San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE An Affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America January 2019 Volume 52, Number 1 The next Cactus and Succulent WORKSHOP will meet Wednesday, January 16 at 7:30 pm in the Palm Room at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Topic: Tylecodon and Cotyledon THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY WILL BE THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 at 7:30 pm in AYRES HALL at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia. President's Message Happy New Year, folks! 2019 will be an exciting year for us. It starts with our Winter Show and Sale on January 12 and 13 th. This is the first C&S show of the year. Please help us by volunteering to help and showing off your wonderful plants. Our January meeting will be in Ayres hall during the Winter Show set-up. NOTE: Due to logistics, (cont. Mini Show Plants for Thursday, January 10 Cactus: Astrophytum Succulent: Tylecodon and Cotyledon IN THIS ISSUE President s Message pages 1 & 2 Club Information...page 2 Refreshment Reminder.. page 3 This Month s Program.......page 4 SGVCSS Winter Show...... pages 5 & 6 POM and Workshop topics......page 7 POM Astrophytum...pages 8, 9, and 10 POM Tylecodon and Cotyledon pages 11, 12, &13 Desert Forum at the Huntington...page 14 Calendar of Upcoming Events pages 15, 16, 17, & 18 1
page 2) there will be NO club vendor sales the night of the meeting. We have two field trips planned so far. One is an overnight road trip to Cima Dome National Preserve with a few site trips near Las Vegas. We also have a bus trip planned for the San Diego Summer Show and Sale with a side trip to Oasis Water Efficient Gardens. The dates of the trips will be announced at the next meeting. This is also the year of the CSSA Convention in San Luis Obispo. We have a busy year ahead of us! See you soon, Gunnar 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 2019 Gunnar Eisel, President Tom Vermilion, Past President Sharon Sedillo, Vice President Louise Guerin, Secretary Margie Wilson, Treasurer Shaun Adams, Director 2019-2020 Kal Kaminer, Director 2019-2020 James Lemos, Director 2019-2020 Irene Chew, Director 2018-2019 Richard Salcedo, Director 2018-2019 Donn Muhleman, Director 2018-2019 Tom Glavich, Inter-City Show Chair Manny Rivera, Winter Show Chair John Matthews, Winter Sales 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 91007 Make checks payable to SGVCSS 2
REFRESHMENTS For JANUARY, if your last name begins with A or B, 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 A or B REFRESHMENTS SCHEDULE February last name beginning with C or D March last name beginning with E, F, or G April last name beginning with H, I, or J May last name beginning with K or L June last name beginning with M or N July last name beginning with O, P, Q, or R August last name beginning with S or T September last name beginning with U, V, W, X, Y, or Z 3
Presentation for January: Keith Taylor Keith Taylor began collecting caudiciform succulents in 1991 after seeing a large Cyphostemma juttae in the ground at a local botanical garden. "I was drawn to the size and grotesque shape of the trunk". The Cyphostemma he saw is also the first succulent he purchased. His collection now has more than 800 plants. He grows in plastic pots and raised beds. Keith prefers his succulents to look like habitat specimens rather than cultivated plants. He grows them hard, meaning limited water, little to no feeding and hot sun to give them the look of collected plants. In 2008, Keith began creating pots to show off his plants. He believes the pot should complement, not distract. The main focus should be the succulent. If the pot is too ornate, colorful, or shiny, it draws your eye toward the pot rather than the succulent. Also proportion plays a roll. Rocks and top dressing add to complete the presentation. His pottery is sought after by C&S collectors as well as bonsai artists. Keith will bring plants from his collection and demonstrate his techniques in staging plants. 4
Our 25th ANNUAL WINTER SHOW Our winter show is Saturday, January 12; and Sunday, January 13. That means a lot of our winter growers (Pelargoniums, Sarcocaulons, Tylecodons, Othonnas, Aloes, Conophytums, and Haworthias) are awake and growing with the cooler, longer nights. The Show is the fundraiser for our monthly meetings, guest speakers, holiday party, refreshments for show participants, books, etc. Please support our show! Volunteer, bring plants to show, bring your friends and show them your plants, invite them to the sales area, and tell them about our great society. Remember we need volunteers. We will need plenty of volunteers on Thursday morning, January 10, beginning at 8:30 am. But we also need volunteers Friday, January 11, as well as the Saturday and Sunday show days. Show and sale plants are welcome on Thursday from noon to 9:00 pm. All show plants must be in by Friday January 11 at 4:00 pm. Also, clerks and helpers are needed Friday during judging, which begins at 5:00 pm. It s fun! It gives you the opportunity to hear the judges comments and learn more about the show. The sales area will be open for workers and participants from about 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Friday, January 11 Plants not paid for by 5:00 pm will be placed back in the sales area. There are more volunteer opportunities in the sales and show areas on Saturday and Sunday, January 12 and 13 Trophy Winners: if you have a trophy from last year s show please return it. To volunteer or for answers to questions call Manny Rivera (Winter Show Chair) at 626-780-6857. See you there! 5
