COMMUNIQUE

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY

An Affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, Inc. Meetings are held at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month in the Palm Room, Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia November 2008 Volume 41 Number 11 ______SGVCSS Winter Cactus and Succulent Show: Our 15th ANNUAL WINTER SHOW is finally here and this time is closer to winter which means a lot of our winter growers – Pelargoniums, Tylecodons, Othonna, Aloes, Conophytums, Haworthias- are waking up and starting to grow with the cooler, longer nights. Cacti are looking good on their last effort before they go dormant.

The Show is the fundraiser for our monthly meetings, guest speakers, Holiday party, refreshments for show participants, club badges, books, etc. Please support our show! Bring in to show, bring your friends and show them your plants, invite them to the sales area, and tell them how great our Society is.

Remember to come to the Show dinner and auction. It is a great dinner and is your opportunity to buy beautiful and rare specimen plants. It’s going to be fun!

The sales area will be open for workers and participants from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Friday, November 7th. Plants not paid for by 5:00pm will be placed back in the sales area.

Remember we need volunteers: We will need plenty of volunteers on Thursday morning (8:30am) November 6th to set-up tables, decorate, and get the show and sales areas ready by noon! Show and sale plants can then start coming in on Thursday from noon till 9:00pm. Remember all show plants must be in by Friday November 7th at 4:00pm. Also, clerks and helpers are needed Friday during judging which begins at 5:00pm. It’s Fun! It gives you the opportunity to hear the judges’ comments and learn more about the Show. Call Manny at (626) 793-6917

2007 Trophy Winners: If you won a trophy last year, please have your name engraved on it before you bring it back to the show.

T-Shirts: Be sure to pick up your Winter Show T-Shirt when you bring in your plants. The pre-show price will be $8.00. On Saturday the price will increase to $10.00.

See you there! Manny Rivera

T-Shirt Design 1 Monthly Meeting: Join us Thursday, November 13th at 7:30 pm. Todd Masilko is our speaker for November. Todd has been a member of SGVCSS for some time. He is an avid collector of caudiciform trees with specialty in the Burseraceae. He joined the group that traveled to Yemen and Socrota in late 2007 and this program is from that trip. He will focus on the wonderful caudiciform plants from those areas and as a Disney employee, we expect his presentation to be terrific ______Plants of the Month: (see write-ups attached)

CACTI – Ariocarpus SUCCULENT -- Asclepiads Bring your specimens in for our monthly mini-show. It will help you prepare for the real shows and give you an additional opportunity to show others your pride and joy. If you don’t have any of this type of plant you can learn about them at the meeting. ______Study Group: Wednesday, November 19th; Topic – Mesembs Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Palm Room at the LA County Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia. A great time to ask questions and learn from experienced growers. Add to your collection from plants on the give-away table brought in by other members. ______New Members: SGVCSS wishes to extend a warm welcome to its newest members: Louise Guerin and Fred Bahri. Be sure to take a look at the Club’s website http://www.sgvcss.com. If you wish to receive your COMMUNIQUE on-line please notify the editor at [email protected]. ______Refreshments: The following club members have signed up to bring refreshments for the October meeting: Anne Keegan, Barbara Nolan, and Rita Gerlach. Remember the first three people to sign up and bring refreshments will receive a plant. ______SGVC&SS Election: The election of officers will take place at the November meeting. The nominees are as follows: President Buck Hemenway Board Member Phil Skonieczki Vice President Horace Birgh Board Member Karen Ostler Treasurer Rita Gerlach Board Member Ralph Massey Secretary Anne Keegan ______Board Meeting: There will be a Board meeting on Sunday, November 9th during the Winter Show. We will gather at the trophy table at 1:00pm to decide on an appropriate place to meet from there. ______Membership Renewal: It is not too early to pay your dues for 2009. The dues for 2009 are $15 per household if you elect to have the Newsletter (Communique) sent to you via E-mail or $20 per household if you want to have it sent via US Mail. The advantages of having it sent by E- mail are you get it earlier, the pictures are in color and you are saving the club money.

2 Send your check to SGVCSS MEMBERSHIP at 719 S Albertson, Covina, CA 91723 or give it Bill Gerlach at the Winter Show or at the November meeting. Your prompt payment will make it easier on those keeping membership records and will speed up the issuance of the 2009 Roster.

