Essex

SucculentReview
Volume 54 Number 4 December 2017

In this issue
The Oreocereus
of Peru and Chile
by Paul Hoxey

Poisonous aloes
in East Africa
by Susie Allan

Growing aeoniums
by Elizabeth Maddock

Gymnocalycium spegazzinii
in Argentina
by Rick Gillman
Oreocereus leucotrichus with a red zygomorphic flower pollinated by hummingbirds, growing above Chuquibamba,
Arequipa, Peru at 3830m [PH596.01]
Cactus Crawl 2018
The French fling 4–7 April
by James Gold

Welcome to the Cactus Crawl 2018 – The French

Fling. While the Brexit ‘door’ is still open we will,
around the Antwerp ring. We visit a favourite,
CactusFlower, followed by a new succulent wholesaler.
for the first time, visit a French nursery (Envie de
And so home, with lots of new plants, but no Euros.
Cactus), just outside Lille. One of last year’s ‘Crawlers’
(Martine) took this photograph while on holiday. For further information please contact: James Gold
email: jamesgold0070@gmail.com
Once we have finished our French raid we head to the
Hotel Postillion in Dordrecht, which becomes our base
for the next three days. Day 2 sees us heading into
Germany where we will visit the cactus heaven that is
Piltz, and then travel further over the Rhine to Sabine
Reinecke with its eclectic collection of succulents and
tropical plants. We end the day at Aloeundco savouring
the delights of another eclectic collection of
succulents, South African bulbs, and moving benches,
while being rewarded with a large helping of ice cream
at the local ice cream parlour.
Day 3 is a marathon of six nurseries in Holland and
Germany, so make sure running shoes and
defibrillators are packed. Today includes glasshouses
so large that you need a bicycle to get round, as the
field of view disappears into the horizon. Gems today
include a specialist who trades directly with
Madagascar and

SucculentReview
more Lithops
Essex
than there are in
all of South
The Essex Succulent Review is Africa (really!).
published quarterly in March, Keep some
June, September and December. Euros for the
It is available on-line free of more relaxing
charge. Just send an email to Day 4, with just
sheila@essexsucculentreview.org.uk two nurseries, as
to receive a pdf of each issue we head home
when it is available.
Past issues are archived at
www.essexsucculentreview.org.uk
Zone 15 Mini-convention
Editor Sheila Cude Sunday 18 March 2018
Address 25 Macleod Road Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane,
London N21 1SW Enfield, EN1 4RQ
Phone 020 8340 1928 Speakers
Email Roger Ferryman
sheila@essexsucculentreview.org.uk Alan Rollason
© The Essex Succulent Review Plant sales – Plantlife
may be freely distributed while the
Free admission to Capel Manor’s extensive grounds from 10.00am
copyright of the text and pictures
remains with the writers and Tickets, £15 to include a buffet lunch and afternoon tea from
photographers. Permission is Eddy Harris, 49 Chestnut Glen, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 4HL
required for any use other than Phone: 01708 447778 email: secretary@bcss.org.uk
reading, printing for your own The venue is close to the junction of the A10 and the M25
use or storage. and there is ample free parking

2
 Fig. 1 Possibly one large clump of Oreocereus leucotrichus about 8m across, inland from Arequipa, Peru at 3800m
[PH710.01]

The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile

by Paul Hoxey

reocereus is a small genus of cacti found in Bolivia and Argentina. I have not
O found in the Andean mountains of
Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. They
visited these plants in habitat so I will focus
my attention in this article on the Peruvian
can grow to about 4000m altitude and the and Chilean species including Oreocereus
name derives from their lofty habitats with hempelianus. Unfortunately I have not yet
‘Oreios’ meaning mountain in Greek. They seen one of the accepted species in the
are well-known in cultivation and make wild, so I will cover that one based on my
attractive cereoid specimens on account of experience of growing and flowering it in Fig. 2 A nice
example of
the white hairs that most species have in cultivation. However, as a bonus, I include Oreocereus
greater or lesser amounts. Recently a species that was not accepted in the leucotrichus in
Arequipa hempelianus has been included New Cactus Lexicon (NCL) yet I hope to northern Chile near
within the genus. It differs from the other show here that it is a good species and Usmagama at 3870m
species in being only shortly columnar to quite distinct. [PH1262.01]
globular in growth
form and lacking
hairs. However the
flower and fruit
structure is very
similar to the other
species. Its
placement in
Oreocereus has
been questioned and
it is hoped a future
DNA study will shed
some light on its
relationship with the
other species.
There are about
seven species of
Oreocereus with
O. celsianus,
O. trollii and
O. pseudofossulatus

