Just thought I would add this post to see if any of you Citrus Forum members are going to try and make the Citrus Expo in Alabama, I plan on being there and will try to make at least 3 of the tours that are planned. Ive always wanted to see Mr John Neighbors operation in Alexander City . Do we have any Alabama and Georgia Citrus people who are going?

I know Dr Powell pretty well and I have meet John Neighbors and seen both operations. They are different and both very good. John has a high tunnel system and has 3 high tunnels each 250 feet long. His trees are the largest I've seen on dwarfing rootstock and they are also the oldest citrus around central Alabama that I know of. His fruit last year was excellent and I think he had a best in show several years ago. Dr Powell has an awesome orangerie green house set up mainly for demonstrations and teaching situations. I think both men sell a lot of citrus trees.

The operation that Dr Powell and his son operate is very diversified with lots to see as evidenced by their website : Petalsfromthe past.com

John Neighbors doesn't have a website to my knowledge but he is getting more diversified all the time.

They are at least an hour away from each other. Both will be great for visitors to see. Petals has been very good to Master Gardeners and I suspect there will be a strong showing from local enthusiasts. A friend of mine has about 600 Meyer Lemons on one tree and he is hosting the Montgomery County MGs in September. I hope to have at least 50 people make the field trip for our monthly meeting. Tom

Glad to see that this Expo is moved up to two weeks before Thanksgiving. I have been to two Expos, but have not been for the last several years. My wife and I plan to come down on the 14th of November and stay in the area for several days after the expo is over. It will be nice to visit with some of my old citrus friends, and meet many new ones. - Millet

I plan on going. This will be the first time for me and I am looking forward to it, especially the tours.

If Millet, Stan and Laaz come I could mark three things off my bucket list ! I can hardly wait ! Millet, thanks for making my day ! Tom

Go ahead and mark two off your list.. I plan on being there if Im not in the hospital or the graveyard! lol

That's fantastic ! Tom

I'll be there.

Best,

Skinn30a

I guess you guys know that the person who travels the longest distance to be at the Expo wins a basket of fresh Southern Grown Citrus! Looks like Millet may claim the prize, " so far!"

Sorry, I haven't been on the last few days. My daughter got really sick & ended up having to have emergency surgery to remove her gal bladder. I'll get back up to speed asap.

Sorry to hear about your daughter! Hope she is doing much better now!

Thanks Stan, she's doing much better now.

I'm not going to be able to make it. Don't have the time off work to travel.

Late Edit
OK OK I'm a big dummy. I did not read the sticky. But I'm leaving it anyway just in case there is another dummy!!!


I received this. I believe that it is accurate but take it with a grain of salt.

Stan can you confirm this?

This year, the Southeastern Citrus Expo will take place in the Clanton/Jemison Alabama area on Nov. 15th & 16th. The actual Expo will take place on Saturday and will be at the Jefferson State Community College located at 1850 Lay Dam Rd., Clanton, Alabama 35045. The Agenda is as follows:

There are 4 tours lined up for folks who want to drop by on Friday on the way in for the Expo. All info and addresses for the tours can be accessed by going to the Petals from The Past website and clicking on “Citrus Expo" info.

1st Tour will be by Hayes Jackson at his place at 1300 Old Gadsden Hwy., Anniston, Ala.36206.

2nd Tour will be at Mr. John Neighbors Citrus and Fruit Farm located near Alexander City, Ala.

3rd Tour will be at Petals from the Past Nursery, Jemison, Alabama.

4th Tour will be at the Research Center in Thorsby, Ala. They have outdoor and protected citrus to view.

Tours are available anytime from 9-3 pm Central time.

Citruholics Banquet
Anyone wanting to attend the Citruholics Banquet at the Peach Park Restaurant will need to preregister for this event prior to Nov.1st. Dr. Powell needs a head count for the restaurant. The menu is barbecue buffet with all the fixings along with a vegetarian option.


Schedule of Events
Friday Night:
Citruholics Banquet, Peach Park Retail Fruit Market& Restaurant, US Hwy 31/I-65 Clanton, Ala. Meet & Greet 6-7. Meal at 7.

Saturday Morning:
8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration and Fruit Competition Entry time. Fruit Entry forms will be available on site along with display plates. 3 Fruits of any one species is all that is required for an entry. Multiple entries of different species may be submitted.

9:00-9:45 Presentation by Mr. John Neighbors, citrus grower from Alexander City, Alabama, who grows satsumas, meyer lemons and sweet limes using a hoop house method. Mr. Neighbors was a guest speaker at the 2004 Expo at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC.

9:45: - 10:00 Coffee break

10:00-10:50 Presentation by Hayes Jackson, who serves as the Urban Horticultural Regional Agent for the Central Alabama area. Hayes is an avid palm and citrus collector and is a member of the Southeastern Palm Society.

10:50-11:00 Update by Dr Wayne Hanna of Tifton, Georgia, on his efforts to produce seedless changsha mandarins and ichang lemons using irradiated seed.

11:00-11:30 Question and Answer Session featuring citrus growing experts from across the South.

11:30-1:00 Break for Lunch. Lunch will be provided on site for those who register for the Expo in advance. For those who wish to leave the campus, there are various fast food places available in downtown Clanton.

1:00-2:00 Keynote speaker Mr. Dallas Hartzog from South Alabama will be giving a presentation on his experiences growing satsumas for pleasure and profit. He has founded a co-op of South Alabama growers and manages a sizeable grove of his own.

2:00-2:30 Drawing for the raffle ticket prizes along with winners of the Citrus Fruits contest announced.

2:30 Southeastern Citrus Expo officially ends,

BUT ONE HOUR LATER AT

3:30 a fruit tasting and tour of Petals from the Past Nursery is scheduled.
Items on the fruit tasting exhibit will include Asian Persimmons, Citrus from the Petals Nursery and Golden Kiwi Fruit that is a specialty crop they produce!

Motels in the area include:
Best Western, 801 Bradbury Ln. Phone: 877-574-2464
Holliday Inn Express, 815 Bradbury Ln. Phone: 800- 939- 4249
Days Inn, 2000 Big M Blvd. Phone: 205-755- 2420

For more info: Contact Stan McKenzie or Dr Arlie Powell

The original message I received had Stans and Dr. Powells e-mail but I did not feel comfortable putting it out there. PM Stan or Stan can post them if he feels so inclined.

Hi Darkman, Yes, all of the info you posted is correct. To pre register for the Citruholics Banquet and for the Citrus Expo you can just do a search engine for " Petals From The Past Nursery" and once you get on their page, just scroll down to the Citrus Expo tab.. They have it fixed so you can sign up via the internet and pay with your credit card. Let me know if you have any problems. Stan

Well dadgum it! I plan on being in Anniston the Wednesday before Tks'giving and stay until Saturday,....possibly Sunday morning. Would LOVE to be there since that is my old stompin' grounds.

Since I can only make one trip, I'll have to stick with my itinerary to visit the family that is scattered around the area.

I'll be anxious to see the pics and news posted after the event.

Stan, I'm working over at the State Farmer's Market and I have cards made up to give folks your web site addy and this forum link.

I hope to come out to see you as soon as I can get a day off. Will call first.