COMMUNIQUE. San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society. In This Issue

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1 San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE An Affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America January 2017 Volume 50, Number 01 The next meeting of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society will be Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 pm in Ayres Hall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month. Mini-Show Plants for January Cactus: Mammillaria clusters Succulent: Agaves 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. Cactus and Succulent Workshop Wednesday, January 18 Topic: Othanna and Senecio The C&S Workshop will meet on in the Palm Room at the Los Angeles Arboretum at 7:30 pm The workshop is an informal, hands-on learning experience that is fun for the expert and novice alike. Come and learn from the experience of others. We are happy to share our knowledge. Workshops are held the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Palm Room at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia. In This Issue This Month s Program 2 & 3 Cacti of the Month Article:... 4 & 5 Plant of the Month & Workshop Information. 6 Succulent of the Month Article Holiday Party Photos... 8 Desert Forum at the Huntington... 9 Calendar of Upcoming Event.10 & 11 1

2 Dudleya: Succulent Diversity in Our Own Backyard John Martinez and Nils Schirmacher Our local mountains are home to a plentiful and varied assortment of Dudleya. Each of the 11 species and 6 subspecies inhabiting the Santa Monica and San Bernardino Mountains can be found within an hour s drive from central Los Angeles. For the past two years, John Martinez and Nils Schirrmacher have photographed these succulents in habitat, trekking slopes and canyons to uncover our native treasures. Their introduction to the breadth of local Dudleya will feature their photos and impart lessons learned in the field. John currently lives in Moorpark with his wife Linda and is a retired Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief. He is a member of the San Fernando Valley Bromeliad Society, the Los Angeles CSS, San Gabriel Valley CSS, a founding member of the newly formed Conejo CSS, and a past volunteer at the Huntington Botanical Garden. John has a deep fondness for nature and has been growing xeric plants most of his adult life. Over the past 6 years he has shared a co-op succulent growing compound in Somis with three experienced growers of cactus, succulents, and other exotics. Aside from maintaining his plant collection, John s time is divided between gardening, golf, photography, occasional fly fishing, and grandchildren. As a native of Southern California John attended California State University of Northridge, where he received a Bachelor s Degree in Art. The article on this month s presentation is continued on the next page. 2

3 Nils Schirrmacher has been collecting succulents since 1999, the year he joined the CSSA. In 2005, he became a member of the Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society and currently serves as club historian. From his Los Angeles apartment, he s building a collection of seedgrown plants that includes members of the Aizoaceae, or mesembs. This pursuit lead to his joining the Mesemb Study Group in Nils holds a Master's Degree in Art from UC Irvine and has had several gallery exhibitions of his work. By day, he works as an art handler. SGVC&SS LEADERSHIP TEAM Tom Vermilion, President Gunnar Eisel, Past President Horace Birgh, Vice President Louise Guerin, Secretary Margie Wilson, Treasurer Rebecca Mallonee, Director Mary Brumbaugh, Director Jean Mullens, Director Gunnar Eisel, Director Dean Elzinga, 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 Mary Brumbaugh, Membership Chair Cindy Arakaki, Librarian Richard Roosman, Newsletter Editor **Note ** Membership Dues are Due! Your 2017 Club membership renewal can be paid at the next meeting or mailed direct to Mary Brumbaugh, 2123 Pinehurst St., Glendora, CA Regular membership is $20 per year or $30 if you request the Communique by mail. Make checks to SGVCSS. 3

4 San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society Cacti of the Month January Mammillaria Clusters Article and photos by Tom Glavich Mammillaria is one of the larger genera in the Cactus family, and one of the most variable, with some members remaining as solitary columns for their entire lives, some remaining as fingernail size solitary globulars, some clumped and heavily spined with hooks, straight sharp spines or feathery soft spines. Although most Mammillaria are native to Mexico, some species in the genus can be found from Columbia to Kansas and California. With this wide distribution the cultivation requirements obviously vary considerably. The species from the tropics and warmer areas are rarely tolerant of cold and damp. Those from the drier desert regions are also intolerant of continued damp but can take considerable cold. With these restrictions aside, most Mammillaria are easy to grow. The secrets to good growth are a continued supply of fertilizer during the growing season, strong light, and maintenance of a clean and insect-free growing environment. The white and densely spined species want full sun, and do best on a table unprotected (except from prolonged heavy rain) all year long. The appearance of white mealy bug egg cases (Mammillaria s worst enemy) on the tips of the spines or the appearance of ants means that mealy bugs are sucking the sap and life of the plant. Immediate treatment is required with a thorough washing and spraying with an insecticide. Propagation of Mammillaria clusters is easy. Cuttings can be taken at any time during the growing season (April to early November), left to dry for a few days and replanted in a clean potting mix (pure pumice is even better). Rooting is rapid with short white roots generally appearing after a couple of weeks. Mammillaria are one of the easiest species to grow from seed. The seeds are simply placed on top of a damp potting mix, covered with a light coating of gravel, placed in a plastic bag in bright light but out of direct sun and allowed to germinate. Germination usually occurs in a week or 10 days. The seedlings can stay in the plastic bag for several weeks until they get large enough to survive unprotected and should then be removed to a still shaded, but brighter and drier environment. Show quality plants can often be grown in just 4 or 5 years and entries can be ready for seedling classes in as little as 6 months. Best results are obtained when the seeds are started in late March to late May. 4