Please note any corrections or changes in your information when sending in your check. Also note if you do not want your address listed in the roster. This would a good time to add your partner to your membership as the new membership setup is per household. ______

Oct-08 Plant-of-the- Month Mini Show Results

Cacti Monotypes Succulent- Lithops

Beginner

1st Cindi Arakaki Cintia knizei 1st Oscar Flores L. werneri 2nd Cindi Arakaki Strombocactus disciformis 2nd Louise Stack L. otzeniana 3rd Cindi Arakaki Denmoza rhodacantha 3rd Louise Stack L. schwantesii

Intermediate

1st Dick Tatman Leuchtenbergia principis 1st No entries 2nd Barbara Nolan Strombocactus disciformis 2nd 3rd H.Birgh-T.Dodson Denmoza rhodacantha 3rd

Advanced 1st Frank Nudge Strombocactus disciformis 1st Tom Vermilion L. pseudotruncatella 2nd Alan Hooker Leuchtenbergia principis 2nd Tom Vermilion L. fulviceps 3rd Jeanne Mullens Obregonia denegrii 3rd Tom Vermilion L. leslei

Master

1st Tom Glavich Leuchtenbergia principis 1st No entries 2nd Tom Glavich Obregonia denegrii 2nd 3rd 3rd ______

CACTUS AND SUCCULENT CALENDAR OF UP COMING EVENTS FOR 2008

NOV. 8th - 9th SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE---LA COUNTY ARBORETUM 301 N. BALDWIN AVE., ARCADIA, CA

DEC. 6th - 7th ORANGE COUNTY SHOW AND SALE AT THE FULLERTON ARBORETUM 1900 ASSOCIATED ROAD, FULLERTON, CA 92831 SHOW AND SALE OPEN FROM 10AM TO 4PM FOR INFORMATION CALL 714-870-4887

DEC. 14th HOLIDAY PARTY- AYERS HALL, LA COUNTY ARBORETUM 3 San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society

Cactus of the Month November 2009 – Ariocarpus

Ariocarpus is one of the treasures of the world of Cacti. This genus, from Central to Northern Mexico and Southern Texas has some of the most spectacular species of the entire family. Some succulent growers, who otherwise avoid cacti, make this genus their sole exception. There are collectors who collect nothing but Ariocarpus, and have hundreds of plants in their collections. Rare specimens can change hands for hundreds of dollars. Rare cultivars with unusual tubercles can be sold for even more, particularly in Japan. There is no denying that this genus has generated a world wide cult of devotees. Ariocarpus fissuratus

With all of this, you might expect Ariocarpus Cultivation is not difficult, when the home to be expensive, difficult to come by, and environment of these plants is remembered. difficult to grow. Nothing could be further They grow in mineral soils, with very little from the truth. They are no more difficult to organic matter. They all have large tuberous grow than any other central Mexican genera. roots. They grow in areas that are very hot in All of the species and all of the varieties are the summer, and that have summer rainfall. readily available, and nearly all are If they are protected from excess organic affordable. This genus is well within the matter, particularly peat, and watered heavily range of even beginning novice growers. only in hot weather, good growth will result. Field collected specimens are occasionally They need protection from winter rains. available, and these are much more expensive, and much harder to grow. Artful Ariocarpi: Recently collected specimens are now almost always illegally obtained. There are six species, several varieties, and a near infinite set of cultivars. With all of the fuss we make over this genus, we shouldn’t overlook the plants important Ariocarpus agavoides, as its name implies ethno-botanical uses made of this genus by resemble agaves. Discovered only in 1941, it several Native American cultures. The is rare in nature and cultivation. It comes tubercles contain sticky mucilage, and this from just a few areas in Tamaulipas and San was often used as glue to mend broken pots. Luis Potosi. A. kotchybeanus was boiled and used as a cure for rheumatism, and several species were used as ‘false peyote’ in religious ceremonies.

Ariocarpus agavoides 4 Ariocarpus bravoanus has flattened triangular tubercles. A beautiful species, it is slow growing and rare, although seedlings are now often available. This species also comes from just a few localities in San Luis Potosi.

Ariocarpus fissuratus is much more common. This species spreads from the Pecos River in Texas south to Durango. The wide area over which this species grows, and the isolation of some of the populations has given rise to many forms. This species is also one of the more collectable species, with Ariocarpus retusus many cultivars produced, with extra hair, wide tubercles, etc. Ariocarpus retusus was the first species discovered, first described in 1938. This is an easily grown species. It is widespread throughout the Chihuahuan desert. A subspecies A. retusus ssp. trigonus has more triangular tubercles. As with fissuratus, there are dozens of cultivars, variants, variegates, etc. of the species and the subspecies.

