Inc. No. A0007275Y PO Box 4056 …Professor Tim Entwisle President Wayne Robinson...
16
Spine May 2017 Page 1 Spine May 2017 Journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia Inc. www.cssaustralia.org.au Inc. No. A0007275Y PO Box 4056 Box Hill South Vic 3128
Transcript of Inc. No. A0007275Y PO Box 4056 …Professor Tim Entwisle President Wayne Robinson...
Spine May 2017 Page 1
Spine May 2017
Journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia Inc.
www.cssaustralia.org.au Inc. No. A0007275Y
PO Box 4056 Box Hill South Vic 3128
Spine May 2017 Page 2 2
Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia
Inc. A0007275Y
PO Box 4056 Box Hill South Vic 3128
www.cssaustralia.org.au
Patron
Professor Tim Entwisle
President
Wayne Robinson [email protected]
Secretary
Brett Anderson 0429 363 749 [email protected]
Committee
Val Stephenson John Roewer
David Pretyman Bob Mitchell
Memberships
Logan Thurairatnam 9803 9492
Librarian
Noelene Tomlinson 9889 5237 [email protected]
FRONT COVER
Our 90th Birthday cake. It was made by Stella Abraham of Floral Art and
Sugar Craft Mt Waverley. www.floralartandsugarcraft.com
Thank you Stella
ACTION PRINTING
Hawthorn Vic 3122
CONTENTS
Page 2 - Introduction Wayne Robinson
Page 3 - Knickerbocker Cacti Brett Anderson
Page 4 - Legionnaires’ Pneumonia A Warning
Page 5- A Cacti and PVC Piping Collaboration
John Roewer
Page 6 - Plant Donation Logan Thurairatnam
Vale - Bill Nicol
Vale - Mrs Anna Rischitelli
Page 8 - CSSA’s 90th Birthday
Page12 - CSSNSW’s 60th Birthday
Page14 - Show Flyer
Page 15 - 2017 Get Together flyer
INTRODUCTION Wayne Robinson
Well you will find that this edition of Spine is quite different to most of the past ones. Around Australia we have found that a lot of Societies have been having notable birthdays.
We celebrated some of our past in the last issue heading to our 90th birthday but the
NSW Society had its 60th as well. So we have some little snippets from both parties to
share this edition of Spine and will hopefully get back to some interesting plants and
stories next edition.
As we head into the cooler months we have to make sure that our plants are ready
for the colder weather. Most summer growers should be kept fairly dry for the next
little while but the winter growers are just starting to show their sparkle. Happy
winter growing everyone.
Spine May 2017 Page 3
“Happy is the man who has a hobby” - This was the motto of the St.Louis Cactus Association.
Initially found this remarkable picture of a wide and varying range of grafted cacti in terracotta pots, from the Shiner
Cactus Nursery, “Cactus Catalog Texas Centennial Edition1936– 37. Originally in the possession of our Society
member J. S. Thonemann.
It is amazing, as clearly from the photo and text, these collectors had the skills, patience and technology!, to graft and
grow such a range of cacti 40 years before this catalogue; in the 1890’s - over 100 years before our present time.
Just had to have a laugh at the motto.
According to the “Baltimore Cactus Journal” of August 1895, the St. Louis Cactus Association held their first meeting
on 20th July 1895. This is also noted in a CSSAmerica publication “Cactus & Succulent Society or Club founding
dates”, January 2017, which notes this Society formed in 1895, and ceased in 1990.”
Cartoon extracted from 1939 catalogue from “Knickerbocker” Cacti & Succulent Gardens , San Diego California.
The catalogue was published by the owner, Mrs Neff. K. Bakker.
Cactophiles can relate to having done something similar at some time or another—so engrossed in studying or admir-
ing our prize specimen, that we have sat on, backed up on, or otherwise impaled ourselves without noticing at the
time!
The term "Knickerbockers" traces its origin to the Dutch settlers who came to the New World - and especially to what
is now New York - in the 1600s. Specifically, it refers to the style of pants the settlers wore...pants that rolled up just
below the knee, which became known as "Knickerbockers", or "knickers".
Presumably this is the connection with the nursery name, considering the Owner’s name Mrs Neff. Bakker would
have been from Dutch origin. The surname ‘Bakker’ being the Dutch version of “Baker”.
This particular catalogue was originally posted to a S. J. Thonnemann, a member of our Society in the 1940’s.
Knickerbocker Cacti By Brett Anderson
Spine May 2017 Page 4
Legionnaires’ Pneumonia One of our members, Barb Simmons, had Legionnaire’s pneumonia last year, thought to be from potting mix. We offer the below warning from a media release by the West Australian Government.
