Epi News San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc.

March, 2015 Volume 40 Number 3

March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 2

President’s Corner: Inside This Issue It’s hard to believe that March is already here. I was thinking this Calendar of Events 3 morning that I hadn’t really taken an in depth look at my epies and the rest of the Call for Cuttings 3 gardens, so with a cup of coffee in hand, I set out Correspondence Secretary 11 to see what is going on. Request

I didn’t think I had any buds coming, but when I Cutting Party 11 took a closer look I found lots of epies putting out Cuttings– SDES Lifeline 9 buds (but not any of my seedlings, I’m sad to Digital Epi News Update 7 say). I was so excited. And then I thought, oh, no, they’re all going to bloom before Mother’s Day!!! GYFF 6 We had an early bloom season last year, but Meeting Programs 3 fortunately we still had plenty of flowers for the show, so I’m hoping it will be the same this year. Mother’s Day 4 Now Is the Time 8 I went all the way down to the bottom of the yard to see what was happening there. Lots of Off Season Blooms 11 nasturtiums are spreading there from the canyon, Photo Caravan 5 and the California wild rose, Rosa californica is President’s Corner 2 greening up and getting ready to flower. Safari Park Report 5 I took a look at the owl box, but can’t see if there Snails, Scale, and Ants 10 are any inhabitants. There is evidence of large bird droppings below the owl box, but it could be from crows perching on tree branches. But the these hot days we keep having. dropping weren’t there when the box was put up

last month. The box was taken over by native After a dear friend of mine passed away in bees last year, but I was given advice to rub Ivory January I was able to gather her collection of soap on the inside roof which will prevent the epies and take them home to see if some of them bees from being able to attach their comb. I’ll can be given to Safari Park. I can tell you that report back on this later in the season whether it epies are really quite resilient, as the were worked or not. in really bad shape after suffering a long period of

neglect, but after soaking them in water they are I saw evidence that the rabbits are back in force. I responding well and there are buds appearing on keep hoping the coyotes will whittle down the some of them. population, but that doesn’t seem to be happen-

ing. Why can’t the rabbits eat the weeds that I Please bring any blooms that you have to our have in abundance??? March meeting so we can all enjoy them. See you

there. Be sure to put out a shallow source of water for the bees. I try to keep my birdbath half full so that the bees can get to the water without drowning. It’s amazing how much water bees require to make their honey, but also to cool the hive on March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 3

Meeting Programs —Velma Crain

Pre-Meeting Workshops Last month at the pre-meeting workshop Ron Crain discussed hybridizing epies. This month in preparation for the cuttings we'll be making leading up to our Mothers Day weekend event, Ron will demonstrate how to make and label cuttings along with other topics. Please join him in room 104 at 7:00 pm on Wednesday March 11th.

February Program: Last month everyone enjoyed learning more about George French than they ever knew before! Linda Sinkovic and Jerry Moreau gave us a wonderful program about George's life growing up, his family, his interest in plants and how he got started growing and hybridizing epies. We saw many of the epies George created, including some of his most recently registered hybrids. Many thanks to Linda and Jerry for putting this program together for us!

March Program: It’s coming soon…that time off year we all look forward to…Mother’s Day weekend!! Everyone is busy getting their display together for the show…wait…you don’t have a display idea yet?...You’ve never been to our Mother’s Day show?

Well, have we got a program for you!! We have a demonstration planned on setting up displays and a presentation of photos of recent Mother’s Day shows to give you inspiration. Remember there’s a novice category for first time entries!! Come out on March 11th at 7:30 pm to enjoy the evening with friends and plan your exhibit!!

