Epi News San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc.

January, 2015 Volume 40 Number 1

January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 2 President’s Corner:

Inside This Issue Happy New Year to all of our Calendar of Epi Events 2 wonderful epi family both here and Get Your Facts First 4 abroad! 2015 will be filled with many fun and exciting epi activities as was the past year, Installation Banquet 5 capped off by our Holiday Installation Banquet Meeting Programs 2 held at the Butcher Shop restaurant on December Mother’s Day Show 6 10th. Thanks very much to Gerry and Mildred Mikas for their work in making the dinner such a Now is the Time 6 lovely and fun event. Off-Season Blooms 7

The days are getting longer at last and the President’s Corner 2 blooming season will be here soon. There are many Safari Park Report 3 events to look forward to in the coming year- the Sandra Chapin-Request 7 monthly programs at each meeting, Ron Crain’s pre-meeting workshops, the work parties at Safari Survey on Fertilizing 7 Park, the various garden sales, the Mother’s Day Want List 7 Show and sale, the caravan, the member apprecia- tion potluck, the November photo contest and more. With all these activities, there are lots of opportunities for you to participate and help. Meeting Programs

The theme for this year’s Mother’s Day show is “Epi Salute to Balboa Park”. Balboa Park is Pre-Meeting Workshops celebrating its centennial this year with a year of will resume this month where you can performances, exhibitions, and historical experi- join Ron in Room 104 at 7:00 pm to ences regarding how San Diego has grown and how Balboa Park has evolved over the last century. learn basics of epi culture and other It’s not too early to start planning your display for related botanical information. the show. Last year’s displays were really great. Let’s see if we can outdo ourselves this year. January Program: At publica-

I’m looking forward to seeing you at our general tion time, the January Meeting Program meeting on January 14th. is yet to be determined. Please refer to the website, www.SanDiegoEpi.org for updated information.

SDES Calendar of Events

January 14 General Meeting May 2-3 Safari Park Cutting/ Sale January 17 Safari Park Work Party May SBES Show & Sale January 28 Board Meeting May 9-10 SDES Show & Sale January 31 Safari Park Work Party May 17 ESA Show & Sale January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 3

Safari Park Epi Display House –By Jerry Moreau

Happy New Year! Wishing you all the hopes Chapin, Ron & Velma Crain, Gina Contreras, and dreams a new year can bring, may it come to Marie Dempewolf, Bill Greene, Bob Holzinger, you and your garden. Beth Jackson, Oliver Lapubela, Jerry & Betsy Markle, Mildred Mikas, Jerry Moreau, Tim The rain in December has been very welcome. I Paule, Linda Sinkovic, and Janice Wakefield. could hear the shout for joy as the rain Thank you to all! Your help is valued and flushed out the salts that build up from the tap always appreciated. Don’t forget each month to water we use. Like us in this New Year, the submit the hours you worked to Carrie Hrvatin plants become renewed and prepare themselves [email protected] . It is important for for spring and blooming. the park to have record of all the hours. Being able to account for the number of volunteer hours We had two productive work parties this past spent at the Park affects the number and type of month. We continue to repot, weed, add more grants that it is able to receive. plants to the display house, and continued to alphabetize the workhouse. We also started to put The next work parties will be up shade cloth to provide more shade for the January 17th & 31st. volunteers in the hot weather. We had great weather and camaraderie. There will be a Your help is always needed! The more volun- meeting of the volunteers at the January 17th teers we have at the Park the better for the epies work party at 10am. We will welcome new and the display. There is much to do, so whether volunteers, review where we have been and you can do a lot or a little, everyone is welcome where we are going. This time will also be to and all work is appreciated. If you can’t volun- keep us all on the same page with what we do at teer, how about making a donation of some sort? the park. Please do your best to be there. Money is always helpful, but help could also take the form of doing research and grant writing or Recently, more members have expressed interest donating equipment and supplies. in volunteering, which is very exciting. If you are amongst that group let me know and go to the If you are interested in joining the fun and website to sign up http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/ learning a lot about epis in the process, come and content/volunteer-application If you don’t have volunteer at the Park. Information on how to a computer you can call the Zoo’s central volun- sign up can be found on the website can be found teer office at 619-231-1515, extension 4030. at www.SanDiegoEpi.org click on the Safari Park tab or contact Jerry at Helping out at the past work parties were Sandra [email protected].

