"Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada"

Presented by Stephen Ingram

Stephen Ingram's multimedia presentation explores some of the unique attributes of the cacti, agaves, and yuccas as well as highlights what makes them such intriguing components of our native plant communities. With stunning images of their colorful blossoms and unusual growth forms, this program showcases a number of species and varieties that occur in California's deserts and coastal areas. The main slideshow-talk will be approximately 40 minutes, with time for questions. A second 10-minute show set to music illustrates the beauty of these remarkable succulents. Following the presentation, Stephen will sign copies of his new book from Cachuma Press, "Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada."

About the Book: California and Nevada are known for their astonishing array of plant life, and few components of this diverse flora are more intriguing than the cacti, agaves, and yuccas. These spiny succulents -- which share many of the same arid habitats -- have long been a source of fascination for explorers, naturalists, and scientists. "Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada" features more than 60 species with a detailed text that is accompanied by 262 color photographs, 16 botanical watercolors, and 52 range maps. Much more than a field guide, this book examines the natural history of California's and Nevada's cacti, agaves, and yuccas, including their origins, ecology, and conservation. It also provides practical horticultural advice for their cultivation and describes some of the best places to see these remarkable succulents in the wild.

Botanist, writer, and photographer Stephen Ingram traveled more than 30,000 miles -- much of it on remote backroads -- to search out, study, and photograph the cacti, agaves, and yuccas of California and Nevada. He also delved into the scientific literature, visited numerous herbaria, and interviewed our region's leading experts on Cactaceae and Agavaceae. The result is a detailed, highly readable, and beautifully illustrated natural history and field guide. "Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada" is an engaging and substantive reference book that can be enjoyed by novice and expert alike.

Stephen is an excellent professional photographer and his program is exceptional. Be sure to mark your calendar and be at the TCSS meeting for our Thursday evening program in March. For more information and to see some of Stephen's work, please visit http://www.ingramphoto.com.

FREE PLANT GIVEAWAY
Haworthias are a genus of small succulent perennial herbs confined in the wild almost exclusively to the Republic of South Africa. The charm of Haworthias is in their small size, ease of growth, and the almost infinite variation of their delightful leaves. Haworthias rarely require a pot larger than 4 inches in diameter making them ideally suited for a bright windowsill. Perhaps the biggest problem you will encounter when growing Haworthias is that they tend to be addictive! If you acquire more than one plant, you may find yourself wanting more and more, and before you know, you are buying Haworthias with your lunch money. Although some Haworthias are more difficult to cultivate than other, most are very easy. Remember that Haworthias are succulents, so they require abundant bright light, though sudden introduction to direct sunlight will burn and even kill them. They also require a well drained soil that approaches dryness between watering. It is best to fertilize only sparingly, using a water soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength, no more often than monthly during active growth, and not all if the plant is resting. Many Haworthia aficionados, attempting to simulate the natural habitat, grow their plants "hard". These Haworthias are often grown in direct sunlight, with infrequent watering and no fertilizer. Occasionally one of these "hard" plants will show a spectacular array of stress induced colors, but more often they look burned and shriveled. (www.haworthia.com)