SDES Calendar of CUTTINGS NEEDED FOR THE NEXT Events TWO UPCOMING SALES EVENTS:

2015 DEL MAR HOME AND GARDEN SHOW— March MAR 6-7-8 6-7-8 Del Mar Spring Hm/Gdn Show TOMATOMANIA — MAR 14-15 11 General Meeting 14 Work Party– Safari Park IF YOU HAVE 10-12 PIECES (or fewer) AND CAN 14-15 Tomatomania and Herb Sale SHARE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PICK THEM 28 Work Party– Safari Park UP. JUST MAKE SURE THE NAMES ARE MARKED April ON THE ENDS (see page 6). 8 General Meeting CINDY DECKER 619 972-9664 12 Cutting Party 25 Cuyamaca Spring Gdn Sale May 2-3 SDES Sale– Safari Park (May) 3 SBES Show/Sale 23 SFES Show/Sale 9-10 Mother’s Day Plant Sale September 10 Mother’s Day Show 13-14-15 Del Mar Fall Hm/Gdn Show 13 General Meeting December 17 ESA Show/Sale 9 Holiday Installation Banquet March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 4

Mother’s Day Show 2015: “The Walk in the Park,

An Epi Salute to Balboa Park”

Hey Epi lovers, are you ready for the Mother's Day Show? Gina is doing a great job planning "The Walk in the Park, Epi Salute to Balboa Park" Start thinking of your favorite spot in Balboa or a favorite park experience. How can you make a flower display around it? Remember if you don't have enough blooms, there are always blooms to share. So put on your thinking caps and start working on display ideas. Remember your display can be any size from a floral arrangement, a mini, half table, full table, two or more tables, or floor display, and don't forget the novice category for first time exhibitors. Let's have fun and be part of the Balboa Centennial! —Sandra

Hopefully, many of you have been planning what you would like to do for your display. San- dra and I are going to “spark” your enthusiasm at our next General Meeting, March 11th. Please plan to be there. —Gina

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Safari Park Epi Display House –By Jerry Moreau

What great weather we had for our work parties! tours as well some days during the week. Look Temperatures were perfect- not too cold, not too out for more information. hot. We were there on Valentine’s Day increas- ing our love for epies and each other. The plants It is always exciting to note the recent increase in are starting to bud. I wonder if we will have an interest in volunteering at the Park. If YOU are earlier blooming season this year due to our interested, let me know; then go to the website warmer and dryer than normal winter. We and sign up http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/content/ repotted, weeded, cleaned up the plants, and volunteer-application . If you don’t have a alphabetized the plants in the workhouse. We computer you can call the Zoo’s central volunteer picked up some more named plants and species office at 619-231-1515, extension 4030. from a long-time member who needed to give them to a new home. We added thirty-five new Helping out at the past work parties were Sandra hybrids and species to the collection. I want to Chapin, Ron & Velma Crain, Cindy Decker, welcome a new volunteer, Dennis Hughes to our Humberto & Gina Contreras, Marie Dempewolf, bank of wonderful volunteers. He has made a Bill Greene, Beth Jackson, Bob Holzinger, great addition to our dedicated and fun crew at Dennis Hughes, Heather Jackson, Mildred the Park. Mikas, Jerry Moreau, Tim Paule, Linda Sinkovic, and Janice Wakefield. Thank you to all! Your The annual show and sale at the Safari Park is help is greatly appreciated. May 2nd & 3rd. As we expected it might, the progress on the new display area is going slowly. Volunteers: Don’t forget to submit yours hours Again, this year, there will be some plants in the worked on a monthly basis to Carrie Hrvatin Kupanda Falls area. We will not be allowed to [email protected] . It is important for open the display house to the general public, but the park to collect the hours for their records! we will be able to arrange to lead tours through it. I’ll be setting up the schedule of tour dates The next work parties will be with our volunteers. I’m hoping to have the March 14th & 28th. weekends in April, May, and June covered for .