Additional Plants Wanted for the Species Collection

 E. baueri,  E. hookeri ssp. Guata-  E. phyllanthus ssp.  E. crenatum ssp. Kimnachii, malense, Phyllanthus,  E. grandilobum,  E. hookeri ssp. Pittieri,  E. phyllanthus ssp. Rubro-  E. hookeri ssp. Columbiense,  E. lepidocarpum, coronatum, January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 4

From our Librarian:

Get Your Facts First -- Linda Sinkovic

“Get your facts first, then you resultant hybrids also prefer these can distort them as much as you conditions. Some hybrids are fussier than please…” -Mark Twain others – in my experience plants with flowers that resemble H. rosea are more Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! First of demanding to grow*7 – but all of them do not like all, I hope you were able to read December's Epi to be too dry or too wet. So if there's a Santa Ana Gram (SBES newsletter).*1 There was an *2 and the humidity is dropping, keep a close eye on excellent article on Holiday . If after your Easter Cacti. If it rains a lot – who knows, it reading it you are interested in more information could happen – make sure the pots are draining, on Holiday Cactus, the SDES has a book Christmas Cacti*3 available for checkout.

So rather than re-invent the wheel I'll talk about a different type of epiphytic cactus which is also named after a holiday. Yes, let's talk about Easter Cactus!

Easter Cactus are hybrids created by the crossing of Hatiora gaertneri and Hatiora rosea.*4 The Hatiora (of which there are six species) come from eastern and southeastern Brazil. Hatiora rosea lives in shady areas of the cloud forests of southern Brazil*5 so it does not do well with hot weather. Hatiora gaertneri occurs at lower elevations*6 in the same states as H. rosea, Hybrid 'Mira', more like H. rosea type though it is found higher up in the canopy. and not accumulating water.*8 Keep the plants at temperatures warmer than 50º F and cooler than 80º F. Except for H. rosea, I grow my plants in epi mix.*9 As far as sun exposure, H. rosea likes more shade, while H. gaertneri grows in amongst the epis. Hybrids that are more like H. rosea are happier in more shaded conditions.

There are plenty of named hybrids of Easter Cacti though these are a little difficult to find. Locally, Matt Cheney*10 offers named hybrids for sale. Online, Logee's*11 and Whitton Greenhouses*12 Hybrid, more like H. gaertneri type also carry named hybrids. (Notes on following page.)

As both these species grow in high humidity and Have a great month and see you in February. moderate temperatures, it's no surprise that the January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 5

SDES Holiday Banquet Highlights --Cindy Decker

We had a wonderful Holiday Party this year at the Butcher Shop with sixty-one attending. Will Harvey did a great job as always, as MC with the help of Don Crain and the Power- Point presentation. The tables were decorated with cyclamen plants and holiday colors. The guests all received an Epi of their choice and no one went home empty handed. Velma Crain, Don Crain, Cindy Decker, Marie Dempewolf, Misha Dobrotin, Michelle Finchum, Bill Greene, Judy Johnson, Rachel Lininger, Sue Mohler and Janet Sundtran all won raffle prizes. Jerry Moreau was awarded Honorary Life Member- ship Award and Janice Wakefield was honored with the “Roger Chapin Volunteer of the Year” Award. Congratula- tions to you both!

Our thanks to the Butcher Shop for the well-prepared dinner Newly-installed president, Janice Wakefield, and we hope to return there next year. Our thanks to Mildred shares good times with Sandra Chapin and Jerry and Gerry Mikas for organizing such an outstanding event for Moreau, recipient of Honorary Life Membership. us.