3
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig 3 Oreocereus leucotrichus with Nevada Coropuna in the background [PH596.01

Oreocereus leucotrichus (Phil.) Oreocereus leucotrichus has large white
Wagenkn felted areoles from where the strong
This species is the most widespread of any spination and hairs emerge. The character
in the genus and grows in southern Peru of these features can be quite variable,
and northern Chile. It is both within populations and also over the
found in a rather narrow wide range of the species. The spines can
band on the western sides vary from yellow through to a rich brown
of the Andes mountain and the wool, although normally white, can
range between the altitudes be light brown. In northern Chile near the
of 2900m and 3900m. The village of Tignamar the plants are almost
favoured habitat is rocky hairless and have a very different
slopes and they can often appearance (Fig.8). They were given the
be the largest growing name Oreocereus variicolor by Backeberg
plants of any type to be but I think this is no more than an extreme
found and can dominate the form of O. leucotrichus. I should also
habitat. Plants can make mention that Backeberg used the name
huge clumps with many Oreocereus hendriksenianus for
heads. The stems are O. leucotrichus, a name still seen
initially upright but with age occasionally today.
tend to sprawl, eventually The flowers of O. leucotrichus vary very
making plants several little between populations. They emerge
metres across. Fig. 1 near the apex of the stems and are about
illustrates a particularly 10cm long and a rich red colour. The tube
magnificent plant, although of the flower has a number of fleshy scales
whether it is a single and dark brown to almost black wool. The
specimen or several style extends beyond the petals by a
individuals is uncertain. centimetre or two and has contrasting
Fig.4 Oreocereus leucotrichus inland Clarke Brunt, a cactus green stigma lobes. The stamens are
from Moquegua, Peru at 3700m enthusiast from Cambridge, topped by purple pollen. The flower is
[PH608.01] gives an idea of scale. zygomorphic (only symmetrical between
4
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig 5 Oreocereus leucotrichus with emerging Fig. 6 (above)

flower buds at Usmagama, in northern Chile at Flowering
3310m [PH938.02] Oreocereus
leucotrichus
left and right planes) and is adapted to between Linzor and
hummingbird pollination. Few Toconce, in
hummingbirds reach the high altitude northern Chile at
habitats of Oreocereus but one species, 3540m [PH682.03]
Fig. 7 (left)
Oreocereus
leucotrichus in fruit
and [PH596.01]
the largest,
aptly named the
Giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) can
be found to over 4000m and is likely to be
the main pollinator of O. leucotrichus.
The fruits are a greenish yellow colour and
have a fleshly rind up to a centimetre thick.
When ripe the fruit is easily detached and
ends up with a small basal hole or pore
where it was once attached to the plant.
The seeds inside are embedded with a
white pulp but, over time, this dries and
releases the seeds which will then emerge
from the fruit by the basal pore. The fruit
itself is strong enough to stay complete
and is probably knocked around on the
ground by wind or natural disturbance
when the seeds will be gradually released
and distributed.
Oreocereus leucotrichus is widespread and
frequently encountered so it is not
endangered. Once however, in southern
Peru, we were told by local residents that
every year before Christmas people visit
Fig. 8 Oreocereus leucotrichus at Tignamar,
Chile at 3300mm [PH1263.01]. This form with
from Lima to collect plants. The attractive
little hair and stout spination is also known as woolly stems are probably sold as
O. variicolor decorative items for Christmas displays.

5
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig. 9 A large clump of Oreocereus ritteri west of Lucanas, Peru at

