Epi News
San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc.
January, 2017 Volume 42 Number 1
‘Auld Lang Syne’
Parentage: ‘Jungle Red’ × ‘Mr. P.’
Size: Large Hybridizer:
Photo by Jim Nones
Upcoming Events
January 2017
4 Dec. Board Meeting
(at Sandra Chapin’s home)
7 Safari Park Work Party
11 General Meeting
14 CSSA Event at The Huntington
21 Safari Park Work Party
25 Board Meeting
February
8 General meeting
11 Safari Park Work Party
22 Board Meeting
25 Safari Park Work Party
March
8 General meeting
11 Safari Park Work Party
22 Board Meeting
25 Safari Park Work Party
Inside This Issue
Calendar of Events 2
President’s Corner 3
Officers, Directors, & Coordinators 3
Meeting Program 4
Safari Park Report 5
Become a SDZSP Volunteer 5
CSSA Event 6
Holiday/Installation Banquet 7
Honorary Member Award 8
Roger Chapin Award 9
ESA Founder’s Award 10
Keeping in Touch 11
Mother’s Day Show 11
Off-Season Blooms List 12
Member’s Want List 12
Get Your Facts First 13
Now Is The Time 14
Safari Park Clay Pots Sale 15
CSSA 2017 Convention 16
Membership:
New memberships as well renewals can be
processed at our secure web site:
Click here
Membership with Epi News via e-mail:
Single Membership $15.00 per year
Dual Membership$20.00 per year
International Membership $15.00 per year
Membership with a printed Epi News:
Single Membership $30.00 per year
Dual Membership $35.00 per year
Have You Moved? If you have moved or recently changed your
physical OR e-mail address, please update your
new address so that you can continue to receive
your newsletter without interruption.
Send it to SDES Membership at:
PO Box 126127
San Diego, CA 92112-6127
San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc (SDES)
P.O. Box 126127
San Diego, CA 92112-6127
Epi News is published monthly by
San Diego Epiphyllum Society, Inc.
COPYRIGHT of by-line articles belong to the authors.
Other contents, © SDES, Jan 2017. All rights reserved.
Editor– Jerry Moreau & Linda Sinkovic:
(619) 208-7654
[email protected] or [email protected]
SDES Web Site: www.SanDiegoEpi.com
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 2
‘Lyonesse’
Photo Jerry Moreau
https://squareup.com/market/san-diego-epiphyllum-soc/membershipmailto:[email protected]?subject=Membership%20Inquirymailto:[email protected]?subject=SDES%20Newslettermailto:[email protected]?subject=SDES%20Newsletter%20http://www.sandiegoepi.org/
President’s Corner
As your new President I want to wish all the
members near and abroad a very Happy New
Year.
Of course our most recent event was the Holiday
Dinner and installation of officers held at the Butcher
Shop Restaurant on December 14. What a fun time
and great dinner! Hats off to Mildred Mikas for the
superb organizing and coordinating all the volunteers
who helped. Thank you all. If you were unable to
attend this year make sure you come next year and
enjoy the festivities and visiting with the other
members.
A little about me since I am very new to Epies and
SDES. My first Epi came from the swap meet. It
must have been in May or June as the plant I saw had
this big beautiful bloom. I bought it not knowing what
it was and the seller could not remember. Not long
after I saw another one and in talking to the lady
selling them found she was much more knowledgeable
and knew they were Epiphyllums. This was a start. I
was rather bummed the blooms only lasted a day or
two thinking I was doing something wrong in growing
them. Then I found the SDES Web Site and decided I
better go to a meeting to see how to take care of the
plants. I meet Ron Crain and others at the workshop
and was hooked. That was about 3 1/2 years ago. I
have been attending ever since. Some how I got
talked into volunteering at the Safari Park and helping
in the plant house. This was even more educational
and I learned from the others how to best take care and
grow the Epies. Thanks to all who helped me. Two
years ago I was asked to be the Treasurer for the
society. I was reluctant but wanted to be involved in
continuing the great Society we have. I encourage you
(members) to help our society grow by being involved
and attend the meetings.
See you at the next meeting.