Warnings on the dangers of potting mix
December 29, 2005
The Department of Health has issued a reminder about the dangers of using potting mix, garden soils and compost following several recent cases of Legionella.
Department of Health Principal Medical Consultant, Dr Paul Van Buynder, said people needed to take proper precautions when gardening to prevent contracting potentially dangerous Legionella longbeachae infections.
“Legionella longbeachae is a type of bacteria that can be inhaled into the body when using potting mix and compost and can cause lung infection or pneumonia,” Dr Van Buynder said.
“People of any age may be infected, but the disease is more common in middle aged and older people and those with weakened immune systems. In recent times a number of Legionella cases have been detected in people who handled trailer loads of gardening soils, not just bagged material. How Legionella longbeachae is spread is uncertain, however, studies have shown that the most likely way is by breathing in aerosols and dust from potting mixes, compost, mulches, or spread from hand to mouth. Legionella infections can not be caught from other people or animals.” Dr Van Buynder said gardeners should follow five easy steps to help avoid Legionella longbeachae infections:
1.Read the warning on the bagged compost/potting mix before use
2.Always wear gloves when handling soil, potting mix or compost
3.Avoid inhaling the mix by wearing a facemask
4.Carefully dampen the mix while in use
5.Wash hands thoroughly after handling potting mix or compost even if gloves have been worn.
Legionella infections usually develop two to ten days after exposure and people should see their doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Sudden high temperature and/or fever
Dry cough
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath
Chills, muscle aches and headaches
Stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Legionnaires’ disease is commonly caused by the bacteria Legionella pheumophila, which is associated with the inhalation of water droplets from contaminated cooling towers. Legionella longbeachae is associated with inhalation of dust from potting mix, soils and mulch.
Spine May 2017 Page 5
A Cacti and PVC Piping Collaboration by John Roewer
The time had arrived for me to “Pot Up” my treasured “Pilosocereus magnificus”. It had been three years since I’d
acquired this Magnificent Blue Gem and now proudly displayed at least a meter of unblemished new blue growth.
Not a single inquisitive finger had brushed against it in this period. The issue now was ...“How to transfer this
magnificent treasure to a new container without tarnishing its pristine blue surfaces?”
We all have our preferences for handling cacti. My usual methods for handling our prickly friends would involve any
one or more of the following:
- Heavy duty gloves and metal tongs
- Sheets of newspaper or Carpet pieces
- Old towels or blankets and the like.
With each method, I could not see a scenario whereby my treasured possession would remain unscathed.
Fortuitously, a nearby Rubbish Skip was to about to resolve my repotting issues. It contained some longish PVC piping
offcuts. The Light bulbs were flashing and the bells were ringing!! ….. The answer to all my concerns lay in the skip.
The pictures below tell the rest of the story …….
Now in a new home, this piece of cacti eye candy can grow freely for a many years to come …. Although …. I’ve got no
idea what will happen when its growth extends to the Hot House roof?
Footnote: Since I originally wrote this piece, we (including my plants) have decided to relocate our home. My Blue
Treasure once again required plenty of protection during transportation. Fortunately, I had kept the pieces of PVC pipe
which again came to our rescue. PVC Piping offcuts of varying lengths and diameters have also come in handy when
Spine May 2017 Page 6
BILL NICOL – photo from the front cover of Spinette April 2010 Out front of his house in Spotswood. He is proudly standing by his flowering Agave bracteosa
VALE Bill Nicol March 19th, 2017
Plant Donation to the Society by Logan Thurairatnam
The society gratefully accepted a donation of books and cacti from Barry Sturman in April. Barry was a cacti
grower when he was living in Western Australia and grew Ariocarpus from seed. When he moved to Victoria he
did not pursue his hobby with the same passion.
Four of the books were added to the society’s extensive library. The rest of the 10 books and cacti (16 small/
medium potted plants) were auctioned off at the April monthly meeting. The funds raised went towards the
society’s coffers. The society is grateful to Barry for his kind donation.
Spine May 2017 Page 7
Vale - Mr William Nicol
It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of one of our long time members William (Bill) Nicol.
It is recorded that Bill joined the Society in 1958.
Bill passed away on March 19th, 2017, in the Port Arlington Nursing Home, and the funeral was held at
Williamstown. Bill is survived by his wife Jean, a Life Member of Bromeliad Society of Victoria, and family.
Bill, you will be missed by all.