5 Clumping Mammillaria Mammillaria baumii is a densely spined species with wonderful large yellow flowers. It is easy to grow, and makes an impressive specimen in a modest size pot. It comes from Tamaulipas and Mexico. Mammillaria duwei, is from central Mexico. At first it is slow to pup, but persistence and patience pays off. Mammillaria elongata, one of the first cacti that everyone grows, is easy and extraordinarily tolerant of abuse. It has the odd characteristic of being very popular and also unfairly neglected since advanced growers ignore this easy grower even though there are a variety of forms and colors, many of which can make a spectacular plant. Mammillaria geminispina, is a variable species with some varieties having short white spines while others have long flexible centrals. Mammillaria herrerae is a spectacular small white species with very dense interlacing spines. It comes from Queretaro Mexico. Mammillaria lenta, from Coahuila, forms mounds of offwhite to white. Slower growing than the somewhat similar M. plumosa, described below, it is often a show winner. Mammillaria crucigera (see above photo) produces clumps by splitting dichotomously (each head splitting into two). The body ranges from green to almost brown to almost purple. This species is a slow grower. Mammillaria luethyi from Coahuila, and discovered in 1997, is now available in cultivation. It is a breath-taking miniature with very short white spines on a dark green body. Mammillaria plumosa is a relatively quick grower forming mounds of white heads. The heads are covered with white feathery spines which must be kept dry if the color is to be maintained. Mammillaria standleyi can be found as either a single or clumping species. In cultivation, clumping forms are much more common. It is a rapid grower. Editor s note: Lynee Levin-Guzman displayed a Dioscorea elephantipes at the SGVCSS Winter Show and Sale. The photo was in the December Communique, but she was not given credit. 5

6 Mammillaria magnimamma photo by Tom Glavich 2017 Cactus and Succulent Workshops Jan Otthona and Senecio Feb Caudiciforms and Medusoid Mar Crests and Monstrose Apr Spring Seed Workshop May Vegetative Propagation Jun Staging Workshop July Echinopsis Aug Member Photo Tour Sep Astrophytum Oct Mesembryanthemum Nov Winter Seed Workshop Dec None Plant of the Month Cacti Plant of the Month Succulent Jan Mammillaria clusters Agave Feb Copiapoa and Eriosyce Tylecodon and Cotyledon Mar Crests Crests and Monstrose Apr Cephaliated Cacti Haworthia May Miniatures Pachypodium June Echinopsis Miniatures July Monotypic Cacti Adenium Aug Favorite cactus Favorite succulent Sept Astrophytum Bursera and Commiphora Oct Columnar Cacti Mesembryanthemum Nov Variegated Cacti Variegated Succulents 6

7 San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society Succulent of the Month January Agaves Article by Tom Glavich The Agave family, like the Cactaceae family, is entirely new world in origin, although many members have been naturalized around the world. Agaves are native to Southern North America, Mexico, Central America, Northern South America and the West Indies. There are dwarf forms just a few inches across, but most species are larger, spanning the range of 8 inches to 10 feet. Although many members of this genus grow very large with age, they are particularly good looking as seedlings and can be kept small for many years in pots. All of the species described below are easily grown in Southern California. They can remain unprotected in pots or the ground year-round. They thrive with regular feeding with any general-purpose fertilizer. They appear best when they are cleaned regularly with debris removed from the leaves and dead leaves removed to prevent insects from making homes. Many offset freely and these offsets can be removed and repotted, giving a steady supply of small plants. Some growers keep the offsets and dispose of the mother plant, thereby keeping size, health and condition under control. Some Agaves will get sunken spots on the leaves when grown in pots. This blemish takes several years to heal and can be avoided by pruning the roots back to about 1/3 of their length and then repotting. All Agaves are easily grown from seed - the difficulty for most species is in getting seed. Increasing interest in the genus has made this easier with many species now available on some of the better seed lists. There still are many species and cultivars that are not available. Seed should be started when the weather turns warm and night temperatures are consistently above 50 F. This allows constant growth through the first summer, and prevents seedling loss. There is increasing interest in variegated agaves as well as monstrose and crested agaves. All of these are welcome at this month s meeting. Agave victoriae-reginae Photo from Wikipedia Agave lophantha Photo from richardsgardencenter.com 7

8 Gunnar receives a Cyphostemma betiforme as a thanks for his service as president. The band playing at the holiday party. 8

