Monster Auction of Rare Plants

[Moose]

The Tropical Fern & Exotic Plant Society will hold its Annual Plant Auction on Monday, October 22nd 7:00 pm. in the Garden House at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. There are some extraordinary donations for the auction this year including an Angiopteris smithii from Borneo, opening day stamps from Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and a Philodendron joepii from French Guiana. There will be rare and unusual ferns, palms, orchids, flowering shrubs and trees, crotons, bromeliads, begonias, aroids and much more. The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

 

[Moose]

Donated by Dr. Jeffery Block - Angioptyris smithii - A rare giant fern from Borneo resembling a ceratozamia cycad. Formerly known as Macroglossum smithii, recently reclassified.

 

[Moose]

Another generous donation from Dr. Jeffery Block - Vriesea Fosterianum var. "Red Chestnut" hybrid bromeliad - Recently awarded "Best in Show" non-commercial at 2012 World Bromiliad Conference.

 

[Moose]

Philodendrun joepii - A wonderful aroid from French Guiana that remains rare and found only in discerning collections.

Donated by Marie & Steve Nock of Ree Gardens

 

[Moose]

Some nice crotons will be offered for the auction as well ...

Gloriosa – a slow growing croton that needs about three years in the ground to realize its full spectacular potential. With age will develop large red variegated leaves against contrasting darker hues. This cultivar was developed by Mr. Henry Coppinger in the 1930’s. According to Dr. Frank Brown, Mr. Coppinger considered ‘Gloriosa’ to be his best all around croton

1st two photos are of the plant that will be auctioned

Last two photos are an example of an older plants big leaves

 

[Moose]

Bermuda Red – a cultivar from an unknown origin. This croton has some simular characteristics to Voncilla Barley and Baron Rothschild. This cultivar can take more sun and produces outstanding reds and striations of contrasting colors. The most popular cultivar in Hawaii remarkably is rarely encountered in Florida.

1st two photos are of auction plant

Last two are of the mother plant

 

[Moose]

"Grandma” - a cultivar whose ID is still be debated by croton connoisseurs. Some feel that it may come from the “MacArthur complex”, others believe it may be the “lost” Ann Rutherford from Miami hybridist Mr. Charles Rutherford. This croton was found at an old Coral Gables home in very poor condition. The owner stated that it was planted by his father who passed away in 1961. The mother plant was moved to a more hospitable garden and is now flourishing. We are currently awaiting the only person who can positively identify an Ann Rutherford to examine this cultivar.

1st three photos are of the plant to be auctioned

Last photo is the mother plant

 

[Moose]

Yellow Golden Glow – Golden Glow is another of Mr. Henry Coppinger’s hybrids. This Yellow Golden Glow was discovered growing as a sport on the mother plant at an old Coral Gables home south of the University of Miami. It looks similar to Yellow Johanna Coppinger differs having a narrow coloring along the main leaf vein. A rare cultivar for those who want a croton that “no one else has”!


1st to photos are the auction plant, Yellow Golden Glow

The last photo is Golden Glow. It is an air layered plant from the mother plant that sported the Yellow Golden Glow

 

[Moose]

Black Beauty – a very rare cultivar of unknown origin. Found growing in an old north Coral Gables home. Same yard as “Grandma”, it was planted before 1961 when the original owner passed away. Through serendipity, it was recognized from a photo posted on the croton forum of the International Croton Society. The Society VP had taken a photo of this cultivar growing in Cozumel Mexico and was identified by an expert. A dozen air layered plants were distributed to various gardens in 8 Florida Counties to make sure this rare cultivar does not “disappear” from cultivation again. A slow cultivar that is difficult to establish from cuttings.

Photos of plant to be auctioned

 

[Moose]

John Bender - The name sake of this cultivar had one of the most impressive collections found anywhere crammed into his .5 acre property in Plantation, Florida. John was the “croton guru” of South Florida. He preserved many old cultivars and readily shared them with others. Without the contributions of Mr. Bender, many of the old varieties would have been lost. A beautiful croton deserving a spot in a Florida garden

Photos are of the plant to be auctioned

 

[Moose]

Unknown Coral Gables Home #2 – this cultivar was found growing at an old Coral Gables home. The yard was overgrown and the plant was uncared for and looked unremarkable. With good soil and fertilization, this cultivar has shown great color. Judging from some older leaves of the mother plant and rapid growth rate, this could possibly be a sport of Andreanum. The founder of this plant has reserved the name James’ Marble for this plant if it is in fact a unique and unknown cultivar.

