October 1| Orchid Society of Coral Gables
location:  Fairchild Tropical Garden | 10901 Old Cutler Road | Miami, FL
room: Corbin Building, classroom "A"
date: first Tuesday of every month
time: 7:30 pm
web: www.oscgonline.org

October 2 |  TropiColor: Color + Texture for South Florida Gardens
time: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden
fee: Member, $30; Non-member, $45
web: Fairchild Tropical Garden Education Classes

Join Miami landscape designer, Carlos Somoza, on a journey through subtropical gardens that illustrate stunning plant combinations that can be used in your private gardens and on your balconies. Fundamental planting design principles, including color, form and texture will be discussed along with basic culture and characteristics of the plant palettes being highlighted.  A plant species list of Carlos’ favorite planting combinations for Zone 10 and a list of local nursery resources for plant materials will be available to students.

October 2 | Free Wednesdays @ Fairchild Garden
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler
Road,Miami, FL 33156
time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM 
web: Fairchild Tropical GardenEvent Website

Enjoy the wonder of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden the first Wednesday of every month from June to November, for free.

A day at Fairchild is a day in paradise. Where else can you visit a tropical  rainforest, view world class
art, dine at an award winning café and do it all surrounded by the unparalleled beauty of nature? Only at Fairchild.

Spend a day exploring 83 acres of tropical palms, cycads, flowering trees and  breathtaking vistas.
Don't miss free tram tours (limited seating) on these special days. 

October 5 | Fairchild Garden Member's Plant Sale
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road,Miami, FL 33156
time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
web:  Fairchild Tropical Garden website

Annually during the past 75 years, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has distributed plants to Fairchild members for use in the South Florida gardens and landscapes. Once again the time has arrived for Garden members to enjoy an exclusive benefit of membership.

Through the years, Fairchild's horticulture staff have observed, evaluated, and introduced  
beautiful, interesting, and diverse trees, shrubs, vines and groundcovers to the  community. A concerted effort has been made to identify plants that are well adapted to our climate and soils, are non invasive, and will provide a welcome addition to the yards and gardens of South Florida. There is an emphasis on uncommonly available or rare native species as well as introducing more
common native plants to members who want to establish their own backyard natural habitats to attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife.  Plants from other lands have been observed, monitored and carefully chosen to add to the assortment of plant choices for home gardens. 

The Distribution Plants have been grown in larger quantities than the other sale plants and are carefully selected for this program.  Plan an early start: lines form quickly, and while we have a good
supply, it is not endless.  Along with other staff members and knowledgeable volunteers, we'll be available to advise you on site selection, planting and  growing these very special plants. For complete  information about the plants available for purchase at the 2013 Members Day Plant Sale, click here.

October 5-6| Environmental Leadership Workshop
website: www.tropicalaudubon.org
register: https://tropicalaudubon.ejoinme.org/?tabid=60562
address: The Deering Estate | 16701 SW 72nd Street  |Miami, FL 33157

A two day workshop set to inspire local citizens towards action and stewardship. Expert panelists will cover an array of environmental topics. Registration required and student scholarships available by applying online.

Facilitated by Tropical Audubon Society (TAS), South Florida's nonprofit Voice of  Conservation, numerous environmental and area business partners, the weekend Environmental Leadership Workshop will connect the private and nonprofit sectors with fresh talent to help reshape Miami’s
ecological future.

Each day begins with field trips and yoga, followed by a networking breakfast. Day One is filled with a series of 40-minute Lectures outlining key environmental issues affecting South Florida:   Everglades & Water, the Health of area Estuaries, Land Use and Connectivity,  and Sea Level Rise. A Sunset Kayak Trip and a tour of the historic Deering Estate will close the day. Day Two will offer tracks on diversity in conservation, grassroots organizing, public speaking, fundraising for nonprofits and communicating via traditional and social media. A Legacy Circle Wine Reception, courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company, will crown the event.

