STOCKTON CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETYNEWSLETTER

MAY 2012

MEETINGS: Fourth Thursday each month, 7:00 p.m. * Unless otherwise notedWHERE: San Joaquin County Building 2707 Transworld Drive Stockton, California*NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 24th, 2012PRE MEETING DINNER: Denny’s Restaurant Arch Road location 5:30 p.m.

STOCKTON CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETYC/O BRIAN POOT1180 BOXWOOD WAYTURLOCK, CA 95380

CACTUSLAND IN ENGLAND

2012 BOARD:

President: Roelyn Poot (209) 599-7241 pootscactus@yahoo.comVice President: Brian Poot (209) 664-9232 jeffgordonfan24@sbcglobal.netTreasurer: Lori Mace (209) 847-0180 lmace@ainet.comSecretary: Barbara Parolari (209) 599-6719 hparolari6719@verizon.netNewsletter: Brian Poot (209) 664-9232 jeffgordonfan24@sbcglobal.netBoard Members: Bill Poot, Pam Fish & Steve Roberts

BOARD MEETINGS: Please note, board meetings will now be held the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m., except in December, or if that date conflicts with something else. Anyone is welcome to attend, but please call first to let them know you will be coming to make sure of the date. Thanks!

We can always use new ideas & opinions for the club, as well as helpwith behind the scenes stuff. If you are interested, please come to a

board meeting. Thx!

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: Individual $20/yr Family $25/yr

Contributing $35/yr Patron $50/yr

Membership runs January-December. Complimentary Jan. & Feb. issue if unpaid.

All dues should be sent to the treasurer before the February general meeting.

CALENDAR:

May 8th - Board Meeting at the Poot’s 7:00 p.m. 24th - General Meeting 7:00pm: Keith Taylor – Caudiciforms

June 12th - Board Meeting at the Poot’s 7:00 p.m. 28th - Annual Potluck & Auction at the Poot’s

This year’s annual auction & potluck will again be held at the Poot’s on June 28th at 6:00 p.m. If you wish to comeearly to tour the greenhouses then you may arrive as early as 5:00 p.m. or if it’s too hot we can tour after supper. Pleaseremember to bring a dish to share. The club will provide plates, silverware, & drinks. Please remember to bring your lawnchairs as well. This year we are again asking you to donate garden related items for the auction. Please remember that thisis not a garage sale & in the interest of time & keeping interest in the auction, we would like to request that all itemsdonated either be edible or of garden relation; like garden books, pots, pictures, garden gloves or clothing, tongs,birdhouses or feeders, plants, seeds, etc. Also, it would be a good idea to place a reasonable, minimum starting bid on youritems if relevant, so our trusty auctioneer Roger Coelho will know where to start. Please remember that you are not thereto always get a bargain, but to help support the club as well. Thanks & hope to see you there!

SUNSHINE REPORT: by Trudy Spahn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Barbara Parolari & Ellen Hughes

THIS MONTHS PROGRAM: Keith Taylor – Caudiciforms

This month's program will be presented by Keith Taylor who has been growing Caudiciforms since 1991.Starting with one plant, becoming fascinated with the odd succulents he scoured nurseries to find more. Todayhis collection swells to more than 800. Keith began showing his plants in 2008. Seeing how C&S are shown atSouthern Cal events quickly changed the way he thought plant/pot combination should be. He will be talkingabout how to grow for size and character, as well as and how to stage and present for showing.

This month the Poot’s will provide the raffle table.

*Reminder to Barbara Parolari (snacks) & the Poot’s (drinks), this is your month to bring refreshments.

*Reminder to Barbara Parolari it is your month to be the greeter.

LONG TIME CLUB MEMBER PASSES AWAY:

Doreen Helen Melendez

Sept. 30, 1925 - Apr. 2, 2012

Mrs. Doreen Helen Melendez age 86, died April 2, 2012 in Stockton at Hospice ofSan Joaquin. She was preceded in death by her parents Aubrey and Madeline Hanna, herthree brothers John, Dave and George Hanna, great grandson Nicholas Marchini, and herthree husbands Elmo Carlo Marchini, Joseph Correia and the love of her life, EdmundoMelendez. She was born in Stockton September 30, 1925 and resided in Stockton all of her adultlife. She attended Linden High School for three years but graduated from Auburn HighSchool. She was an office manager at Manteca Farm Labor Services and Channel Air Conditioning. She had herprivate pilot license at the age of 28 and was past president of the Cloud Busters Flying Club, had her FCCamateur radio license and a member of the Stockton Cactus and Succulent Society. Her greatest passions wereher organic garden for the past 40 years and the study of mind over body. She is survived by her two sons Ron Marchini of Stockton and Michael Marchini of Hollister, three sisters,Phyllis Culp, Edith Rubino and Shirley Stockstill, three grand children Paul, Dax and Matthew Marchini and twogreat grand children Katie and Lorelei Marchini. At her request there are no services.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF CACTUS & SUCCULENTS FOR SALE:

