One of our largest nursery/plant sales in Hawaii Island happens twice yearly in the spring and early fall season. Called the BIAN plant sale or the Big Island Association of Nurserymen, it is truly a big shopping spree of the largest growers specializing in everything from palms, bamboos to tropical fruits, exotic specimens, foliage plants, colorful flowers, to just about everything that can grow successfully on Hawaii island, which encompasses 13 of the world’s 15 growing zones. It is held in one of our largest stadiums in Hilo, and every inch of the area is covered with seductive and exciting new plants being introduced for the season.
There’s always an army of friendly and expert growers in yellow to answer any and all questions about a specific plant or growing condition.
Before the weekend show starts at 5pm on a Friday, there is a line snaking out the stadium where its held and it takes a whole stadium to fill out with all these amazing varieties of plants. When the doors open, all the aisles are cleared and open – you just know its going to be a stampede… No, really its not that crazy, people are quite courteous and generous in their knowledge of plants, experiences and ideal growing conditions, making this a very pleasant experience, meeting new growers and discovering new plants to introduce into your gardens.
I’m sure you know the feeling about looking for hidden treasures and these hunters are all very serious in their search for treasure. Its a real treat to see this and take pictures at the same time. There’s always a lot of smiles and joy in finding something really unique and the gardeners here really expect something unusual or different from these nurserymen.
If your into colorful flowers and plants, you have come into the right place.
Or, how about choosing some of these exuberant orchid plants?
It looks like this hunter has found his treasure and is holding it tight all the way to check out…it is a gorgeous cattleya, why didn’t I see that first?
If your ever in Hilo for the annual BIAN sale, you should check this out, it is alot of fun and you just might be tempted to take home a few plants or in most cases a trunk load!
To enjoy more posts on scenic sundays go to http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/
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17 comments:
I gather that plants are a very big interest for you. Silly me asking if you are a gardener, Noel!
Hope you have your own garden somewhere so that you can gather some of these beauties there and let them grow!
Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's Colorful PH-post
I could walk away with a few of those orchids... it is so wonderful you live in a climate where you can simply grow these in your garden! ;>)
Greetings Noel, Looking at your pictures, this event looks like the world's biggest garden party. Such fun and such a variety of plants which all seem very healthy and beautifully grown. In addition, it is so good when you know that there will be plenty of good advice to assist with the lorry load of purchases which one is bound to be tempted to buy!!
Wow !
Magnifici fiori... peccato non potere godere di tutto il loro profumo !
Buona serat :)
Noel - I am going back to Hawaii after almost 40 yearsam going to Kauai and oahu..any tips for a garden lover? i figure the botanical garden in kauai, yes?
That is so stunning! Yes I can see why anyone would hold on tight onto that gorgeous red Catt. Absolutely lovely! It really makes me wish I could manage a trip to Hawaii while this big sale is on.
I would go NUTS in there! How I would love to bring truckloads home with me...wow! Beautiful, Noel!
Beauties, all of them! thanks for the treat, Noel!
What fun! I guess it's best to be there as soon as the door opens to get the best selection. It certainly is an amazing display of flora. The orchids are incredible.
Hi Noel! You described well that feeling - an expectation to find hidden treasures!
Wow, I will be very exited in that place too, and it must be lots of fun!
What a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and textures and shapes! And the orchids are so special - love dendrobium with curly flowers native to PNG, such a treat to see it growing so big and healthy! Thank you very much for sharing this special day
Hi Noel, Hawaii is really a paradise for plants and flowers. I've visited 3 gardens during the post conference tour in my only visit there years ago. Hawaii is really like a very big resort, resort of the world. For this case, i love to have that very pale Caladium. Maybe it is newly bred, haven't seen it yet.
Good reason everyone is smiling! I would be broke, but plant rich, at the end of my shopping spree! What did you buy?
Well I was quite reserved this time around, I bought some hybrid hibiscus called Yoda, a cattleya hybrid, a wonderfully scented gardenia called heavens scent, a few echeverias and amazing tis...it was easy to carry in one small box which they supply to everyone with a boy scout to help you carry it to your car if you need extra help :)
I like plants but I am rather stingy. I swap plants and give them away. I also find that the plants you buy are not as hardy as your own and don't grow well.
I started the other blog because I wanted to feature plants and food.
Do you have hangis? http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2010/08/sunday-stills-fire-and-smoke.html
Pretty amazing post, especially for those of us living in what is affectionately known as "the Frozen Tundra"... I love orchids but really don't have the proper growing conditions for most of them... I will just have to enjoy the ones in your posts! L
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