CACTUS COURIER NewsletterofthePalomarCactusandSucculentSociety

The North San Diego County Cactus and Succulent Society

Volume64,Number5May2018

NEXT MEETING THIS IS A WEEK EARLY DUE TO THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY!

Saturday, May 19th

Park Ave. Community Center 210 Park Ave., Escondido

Brag plants, Exchange Table Benefit Drawing

11:00am–3:00pm

REFRESHMENTS

1 – Heather & Winston Chan

2 – Ginny March

3 – Don Nelson

4 – Vivian Follmer

5 – Sherman Blench

6 – Dawn Pleasant

7 – Anna Devine

Thank you to John Tashjian for bringing in a platter of walnuts &

dates every month he attends, and to the other members who don’t sign

up but always bring food! WE LOVE YOU!

In This Issue Speaker Information p. 1-2

Notices p. 2

Brag Table Winners p. 3-4

Education Section p. 4

Garden Brag Photos p. 5-6

Book Review – Xerophile p. 7

San Diego C&SS Show/Sale Info p. 8

Central Coast C&SS “ “ “ p. 9

Misc. Club Info, 2018 Calendar p. 10

Webpage is STILL under reconstruction! www.palomarcactus.org We’reonFacebook!

This Month’s Presentation:

"Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder: Our Wonderful and Weird Hobby"

By Gunnar Eisel

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 different answers. At first glance, people are surprised at the variety of striking shapes, textures, 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”.

Where can you find Gunnar? In the Mojave Desert with his favorite plants.

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 is currently a full-time music theory and history of music professor at Citrus College in Glendora where his students are occasionally 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) and as past President of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society.

~ Notices ~ FAIR EXHIBIT UPDATE - Thank you to Robert Kopfstein, Kevin Smith, Mike Nelson, Lorie Johansen, Katie Seidenwurm, Sherman Blench, and Russel Ray for volunteering to help on display setup and/or plant setup days, and to Pam Slater who will help water weekly. Also, thanks to Peter, Mike Nelson, Phyllis Fleshig, Annie Morgan, Moni Waiblinger, Lorie Johansen, Pat Hammer, Brita Miller, and Vicky Martin, who will be loaning their plants. However, we still need about 20-25 more. So please contact me, (Annie) at 760-803-8948, or mamx54@gmail.com, for more information or to volunteer your plants, and . . . I will be calling some of you. We can’t do it without the plants!

BRAG TABLE - WOW OH WOW did you come through after a few uninspiring months! In April we had an impressive amount of entries – at all levels – and what a treat it was to enjoy them all! We sure hope that level of participation will continue! And in fact, there were so many great plants that I’m using 1 ½ pages to share as many as I can fit in as I just couldn’t stand to leave some out. Photo to the right is only half of April’s entries!

Spelling & Correct Names – Want to know if the plant name(s) your write on the tag is spelled correctly? Just look at the Brag Plant Winner’s List. MANY names are incorrectly written, and I look up each one my computer doesn’t know. I also add the species if I recognize it.

How are Photos Chosen? This has been asked, so here is my method. If you’ve won a 1st or 2nd, or perhaps several, then you will get at least one photo on the page. If you have several really interesting, beautiful, etc. plants that won, I will add a second photo that I especially like, if there is room. I typically don’t add 3rd place winners due to space, but those entering for the first time or who rarely enter a plant, I try to include a photo.

