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"South Africa - Northern Cape Part One"
Presented By Doug Dawson
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| Doug is a retired mathematics professor at Glendale Community College and now just teaches summer school each year to earn money for my trips. Right now, seed-growing seems to be his greatest botanical passion. It yields much needed biodiversity. So often, especially in the succulent area, propagation by cuttings and even seed seems to limit breadth of biodiversity. Much of what we grow or can even get seed from, comes from sources which have the same small gene pool for decades from a few select plants. It is good to introduce wild-collected seed with data from time to time to prevent a narrowing of genetic material. New sports or cultivars also effervesce when lots of seedlings are observed. With his lithops, it is like being able to go "rock" collecting for prettier, shinier "living" stones without even leaving his greenhouse. |
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Doug is a past president of the Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society up in Phoenix and also a member of the TCSS. He has done extensive botanical travels in Namibia and South Africa. Doug's program will include Mesembs, Euphorbias, Stapeliads and other succulents, wild flowers and many bulbs. Most of the photos from my talk were taken in August, 2008 (early Spring), with a few from a second trip in April and May of 2009 to show the same plants in blooming season or other conditions. |
Doug will visit South Africa in September 09 to visit the Little Karoo and further explore the Northern Cape. At that time, Woody Minnich and Jan Emming will accompany him. Every time he returns at a different time of year, the plants show further characteristics of their growth cycles and give clues on how they should be grown in the very harsh Phoenix climate.
Please be sure to mark your calendar for this September 3rd presentation. It will be an excellent program that you will want to attend! |
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Free Plant Giveaway
Melocactus
Melocactus the genus...A unique group of cacti which are native to the Caribbean, Central and South America. These plants over time will produce a characteristic cephalium, a terminal growth where flowers are born. They are usually small hot pink in color and open late in the day, closing up the next morning. A few weeks later bright red or pink fruits emerge when the seeds are ripe. Over many years, the cephalium will continue to grow and elongate, adding lots of reddish soft spines. Old specimens are quite the conversation piece.
In Tucson...Melocactus are not landscape plants, but great potted patio plants. They are best grown in morning sun or dappled light, do not attempt to grow them in full sun, they will burn. If they are kept dry during the winter when freezing temperature are possible, they will overwinter fine. On the coldest prolonged freezing nights a box inverted over your specimen will offer extra cold protection. In April resume watering and feed them monthly thru September using a balanced water soluble fertilizer at half strength. When seen in the wild, Melocactus or Turk's Caps look like aliens from another planet. Many of the seasonally dry islands of the Caribbean each have a species of Melocactus. These plants are good sized with many starting to produce their cephalium. Enjoy your plants.
September Refreshments
Those with family names beginning with V, W, X, Y, Z, A, and B please bring your choice of refreshments to the meeting. Your generous sharing will be greatly appreciated and enjoyed!
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