!D R Y T I M E S VOL. 114 MARCH 2014 NO. 3

!President: Rosalie Gorchoff Editor: Nels Christianson (310) 822-1783 (310) 396-1231 nelsico@gmail.com !!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY !! March meeting

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 7:30 pm !

Burton W. Chace County Park 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey !

PROGRAM Madagascar: Plants, People and Places

Wendell S. (Woody) Minnich !PLANT OF THE MONTH !

CACTUS: Astrophytum !

SUCCULENT: Haworthia !

!Woody, as he is commonly called, has been in the cactus hobby for some 45 years and has become well known for his participation in many of the cactus and succulent clubs. He is an honorary life member of nine clubs as well as a life member of CSSA (Cactus & Succulent Society of America.) He has served in almost all positions of leadership from president, to newsletter editor, to show chairman and so on. He is also known for his extensive field work studying primarily the cactus family. He has traveled throughout Africa, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Peru, Socotra, the United States and Yemen. From these trips he has developed an extensive knowledge of the cactus family as well as many of the other succulent genera. He is also known for his cactus and succulent nursery, Cactus Data Plants. CDP was started

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !2in 1975 and is still in operation today. Woody and his wife Kathy now live in the beautiful mountains south of Santa Fe, New Mexico in a region called Cedar Grove. He has a small 1,200 sq. ft. greenhouse where he grows his unique plants. Woody is also known for his many presentations. His photography is considered to be special and his commentary very entertaining and educational. He is a recognized international speaker and has spoken for plant conventions - organizations all over the USA, as well as in England, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Mexico. !! Madagascar is a special place, an island in many respects, where the plants, people and animals are as unusual as anywhere in the world. This presentation will feature most of the succulent plants that we find so special. It will also address its most fascinating people, the Malagasy, with their intriguing heritage from the Malaysian, Arabian and African regions. Also, their many wonderful landscapes and biological regions vary from moderately high mountains to the rolling hills of grasslands and inselbergs, to the dynamic canyons and geologically special places of rugged treacherous limestone, to dense jungles. Because this island is so isolated from the main continent of Africa, its endemism of plants and animals, estimated at 6,400 species, is also very remarkable. One could spend a lifetime roaming this special island and not see it all. ! The plants from Madagascar are considered to be most spectacular, especially the succulents, palms, orchids and carnivorous genera. The succulent plants are notably diverse and range from giants to geophytes, which include such spectacular genera as: Adansonia, Adenia, Alluaudia, Aloe, Commiphora, Cyphostemma, Didierea, Euphorbia, Kalanchoe, Moringa, Pachypodium, Senecio and Uncarina. There are also many fine genera of palms including such icons as the Travelers Palm, the giant noble blue palm Bismarkia nobilis and the famous bottle palm Chrysalidocarpus decipiens. The orchid species total more than 1,000 and many are considered some of the most unusual in the world. The carnivorous plants range from the fascinating Pitcher plants (Nepenthaceae) to the amazing Venus fly traps. It can be said that it is difficult to ignore Madagascar’s tremendous diversity of plants, many of which are often growing side by side. Also, it can be said that it is very difficult to know and understand them all. !

! Woody Minnich, taken in Australia !

** If your last name begins with letter M –R, please bring goodies to munch on at the break. Thank you! !Last month CSSA President Gregg DeChirico gave an impactful presentation on the islands of the Sea of Cortez. Gregg also brought plants for sale. !PLANT OF THE MONTH 2014 CACTUS! ! ! ! SUCCULENT!