September 24 | Florida Native Plant Society Miami-Dade
speaker: Dr. Carl Lewis, Director of Fairchild Tropical Garden
topic: Native Florida Orchids in Public Landscapes
location: Pinecrest Gardens | 11000 Southwest 57th Avenue | Miami, FL 33156
time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
web: www.dade.fnpschapters.org

Dr. Carl Lewis, director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, will speak about native orchids being introduced to public streets and fairways.

September 25 | Redland Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Society
topic: New topic and speaker each month
location: Fruit and Spice Park | 24801 SW 187
Avenue | Homestead, FL 33031
date: Last Wednesday of each month
time: 7:30 pm
web: Facebook

September 17 | South Florida Bromeliad Society  Lecture
topic: 'The other way of growing bromeliads - seed to seed"
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156
time: 7:30 PM  web: http://www.bssf-miami.org/

We've heard so much misinformation regarding growing bromeliads from seed that Jay Thurrott thought he'd put together a program about some of his experiences in bromeliad propagation.  There have been some successes and there have been some failures, and that's been part of the fun of observing the growth of these plants -- from that first leaf to eventual maturity.  Jay also wanted
to share photos of what bromeliad seed looks like.

Jay Thurrott is a retired  environmental chemist and worked in the public service sector for over 30  years. He grows over 700 varieties of bromeliads at his home in Port Orange,  Florida and been growing bromeliads since the 70’s. A lifetime member of the  Florida East Coast Bromeliad Society (FECBS), Jay is their newsletter editor and  has served as secretary, vice president and president of that  organization.  He has served as his club’s representative to the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies (FCBS) for many years and is a past-Chairman of that organization. Also active in local garden club activities, he is a past president of the Halifax Council of Garden Clubs (a consortium of 7 garden clubs in the Daytona Beach area). He is currently President of the Bromeliad Society International (BSI) after having served as  a director and vice-president of the organization. Jay is also a BSI accredited  judge and has judged bromeliad shows in and out of the USA. 
 
September 18 |Preserving Beauty: Inside Viscaya
time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
address: 3251 South Miami  Avenue | Miami, FL  33129
contact: Rebecca Peterson phone Number: 305-860-8423
link: http://www.vizcayamuseum.org

Vizcaya and Florida  International University's Center for the Humanities in an Urban Environment are duking it out over which matters more: preservation or beauty? Join us for a  lively discussion about what beauty is, and how the museum walks the line  between preserving and  highlighting the beauty of our collections. Food and  drink available for purchase. Fee: $15

September 19 | The Renovation & Rejuvenation of Viscaya
location: The Kampong | National Tropical Botanical Garden
address: 4013 S Douglas Road | Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
speaker: Ian Simpkins, Chief Horticulturist at Vizcaya
time: 6:30pm Reception, 7pm lecture

Ian Simpkins’ presentation will  open the garden gate of this historic estate and show us an inside  perspective on caring for and restoring a treasured landscape. Ian will  share some of the current
restoration efforts now underway at Vizcaya.   

There will be a 6:30 pm reception in the Courtyard before the lecture.

Fellows and Contributor Members – FREE | General Public - $10 donation
RSVP to kampong@ntbg.org or 305.442.7169

September 20 | Tropical Green Conference
location:  Hyatt Regency Pier 66, 2301 SE 17th St. Causeway, Fort Lauderdale, FL
web: http://www.usgbcsf.org/tropicalgreen

Tropical Green is presented by the USGBC South Florida Chapter.  This  all-day conference focuses on best practices for  designing, constructing, owning and operating buildings in our unique  humid environment.  The faster this knowledge spreads, the sooner it  could have a significant global impact on energy demand and human  health.  Attendees will be able to document LEED AP hours for those needing them.  This one-day seminar is catered toward design professionals including architects, planners and landscape architects.