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 3
Society Officers and Directors President Tim Paule
[email protected] (619)-443-0826
1st Vice President Patricia Frank
(Programs) [email protected] 2nd Vice President Sandra Chapin
(Mother’s Day Show) [email protected] (858) 451-1744
Treasurer Janice Wakefield
[email protected] (619) 464-1086
Recording Secretary Dennis Hughes (619) 851-4960
Corresponding Secretary Rachel Lininger
[email protected] (619)520-6596
Membership Secretary Humberto Contreras
[email protected] (760) 294-4146
Director (2016-17) Beth Jackson
[email protected] (858) 638-0956
Director (2016-17) Cindy Decker
[email protected] (619) 972-9664
Director (2016-17) Jerry Moreau
[email protected] (619) 208-7654
Director (2017-18) Ron Crain
Director (2017-18) Laura Johnson
[email protected] (619)206-2155
Coordinators & Committee Chairperson: Cutting Table Cindy Decker
Sales Events Cindy Decker
Raffle Table Victoria Chapman
Refreshment Gina Contreras
Librarian Marie Dempewolf
[email protected] (619) 573-5060
Garden Caravan Mildred Mikas
Installation Banquet Mildred Mikas
[email protected] (760) 690-1124
Internet / Web Gilbert Hatfield [email protected]
Workshop Ron Crain
SDBGF Rep Ron Crain
Safari Park Jerry Moreau
CSSA Affiliate Rep Jerry Moreau
EpiNews Editor Jerry Moreau
EpiNews Editor Linda Sinkovic [email protected]
Hospitality Open
Historian Open
Publicity Open
Research Open
Tim
‘Calisto’
Photo by
Jerry Moreau
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://us.mc447.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]?subject=Membership%20Inquirymailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 4
Meeting Programs by Patricia Frank
Pre-Meeting Workshop: Ron Crain will once again present a jazzy workshop on the care of epiphyllum cultivars and/or epiphytic cacti. It is not to be missed. The workshop is held at 7:00 p.m. in room 104
December Program: Last month we enjoyed a wonderful time at the Installation and Holiday Banquet. Members left with a one-gallon epi plant as a gift from the Society. The food was delicious and the camaraderie
terrific.
January Program: This month we will enjoy a presentation of photographs by Don Patterson, entitled "The Garden of Eden, Part Two". This presentation focuses on plants and places seen during his 2016 sojourn to
his homeland of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If you have ever seen one of Don's presentations you know
he will have something new and unusual for us and a great story to tell! Please come out and join us for a very
enjoyable evening on Wednesday, January 11 in Casa Del Prado Room 101 at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments at the General
Meetings
As you know, refreshments are served at the general
meetings. These rely on the members to provide. In
order to have a good assortment of items it helps if
everybody contributes at some time during the year.
If your last name begins with the following letters, A-E,
please bring some refreshments to the general meetings.
Anybody is welcome to bring in some goodies. However,
this way we can attempt to be fair so that nobody feels
they are always bringing something to the meeting.
Please bring in some refreshments to the meetings.
Baked goods, dragon fruit, cheese & crackers, fruit, and
nuts are all good things for us to enjoy.
January A-E July Society
February F-J August F-J
March K-O September K-O
April P-T October P-T
May U-Z November U-Z
June A-E December Banquet
The San Diego Zoo Global had its volunteer appreciation event
in December. Each year they recognize volunteers in different
categories. SDES volunteers who received special
recognition: were 100 hours, Gina Contreras and Dennis
Hughes, 250 hours, Betsy Markle, 500 hours, Cindy Decker,
1000 hours, Tim Paule, and 2000 hours, Ron Crain. Janice
Wakefield was recognized for volunteering for 10 years.
Thank you for your continued effort supporting SDES, its
mission, and the epiphyllum collection at the Safari Park.
I am honored and gratified to work with some great members
while caring for the collection at the Safari Park. 2016 was an
amazing year for the epi collection at the Safari Park. You did lots of great work keeping the collection
looking its best. Thank you!!!
Helping out these past work parties were Barb Alvarez, Sandra Chapin, Humberto & Gina Contreras, Ron
& Velma Crain, Cindy Decker, Marie Dempewolf, Bill Greene, Bob Holzinger, Beth Jackson, Laurie
Lasslo, Gerry & Mildred Mikas, Jerry Moreau, Tim Paule, Terryll Rogan, Paul Vander Ploeg, Fred
Savage, and Janice Wakefield. Your effort is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
The next work parties will be January 7th & 21st.
