ON THE DRY SIDE FEBRUARY 2018 CENTRAL COAST CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY

FEBRUARY SPEAKER OF THE MONTH: MARTIN QUIGLEY, MLA, PH.D.

Dr. Quigley’s primary responsibility is to manage the collections and direct the operations of the UC Santa Cruz gardens. He also oversees educational programming and the creative development of interpretive materials and exhibits in the Arboretum. He was previously a professor of botany and director of the Chester M. Alter Arboretum at the University of Denver.

Quigley got an early start in horticulture, working at a local nursery and landscape business from age 11 through high school. He earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture and worked for a decade in landscape design and environmental consulting before returning to graduate school for a Ph.D. in plant community ecology.

“Growing up in a nursery and landscape business gave me a sound and life-long basis in all aspects of practical horticulture. My graduate education in Landscape Architecture added the elements of design, site planning and arboriculture, and my doctoral work trained me in field ecology, research in community structure and biodiversity, and scientific collaborations.

“Over the last 20 years, I have taught Basic Botany, Plant Ecology, Ethnobotany, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Restora- tion Ecology, Landscape Design, Landscape Plant Materials, Land- scape Construction, Landscape Maintenance, and other plant and landscape-based courses. My national and international travel, consulting and research projects have broad- ened my knowledge of ecosystem function, plant diversity and sustainable horticulture.

“Fulfilling a long-held desire to visit South Africa, in November I was able to travel there, through the gen- erosity of the Ray Collett trust. The Western Cape is very similar to the California Central Coast in climate, although we have a longer dry season. They also have a fire-dominated landscape, with much more frequent fires than we have here. The day we arrived, our intended route to the east was abruptly closed, as a large fire swept down the mountainsides, jumped the freeway, and reached the ocean at the beach community of Gordon’s Bay. It felt like home.

“We hiked up several coastal ranges, through sandstone formations and very steep gorges, to plateaus above. So many of the spectacular were familiar to us as commercial specimens we see here in California, and it was very exciting to see so many “garden plants” growing in the wild. So many flowers, so little time.”

DON’T MISS OUR NEXT MEETING! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2pm Oddfellows Hall, 520 Dana St (at Nipomo St), San Luis Obispo FEBRUARY plant of the mONTH: Plantae / Angiosperms / / / / / Pachypodium One of the premiere caudiciform plants for both pot culture and landscaping are the Pachypodi- ums. These are pachycaul plants from Madagas- car and southern Africa. The following is a brief discussion of the genus, including some tips on care and growing.

Pachypodiums are members of the family Apocy- naceae which also includes Adeniums, Olean- ders, Plumeria and Periwinkles. Pachypodium means ‘thick foot’, referring to the large, swollen caudiciform stems all members of this genus have. They not only have succulent stems but most are heavily armed with thick, stiff spines on the cau- dex and branches. They are also protected by their toxic sap (true of all Apocynaceaes, though Pachypodiums have clear sap, not the white la- tex seen running from Plumeria injuries). are only present on the top of the caudex (like a palm or fern) or on/near the ends of each branch. The palm-like look of some is where the name Madagascan Palm comes from. The locals call them Half-Mense, or Half Mens, an Afrikaans name that refers to their looking like short (half) men from a distance. All Pachypodiums have flowers at certain times of the year. These flowers are simple, star-shaped and somewhat similar to Plumeria flowers, and some equally fragrant.

In general the Pachypodiums are fairly easy plants to grow indoors, and even easier outdoors in the right climates (warm and dry). Some Pachypodi- ums even do well in warm, humid climates like those found in Florida (Pachypodium lamerei and rutenbergianum seem to tolerate those humid cli- mates well). There are a few trickier ones to keep alive if one is careless with watering and doesn’t know what to look for.

