SAN GABRIEL VALLEY & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020 San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society COMMUNIQUE

An Affiliate of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America March 2020—Volume 53, Number 03

The next Cactus THE NEXT MEETING OF and Succulent THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY WORKSHOP will meet WEDNESDAY, CACTUS AND SUCCULENT MARCH 18 SOCIETY WILL BE at 7:30 pm THURSDAY, MARCH 12 in the Palm Room at 7:30 pm in AYRES HALL at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. at the LA County Topic: Arboretum in Arcadia. Haworthia

IN THIS ISSUE

Mini –Show President’s Message …………………..……… .page 2 for THURSDAY, Refreshment Reminder ……………………..... page 3 MARCH 12 Membership dues reminder ……………….... page 3 This Month’s Program ………………. pages 4 & 5 Cactus: POM article — Cactus ……………….………... page 6 Tephrocactus POM article — Succulent …………………..... page 7 Winter Show Dinner photos ………………….page 8 Succulent: POM and Workshop topics………..….…...... Page 9 Conophytums Mini Show Results from Febeuat ……..…. page 10 Winter Show Trophy Winners ……………...page 11 Calendar of Upcoming Event…………….…. page 12

1 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

SGVCSS LEADERSHIP TEAM 2020 President’s Message Gunnar Eisel , President Tom Vermilion, Past President Conservation and habit protection have been hot topics for many years. Howev- Sharon Sedillo, Vice President er, the extraordinary popularity of succu- Louise Guerin, Secretary lents have driven a world-wide exploita- Margie Wilson, Treasurer tion of rare plants, and succulent poach- Shaun Adams, Director 2019-2020 ing is rampant. The Cactus and Succulent Kal Kaminer, Director 2019-2020 Society of America as come up with lan- James Lemos, Director 2019-2020 guage designed to discourage the exhibi- Irene Chew, Director 2020 -2021 tion of field collected plants at its shows: Richard Salcedo, Director 2020 -2021 "CSSA will not accept any field collected Tori Wilson, Director 2020 -2021 plants in its shows. Plants will be evalu- Tom Glavich, Inter-City Show Chair ated by a review team upon entering. Manny Rivera, Winter Show Chair The Board recognized the challenges in John Matthews, Winter Sales Chair identifying field-collected specimens" Jim Hanna, CSSA Affiliate Rep We hope this policy will be adopted by Gunnar Eisel, Website Chair C&S Societies at their shows. We cannot afford to look the other way when it con- Woody Minnich, Program Chair cerns this important issue. Our speaker Tori Wilson, Membership Chair this month, Woody Minnich, will address Cindy Arakaki, Librarian these issues in his talk “Cactus and Suc- Richard Roosman, Newsletter Editor culent Conservation Around the World” Best regards, Gunnar

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

2 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

REFRESHMENTS For MARCH 12 if your last name begins with K or L please bring refreshments Please have snacks ready by 7 pm. Some ideas: brownies, burritos, chips & dip, cookies, cupcakes, M & M’s, pizza, sandwiches, trail mix, etc. Of course, we welcome snacks brought by anyone, no matter what letter your last name begins with. REFRESHMENTS SCHEDULE March 2020 — last name beginning with K or L April 2020 — last name beginning with M or N May 2020 — last name beginning with O, P, Q, or R June 2020 — last name beginning with S or T September 2020 — last name beginning with U, V, W, X, Y, or Z October 2020 — last name beginning with A or B November 2020 — last name beginning with C or D January 2021 — last name beginning with E, F, or G February 2021 — last name beginning with H, I, or J March 2021— last name beginning with K or L

Your Dues Are Due! Let’s keep our San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society growing! Please pay your membership dues for 2020 by February 15th. That’s when the 2020 Roster goes to the printer. I hope you will be included. Membership is $20 for e-mail delivery of the monthly newsletter. Make checks payable to SGVCSS. I will be at our March meeting on Thursday, March 12. You can pay cash in person. Please bring exact change ($20). Please DO NOT mail cash. Or you can mail your check to: Tori Wilson (Make check payable to SGVCSS), 501 San Luis Rey Road, Arcadia CA 91007 Thanks, Tori ******** When I receive your check, or an e-mail notifying me that you will not be renewing, these annoying e-mails will stop.

3 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

Cactus and Succulent Conservation Around the World Presentation 2020 Wendell S. Woody Minnich

Never has there been a time when conservation of our cacti and succulents has been more urgent! Due to many factors, our precious succulents, as well as many other plants and animals, are now facing severe problems. When traveling around the world in succulent rich regions, I have observed an amazing increase in the devastation of habitats and the illegal removal of many rare and endan- gered of cacti, succulents, and other plants and animals. Not only are we losing these very special and unique plants, sadly enough, we are aggressively destroying many valuable and irreplaceable habitats. Our desires to urbanize and agriculturally develop great numbers of virgin environments have only produced severe ecosystem imbalances, thus the extinction, at a most rapid rate, of many of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating plants and animals There are many cacti and other succulents that are becoming very valuable to the collector’s egos and appetites. Generally, these plants and animals are those that we have a difficult time producing in the nursery. Due to their rarity in cultivation, they often demand high dollars in the trade. Also, because many of these special species take extremely long periods of time (10s to 100s of years) to develop their wonderful character, it is not commercially feasible for growers or breeders to produce them. The unscrupulous collector will often spend huge sums of money to get these unique and rare specimens. And with the demand and dollars being high, it has become more and more common for commercial collectors to find ways to acquire these special plants and animals. Now, with the internet being a very popular method of acquiring merchandise, our rare and endangered cacti and other succulents are being sold internationally with very little, if any, controls being enforced.