Errors – Occasionally we make errors, although we work hard to prevent this. If your plant(s) won and got left off the list, please, email me (Annie) ASAP. I’ll make sure to note it in the next newsletter. If I don’t know I can’t do anything about it, and it is definitely not deliberate. Also, we want to make sure all entries are accounted for so that the point totals are correct. Please contact me with any questions. AND, NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR SLIP HOME FROM THE BRAG TABLE, as these are our only record of who entered and who won, and they are also used for the newsletter list in addition to being used for record keeping of the point tabulation for gift plants given in December

Volunteer STILL Needed - This really is a simple job and Brita and Annie have enough other jobs, and don’t have time! Someone please jump right in, this is a club where VOLUNTEERS are the workers. That means one of you! We need to fill this ASAP - someone to set up and take down the projector, help the speaker hook up their computer or thumb drive and test it before the presentation. This is not a difficult task and only takes about 15-20 minutes before the meeting and about 10 minutes afterwards. Training will be provided! Please contact Brita if you have questions or can help out with this important job. p. 2

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AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF SPARSE ENTRIES, THE TABLES AT OUR APRIL MEETING WERE FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL PLANTS, SO I JUST HAD TO TAKE EXTRA ROOM TO SHARE MORE PHOTOS THAN I USUALLY DO. ENJOY!

Novice Cactus 1st Russel Ray Mammillaria plumosa # 1 2nd Heather Chan Opuntia microdasys cristata # 2 3rd Christine Hays Chamaelobivia (Echinopsis) # 3

Intermediate Cactus 1st Kevin Smith Chamaelobivia chamaecereus # 4 2nd John Tashjian Opuntia sulphurea # 5

Advanced Cactus 1st Mike Nelson Melocactus # 6 2nd John Barkley Gymnocalycium # 7 3rd John Barkley Rebutia # 8 3rd John Barkley Gymnocalycium

Novice Succulent 1st Moni Waiblinger Pachypodium succulentum # 9 1st Russel Ray Aloe castilloniae # 10 2nd Russel Ray Crassula corymbulosa # 11 2nd Vicki Martin Echeveria # 12 3rd Russel Ray Crassula 3rd Vicki Martin Pachyveria 3rd Patti Nelson Hechtia tillandsia 3rd Sandy Wetzel-Smith Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’

Intermediate Succulent 1st Brita Miller Euphorbia mammillaria var. variegata “Corn Cob” # 13 1st Neila Rybicki Euphorbia esculenta # 14 2nd Annie Morgan Pachypodium succulentum 3rd Neila Rybicki Adromischus

Advanced Succulent 1st Robert Kopfstein Orthophytum starlight # 15 1st Robert Kopfstein Ledebouria # 16 1st Mike Nelson Euphorbia abdelkuri # 17 2nd Phyllis Flechsig Dudleya edulis # 18

Dish Garden Novice 1st Julie Slater # 19 2nd Pat Hammer # 20 3rd Liz Rozycki # 21

Plant of the Month Novice 1st Tammy Harmon Pelargonium carnosum # 22

Plant of the Month Intermediate 1st Harold Dunn Pelargonium carnosum # 23 2nd Annie Morgan Pelargonium

Plant of the Month Advanced 1st John Barkley Pelargonium cotyledonis 1st John Barkley Pelargonium # 24 2nd John Barkley Pelargonium sulphurea

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by Annie Morgan

MP ROTATORS SPRINKLER HEADS Our April speaker, landscape designer/contracter/horticulturist Steve McDearmon said that he preferred overhead traditional sprinklers when possible, and he used Hunter MP Rotators. As promised, here is some basic information, and a link to the Hunter website where they have a section with lots of informtaion on them for homeowners.

I have used them for many years and find they use much less water, even though you run them longer, and the water is more likely to stay put, even on slopes, because they disperse it more slowly. The water drops are larger, and there is little if any mist that goes where you don’t need it. They cost more initially, but pay for themselves over time, so with our seemingly permanent drought conditions they are a great addition to your garden, where appropriate, and they are certainly much easier than drip irrigation. Here is a link to the MP Rotator section on the Hunter Indestries website:

https://www.hunterindustries.com/product-line/MP%20Rotator

(If you haven’t used a link before, just click on the blue line above and it will open to their website section on the MP Rotators.) From there, click on the box that says “Related Links” and it will take you to a section with everything you could want to know, including short videos, on the MP Rotators. p. 4

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The original MP Rotator with an 8 - 35' radius. It looks like lots of water, but it is much less than traditional heads.