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus Ariocarpus scaphirostris is another of the small, rare and harder to grow species. Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is the Seedlings are available, usually as grafted miniature of the genus. This species never plants. It is native to Nuevo Leon. gets above ground. It is widespread in Mexico, occurring in silt plains from Coahuila References: to Queretaro. In habitat, this species is Anderson, E. The Cactus Family sometimes under water! It is relatively easy Cullman, Gotz and Groner, The to grow, requiring only a good, quick draining Encyclopedia of Cacti potting mix. Multiheaded specimens of this Preston-Mafham, Cacti, The Illustrated species are especially appreciated. Dictionary Innes, C. and Glass, C., Cacti

Tom Glavich October 2008

5 San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society

Succulent of the Month November 2008 - Asclepiads

Principal Genera The Asclepiadaceae or Milkweed Family is a large family of succulent and Brachystelma non succulent plants. The family has a wealth of growth forms, rivaling and Caralluma possibly exceeding that found in the Cactaceae, Crassulaceae and Ceropegia Euphorbiaceae families. Forms run from trailing vines, to weak stemmed Cynanchum sprawlers, to cactus-like succulents, to caudiciforms. New species are still Duvalia being discovered in South and Tropical Africa, and the family will continue to Echidinopsis Edithcolea grow. The flowers of all of the Asclepiadaceae are five sided, and complex, Fockea with most suited to the activities of a single pollinator, usually a fly. Hoodia . Hoya The cactus-like forms include Hoodia Huerniopsis and Trichocaulon. Most of the Hoodia Karimbolea have a similar appearance, with soft Orbeanthus spines. Their flowers are simple, open, Orbeopsis and moderately odoriferous. The most Pachycymbium outstanding quality is their resemblance to pink, purple, gray or brown radar Pseudolithos Pseudopectinaria dishes. They are easy to grow, but need Raphionacme heat, and protection from excess Sarcostemma moisture in the winter. They can be Seyrigia propagated from cuttings fairly easily. Hoodia huasabensis Hoodia gordonii and Hoodia bainsii are Stapeliopsis often available, and are strong growers. Trichocaulon Whitesloania The weak stemmed sprawlers such as Caralluma, Huernia, Orbea, and Stapelia are all grown for their spectacular flowers. The flowers of these genera are all very complex, with a central raised zone, and very complex color patterns. They generally have an odor of rotting meat, and many have small hairs that move in wind, simulating the hairs that grow on mold. All of the weak stemmed species are easy to propagate from cuttings. A cutting is taken, allowed to dry, and simply placed on top of damp potting soil. Cuttings root in just a few weeks. All of these species are also the victim of a black rot that can reduce a plant from a show quality specimen to a pot of black slime in just a few days. The fungus causing this black rot travels through the plant extremely quickly, and the plant is usually doomed by the time the problem is noticed. Many growers propagate two or Huernia ciliata

6 three cuttings of every species so they will have a spare, when the inevitable happens. There are literally dozens of great species in this group, and you can hardly go wrong, regardless of what you grow. Caralluma socotrana, while a challenge to grow is particularly beautiful. Huernia pendula has dark purple flowers, and is a rapid grower.

Stapelia rufa

The caudiciform genera, Fockea, Brachystelma, some of the Ceropegia, and Raphionacme are all really vines. The caudex is generally below ground in habitat. Fockea edulis, shown at left is one of the most popular. Easily raised from seed, an impressive caudex can be grown in just a few years, if it is left below soil level in the pot. The Fockea are all easy to grow, perfectly happy Fockea outdoors, even with temperatures near freezing. Raphionacme are a edulis bit more temperamental, and rot more quickly, but as long as they are kept from being cold and wet, will do fine outdoors. Brachystelma and Ceropegia on the other hand are much harder to keep. Brachystelma rot easily and quickly when either too cold or too wet. Brachystelma have the worst smelling flowers of all the Asclepiads. Ceropegia have the most complex, with the petals forming a small enclosure that limits access to only a few pollinators.

Pseudolithos and Whitesloania are two rare genera. Pseudolithos is brain-like in appearance, as shown at left. Whitesloania resembles an Astrophytum myriostigma. These are wonderful, complex plants, with small flowers coming directly from the body. Pseudolithos is generally available, Whitesloania, rarely so. Pseudolithos migiurtinus, is actually fairly forgiving and grows well in a greenhouse. It needs protection from cold and damp, but doesn’t like to get bone dry, even in winter.

Pseudolithos migiurtinus Tom Glavich September 2008 Photo T. Nomer

7 8 9 10 11 COMMUNIQUE Newsletter of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society C/o Evelynn Stevens 10119 ½ E Olive Street Temple City, CA 91780

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If you have a cactus or succulent related event that you’d like to have announced in the COMMUNIQUE, please forward the information to the address given below. Please verify event dates - sometimes events are rescheduled or canceled without adequate advance notice. Articles, Notices and Corrections can be sent via E-mail to: [email protected] or via post to: San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society Newsletter Editor, c/o Evelynn Stevens, 10119 ½ E. Olive St., Temple City, CA 91780-3345. Material must be received by the last Thursday of the month to be considered for publication in the next issue of the COMMUNIQUE.

Material in the SGVCSS COMMUNIQUE 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 be sent to the editor. Reproduction in whole or part by any other organization or publication without the permission of the publisher is prohibited

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