Bill gave a talk to the CSSA meeting on Tuesday, April 2013, assisted with technology by Melissa Jackson. The meeting’s record in the May 2013 Spinette says:
“TALK: Bill Nicol – Stories from my garden. Bill took us on a tour of his garden – then and now – giving a
history of how he acquired some of them and anecdotal stories of some of the people involved. A very
enjoyable time with many laughs too.”
On P. 96 of the ‘History of the Ballarat CSS’ compiled by Noel Main in 2003 for the 30th anniversary of
that society, Bill said: “My interest in cacti began when I purchased a Cereus peruvianus (monstrose form)
from a roadside stall outside Gosford, NSW. I was intrigued by the shape, it looked like a little old man. At
the same time Jean (Bill’s wife) purchased a plant the lady called “Billie Burger” which later proved to be a
plant of Billbergia vittata; hence the beginnings of haunting nurseries and shops for plants.
In the early 60s I was introduced to Bert Swanwick, a renowned grower of succuletnts. Through
Bert I met most of the growers, namely Ralph Field, Tom Dawson, Clarrie Borch, Bert Weingard, Arthur
Burke, Percy Barrett, etc, etc, must include John Himmermann. At this time most cacti growers were also
growing Bromeliads, which I understand were introduced by Charlie Hodgson, a remarkable botanist.
Through Arthur Burke (he established the cacti and succulent section of the Botanical Garden) I got
interested in the aloes of Africa and Madagascar, also agaves. From here the size of my collection exploded
into Euphorbia, Crassula, Kalanchoe, Echeveria, and a host of other varieties, then onto cycads, caudiciforms,
variegates and also cristates. In 1967 I imported, which were probably the first in Australia, some Japanese
variegates and cristates, featured in the August 1968 edition of ‘Your Garden’.
In July 1983, a small group of growers got together and formed a society for the propagation of rare
species of cacti and succulents. We called the club ‘Exotica Australia’, of which both Roger Jones and Harry
Mehmet were members. Through this small gathering of people, a lot of information and knowledge was
exchanged, as were plants. I also did a lot of photographic work (thank goodness), as I now have a
comprehensive compilation of photos of collections now gone, also society newsletters dating back to the
1950s”.
Gasteria ‘Bill Nicol’ is a hybrid named after Bill by Rudolf Schulz, who spelt his surname incorrectly in
his ‘Tarrington Exotics’ catalogue. It forms a striking plant of very thick, smooth leaves lightly spotted white.
Vale - Mrs Anna Rischitelli, an active member herself, also mother of our member Santino. Sadly
passed away late in March this year, due to illness, her cheery smile and kind words will be missed by many
of our members. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Santino and families.
Spine May 2017 Page 8
Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia 90th Birthday Celebration held 29th April 2017 at the Matthew Flinders Hotel
From the President’s point of view.
Our special guests Patron Tim Entwisle and Paradisia owner Jenci
Kapitany cutting the birthday cake
Spine May 2017 Page 9
Every once in a while a Society is lucky enough to get a member who decides that they would like to contribute
to the Society and give up a little of their time. Barby Alston was one of those people. She answered a call for a
new Secretary of the Society and I am sure that she was not fully aware of what she had volunteered for.
However once she started she devoted herself to being everything that a President could ask for. Both Attila
Kapitany and myself were blessed with a lady who was meticulous with her recording, punctual with her reports,
detailed in all she did and continued to smile while doing it all.
For eleven years Barby maintained such a high standard of workmanship and dedication to the Society that the
new Secretary is already struggling to continue in the same fashion (he is doing really well though).
Barby asked for little but gave a lot and the only appropriate way the Committee could say thank you was to
bestow upon her a Life Membership of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia. We hope that her and her
husband Tony will continue to be around the Society and infuse all of our members with the enthusiasm that we
have grown used to. Thank you Barby.
L to R
Time Entwisle
Jenci Kapitany
Wayne Robinson
Kathy Robinson
Greg Tomlinson
Noelene Tomlinson.
Spine May 2017 Page 10
Committee member John Roewer
and his wife Maxine
L to R
Brett Anderson
Wes and Elizabeth
Roebuck-Jones
Jenci Kapitany
Logan Thurairatnam
Too many happy revellers to name
Spine May 2017 Page 11
As part of the celebrations there was a raffle for the fantastic table centre pieces that Paradisia/Jenci Kapitany had
provided for each table. His staff had produced ten fantastic pieces and the participants were all eagerly awaiting
their name to be called out to be the lucky winner at the table. One couple, Dympna and Ian Painter, were very
lucky as Dympna won the pot on her table and Ian won the mystery prize that the President had hidden away. A
very happy and lucky couple they were.