The newest MP 8000 series with a 6' - 16' radius.

Garden Brag Plants

Share a section of your garden, a plant that bloomed in between meetings, or one that is too large or heavy to bring to the Brag

Table. You will earn 1 Brag Point for emailing or texting photo(s), and 3 points for each one printed.

Email Annie, w/plant names, at info@palomarcactus.org. Be sure to include your name.

ONLY STAN YALOF AND DEBORAH PEARSON SENT IN A PHOTO THIS MONTH, SO I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF SHOWING A FEW OF MY OWN, AND SHARING A COUPLE I COULDN’T RESIST FROM THE INTERNET. ENJOY!

Stan Yalof's Echinocereus fendleri with it’s beautiful two-colored flowers.

Annie Morgan's Graptopetalum pentandrum var. superbum. The second photo is one of its very tiny 1/4" flowers.

Annie Morgan's Dyckia platyphylla and its gorgeous orange inflorescences. p. 5

A small section of Annie Morgan's front yard looking its best in midwinter. (No room to share in January so here it is now!

p. 6

I couldn’t help but share this beauty, “A. Mangave Kelly Griffin Style!”

It is a new hybrid developed by Kelly which he shared in the FB group Planet Agave - Agavoideae.

Sure hope it's on the market soon!

Left: No, this isn't in anyone's garden, but wouldn't you love to have it in yours? I found it on FB and again just could not resist sharing. The artist is

Karen Handelsman Sharabi from Israel.

CARDENING! From a FB group called "We Plants Are Happy Plants!”

Deborah Pearson's gorgeous Echinopsis mamillosa var. kermesina flower!

“Xerophile: Cactus Photographs from Expeditions of the Obsessed” Review written by Don Hunt from SDCSS and used with permission.

A funny book with a funny title. Not funny ha ha, but funny strange. Actually, I’ve been waiting for a book like this, and hopefully more to follow, for some time. One of the principal photographers featured in the book of the Obsessed is Woody Minnich. We have seen many of his photographs at his frequent club presentations. I have also had the pleasure of hosting him at my home and enjoyed getting to know him over the years. As he eloquently expressed at his last talk for us, “Every generation will see things the next generation will not.” In my many conversations with Woody, I have repeatedly expressed to him the importance of documenting the natural wonders that he may well be the last to see. He certainly is one of the only ones in my circle to see firsthand. (Shout out to Kelly Griffin to publish.)

Now on to the book itself. There is some information regarding the principal photographers, including brief interviews, but otherwise, it’s all photographs. So far, so good. Mostly, the photos are excellent. Several are dated in the 1960s, so the equipment and the photos are not current standard. The subject matter warrants their inclusion. The publisher has printed the photos to the maximum size per page with the caption being only a small space in the margin. Never seen that before, but alright. What really catches my attention as being strange is that there is no organization to the pictures at all. A great photo of a Copiapoa (lots) might be right next to a Mexican cactus or a South American columnar (lots), or even the odd succulent. Although the subtitle of the book is “Cactus Photos,” there are some African succulents included, as well. John Lavaranos is interviewed and credited. He is, of course, an expert on African succulents and possibly the last expedition to Somalia and such. Tremendously important, but why include a mere blip in a cactus book? In his interview, he states that all the Euphorbia abdelkuri in cultivation are the result of his one collecting opportunity. Sadly, there are no photos from that trip. I will say, one result of this unorganized pile of photos (for me) is a tendency to concentrate on each picture since there is no expectation as to what is next.

