COMMUNIQUE. San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society. The next meeting of the. Workshop

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1 San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE An Affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America October 2018 Volume 51, Number 10 The next Cactus and Succulent Workshop will meet Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 pm in Ayres Hall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Topic: Winter Seed Workshop The next meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society will be Thursday, October 11 at 7:30 pm in Ayres Hall at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia. IN THIS ISSUE Club Information...page 2 Mini Show Plants for Thursday, October 11 Cacti: Parodia and Notocactus Notes from the President....pages 3 and 4 Refreshment Reminder.. page 5 This Month s Program page 6 Cactus of the Month..pages 7, 8, and 9 Succulent of the Month....pages 10 and 11 Calendar of Upcoming Events....page 11 POM and Workshop topics....page 12 Succulent: Conophytum and flowering Mesembs Mini-show results from September..page 13 1

2 Material in the COMMUNIQUE publication may be reprinted by nonprofit organizations (unless such permission is expressly denied in a note accompanying the material) provided proper credit is given to the SGVCSS and the author, and that one copy of the publication containing the reprinted material is sent to the editor. Reproduction in whole or part by any other organization or publication without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. SGVCSS LEADERSHIP TEAM 2018 Tom Vermilion, President Gunnar Eisel, Past President Vince Basta, Vice President Louise Guerin, Secretary Margie Wilson, Treasurer Irene Chew, Director Richard Salcedo, Director Donn Muhleman, Director Gunnar Eisel, Director Sharon Sedillo, Director Kal Kaminer, Director Manny Rivera, Winter Show Chair John Matthews, Winter Sales Chair Tom Glavich, Inter-City Show Chair Jim Hanna, CSSA Affiliate Rep Gunnar Eisel, Website Chair Woody Minnich, Program Chair Tori Wilson, Membership Chair Cindy Arakaki, Librarian Richard Roosman, Newsletter Editor Note** Join the San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society. Membership dues are $20 per year. Your dues can be paid at the next meeting or mailed directly to: Tori Wilson 501 San Luis Rey Road, Arcadia, CA Make checks payable to SGVCSS 2

3 Notes From the President (Tom Vermilion) At the September meeting, I mentioned that the Arboretum will be having a special event at the end of the year. Here s some more info. Our meeting dates for October remain unchanged. The regular meeting will be on the second Thursday of October, Thursday, October 11. The workshop will be on the 3rd Wednesday of October, Wednesday, October 17. The Arboretum s special event will start at the end of October and no other evening events will take place on Wednesday through Sunday for the remainder of the year during their event. We have alternate dates for our meetings in November and December. The November meeting will occur on Tuesday, November 13th. The workshop will occur on the following Tuesday, November 20th. The December meeting will occur on Tuesday, December 11th. There will NOT be a workshop in December. These three meetings will be downstairs in the Palm Room. Our holiday party will be Tuesday, December 18th, in Ayres Hall. More information about the party will be announced at the meetings and in the newsletter. THE BIG NEWS IS THAT THE WINTER SHOW HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE WEEKEND OF SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 AND SUNDAY, JANUARY 13. 3

4 Notes from the President (Tom Vermilion) (continued) Our elections are coming up. Nominations will be accepted in November and the election will take place at the December meeting. At the last board meeting, the SGVCSS board discussed changing the by-laws. We currently have term limits for the treasurer and secretary positions. The current wording of the by-laws says: Section 6 No officer or director shall hold more than one elective office nor shall any officer be eligible to serve more than more than two consecutive terms in one office. This means that our current treasurer and secretary would be forced out of office. We would have to replace both our secretary and treasurer. The SGVCSS board voted to change the wording of section 6 so that our treasurer and secretary will not be forced out of office. Proposed New Wording of Section 6: No officer or director shall hold more than one elective office. No officer shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in one office except Treasurer and Secretary, who will have no such limits. When the by-laws are changed, we must get the approval from the members. So all of the members attending the October meeting will have the opportunity to vote to accept the change in the by-laws. 4

5 REFRESHMENTS The membership list has been divided into ten lists. For OCTOBER, if your last name begins with S please bring refreshments Please have snacks ready by 7 pm. Some ideas: brownies, burritos, chips & dip, cookies, cupcakes, M & M s, pizza, sandwiches, trail mix, etc. Of course, we welcome snacks brought by anyone, even if your last name does not start with S. REFRESHMENTS Schedule for 2018: February last name beginning with A or B March last name beginning with C or D April last name beginning with E, F, or G May last name beginning with H, I, or J June last name beginning with K or L July last name beginning with M August last name beginning with N, O, or P September last name beginning with R October last name beginning with S November last name beginning with T, U, V, or W 5

