Welcome to the March eNews

Are BCSS Branches in Danger of Extinction?

One could argue that BCSS Branches are suffering an unstoppable decline in the direction of extinction. Have you calculated the average age of members at your BCSS Branch meetings? At a recent Branch meeting I estimated the average age of attendees to be about 65. I'm not saying there were no 30 or 40-year-olds, but they were outnumbered by the 60 to 80-year-olds. How many new members has your Branch attracted recently? How many members have sadly passed away? And, most importantly, how many younger members (say 16 to 40 years) did your Branch enrol last year? Did you watch Jared Margulies’ talk in last month’s eNews? He noted that, “In the US and Europe my research shows ... that cactus collectors tend most often to be white older men…”

First of all, we must express our thanks to the older members, without whom we would probably have no Branches. But why are the younger generations reluctant to attend Branch meetings? You could blame the Covid pandemic and social media. After all, it is possible to follow our hobby through eNews, CactusWorld, Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, Zoom talks, etc and never cross the path of a living human being. On the brighter side, BCSS membership is flourishing and eNews subscribers have recently passed the 5,000 mark. And, despite the depressing economic situation, interest in houseplants (including cacti and other succulents) is flourishing. Have you noticed how Morrisons, Sainsbury, B&Q, Lidl, garden centres, and specialist C&S growers are selling our favourite plants like hotcakes?

There are some 60 BCSS Branches around the UK, so most of us are within reach of one. As a regular attendee at Branch meetings, I can avow that meeting attendance is well worth the effort: the live speakers, cultivation workshops, interaction with fellow collectors, plant sales and swaps, visits to members’ collections, outings to gardens and nurseries, etc. But the decline in Branch meeting attendance cannot be blamed on the pandemic – the start of the decline preceded the pandemic. At this point, it should be mentioned that non-BCSS members are always welcome at Branch meetings. Apart from the pleasure of their company, it’s hoped that they might be tempted to join the Society.

So, what’s going on? Is this an inexorable societal change nurtured by the spread of the internet and the advent of social media? Should we be resisting this trend? Many Branch meetings have a monthly attendance of about 15 members. Some have more, and some have less. Looking through my Branch’s records, I see that monthly attendance regularly exceeded 50 in the 1960s, reducing to about 30 towards the turn of the century and now averaging about 15. Should we wait until this figure reaches single digits, or should we try and understand the ‘problem’?

We are asking readers to complete a survey accompanying this issue of eNews. Results and analysis will be published as soon as possible. Please be sure to complete the survey. The results could be important.

Good growing!

Brian Ayres (Editor, BCSS eNews)

BCSS Branch Survey

Fig. 4 Echeveria hyalina × Echeveria purpusorum hybrid 

Fig. 5 Echeveria lilacina × Echeveria purpusorum hybrid × Echeveria agavoides Rubin

Frankly, we have had enough of this environment and we are moving to the province of Alicante where the climate is much milder and more stable − typical of coastal areas. At our new location, maximum temperatures in summer are normally about 31°C and minimum temperatures in winter are 5°C. Annual rainfall is about 280mm. We believe that in this location we will have a growing season of 10 or 11 months.

We will have better facilities at the new site. Pressurised irrigation water will be provided through pipes from a community of irrigators in Alicante. Since it is a very dry area we are also planning on building an underground cistern, with a system of pipes to collect rainwater from the roof of the greenhouses. 

Fig. 6 Preparation of the new Suculentia nursery in Alicante

In the new greenhouse, we have a climate control unit that incorporates zenithal windows, side windows and shade screens. Also, automated irrigation will be installed. We believe that in this way we will be able to increase the production of new hybrids of Echeverias, Haworthias, Aloes and other genera. 

Speaking of hybrids, I wanted to tell you about our new hybrid that we will soon offer on the international market, after the conclusion of the patent process. It is a cross between Graptopetalum filiferum and Echeveria lilacina. We examined thousands of plants in the seedling trays and found an amazing mutation with irregular but beautiful leaves; we are calling it Graptoveria ‘Starfire’.

Figs. 7 and 8 Graptoveria ‘Starfire’, currently being patented

It can reach a diameter of about 12cm and varies in colour from greyish green to tones of almost pink, depending on the season and stress on the plant. The physiognomy of the flowers is similar to those of the Graptopetalum from which the seeds were produced. Only one plant appeared in the seedbed but we have repeated the hybridisation and now have a sufficient quantity of plants with the mutation, enabling us to reproduce them in quantity. 

The plant usually flowers between March and April and very occasionally produces offsets at the base. It tolerates temperatures as low as -4°C in our greenhouse as long as the soil is dry and the plant is well dehydrated, and reluctantly tolerates high summer temperatures. It appears to be a plant suitable for both experts and beginners. It should be grown in a well-drained substrate like most succulent plants.

If all goes well, we should be installed at the new site in Alicante by July 2024 and all eNews readers are welcome to come and visit us.