All sizes in clay, glazed, or plastic pots, including a large golden barrel cactus and three large jades. They allneed good homes! Also, large glazed pots for sale. Owner is relocating to "Cactus Country" - Arizona! Pleasecall 209-840-0251 anytime beginning on June 1st.

STOCKTON HOME & GARDEN SHOW UPDATE: by Barbara Coelho

Stockton Home and Garden Tour is over for another year. I think this was the Club's most successful showingso far. Most people who visited our booth knew about us from the articles in the Stockton Record and many wereinterested in receiving a newsletter and/or joining us. Our mascot, Happy Sam, spent the weekend greetingpeople and making new friends. The Show's photographer took pictures of him and some of the plants in thebooth which is good exposure for the Club. Kathy and I set up the booth on Thursday. Merlyn dropped by Fridayas did Kathy and her mom, Margie. Saturday Diane Van Order stopped by. Diane won the Bingo contest andalso a garden chair raffled off by another vendor. Way to go Diane! Merlyn and Diane came by again on Sundayand Roger helped out dismantling the booth after the show ended Sunday. We are definitely making new friendsand establishing a presence in the community.

APRIL MINI SHOW RESULTS:

Novice Division, Cacti: 1st - Ron Bradshaw w/ Cereus ?2nd - Steve Roberts w/ Opuntia polycantha v. hystricina

Advanced Division, Cacti: 1st - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Mammillaria nivosa

Open Division, Cacti: NON ENTERED

Novice Division, Succulent: 1st - Steve Roberts w/ Crassula capitella ssp. thyrsiflora - Steve Roberts w/ Aeonium 'Sunburst' cristata - Mike Bradshaw w/ Euphorbia 'Medusa head'2nd - Mike Bradshaw w/ Euphorbia flaniganii cristata

Advanced Division, Succulent: 1st - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Euphorbia tirucali2nd - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Euphorbia suzannae

Open Division, Succulent: NON ENTERED

Novice Division, Blooming: 1st - Steve Roberts w/ Euphorbia bupleurifolia2nd - Steve Roberts w/ Ledebouria socialis 'Violacea'

Advanced Division, Blooming: 1st - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Aloe variegata

Open Division, Blooming: NON ENTERED

Allied Interest: 1st - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Sedum daisyphylum - Rosemary Bitz w/ Dish Garden2nd - Kathy Zumbrunn w/ Echiveria pulvinata

MONTHLY MINI SHOW: OPEN TO ANY CLUB MEMBERS THAT WANT TO SHOW PLANTS!

The mini show, held at the general meetings, is a time when you can bring your plants,to compete against other members’ plants. There are 10 categories: Cacti & Succulent,(Open, Advanced & Novice Divisions), Bloomers (anything in bloom, also three divisions)& Allied Interest (dish gardens or natural planters). You may bring up to 2 from eachcategory. The forms for judging are available to take home so that you can fill them outprior to the meeting if you wish, or there will be some at the meeting as well. The plants are judged by the members attending that meeting; Who ever receives the most votes wins thatmonths mini show & will get their name in the next newsletter. The person(s) receiving the most votes at theend of the year will receive a gift from the club.

WE ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBERS TO BRING PLANTS TO SHOW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

FYI: We will be changing the mini show categories to now be Novice - those with fewer than 5 years ofshowing in the mini-show. Advanced – those who have shown for more than 5 years in the mini-show & doesnot sell more than $300 in plants a year. Open – those who sell more than $300 in plants a year.

Brian Poot, Mini show coordinator

NOW THAT'S A SPIKE IN SALES: by Nick Enoch 04-18-12

Business is booming for Britain's biggest cactus grower as hosepipe ban takes its toll on ordinary gardenplants.

