Author Topic: Florida visit  (Read 3109 times)

brian

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Florida visit
« on: December 11, 2019, 03:04:09 PM »
Next month I'm going to be in Florida for a week with lot of free time.  I'm flying into Orlando and flying out of Ft Lauderdale.  Any good nurseries or fruit parks to check out along the way?  Only thing on my list so far is visiting Excalibur Fruit Trees near Boynton Beach

skhan

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2019, 03:27:05 PM »
Nothing really in season this time of year.
Starfruit, black Sapote, canistel is all i can think off the top of my head.

Fruit and spice park would be nice to walk this time of year.

johnb51

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2019, 09:02:51 AM »
Mounts Botanical Garden in WPB?  Truly Tropical (private grower) in Delray Beach.  (You've probably seen Chris's great videos on YouTube.)
« Last Edit: December 12, 2019, 09:08:23 AM by johnb51 »
John

Alejandro45

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2019, 07:32:44 PM »
I second fruit and spice park. But hands down Fairchild’s is the place to see some incredible specimens and unique trees with history. Excalibur is close to me but I wouldn’t say it’s a place to visit and just walk around. It’s a working nursery.

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2019, 10:15:43 AM »
Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm going to try to hit as many of these as I can. 

Triloba Tracker

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2019, 10:46:56 AM »
Yes, don't go to Excalibur and just start walking around, like i did a few years ago when i was a naive neophyte plant person.

You will get in big trouble  ;D ;D

But it's a cool place, in season - if you play by the rules they should give you a golf-cart tour.

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2019, 12:04:50 PM »
Thanks for clarification on Excalibur!  I had assumed it was a retail nursery

roblack

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2019, 09:35:24 AM »
If you are into other plants and nature, you might want to check out the following:

Morikami Japanese Gardens
https://morikami.org

Butterfly World
https://www.butterflyworld.com


brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2019, 09:56:10 AM »
Thanks roblack.  I am going with my wife and toddler, I think they would enjoy these also

roblack

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2019, 10:01:20 AM »
For sure! Great for kids and family. They have a lorikeet enclosure where ya'll can feed the friendly birds and they fly all around and land on you. It's nutty fun.

scashaggy

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2019, 08:56:51 PM »
Flamingo Gardens in Davie
Morikami Japanese Gardens in Delray
Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead

MameyDisco

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2019, 03:16:41 AM »
The Treasure Coast Rare Fruit Club put together this excellent list with a visual map aide of the top gardens in Florida. I personally helped Larry compile the list and since I am located in Miami the options were plentiful my neck of the woods.

https://treasurecoastrarefruitclub.com/treasure-coast-botanical-gardens/

Some more Miami area gardens below (South Dade / Redland / Homestead) included.

https://treasurecoastrarefruitclub.com/miami-gardens/

Hope this helps.
Tropication Nursery - https://TropicationPlants.com

DJ Mamey Disco's Softer Than Satin MIXES - https://www.mixcloud.com/softersatin

gnappi

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2019, 03:53:38 AM »
Thanks for clarification on Excalibur!  I had assumed it was a retail nursery

It is a retail nursery. They sell all sorts of tropical fruit trees, but it's much like a warehouse, there's really is no way to walk there hence the golf cart ride... really for people looking for trees. But, IMO it's definitely a worthwhile stop.
Regards,

   Gary

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2019, 01:15:03 PM »
I really appreciate all the info guys, thank you.

Triloba Tracker

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2019, 01:55:30 PM »
Thanks for clarification on Excalibur!  I had assumed it was a retail nursery

It is a retail nursery. They sell all sorts of tropical fruit trees, but it's much like a warehouse, there's really is no way to walk there hence the golf cart ride... really for people looking for trees. But, IMO it's definitely a worthwhile stop.

My issue was i had no concept of the value of plant material and the need to protect it - anyone could steal valuable cuttings from their plants. So you can't just wander around on your own.
I found out the hard way :)

FloridaGreenMan

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #15 on: December 16, 2019, 09:01:54 PM »
Check out the Deerfield Beach Arboretum. Incredible collection of tropical plants, palms and lots of mature fruit trees also like Cacao, Mango, Coffee, Jakfruit etc...and it's free!!!!!...I have down many tours there. Afterwards drive just a few miles east to Seabra Brazilian supermarket and check out the giant selection of Brazilian fresh and canned fruits and juices, even fresh Pacu fish from the Amazon.....Also check out Gene Joyners Unbelievable Acres botanical Garden in West Palm but it is only open for tours on Saturdays!
FloridaGreenMan

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2020, 10:13:59 AM »
Hah I maxed out google maps destinations.  Thanks for all the ideas.  I am going to check out the Seabras market in Orlando today while I'm still here, then look for some stuff along the long coastal drive down.


brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #17 on: January 15, 2020, 01:37:05 PM »
Any idea where I am likely to find chocolate sapote fruit to try?  I have never tasted it before

Triloba Tracker

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #18 on: January 15, 2020, 02:01:20 PM »
Any idea where I am likely to find chocolate sapote fruit to try?  I have never tasted it before
I’ve purchased from Robert Is Here. I’m sure insiders have other/better suggestions

bovine421

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #19 on: January 15, 2020, 05:19:01 PM »
Since you have time take the scenic route. From Orlando airport go to Narcoossee then Saint Cloud  get on canoe creek road to Kenansville take a right on 441 to Okeechobee take 98 around east side of Okeechobee to hwy 27
to Alligator Alley I-75 and you are prett much in Fort Lauderdale

https://www.facebook.com/EricksonFarm/?fref=profile_friend_list&hc_location=profile_browser


Another option is from Okeechobee take hwy 710 to West Palm Beach

These photos were taking in  Osceola County









« Last Edit: January 15, 2020, 09:29:30 PM by bovine421 »
Tete Nene Julie Juliet Carrie Ice Cream Coconut Cream Little Gem  Dot  Mallika PPK  OS  Pina Colada Cotton Candy Buxton Spice Karen Michelle M-4 Beverly Marc Anthony White Pirie Lychee Cherilata Plantain Barbados Cherry

Tommyng

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2020, 07:12:28 AM »
Any idea where I am likely to find chocolate sapote fruit to try?  I have never tasted it before

You’ll likely fine them at Excalibur, they have a fruit stand there and they had the chocolates there couple weeks ago.
Don’t rush, take time and enjoy life and food.

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #21 on: January 16, 2020, 10:11:59 AM »
Thanks, all

skhan

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #22 on: January 16, 2020, 04:10:13 PM »

brian

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Re: Florida visit
« Reply #23 on: January 18, 2020, 04:52:10 PM »
Thanks again for the suggestions.  I didnt get as far south as I had hoped, but I made it to seabra, excalibur (overnighted a box of trees back home, hope they survived), toptropicals, mckee botanical garden, and butterfly world.  Butterfly world was awesome, my daughter loved it and they have a lot of cool birds and an insect museum.

I got to try black sapote and jaboticaba for the first time, plus new varieties of sapodilla and avocado.