The countries that are most affected with cactus and succulent problems are: Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Peru, and the United States. All of these countries have well intended conservation programs, but most do not have the funds available to properly enforce their laws or monitor their endemic species. In this presentation you will see many of the cacti and other succulents that are considered threatened or endangered, and what has happened to place them in this perilous position. Our world is getting smaller and smaller, and as our human population continues to increase, we ALL need to do our part to help protect our amazing world of plants, animals, and habitats. Conservation is not a spectator sport. Please speak out when and where you can, as the future generations of all things depend on us.

4 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

Brief Biography of Wendell (Woody) Minnich 2020

Woody, as he is commonly known, grew up in the Mojave Desert and has had an interest in desert plants and animals since the early 50’s. He has been involved with the cactus and succulent world as a grower, field explorer, club and organization leader, writer, photographer, and presenter. Having been a speaker all over the world, Woody is most often associated with giving presentations on his field work from the places he has traveled, such as: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Peru, Socotra, South Africa, the United States, and Yemen. He is also recognized for having operated the nursery Cactus Data Plants since 1975. He has published numerous articles and reviews in various journals. His photography is in many books including The Copiapoa by Schulz, The Mammillaria Handbook by Pilbeam, the Cactus Lexicon by Hunt and Charles, as well as many others. Woody and his wife, Kathy, live in Cedar Grove, New Mexico. He is a retired secondary school teacher of 32 years, where he taught Graphics, Art, and Architecture. With 51 years in the hobby, and 64 years in the field, he has many experiences to share and numerous photos to show.

5 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

Plant of the month: Cacti Tephrocactus Article and photos by Manny Rivera

Tephrocactus is a of the cactus family Cactaceae and the subfamily Opuntioideae. There are 10 or so species in the small genus. They are endemic to Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile in South America. Tephrocactus is very similar to its relative the prickly pear Opuntia except Opuntias have flat stems or segments . Just like Opuntias, Tephrocactus have many glochids. Glo- chids have barbed hairs or bristles that break off easily in your hand at the slightest touch. Spines can be long, like Tephrocactus alexanderi, T. aoracan- thus, and T. nigrispinus. Or the spines can be soft, thin, and papery like T. articulatus var papyracanthus. Spines can be dense and needle-like such as T. bonnieae. Tephrocactus are often found near or at the top of stony hills, on sandy or rocky soil, among grasses, or even on plains. In cultivation give them bright light. They do best in well-drained soil. They are slow growers. Give them a good drenching during the summer growing season. You can fertilize them at the same time, giving them half the recommended dosage. The flowers are diurnal: white or pink, or sometimes yellow, orange, or red. They are pollinated by wasps, bees, and ants. Their fruit can be juicy or dehiscent (split open fruit). Seeds can be light and can be scattered by the wind. Some seeds can be dispersed by the excreta of animals that eat the fruit.

Tephrocactus Tephrocactus bonnieae alexanderi geometricus

6 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

SUCCULENT OF THE MONTH: CONOPHYTUMS Article by Tom Glavich 2018

Conophytum are one of the most interesting of the Mesembs. They are small plants ranging from single headed specimens that rarely exceed half an inch in diameter to larger clusters that can grow to several inches in diameter. They are winter growers, flowering at the start of the growing season, which for California is September through November. Many are relatively easy to grow while some are fiendishly difficult. They want a warm, fairly dry summer, rest, and a cool wet winter. They go dormant in the late spring to early summer and develop a pale skin that eventually turns papery. When this happens, they want little water, but appreciate an occasional misting. They often grow where sum- mer fogs are common, providing occasional cooling mists. In cultivation a light misting every 10 days or so during the summer months prove beneficial. During fall and spring, weekly watering in fast draining mixes is beneficial and less fre- quent watering when in slower draining mixes works well. They love being exposed to the rain, but too much of a good thing can lead to split heads and rot. Potting mixes vary from straight pumice to a mix made famous by Steve Hammer and called Mabel Mix. This is one part plaster sand, one part pumice, one part Miracle Grow Water retentive potting mix, and one half part vermiculite. The author has his mature plants in this mix and likes the way they look. They should be lightly fertilized once or twice a year. In habitat these Conophytum often grow in cracks in rocks, where the roots can reach deep and are protected from excess heat. Fog condenses on the rocks and runs into the cracks providing additional water. They can also be found ex- posed in desert pans and fully exposed in quartz fields.