Facts First (Continued from page 4) Notes: 1. You do belong to South Bay Epiphyllum Society, right? If not, why not? Mail them at southbayepiso- [email protected] for information on how to join. 2. Also known as 'Christmas Cactus', or 'Zygocactus' at some nurseries, but actually they are hybrids. 3. Christmas Cacti, by A.J.S McMillan and J.F. Horobin, 1995. If you want your own copy of this book, you can search for it online. Abebooks has some copies right now. 4. Some authorities place these two species in their own genus, Rhipsalidopsis. At any rate, this cross is referred to in the literature as Hatiora × graseri. Schlumbergbera ‘Caribbean Dancer’ 5. In the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. H. rosea occurs between the altitudes of 3000 feet to 6500 feet, where the 10. www.mattslandscape.com temperatures do not get very hot. 11. www.logees.com 6. H. gaertneri occurs between the altitudes of 12. www.whittongreenhouses.com 1000 feet to 5000 feet. One location where both species occur has been found on the Aparados da References: Serra, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, near the border with Santa Catarina. Barthlott, W. & Taylor, N. P. (1995): Notes towards a 7. Some of you may remember my column of July monograph of Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae). - Bradleya 13: 43-79 2014 where I detailed the fussiness of H. rosea. Braun, P. J. & Hofacker, A. (2006): The pendent cacti of Brazil. 8. For this reason – as well as the fact they look Cactus and Succulent Journal (U.S.) 78(6): 286-299. Hunt, D., et al, The New Cactus Lexicon, 2006, ISBN 0 9538134 better that way – you should grow your Easter cacti 4 4 in hanging pots. Meier, E., “Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis; Cactae)”, Haseltonia, 9. Though after reading the 'Holiday Cactus' article 3:10-24, 19 in the Epi Gram, I am thinking of adding more perlite to the mix. January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 6

Now is the Time  Begin to feed with low or no nitrogen  Let epis enjoy the winter rains. As long fertilizer such as “Hi Bloom” or “Bloom”. as your epis are in loose, draining soil, the Low/no nitrogen fertilizers will have label rains won’t hurt them and will help wash ratings around 2-10-10 or 0-10-10. Either out the fertilizer salts that can build up in liquid or time-release granules can be used. potted plants. If you have epis sitting on If liquid is used, another application may shelves or tables, make sure they are not be needed in a month. Plants that are not sitting in puddles of water after heavy large enough to support blooms can be rains. If you collect rain water for future fertilized with a higher nitrogen content, use, store in covered, opaque containers to such as 5-10-10. prevent algae build-up and mosquito larvae  Watch for pests. Keep plants free of infestation. debris where pests can breed and hide.  Pick ripe apples (seed pods). After Wet weather is snail and slug weather.. removing the seeds from the pod, they can Bait or hand pick them. Spray with be planted immediately without having to insecticides only when necessary and be dried out. However, artificial light and follow directions carefully. heat may be needed to encourage germination.  Protect epis from freezing temperatures.  Do not repot plants that you want to New tender growth is especially bloom this spring. Some buds are already susceptible to cold temperatures and winter starting their earliest formative stages. winds. Once buds set, don’t rearrange your plants.  Prune out unproductive and unsightly Moving plants can cause the forming buds growth to allow more energy to be used by to drop. If you want to rearrange them, do newer and healthier branches. However, if it now. you live in an area where your epis will be  Start planning your display for the exposed to more freezing nights, this Mother’s Day Show. You can enter a full, unproductive or damaged growth will help half, or mini table display or flower protect the healthier growth from the arrangement based on the theme, “Epi elements. You may want to forego pruning Salute to Balboa Park!”. a bit longer.

“Epi Salute to Balboa Park” is the theme for this year’s Mother’s Day Show. Now is not too soon to begin thinking about how to best display your magnificent blooms using this theme. The Organ Pavillion? The Conservatory? The Lily Pond? The Prado? The Clock Tower? The Museums? The family picnics? The Volleyball games on the expansive grounds? A crown jewel of San Diego! January, 2015 SDES Epi News Page 7

Want List  **Survey Request** Jerry Moreau is looking for: Don Patterson has expressed an interest in members’ experience ‘Little Caeser’ with fertilizer. Please respond to the editor: ‘Little Fox’ [email protected] and I shall compile the results. ‘Little Innocence’ 1. Do you fertilize? If so, when? With what? ‘Little Lady’ aka ‘Gay Lady’ 2. Have you not fertilized? What results did you notice? ‘Little Lil’ 3. Was there difference in plant? ‘Little Rascal’ 4. Was there difference in the bloom? Size? Number? ‘Little Shoe Lady’ (Note to Ken Loomis: We’d love you to share your info too!!) ‘Martha’s Madness’ ‘Rainbow Warrior’ Note from Sandra: ‘Rainflower’ Hi friends, ‘Something Special’ After my address book was hacked I lost my entire address book. If you would send me an e-mail that says Hi or Test or something like that then I can start re building my address book Details of How To Become A at my new e-mail which is [email protected] Volunteer at the Safari Park: Can be found on our website. Click here: SanDiegoEpi.org .

