Open Gates A publication of the Gates Cactus & Succulent Society February 2011 NEXT MEETING, WEDNESDAY, February 2nd 7:30 PM AT THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MUSEUM I- 10 AT CALIFORNIA STREET IN REDLANDS, CA. Sweepstakes Winner February 2011 Plants of the Month Columnar Cacti, Senecio, Othonna Speaker: Kelly Griffin, Save These Dates: January 29 Aloe Walk at the Jurupa Mts. Discovery Center March 5 Home Tour April 24 29 Biennial Convention of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America From the Editor: That I am writing this is not particularly good news. Mike is in the hospital again, and the doctors are trying to figure out what to do next. I just spoke with him and he s going to have the second angioplasty later today (Wednesday) or tomorrow. We ll keep you updated. You should receive this in time to be reminded of the Aloe Walk at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center on Saturday, January 29. Hope to see you all there. The weatherman seems to think it will be an OK day. Our spring Home Tour will be on March 5. Details are in this publication. Our speaker will be Kelly Griffin. Don t miss his great plants and his talk on Hybridizatrion. It should be extremely interesting. The first Gates Work Shop was a qualified success. We had about 20 people there and I think all got a lot out of an in depth conversation about Aloes. Put the April Seed Work Shop on your calendar. It will be great and we will all go home with planted seedlings. We are moving ahead with plans to co-host the biennial Convention of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America with the San Gabriel Valley C&SS in 2015. You ll hear a lot more about this in the future, it will be an exciting experience for all of us. Don t forget to bring your plants to the mini-show. It s really fun to see your plant along side of others in the same genus. The more the merrier. See you at the meeting! Buck President 951-235-6678 Mike Green Director 909-649-5571 Dan Griffith e-mail: firelab@echinocereus.org Director 909-591-0280 Tony Marino Vice President 909-783-2477 Don McGrew Director 909-875-3607 Rene Hernandez Treasurer 951-369-7180 Karen Roholt Director 909-794-7130 Kim Urman Secretary 909-794-3154 Line Marie Thrane Librarian 951-682-3795 Karen Fleisher Past President 951-360-8802 Buck Hemenway Greeter 951-781-8205 Teresa Wassman Membership 951-369-7180 Karen Roholt Editor 951-360-8802 Buck Hemenway Leadership Team 2011
Mini Show for February Cactus: Columnar Cacti Succulents: Senecios, Othonnas MINI SHOW RESULTS FOR JAN. 2011 CACTI: WHITE SPINED MAMMILLARIA Buck Hemenway judging NOVICE: small, 6 pot or less 1 st Rene Hernandez Mammillaria xaltianguensis 2 nd Rene Hernandez Mammillaria guelzowiana 3 rd Rob McGregor Mammillaria hahniana NOVICE: LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Lois Ritter Mammillaria plumosa 2 nd Phuc Huynh Mammillaria plumosa INTERMEDIATE: small, 6 pot or less 1 st Chris & Karen Mammillaria hahniana Roholt ssp. bravoae INTERMEDIATE LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Karl D. Osborn Sr. Mammillaria plumosa 3 rd Chris & Karen Mammillaria karminskiana Roholt sp. najapensis ADVANCED small, 6" pot or less 1 st Tony Marino Mammillaria elongata minima 2 nd Tony Marino Mammillaria hernandezii 3 rd Tony Marino Mammillaria plumosa ADVANCED LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Joella Olson Mammillaria microthela 2 nd Kim Urman Mammillaria hahniana 2 nd Dennis Kucera Mammillaria formosa 3 rd Tony Marino Mammillaria geminispinus MINI SHOW RESULTS FOR JAN. 2011 SUCCULENTS: ALOES Buck Hemenway judging NOVICE: small, 6 pot or less 1 st Rob McGregor Aloe hybrid Coral Fire NOVICE: LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Rob McGregor Aloe variegata 2 nd Rene Hernandez Aloe cv. Pink Blush 3 rd Rob McGregor Aloe hybrid Dracula s blood INTERMEDIATE: small, 6 pot or less 1 st Alice Beardsley Aloe bellatula 2 nd Chris & Karen Aloe brevifolia Roholt 2 nd Line Thrane Aloe dumetorum 3 rd Karl D. Osborn Sr. Aloe saponaria INTERMEDIATE LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Line Thrane Aloe acculeata 2 nd Karl D. Osborn Sr. Aloe gaster 2 nd Line Thrane Aloe elgonica 3 rd Chris & Karen Aloe jacksonii Roholt 3 rd Line Thrane Aloe saponaria variegated ADVANCED small, 6" pot or less 1 st Tony Marino Aloe bellatula 2 nd Joella Olson Aloe harlana 2 nd Dennis Kucera Aloe jucunda 2 nd Tony Marino Aloe haworthiodes 3 rd Joella Olson Aloe millottii ADVANCED LARGE, over 6" pot 1 st Tony Marino Aloe peglerae 2 nd Kim Urman Aloe distans 3 rd Tony Marino Aloe tauri 3 rd Dennis Kucera Aloe chabaudii Total entries : 43 Aloe Walk Jurupa Mts. Discovery Center January 29, 2011 