TALK STORY WITH LOCAL GROWERS, SHOP FOR FLOWERS AND PLANTS

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII ISLAND— Are you at the right elevation to plant plumeria? Can you grow orchids—and get them to bloom— without a greenhouse?

Find out the answer to these questions and more from nine Big Island growers at the Plant People Road Show 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. Admission is free.

Friendly mom and pop growers from the island’s different regions will be available to share their secrets for “happy plants.” In addition, these nursery experts will sell selections geared for spring planting, plus blooming specimens and cut flower stems ready for Valentine gift giving.

Participating growers include:

• Chitose and Tsuyoshi Tsumura of C&T Products in Keaau, who offer many different varieties and colors of anthuriums—the heart-shaped blooms come in a variety of hues.  

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

• Jennifer Snyder and Bob Harris of Orchidpeople in Waimea featuring 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. 

• Kari Hagerman of Pomaikai Plant Company of Waimea sells bedding plants, veggie starts, herb and roses. 

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

In its ninth year, the Plant People Road Show stages 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.