Membership: Off- Season Blooms in New memberships as well Renewals can be processed at our secure web site: December Click here

Sandra Chapin: ‘David's Golden Splendor’, ‘Ernst Gündchen’, ‘Harald Knebel’, ‘Jalisco Disco’, Those who wish to receive Epi News via e-mail: ‘Jalisco Starlight’, ‘Toy Town’, ‘Ramona Paetz’ Single Membership $15.00 per year Allen Pellymounter: ‘Dr Rudi Dorsch’, ‘Eddie Dual Membership $20.00 per year Huey’, ‘Something Special’ International Membership $15.00 per year Mark Piette: ‘Ruby Tuesday’ Safari Park: ‘Beautie Wegener’, ‘Carmen’, Those who wish to receive a printed copy of Epi ‘Chimu’, ‘David Wayne’, ‘George’s Favorite’, News: ‘Joy’ , ‘Jugend’, ‘Litega’, ‘Möve’, ‘Orange Single Membership $20.00 per year Julius’, ‘Quest for Fire’, ‘Spring Break’, ‘Tiny Dual Membership $25.00 per year Flame’, ‘Uberraschung’ International Membership $30.00 per year Linda Sinkovic: macranthus, 'Herbert S Irwin', 'Jalisco Grace', 'Jalisco Joy' Have You Moved? Weberocereus bradei. (In season Schlumber- If you have moved or recently changed your geras: 'Caribbean Dancer', 'Dark Marie', physical OR e-mail address, please let us know 'Gold Charm', 'Kris Kringle', 'Madeline', your new address so that you can continue to receive your newsletter without interruption. 'Malissa', 'Marushka', 'Stephanie', 'Thor Al- Send it to membership – USPS or email ad- ice', 'Thor Britt', 'Xmas Fantasy', 'Xmas dress : (PO Box 126127, San Diego, CA 92112- Flame') 6127 or [email protected] . San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 126127 PAID San Diego, CA 92112-6127 SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 2646

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SAN DIEGO EPIPHYLLUM SOCIETY OFFICERS 2015 San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc (SDES) President: Janice Wakefield P.O. Box 126127 [email protected] (619) 464-1086 San Diego, CA 92112-6127 1st Vice President (pro tem): Velma Crain Epi News is published monthly by [email protected] (619) 421-4785 San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc. 2nd Vice President: Gina Contreras & Sandra Chapin Editor- Jill Rowney: [email protected] (209) 966-3364 Treasurer: Tim Paule: [email protected] [email protected] Recording Secretary: Cindy Decker Epi News E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] (619) 698-6662 SDES Web Site: www.SanDiegoEpi.org Corresponding Secretary: Beth Jackson Membership queries: [email protected] [email protected] (858) 638-0956 Membership Secretary: Humberto Contreras General membership meetings are held [email protected] on the second Wednesday of each month Director: Marie Dempewolf: [email protected] at 7:30 p.m. in Room 101, Director: Victoria Chapman: Casa del Prado, Balboa Park Director: Oliver Lapuebla: [email protected] Director and Coordinator– Garden Caravan: NEXT GENERAL MEETING Mildred Mikas: [email protected] (760) 690-1124 January 14, 2015 Director and Coordinator Safari Park: Jerry Moreau: [email protected] (619) 208-7654 SDES Board Meetings are held Coordinator– Sales Events: On the fourth Wednesday of each month Cindy Decker: [email protected] (619) 698-6662 At 7:00 p.m. in Room 104, Librarian: Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Linda Sinkovic: [email protected] Past President: Ron Crain: Next Board meeting: [email protected] (619) 421-4785 January 28, 2015