3870m [PH1163.01]
Oreocereus ritteri Cullmann
Oreocereus ritteri was included under
O. leucotrichus in the NCL but is now
known to be a distinct species. It is named
after Friedrich Ritter,
the famous German
cactus explorer. He was
first to correctly identify
it as a good species, Fig. 11 Oreocereus ritteri in flower. East of
although earlier it was Huaytará, Peru at 4000m [PH1113.01]
described as
Oreocereus At first glance it can be mistaken for a
hendriksenianus var. densely haired form of O. leucotrichus.
densilanatus by Rauh There is little variability in the plants, with
and Backeberg. all examples having dense white hair that
completely obscures the body of the plant,
It grows north of
with yellow spines just managing to appear
O. leucotrichus and I
from the hair. Only on close examination of
only know it from three
the flowers and fruits do the differences
widely separated
from O. leucotrichus become apparent. The
localities, two on the
flower is more purple coloured and not so
road inland from Nasca
zygomorphic in shape (Fig. 11). The pollen
either side of the
is an almost identical colour to the petals
Pampas de Galeras,
and the stigma is not exerted beyond the
and the other 100km
stamens, but instead the stigma lobes
further north. All
hides among them. This flower may be
populations are at
pollinated by bees as much as by
approximately 4000m
hummingbirds.
and rather small. It
must be considered a The biggest difference is seen in the fruits
Fig. 10 A stem of Oreocereus ritteri densely rare species unless and these clearly distinguish the two
clothed in white hair. East of Lucanas, Peru further localities come species (Fig. 12). Compared to
at 3930m [PH747.02]0 to light. O. leucotrichus the fruit is thin walled,

6
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

without a basal pore, and with a very O. hempelianus never has hairs on the Fig. 12 A comparison
of the fruits of
watery pulp inside. These fruit characters stems. Although the features of the stem
Oreocereus
suggest seed dispersal has evolved to be do not point to a relationship with other leucotrichus
by an animal that eats the fruit. The Oreocereus species the flowers and fruits PH596.01 [left] and
obvious culprits are the vicuña, (wild do. The red zygomorphic flowers emerge, Oreocereus ritteri
relatives of the domesticated llama), which often in groups, from near the apex of the PH1113.01 [right]
roam the Andean mountains. I have stems. The flower is similar in structure to
observed them in the vicinity of one O. leucotrichus although a little smaller at
population of O. ritteri although we did not 5–7cm long and will be hummingbird
see the animals near the cactus plants. pollinated. The flowers also compare
closely in colour (red) pollen colour (purple)
In cultivation O. ritteri makes very attractive
and the green stigma lobes that extend
plants with dense white hair. I have also
beyond the stamens. One minor difference
managed to flower a plant at about 30cm
is the white, rather the blackish, hairs on
tall, but only once, so perhaps it was a
the flower tube. The fruits that follow the
lucky fluke.
O. leucotrichus and O. ritteri are a good
example of two species that can appear
very similar yet are not identical. The
similarity in body form and characters such
as the hairy stems are likely to have
evolved due to the similar climatic
conditions in habitat, but the flower and
fruits significantly differ and probably have
a different pollinator and dispersal agent
respectively.
Oreocereus hempelianus (Gürke)
D.R.Hunt
Oreocereus hempelianus is often seen
under the generic name Arequipa and I
have to admit that I am uncertain if it
should be considered an Oreocereus. It is
a very wide ranging species which overlaps
significantly both geographically and
altitudinally with O. leucotrichus although
the two species are not always found
together. O. hempelianus has an altitude
range of 2400-3900m.
Around the city of Arequipa,
O. hempelianus is quite common and can
make attractive clumping specimens of
short cylindrical stems (Fig. 13). The
spination is quite short and tidy and the
epidermis of the plants is easily visible. Fig. 13 Oreocereus hempelianus near Arequipa, Peru 2660m. In full
Unlike other Oreocereus species the flower 8 May 2013 [PH1031.01]

7
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig.15 The fruit of Oreocereus hempelianus showing dry seeds within

[PH1031.01]

flowers are quite spined plants are found at higher

small, 1.5 to 3cm in elevations so that character may simply be
diameter but due to altitude.
otherwise similar to The northernmost plants of O. hempelianus
O. leucotrichus. The are found in the northern parts of Arequipa
fruit has a basal and just into Ayacucho province. Here the
pore and a thick rind spination becomes finer and more
with the seeds inside numerous, so much so that the body of the
loose at maturity plant is scarcely visible. The spines are a
(Fig. 15). Once the glassy translucent grey colour except on
Fig. 14 The red fruit has fallen off the plant the seeds will the freshest of spines. In the most northerly
zygomorphic flowers emerge from the pore over time. population I know, I did not immediately
of Oreocereus
Once again, over the large range of this identify the plants as O. hempelianus. They
hempelianus
[PH1031.01] species, there are a number of distinct grow as solitary, upright stems to about
forms. It is difficult to know if they deserve 50cm high which, along with spine density
to the recognised at some level, perhaps and colour, gives them a very distinctive
as subspecies or just accepted as one appearance. Ritter described these
variable species. Ritter described Arequipa northern populations as Arequipa
australis (Fig. 16) from the southern part of spinosissima (Fig. 17).
the range in northern Chile which has All forms of O. hempelianus are
coarser spination than the type. He also undemanding in cultivation and most will
accepted O. hempelianus with finer spines flower at a small size. I have had seedlings
from northern Chile too. My own as small as 5cm in diameter produce
experience suggests that the coarse- blooms.