Email: suculentia@gmail.com 

Web: www.suculentia.com 

Wickerworks: the genus Rhipsalis, part 1

Text and photos by Tony Holder

Rhipsalis are widely distributed throughout the Americas, particularly in tropical areas. Most are endemic to Brazil; some have a limited range and are threatened by habitat reduction. Interestingly, one species, Rhipsalis baccifera is even found throughout tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar and as far to the east as Sri Lanka. This is unique: no other species of cactus is found naturally (endemic) outside of the Americas and although it cannot be ruled out that humans played a role in its dissemination, birds have also been implicated in its spread. It is known as the mistletoe cactus and its fleshy berries containing its seeds may be attractive as food for birds.

Fig. 3 Rhipsalis puniceodiscus. The stems are long and smooth, with occasional aerial roots. The flowers (about 15 mm in diameter) are delicate and elegant

Rhipsalis species are morphologically diverse. There are, broadly speaking, three main stem shapes: cylindrical, flat, and flat with angular ridges, and although initial growth may be upwards, usually the stems are pendant, cascading downwards from a hanging plant. Young and juvenile stems may be covered in hairs, but often these hairs are absent from the mature stems. Individual species are notoriously difficult to identify by stem and flower morphology, or location of flowers and colour of fruit, so the identification of species (strictly defined as a group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring) has been problematic. To my knowledge, no crossing experiments to examine Rhipsalis species have been performed.

Finding new homes for 
Maurice Williams' Collection

Maurice Williams has been growing cacti for over 40 years and he is well known for his Matucana collection. He also has an extensive collection of Cereus plants, many of which are quite rare. He has decided to move home and needs to sell or dispose of as many of his plants as possible. 

Arrangements are now being made for the necessary sale/disposal and a list of the plants is being made. It is intended that any sale/disposal will be by invitation or arrangement at his home in Harriseahead, near Stoke on Trent.

If you are interested, please contact Bill Darbon for a list of available plants william.darbon77@btinternet.com 

March 2024 CactusWorld

The March CactusWorld should be mailed out on Tuesday 12 March, and contains a large variety of articles and items to entertain and educate you. 

With spring around the corner, ‘In my Greenhouse’ will surely give you some great ideas in using cacti and succulents as outdoor displays, and also looks at ways of incorporating these plants into home décor indoors. Another article shows how Yucca, Cordyline and Agave can be planted and grown outside in milder parts of the country.

Fig. 1 Yuccas, Cordyline and Agave in a UK garden (Photo: John Boulton)

For cactus lovers we feature some ‘big boys’ in this issue with a look at some Saguaro studies and a review of the genus Cephalocereus. As the author of the latter states, “they are fairly tall growing, and much more impressive in habitat than we can hope to achieve in our collections” and goes on to say, “… Cephalocereus will only flower when large and with great age so in the UK we are unlikely to have the space or conditions to get them to flowering size. That said the seedlings are delightful, especially as has been shown in the case of C. senilis, so are worth growing…”.

Other cactus articles explore the status of Melocactus intortus in Guadeloupe – cacti and Caribbean beaches, what a great combination and a dream holiday destination! And what about the cactus that moves – all is revealed and links to videos are provided in case proof was needed. Plus, there’s even a poem about a ‘nasty’ Opuntia!

Remember that gorgeous Cleistocactus winteri subsp. colademono on the cover of the December Journal. The caption stated that the March journal will cover how the photographer grows this in his greenhouse in Yorkshire on a ledge in an article entitled ‘On the edge’. 

Graham Charles reviews some lovely gymnocalyciums in his latest ‘Presidential plants’ and includes some excellent photos of plants in flower. With the seed-sowing season about to begin for many growers who do not use lights, you will be unable to resist adding such beauties to your collection!

Fig. 2 Gymnocalycium anitsii (Photo: Graham Charles)

For those who love the other succulents, Cephalopentandra might be an unfamiliar name, so be sure to subscribe to the BCSS and receive the March Journal and discover what that is all about. Apart from that, we take a look at some very spiny Australian succulents, hear about a new Aloe species, and hold our noses while we read about both Stapelia and Orbea in two separate articles. We will also glean some good cultivation tips on how to grow these asclepiads.

Fig. 3 A spiny Australian succulent (Photo: Atilla Kapitany)

Mesembs feature in an article on Lithops, and a two-page infographic informs us of how to recognise succulents poached from habitat, as the scourge of Conophytum poaching still continues in South Africa.

A comprehensive article looks at repotting and offers detailed advice on this subject, including some important tips for success – an article especially useful for the beginner. 

All the usual features are there too – CactusTalk, New Literature, Zlatko’s favourites and Succulents Contained. The central News Section has all the information about the next AGM as well as directions on how to get there and Zoom links for those not attending in person. Try and be there to make your views known on what direction you feel the Society should be heading. Plus, there are ads for the Showing & Judging weekend, and the all-important BCSS National Plant Fair. Surely, you have that date in your diaries by now (10–11 August)!

