TALK STORY WITH LOCAL GROWERS, SHOP FOR PLANTS

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII ISLAND— Find out from Big Island growers what plant varieties thrive best in your location at the Plant People Road Show 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. The popular Road Show returns after a nearly three-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Admission is free.

Talk story with growers from the island’s different regions during the sale. In addition, growers will offer plant selections geared for fall planting and blooming plants for gift giving.

New to the Plant People Road Show is Kari Hagerman of Pomaikai Plant Company of Waimea selling bedding plants, veggie starts, herb and roses.

Other participanting Hawai‘i Island nurserymen include:

• Peter and Kay DeMello of DeMello Air Plants of Kona offering 50 varieties of easy-care air plants.

• Jennifer Snyder and Bob Harris of OrchidPeople in Waimea selling warm-tolerant varieties of cymbidium orchids that flower mauka to makai. Cymbidiums are prized for their multiple flowers on tall spikes. 

• Phoenicia and Bob Zeller of Pele’s Island Plants in Oceanview grow select and hard-to-find orchid varieties, assorted cactus and succulents. Find choices for the collector and hobbyist. 

• Sean Spellicy and Iris Viacrusis of Royal Palm Enterprises in Kuristown sells palms, fruit trees, bamboo and heliconia.

In its eighth year, the Plant People Road Show offers two sales annually, around Valentine’s Day and Halloween. The direct, nursery-customer setting enables growers to meet the public and get feedback while providing expert growing guidance. For info, phone 808-987-3231.