I'm going on Saturday and most interested in the dragon fruit class taught by Dr. Falkenstein. I have several in pots and looking for input on growing them. I've visited his garden and he has an extensive array of them along with a very large selection of assorted tropicals. The class on growing bananas taught by Doug Jones will also be great as I've also seen his jungle including many bananas among the huge list of everything else he has. This is a first for me also so have no idea what to expect. I'm also very interested in hearing about other varieties of pomegranates.

Sounds likea great trip! And I'd love to go, but I've hurt my (arthritic) hip and can barely drive myself to the grocery store. I've lived in Fl my entire adult life, and didn't know Lake Placid was "the caladium capital of the world". The things one learns on this forum! 'o) If you go, do let us know all about it. cora

Christie, Yes, they do. It's about an hour for me but the drive is easy. The thing about Baker Creek is that you'll find things there you definitely won't find elsewhere, especially with heirloom vegetables. But they have garlic, fruit trees, native plants, perennials, annuals, tools, books, soap, food, etc. Lots of fun stuff! Oh... and don't forget the speakers which is the main reason I like to go. Here are the speakers for the Fall Festival. I think you would particularly enjoy Patrick Byers. I've heard him four times on four different topics and it's always fascinating so you learn a lot. Doug Oster is the garden writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a nationally syndicated garden writer, TV guest, producer of the radio program, "The Organic Gardeners" and his new book "Grow Organic" is due out soon. www.theorganicgardeners.com Len Pense has developed a new method of raised bed gardening. It will make gardening easy for anyone, weed-free and organic. His farm and methods have been featured several times in "Rural Missouri" magazine. Check out his site! www.gardeningrevolution.com Wesley Greene is an expert on historical plants and gardening. He is the Garden Historian at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He also writes for "The Heirloom Gardener". www.cwf.org Kelly Norris is a 20 year old Master Gardener, freelance writer, and speaker who lives and gardens in Bedford, Iowa. He is the manager of his family's "Rainbow Iris Farm". Merlyn Neidens Heirloom seed grower and seed-saving expert who has developed some of the superb market varieties that we carry. He also writes articles for "The Heirloom Gardener". Always one of our most popular speakers. Patrick Byers of the SW MO Experiment Station. A highly acclaimed rare fruit specialist who will be speaking about raising rare fruit and berries. The Heirloom Garden Show "The Historic Living Fest" Come to our 7th Annual Spring Fest! August 5 & 6, (Sun. & Mon.) 2007. 10 am-6 pm both days Come to our 8th Annual Summer Show

zands, they weren't selling Hawaiian mango trees.......likely because of a lack of available budwood for any particular kind. The 'hardest to find' tree at the sale ,other than Angie wich I think Fairchild only sells, was Madame Francis, the most well known Haitian mango (a pretty tasty if fibrous fruit by the way). The others can all be found at most of the major tropical fruit nurseries. And I kind of agree.....Hawaiian mangos really aren't that interesting. I tried many of them last year on a trip to the big island. Best varieties over there were ones introduced from Florida and elsewhere. Mangos like Pope and Mapulehu are ok but nothing spectacular. At one point during one lecture Dr. Campbell almost let it slip something to the effect that "I much prefer Florida mangoes to..." but he stopped himself. One repeated theme about the Hawaiian mangoes during the lecture was that they all seem very anthracnose susceptible. And I only remember 2 of them deemed to have any kind of commercial potential: Fukuda and Rapoza.