Conophytum bilobum Conophytum marnierianum photo from World of Succulents.com photo from seeds gallery

7 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

Two different photos (screen on left above and screen on right below) taken by Manny Rivera at the winter show dinner.

8 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

Plant of the Month: Cacti Plant of the Month: Succulent

Jan Mammillaria—single head Succulent bulbs Feb Stenocactus Winter growing Mesembs March Tephrocactus Conophytums April Discocactus, Melocactus Dudleya May Lobivia & Echinopsis Milii type Euphorbia June Epiphytic cacti Bursera & Commiphora July Hybrids & Cultivars Ficus & Dorstenia Aug Favorite cactus Favorite succulent Sept Frailea & Blossfeldia Medusoid Euphorbia Oct Matucana, Submatucana, Oroya Lithops Nov Thelocactus Asclepiads

San Gabriel Valley Cactus & Succulent Society Workshops

January ...... Tylecodon and Cotyledon February ...... Aloe March ...... Haworthia April ...... Spring Seed Workshop May ...... Vegetative Propagation June ...... Copiapoa July ...... workshop August ...... Gymnocalycium September ...... Caudiciforms October ...... Grafting November ...... Winter Seed Workshop

9 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

. MINI SHOW RESULTS FROM the FEBRUARY 2020 MEETING

Open (Master) Cactus First place — Frank Nudge — Stenocactus multicostatus (erectocentrus) Second place — John Matthews — Stenocactus crispatus Second place — Rob MacGregor — Stenocactus ochoterenanus Third place — Frank Nudge — Stenocactus multicostatus Third place — Rob MacGregor — Stenocactus vaupelianus

Open (Master) Succulent First place — John Matthews — Cheiridopsis denticulata Second place — John Matthews — Monilaria moniliformis Third place — Tom Glavich — Conophytum truncatum v. wiggettiae

Intermediate Cactus First place — Richard Salcedo — Stenocactus crispatus Second place — Richard Salcedo — Stenocactus multicostatus

Intermediate Succulent First place — Richard Salcedo — Lithops Second place — Richard Salcedo — Cheiridopsis denticulate Third place — Richard Salcedo — Faucaria tigrina

Novice Cactus First place — Winny Sutandyo — Stenocactus crispatus Second place — Winny Sutandyo — Stenocactus multicostatus Third place — Luanne Lelewer — Echinofossulocactus Third place — Irene Chew — Stenocactus zacatecasensis

Novice Succulent First place — Irene Chew — Aloinopsis luckhoffii Second place — C. Phillips — Pleiospilos nelii Third place — C. Phillips — Cheiridopsis namaquensis

10 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

2020 WINTER SHOW TROPHY WINNERS Front left to right: Kathryn Boorer, Richard Salcedo, Barbara Hall, Petra Crist & Bella, Sandy Chase, Keith Taylor, Nikki Bova & her Princess Alliyia, Mary Ann & Oliver La Chapelle, Manny Rivera Back left to right: Shaun Adams, John Matthews, James Lemos, Rob MacGregor, Peter Walkowiak, Ellen & David Tufenkian, David Hawks, Chester Olson

11 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2020

2020 Cactus and Succulent Calendar of Events Mar 19-21 Orange County Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale Thursday, Mar 19 from 6 pm to 9 pm Friday, Mar 20 from 9 am to 7 pm Saturday Mar 21 from 9 am to 5 pm Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim 657-549-0702 Apr 4-5 South Coast Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Saturday, Apr. 4 & Sunday, Apr. 5 from 9 am to 4 pm South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 CrenshawBlvd., Palos Verdes http://www.southcoastcss.org

Apr. 19 Conejo Cactus & Succulent Society Plant Sale Sunday. Apr. 19 from 9 am to 4 pm 558 N. Ventu Park, Thousand Oaks www.conejocss.com or [email protected] Apr. 26 Huntington Plant Sale, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino May 2-3 Sunset Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Saturday, May 2 from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, May 3 from 10 am to 4 pm Veterans Memorial Center Multi-purpose Room, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City 310-822-1783 May 3 South Bay Epiphyllum Society Society Show & Sale Sunday, May 3 from 9 am to 4 pm South Coast Botanical Gardens 310-833-6823 May 8-9 Gates Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Friday & Saturday 9 am to 4 pm Redlands Church of the Nazarene, 1307 Citrus Ave 909-910-9195 or www.gatesscss.com May 24-25 Central Coast Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale Sunday, May 24 from 10 am to 5 pm Monday, May 25 from 10 am to 4 pm Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo

12 COMMUNIQUE Newsletter of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society c/o Richard Roosman P.O. Box 5222 Huntington Park, CA 90255

FIRST CLASS MAIL

If you have a cactus or succulent related event that you would like to have announced in the COMMUNIQUE, forward the information to the address below. Please verify the event date. Articles, Notices and Corrections can be sent via email to: [email protected] or via mail to: San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society Newsletter Editor, c/o Richard Roosman, P.O. Box 5222, Huntington Park, CA 90255. Material must be received by the 20th of the month to be considered for publication in the next issue of the COMMUNIQUE.