There has been a change in our speaker lineup. Please see the post later in this thread for an update.
Please make plans now to attend the International Aroid Society in Miami, FL the weekend of September 18 and 19, 2010. The event is held each year on the grounds of a living collection of the best aroid and other tropical plant species in the world.
This year the IAS is pleased to announce presentations to aroid growers will be given by two of Dave's Garden's most knowledgeable growers, LariAnn Garner from Miami and Scott Wade from Big, Pine Key, FL.
LariAnn's popularity on Dave's Garden as well as her expertise in a number of aroid genera makes her one of the most valuable speaker at this year's show. Scott, is a great grower and horticulturist that also posts very informative information on this site. Each of will give AV presentations on Saturday afternoon along with one of America's top aroid botanists Dr. Tom Croat from the Missouri Botanical Garden Dr. Croat has personally collected more than 100,000 aroid species in the wild and is the author of a large number of scientific texts. Part of Tom's presentation will be learning how to use the Royal Botanic Garden Kew LUCID program in order to put in relatively simple keys in order to come to a better understanding of what your plant is likely to be scientifically. He has assured us his talk as well as the LUCID program will make trying to determine what plant you are growing much easier.
Scott's presentation will help you to understand the individual parts of an aroid so you can use Lucid as well as understand how your aroids grow more easily.
LariAnn will speak about aroid pollination with an emphasis on how the techniques can be used by the grower.
For many years our speakers have spoken primarily about the science of aroids but this year the board of governors has made a special effort to make the show of interest to growers.
The featured speaker will be aroid botanist Peter Boyce from Malaysia. Pete is the top guy on Alocasia species, Colocasia species, Xanthosoma, and many Asian aroids including Rhaphidophora, Epipremnum and others. Pete's AV presentation will take place on Saturday night after our main dinner and will be followed by the IAS plant auction.
In addition, we will be celebrating the life of Tricia Frank who was one of the only two surviving IAS founders. We are saddened to announce Tricia died on Thursday night after a long bout with pancreatic cancer.
All the member aroid botanists in attendance are always happy to answer your personal questions. There will be many incredibly grown aroids on display including some of LariAnn's personal collection. Vendors from the Miami area will also have unusual and rare plants available to take home.
In addition to the Dave's Garden members already named, it is my understanding Brian Williams will again be in attendance Brian is a member of the IAS Board of Governors and a valued member of the society. No doubt, you are aware of his exceptional ability to answer your questions.
Additional information will soon be available on the International Aroid Society website, www.Aroid.org
All the members of the IAS would love to meet you in Miami! I already am aware of several Dave's Garden members that plan to be in Miami so you will also have the chance to meet them face-to-face. There is no charge to attend the show, the only fee is the gate admission to Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Hopefully, we will again be able to provide you with a discount coupon this year.
Steve Lucas
for the Board of Governors of the International Aroid Society
This message was edited Jul 27, 2010 1:02 PM
An invitation to attend the IAS Show in Miami, Sept 18-19
Steve.
Thanks for the info.
Sad to hear about the passing of Tricia. She will be missed by every one who ever knew her.
Me and my fiance Sarah will be at the show. I look forward to seeing a lot of old friends and talking aroids.
Due to a religious holiday in Singapore were were unable to arrange a flight schedule for botanist Pete Boyce to fly to Miami. It was going to take four days to get him to Miami and another four to fly him back to Singapore. Pete has agreed to be the IAS speaker next year.
Our new speaker will be Dr. Scott Mori from the New York Botanicl Garden. Scott is a highly recognized specialist in rain forest species and his topic will be announced shortly.
Please plan to join us September 18 and 19!
Hi Everyone.
Pleases post if you have a discount coupon, for I would be interested.
Thanks,
Nancy
We were able to get Fairchild to allow us to give out $5 off coupons last year and as I understand now we will be asking for that again. I will post it here as soon as available.
Normally it is placed on the homepage of the IAS website and all you need do is print a copy.
Steve
Thank you so much, Steve. I will be checking.
Hap