Gates welcomes fall, enjoying cooler weather for gardening. The club participated in the Heritage Club Fair, expanding membership awareness of cacti. The recent Cook Off featured delicious entries and a successful barbecue at Judy Horne’s home. October’s meeting includes a talk by Jan Emming and a “dead plant” mini-show category.
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November 2025 Mini Show
The post discusses two plant genera: Schlumbergera, known as holiday cacti, and Senecio, a diverse succulent genus. Schlumbergera thrives in indirect light, blooms during winter, and has vibrant, showy flowers, while Senecio includes various easy-to-grow species, boasting unique appearances and adaptability, making them excellent indoor plants. Membership dues are required for competition eligibility.
Al Klein | November Meeting Speaker
On November 14th at 7pm PST, join Al Klein at the Redlands Church of the Nazarene for a program on growing Euphorbia plants. Learn about their diverse species, care requirements, and unique characteristics. Al brings a wealth of horticultural experience, having dedicated years to the cultivation of exotic plants.
November 2025 President’s Message
Gates welcomes fall, enjoying cooler weather for gardening. The club participated in the Heritage Club Fair, expanding membership awareness of cacti. The recent Cook Off featured delicious entries and a successful barbecue at Judy Horne’s home. October’s meeting includes a talk by Jan Emming and a “dead plant” mini-show category.
October 2025 Mini Show
The post discusses the unique genetic variations seen in cacti and succulents, including crested, monstrose, and variegated forms. Plants exhibiting these traits must have at least 30% deviation to qualify for a mini-show. These genetic anomalies, while often less hardy, are celebrated among enthusiasts for their fascinating diversity.
Jan Emming | October Meeting Speaker
Jan Emming, originally from the Netherlands and raised in Colorado, moved to Yucca, Arizona, in 1999 to create a dream garden on a 40-acre desert property. His program, “Building Forever,” discusses the challenges and successes of cultivating a diverse array of succulents and native desert plants in this unique ecosystem.
October 2025 President’s Message
Gates welcomes fall, enjoying cooler weather for gardening. The club participated in the Heritage Club Fair, expanding membership awareness of cacti. The recent Cook Off featured delicious entries and a successful barbecue at Judy Horne’s home. October’s meeting includes a talk by Jan Emming and a “dead plant” mini-show category.
September 2025 Mini Show
The Opuntiadeae family, including cacti like Opuntia, spans from Southern Argentina to Canada and is a common pest in various regions. Propagation is easier via cuttings than seeds. Additionally, Ficus species are also discussed, alongside the flowering genera Huernia and Stapelia, known for their unique pollination methods.
Andrew Hankey | September Meeting Speaker
Andrew Hankey, a seasoned horticulturist with 30 years of experience, has greatly influenced the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden through various innovative projects. He specializes in threatened plant conservation, especially the critically endangered Albertina Sisulu Orchid, and is advancing his knowledge in the Hyacinthaceae genera while engaging in extensive botanical research in southern Africa.
September 2025 President’s Message
Jeffrey Loew greets the Gates community, wishing everyone a wonderful summer as SoCal’s heat returns. He reminds members to water diligently during hot days and announces that Jorge Ochoa will speak on edible succulent landscaping in August.
Gates Cactus and Succulent Society 