These plants are all summer growers and that is normally the time of year they are fully leaved and growing the most vigorously. Depending on the species, summer is the time of year to water heav- ily. The more common tree-like species seem the thirstiest drinking up about all the water that can be given them, as long as the soil and tempera- tures are correct. (continued next page>>) P. Geayi Tsimanampetsotsa—Nature Reserve, Madagascar PACHYPODIUM – CONTINUED P. Rosulatum Isalo National Park, Madagascar Most species are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter. This is an indication to stop watering as much, if at all. Outdoor plants in southern California unfortu- nately often get inundated with heavy rainfall this time of year, but surprisingly this does not usually cause problems. It seems rainwater is not a problem for most winter dormant succulents, though tap water is something one should definitely avoid using in winter. Depending on yard/pot location some individuals will not go dormant in winter or lose their leaves. Why this is the case I don’t know, but perhaps winter rainfall has something to do with it.

P. Densiflorum with Flowers, Fruit P. Rosulatum Isalo Nat’l Park

P. Densiflorum, Madagascar

Soils have to be very well draining or these plants will rot if kept wet too long in poorly draining soils. There are dozens of excellent soil choices, however, and as long as they contain a lot of porous materials (pumice, perlite or scoria), sand and some organic soil (pot- ting soil, decomposed bark etc.) Pachypodiums seem quite content.

All these plants are demanding of high light and suffer in dark, shady locations. Most are full sun plants in the wild. If grown indoors ideally keep in a southwest facing window (these plants may need to be turned periodically from leaning toward the light and growing crookedly). (continued next page>>) PACHYPODIUM – CONTINUED Pachypodiums are not very cold tolerant plants. Growing them outdoors in marginal climates like those in southern California can be a risky situation, though some species are much more likely to do well than others. Pachypodium lamerei, geayi, lealii (including sandersii) and succulentum are the most likely species to do well outdoors, with many having success also with namaquanum, densiflora and rutenbergianum as well. Most other species are usually grown in pots as they are either too expensive or too touchy to be reliable outdoor plants in marginally frosty climates. Frosts down to 28F rarely are a problem for most of these cooler-hardy species, but temps down to 26F or below will usually cause severe damage to the trunk/caudex. Last year all most of my outdoor Pachypodium saw 25F-27F and had significant damage to the degree that new growing centers had to start forming at the point of injury. Some proceeded to rot from that point on down. If a Pachy- podium gets this sort of frost damage, it is rec- P. Horombense Ihosy, ommended they be removed from the offend- Madagascar ing climate situations (ie dug up and moved indoors, or move the plant indoors if in a pot), preferably in a south-facing warm window for recovery. Apply rooting hormone to the injured area and do not water the plant for a long time. Most will recover and at least one (usually several) new stems will grow from the injured site. Sometimes this is a good thing making the plant more interesting. However it can take years if not forever for the unsightly blemish of the frost-scar to look better. P. Namaquanum, South Africa

Fertilizer is not usually needed if one is going to repot their plants every 2-3 years. But otherwise a gentle liquid fertilizing in summers is probably not a bad idea and may promote flow- ering. It is recommended to use a standard fertilizer that has even quantities of all three major nutrients, or perhaps a tad heavy on the phosphorous in summer. Some provide extra potash or potassium in the summer and fall to help improve winter hardiness (a common practice with Plumeria growers) if growing these outdoors in marginal climates. There is little unique to keeping these species in pots that differ in any way from keeping other succulents in pots, except remember these get tall and the trunks are full of water, which can make them very heavy, which, if not kept in a heavy enough pot, will make them easy to tip over. This is even more important if growing a large crested plant as these become very top heavy.