Annual Photo Caravan is Being Planned —Mildred Mikas

The date is not confirmed yet. SDES members will be able to see all the But we will be going to the beautiful blooms while on a tour of the house. Safari Park where SDES Tickets will be $15 which include lunch and Volunteers take care of the admission to the Safari Park. Epiphyllum House. The Epi The rest of the day you are free to enjoy the house will once again be closed Park. to the public this year. But March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 6

From our Librarian:

Get Your Facts First -- Linda Sinkovic

“Get your facts first, then you Here's an example. 'Connie Mayer' is a can distort them as much as you Hylocereus cross. It prefers brighter please…” -Mark Twain conditions than most epicactus hybrids, due to its Hylocereus heritage. If it doesn't We all grow epicactus. Some of us focus pretty get enough sun, it won't bloom. If you have exclusively on epicactus hybrids. Some of us 'Connie Mayer', and it hasn't yet flowered for grow various epiphytic species as well. you, try giving it a little more sun.*2

If you grow epiphytic cactus species, you know How about another example? 'Moonlight'*3 is that the best environment for one species isn't listed in the Registry as an “Aporophyllum necessarily the same as the best environment for type”.*4 “Aporophyllum” is an older name used another species. Certain parts of your yard might for crosses involving flagelliformis or be better for Schlumbergera while other parts Disocactus martianus.*5 Both these plants prefer will be better suited for Hylocereus. Knowing a brighter growing situation. If it is given a bit the microclimates in your yard could be the key more light, 'Moonlight' will flower more.*6 to the survival of a plant, provided you know the conditions under which the plant grows in the wild. Information on these growing conditions can be found in reference books.*1

Right about now, those of you who focus on epicactus hybrids might be saying, “Yes? And so what? I don't grow species, so what does all this matter to me? Why should I even care about the conditions that different species prefer?” Well, it's pretty simple. All epicactus hybrids have species somewhere in their background, which can affect the conditions in which you grow a Above photo of ‘Moonlight’ by Linda Sinkovic. particular epicactus hybrid. This is most apparent in the hybrids that have species as one of their As a final example, hybrids with Disocactus immediate parents. macranthus in their parentage grow better in a slightly shadier part of my yard. This includes 'Frühlingsgold', 'George's Favorite', 'Small Talk', ‘Connie Mayer’ and 'Lollipop'.*7

I hope these examples persuade you to consider http:// the parentage of the epicactus hybrids you are gardenjewelsnurs- ery.com/wp-content/ growing. Maybe you're wondering how you can uploads/2014/05/ find out this parentage information on a given CONNIE-MAYER.jpg epicactus hybrid? If the cross is known, it's

(Get Your Facts First Continues on page 7) March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 7

4. “Aporophyllum type” indicates the branches are cylindrical and ribbed. Get Your Facts First 5. Previously named Aporocactus flagelliformis and Aporocactus (Continued from page 6) martianus. Thus, 'Aporophyllums' were crosses between listed in the E.S.A. Registry. Use this informa- Aporocactus and epicactus hybrids. 6. Again based on my experience. tion in conjunction with a reference book that 7. I also treat 'Gold Charm' the same way, although the cross is describes the growing conditions of the parent not listed. To me, the flowers look very much like one of the species. parents is Disocactus macranthus and so I treat it as such.

Enjoy your early flowers. See you next month. References: Epiphyllum Society of America, Registry of Hybrids and Species, Addendum 37 Notes: Hunt, D., et al, The New Cactus Lexicon, 2006, ISBN 0 9538134 1. You know, like the Cactus Lexicon. See below. 4 4 2. This works in my yard. 3. I'm referring to 'Moonlight'-JHSN.

Progress on Epi News by Email —Ron Crain Last summer, when we, your SDES Board of these changes. One aspect of that is to make the Directors first decided to move toward distrib- database generate the more complex emailing uting your Epi News by email, we estimated we lists we will need to move forward. would be ready to go for the January, 2015 issue. As it turns out, it is taking us longer than At the same time, we are transitioning to our we anticipated to prepare our systems for this new Membership Secretary, Humberto change, so you will not see an e-mail version of Contreras who is directly involved with these our newsletter until the summer issues of 2015, database updates. We will update you in future the July issue at the earliest. editions of the Epi News on our progress.

