October 2026 President’s Message

As Halloween approaches, members are reminded to adjust watering for their plants. Two Board positions are up for reelection; interested candidates should contact a Board member. For the October minishow, participants can enter both living and “Best Dead Plant” categories. The event is on Friday, October 9th, at 6 PM.

September 2026 President’s Message

As summer transitions to early fall, plant shows and sales in Southern California are ending. The 43rd annual Succulent Symposium at the Huntington is approaching, featuring speaker Dylan Zoller. Attendees are encouraged to register and participate in exploring cacti and succulent conservation and education. Event details will be shared in the newsletter.

July 2026 President’s Message

Greetings Gates! 

I hope you are all having an amazing summer! As hot days become more frequent and the abundant sunshine pours over our gardens, we see an increase in blooms (and growth) as our collections are really starting to pop off! I invite you to take advantage of those gorgeous moments and take pictures. We are always looking to add member content to our website, newsletter, and social media.

April 2026 President’s Message

Jeffrey Loew shares updates with Gates members, reflecting on a mild winter and blooming Mammillaria. A judged competition will be featured at the 2026 Show and Sale, with volunteer opportunities available. Members are reminded to renew their 2026 memberships for eligibility in mini-shows. Woody Minnich will speak at the March meeting.

March 2026 President’s Message

Jeffrey Loew shares updates with Gates members, reflecting on a mild winter and blooming Mammillaria. A judged competition will be featured at the 2026 Show and Sale, with volunteer opportunities available. Members are reminded to renew their 2026 memberships for eligibility in mini-shows. Woody Minnich will speak at the March meeting.

February 2026 Mini Show

The post discusses columnar cacti and miniature agaves, highlighting their unique characteristics and growth requirements. Columnar cacti, known for their upright form, vary in size and growth rates, while miniature agaves showcase a rosette shape with distinctive terminal spines. Both types have specific care needs and offer impressive landscape potential.