Essex SucculentReview Volume 52 Number 2 June 2015 In this issue The genus Turbinicarpus by Philip Andrews Continental Cactus Crawl by John Watmough Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus ssp schwarzii Editorial Lea Valley Show Welcome to the Essex Succulent Review. 23-25 May 2015 With this June issue I have now completed one year of on-line Essex Succulent Reviews, which I hope my readers have enjoyed. I have a number of people on my ‘subscribers’ list, to receive a pdf of each issue as it appears, and I know that others download it regularly from the website. Please remember that a ‘subscription’ to the Essex Succulent Review is completely free. Just send me an email to Above: Some of the Gymnocalyciums the address below and I will add Right: Best cactus in show – Stirling you to the notification list. You Baker’s magnificent Melocactus can stop this at any time simply by telling me to do so. The Lea Valley Branch Show, held at the usual venue of Capel Manor, This is a good time to thank all is always an enjoyable event. The the people who have helped me Show takes place on the Saturday, during the first year, by writing and the plants remain on display articles and providing pictures. over the bank holiday weekend. It And also thank you to people is an ideal opportunity to attract who have sent me such positive interest from those visiting the feedback – I really do appreciate gardens and the plant sales, of everybody’s support. cacti, succulents and garden Sheila Cude plants, always do well. Essex Zone 15 Events 2015 SucculentReview Saturday 6 June 11.00am–4.00pm The Essex Succulent Review is Havering Branch Annual Show published quarterly in March, North Romford Community Centre, Collier Row, Romford RM5 3QJ June, September and December. Saturday 13 June 11.00am–4.00pm Southend-on-Sea Branch Show: It is available on-line free of United Reformed Church Hall, Kings Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS0 8PP charge. Just send an email to [email protected] Saturday 11 July 10.30am–4.00pm to receive notification of each Waltham Forest Branch Show: Chingford Horticultural Hall, Larkshall Road, Chingford E4 6PE issue when it is available. Plant sales from 9.00am Past issues are archived at Saturday/Sunday 18/19 July 11.00am–4.00pm www.zone15.bcss.org.uk/esr.html Zone 15 Annual Show each day Editor Sheila Cude RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Address 25 Macleod Road Essex CM3 8ET See the RHS Hyde Hall website for directions London N21 1SW Sunday/Monday 30/31 August 11.00am–6.00pm Phone 020 8340 1928 Havering Branch Sales at Harrow Lodge Park Show RM11 1JU Email Saturday 5 September 12noon–5.00pm [email protected] Havering Branch Sales at Orsett Show RM16 3JU 2 The genus Turbinicarpus by Philip Andrews A general view of just part of my Turbinicarpus collection Cactus collecting started for me in 1961, when I was growing and can be a bit tricky to keep and grow six years of age. My very first plant was purchased well, which is their main attraction to me. I now have from Folkestone Woolworths costing me 2s-6d over 150 specimens, many of which were purchased (12.5p). The plant was Ferocactus herrerae, it was in in the 60s and are now over 50 years old. a 50mm pot and the size of a golf ball – 42 years on Origin of the species the plant is in a 375mm pot and is still growing well. I joined the Cactus and Succulent Society of Great The name ‘Turbinicarpus’ has a double origin of Britain in 1969 and, with this newly-found source of Greek and Latin: information and contacts, my interest and Latin – ‘turbo, turbines’ – meaning ‘top’ knowledge rapidly increased. Greek – ‘karpos’ – meaning ‘fruit’. My interest in cacti is as keen today as it ever was The earliest member of Turbinicarpus was first and now I have more than 1000 plants in my described in 1927 by Bödecker as Echinocactus collection with a particular interest in Mexican schmiedickeanus. It was later included in the sub- miniatures such as Ariocarpus, Aztekium, genus Turbinicarpus, at this time a sub-genus of the Astrophytum etc. My particular passion however is genus Strombocactus. In 1937 Turbinicarpus was Turbinicarpus. These are generally small and slow elevated to having its own genus. The genus T. alonsoi T graminispinus Distribution: the municipality of Xichu in the state of Distribution: Nuevo Leon (Mexico) Guanajuato (Mexico) A recent discovery in 2008 this beautiful plant is now This is a beautiful species and easily recognised. It is a appearing in collections. The spines resemble dried grass. relatively recent discovery by Alonso Garcia Luna, first My small plants are now developing buds for the first time described in 1996. The flowers are fairly large for the genus. (during March) and I eagerly await the first flowers to It is relatively easy to grow so long as care is taken with the appear. Unfortunately flower photos not quite available for taproot. this article! 