Carossier) than exist in the wild. This is the only American oil palm in the Caribbean, and only a couple dozen wild plants still exist in Haiti. I picked up a couple more Rhapis for my hedge to make the trash cans and air conditioning unit next door less visible from my garage. R. multifida from Tim McKernan and another R. laosensis from Searle Brothers. The visit to Montgomery was a reminder that many wonderful species of Copernicia are available from specialists and are well worth planting, if you have time. Some would be wonderful for sites where they're reasonably likely to be decently cared for over a 50-year period. Quite a few of Montgomery's original Copernicia baileyana are still looking great. Same goes for some of the Sabal species. Apparently S. causiarium at Montgomery is very slow to develop a trunk, too. So can someone provide a guess as to the species of these old sabals at Punta Borinquen golf course? http://www.puntaborinquengolfclub.com/

- Friday afternoon was quite different than usual, since instead of leaving, we all stayed for the members only party and pre-sale. Many vendors took their time and relaxed while polishing off their booths. It was great to see friends again, both new and old. Some of these people you only get to see a few times a year, so you need to enjoy it while it lasts. The booth was finished by this point so I decided to take photos, no surprise there. The view of the front table, featuring some of the rarest of the rare. We put the large Kerriodoxa elegans on the table to be different. - In the very front of the booth, two extraordinary palms are put on display for the palm show. Vendors were asked to bring show plants so judges might pick the winners of five categories. Jeff brought the showy Dypsis onilahensis (right) that he featured in his sale the weekend before. The rarity on the left is Licuala sp. 'Togu Budo', a palm seldom seen for sale anymore. - While walking around the booth placing the last cards on selected palms, I took this shot of one corner. - Not far from where I took the above shot, I ran into Sarasota, Florida IPS member Rob Branch. He was already doing some early shopping, and talking with everyone. He should be familiar to most of last year's biennial attendees, and even more to anyone lucky enough to be on the 'Green Bus'. Ryan

- The last batch of photos from Thursday just before we left to get ready for Friday. I took this photo to show this interesting path in the middle of the sales area. Most people do not know, but this unmarked dirt road is actually the original Old Cutler Road. Col. Montgomery did not like the traffic going by just in front of his house, so he moved the road about 30 yards to the west one day and its been there ever since. - The back gate of Montgomery B. Center where the sales area is located. It has since been covered with signs and was found quite easily by customers Friday night and Saturday. Ryan

- Setup on Thursday continues with another view of Albert Livingston's (#31) booth, where some very large Cuban Royal Palms (Roystonea regia) await Saturday morning. - Need a bottle? A set of Bottle Palms (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) are just itching to be planted. - Susan Casey (#26) sets out her palms and points out some very root bound Cuban Petticoat Palms (Copernicia macroglossa). - Show Chairman and vendor #80 Tim McKernan talks with Jeff Searle as he writes tags for his plants. Ryan

- Images from setup on Thursday, March 8th. Jeff and I had set up about 80% of the booth at this point, with more palms on the way down on Friday. It took a while to layout the tables, as this is a brand new arena for us. This photo shows the front of the booth from the aisle. - A view of the next booth across from the aisle belonging to vendors #33, Dave & Shirley Romney. Rows of coconut varieties await customers and their questions. - The back of Jeff Searle's booth, showing many of the full sun palms and cycads for sale. - Obvious from even great distances, the unmistakable large material put on display by Albert Livingston, vendor #31. Bring a large trailer. Ryan