The 25th Annual Winter Show Show Schedule Set-up is Thursday, January 10 from 8:30 am to noon (set up tables, show & sales area). Exhibitors and vendors may bring in plants on Thursday from noon to 9 pm. Plant entries are from noon to 9:00 pm Thursday and Friday from 9 am till 4 pm Plant Pre-sale for workers and participants is Friday, January 11 from around 1 pm to 5 pm. Judging begins Friday from 5 pm till 9 pm. Show hours for Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13 are from 9 am to 4 pm. Take down is Sunday, January 13 from 4 pm until close. Show Dinner and Auction The show dinner will be Saturday, January 12 in Ayres Hall beginning at 5:30. The auction will begin after dinner. Dinner will be a special meal, prepared by Richard Jones Pit BBQ Catering. The menu will include three meats: chicken breast, beef brisket (cooked for 16 hours) and pork spare ribs. Dinner will offer 4 side dishes: BBQ beans, green beans & almonds, mixed green salad, and seasoned vegetable medley. Also included are rolls, butter, BBQ sauce, beverage, and apple cobbler for dessert. Total cost is $25 per person. There will be an awards presentation, auction, and lots of fun. All dinner reservations and payment must be made by or before the meeting Thursday, January 10 so the caterer will know how many to prepare food for. Please pay Margie Wilson (Treasurer) at the meeting or mail a check made out to SGVCSS for $25 per person to: Margie Wilson, 501 San Luis Rey Road, Arcadia Ca 91007 or call 626-821-9254 6
Plant of the Month: Cacti Plant of the Month: Succulent Jan Astrophytum Tylecodon and Cotyledon Feb Straight spine Mammillaria Mar Ferocactus Apr Small cactus staged as miniature May Turbinocarpus, Gymnocactus June Gy,mocalycium July Copiapoa Aug Favorite cactus Sept Ariocarpus Aloe Haworthia Small succulent staged as miniature Echeveria Stem Euphorbia Pachypodium from Madagascar and Plumeria Favorite succulent Caudiciform Oct Grafted cacti Grafted succulent Nov Crested and Monstrose Cacti Crested and Montrose Succulent San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society Workshops January.. Tylecodon and Cotyledon February... Aloe March... Haworthia April... Spring Seed Workshop May...Vegetative Propagation June... Copiapoa July... Staging workshop August...Gymnocalycium September... Caudiciforms October...Grafting November... Winter Seed Workshop 7
CACTUS OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2019: ASTROPHYTUM Article and photos by Tom Glavich Astrophytum are often one of the first cacti that collectors buy. They are inexpensive and available in discount stores, groceries, and home centers. How can anyone resist the special Bishop s Cap? More than a few show plants started out this way but most are soon dead. Keeping seedlings alive for the first year or so is much more difficult than maintaining a mature plant. Growing a perfect 10 or 20-year-old specimen plant is a challenge few growers can master. Fortunately the genus offers rewards and surprises at every level between novice and master making it one of the most popular genera of cacti. Astrophytum are native to Southern Texas and Northern to Central Mexico. They grow in very arid regions in porous mineral soils. One of the cultivation difficulties with Astrophytum is their tendency to split open from sudden increases in soil moisture level. To avoid this, keep them in a soil that is very quick to drain and which has little organic matter. A mixture of pumice and gravel with only a little potting soil is best for these plants. The roots are designed to pump up as much moisture as possible in as short a time as possible from infrequent rains. In a slow draining potting mix, they will do this very effectively and the body of the plant will swell, but the skin will not. Eventually the body pressure gets too great and the skin cracks. There are currently six recognized species. There are also varieties of the species, cultivars, and hybrids, all worth growing. Growers in Japan, and more recently in Thailand and China, have developed some spectacular clones cultivars and hybrids. The Japanese cultivars of Astrophytum asterias are sold under the name of Astrophytum Super Kabuto and Astrophytum Miracle Kabuto. Some of these special clones with intricate patterns can sell for more than $100. After a few years of propagation, the price drops to levels that most can afford. Look for some of these special clones at upcoming shows and sales. Hybrids between all the species are possible and are more frequently available. 8