Yes, that s the same place at 7621 Granite Hill Dr., Riverside, just a new name. We will begin the walk at 9:30 AM from in front of the main office of the Center. Free to all C&SS members. February Speaker Our speaker for February will be Kelly Griffin. Kelly is well-known to many of us, has become famous world-wide, and is a regular presenter at our meetings. His subject this time is Hybridization. He will discuss why do it? How it is done and what to do with all of those plants that don t make the grade. This will be an excellent talk, don t miss it. Of course he will bring many of his succulent plants to sell. Visit the Gates Cactus & Succulent Society at www.gatescss.org Kitchen Duty for February 2011 Karen Roholt, Sandra McCall. Thank you!
Columnar Cacti Buck Hemenway For the purpose of our Mini-Show, these will be all cacti that tend to grow as upright stems, whether they are solitary (one stem) or multiple stems ramifying from the base of the plant or single or multiple stems branching higher up. Any plant genus that ends in the word cereus (aka ceriod ), such as Oreocereus, Pachycereus, Trichocereus etc, is part of this group. We will include all of the upright growing Echinopsis (for the most part the old Trichocereus), Cleistocactus. Basically any cactus that tends to grow relatively tall and relatively skinny. The plant that we are most familiar with is the Saguaro (Carnegia gigantea) which is the largest growing of the columnars in the United States. The Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei) grows prolifically in Northwestern Mexico and on the Baja Peninsula. Both of these plants are very easy to grow in our Inland climate as long as they are planted in very well draining soil. They both grow in the Sonoran desert and as such need some added summer water here, but can be left alone the rest of the year. They and most of the very large ceriods can do well with one good watering per month from July through October when they are good sized. The group tends to be pest free. Just a little inspection once or twice a year will show any evidence of scale or mealy bug. They tend to have very large, and shallow root systems. We always water the areas in which they grow with overhead sprinkling so they can gain as much root growth as possible. Transplanting of nearly all columnar cacti should be done in the heat of the year (from May through September). We do not water the large ones at all during the first summer/winter after planting. They have plenty of reserve energy to begin new root growth before our rainy season. Many of them grow at extreme altitudes in the Andes and their connected mountain ranges. Our weather tends to be a little too hot, but most adapt well after a season or two. The blooms are huge and trumpet shaped on many. The fruits on all are edible and normally delicious. Wait until they begin to turn red or purple in the case of Myrtillocactus. The most satisfying plants in our landscape are the large columnar cacti. Our friend Ed takes a picture of a very large Oreocereus celsianus at 13,000 ft elevation. Echinopsis poco at 11,700 ft elevation Giant hummingbird drinks from Echinopsis atacamensis ssp. pasacana flower at the ruins at Tilcara Argentina
Senecio, Othonna Buck Hemenway These two genera are a part of one of the largest plant families, Asteraceae (Compositae) nominally, the daisy family, which has more than 1,300 genera and 21,000 species. Most of the family is considered to be non-succulent, but the two genera that are the subject of this month s min-show are succulent, for the most part. The family is found all over the world, but our two genera are mainly African and Madagascan in origin. Senecio is a very large genus of more than 1,500 species. They range from herbs to small trees, but all can be described as succulent in some way stems, leaves or roots. Most of our collection plants have similar ray-like flowers that appear to be gathered at the base of the flower and with stamens exerted in a variety of colors from white to bright red. Many have succulent stems that are mostly round and succulent leaves that have shapes that range from pea-like (Senecio rowleanus) to nasturtium-like (Senecio oxyriifolius ssp tropaeolifolius) or lance-like (Senecio talinoides and ssp). Nearly all of the species self propagate by branching or sending underground offshoots. Most are very easy to grow in our area. They all will grow well with a little shade and many have tolerance for our hot summers. They will all stand a frost, but most will not take a hard freeze. They are primarily winter growing plants. Flowers can be seen on various species from fall through spring, and are usually showy and attractive. Othonna are attractive