6 October 2018 Presentation Gunnar Eisel "Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder: Our Wonderful and Weird Hobby" It is easy to see what attracts people to roses or African violets. However, if one asks C&S enthusiasts what they like about cacti and succulents, one is bound to get very differing answers. At first glance, people are surprised at the variety of striking shapes, textures, and unworldly features one sees at our C&S shows. However, our appreciation grows deeper as we become more sensitized to the subtleties of our plants. With some plants, it s love at first sight. With others, we may wonder what all the fuss is about. Our appreciation of our plants often changes as we become more familiar with them. We may even discover that plants which first attract us often align themselves with aspects of our personalities. Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder will explore what to look for as we broaden our appreciation of C&S. To paraphrase author Neale Donald Walsch, growth begins at the end of your comfort zone. Gunnar Eisel's interest in cacti and succulents can be traced back to his childhood infatuation with photographing night-blooming cereus flowers and a few unfortunate encounters with opuntia glochids. His interest in cacti became intensified through many annual trips to the Anza-Borrego desert. Born and raised near Heidelberg, Germany, Eisel has taught music at CSULA, CSUF, Whittier College, and Fullerton College. He recently retired as music professor at Citrus College in Glendora, where his students were frequently subjected to his rantings regarding cacti and succulents. An avid C&S collector, he serves as General Manager of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA). 6

7 Cactus of the Month October 2018 Parodia and Notocactus Article and photos by Tom Glavich Notocactus and Parodia are now generally considered to be the same genus, and in modern references all Notocactus have been moved into Parodia. The original distinguishing characteristic was the red stigmas in the flowers of Notocactus, and the yellow stigma in those of Parodia. The distinguishing characteristic between the two genera were redefined over time as more and more intermediates were discovered, eventually becoming a minor difference in the attachment of the seed to ovary. If you have a Notocactus, you can enter it this month labeled as a Parodia. Parodia has swept up several other genera, and is likely to grow and swallow a few more as botanical and genetic studies continue. Parodia are South American Cacti, with the center of the genus in Brazil and Argentina, but with members throughout the Eastern side of the Andes. Most are easy to grow, growing freely in the spring through the fall, and going more or less dormant in the fall. Some will flower in mid-winter, and given their native environment, most do better given a little water year round. Some of the more tropical species need protection from colder weather to prevent scarring, but most will take normal Southern California winters without protection. Parodia are easy to grow from seed. Seed is available for nearly all the species, generally with variants from specific localities. It s worth exploring the differences in form and spination by growing the same species from multiple locations. The seedlings look very similar, but diverge more and more as the plants mature. The seed germinates readily and can grow into a show quality plant in just a few years. Vegetative propagation of the clustering types is easy as well. Cuttings taken during the late spring and early summer root readily and show new growth before the season is over. The main difficulties encountered with these plants are the ones common to all cacti: mealy bugs, spider mites, and fungal spots. Mealy bugs can be kept away by keeping the plants clean and keeping ants away from the pots. Spider mites can appear at any time. They can do a lot of damage during the winter when plants are kept dry, and less attention is paid to them. A periodic hosing will help keep spider mites away. A rose miticide will kill them, as will the much less poisonous Volck oil. 7

8 Parodia and Notocactus (continued) Soaking the plants in dish detergent will take care of spider mites, but this is not a recommended treatment if the plants are dormant. Fungal spots and creeping crud (also a fungus common to many South American cacti) growing from the base can be kept at bay by keeping the plants in growth as much as possible, by fertilizing regularly, and by keeping the growing area clean and debris free to allow as much free air movement as possible. Great Parodias Parodia chrysacanthion from Jujuy, Argentina, is a solitary globose species with great spines. Parodia (Notocactus) leninghausii from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is easy to come by and with patience and care becomes a very impressive species. It is nearly columnar, offsetting from the base, with short yellow spines. The growing tip always leans towards the sun (much more so in California than in its native Brazil). Give it root room and lots of fertilizer to grow and spread. Parodia maassii has dense spination, often colored. It is native to Southern Bolivia and Northern Argentina. Parodia penicillata from Northern Argentina has very dense radial spines that stick out from the body. This is a very unusual species that is easy to grow. This is another species whose growing point always points towards the sun, giving the plant a leaning appearance. This can be avoided by frequently turning the plant, or it can be emphasized as part of the unique character of the species. Parodia schumanniana grows to more than a foot in diameter. This is an extremely variable species, always having deep ribs, but very different supination. Parodia mueller-melchersii Photo by Tom Glavich 8

9 Parodia leninghausii from Wikipedia Parodia turecekiana, named after the late Victor Turecek, a long time club member, comes from western Uruguay and northern Argentina. A great species that is readily available. Photo by Tom Glavich Halloween cactus from dreamstime.com 9

