Horticulture

CONTAINER PALMS
Chris Migliaccio

Your experienced palm instructor will advise you on selection of container palms that can create a lush palm garden for your patio, poolside or porch. Learn about the care of palms, focusing on container culture, and the selection of suitable species to make your moveable garden a tropical haven. A slide show of container palms will show the many options. Students receive small palms to take home, which will include a red sealing wax palm.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16 (one session)
Registration deadline: Thursday, April 10
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $40

GROWING BROMELIADS IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Peter Kouchalakos

Learn the basics of growing these attractive, adaptable epiphytes. While most often seen growing in the ground or on trees, they also do well in pots. Our instructor/grower will take you through propagating pups, choosing the optimum growing medium and containers, watering and misting, providing air circulation and lighting, fertilizing and methods of combating pests. He will also share his experience in growing show plants. Each student will take home a plant that he or she has potted.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 23 – 30 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 21
Fee: Members, $40; Non-members, $55

THE ART OF PRUNING
Jeff Wasielewski

Every cut made on a tree injures the tree, so it is important to make sure that each cut is necessary. This class will teach you the basic techniques of pruning including the how, when, where and why of pruning. The class will be half lecture and half hands-on pruning lab and is taught by a certified arborist. 

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 28
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

VANDA AND DENDROBIUM WORKSHOP
Martin Motes 

During the first session, students will be introduced to Vanda culture: basic care, watering, feeding, light and air requirements. The second session will cover the culture of the large and complex genus Dendrobium. The radically different cultural requirements of the major sections of the genus will be explained. A field trip and workshop will be held at a commercial grower's nursery. It will include hands-on potting and basketing, grooming and displaying, tools, tricks and gadgets, and a tour of the nursery and landscape. All students will go home with two orchids (valued at $25) that could be a grand gift for Mother's Day.

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, May 6 – 13 (two sessions)
Field Trip: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10
Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 30
Fee: Members, $50; Non-members, $70

XERISCAPING WITH PALMS
Chris Migliaccio

Create and maintain a lush palm garden that will thrive despite any water restrictions. Learn which palms are best suited for South Florida gardens, and which should be avoided. Find out ways of reducing landscape water use while still keeping your surroundings attractive. Take home a descriptive booklet and a perfect palm for xeriscaping. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, June 2
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVES
Jeff Wasielewski
 

This class will introduce homeowners to a wide variety of South Florida native trees and shrubs. By knowing the right plant in the right location you will transform your home landscape into a native paradise that will attract birds and butterflies. Mr. Wasielewski will give you plant advice on the stages, levels, textures and colors of native plants along with a PowerPoint presentation of yards that work and why, plants that work and why and, most important, where to purchase native plants.

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Saturdays, June 21 – 28 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, June 17
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $45

TROPICAL BONSAI FOR THE BEGINNER
Mary Miller 

Fairchild is pleased to have Ms. Miller back to instruct newcomers to this ancient gardening technique. This introduction to the art of bonsai focuses on plants that are well adapted to South Florida's climate. The instructor will cover the basics of shaping, wiring and pruning roots, while emphasizing the specifics of care required in South Florida. Participants will style and plant a bonsai in a pot totake home. All supplies (plant, soil and container) are included in the fee. Bring a sharp pair of garden shears and a snack.

10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday, July 18 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, July 14
Fee: Members, $40; Non-members, $55

TROPICAL FRUIT HORTICULTURE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
Jeff Wasielewski

Living in South Florida gives us a bounty of tropical fruit, all of which you can grow on your own. Planting, pruning, propagation, pest-control, fertilizing, irrigation and general tree care for tropical fruit trees is on the agenda for this informative class. Many popular South Florida fruit trees will be covered in this class with emphasis on the king of all fruits, the mango. With the knowledge you gain, you will soon have a luscious harvest from your own fruit trees. Our garnered, experienced instructor/arborist will also demonstrate grafting techniques.

10:00 a.m. to noon
Saturday, July 19 (one session)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, July 15
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

THE RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Chris Miller

Did you know that lawn and garden irrigation can make up 40% of total household water use in the summer months? Here is a way you can water your garden even with the water restrictions. In this workshop you will learn about water conservation, learn about the advantages of the rain barrel and then construct a barrel for yourself. Workshop includes barrel and materials. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23 (one session)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 16
Fee: Members, $50; Non-members, $65

VEGETABLE GARDENING IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Elaine Farquharson

Join us for this informative class on how to grow vegetables in South Florida's unique conditions. Students will learn all about improving their soil, composting, and building raised beds and trellises. Learn what to plant and when, and how to grow your own transplants. Finally, be prepared to deal with any pesky insects or diseases that may arise. Students will go home with seeds from which they can start their own garden.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 28 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, August 15
Fee: Members, $30; Non-members, $60

ORCHID CULTURE FOR THE BEGINNER
Betty Eber

Picture a stunning collection of orchids in full bloom in your garden, patio or Florida room! Learn basic orchid culture for the four most popular orchid genera. Observe this knowledgeable orchid hobbyist as she demonstrates division and repotting on the popular orchid species of cattleyas, phalaenopsis, dendrobiums and vandas. Species, hybrids, insects and disease control also will be covered. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursdays, September 11 – 25 (three sessions)
Registration deadline: Friday, September 5
Fee: Members, $60; Non-members, $80

GET READY TO GROW TOMATOES – JUST THE FACTS
Elaine Farhuharson 

Elaine is back and ready to give you all her helpful tips on growing FABulous tomatoes. Wouldn't you love to say that you grew those fresh, juicy tomatoes that are in your salad? Let this experienced and passionate tomato grower give you solid ideas for South Florida growing conditions such as in-ground or raisedbed production, organic versus synthetic methods and self-watering containers. She will also review types and varieties (heirloom or hybrid), mulching, pests and diseases. Each student will take home a variety of Elaine's choice of heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday, October 10 (one session)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 12
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $50

PALMS FOR YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE
Chris Migliaccio 

Increase your knowledge of palms and learn how to add these graceful plants to your landscape. Enjoy the hands-on experience of dividing community pots of unusual palm seedlings – you will take home an extensive collection of exquisite palms including a red sealing wax palm. A comprehensive Palm Handbook of practical information is included. Apply the knowledge from this class when you attend the Palm Show and Sale at Fairchild on the weekend of November 1 and 2. This educational class is offered only once a year!

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursdays, October 23 – 30 (two sessions)
Field Trip: Saturday, November 1, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Registration deadline: Friday, October 17
Fee: Members, $75; Non-members, $100

TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS FOR MIAMI GARDENS
Peter Kouchalakos 

These fabulous ground-growing orchids can add just the right touch to your tropical garden. Learn about the types of garden habitats these orchids require and what you can expect in the way of performance. This group of garden orchids includes members of the Phaius, Spatoglottis, Epidendron and Oncidium genera. Plants will be available for sale after the class.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
 Wednesday, October 29 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, October 24
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $50