Meetings
Meetings take place at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden on the Fourth Monday of every month
Meetings generally take place in classroom Corbin A at Fairchild Garden unless otherwise noted. Refreshments and Raffle table are usually set up by 7:15pm and speakers begin presentations at 7:30pm.
During each meeting, there is a speaker on a pre-announced topic related to growing plants. Speakers are often well-known members of the exotic plant community including growers, horticulturalists, botanists, and collectors. Members are able to sell plants during the meeting at the designated Members’ sales tables. Additionally, members may bring in snacks, drinks, and plants for the Raffle table.
Meetings are free to attend, but the society relies entirely on the support of our paying members to sustain our mission and activities. None of this would be possible without their generosity and commitment. By becoming a member, you help ensure that we can continue offering these opportunities and resources to everyone. Join us today.
Next meeting: June 23, 2025
Speaker: Brett Jestrow, PhD
Topic: “Curating the Plants of Fairchild”
Dr. Brett Jestrow, a passionate plant expert, is the Curator of Tropical Flora at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. With an extensive background in plant science, Dr. Jestrow leads the garden's curation and conservation efforts, focusing on diverse plant collections and dynamic exhibits. His work ensures the preservation of plant diversity, integrating cutting-edge research with stunning public displays. During his talk, Dr. Jestrow will share exciting updates on new plant exhibits at Fairchild and offer insights into his approach to curating one of the world's premier botanical gardens. Don't miss this chance to learn from one of the leading minds in the field of tropical horticulture!
Previous meeting: “Cattleya Species of Venezuela and South America“
Speaker: Alex Bello
A collector and an avid grower of tropical plants ranging from bromeliads, orchids, ferns, aroids and beyond. He has been collecting all types of tropical plants for over 25 years with his specialty being bromeliads. Alex first became addicted to bromeliads when he was gifted a variegated neoregelia which set off an out-of-control hobby that he truly loves. Alex has held held high level positions in the plant industry ranging from Southern Regions Director for the Bromeliad Society International, president of the Bromeliad Society of South Florida, Florida council of Bromeliad societies and President of the International Aroid Society, Show and Sale Chairmen for both organizations. Alex is an avid outdoorsman whose love for the Everglades and Florida's ecology is truly remarkable. He also enjoys fishing, swamp walks, "any outdoor adventure in any environment", and is a 23-year veteran of the Miami-Dade County public schools as a high school administrative assistant over school operations, budget, and personnel.
May 26, 2025
Past meetings
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![Irina Kim Sang of Miami Vertical Garden in front of a slide presentation depicting a grid/color block design and implementation]()
Speaker: Irina Kim Sang
April 28, 2025
Topic: “Sustainable Vertical Garden Design: A Comprehensive Guide and Case Studies”
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![Mike D'andrea in front of a slide with turning points in Monstera cultivation]()
Speaker: Mike D'andrea
March 24, 2025
Topic: “2025 Update on Variegated Monstera, an International Perspective”
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![Chad Husby pointing toward an image of a field of horsetails.]()
Speaker: Chad Husby
February 24, 2025
Topic: “The Paleozoic in the Present: Giant Horsetails in the Wild and in Cultivation”
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![Jesse Durko]()
Speaker: Jesse Durko
January 27, 2025
Topic: “Winning Plants for South Floridas Gardens“
2024
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![Horticulturalist Palmer Crippen and a slide depicting Hoya Imbricata]()
Speaker: Palmer Crippen
November 25, 2024
Topic: “Epiphytic Ant Plants of the South Pacific”
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![Ellis, Ashley, and Hunter presenting at the September 2024 meeting]()
Speakers: Ashley and Hunter
September 23, 2024
Topic: “How to Create, Engage, and Gain Active & New Plant Enthusiasts Despite Rumors that “The Boom” is Over“
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![Cat from Dade Plant Co demonstrating how to propagate Hoya.]()
Community Night
June 23, 2024
Members share stories about unique and fascinating plants they've collected.
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![Presentation slide of curled fern frond and speaker Chad Busby]()
Speaker: Chad Husby
April 22, 2024
Topic: “Botanical Explorations in Colombia”
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Speaker: Philip Iloo of Stelmar Gardens
March 25 2024
Topic: "Pyrrosia and their mutations"
