Al’s interest in the natural world started in his childhood. Growing up in Chicago he would make regular visits to the Field Museum of Natural History, and read books on the natural sciences. His favorite hobbies were growing exotic plants like cacti, and collecting fossils, minerals, and insects.
Category Archives: Meeting Presentation
Woody Minnich | March 1st Speaker
Gates October Meeting, January 4th at 7pm PST. Breslin will explore multiple connections between contemporary and emerging research methods in plant conservation and the ways we raise our plants.
Peter Breslin | January 4th Speaker
Gates October Meeting, January 4th at 7pm PST. Breslin will explore multiple connections between contemporary and emerging research methods in plant conservation and the ways we raise our plants.
Dean Karras | November Meeting Speaker
Dean Karras began collecting and growing cacti from seed as a hobby in 2008. He has been a member of the Palomar Cactus & Succulent Society since 2017, and a member of the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society since 2019
Karen Ostler | October Meeting Speaker
A brief look at the Genus Mammillaria, focusing on both the beauty and the oddities of one of the cactus world’s favorite plants.
Kelly Griffin | August Speaker
Kelly Griffin is a succulent plant hybridizer, propagator, and avid plant explorer. Like many of us, his interest in plants and particular succulent plants started at a fairly young age.
Tom Glavich | Exploring Euphorbias
Tom Glavich is a long time grower of succulent plants. He is one of the co-chairs of the Inter-City Cactus and Succulent show held every August at the LA Arboretum.
Gates Cactus and Succulent Society 