Safari Park Epi Collection Report by Jerry Moreau
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 5
Details of How To Become A Volunteer at the Safari Park
can be found on our website. Click on SanDiegoEpi.com
Clockwise—Sandra Chapin & Velma Crain, Barb Alvarez,
Jerry Markle, and Cindy Decker
Photos by Jerry Moreau
http://sandiegoepi.com/volunteer/
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 6
BOTANICAL GARDENS
DESERT FORUM Saturday, 14 January 2017
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9:00 – 9:45 Registration
Please bring your CSSA or affiliated club badge or membership card for admission
In order to receive free admission, you must arrive by 9:45. Late arrivers will need
to pay for Huntington admission.
9:00 – 11:00 Desert Garden
Knowledgeable staff and docents will be stationed throughout
the Desert Garden and Desert Conservatory
Aloes will be flowering
11:00 – 1:00 Plant Sales – (exclusively for CSSA and
club members) Gate opens by the Teaching Greenhouse at
11:00 for plant sales - please, no early bird
shopping, and no shopping after 1:00. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted
1:00 – 5:00 Free Time
Attendees are welcome to tour the gardens
and galleries as of 10:00 am
Lunch:
The Café in the visitor center features a variety of sandwiches,
salads, and grilled items
The tea room at Liu Fang Yuan is a nice option for fresh Chinese
food
The coffee shop by the bookstore offers a small selection of pre-
made options
T H E H U N T I N G T O N
LIBRARY, ART COLLECTIONS, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California 91108 (626) 405-2100
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 7
Installation & Holiday Banquet By Mildred Mikas
Our Holiday Dinner was a great success! We had 67 wonderful
epi lovers in attendance, dressed in there holiday finery. There
were many “Door Prizes” and “Wear Your Name Tag” prizes,
including ten $20.00 gift certificates from the Butcher Shop
Restaurant. One of our grand prizes was a $50.00 certificate to
the Butcher Shop. Mike, the general manager at the Butcher
Shop Restaurant, has been very good to us and we thank him
for his generosity. This was our 10th Year celebrating at the
Butch Shop. We had a large number of who had fun partaking
in the gift exchange. This is the second year we had a Birthday
to celebrate, Gabriela Peñaloza. Last year it was Will Harvey.
Janice our President introduced the 2016-SDES Executive
Board, thanked the Board Members for their dedication to the
Society, and presented them each with a gift of appreciation for
their service. She then introduced the 2017 Executive Board.
Janice presented the Roger Chapin Award and Honorary Life
Membership. I’d like to thank Edna & Janet, for the beautiful
job they did on the table decorations, Victoria, Humberto, and
my husband Gerry for all their help with check-in, prizes & the
gift exchange.
Kevin & Karl Almryde above
Dennis & Son Mi Hughes
Photos by Jerry Moreau
Bob & Sue Mohler
Alexandrea & Alexander Buck
Gerry & Mildred Mikas
Janice Wakefield
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 8
Honorary Life Membership Award were awarded to
Marj Myers and Don Patterson
Honorary Life Membership is the highest honor SDES can bestow on a member. This is awarded to any
member who goes above and beyond in their dedication to the Society and supports its mission statement:
to encourage the study of epiphyllum, and to develop public support and interchange of ideas on growing,
displaying and collecting of epiphyllum and its related species. Members awarded in the past have
served the society well in many different capacities including but not limited to serving on the executive
board in different positions, donating thousands of cuttings, volunteering at sales, events, and/or Safari
Park epi collection, and/or helped out as needed over the years.
Marj Myers for her many years (28 years) of service to
SDES. Marj served as Epi News Editor, Refreshment
Coordinator, Mother’s Day Lunch hostess, and Second
Vice President. She has worked at
sales and donated cutting. Marj
opened her lovely garden for our
Caravan Tour. She also created
the large albums of Epi photos &
covers for the books. She has
presented programs on “How to
make floral arrangements”. Marj
always participates and has won
many ribbons.
Don Patterson joined in 1972. Don
was the society’s first Historian. Don has served as a judge at
our Mother’s Day Show. He is a hybridizer of epis and has
registered over 70 cultivars. Some of his beautiful registered
hybrids include ‘Crystal Claret’, ‘Pumpkin Magic’, ‘C’est
Magnifique’, 'Michele Davis', and ‘Hopelessly Devoted’.
