Don't forget the On-Line talk on tuesday

[penforpen]

Very good talk much enjoyed

[Tina]

Topic: George Theodoris - The Art of Euphorbia Francoisii: Breeding and Cultivating Madagascar’s Unique Succulent Gem
Time: Tuesday 5 September 2023 at 7.30pm (BST)

Meeting ID: 859 6282 7994
Passcode: bcss

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85962827994?p ... haVUQ1UT09

George Theodoris pairs the expertise of a geneticist with the heart of a plant lover. Holding a doctorate in Genetics, he's lent his skills to research at institutions like the USDA, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and Arcadia Biosciences. George's journey with Haworthia began two decades ago at UC Berkeley, a passion that blossomed alongside his post-doctoral research on leaf morphology. While the lab offered insights, it was the diverse and intricate leaf traits of Haworthia that truly captivated him. Channelling his inner Mendel, George utilized his genetics knowledge to artistically enhance the plant's features. Over the years, he has earned a global reputation as a top-tier artisan breeder of Haworthia. His nursery is called Artisan Plants.
Madagascar boasts a diverse array of unique succulent Euphorbias. Among them, Euphorbia francoisii stands out for its captivating beauty and breeding potential. In this talk, George will share tips on nurturing and growing E. francoisii successfully. We'll also delve deeper into the intriguing realm of Euphorbia francoisii breeding, exploring the varied and emerging leaf traits.
Footnote: Many of George’s Haworthia are named after tracks from some of his favourite rock bands and we wonder what he will be naming some of these Euphorbia!

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[penforpen]

Thanks for the reminder beautiful plants by the way

[Tina]

Its going to be an eye candy extravaganza ( I hope)

[Tina]

Topic: A History of the BCSS - Through the camera of the late Bryan Makin presented by Derek Tribble

Time: Tuesday 19 September 2023 at 7.30pm (BST)
Meeting ID: 819 3357 2321
Passcode: bcss
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81933572321?p ... gxRzZ5Zz09

In an exciting departure this presentation will differ from those up to now and should have a wide appeal! It will tell the story of one man’s involvement with the Cactus and Succulent hobby over 50 years. Bryan Makin enjoyed growing many different types of plants but was most deeply involved with South African succulents which he visited in habitat. Specialist societies played a part in maintaining his interest and we will hear about some of the leading lights from the past. But this is also the fascinating story of how an ever-widening range of succulents came into cultivation and gives glimpses of growing techniques that appear forgotten.

We are delighted to have Derek Tribble present this talk. He has been growing cacti and succulents continuously since teenage years. He joined the NCSS/BCSS in 1966. For the last 35 years, he has been chairman of Harrow Branch, where he met Bryan Makin regularly. They shared a great passion for growing and studying South African succulents. Eventually, Derek inherited Bryan’s Kodachrome slide collection – the basis for this wonderful talk.

[Tina]

Elisabeth Sarnes - Galapagos – A Nature Paradise
Time: Tuesday 3rd October 2023 at 7.30 pm (BST)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83103492389?p ... V5TVB0QT09

Meeting ID: 831 0349 2389
Passcode: bcss



We are so excited to announce that one of our most popular speakers is returning to give us a talk on this very special place. Elisabeth is one of the world’s most popular speakers and this year alone has spoken in the UK, USA and Europe. Every presentation that Elisabeth gives is accompanied with stunning photography. With her husband Norbert they have published several books on plants and their travels.

About this talk Elisabeth says ‘Cacti have accompanied me since about the beginning of my studies and I have the rare good fortune to be able to share my passion for cacti with my husband Norbert. So, it was natural for us to make our cactus trips together. Two of these travels took us to the magical world of Galapagos. That way we were able to visit almost all the islands. In my talk I would like to show the diversity and beauty of this natural paradise. This time, however, the cacti will not play the main role’.
This is without doubt a talk not to be missed.

[Tina]

Ivor Crook – Pereskia: birth of the Cactaceae

Time: Tuesday 17 October 2023 at 7.30pm (BST)
81547211050

[penforpen]

Sorry I had work meeting tonight hopefully the next one been very interesting will post some updates of greenhouse soon too

Jamie

[Tina]

Topic: Plants and Animals of the Western Cape – Part 2 with Hazel Taylor
Time: Tuesday 21 November 2023 at 7.30pm (GMT)

Meeting ID: 813 2531 3607

Passcode: bcss

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81325313607?p ... NLbUFwdz09


Making a very welcome return to the BCSS Zoom talks is Hazel Taylor who will continue her travels through South Africa.

Biography - Ever since I was given my first cactus at the age of seven or eight, I have grown cacti and other succulent plants and have been a member of the British Cactus and Succulent Society and its predecessor for over 50 years. I have been a member of the Bromley Branch since it was founded, have been on the Branch committee for many years and am currently its chairman. Seeing cacti and other succulents in habitat is important to me, especially seeing them in the context of the other native flora of the region. I have been on field trip holidays in Madagascar, Argentina, South Africa, Texas (Big Bend) and Mexico. In April 2017 I was first elected to the national BCSS Shows Committee and am currently the BCSS Shows Secretary. I enjoy participating in our work to help new and aspiring judges to learn, and assist experienced judges to stay up to date and maintain judging standards. We also organise and run the BCSS quadrennial National Show, with the next one scheduled for 2026.

We begin our journey in Nieuwoudtville, which has a reputation as the 'Bulb Capital of the World', and takes us to nearby Papkuilsfontein, where we see a range of succulents including Adromischus filicaulis and Anacampseros retusa as well as orchids and lizards. Then we travel south towards Ceres, travelling through the eastern edge of the Tankwa Karoo National Park, seeing various succulents, including the attractive Aloe falcata and Crassula barbata and some unusual wildlife. Near Ceres we saw treasures such as Euphorbia silenifolia and the Peacock Moraea (Moraea villosa), before moving on to the de Hoop Nature Reserve to see sand dune plants as well as antelopes and birds. On our journey back along the coast to Cape Town we encounter a surprise Gasteria, not seen by our guides on their previous visits.

[Jim_Mercer]

Detlev Metzing – Gymnocalycium – why I like them
Time: Tuesday 5 December 2023 at 7.30pm (GMT)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86325531955?p ... xMTzhLUT09

We are excited to announce that we have arranged for Dr Detlev Metzing, one of the world’s best-known authorities on Gymnocalycium to give us a talk on this spectacularly popular genus. Detlev has supported the BCSS Zoom meeting from the beginning, and we are so happy that he has agreed to present this talk to us.

Detlev says “Gymnocalycium is undoubtedly a popular genus. When I started with the cactus hobby in the first half of the 1970s, a Gymnocalycium quehlianum was one of the first species in my small collection on the windowsill. This plant is still alive but is now in the greenhouse – with many other species of the same genus. In this lecture I would like to share with you the fascination of the genus Gymnocalycium – with pictures from the plants in cultivation and in nature”.

Detlev is a member of most Cactus Societies around the world (including the BCSS) and an elected member of the IOS. Detlev is an academic focusing on botany, conservation, horticulture, and Climate change so is well qualified to tell us about these wonderful plants.

Within the Cactus World Detlev has travelled extensively in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.