Fig. 16 Oreocereus hempelianus 'australis' with coarser spination than Fig. 17 Oreocereus hempelianus 'spinosissima'
the type. Inland from Tacna, Peru at 3910m [PH973.01] with finer and denser spination than the type.
Río Paramayo, Ayacucho, Peru, 2440m
[PH749.04]
8
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig. 18 Oreocereus doelzianus subsp. sericata in flower [Lau 204]

Oreocereus doelzianus subsp. because the hairs are so similar to those

sericata (F. Ritter) Mottram on the stem. If a stem is cut open the
Fig. 19 A stem of
This is the one species from Peru that I dense hairy zone of the cephalium without Oreocereus
have not seen in habitat, although I hope to spination is clear to see (Fig. 19). I believe doelzianus subsp.
do so soon. It is unlike the other the cephalium is terminal (as in Melocactus) sericata cut open to
Oreocereus species in a number of ways and I have never seen one of my plants show the terminal
and is still sometimes seen under the name revert to normal growth, (unlike Arrojadoa cephalium [Lau204]
Morawetzia. Backeberg erected this genus which can grow
for Morawetzia doelziana, on account of the through the
terminal cephalium from where the flowers cephalium with
emerge. The stems of the type form are normal growth).
only weakly haired, but Ritter described a The flowers that
much more attractive plant, that has stems emerge intermittently
densely covered in white hair, as during the summer
Morawetzia sericata. More recently both months from the
have been considered Oreocereus species cephalium are
and ‘sericata’ made a subspecies of similar to those of
‘doelzianus’. I only have first hand O. leucotrichus,
experience of growing Oreocereus pinkish-red but a
doelzianus subsp. sericata so these notes little less
will solely focus on that subspecies. zygomorphic in
The stems are thinner and smaller than shape, and with
those of O. leucotrichus and O. ritteri but yellow pollen. The
have a similar dense covering of white hair. fruits are of the type
The light brownish spination is often with a thick rind and
obscured by the hairs, but is usually most a basal pore. At
visible towards the apex of the stems. In maturity the fruit is
cultivation, and unlike the other species in easily detached
the genus, it forms clumps at quite a young from the plant and
age. When the stems reach approximately inside the seeds are
30cm tall a terminal cephalium develops. It loose without pulp
can be difficult to see the cephalium form (Fig. 21).
9
The Oreocereus of Peru and Chile continued

Fig. 20 A stem of Oreocereus doelzianus subsp. sericata Fig. 21 The fruit of Oreocereus doelzianus subsp. sericata
with fruit [Lau204] showing the loose seeds in a thick walled fruit with basal
pore [Lau204]

O. doelzianus subsp. sericata is little known one I recommend Oreocereus doelzianus

from habitat and has been found by very subsp. sericata. It combines the attractive
Fig. 22 Oreocereus
doelzianus subsp. few people. Ritter reports it from the hairy stems of the larger growing species
sericata in flower and department of Huancavelica near the but with the ability to form small clumps
showing the border with Ayacucho and Lau has a and flower at a reasonable size.
cephalium wool to be locality in nearby Ayacucho.
None of the species are difficult in
indistinguishable
from the that on the All the Oreocereus species covered in this cultivation. We can never replicate high
rest of the plant article are worthy of growing in the altitude Andean habitats in northern Europe
[Lau204] greenhouse but if you have room for only but fortunately they are amenable to our
greenhouse conditions. Being
Andean plants they are not
sensitive to cold and are quite
happy in a frost-free greenhouse
during the winter months. In the
growing season they can be
watered and fertilised frequently,
allowing for a period of dryness in
between, and will grow well. Good
light is important to encourage
strong spine and hair growth
accompanied with good ventilation
during very hot days to avoid the
build up of excessive temperatures
and scorching.
I hope this short overview of the
genus Oreocereus from Peru and
Chile will encourage a few more
readers to give them a try, and
perhaps somebody could write a
follow up article about the other
three Oreocereus species
(O. celsianus, O. trollii and
O. pseudofossulatus) that are found
in Bolivia and Argentina. I am sure
Sheila will be very happy to hear
from you! (Yes she would – Ed) n
Photos: Paul Hoxey
10
Poisonous aloes in
East Africa –
and a little about their
collectors
by Susie Allan