3 The genus Turbinicarpus continued T. lophophoroides Distribution: Las Tablas in the state of San Luis Potosi (Mexico) This is one of the more tricky species which should be grown slowly and watered with caution to prevent the plant becoming bloated and unnatural. T. knuthianus The flowers are Distribution: Guadalcazar in the state of San Luis Potosi particularly large. (Mexico) Turbinicarpus now includes species previously Cultivation notes described under Gymnocactus. These are suggestions based on conditions Turbinicarpus populate the north-eastern regions of experienced in the south of England. Mexico between 300-3300m. Species are usually Position and ventilation confined to specific hostile habitats found in the Turbinicarpus prefer to be in a well-ventilated following states: San Luis Potosi: Guanajuato: Nuevo position in full sun to maintain a good body colour Leon: Queretaro: Hidalgo: Coahuila: Tamaulipas and and spinal development. Ventilation should continue Zacatecas. throughout the year; 24 hours a day during the Turbinicarpus species grow in arid regions having a warmer months and whenever weather permits mean average rainfall of 300-600mm. They mostly during the colder months. grow on limestone soils, some on almost pure Watering natural gypsum. Many species grow on sloping sites in cracks and niches. The plants’ taproots act as an The golden rule when it comes to watering anchor in the loose stony soil, but more importantly Turbinicarpus species is ‘never water when the a water store for periods of drought. compost is still damp’. Watering should commence late March to early April depending on the weather The species are generally small growing, depressed and the plants should initially be given a light spray in the soil or level with the ground, and may prove to gently encourage them into growth. A number of difficult to spot until they flower. species with papery spines (eg Turbinicarpus The illustrations show some of my particular schmiedickeanus) have the ability to absorb water favourites, although it is difficult to make a shortlist through their spines. Never introduce water too as they are all terrific in their individual way. For a quickly as the plants may take up too much and checklist of species see Turbinicarpus. split. During a hot mid-summer period the plants T. hoferi T horripilus Distribution: Aramberri in the state of Nuevo Leon (Mexico) Distribution: Metztitlan in the state of Hidalgo (Mexico) This was discovered in in 1988 by Anton Hofer. It is a Very colourful flowers and vicious spines make this an particularly slow growing species often remaining solitary interesting plant. Will quickly form offsets and eventually a but may form a small clump in time. fairly large group. 4 The genus Turbinicarpus continued T. pseudomacrochele ssp pseudomacrochele T. pseudomacrochele ssp lausseri Distribution: the states of Queretaro and Hidalgo (Mexico) Distribution: the state of Queretaro (Mexico) may go into dormancy for short time, when water using a general cactus fertiliser applied during the levels should be reduced. spring is probably all that is needed. Temperature Pests and diseases Turbinicarpus species are all able to withstand high From my experience Turbinicarpus species do not summer temperatures and indeed benefit, providing seem to be that susceptible to pests although I have the heat is accompanied by good ventilation. Do not experienced red spider mite and mealy bug over the be tempted to overcrowd the plants, they will be far years. The one disease that all Turbinicarpus species happier with a little space to allow the air to are susceptible to is rot, which can easily kill any circulate. plant within just a few days. Winter temperatures can be set ideally at 6°C but, Repotting providing the plants are kept dry and the humidity Repotting is best carried out once every two/three levels are low, they can happily withstand colder years in early spring although this can actually be at temperatures for brief periods. any time of the year with caution. Feeding I would recommend the following mix Do not over-feed! Over-feeding or over-watering will 2 parts John Innes No 2 produce bloated unnatural looking plants looking (good quality as they do vary). nothing like the species in habitat. These are 1 part Tesco low dust lightweight cat litter. miniature plants and should therefore remain so. I endeavour to grow my plants to closely mimic their 2 parts sharp horticultural grit appearance in habitat. One liquid feed per year (small and larger size mixed). Some species benefit from the addition of a half part crushed gypsum. Either clay or plastic pots can be used remembering clay pots will dry out more quickly.