Geoff Stein DavesGarden.com

Thank you to Rob Skillin for the photos and Markus Mumper for providing the article. JANUARY 14TH MEMBER MEETING AND BOARD MEETING MINUTES Following a brief delay due to technical difficulties, President Loring Manley opened the January General Membership Meeting of CCCSS. Loring acknowledged the members who brought items for the break and thanked them with a succulent. Note that Rob Skillin buys [yes, he is reimbursed!], cares for, and transports the gift succulents, along with the raffle plants – a big job for which we are grateful. Loring asked about eight visitors to introduce themselves and welcomed them with their choice of one of Rob's succulents.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: • Sign-ups for this year's Show & Sale (S&S) Committee were being taken. Note that the first committee meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 1. Contact Pat Gilson for details. • Membership Chair Barbara Brooks announced that membership cards for California Garden Clubs Inc. are available to CCCSS members, who automatically belong to CGCI. The membership card entitles you to a discount at Bay Laurel Nursery in north county and Los Osos Nursery. • Kathie Matsuyama and Susan Ross invited members to sign up to host a Garden Gathering. These events allow members to get to know each other and to enjoy someone's garden. • Kathie also discussed our contributions to Penny Pines, which supports reforestation of land destroyed by fire, an especially relevant topic for us on the Central Coast. The donation jar is no longer passed but is on the Ask Me Table.

Rob Skillin discussed the plants on the Brag and Plant-of-the-Month Tables. Ann Erb brought in a flowering Christmas cactus that started as a cutting 45 years ago! Other contributors included Ellen Stubblefield, Leisa Swanson, Ann Byrne, Mary Peracca and Dave Westberg. Rob noted that recent unusual weather has con- fused some of his plants into growing and flowering out of season. He reports watering more than usual. Rob also described the plants in the raffle. The meeting then took a break for refreshments and socialization.

Following the break, we enjoyed a show of aloes in South Africa by aloe expert Duke Benadon. Special thanks to Duke who had to make a major detour to get here from Southern California due to the closure of the 101. The raffles were held, the meeting adjourned, the plant exchange took place and the Board met for the Board of Directors meeting.

The Board discussed the following topics:

Suggestion Box: We regularly receive suggestions on how to improve the break, which we realize is far from ideal. So far, we have not received any ideas that we feel would make a significant difference. Suggestions include having refreshments before the meeting, thereby eliminating the break, which would make for a very long stretch of sitting. Other suggestions haven’t seemed likely to improve the situation. Related to this issue is that some members find the Brag and Plant-of-the-Month segments less entertaining than other parts, but it gives members the opportunity to participate and be personally involved. We have gotten so large that it’s a challenge to get to know each other. We want our meetings to be as enjoyable and informative as possible, and we always welcome and discuss your suggestions. Let us know how we can make your meetings better!

Other topics discussed: • Scheduled first S&S Committee meeting for March 1, 2018, at the community room in Pat’s development. • CSSA Convention update. Tentative date, September 2019. • Thank You letter to Gene Schroeder for our new sound system and training on the new sound system. • T-shirt contest—note that the artwork must be original. • Bylaws subcommittee / Member sales–Standing rules / Newsletter archives / Possible contribution to Ventura Botanical Gardens

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. Respectfully submitted by Carol Harlow Moss, CCCSS Secretary SOME THANK YOU’S ARE IN ORDER... THANK YOU GENE SCHROEDER! A belated but very BIG Thank You to Gene Schroed- er for donating a brand new, fantastic sound system to CCCSS! What a surprise at the CCCSS Holiday Party to discover the background music, announce- ments and auction all occurred on this incredible new Yamaha Portable Audio system. Gene’s donation of the PA system includes both attached and wireless microphones, speaker stands, and cables. WOW!

Gene made his donation to benefit CCCSS on behalf of a small group of CCCSS members. In the Fall of 2016, dozens of CCCSS members, under the direc- tion of Kathie Matsuyama and Christy Keeling, helped Gene and Dail Schroeder prepare to sell a large part of Gene’s fantastic specimen plants and incredible seed grown cactus. For weeks, volunteers sorted, cleaned, trimmed, pruned, organized, labelled and talked about cactus and succulents. The Gene Schroeder Cactus & Succulent Sale on October 15, 2016 was a remarkable success.