stem succulents that originate in southern Africa. They are mostly smallish shrubs with summer deciduous leaves. It is always a wonder to see the leaves re-emerge in the fall after having fallen during the heat of summer. Care must be taken to avoid overwatering them when they are in their dormant period. Beautiful yellow daisy-like flowers are plentiful in winter and spring. They are easy to grow as long as one does not try to force them to grow in summer. Both of these genera are generally pest free. Aphids like the new growing tips of the senecios in spring and summer, but are easily controlled. Senecio barbertonicus (mid-winter flower) Senecio pendulus (red) and Senecio rowleanus (String of Pearls) flowers. String is very fragrant Othonna euphorbioides with O. capensis flower
DUES for 2011. Our annual dues are due now. Your Board of Directors has voted to keep the dues for members who receive their Newsletter notification by e-mail the same at $15.00 per year. For those who receive their Newsletter by postal service, the dues for 2011 will be $25.00. The actual cost for printing and delivering the postal newsletter is more than $16.00 per year. See the last page for mail-in form. Help for our Library The owner of the web site www.cactiguide.com, Daiv Freeman, has started an on-line book store. The address of the book store is www.exoticplantbooks.com. Daiv has offered us a way to help our library. If any of our members buy a book from Exotic Plant Books, they can opt to have Exotic Plant Books donate 10% of the purchase price to Gates C&SS as a store credit. You will be asked as part of the checkout process, which society you would like to associate with. All you need to do is click on Gates C&SS and the credit will automatically post to the Gates account. This costs the purchaser nothing, it is there because the owner of the site has a strong feeling that the clubs are the backbone of the cactus hobby and wants to support them in any way that he can. 2011 Plants of the Month February Columnar Cacti Senecio, Othonna March Coryhantha, Escobaria Dudleya April Echinocereus Echeveria May Thelocactus, Stenocactus Agave June Astrophytum Stem Succulent Euphorbia July Photography Photography August Ferocactus, Echinocactus Lithops September Opuntiaceae Sanseviera October Crests, Monstrose, Variegates Crests, Monstrose, Variegates Dead Plant Dead Plant November Annual Auction December Christmas Party 2011 Work Shops, Held at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center 7:00 PM. Bring your favorite specimen or plants to find names for. April 19 June 21 September 20 Seed Workshop. How to and hands on learning experience JMDC Gardeens. Tour the gardens and learn about the plants there Vegetative Propagation. Learn how and do it Notes on Plants of the Month As a follow-up to last month s notes on this subject, I want to let all of our newer members know that we hope that they will participate in this part of our club s activities. It is by far the most rewarding of the things that we do in the Cactus & Succulent hobby. For reference, we mentioned www.desert-tropicals.com last month. Take a look at www.cactiguide.com. This is the best site for identifying cacti and the discussion forums are the best on the internet. Nothing beats a good book. Take a look at the club s library. It is an excellent reference source to help you understand the plants that you are growing. Is it a Winter Grower, how high does it grow (elevation wise) and how much rainfall is there where it grows? When does it bloom? The answers to all of these questions and more are found in the reference books in your library. Buck
2011 Field Trips/Tours March 5 May 7 Home Tour. Visit the Platzers, UCR Botanic Gardens, Roholts, and finish at Blocks More details in this issue. Field Trip to California Cactus Center and California Nursery Specialties. Bus trip, the club pays for the bus, you only pay for lunch. CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS FOR 2011 January 29, 2011 The Aloe Walk at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center. The walk starts at 9:30 AM from in front of the Center s office. February 12, 2011 San Diego C&SS Winter Show - Balboa Park, Room 101, San Diego, CA.. For Information call 858-382-1797 March 26 & 27, 2011 Hemenway annual Garden Tour & Sale. April 19, 2011 April 24-29, 2011- Gates Workshop, Seed propagation The Biennial Convention of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America (CSSA) in San Diego. See flyer. May 7 & 8, 2011 - Sunset C&SS Show and Sale Veterans Memorial Center, Garden Room 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA. For information call. 310-822-1783 May 20 & 21, 2011 June 4 & 5, 2011 - Annual Gates C&SS Show and Sale, Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center San Diego C&SS Summer Show and Sale Balboa Park, Room 101, San Diego, CA For information call 858-382-1797 June 12 &13, 2011 - Los Angeles C&SS Plant Show and Sale 11th 9-5, 12th 9-3:30 Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd. Encino, CA. For information call Sandy Chase 818-367-0864 June 21, 2011 Gates Workshop, the gardens of the Discovery Center July 1 3, 2011 - CSSA Show and Sale, Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens July 29 31, 2011 - Orange County C&SS Summer Show and Sale. Sale July 29, 30 & 31 10am To 4pm each day. Show: Sat. and Sun.10 Am To 4 Pm. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Rd. Fullerton, CA. Contact Vince Basta 714-267-4329 August 20 21, 2011 26th Annual Intercity Show and Sale. The La County Arboretum, 301 No. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA.. For information call Tom Glavich at 626-798-2430 Or John Matthews at 661-297-5364 September 3, 2011 - Huntington Botanical Gardens. Succulent Symposium All Day at The Huntington September 20, 2011 Gates Workshop, vegetative propagation. September 25, 2011 Long Beach Cactus Club - Annual Plant Auction 18127 South Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez, CA 12:00 p.m. November 4 & 5, 2011 San Gabriel Valley C&SS. Winter Show and Sale--- The La County Arboretum, 301 No. Baldwin Ave.,Arcadia, CA.. December 2-4, 2011 Orange County C&SS Summer Show and Sale. Sale Dec 2, 3, 4 10am To 4pm each day. Show: Sat. and Sun.10 Am To 4 Pm. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Rd. Fullerton, CA. Contact Vince Basta 714-267-4329
GATES CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY HOME TOUR March 5, 2011 This is the first Home Tour of 2011. These 4 places are full of succulent plants and most of the plants are at their very best in late winter/spring. We will all enjoy the Platzers beautiful yard. The succulent plantings are over 40 years old and are in fabulous health due to their wonderful care of them. The UCR Botanic Gardens has many close ties to the Gates C&SS. Not only are Steve Morgan (Curator) and Ann Platzer (succulent propagation) active participants in our club these days, but a number of people in the past have contributed greatly to the succulent collection in the Gardens. On top of that our own Dennis Kucera was the first manager of the gardens and over his 28 years there was the prime moving force in the current direction of the gardens. Dennis wants to share his intimate knowledge of the plants and how they arrived there with us. The Roholts garden is one that any of us can relate to. On a regular city block, they have gradually turned their yard into a succulent wonderland. Now that they are retired, we will see many terrific changes. The Blocks 2+ acres is a botanic masterpiece. Richard has hundreds of fruit trees, succulents and other fabulous plants growing in his own private canyon. It is worth the trip, just for this great landscape. Arrive at the Platzers (A) at 9:00 AM. Plan to come even earlier if you want To take cuttings from some of Ann s plants 8:00 is not too early. 4205 Carney Ct., Riverside 951-784-2236 This is letter A. Exit at the Central/Watkins exit from the I-215, SR 60 freeway. Turn north (under the freeway from eastbound and right turn if westbound) Drive down Watkins until the first chance to turn right. Turn on Mt. Vernon to Broadbent and turn left and left on Carney Ct. This is Letter B 4600 Picacho Dr, Riverside, CA UCR Botanic Gardens. From Platzers, turn left on Broadbent Dr, left on Watkins and drive to Picacho Dr. Turn into Picacho and follow it until you see the sign for Schneider House. Follow the driveway and through the house parking area into the field. You will be directed where to park. We will arrive at UCR at about 10:00 or so. Plan to spend 1 ½ hours or until 11:30 there.
Roholts 835 Kentwood Dr., Riverside, 951-369-7180 Plan to arrive at about 11:45. We will stay for 45 minutes. Letter A From UCR, drive north on Watkins to Spruce St. Turn right on Spruce across the tracks and right on Kentwood. You can also exit the I-215/60 freeway at Blaine St and drive north to Watkins. Blocks 424 2 Trees Rd., Riverside, CA 951-683-8762 Plan to arrive at about 12:30. We ll have lunch here. Plan to spend at least 1 hour here. Letter A From Roholts return to Watkins, turn left to Blaine St and turn left. Follow Blaine to Belvedere Dr, bear left to 2 Trees Rd. and bear right to the end of the street. You may also taek the Blaine St. exit from the I-215/60 freeway turning north and following the above.
From: Gates Cactus & Succulent Society 5890 Grinnell Dr Riverside, CA 92509 FIRST CLASS MAIL