Over the years Don has presented wonderful and entertaining
programs at the general meetings and made donations to our
raffle and Mother’s Day sales. Don also opened his garden to our Caravan guests where he has most of
his Epis and cacti on tables & shelves in a very neat arrangement. In 2015 Don was awarded the
Founder’s Award by the ESA.
‘Hopelessly Devoted’
Photos by Jerry Moreau
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 9
The Roger Chapin Award—AKA ‘Volunteer of the Year’
Awarded to Tim Paule & Dennis Hughes
The Roger Chapin Memorial Trophy is for the outstanding
volunteer of the year. This award is in memory of Roger
Chapin. Roger was a member for 13 years. During this time
he served as both the President (2001 & 2002) and a director,
both before and after being president. Roger volunteered
many years at the Safari Park and served as the curator and
coordinator of the epi collection for 8 years. He taught the
pre-meeting workshop for several years. Roger loved epies
and SDES. He shared his knowledge talking to the public at
all the shows, sales, and events put on by the Society. Roger
was an Honorary Life Member of SDES.
This award is given annually at the December awards banquet. Any member may nominate someone for
the award, however it will be the President’s responsibility to make the selection. If you have anybody in
mind send in your nomination to the president.
Tim Paule has been an active new member
willing to step up and help out when needed.
Tim has served as Treasurer and has devoted
many hours at Safari Park and the Zoo. He
helps out maintaining the inventory of all our
epies at the Safari Park. His truck is a big
help to the society for hauling around plants to
and from the Safari and Balboa Parks for epi
events. Tim can be found helping out at many
events. He will be serving as incoming
President.
Dennis Hughes has served on the board as
Recording Secretary, and will continue in that
position for 2017. Dennis also volunteers out
at Safari Park spending many hours helping
the collection and display look its best. Dennis’ truck is also very
helpful picking up donated epi collections and moving equipment
around for events. Dennis can be found helping out at many society
events.
Roger Chapin Award
Past Recipients
First year awarded 2009
2009 Ron & Velma Crain
2010 Linda Sinkovic
2011 Cindy Decker
2011 Beth Jackson
2012 Bob Buchs
2013 Bill Greene
2014 Janice Wakefield
2015 Jill Rowney
Roger Chapin 2007
Dennis Hughes & Tim Paule
receiving their award from
President Janice Wakefield
‘Norwood’
Photos on this
page
by Jerry Moreau
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 10
‘Jeffrey Kida’
Derek Obayashi Awarded Founder’s Award by the ESA —Jerry Moreau
In 2005 the ESA decided to honor people for “Lifetime Achievement” in the
promotion, culture, science, spread, promotion, and support of epiphyllum.
This award is to recognize, acknowledge, and honor hybridizers, nurseries,
garden societies, and individuals for their service and contributions regarding
epiphyllum and epiphytic cacti. These men and women not only made a
difference in the community they live in, their accomplishments and expertise
reverberate throughout the epiphyllum world, nationally and internationally.
At that time San Diego members who were honored with this award were;
Dick Chadwick, George French, Phyllis Flechsig, Gray/Davis Nursery,
Rainbow Gardens Nursery. In 2008 SDES and in 2015 Don Patterson was
awarded the Founder’s Award.
The 2016 recipient of the Founder’s Awards is Derek Obayashi. Derek has
been part of the epiphyllum community since he was about 8-years old. At that time he was able to get
his grandmother to bring him to his first SDES general meeting. Derek hasn’t looked back since and over
the years his love for epis has grown. He is grateful for his grandparents’ support and love. Derek has
had other plant interest but he keeps coming back to his beloved epies. He has been collecting and
hybridizing epies for many years. Derek has registered more than 50 beautiful hybrids including ‘Jeffery
Kida’, ‘Linda Sinkovic’, ‘Sammy’, ‘Mark Sumpter’, ‘Ron Crain’, 'Chiyo Matsumiya', and many others.
Derek stays active in SDES as much as he can while living in Chicago. He participates in epi shows
throughout the Southern California epi societies, donates cuttings and plants, judges the shows, and gives
presentations at general meetings. Derek was unable to attend the holiday party to receive the award. As
you can see from the picture, Derek was fighting the bitter cold of Chicago. Derek looks forward to
being with us again in May with all his epi pals and flowers.