All things considered, I love this book like an old friend. I’m glad I bought one for myself as well as the club library. I accept the obstacles it has overcome and celebrate its successes. The firsthand explorers and their opportunities that fuel our obsession might soon all be gone, and the plants in our collection and the photos they took of the plants in the field will be all there is for future generations.

p. 7

All photos taken below review taken by Woody Minnich, used with permission. Top L - R: Copiapoa tenebrosa, Pachypodium namaquanum, Melocactus pachyacanthus. Bottom L - R: Copiapoa cinerea ssp. albispina, Copiapoa columna-alba, Haworthia viscosa

Rm 101 and Adjacent Courtyard Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego

Free Admission Open to the Public

Sale: Saturday, 10 - 5 Sunday, 10 - 4 Show: Saturday, 10 - 3 Sunday, 10 - 4

“Members Only” Shopping Saturday 9 - 10

Join Today!

San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society 2018 Summer Show & Sale

June 2nd & 3rd

p. 13

Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society The North San Diego County C & S Club!

Membership Application

Membership: Please Ö a category

New Member OR Renewal Annual Dues w/color email newsletter $20

Additional Household Members + $ 5

Engraved PCSS Name Badge + $ 6

Total ____________

PLEASE PRINT! We must be able to read it!

Name(s)____________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City/State______________________________ Zip________

Phone # ___________________________________________

Email______________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Please Ö which, if any, we may include:

_____ Phone # _____Email ______City OR _______None

Forms available at meetings, just bring a check or cash to a meeting, or print one out and mail it in.

Make checks payable to PCSS. Credit cards accepted at meetings.

Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society or PCSS P.O. Box 840, Escondido, CA 92033

Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Walkowiak – President Brita Miller – Vice President, Show Chair, Event Coordinator, Librarian, eventcoordinator@palomarcactus.org,

John Barkley – Treasurer

Annie Morgan – Secretary, Program Chair, Print Publicity, Website, Newsletter Editor (paid position)

Francis Granger – Board Member, Member/Guest Ambassador

Mike Nelson – Board Member, Brag Table Points

Jim Anderson – Board Member, Website, Online Publicity

* * * * * * * * * * * OTHER VOLUNTEERS

Vicki Martin – Co-Librarian Richard Miller – Membership

Bruce Barry & Sandy Wetzel-Smith – Refreshments Brian Magone – Exchange Table

Lorie Johansen – Guest/New Member Ambassador Chet Reed – Brag Plant Photographer

Nell McChesney – Name Tag Drawing Plants Meeting Room Set -up – Libbi Salvo

Cash Register at Monthly Meetings – Dennis Miller

2018 PCSS Meeting Schedule ~ Speaker & Topic ~ Plant of the Month

May 19th - 3rd Sat. - - - - - Gunner Eisel - “Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder: Our Wonderful and Weird Hobby” - Rebutia, Gymnocalycium, Lobivia, Echinopsis - So. Amer. Globular cactus

June 23rd - - - - - - - - - Peter Walkowiak - Propagation from Beginning to End – Seed, Pollination, & Flowers - Euphorbias – dioecious

July 28th - - - - - - - - - Paul Isley - All About Growing Tillandsias - Tillandsias

August 25th - - - - - - - - - Annual Picnic & Auction - Your Plants to be Auctioned!

September 22nd - - - - - - - Jon Rebman - TBA - Monadenium

October 27-28th - - - - - - - Annual Show & Sale @ San Diego Botanic Gardens - Your Show Plants!

November 17th - - - - - - - Woody Minnich - The New, Rare and Seldom Seen Cactus of Mexico - Mammilarias - straight & hooked spines

December 15th - - - - - - - Holiday Party!!! - Gift Plants Galore for You!

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EVENTS May 19th - 20th - Long Beach Cactus Club Plant Show & Sale, 10 - 4pm both days, Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd., Long Beach, Info: 562-631-5876

May 26th – 27th - Central Coast Cactus & Succulent Society, Annual Show & Sale, 10 - 4pm both days, Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo, Info: 805-237-2054, www.centralcoastcactus.org

June 2nd – 3rd - San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society, Summer Show & Sale, Balboa Park, Rm 101, Info: 858-382-1797

June 9th – 10th - Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent Society, Plant Show & Sale, Sat., 9 - 4pm, Sun., 9 - 3pm, Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, Info: