Elias Aparicio, a geologist and member of Gates Cactus and Succulent Society, will be the guest speaker at the club meeting. He will share insights on grafting cactus and succulent plants, highlighting its practical benefits and creative potential. With over 14 years of experience, Elias advocates for grafting as a valuable tool for growers at all levels.
Category Archives: Speakers
June Speaker | Nick Renteria
Born and raised in Southern California, Nick developed a love for gardening at an early age. After working in accounting and IT, he pursued his love of gardening by completing the Certificate Program in Gardening and Horticulture through UCLA Extension in 2017.
May Speaker | Adam Baker
Adam, a devoted husband and father, is a software developer with a passion for cacti and succulents, particularly Astrophytum. Over the last 5 years, he has cultivated a collection of 200+ mature Astrophytum plants, even creating hybrids. He looks forward to sharing his love for this genus and his experiences at our upcoming event.
April Speaker | Manny Rivera
Manny Rivera was born in The Chihuahuan Desert. His passion and love for cacti and succulents started when he came to a plant show for the first time at the CSSA Cactus and Succulent Show held at The Huntington Library in 1995.
March Speaker | Woody Minnich
Program Description: Flowering Cacti and Succulents and their Pollinators
February Speaker | Michiel (Mich) Pillet
Since the February 7th meeting has been cancelled; enjoy this video featuring speaker Michiel Pillet instead.
January Speaker | Peter Walkawiak
Peter Walkowiak has been fascinated by plants his whole life, but his interest in succulent plants really began in college.
November Speaker | Kelly Griffin
I hope to weave together some really special memorable adventures in my world travels looking for strange and wonderful plants.
I look forward to sharing this with my very first Cactus & Succulent club!
October Speaker | Gary Duke
Gary Duke believes that anyone interested in cacti ought to be able to determine what genus a cactus plant belongs in by just examining it and looking for a few telltale signs.
September Speaker | Ernesto Sandoval
Ernesto Sandoval has been wondering and seeking questions and answers to why plants grow and look the way that they do for nearly 40 years. Now he explains and interprets the world of plants
