Northwest Mesemb Show, October 6th

[iann]

I was there, I was late, you must have left already, Phil. Mad morning, forgot my camera Nice plants though A stunning Imitaria was the highlight for me, best in show I think. There were many impressive clumps of Conophytums, many many Lithops in individual classes or arrangements, and a HUGE Sceletium. Quick mention for the tallest plant in the show Ivor Crook's Mestoklema

Derek's ramble through the whole Aizoaceae family was interesting too, backed by habitat slides showing a few species in each broad group as currently understood. Lots of the species that we see so rarely in cultivation, and some flowers from those species that are reluctant to produce them in cultivation

[iann]

Lots of "group" classes, Lindsey, especially for the Lithops and Conophytums, but also a few for any old plants you want.

Third from last picture, bottom right group is indeed P. nelii, very fat and very strongly spotted.

[Phil_SK]

Inevitably, I didn't really know what to photograph. There were lots of gawky things that looked unimpressive to me but which would probably have been more important to photograph. The pretty Lithops, Conophytum and the odd Gibbaeum, Faucaria and Pleispilos were as much as I really recognised.

[iann]

I *think* this is the Imitaria I liked, photo taken two years ago.
[img]http://www.thegardengalleries.org/d/13899-2/m0-1.jpg[/img]

[Julie]

Ian, it has lovely soft lines... they are all smiling at us.

[BrianMc]

Julie,
Steady on, that is my fat nelii you are drooling over and they are in fact 3.5" sq BEF pots.
Didn't take too many pics and don't have time right now to upload them, working in Aberdeen tomorrow and a 5am set off time, so early to bed for me.

An excellent first show for Manchester Branch and a great talk from our DT! Hopefully will become a permanent fixture with more attendees.

[Bill]

Certainly be in my calender if it occurs next year.

[Julie]

Brian, that is one huuuuge nelii... how old is it?

You know what's coming next....


...


.. Flower pic please!!

[Lindsey]

iann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I *think* this is the Imitaria I liked

Aka Gibbaeum nebrownii. Unlike most Gibbaeums, this one flowers in early autumn so gets seen at shows. It's one of the Gibbs that I'm not able to grow properly BUT... my G.dispar has two buds just now

[iann]

There were some very old G. dispar and G. album plants at the show. Nice, but I prefer them before they become shrubs

Autumn flowering Gibbaeums? G. velutinum? And a few more, I think.