One of the main things we are working on is to As a reminder, the new annual membership update our Membership Database to facilitate pricing structure will be as follows:

Epi News delivered via E-mail only Printed copy Single Membership $15 $20 Dual Membership $20 $25 International Membership $15 $30 March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 8

 Check newly-formed buds for flowering Now Is the Time space.  Let spring rains leach out salts that have  De-bud young plants. Some of last accumulated in pots. year’s cuttings will set buds, most of which will not develop into full buds or  Remove dead and unsightly branches. blooms. Pinching off these buds will Remove dead leaves and debris from redirect the plant’s energy back into its containers, eliminating a haven for roots to form new branches, making for a harmful pests and allowing oxygen to get fuller, healthier mature plant in the future. to the soil and the roots. Some people, however, prefer to leave the  Bait for snails. Snails and slugs become buds alone, letting Mother Nature take her more active in wet weather. They can be own course as buds drop off on their own removed by hand or baited. accord.  Check for aphids and ants. Ants are  Check for root rot. Excessive rains may attracted to the nectar in developing buds, cause stagnant soil and root rot. Is there but do not damage epis. However, their enough air circulation around your epis to presence is an indication that mealy bugs help dry out the excessive water, or aphids, which are brought in by ants, especially those plants in plastic pots? Is may be on the plant or in the soil. Small the soil so constantly saturated with water infestations may be controlled with a 50- that no oxygen is getting to the roots? 50 solution of water and isopropyl  Signs of root rot include thin, withered, alcohol. Larger infestations may require and/or spotted branches. Sometimes chemical treatment. When using discolorations appear at the base of the chemicals to control pests, be sure to read plant and spread up through the branches. labels and follow instructions closely. Upon seeing that the plant looks  Check for scale insects. Little spots that dehydrated, the automatic impulse is to can be flicked off with your fingernail are increase water applications. Instead, the probably scale. They should be removed plant should be re-potted in fresh potting promptly with soapy water or isopropyl mix. Healthy branches look plump and alcohol. You may have to repeat shiny and feel waxy. treatment. Again, chemical treatment  Remember that epis draw moisture may be necessary for large infestations. form humidity. Even though some Systemic rose insecticide may be used. outdoor plants aren’t getting direct  Give mature plants a final feeding of rainfall, they may still be getting plenty of nitrogen-free liquid fertilizer. Use 0-10- moisture from the air. They, too, can get 10 or 2-10-10 on mature plants; 5-10-10 root rot if they are watered too much on immature ones. Many people use during wet weather. 8-12-4 (rhododendron, azalea, camellia  Any plants sitting on shelves, benches, fertilizer) with good results. or patios should not be left standing in  Keep plants in filtered sunlight to puddles of water. If they are sitting in develop buds. saucers, turn the saucers over and set the  Don’t relocate plants that are plants on top. developing buds. This can cause buds to  Plan your Mother’s Day display. drop, although some bud drop is normal. March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 9

much faster. If they are longer, they tend to Cuttings– produce buds instead of roots.) Cut an entire The Lifeline of SDES branch (that can be cut into 3-4 cuttings) instead SDES has a well-known reputation for our ex- of cutting 6” off of 3-4 branches. (editor’s cellent show and sale. There are many people note: I severely stunted the growth of my who are not members but who come to our ‘Sakurahime’ several years ago by trimming off show every year just to buy cuttings. Some of 6” of the ends of several branches. I was a these regular shoppers travel many miles just novice and treated the plant as I did other because we have a tremendous selection of cut- house plants– pinch them back and they’ll grow tings. They know we offer top quality, a wide 2 or more sprouts there… oops! It took several selection and good prices. Let’s not disappoint years for it to finally begin to grow again.) these people this year. Please follow the guidelines below for It’s that time again. If you have a marking your cuttings. If you haven’t time to chance to get cuttings made, bring them to the mark all of your cuttings, you can wrap those of April meeting.– early. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. the same name in a newspaper– tape closed, and we will be labeling, sorting, and bagging cut- mark the package on the outside with the name. tings. If you don’t have enough time to cut be- We will have Sharpie pens at the meeting to fore the meeting, try to cut and deliver them to a mark the rest of the cuttings. Board Member or to Cindy Decker’s house Marking your cuttings: Begin the (4007 S Tropico Dr, La Mesa) before the Cut- name of the cutting at the top and write towards ting Party on April 12th. Sales of cuttings is the bottom. Make sure there is no writing the mainstay of our club’s treasury. This is within 2 inches of the bottom of the cutting– it when we need every member who can to help will be beneath the soil when planted and for- out. If you have plants that can provide a few ever lost. Try to check for correct spelling (as cuttings but you need help in making those cut- is in the official Directory of Species and Hy- tings, please contact Cindy Decker, brids). If you are not sure, wrap them together [email protected] (619) 972-9664. and write the name on the newspaper wrapping as you think it should be spelled. We can look Making your cuttings: Please choose it up at the meeting. growth that is hardened off, not new, tender growth . Cuttings should be 6 to 8 inches long Flower size: and of good health. (6-8” cuttings will root XS—extra small (under 2”) S—small (2-5”) M—medium (5-7”) ML—medium to large L—large (7-9:) XL—extra large (10” or larger) Flower Color: W—white R—red O—orange Y—yellow Pk—pink Pur—purple  For flowers that have two colors, list the predominant color first such as Y/W or R/O  For multiple-colored flowers, pick the pre- dominant color, then add “multi” such as “red-multi” March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 10