10 Succulent of the Month October 2018 Conophytum and flowering Mesembs Article and photos by Tom Glavich Conophytum are one of the most interesting of the Mesembs. They are small plants ranging from single headed specimens that rarely exceed half an inch in diameter to larger clusters that can grow to several inches in diameter. They are winter growers flowering at the start of the growing season, which for California is September through November. Many are relatively easy to grow while some are fiendishly difficult. They want a warm, fairly dry summer rest and a cool wet winter. They go dormant in the late spring to early summer and develop a pale skin that eventually turns papery. When this happens, they want little water, but appreciate an occasional misting. They often grow where summer fogs are common, providing occasional cooling mists. In cultivation a light misting every 10 days or so during the summer months prove beneficial. During fall and spring, weekly watering in fast draining mixes is beneficial and less frequent watering when in slower draining mixes works well. They love being exposed to the rain, but too much of a good thing can lead to split heads and rot. Potting mixes vary from straight pumice to a mix made famous by Steve Hammer and called Mabel Mix. This is one part plaster sand, one part pumice, one part Miracle Grow Water retentive potting mix, and one half part vermiculite. The author has his mature plants in this mix and likes they way they look. They should be lightly fertilized once or twice a year. In habitat these Conophytum often grow in cracks in rocks, where the roots can reach deep and are protected from excess heat. Fog condenses on the rocks and runs into the cracks providing additional water. They can also be found exposed in desert pans and fully exposed in quartz fields. The bilobum and bilobum type species are easiest. They grow fast and are a good entry into Conophytum cultivation. They are hard to kill and are very tolerant of abuse. Some conophytum have very small heads, (less than an eighth of an inch in diameter). These are difficult when young, but easier as they mature into clumps. Although Conophytum is the main focus for this month, there are many other mesembs that are flowering around this time. They are welcome as well. Look for some Lithops, Faucaria, and many others to appear. 10

11 (Conophytum continued) There are three pictures with this article. The first shows a Conophytum bilobum, cultivar Betty, grown for its flowers. The two bilobes are easy to see. Conophytum obcordellum from Ursprung, South Africa. This species, as with many of the Conophytum, has many local forms in cultivation and many cultivars and selections based on pattern and color. Photo by Tom Glavich Photo by Tom Glavich 2018 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS BAKERSFIELD CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 from 10 am to 5 pm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 from 11 am to 3 pm St. Paul s Church, th Street, Bakersfield Free admission and Parking Information: PALOMAR Cactus & Succulent Society FALL SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 from 9 am to 5 pm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 from 10 am to 3 pm San Diego Botanic Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Road, Encinitas Information: brita_miller@yahoo.com or

12 San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society Workshops February... Pelargonium March... Rebutia, Sulcorebutia, and Weingartia April... Spring Seed Workshop May... Vegetative Propagation June... Coryphantha and Escobaria July... Staging and Show Preparation August...Sansevieria September... Ariocarpus October...Winter Seed Workshop November... Conophytum and flowering Mesembs Plant of the Month: Cacti Plant of the Month: Succulent Feb Single Head Mammillaria Mar Rebutia, Sulcorebutia, and Weingartia Apr Small cactus staged as mini May Buiningia and Uebelmannia June Coryphantha and Escobaria July Echinocereus Aug Favorite cactus Sept Ariocarpus Oct Parodia and Notocactus Nov Best staged Cactus Pelargonium Aeonium Small succulent staged as mini Gasteria Euphorbia not endemic to Madagascar Sansevieria Favorite succulent Fouquieria Conophytum and flowering Mesembs Best staged Succulent 12

13 MINI SHOW RESULTS FROM SEPTEMBER 2018 MEETING Open Division Cactus First place Cindy Arakaki Ariocarpus fissuratus Second place Frank Nudge Ariocarpus agavoides Third place Frank Nudge Ariocarpus retusus furfuraceus Third place Cindy Arakaki Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus Intermediate Division Cactus First place Louise Stack Ariocarpus retusus Novice Division Cactus First place Richard Salcedo Ariocarpus retusus Second place Amanda Erlanson Ariocarpus retusus fat form Third Place Alex Sierra Ariocarpus fissuratus Third place Sharon Sedillo Ariocarpus fissuratus Open Division Succulent First place Manny Rivera Fouquieria diguetii Second place Manny Rivera Fouquieria splendens 13

14 COMMUNIQUE Newsletter of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society c/o Richard Roosman P.O. Box 5222 Huntington Park, CA FIRST CLASS MAIL If you have a cactus or succulent related event that you would like to have announced in the COMMUNIQUE, forward the information to the address below. Please verify the event date. Articles, Notices and Corrections can be sent via to: richardinwalnutpark@msn.com or via mail to: San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society Newsletter Editor, c/o Richard Roosman, P.O. Box 5222, Huntington Park, CA Material must be received by the 20th of the month to be considered for publication in the next issue of the COMMUNIQUE.