September 21-22 | International Aroid Society Plant Sale
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road,Miami, FL 
time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM web:  Fairchild Tropical Garden website

The International Aroid Society will showcase some of the world's most beautiful plants in the Aroid family which include Aglaonemas, Athuriums and Philodendrons. There is no easier way to add a touch of the tropics to your landscape than by mixing the striking look of aroids with stately palms. The leaves of many aroids are so stunning that they are frequently used in artwork throughout the world.  Discover the beauty and great variety of aroids sometimes available only to professional garden designers.  No South Florida garden is complete without the look that aroids achieve.

September 22 | The Bold and Beautiful: A Look at The Kampong’s Aroid Collection
location: The Kampong | National Tropical Botanical Garden
address: 4013 S Douglas Road | Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
guide: Dr. Thomas Croat, P.A. Curator of Botany at Missouri Botanical Garden
time: 6:30 pm

Join  Dr. Thomas Croat, PA for a wine and cheese reception as you tour The Kampong garden. 
Dr. Croat,  considered one of the worlds’ leading authorities on the Aroid plant  family. Dr, Croat received the National Tropical Botanic Garden Fairchild Medal for Plant  Exploration in 2005 for his research and plant exploration focusing on  Araceae. He worked with Director Emeritus Larry Schokman and David Jones, Curator of Living Collections, to establish and build The Kampong’s aroid collection.

Fellows and Contributor Members – FREE | General Public - $10 donation
RSVP to kampong@ntbg.org or 305.442.7169

September 3 | Orchid Society of Coral Gables
location:  Fairchild Tropical Garden | 10901 Old Cutler Road | Miami, FL
room: Corbin Building, classroom "A"
date: first Tuesday of every month
time: 7:30 pm
web: www.oscgonline.org

September 4 | Free Wednedays @ Fairchild Garden
location: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road,Miami, FL 33156
time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
web: Fairchild Tropical Garden Event Website

Enjoy the wonder of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden the first Wednesday of every month from June to November, for free.

A day at Fairchild is a day in paradise. Where else can you visit a tropical  rainforest, view world class
art, dine at an award winning café and do it all surrounded by the unparalleled beauty of nature? Only at Fairchild.

Spend a day exploring 83 acres of tropical palms, cycads, flowering trees and  breathtaking vistas.
Don't miss free tram tours (limited seating) on these special days. 

September 4 | Strong Tree Roots in the Nursery & Landscape: Improving Tree Health and Anchorage
main speaker: UF/IFAS Dr. Ed Gilman
location: UF/IFAS Extension Office in Miami-Dade County
address: 18710 Southwest 288th Street Homestead, FL 33030
time: 8:45 - 2:15pm
CEUS: 4 FNGLA, 2 FDACS pesticide, 3 LIAF, ISA.
register: https://strongrootsintrees2013.eventbrite.com/

University of Florida professor, Dr. Ed Gilman, has assembled a unique urban tree teaching
program for helping municipalities, contractors, arborists, educators, growers, and landscape architects implement programs for promoting better tree health in cities. He conducts educational programs in tree selection, nursery production, and urban tree management nation-wide for a large variety of audiences. He has published more than 96 scientific peer reviewed journal articles in his 30 years in academia and industry. His research emphasizes tree pruning, nursery production, anchorage, and tree establishment.  He has published more than 150 technical articles in newsletters and trade magazines and annually presents research results to colleagues at professional meetings across the US and other countries. Learn about root problems, anchorage, grading and inspection issues, trees in the nursery and landscape and participate in a hands on with
more than 25 samples to work on.

September 7 | Veggie Gardening 101
host: Miami Beach Botanic Garden
location: 2000 Convention Center Drive | Miami Beach,  FL 33139
time: 10am-Noon

Start off the growing season right by attending Miami Beach Botanic Garden's  opening seminar of their lecture season. This free lecture is perfect for the gardener who just moved to the South Florida area, or someone who is just starting to try and live a more sustainable lifestyle. The good people from the Miami Dade Extension Service will cover the basics of what you need to know
to have a thriving edible garden in South Florida, including planting and harvesting times, environmental requirements, and recommended plant lists for your landscape. The lecture and questions and answer session takes place in the Butterfly Room.