Many of the volunteers are shown in the photo. Back row: Randy Ball, Dennis Lingo, Claudine Lingo, Ken By- rne, Barbara Sheckherd, Bill Sheckherd, Linda Hicks, Tim Dawson, Harry Harlow. Middle Row: Terry Excell, Ann Erb, Mary Harlow, Anne Byrne, Carol Moss, Donna Duerk, Kathie Matsuyama. Front Row: Dail Schro- eder, Merodie Nelson, Christy Keeling. Volunteers not shown include: Paul Matsuyama (taking the photo), Bill Findley, David Einung, Charles Varni, Joan Field, David Westberg, Sue Shields, Mary Peracca, Loring Manley, Jose Toll, and Linda Drake.

Gene has donated the new Yamaha PA system to benefit the entire CCCSS as a way to thank the CCCSS members who helped with the Gene Schroeder Cactus & Succulent Sale. The entire Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society would like to say THANK YOU GENE SCHROEDER for your generosity!

Thank you to Joan Field for her help with the CCCSS History Project! Kathie Matsuyama has undertaken the fun project of preparing a history of CCCSS. The history will discuss the formation and early days of CCCSS, compile statistics on a wide variety of CCCSS topics, and create an archive for CCCSS photos. Joan Field recently unearthed several dozen very old copies of CCCSS newsletters—Thanks Joan!

Newsletters are still needed from February, May and June of 2005. If you have any of these old newsletters, information regarding the CCCSS formative early days, or great photos of CCCSS events, please contact Kathie Matsuyama at [email protected]. –Thank You!

Thank you to Tasha Erickson, one of our newest CCCSS Board Members at Large, for creating beautiful informational signs for the various tables and stations around our CCCSS meeting room. You’ve probably noticed the lovely signs iden- tifying the Club Sales, Penny Pines Jar, and Sign-ups table locations. Tasha’s professional graphic talent is on display with these colorful, fun, and eye-catching designs!

Thank you, Tasha, for donating your skill and time to CCCSS! CCCSS GARDEN GATHERINGS Did you attend one of our CCCSS Garden Gatherings in 2017 and enjoy socializing with fellow CCCSS members in a gorgeous cactus and succulent garden? Are you thinking about hosting a Garden Gathering event? Join the fun! We’re looking for folks with a desire to share their passion for their plants, their garden and a willingness to host. Sign-ups for 2018 are underway. Please let us know if you are interested! Contact Susan Ross at [email protected], or Kathie Matsuyama at luvbigdogs@ earthlink.net

If you’re not familiar with the CCCSS Garden Gatherings, here are the FAQs:

• Why: CCCSS club is large; it’s hard to connect with other cactophiles at our huge meetings.

• What: “Garden Gatherings” are a chance to meet club members in a fun, casual garden setting. Food and a tour of the member’s garden are included.

• Where: Gatherings take place in a CCCSS member’s garden.

• Who: Garden Gathering participants must be CCCSS members. The host decides the number of guests. Sign-ups are taken at monthly club meetings.

• When: Hosts pick the date and time for the event.

The process of pre-planning, event organization, sign-up sheets, emailing your guests, etc. will be capably coordinated by Susan and Kathie! Please don’t hesitate to sign up because you have a weed or two in your garden, we all do! And don’t worry if your garden is not all cacti or succulent-related. The intent of Garden Gatherings is to get to know other members of CCCSS. This is a delightful way to do just that!

At the February CCCSS meeting, sign-ups will be taken for Garden Gathering events in San Luis Obispo March 31st and April 28th. See Susan and Kathie for more information at the meeting.

Pictured: The home of member Mary Peracca, the site of an upcoming Garden Gathering ANNUAL CCCSS SHOW & SALE T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST!

Would you like to see your design on the tee-shirts for this years show and sale? Can you come up with an original design that would include a succulent or cactus or more? The contest is coming up and soon! Artwork needs to be emailed to Bill Findley by March 23rd (designs received by this date will be included in the newsletter for preview prior to the April meeting). Voting on the design will happen at the April 8th meeting and shirts will be for sale at the May 13th meeting.