Stamps: Kosovo 2007

Text and photos by Les Pearcy

Following the end of the brutal 1998-99 war between Kosovo and Serbia, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was launched to help establish a Kosovar Government with legitimate authority and capacity. 

A series of three miniature sheets were released, mainly featuring cacti of the south-west USA. All three sheets have the same image of ‘Saguaro’ in the sheet margin. 

Fig. 1 Pachycereus pringlei, Carnegiea gigantea, Cylindropuntia bigelowii, Pilosocereus species?

Fig. 2 Carnegiea gigantea, Pachycereus pringlei

Fig. 3 Euphorbia cooperi, Carnegiea gigantea, Turbinicarpus subterraneus, Opuntia engelmannii

H is for…

Text by Gareth Darbon. Photos as indicated.

Well, most of you will be uttering a sigh of relief as I tell you that this month's instalment doesn’t go into names, DNA, botany or any topics other than the two genera that begin with the letter H.

Let us begin with the cactus genus, Hamatocactus. Fig. 1 shows Hamatocactus hamatacanthus (also known as Ferocactus hamatacanthus). Hamatocactus has many of the attributes of the Ferocactus genus but it flowers when much smaller and rarely stays single-headed. It has small floral nectaries that help with its identification but these give growers a challenge in keeping plants clear of sooty black mould. The other feature distinguishing Hamatocactus from Ferocactus is the hooked spines. These are thin and similar to those seen in genera such as Glandulicactus, Thelocactus and Leuchtenbergia.

As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 the flowers can be quite different in their characteristics. The plants themselves, despite the challenges with keeping the nectaries clean, are relatively easy to keep and don’t require any special watering or heat. They mature when quite small and produce very handsome flowers. They come from North America and Mexico and can therefore take colder temperatures as long as they are kept dry. They flower very early in their life, can be raised from seed quickly and so are well worth growing. They can produce some impressive specimens.

This month’s succulent section, Haworthia, is technically split into three or four separate genera: Haworthiopsis, Tulista, Astroloba and Haworthia itself. These are defined mainly by flower structure and, other than Astroloba, in my greenhouse they all still have Haworthia on the label so for the sake of this article will be discussed as one genus.

I find Haworthia fascinating. The different leaf shapes, textures, colours and patterns give a certain vibrancy to my collection. Many of them revel in miniaturisation and some species rival the likes of Ariocarpus in the snail-like speed of their growth. One such plant is Haworthia sordida (pictured with Haworthia heitan in Fig. 3). In cultivation it will very rarely require a pot larger than 12cm. This photo also illustrates why half of my succulent collection is Haworthia: the patternation. Haworthia heitan is a cultivar from the Haworthia picta group and exhibits some lovely contrasting spots.

Fig. 3 Haworthia sordida and heitan (Photo: Gareth Darbon)

Haworthias are leafy succulents but can also have thick roots in which they store water. Hailing from South Africa they are often found under nurse bushes in the wild and will therefore tolerate shade in collections. Plants will colour up in the sun but, given too much, they can scorch. Some species with large windows, such as Haworthia springbokvlakensis are almost buried in habitat.  

In terms of identification, the large-windowed leaves as seen in Haworthia maughanii in Fig. 4 provide the biggest clue. However, the large flower spikes with little white flowers will differentiate them from aloes and gasterias with which they are regularly mistaken. Fig. 4 also illustrates the fact that these plants can be solitary or can form clusters. Most Haworthia species will cluster radially like, for example, mammillaria. However, there are a couple of species such as H. nigra and H. tessellata that proliferate via stolens. So, if you see a new head at the edge of a pot you may have one of these varieties.

Fig. 4 A clump of Haworthia maughanii (Photo: Gareth Darbon)

However, they are a wide and varied genus and offer many different leaf types and shapes.  Examples of some of these can be seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 A mixture of Haworthia leaf shapes and types (Photo: Gareth Darbon)

From a cultivation perspective, it must be noted that these plants are from South Africa and grow mainly in spring and autumn; they are almost dormant in the summer. Haworthias can be prone to root-rot and, to offset this, many collectors grow them in a mostly mineral compost.

There are many ways to propagate these plants: leaf cuttings, thick root cuttings, splitting of clumping types, and removal of the growing point to generate offsets.  And new hybrids can be generated through the pollination process. Growers such as Gerhard Marx and our own Joyce Cocozza† have produced some wonderful new hybrids such as the plant pictured in Fig. 6, Haworthia ‘wowza’.

I’m sure you can find space for these wonderful, patterned plants in your collection. 

Fig. 6 Haworthia ‘wowza’, cultivated by Joyce Cocozza†

Correction: I omitted to credit one photo in last month’s issue, G is for…  The photo illustrating the stomachs in the Gasteria flower was taken by Ian Strutt.