9 DESERT FORUM, HUNTINGTON LIBRARY Saturday, January 14, 2017 Schedule of Events 9:00 am to 9:45 am Registration Bring your CSSA or affiliated club badge or membership card for free admission to the Huntington. In order to receive free admission, you must arrive by 9:45. Late arrivers will need to pay for Huntington admission. 9:00 am to 11:00 am Desert Garden Knowledgeable staff and docents will be stationed throughout the Desert Garden and Desert Conservatory. Aloes will be flowering. 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Plant Sales (exclusively for CSSA members and club members.) The gate by the Teaching Greenhouse will be open for plant sales. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted. Please: No Early Bird shopping and no shopping after 1:00. 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Free Time Attendees are welcome to tour the gardens and galleries beginning at 10:00 am Lunch The café in the visitor center features a variety of sandwiches and grilled items. The tea room at Liu Fang Yuan is a lovely option for fresh Chinese food. The coffee shop by the bookstore offers a small selection of premade options. 9

10 2017 CACTUS AND SUCCULENT CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS UPDATED 12/9/2106 ANY CHANGES FEB. 11: SAN DIEGO CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY, SPRING SHOW AND SALE BALBOA PARK, ROOM 101, SAN DIEGO, CA INFO MAR : ORANGE COUNTY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SPRING SHOW AND SALE THURS. 23RD 6-8PM---FRI. MAR. 24TH 9-7PM---SAT. MAR. 25TH S. State College Bl., (Anaheim United Methodist Church) Anaheim, CA INFORMATION CALL APR. 8-9: SOUTH COAST CACTUS AN SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW & SALE SOUTH COAST BOTANICAL GARDENS, CRENSHAW BLVD., PALOS VERDES, CA INFO: APR. 29: HUNTINGTON PLANT SALE 1:00 pm TO 5:00 pm HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GAR- DENS, 1151 OXFORD ROAD, SAN MARINO, CA MAY 5-6: SUNSET CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE VETERANS MEMORI- AL CENTER, GARDEN ROOM 4117 OVERLAND AVE., CULVER CITY, CA. INFO MAY 7: SOUTH BAY EPIPHYLLUM SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE---9am to 4pm SOUTH COAST BONTANICAL GARDENS, INFO MAY 12-13: GATES CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY 35TH SHOW AND SALE FRI & SAT 9-4:30 pm, at LAND SCAPES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE 450 E. ALESSANDRO BLVD., RIVERSIDE, CA INFO MAY LONG BEACH CACTUS CLUB PLANT SHOW AND SALE 10-4 pm RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS, 6400 BIXBY HILL ROAD, LONG BEACH, CA INFO MAY CENTRAL COAST CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW & SALE (10-4PM), LUDWICK CENTER, 864 SANTA ROSA SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA INFO , JUNE 3-4 SAN DIEGO CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY-- SUMMERSHOW & SALE BALBOA PARK, ROOM 101, SAN DIEGO, CA INFO

11 JUNE 10-11: LOS ANGELES CACTUS and SUCCULENT SOCIETY PLANT SHOW AND SALE JUNE 10: th 9-3 SEPULVEDA GARDEN CENTER, MAGNOLIA BLVD., ENCINO, CA. INFO. JUN 30:-JUL 2 CSSA ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS 1151 OXFORD ROAD, SAN MARINO, CA PLANTS SALES START JUNE 30TH THRU JULY 2ND. SHOW OPENS JULY 1ST THUR JULY 2ND JULY 20-22: ORANGE COUNTY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SUMMER SHOW AND SALE. THURS. 20TH 6-8pm, FRI. JULY 21ST 9am-7pm, SAT. 22ND 9-5pm 1000 S. State College Bl., (Anaheim United Methodist Church) Anaheim, CA INFORMATION CALL JULY 26-31: CSSA CONVENTION, TEMPE, AZ. AUG : 32ND ANNUAL INTERCITY SHOW AND SALE AT THE LA COUNTY ARBORETUM, 9am-5pm daily. 301 NO. BALDWIN AVE., ARCADIA, CA. INFO. CALL TOM GLAVICH or JOHN MARTINEZ SEPT. 2: HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS SUCCULENT SYMPOSIUM. ALL DAY AT THE HUNTINGTON SEPT. 3: LONG BEACH CACTUS CLUB ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION -12-5PM RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS, 6400 BIXBY HILL ROAD, LONG BEACH, CA INFO Oct. 7-8: BAKERSFIELD CACTUS and SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW & SALE SAT SUN ST. PAUL S CHURCH, th STREET BAKERSFIELD, CA FREE ADDMISSION & PARKING, INFO OCT : PALOMAR SHOW AND SALE SAT 9-5, SUN 10-4, SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GAR- DENS. 230 QUAIL GARDENS ROAD, ENCINITAS, CA INFO hciservices@gmail.com NOV. 4-5: SAN GABRIEL CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY 9am-4pm BOTH DAYS SHOW AND SALE---LA COUNTY ARBORETUM 310 NO. BALDWIN, ARCADIA, CA MANNY RIVERA or JOHN MATTHEWS List complied by Jim and Roberta Hanna 11

12 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 last Thursday of the month to be considered for publication in the next issue of the COMMUNIQUE.