Astros: ASTROPHYTUM (continued) Astrophytum asterias is the smallest of the species. It is the hardest to grow well, prone to splitting if over watered. It is the parent plant for many of the best hybrids. It is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of Northern Mexico. It has prominent spineless areoles. Astrophytum capricorne is generally the longest spined species, with spiness that are generally twisted and curved. Although young plants are globular, they soon become ovoid, and eventually columnar. It is widespread in the Chihuahuan Desert. Astrophytum caput-medusae is the most recently discovered species and looks very different from the others, however the flower morphology and DNA have proven its close relationship. Astrophytum coahuilense looks very much like the more common Astrophytum myriostigma, but it is slower growing and generally a larger diameter. Astrophytum myriostigma is the well known Bishops Cap. Although usually five sided, three, four, six, seven and eight sided clones are also cultivated. Spiral forms, are also well known as are some very large clones. A. myriostigma var. columnare can grow to several feet. Astrophytum ornatum from Hidalgo can grow to 12 inches in diameter and three feet in height. The spines are straight, yellow brown, and the woolly areoles tend to come in patches. The pictures below shows a selected forms. 9
Astrophytum Asterias x Astrophytum capricorne Photos by Tom Glavich Astrophytum ornatum 10
SUCCULENT OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2019: TYLECODON and COTYLEDON Tylecodon and Cotyledon are genera in the Crassulaceae Family. Both are winter growers, and generally look their best from late fall through early spring. They are closely related to two other genera, Adromischus and Kalanchoe, and many members of all four families were originally described as Cotyledon. Tylecodon is a relatively new genus first published in 1978. In books published before this date, most plants that we know today as Tylecodon will appear as Cotyledon. Tylecodon is an anagram (rearrangement of the letters) of Cotyledon, reflecting the extremely close relationship between the two genera. In habitat, Tylecodon are generally deciduous, losing their leaves in summer while Cotyledon tend to be evergreen. This is not always the same in cultivation. A more important botanical distinction is the structure of the attachment of flowers to the stem. Tylecodon is almost exclusively confined to South Africa and Namibia, while Cotyledon has a larger range in Africa. Tylecodon are extremely toxic to livestock; farmers and stockmen in South Africa routinely remove every Tylecodon they find. Tylecodon wallichi is one of the main offenders. Cultivation of Tylecodon and Cotyledon is easy. They are all winter growers, dormant in summer. During dormancy they prefer little or no water depending on size. The smaller species need water occasionally as they would get in nature. They should not be fertilized when dormant or their growth will get long and leggy very quickly. Minimal fertilization is best even in winter. Propagation is also easy as almost all root from cuttings. Both genera root best at the beginning of the growing cycle (October through early January). Seed is sometimes available. Best results are obtained by sowing the seed in November, and getting a full winter and most of the first summer before dormancy. 11
SUCCULENT OF THE MONTH TYLECODON and COTYLEDON (continued) Plants of Note: Tylecodon atrofuscus (I Cannot f ind this species on the internet) is one of the best of the dwarf species. The small caudex looks dead for most of the year, sprouting outsize leaves when the first fall rains come. This is one of the species that needs a small amount of summer moisture even though there is no visible growth. Tylecodon buchholzianus is unique among the Tylecodon. It can grow branches without evidence of leaves. Microscopic leaflets perform the function of normal leaves allowing the branches to grow. It is also capable of setting normal leaves in the spring. Once rare, this has been propagated from cuttings and is now fairly easy to find. Tylecodon paniculatus is notable for its fast growth rate, thick trunk and peeling yellow bark. Easy to grow with annual pruning to shape the growth this can become an amazing specimen in just a few years. Tylecodon reticulatus is a medium size species that has the color and peeling bark similar to Tylecodon paniculatus, but makes an excellent smaller bonsai. It is easy to grow and easy to come by. It propagates very easily from cuttings. Tylecodon wallichii has persistent leaf bases that dry to knobby spine like structures. This is one of the most poisonous of all the Tylecodon and one most quickly removed by ranchers and farmers. It holds its leaves as the grasses dry making it particularly attractive to thirsty cattle. Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis has green leaves resembling small paws, with red edges when given enough sun. If the growing tips are pinched frequently, it will eventually grow into an imposing shrub. It is easily propagated from stem cuttings. Cotyledon undulata is a shrub with wavy, white pruinose leaves and thick stems. 12
Top photo Tylecodon paniculatus Photos by Tom Glavich Bottom photo Tylecodon pearsonii 13
14