Britain’s largest cactus grower has seen aspike in sales as the hot weather and hose-pipe bans threaten to wipe out ordinarygarden plants. 'People are buying moreindoor plants for their homes and conserv-atories because they’re struggling to keepplants alive in their gardens,' said 60-year-old Linda Goodey, who runs Cactuslandwith her husband Bryan. 'We’ve also noticeda growth in sales that matches the increasedpopularity of conservatories, 'Normal houseplants can’t cope with the heat in a conserv-atory – they burn up,' she said.There are over 800 varieties of the pricklyplants in the 22,000 sq. ft. glasshouse near Bourne in Lincolnshire. Every inch of floor space is covered andthere are many hundreds more hanging from the metal beams. They cost from £3 up to £200 for mature plants.'There’s probably about 100,000 plants in here', said Bryan who propagates all his cacti from seed. 'It takesthree years to grow a seedling into a plant that’s big enough to sell – some of our larger sale-plants are 18 yearsold. 'I still have my first ever cactus – a Ferocactus called "Fred" – I’ve had it 50 years – since I was a boy. I keepit with my other display cacti and the ones I use for propagating and making new hybrids from. 'Linda and Iexhibit our plants at major flower shows throughout the country and over the years we have won many goldmedals for our displays, including 19 gold medals from the Chelsea Flower Show. 'I’ll start making my displayfor Harrogate Flower Show later this week when we begin to get more flowers. In a couple of weeks they’llbecome quite a spectacle as thousands more will begin to bloom. 'Cacti are mostly from tropical regions and allof our plants have been raised under glass, so we would not recommend keeping them outside. 'However, if youlive in a warm climate, you may have some success with hardier varieties outside, but it is essential that they areprotected from harsh conditions such as frost,' he said.

Drought... bad for some, great for cactus growers More than 35million people are now living in the drought zone which is engulfing England. Another 17 counties in the South West and the Midlands will be officially designated as 'water-stressed' today - the largest area suffering a water shortage since 1976. Although the hosepipe ban currently in force for 20million people has not yet been extended, contingency plans are being drawn up as the Environment Agency confirmed the drought is likely to last until Christmas. Officials are concerned that a third dry winter this year could be a tipping point and trigger restrictions for businesses or even further restrictions in homes for the first time in 36 years. The restrictions are embarrassing for the Government which is showcasing Britain during this year's Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee. Parks are included in the hosepipe ban and London’s iconic fountains will be turned off.

The River Severn - Britain’s longest river - may completely dry up in places by the summer, with disastrous consequences for plants, wildlife and fish stocks. A section near Ironbridge in Shropshire is already causing concern - just 50 miles from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire where the Severn burst its banks, deluging dozens of homes back in 2007.

Continued on next page……..

NOW THAT'S A SPIKE IN SALES: Continued

Despite the poor outlook, the SevernTrent water company, which serves 8millioncustomers, has no plans for a hosepipe bandue to operating an internal ‘water grid’ tomove water from the wetter west of theregion to the drier east. And yesterday itemerged communities are pulling out of theBritain in Bloom contest - a source of civicpride for around 2,000 towns and villagesevery year. Thousands of bulbs which havebeen ordered and paid for by localcommittees may not even be planted due tothe arid conditions, which are already takingtheir tolls on farmers and the environment.Local councils are said to be holding crisistalks with the Environment Agency andwater companies to devise ways to irrigatepublic flowerbeds and hanging baskets - which is normally carried out by volunteers. North Norfolk District Council – in one of the worst-hit drought areas - is facing the prospect of planting30,000 flowers in June which cannot be cancelled even though campaigners warn they will wither and die.Joan Thame, chairman of the In Bloom committee in Sheringham, Norfolk say they have already abandonedplans for colourful baskets this year as they cannot be filled using water bowsers filled from the mains.Bulpham in Bloom in East Anglia which won a silver gilt award at Royal Horticulture Society finals in 2010,and gold two years running for Anglia in Bloom, is considering pulling out altogether. Several towns includingHorsham in West Sussex, are reducing their hanging baskets, while in Colchester, Essex, the situation is sodesperate, the group has appealed for residents to donate water. Swindon Council which ordered £10,000 worth of bedding plants, has decided not to plant them, and ishoping to sell or swap them for drought resistant varieties. The drought zone now includes Cornwall, Devon,Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, some of Hampshire and Wiltshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire,Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the West Midlands.In March, the Environment Agency rescued fish from the River Lathkill in Derbyshire after it dried up, and theRivers Tern, Sow, Soar and Leadon reached their lowest ever recorded levels.