opossums, my snail problem is gone but slugs still Snails, Scale, and Ants – evade them by hiding under pots. Rumor has it that Jill Rowney does the great snail dance (I have never seen the great snail dance but from what I have heard

Oh My!** —Jerry Moreau it is a sight to behold), rumor says it is something like this. She sneaks around at night slowly and quietly Mother Nature has blessed epiphyllums with one of collecting snails. When she feels there are enough the most gorgeous blooms imaginable; however that snails she then places them out onto the ground in a beauty comes with a price. The price are the pests circle. The drumming begins and she begins her that come along and dance. The moon filled night, the sounds of the also enjoy the plants but drums, and the crushing of the snails brings her into for very different an ecstatic state. No snails are ever safe from this reasons. ritual.

Snails: Unless you are Ants: Ants by themselves do not cause a great deal a fancier of of damage to the epis. However they do foster and escargot, most epi g r o w e r s shepherd aphids, which can cause damage. The most are not very found of snails a n d effective way to control them is spraying with water slugs. With the winter rains and and or insecticidal soap. all the moisture that we have now and into the spring these pests can be a real Scale: No one likes to see scale on their plants. problem. Here are some ways that our experts use Scale is a tiny sucking insect with a hard shell. The to keep the snails and slugs at bay. shell makes it difficult to treat. The most common Barb Alverez says she used to have a huge method used by our experts is alcohol. For small problem with snails and slugs. Here problem almost amounts you can use a q-tip and rub the alcohol on completely stopped when she placed decollate snails the spot. A cotton ball and alcohol can also be used. around her epis. They eat the common brown snail. For larger areas use alcohol in a spray bottle. Linda As they eat only the young snails, it does take a while Eastman in New York uses one TBS each of rubbing for complete control. Obviously no pesticides can be alcohol, mild dish detergent, and mineral oil in the used because that will kill the good decollate snails spray bottle filled with water. Systemic insecticides too. Barb pointed out that they are not permitted in will also work. certain county locations in Southern California as they may affect native snail and slug populations. It I hope these tips help you to keep your plants healthy is always wise to check before you start any pest and looking good. control. Barb said she was warned about the decol- late snails eating tender seedlings, but she has not had Till next time – Happy Growing! a problem with this. Sandra Chapin used this method a few years ago. She agreed that it worked great until **(Reprinted from Epi News, March, 2010. Jerry the snails wandered off to their neighbor’s yard in wrote a monthly column, “Epi Ths ‘N That”) search of more food. Sandra commented that she is not sure how often to re-populate the decollate snails. Beth Jackson said her snail and slug population decreased when she removed her plants from the automatic watering system. She also spreads snail bait under shelving units and on the shelves. Other members use Buggetta to keep snails in check or the use of phosphorous snail pellets (one brand is sluggo) that kill the snail then break down into fertilizer. There is always the nightly visit into your garden with a flashlight in search of the critters and just hand pick them off the plants and pots. I have found that since I have had some regular visitors- skunks and March 2015 SDES Epi News Page 11 Cutting Party– Save the Date! Sunday, April 12 2-5 Home of Cindy Decker 4007 South Tropico Dr, La Mesa [email protected] (619) 698-6662