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !3March Astrophytum Haworthia April Mammillaria – straight spine Kalanchoe, Graptopetalum May Epiphytic cacti Trichodiadema, Mestoklema, Aloinopsis June Gymnocalycium Dyckia, Hechtia, Puya, Deuterocohnia September Ariocarpus, Stenocactus Adenium, Pachypodium, Plumeria October Uebelmannia, Buiningia Anacampseros, Ceraria, Cistanthe November Crested/Monstrose Echeveria, Sempervivum !February 2014 Plant of the Month Winners!!Junior Cactus!1st Place! Christine Kaunitz! Parodia magnifica!2nd Place! Gretchen Davis! Parodia scopa!3rd Place! None awarded!! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !Senior Cactus!1st Place! Brian Gold! ! Notocactus warasii! !2nd Place! Nels Christianson! Parodia chrysacanthion!3rd Place! Nels Christianson! Parodia scopa!!! ! ! ! !Junior Succulent !1st Place ! Aeonium escobarii! Aeonium escobarii!2nd Place ! Sue Verity! ! Aeonium lindleyi!! ! Gretchen Davis! Aeonium atropurpureum Crested!3rd Place ! Lee Freeling! ! Adromischus cristatus !! ! Peggy Oberg! ! Aeonium saundersii!!Senior Succulent!1st Place! Jim Hanna ! ! Aeonium species!2nd Place! Jim Hanna! ! Aeonium arboreum var. atropurpureum!! ! Nels Christianson! Aeonium ‘Bronze Medal’!3rd Place! Jim Hanna! ! Aeonium lindleyii!! ! Brian Gold! ! Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ aka A. ‘Schwartzkopf’! !! ! ! ! !The February POM judges were Coni Nettles and William Wilk accompanied by Gregg DeChirico!!CACTUS OF THE MONTH: ASTROPHYTUM !Astrophytums are often one of the first cacti a collector starts with. They are available for pennies (or now quarters) in discount stores, groceries, and home centers. How can anyone resist the $2.29 special speckled Bishop’s Cap? More than a few show plants started out this way. At the same time, growing a perfect, 10 or 20 year old specimen plant is a challenge few growers can master. Fortunately, the genus offers rewards and surprises at every level between, making it one of the most popular of cacti at all levels. Astrophytum are native to Southern Texas and Northern Central Mexico. They grow in a very arid region, with a porous mineral soil. One of the cultivation difficulties with Astrophytum is their tendency to split open from sudden increases in soil moisture level. To avoid this, keep them in a soil that is very quick to drain, and which has little organic matter. A mixture of pumice and gravel or very coarse sand, with only a little potting soil is best for these plants. !Astrophytum asterias, smallest of the species. It is the hardest to grow well, prone to splitting if over- watered. Astrophytum capricorne is generally the longest-spined species. Astrophytum myriostigma is the well known ‘Bishops Cap.’ Astrophytum ornatum from Hidalgo can grow to 12 inches in diameter and three feet in height.

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !4!References: Anderson, E. “The Cactus Family” Cullman, Gotz and Groner, “The Encyclopedia of Cacti”

Tom Glavich, June 2002 !

! ! Astrophytum ‘Snowstorm’ Astrophytum myriostigma variegated, photos by N. Christianson !!SUCCULENT OF THE MONTH: HAWORTHIA Haworthias are small succulent plants related to Aloes and Gasterias. They are rosette shaped plants grown for their interesting leaves which can vary a lot even in one species. The flowers are small and white. There are almost 150 accepted species of Haworthia which hale mostly from South Africa although some species are found in Namibia and Swaziland. Many species are concentrated in the southwest Cape region. Tom Glavich in his recent To the Point article “Beginner’s Guide to Modern Haworthia Hybrids” says that currently we are experiencing a Haworthia mania. He adds that “improved growth is obtained with low (5.5 to 6) pH and that Haworthias like to have ample root room. They should be placed in a 3-inch-deep pot at least.” !

! ! Haworthia emelyae comptoniana Haworthia maughanii !

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !5

! ! Haworthia ‘Whirlpool’ Haworthia bolusii bolusii, photos by N. Christianson !BOTANICAL TERMS Judi Campbell contributes a few botanical terms each month with the hope of educating the membership about many Latin- and Greek-based words that refer to plant descriptions and characteristics. She is using “Glossary of Succulent Plant Names” by Marshall and Woods. !Falcate: Scythe or sickle-shaped; falcatus Fasciation: A common malformation in plant stems resulting in enlargement and flatness as if some stems were fused; cresting Fenestrate: Having openings or transparent spots Foetidus: Ill-smelling Fragrans: Odorous; sweet-smelling Fulgens: Glittering; shining !Ex Libris !In The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World (2012), Fred Dortort discusses the horticultural features of 2000 “other” succulent species- those which are not members of the Cactaceae family. !The first chapters provide an overview of where succulents live and how we can grow them successfully. The other 28 chapters discuss individual families, which are grouped to help gardeners see what the plants look like. Plant profiles include native habitat, requirements for cultivation, and horticultural potential. Most of the photographs are of plants in their natural surroundings, rather than plants cultivated in private collections. !Since Dortort works in Berkeley at UC Botanical Garden, in many entries he compares growth habits in Northern California and those we experience in the South. !This month the library has acquired two new publications: Cultivation of Bursera, Frankinsence of the Americas by Jason Eslamieh and Succulent Paradise, Twelve Great Gardens of the World by Gideon F. Smith and Estrela Figueiredo. The CSSA Journal Jan-Feb 2014 has an excerpt from Succulent Paradise which describes the botanical wonders of Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola on the Italian Rivera. You can be the first to enjoy these volumes or to borrow other resources from the Sunset Succulent Society library, which Calvin Newman brings to our monthly meetings. !Submitted by Gretchen Davis !

