January Speaker | Kelly Griffin

Australia 2024: A Journey into the Outback/ Cape York

Kelly’s journey into the world of succulents began at a young age and has blossomed into a lifetime passion. As a hybridizer and propagator, he has dedicated his life to exploring and cultivating these fascinating plants. His global adventures have taken him to over 20 countries, with a particular focus on Madagascar and South Africa, where he has traveled five times each, Australia two times and an impressive 25 trips to Mexico. Professionally, Kelly served as the Curator of Succulent Plants at Rancho Soledad Nursery for 11 years before taking on the role of Succulent Plant Development Manager at Altman’s Plants, where he has worked for the past 13 years. His expertise is highly regarded in the succulent community, especially for the hybrids he has created, surpassing 100 unique varieties now available in the trade. Among his notable creations are various Aloe hybrids and well-known Agave hybrids such as Blue Glow, Snow Glow, Cubic, Black and Blue, Lions Mane, Dragon Toes, Spawn, and Crème Brûlée. Keen on sharing knowledge and supporting the community, Kelly has been an integral member of the San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society (SDCSS) since 1992.

His leadership roles include serving on the board of directors for many years, with four years as SDCSS President and two years as Vice-President. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored to be named a Fellow of the San Diego Society.

Currently, Kelly serves as a director on the board of the National Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA), where he is also active on the conservation committee. He is the local convention chair involved in organizing the upcoming CSSA convention in San Diego, scheduled for April 23rd to 27th, 2025. This is an event~ in your backyard~ not to miss!

In his most recent endeavor, Kelly has co-authored a comprehensive book titled “Dudleyas” alongside Jeremy Spath and Jeff Moore. This beautifully illustrated volume spans 300 pages and features over a thousand photos, making it an invaluable resource about the Dudleya genus. After decades in the making, the book is finally available for purchase directly from Kelly; interested buyers can reach out via email @ kjgriffin2005@yahoo.com or on Instagram at kjgriffin9977. Both hardcover and softcover versions are available, and he is excited to sign copies for you at the upcoming meeting.

While the softcover edition is accessible on Amazon, Kelly asks readers to purchase directly, as this greatly supports his efforts.

For those looking to deepen their knowledge of succulents and engage with an experienced hybridizer, mark January 10th on your calendar!

From Kelly:

I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the Australian Cactus and Succulent Society’s national convention this past October, which is also known as the CSSA. This event was a fantastic gathering for enthusiasts and experts in the world of cacti and succulents.

During the convention, I presented five different programs, each focusing on various aspects of succulent plants. Initially, I was scheduled to give four presentations, but when one of the speakers fell ill, I was asked to step in for an additional talk. Ironically, despite my deep dive into succulents, I did not cover any topics related to cacti, Dudleyas, or even the unique flora of Madagascar and Australia. It seems I have embraced a broader role as a generalist when it comes to succulent plants!

My upcoming talk for Gates, my home club, will revolve around a remarkable adventure I embarked on with my close friend and Australian field expert, Attila Kapitany. Together, we traversed the rugged landscapes of northern Queensland, particularly in Cape York. Along our journey, we encountered an array of fascinating plants and animals that I am eager to share with you. Among our discoveries were Ant Plants, intriguing carnivorous plants, Cycads, and a host of other strange and wonderful species residing in the outback. 

This will be my first presentation following the convention, and I am genuinely excited to convey the thrills and insights gained from our unique expedition. Stay tuned for stories that not only highlight the diversity of succulent flora but also the beauty of Australia’s natural environments.