‘Sammy’
‘Chiyo Matsumiya’ ‘Fusae Wakanishi’ Photos by Jerry Moreau
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 11
Keeping In Touch
If you know of a member who can no longer attend meetings and/or
events, we can send them a cheery card to let them know we miss
them. If there is a member who is having a milestone birthday we
can send them happy birthday wishes. If there is member who is ill
or a member who has passed away, we can send a get well or
sympathy card.
Notify Your Corresponding Secretary Rachel Lininger
At [email protected] (619)520-6596
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more
helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the
soul.”
~~Luther Burbank
The 2017 Mother’s Day Show Theme Out Of This World: Epies In Space
It is never too soon to start thinking and
planning what you want to do for the show.
There are many ways to be part of the show.
You can create a display, themed or non-
themed, large to small, a flower display, flowers
to be judged individually, or an educational
display. You can also volunteer. Help is always
needed in the pre show/sales planning, making cuttings, sales
area, show set up, potluck lunch, and more. Sandra Chapin,
Mother’s Day Show Chair is on hand to help and will bring us an amazing show this year.
Many people venture to the Casa del Prado on Mother’s Day explicitly to purchase epi
cuttings and plants. But many others come to revel in the array of magnificent color with
hundreds of epies from all members’ collections making
their way to room 101. The theme only adds to the fun.
Figuring out a way to display the blooms in a thematic
setting can really stretch your creativity and imagination.
mailto:Rachel%20Lininger?subject=SDES-%20Keeping%20In%20Touch
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 12
Want/Wish List If you have epies on your wish list that you are
looking for it is possible someone in the Society
has it and is willing to share a cutting or two with
you. As a service and benefit to members this list
is being included in the newsletter. Send your
wish list along with contact information to the
editors to get it added here.
Marie Dempewolf: [email protected]
‘Sibony’
Jerry Moreau: [email protected]
‘Imp’, ‘Pete’s Snowflake’, ‘Take Me Home’, Tara’
Linda Sinkovic: [email protected]
Disocactus biformis, Disocactus macranthus,
Disocactus speciosus, Epiphyllum phyllanthus
ssp rubrocoronatum, Psuedorhipsalis ramulosa,
Rhipsalidopsis rosea, Rhipsalis aurea, Rhipsalis
clavata, Rhipsalis hileiabaiana (also known as R.
baccifera ssp hileiabaiana), Rhipsalis hoelleri,
'Deutsch Kaiserin, 'Frühlingsgold', 'George's
Favorite', 'Lisa Paetz', 'Lotto', ‘Orange Icing’,
'Piland's Pride'
Janice Wakefield: [email protected] ‘Jasa’
‘Crimson Arron
Photos by Jerry Moreau
‘Gold Charm’
Off-Season Blooms This list is a bit of informal research of off-season
epi blooms. Here you can track which epis have
been blooming consistently off-season over the
years.
If you would like to add to the research and list what
epies have been blooming in your yard, email the
editors with your list of off-season blooms and
species. There are two lists because the hybrids are
off-season bloomers and the species usually bloom
this time of year.
Hybrids Blooming Off-Season
Barb Alvarez: ‘Frühlingsgold’, ‘Harald’
Heny LaPuebla Brandenburg: ‘Antonia-D’,
‘Lollipop’, ‘Tiny Flame’
Sandra Chapin: ‘Cr imson Arrow’, ‘Ellen
Rachfahl’, ‘Ernst Gündchen’, ‘Fred Boutin’, ‘Harald
Knebel’, ‘Heliotrope’, ‘Jalisco Passion’, ‘Ramona
Paetz’, ‘Small Talk’, ‘Surprise Party’
Geneva Coats: ‘King Of Siam’
Ron & Velma Crain: ‘Gold Charm’
Patricia Frank: ‘Guiding Star ’
Gilbert & Gail Hatfield: ‘Red Barbara’
Mildred Mikas: ’Beautie Wegner’, ‘Dietmar
Paetz’, ‘English Rose’, ‘Kami’, ‘Light & Bright’,
‘Paris Ballet’, ‘Red Sails’, ‘Stern Von Erlau’
Allen & Camilla Pellymounter: ‘Abracadabra’,
‘Lilli Paetz’, ‘Something Special’
Safari Park: ‘Alice’s Pet’, ‘Beautie Wegener ’,
‘Command’, ‘Ernst Gündchen’, ‘George’s Favorite’,
‘Harald Knebel’, ‘Ilie Gaceu’, ‘Möve’, ’Ramblin
Rose’
Don Patterson: ‘Harald Knebel’
Mark Piette: ‘Wachsenburg’
Pat Shea: ‘Wenig Puppe’
Rose West: ‘Magic Carpet’
Species Blooming
Ron & Velma Crain: R. mesembryanthemoides
Mildred Mikas: E. hookeri ssp. hookeri
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://us.mc447.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[email protected]
Get Your Facts First —Linda Sinkovic “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please…” ~ Mark Twain
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 13
WC×111(HST) 1983
Happy New Year!