In the South West, chalk streams such as the Hampshire Avon and the Dorset Stour which support rare trout and salmon are exceptionally low. The drought comes after two years of chronically low rainfall. From October and March – known as the winter recharge period when reservoirs fill up – parts of England received less than 60 per cent of the average winter rainfall.

1 - 'People are buying more indoor plants for their homes and conservatories because they're struggling to keep plants alive in their gardens,' said Linda Goodey (above), who runs Cactusland with her husband Bryan. 2 - Britain's largest cactus grower has seen a spike in sales as the hot weather and hosepipe bans threaten to wipe out ordinary garden plants. 3 - Bryan and Linda's daughter Eleanor Brow inspects a cactus among the display and breeding specimens. Right, Linda gives the cacti their once- weekly drink. 4 - There are more than 800 varieties of the prickly plants in the 22,000 sq ft glasshouse near Bourne in Lincolnshire. 5 - Every inch of floor space is covered and there are many hundreds more hanging from the metal beams.

GASTERIA A RINGER FOR BLEEDING HEART: by Maureen Gilmer 04-13-12

For all in the desert who hail from northern cities,returning home after Easter greets the season of thebleeding heart. She springs up in the cold groundof early spring, and from the fern-like foliage riseswands of dangling pink flowers. They so resemblehearts that the sentimental name is used by all butthe botanists who named it Dicentra spectabilis, forthese plants are a true spectacle in the shade orwoodland garden. Bleeding heart came to mind thefirst time I saw a Gasteria bloom in Palm Springs.This little-known succulent just loves our climate,whether grown in ground or in pots. About this time each year, gasterias produce awand of blooms that resemble those of northernbleeding hearts. They make a perfect desert gardensubstitute. Gasterias are clumps of dark greenleaves, often with spots and stripes. They'recommonly called flamingo flowers because each dangling blossom resembles the upside-down head of a pinkflamingo as it feeds in mud of tropical lagoons. They are quite similar to flowers of smaller aloes except for theenlarged “belly” of the bloom where the stem connects. The color is a coral pink with the open end highlightedin lime green. Like bleeding heart, gasterias are shade lovers. They are an understory succulent that grows protectedbeneath trees and shrubs along the eastern coast of South Africa. There species are endemic, and becamepopular greenhouse plants in Europe and Asia. They are known to naturally cross with each other for a hugeassortment of gasteria sizes and leaf textures. The Japanese succulent afficionados have bred many horticulturalcultivars. But what we can enjoy here are the inter-generic crosses with aloes due to their genetic similarity.This results in peculiar unnamed succulents that can be spotted by the trained eye. Gasteria is well known to bemore tolerant of frequent moisture than many aloes, but it does demand good drainage. This explains why theygrow well in our soil and that of the Huntington Botanical Garden in San Marino. In the hillside Desert Gardenat the Huntington they've grouped gasterias in ground proving that they are even more adaptable here in oursandy-gravelly ground. These botanical garden specimens are labeled making your visit a valuable aid in properidentification. Not only are they fabulous in bloom, but the foliage takes on a bright red coloring in the coldshort days of winter. Each gasteria grows in fans of leaves. They tend to offset freely to fill out pots very quickly, then may bedivided into many new individuals. This is the best way to get a lot of them to use as groundcover beneath treecanopies, patio covers or in sheltered coves between buildings. When the spikes appear on my potted plants, Ibring them indoors or to a high profile outdoor location where I enjoy visiting hummingbirds that just lovethese flowers. Gasteria is among the few plants that roots easily from a single leaf. Pluck one at the base of yourplant or just cut it off half way up, then let the wound dry for a few days. Once callused, I pack them into ashallow pot of fine dune sand from the desert. From the underground portion of each leaf will rise a number ofnew sprouts. If you only have one plant and want to make many, this is the best way to go. It's far moreaffordable for masses of them outdoors. As much as I'd like to name my gasteria species, I can't because there are so many hybrids and few referencesfor these plants. Mine came from my divisions of the Moorten Collection plants, and they range from rough andwarty leaves to perfectly symmetrical tongues. I've got a gasteria the size of a basketball, and tiny Gasterialiliputiana which is perfect for table top or window sill. They make outstanding bonsai-style specimens amidstrocks in well drained tray planters. Gasterias are a little known group that has proven itself in the desert. Theytake summer heat in stride and are quite forgiving if you forget to water. Best of all, for those who long for thebleeding hearts back home, the gasteria will provide a locally adapted substitute and a very hard to kill deadringer.

APRIL 2012 CLUB MEETING - PHOTO'S BY STEVE ROBERTS