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !6

! Mesembs at Sherman Gardens, Corona del Mar, photo by N. Christianson !!

UPCOMING EVENTS March 28-30, Orange County C&S Society Spring Show and Sale, Friday & Saturday, March 28-29, 9AM-5PM, March 30, 12-4PM, 1000 S. State College Blvd. (Anaheim United Methodist Church), Anaheim, 562-587-3357. Apr. 12 & 13, South Coast C&S Society Show and Sale, South Coast Botanical Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes, CA, info: 310-378-1953 Apr. 12 & 13, Green Scene Plant Sale at the Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton CA 92831. Apr. 27, Huntington Botanical Gardens Plant Sale, 10-5, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, info: 626-405-2160. May 3&4, Sunset Succulent Society Show and Sale, Veterans Memorial Center, Garden Room, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City CA, info. 310-822-1783. May 4, South Bay Epiphyllum Society Show and Sale, 9am-4pm, South Coast Botanical Gardens, 310-833-6823. May 16&17, Gates Cactus and Succulent Society 33rd Show and Sale, Fri and Sat 9AM – 4:30PM at Landscapes Southern California Style, 450 Alessandro Blvd., Riverside, info. 951-360-8802. May 17&18, Long Beach Cactus Club plant show and sale, 10AM – 5PM, Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd., Long Beach, for info. Call 310-922-6090, www.lbcss.org May 24&25, Central Coast Cactus & Succulent Society annual show & sale, 10AM – 4PM, Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo CA, info. 805-237-2054, www.centralcoastcactus.org June 7&8, San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society, summer show and sale, Balboa Park, Room 101, San Diego CA, info. 858-382-1797. June 14&15, Los Angeles Cactus and Succulent Society plant show and sale, June 14 9-5, June 15 9-3:30, Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino CA, info. Email www.lacss-show.com June 27-29, CSSA Annual Show and Sale, Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino CA, 626-405-2160 or 2277, plant sales start June 27 thru June 29, show opens on June 28 thru June 29, free to public. July 25-27, Orange County Cactus and Succulent Society summer show and sale, Fri July 25 9AM-5PM, Sat July 26 9AM-5PM, Sun July 27 12-4PM, 1000 S. State College Blvd., (Anaheim United Methodist Church), Anaheim, info. Call 949-212-8417. Aug. 9&10, 29th Annual Intercity Show and Sale at the LA County Arboretum, 9AM-5PM daily, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia CA, info. Call Tom Glavich 626-798-2430 or John Matthews 661-714-1052. Aug. 30, Huntington Botanical Gardens Succulent Symposium, all day at The Huntington Sept. 7, Long Beach Cactus Club annual plant auction, 12-5PM, Rancho Los Alamitos, 6400 Bixby Hill Rd., Long Beach CA 90615, info. 310-922-6090. Nov. 1&2, San Gabriel Cactus and Succulent Society, 9AM-4PM both days, LA County Arboretum. !!!!!

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society

DRY TIMES Vol. 114, No 3 March 2014 p. !7About DRY TIMES

DRY TIMES is published monthly by the Sunset Succulent Society (SSS), whose officers are: !President Rosalie Gorchoff (310) 822-1783 Vice Pres. Laurel Woodley, Plant of the Month Secretary Peggy Oberg (310) 645-7946 Treasurer Gretchen Davis

Membership: Coni Nettles !Material for publication in the newsletter must be in the Editors' hands by the 1st day of the publication month (e.g., by Aug. 1 for the next issue). Articles and letters may be edited for space and clarity. Editorial comment and signed articles are the opinions of the Editor or author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Directors of the Society, an affiliate of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, Inc. Unless expressly denied in a note with the article, all material in the newsletter may be reprinted by non-profit organizations, provided that proper credit is given to the SSS and the author, and that one copy of the publication containing the reprinted material be sent to the Editor. Reproduction in whole or in part by any other organization or publication without the permission of the SSS is prohibited.

© 2014 Sunset Succulent Society