I like to relax after all the parties and chaos of the
holiday season, and one of the more relaxing things
to do is to read. I'd like to mention a few books here
before moving on to the main part of the article.
First, Glossary of Botanical Terms by Urs Eggli is a
handy book to have in your library. You can look up
terms like “pedicel” *1 or “cuneate” *2 when you run
across them in reference books or species keys. As a
bonus, the German language equivalents are included
for many terms so you can also use this book while
looking through the EPIG Journal or other German
language cactus books or magazines.
Another handy book -- which is currently on order --
is The New Cactus Lexicon: Illustrations. This book
contains all the photos from The New Cactus
Lexicon plus 80 additional photos, and updates and
corrections. I'll write more about it when it arrives.
But now I'd like to discuss how to keep your plants
warm if you don't have a greenhouse. As I'm now
living in a cooler, rainier climate and don't yet have
the greenhouse built, *3 this subject is of great
interest to me. So here is a short list of what I've
learned so far.
1. Get your plants under cover. The amount of
cover depends upon how cold it gets, and how cold
sensitive the plant is. It can be as simple as putting
plants up against the house (if there is an overhang)
to putting plants in the garage. More about the
garage in a minute.
2. Epiphytic cactus do not like to be cold and wet.
It does rain here a lot in the winter, and the
temperatures are typically around 42˚F during this
time of year. To that end, I've draped 4 mil plastic
over a framework of PVC pipes and put a
greenhouse heater set very low inside the structure.
This structure is currently outside my front door, and
I've put some of the less sensitive hybrids and
terrestrial cactus in there. The plastic is being held
down by a combination of heavy items. There's a slit
in the top to keep rainwater from accumulating. As
far as slugs and other icky things, I keep tossing slug
bait outside of the structure to encourage them to eat
that instead. *4
3. Some cactus want to be warm, period.
Pseudorhipsalis amazonica, I'm looking at you. This
plant does not want to be below 60˚F, ever. So I put
its plant rack into the garage, only to find out the
garage was getting below 50˚F at night. *5 So, 4 mil
plastic to the rescue again; this time I draped it over
the plant racks (there are three in there now) and got
a room heater set to about 65˚F. It sits on a box
inside the plastic tent and keeps things from getting
too cold. I also have a small grow light hanging
from the ceiling so the plants get some light.
Now is the Time
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 14
4. A big roll of clear 4 mil plastic is your
friend. Ser iously, go out and buy one. Even
when I was still living in San Diego, on the rare
occasions it gets below 50˚F at night, it's nice to
be able to make a warm place for your plants by
draping plastic over a structure. You can drape
it directly over the shade house, which is what
we used to do.
So, now that I've got plastic-draped structures
littering my property, wouldn't it have been
better to be able to just put the plants straight
into a greenhouse and not have to fool around
with this? Yes, but we weren't able to get the
greenhouse up in time. Sadly the weather is not
something under our control.
Is this idea of using plastic and electric heaters
cost effective? Probably not, as the heaters
chew up a lot of electricity and sadly this house
does not have solar panels. *6
Is this idea of using plastic and electric heaters
better than not doing anything and seeing my
whole collection of plants die from cold and
rot? There's no question in my mind -- this is
better. *7
Have a good month and enjoy any flowers you
might have.
Notes:
*1 The stem of a single flower.
*2 Triangular.
*3 Basically we are waiting for a long enough break in the rain
for the soil to dry, so the concrete can be poured.
*4 Not sure how well it is working, but I will find out when I
can move the plants. Hopefully, slugs like Slug-go better than
epis.
*5 Note to self, remember to insulate garage walls when house
walls insulation gets done.
*6 Note to self, make sure solar panels are on the To Do list.
*7 Note to self, the best laid plans of mice and men and so on,
so just make it work somehow.
Resources:
Eggli, Urs. Glossary of Botanical Terms, with special reference
to Succulent Plants, 1993. British Cactus and Succulent Society.