The food, provided by the staff at the Matthew Flinders Hotel was well received by all attending and sadly we could
not make a bigger dint into the quantity they provided. The staff they had assisting us were top rate and could not
do enough to help us out.
There were many stories told that night, some true some half true and some probably not even close to true but
everyone had a wonderful night. Many thanks must go out to Brett Anderson and Logan Thurairatnam for all the
work they did in organising this fantastic event. We will not forget it too quickly.
Joh Roewer loved his
little bundle of grafts and
Dympna Painter was
thrilled with her pot of
succulents.
Spine May 2017 Page 12
The Cactus and Succulent Society of New South Wales Diamond jubilee 60th Birthday
Just eight days after our Society celebrated our 90th Birthday the NSW Society celebrated their 60th. Their festivities
started on the Friday night at their meeting with a cactus or succulent gift, on arrival, for all in attendance.
Once their AGM and the rest of the meeting was over they celebrated with the cutting of a cake by President Bec
Miller and her father Ross and long time stalwart of their Society April Hamilton.
This function was then followed up on Sunday by their birthday luncheon at the Eden Gardens nursery where they
hold their meetings and Shows. I met quite a few enthusiasts that I have not seen for many years as well as some new
friends. The highlight of the lunch, apart from the cutting of another cake, was the fantastic slide show that Kim
Hamilton had put together of pictures of their members congregating at various houses for visits back in the 50’s. This
is an incredible asset that they have of their early days. We here in Melbourne are still struggling to find such
wonders.
At the monthly meeting
Bill and Sybil Harland
Bill and Sibyl’s son Charles, a wonderful plant grower and
hybridizer, Nola Carr and myself discussing old and new
problems.
Spine May 2017 Page 13
Ian Hay
Sihui Ly and Stephen Ly
Ian has one of the best collections in
Australia and Stephen is aiming to have
one of the best collections in the
country.
Bill Harland and President Bec
cutting the cake
Dan and Di Downie with
Jackie Warburton President of the Canberra
Society
Spine May 2017 Page 14
Spine May 2017 Page 15
Spine May 2017 Page 16
COLLECTORS CORNER
GARDENWORLD
CACTI & SUCCULENTS. We specialise in a wide range of plants in many genera. You are also welcome to enjoy our display gardens.
We also specialise in orchids, bromeliads, hoyas, bonsai, and carnivorous plants.
PLUS
Gems, Fossils, Natural History, Books and much MORE!
10% discount on most lines to Society members on presentation of their membership cards. 9am-5pm 7 days
810 Springvale Rd Braeside VIC 3195 PH: 03 97985845 FAX: 03 97063339
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.collectorscorner.com.au
Do you live in the West?
Of Melbourne? Or Victoria?
Ballarat has a large society that draws members from far and wide.
Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society Inc. A0032387J Phone: 5345 2995
Email: [email protected] Website: www.cactusoz.org
Monthly meetings & newsletter, displays & excursions Meetings: 2nd Friday of each month from 7.30 pm
RORAIMA NURSERY
• Rare, unusual, exotic, and architectural plants
• Queensland Bottle Trees
• Largest range of cacti & succulents in Geelong region
• Unique sculptures
• Beautiful drought-tolerant garden setting
• 10% discount to CSSA members upon presentation of membership card (in store sales only)
• Cacti & succulents available for sale online
20 Swan Street, Lara, Vic. 3212
Ph: (03) 5282 8704
Email: [email protected]
www.roraimanursery.com.au
For an extensive range of cacti, succulents and other odd and unusual plants.
Available by mail order through our website: www.cactusland.com.au or visit our stall at the Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne for personalised and informative service. Visit our website and see what we have to offer, email us for
that hard to find plant. www.cactusland.com.au
Rare Succulents for Sale A wide range of succulents for the collector,
beginner or landscaper.
Specialist in Aloes, Haworthias, wide coverage of most other groups.
Collections available. Catalogue can be downloaded from www.cssq.org.au
(go to Buy Plants)
or email: [email protected] for a pdf
or send an A4 SAE to:
Paul Forster, P.O. Box 2171, Ashgrove West, Qld 4060
James Lucas
This Webpage is in the process of growing as the interest in Succulents increases Australia wide. My aim is to have this as a selling tool to the retail nursery industry, and a resource tool for the retail industry and public alike. A colourful and informative guide to Succulents available in Australia today. It will also link clubs societies, enthusiasts and col-lectors together. I am a specialist grower of Sempervivum, Echeveria and hundreds of other Succulents. Ph.: 0423307830 Fax: 0359686807
Email: [email protected] www.succulents-australia.com
Visits by appointment
Paid advertising
