The return of our annual Cactus Cook-Off BBQ/potluck feast was attended by thirty club members and their family/friends. Although it started with warm/muggy weather, everyone quickly enjoyed the hospitality and succulent garden of the host, Judy and Jerry Horne. Thank you also for those plant cuttings and giveaways. There’s never a shortage of food at this event and the cactus dish entry for the cook-off was also well received. Congratulations to Barry and Kim Urman for their first-place cactus dish of cactus salsa. The full list of cactus dishes appears in this newsletter. Thanks to everyone for planning, attending, and eating up all that yummy food.
We are in the fall season now and you can feel that nighttime temperature cooling down much faster. It’s a bit chilly too for those nights dropping into the 50’s. But don’t be fooled by the evening cooling down as the daytime heat can still be in the low 90’s. There’s still plenty of hot sun in October, so continue protecting those sensitive plants. Have you noticed that some of the winter-growing succulents are coming out of its dormancy? Tylecodons have started sprouting out young leaves. Some aloes are also rejuvenating with the cooler days.
There are only three remaining cactus/succulent plant sales in our area for this year. They are the Long Beach cactus auction, the Conejo CSS fall plant sale and the Huntington fall plant sale. We still have several events to enjoy during the next two to three months.
We have an update to the 2025 Biennial CSSA Convention. The LACSS has rescinded their offer to host the 2025 convention. Subsequently, the San Diego CSS has stepped up and offered to host this convention. Final approval is pending which will be followed by the planning stage set to begin within the next few months. Further updates will follow as they become pertinent.
Make sure you kill your succulent if it isn’t already dead. It needs to be very morbid for the annual October “Dead Plant” during our mini plant show this month. The club officer election is next month so we need everyone’s help and vote.
See you all real soon…
Sincerely, Phuc
Gates Cactus and Succulent Society 