The Miami - Dade County Chapter of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association ( FNGLA ) will commit the " Charles S. Buster and John C. DeMott Greenhouse " at the UF / IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center ( TREC ) in Homestead on Oct. 24 .

This facility will reward John DeMott and Charles " Chuck " Buster , whose visionary work has significantly bear upon South Florida ’s tropic horticulture diligence and beyond .

A typewriter ribbon - slip ceremonial occasion , scheduled for 4 p.m. at 18905 SW 280 St. in Homestead on the UF / IFAS TREC campus , will reenforce TREC ’s committedness to do as a hub advancing research , breeding and community engagement in subtropic horticulture .

" Chances are , if you have it off alien decorative plants and have them in your abode , the salmagundi were introduced in some way by these two illusionist , " pronounce Edward " Gilly " Evans , director of UF / IFAS TREC . " John and Chuck ’s passion for plants transcended simple cultivation . They engaged both the local community , students , and the wide industry , making an shock that will be matte for generations . "

DeMott and Buster were more than just successful businessmen . They were pioneers who transformed kinsperson - consort nursery patronage into industry - leading enterprise that influence horticulture on a regional and home scale . Their collaboration in the 1980s cemented their status as horticultural trailblazers , push the boundaries of plant multiplication , tropical species polish , and glasshouse business innovation .

Jeffrey DeMott , son of John DeMott , and Jackie Torres , daughter of Chuck Buster , shared devout memory of their parents .

John DeMott , who set up Redland Nursery in 1971 , was a man drive by a mysterious beloved for plants , especially rare and unique species . " My dad had this unbelievable drive to make something rarified common , " shared his son .

" He attend industrial plant extension as a way to carry on the coinage or ' spread the germplasm , ' as he would say , " he added . " By propagating , distributing them into every backyard in Miami , you keep the plant life , insure its survival of the fittest , and that was his passion . "

Buster , know for his acumen in clientele and production , brought a complementary skill set to the partnership he formed with DeMott in 1981 . Together , they founded Alpha Foliage , Inc. , which specializes in high - volume product of tropical plants , peculiarly fern . Buster ’s punctilious attention to operational item and efficiency made Alpha Foliage a powerhouse in the gardening industry .

" Chuck was the regular bridge player in business operation , while my dada brought creative thinking , growing skill , and passion for rarified plants , " said DeMott . " It was a perfect balance . "

Both man ’s businesses were family affairs from the start . John ’s wife , Carol , and Chuck ’s married woman , Margie , worked alongside their married man to build their various empires . Carol DeMott served as the bookkeeper for Redland Nursery and Alpha Foliage , secure that the behind - the - scenes operations were as meticulously manage as the plant they grew .

" The four of them — John , Chuck , Carol , and Margie — would go out to dinner party pretty much every Friday night together . There they would talk about the business and family . They shared just time , " suppose Torres .

Over the years , Redland Nursery and Alpha Foliage grew from menial beginnings — a less - than-10 - acre patch — to more than 250 acres that stick out today . The partnership between the DeMott and Buster class pass beyond byplay ; their families were close - pucker , spending metre together outside of work as well .

" John and my dad , Chuck , were not just partners — they were best friends , " say Torres . " Our family grew up together , and we continue that partnership today with the next generation actively involve in the business . "

Both DeMott and Buster were committed to yield back to the community . They were long - stand supporters of FNGLA and held numerous leaders positions within the organization . John served on the FNGLA board for many years and was hump for his dedication to indorse local upshot such as tournaments , barbecue , and fundraiser for scholarship and agricultural education .

Both men were awarded the Babe Greer Award , the highest honour bestowed by the Miami - Dade Chapter of FNGLA , which is give way to individuals who have made significant contributions to the horticulture industry . Their legacy of biotic community outreach , support for agricultural Education Department , and commitment to the manufacture stay on unrivaled .

" Dad was a potent proponent of observe business local , always encouraging the industry to invest in the community and believed in staying loyal to his local community , " said Torres .

The Charles S. Buster and John C. DeMott Greenhouse will not only serve well as a tribute to these two horticultural giants but will also be a heart for research and education , say Evans . Faculty , graduate scholar , and postdoctoral researchers at TREC will use the facility to advance tropical plant life science , innovate propagation technique , and study the unique challenges posed by South Florida ’s subtropical clime .

" The greenhouse represents a lasting legacy of what John and Chuck stood for — innovation , biotic community , and a inscrutable love for plants , " enunciate Evans . " It will answer as a hands - on ascertain environment for educatee and a demonstration site for the public , showcasing the grandness of gardening in our region . "

" The induction of this air - conditioned greenhouse will significantly lead the timeframe for projects requiring precise temperature control , greatly enhancing TREC ’s electrical capacity for tropical plant enquiry , " say Xingbo Wu , a industrial plant breeder , and geneticist at TREC whose vanilla extract research will be one of the experiments housed in the greenhouse . We are deep thankful to DeMott and Buster for their invaluable backing in advancing our piece of work in tropical agriculture "

Source : blogs.ifas.ufl.edu