CONTEST RULES • All artwork must be printed on paper (and large enough for us to see them), and brought to the April 8th meeting for display and voting. Voting will take place in the snack room during the meeting. All voting must be done in person at the meeting — no emailed votes will be counted.

• Your emailed design must be in a PDF format, others do not work as well and will not be accepted. If you are having issues with putting your design into a PDF format, please contact Bill before the March 23rd deadline.

• Your design must include the plant name, and the words “Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society, 2018, 12th Annual Show and Sale”.

• Try to keep it simple; details may get lost in the printing process. Keep the color pallet simple as well.

• Hand drawn designs can be entered but a scan (PDF) still needs to be sent to Bill, and if your design wins, the original artwork will need to be provided right away for a high-resolution scan.

• The t-shirt color will be picked by board members after the winner has been chosen.

• CCCSS may reproduce the design in the newsletter, on our Facebook page, or other promotion of the Club and related events.

Please don’t wait until the last minute to e-mail Bill if you have questions!

Bill Findley: [email protected]

SHOW & SALE T-SHIRT DESIGNS FROM THE PAST FEW YEARS:

2017 2016 2015 BEAUTIFUL ART FOR SALE! Available at our next meeting, we will have two sizes of this gorgeous print for you to purchase. The art was done by Steve Thomas for the Just Looking Gallery at 746 Higuera Street, Ste 1, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805.541.6663). The amazing and wonderful folks there have offered the art to CCCSS as a fundraiser. The profit from every piece of art sold by CCCSS goes to CCCSS!! Thank you Ken McGavin and Ralph Gorton for your kindness and generosity!

Prices including tax:

12” x 18” Framed Print: $120

24” x 36” Print on Canvas: $420

Orders will be taken at the club meetings; cash and checks only please.

Your print will be ordered from Just Looking Gallery and delivered to you at the following club meeting.

For more information, contact Kathie Matsuyama: [email protected] 2018 regional show and sale calendar FEBRUARY 10: San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society Winter Show & Sale Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, Room 101, San Diego | www.sdcss.net/winter-show-sale

MARCH 22-24: Orange County Cactus & Succulent Society Spring Show & Sale Anaheim United Methodist Church, Anaheim | www.occss.org/wp_occss_new | 562.587.3357

MARCH 24-25: Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society Spring Show & Sale San Juan Bautista Community Hall, 10 San Jose St, San Juan Bautista | www.mbsucculent.org

APRIL 7-8: South Coast Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale South Coast Botanical Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes | www.southcoastcss.org

APRIL 29: Huntington Plant Sale Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino | www.huntington.org | 626.405.3504

MAY 5-6: Sunset Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale, Veterans Memorial Center 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City | www.sunsetsucculentsociety.org | 310.822.1783

MAY 6: South Bay Epiphyllum Society Show & Sale South Coast Botanical Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes | 310.833.6823

MAY 12-13: Gates Cactus & Succulent Society 35th Annual Show & Sale 450 E Alessandro Blvd, Riverside | www.gatescss.com | 909.626.4197

May 19-20: Long Beach Cactus Club Plant Show & Sale Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach | www.longbeachcactusclub.org | 310.922.6090

MAY 26-27: Central Coast Cactus & Succulent Society 12th Annual Show & Sale Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo | www.centralcoastcactus.org | 805.237.2054

JUNE 2-3: Fresno Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 Fourth St, Clovis | www.fresnocss.com

JUNE 2-3: San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society Summer Show & Sale Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, Room 101, San Diego | www.sdcss.net

JUNE 9-10: San Francisco Succulent & Cactus Society Annual Show & Sale San Francisco County Fair Building at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, San Francisco | www.sfsucculent.org

JUNE 9-10: Los Angeles Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd, Encino | www.lacactus.com

JUNE 29-30, July 1: CSSA Annual Show & Sale Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino | www.cssainc.org