No ISBN listed.
Hunt, et al, The New Cactus Lexicon: Illustrations, 2013. ISBN
0 9538134 9 5
Begin to feed with low or no nitrogen
fertilizer, such as " Hi Bloom" or " Bloom" .
Low/no nitrogen fertilizers will have label ratings
around 0-10-10 or 2-10-10. Either liquid or time-
release granules can be used. If liquid is used,
another application may be needed in a month.
Plants that are not large enough to support
blooms can be fertilized with a higher nitrogen
content, such as 5-10-10.
Watch for pests. Keep plants free of debr is
where pests can breed and hide. Wet weather is
snail and slug weather. Bait or hand pick them.
Spray with insecticides only when necessary and
follow directions carefully.
Protect epies from freezing temperatures.
New tender growth is especially susceptible to
cold temperatures and winter winds.
Prune out unproductive and unsightly
growth to allow more energy to be used by
newer and healthier branches. However, if you
live in an area where your epies will be exposed
to more freezing nights, this unproductive or
damaged growth will help protect the healthier
growth from the elements. You may want to
forgo pruning a bit longer.
Let epies enjoy the winter rains. As long as
your epies are in loose draining soil, the rains
won't hurt them and will help wash out the
fertilizer salts that can build up in potted plants.
If you have epies sitting on shelves or tables,
make sure they're not sitting in puddles of water
after heavy rains. If you collect rain water for
future use, store in covered opaque containers to
prevent algae build-up and mosquito larvae
infestation.
Pick ripe apples (seed pods). After
removing the seeds from the pod, they can be
planted immediately without having to be dried
out. However, artificial light and heat may be
needed to encourage germination.
Do no repot plants that you want to bloom
this spring. Some buds are already star ting
their earliest formative stages. Once buds set,
don't rearrange your plants. Moving plants can
cause forming buds to drop. If you want to
rearrange them, do it now.
‘Irette’
Photo by
Jerry Moreau
Safari Park Clay Pots for Sale
At the Safari Park, we are in the process of phasing out the very heavy old clay pots we have been using in the
Display House for many years.
As you can see from the photo, these clay pots come in two styles. Many of them were sourced locally, from
Tecate, Baja California Norte, Mexico. They look as though they may have been recovered from the ruins of
Pompeii, and you may imagine they once graced the gardens of the villa of Pliny the Elder. They have been
carefully cleaned with a stiff brush to remove the grime of millennia while at the same time, preserving their
rich patina.
There are currently approximately 80 of these clay pots available for sale at $5.00 each. All proceeds will
benefit the continued maintenance of the SDES’s epiphyllum collection at the Safari Park. If you are interested
in them contact
Jerry at: [email protected] or Ron at: [email protected]
Put CLAY POTS in the subject line.
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 15
‘Courage’
Photos by Jerry Moreau
‘Martinique’
Photos by Jerry Moreau
January, 2017 SDES Epi News Page 16
SDES is an affiliate member of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. The CSSA founded in
1929, is a worldwide community of avid gardeners, hobby and commercial horticulturists, nurserymen,
and professional scientists who all share an appreciation for cacti and other types of succulent plants.
SCCS website— http://cssainc.org/
Click here for more information CSSA Convention
The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society invites you to the CSSA’s 37th Biennial
Convention in beautiful downtown Tempe., Arizona. Tempe is part of the Greater Phoenix
Metropolitan area and home to Arizona State University and the Mill Street Entertainment District with
just a short light rail ride to many other interesting venues in Phoenix. The convention is from July 26
to July 30, with tours beginning on the 27th, which you won’t want to miss! There will have great
speakers, plant and pottery vendors, auction and silent auction, local sales area, and great food at the
opening reception, the banquet and breakfast each morning of the convention, as well as the tours.
Our convention hotel, The Tempe Mission Palms is located in the
heart of Tempe within walking distance of many restaurants, bars,
clubs and theaters. It is a luxury hotel with pool, exercise room,
airport shuttle, valet parking and many
other amenities. Our special convention
rate is only $85.00 per night plus taxes.
The light rail stop to other adventures is
just out the back door of the hotel.
Photos by Jerry Moreau at the
Huntington 2016
http://cssainc.org/http://cssaconvention.com/http://www.centralarizonacactus.org/http://cssaconvention.com/mission%20palms%20info.pdf