2019 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS THIS IS A TENTATIVE LIST AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!! SAN GABRIEL VALLLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY WINTER SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 L A County Arboretum, 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia SAN DIEGO CACTUS & SUCCULENT WINTER SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 1548 El Prado, Balboa Park, Room 101, San Diego, CA Information: 619-990-2051 ORANGE COUNTY Cactus & Succulent Society SHOW & SALE THURSDAY, MARCH 21 from 6 pm to 9 pm FRIDAY, MARCH 22 from 9 am to 7 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 23 from 9 am to 6 pm Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 South State College Blvd. in the city of ANAHEIM Information: 562-587-3357 SOUTH COAST Cactus & Succulent Society SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, APRIL 13 from 9 am to 4 pm SUNDAY, APRIL 14 from 9 am to 4 pm South Coast Botanical Gardens 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Information: heidihusnak@gmail.com or www.southcoastcss.org HUNTINGTON PLANT SALE SUNDAY, APRIL 28 from 10 am to 5 pm Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino 15
2019 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS (continued) THIS IS A TENTATIVE LIST AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!! SUNSET CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, MAY 4 SUNDAY, MAY 5 Veterans Memorial Center, Garden Room, 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City. Information: 310-822-1783 SOUTH BAY EPIPHYLLUM SOCIETY SHOW & SALE SUNDAY, MAY 5 from 9 am to 4 pm South Coast Botanical Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes. Information: 310-833-6823 GATES CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW & SALE FRIDAY, MAY 10 from 9 am to 4 pm SATURDAY, MAY 11 from 9 am to 4 pm Church of the Nazarene, 1307 East Citrus Ave., Redlands Information: 909-910-9195 or www.gatesscss.com LONG BEACH CACTUS CLUB SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, MAY 18 from 10 am to 4 pm SUNDAY, MAY 19 from 10 am to 4 pm Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach Information: 562-631-5876 CENTRAL COAST CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW & SALE Saturday, May 25 from 10 am to 4 pm Sunday May 26 from 10 am to 4 pm Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo info: 805-237-2054or www.centralcoastcactus.org 16
2019 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS (continued) THIS IS A TENTATIVE LIST AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!! SAN DIEGO CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SUMMER SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 1 SUNDAY, JUNE 2 1548 El Prado Balboa Park, room 101, San Diego info: 858-382-1797 LOS ANGELES CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 8 from 9 am to 4 pm SUNDAY, JUNE 9 from 9 am to 3 pm Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Ave, Encino Information: www.lacactus.com CSSA ANNUAL SHOW and SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 28 from 10 am to 5 pm (SALE ONLY) SATURDAY, JUNE 29 from 10 am to 5 pm (SHOW & SALE) SUNDAY, JUNE 30 from 10 am to 5 pm (SHOW & SALE) Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino Information: 626-405-3504 ORANGE COUNTY Cactus & Succulent SHOW & SALE THURSDAY, JULY 18 from 6 pm to 9 pm FRIDAY, JULY 19 from 9 am to 7 pm SATURDAY, JULY 20 from 9 am to 5 pm Anaheim United Methodist Church 1000 South State College Blvd. in the City of Anaheim Information: 949-212-8417 17
2019 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS (continued) THIS IS A TENTATIVE LIST AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!! ANNUAL INTERCITY SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 from 9 am to 5 pm SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 from 9 am to 5 pm Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 North Baldwin, Arcadia Information: Tom Glavich 626-798-2430 or John Martinez 805-390-2139 or john6425@gmail.com HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDEN SUCCULENT SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 all day at the Huntington Information: 626-405-3504 LONG BEACH CACTUS CLUB ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 from noon to 5 pm Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach Information: 562-631-5871 BAKERSFIELD CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 from 10 am to 5 pm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 from 11 am to 3 pm St. Paul s Church, 2216 17th Street, Bakersfield Free admission and Parking Information: 661-831-8488 PALOMAR CACTUS 7 SUCCULENT SOCIETY FALL SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 from 10 am to 5 pm SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 from 10 an ti 3 on San Diego Botanic Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Road, Encinitas Information: brita_miller@yahoo.com or 858-776-7216 18
COMMUNIQUE Newsletter of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society c/o Richard Roosman P.O. Box 5222 Huntington Park, CA 90255 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 email 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 90255. Material must be received by the 20th of the month to be considered for publication in the next issue of the COMMUNIQUE.