AUGUST 11-12: Annual Intercity Show & Sale, LA County Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia Info: Tom Glavich 626 798-2430 or Artie Chavez 818-482-8795 | www.sgvcss.com

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE > 2018 regional show and sale calendar – CONTINUED SEPTEMBER 1: Huntington Botanical Gardens Succulent Symposium Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino | www.huntington.org | 626.405.3504

SEPTEMBER 15: Long Beach Cactus Club Plant Show & Sale Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach | www.longbeachcactusclub.org | 310.922.6090

SEPTEMBER 28-29: Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society Fall Show & Sale Location TBD | www.mbsucculent.org

OCTOBER 13-14: Bakersfield Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale St. Paul’s Church, 2216 17th St, Bakersfield | www.bakersfieldcactus.org | 661.831.8488

OCTOBER 27-28: Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale, San Diego Botanic Garden 230 Quail Gardens Rd, Encinitas | www.palomarcactus.org | 858.776.7216 | [email protected]

NOVEMBER 3-4: San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society Winter Show & Sale LA County Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia | www.sgvcss.com Cactus and Succulent Society of America Board Meeting Highlights January 14, 2018

CSSA held its first meeting of the year on Sunday, January 14 at the Huntington Gardens. We are eager to let our affiliate members know about our current activities and upcoming plans and encourage you to publish this update in your newsletter.

• Following the December election, the Board welcomes William Wilk, Peter Walkowiak, and Vince Basta as new Directors. • CSSA is pleased to announce that the July, 2019 Convention will be held in San Luis Obispo with the enthusiastic support of the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society. The dates and other details will be announced as soon as contracts are confirmed. • CSSA offers trophies for winners of in the educational display category in affiliate shows. If you would like to offer this trophy, please contact Susan Carpentier at [email protected] and she will provide a trophy to affiliate. • CSSA Journal Editor Tim Harvey has compiled a compendium of articles on Aloes that will be sold at the CSSA online shop soon. If well-received, this will be followed by compendia of Journal articles on other popular succulent families. • The CSSA website www.cssainc.com is currently undergoing considerable revision and simplification. We are converting to a Google calendar, and are happy to announce your events. In addition, we are unifying the platform to make it easier to keep current. Please watch for these changes and contact M.A.Bjarkman, the Affiliate Chairperson, with your comments or requests. She can be contacted at [email protected].

JOIN THE CSSA CCCSS ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOIN THE GOOD THYME GARDEN CLUB FOR A TOUR OF DESCANSO GARDENS! Also stopping at Sal’s Cactus Mart to buy plants (cash or checks only).

Friday March 9, 2018 Price is $70 for the bus and entry to the gardens. Meet in Nipomo at Vons, 6:45 AM — Bus departs at 7:00 AM. Arrive back in Nipomo at 5:15 PM.

Contact Linda Siskey (805.489.3170) for more information.

CARPOOLING TO MEETINGS AND EVENTS Due to the general shortage of parking at Oddfellows Hall, we would like to ask all members to carpool if at all possible. We will be placing a sign-up list for those interested in carpooling at our meetings.

Carpooling will make more parking available, and might also give you a chance to socialize with people who live near you and are involved in the club!

CCCSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Loring Manley [email protected] MEMBERS AT LARGE Terry Skillin VICE PRESIDENT: Carol Mortensen [email protected] [email protected]

SECRETARY: Carol Moss [email protected] Natasha Erickson [email protected] TREASURER: Kathy Goss Bill Findley MEMBERSHIP: Barbara Brooks [email protected] [email protected]

HOSPITALITY: Pat Gilson [email protected] PAST PRESIDENT Ken Byrne [email protected] LIBRARIAN: Ann Byrne [email protected] CSSA AFFILIATE NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Mark Woods [email protected] Rob Skillin [email protected]

691 Facebook members! View club updates & member photos. Also find us online at centralcoastcactus.org. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS MEMBERS!

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