Keeping In Touch —Beth Jackson If you know of an older member who can no longer attend meetings and/or events, we can send them a cheery card to let them know we miss them. If there is a member who is having a milestone birthday we can send them happy birthday wishes. If there is mem- ber who is ill or a member who has passed away, we can send a get well or sympathy card. Notify Your Corresponding Secretary Beth Jackson at [email protected] or call 858-638-0956.

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

Sandra Chapin: ‘Anaconda’, ‘Beautie Wegener’, ‘Edgar Paetz’, ‘Felcino Favorite’, ‘Fred Boutin’, ‘Jalisco Passion’, Martha Paetz’, ‘Martha Those who wish to receive Epi News via e-mail: Wenzel’, ‘Michael Rachfahl’, ‘Mona Paetz’, Single Membership $15.00 per year ‘Prof Ebert’, ‘Ramona Paetz’ Dual Membership $20.00 per year Robert Kuettle: ‘Lollipop’ International Membership $15.00 per year Mildred Mikas: ‘English Rose’, E. Pumilum, ‘Fred Boutin’, ‘George's Favorite’, ‘Harald Knebel’, Those who wish to receive a printed copy of Epi ‘Point Loma’, ‘Prof. Dr Bockemuhl’, ‘Uschi News: Paetz’ Single Membership $20.00 per year Jerry Moreau: ‘Harald Knebel’, ‘Orange Icing’, Dual Membership $25.00 per year ‘Striped Beauty’ International Membership $30.00 per year Allen Pellymounter: ‘Harald Knebel’, ‘Lilli Paetz’ Safari Park: ‘Beautie Wegener’, ‘Coral Dance’, Have You Moved? ‘Fire Flame’, ‘George’s Favorite’, ‘Harald Kne- If you have moved or recently changed your bel’, ‘Herbert S. Irwin’, ‘Knebel’s Farben- physical OR e-mail address, please let us know wunder’, ‘March Inn’, ‘Möve’, ‘Orange Julius’, your new address so that you can continue to ‘Tiny Flame’, Hatiora salicorniodes, Rhipsalis receive your newsletter without interruption. mesembryanthemoides, Rhipsalis oblonga Send it to membership – USPS or email ad- Pentico: ‘Beautie Wegner’, ‘Harald Knebel’, dress : (PO Box 126127, San Diego, CA 92112- ‘Oakleigh Conquest’, ‘Piland's Pride’ 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] Epi News E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] 619-443-0826 SDES Web Site: www.SanDiegoEpi.org Recording Secretary: Cindy Decker Membership queries: [email protected] [email protected] (619) 972-9664 Corresponding Secretary: Beth Jackson General membership meetings are held [email protected] (858) 638-0956 on the second Wednesday of each month Membership Secretary: Humberto Contreras at 7:30 p.m. in Room 101, [email protected] Casa del Prado, Balboa Park Director: Marie Dempewolf: [email protected] (619) 573-5060 NEXT GENERAL MEETING Director: Victoria Chapman: March 11, 2015 [email protected] 619.221.0027 Director: Oliver Lapuebla: SDES Board Meetings are held [email protected] (619) 793-6683 On the fourth Wednesday of each month Director and Coordinator– Garden Caravan: At 7:00 p.m. in Room 104, Mildred Mikas: [email protected] (760) 690-1124 Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Director and Coordinator Safari Park: Jerry Moreau: [email protected] (619) 208-7654 Next Board meeting: Coordinator– Sales Events: March 25, 2015 Cindy Decker: [email protected] (619) 698-6662 Librarian: Linda Sinkovic: [email protected] Past President: Ron Crain: [email protected] (619) 421-4785