Photos are of the plant donated for the auction

 

[Moose]

Unknown Coral Gables Home #4 – this cultivar was found growing at a South Coral Gables home in very deep shade. With a rich soil, fertilization and more sun, this semi-oak leaf cultivar has just begun to develop some colors. Could possibly be a Kentucky, Charles Rutherford or a rare unidentified discovery?

Photo is of plant to be auctioned.

 

[Marie Nock]

I recently heard that a Heliconia indica and a Heliconia collinsiana have been donated for the auction.

 

[Moose]

I recently heard that a Heliconia indica and a Heliconia collinsiana have been donated for the auction.

Very nice Marie! I am sure there are many plants that will be at the auction we are unaware of. I believe Chris has a couple of donations (non-crotons) that he has not given me the names of.

Rafael - developed by one of the prominent Miami hybridizers in the 1920’s, Aubrey Christian. This beautiful cultivar requires shade to look its best. Superb pastel colors with magnificent pinks, this uncommon slow growing cultivar will color up in an intimate shady area of the garden.

Photo is the plant to be auctioned.

 

[Moose]

Carmen Christian – another cultivar created by Mr. Aubrey Christian. Named for his daughter, this is a very uncommon cultivar sought after by croton collectors. Having a medium growth rate, you will enjoy the beautiful blotching and spotting of reds and carmine on the leaves.

Photo of croton to be auctioned.

This plant had roots coming out the bottom of the pot, was stepped up into a larger container last night.

 

[Marie Nock]

A "Family and Friends Membership" to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (value $170) has been donated to the Auction.

 

[Moose]

A "Family and Friends Membership" to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (value $170) has been donated to the Auction.

Oh my - I'll be bidding on that!

Heaven – this cultivar can handle more sun exposure than most. If given a half day shade, this cultivar develops brilliant orange variegation. A much sought after cultivar by croton collectors. This cultivar is reportedly from the Richard Krukonis garden in North Miami. It may be one of the many seedlings given to him by Ralph Davis who lived just down the street.

Photos are of the plant to be auctioned. Roots were growing out the drain holes so this plant was stepped up into a larger container and given a supplemental feeding last night.

 

[Moose]

And for you stamp collectors (Phil!)

Donated by Dr. Robert Pope:
2 sets of uncirculated commemorative stamps from Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

 

[Phil Stager]

unfortunately, no crotons, bamboos, or coconut palms on them. Nice group of plants though - very nice! hope you raise a ton of money.

 

[Moose]

Miami Beauty – Another old cultivar created by Miami croton “breeder”, Mr. Henry Coppinger. This cultivar reportedly came from the same cluster of seed that produced ‘Eleanor Roosevelt’, ‘Franklin Roosevelt’, ‘Johanna Coppinger’ and ‘Golden Glow’. Deep dark green semi-oak leaves with multiple red spots, this croton deserves a semi-sunny location in a South Florida garden.

Photos are of the donated plant, Miami Beauty[/B,] to be auctioned.

 

[Moose]

Chris Mayhew is donating an unusual Hemonitis palmata fern for the auction. He recently divided up his biggin

The first two photos: Hemonitis palmata fern belonging to Chris.

The last three photos: Here are a few shots of the divided Hemonitis palmata fern given to me by Chris. This fern has wide leaves but when it is ready to spore, it sends up fine shaped leaf which has the spores.

 

[Moose]

Clipper – an old variety of whose origin has been lost. If grown in heavy shade, sharp contrasting reds on dark purple black leaves develop. Preferably when grown in morning sun, wonderful yellow, oranges, pinks and red veining and blotching along the main leaf vein occurs.

The first photo is of the donated Clipper to be auctioned.

The last two photos are of the mother plant grown in heavy shade.

 

[Moose]

Ree Gardens (Marie Nock) is donating a Tiger Eye and one that may be an Excellent croton.

These are not the actual auction plants, just examples from my garden. First two photos are Tiger Eye. The last two are of Excellent.


Sorry that the Excellent is nestled between plants and can't get a good shot.

Hope to see some of you all tonight!

 

[Moose]

Oh, I forgot ...

General MacArthur – a beautiful cultivar of unknown origin. Mentioned in Dr. B. Frank Brown’s original croton book, Florida’s Beautiful Crotons (1960) as not being a very old cultivar. This croton will develop large leaves if allowed to get kissed by morning sun and remain shaded for the remainder of the day.

Photos are of plant to be auctioned.