Kenya has over 60 indigenous species of Aloe. Aloe

vera products made from Aloe vera gel are
practices
to cure
extensively advertised, and have enjoyed a long history malaria. A
as herbal remedies to promote digestion and to flush tisane of
out toxins. Recent research has shown that the original the leaves is
Aloe vera, which is not Kenyan, is now known to have used to treat
been spread from the Arabian Peninsula along the respiratory
trade routes to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, diseases and the
Americas and to India. In Kenya, in common parlance, fleshy leaves were used to
most aloes are referred to as Aloe vera, the so-called pad women’s brass leggings to avoid abrasions. So it
wonder drug, and this anomaly has caused not mere is more than obvious that the use of the epithet Aloe
misunderstandings but has had serious consequences. vera is exceedingly dangerous. The application on a
In Kenya there are pockets of aloes almost like weeds, wound or ingestion of the wrong Aloe has had, on
but with rapid development, others are threatened with occasion, fatal consequences. Perhaps even more
extinction. Here in Kenya, where traditional medicine alarming is the fact that, following a presidential ban on
recommends the gel of Aloe leaves as a common the collection of wild-growing aloes, commercial
treatment for topical burns and wounds, it is essential harvesting of bitter aloe exudate by the barrelful, has
to be able to distinguish one species from another. taken its place. Subsequently there is the danger that
The leaves are used medicinally and the roots of Aloe due to lack of knowledge, this exudate could actually
volkensii, in particular, in combination with be sourced from poisonous aloes.
other plants, are a Contrary to popular belief, we have three exceedingly
significant ingredient for poisonous aloes in East Africa. In
many local brews, said a country where most aloes are
to improve fermentation. popularly known as Aloe
The ingestion of Aloe vera, this has had severe
gel is used in some implications. One of our
tribal missions in

Above, and above right Aloe ballyi growing near Mwatate

11
Poisonous aloes in East Africa continued

their leaf margins. Fortunately the first two species are

relatively rare and not widespread.
Listed as a species of succulent of Kenya of highest
conservation concern, Aloe ballyi was named after
Peter Bally, known both for his botanical studies and
his beautifully illustrated monograph on the genus
Monadenium, which has now become a classic. Peter
Bally was a distinguished Swiss botanist and
accomplished artist, who headed up the Botanical
Department at the Coryndon Museum in Nairobi, now
the National Museum. Frequent and extensive safaris
within East Africa and to the Horn of Africa, inspired
his wife Joy (later to become Joy Adamson of Born
Free fame) to produce many botanical drawings and
paintings of ethnic tribes. A generous and charming old
family friend, Peter himself was a great explorer and
had numerous succulents named after him – Adenia
ballyi, Aloe ballyi, Ceropegia ballyana, Euphorbia
ballyana, Euphorbia proballyana, Kalanchoe ballyi,
Kalanchoe citrina var. ballyi and Sansevieria ballyi
amongst others. His Nairobi River garden still stands
and has many of his original collection plants in situ as
well as a beautifully painted screen of birds and aloes
in the house.
A. ballyi is commonly known as the Rat Aloe, cut
pieces of the leaves having a distinctive rat or mouse
smell. This is an exceedingly poisonous Aloe,
containing the toxic hemlock alkaloid,
and yet a few references to it
actually recommend it for
intestinal problems!
Bernard Verdcourt notes
that, following ingestion
of ‘an Aloe species’
for the treatment of
gonorrhoea, death
occurred a few
hours later! There
is no mention of
which Aloe this
Above and right: may have been.
Aloe elata
On a recent field
in Gilfrid Powys’s garden
trip with
Professor Len
Newton, we
Succulenta East Africa is to found the type
raise public awareness that locality of the
there are dangerous ‘beasts’ original holotype
out there and that not all not far from
aloes have medicinal Mwatate on the
properties! The three aloes Taveta road at about
described below all have 1200m in altitude.
poisonous leaf sap. In all three Although no longer
species, Aloe ballyi, Aloe elata and seen by the main road,
Aloe ruspoliana, the leaves have a sap where it was originally
that gives off a strong ratty odour and collected, we were excited to
all three species have whitish teeth on see the plants in situ nearby,

12
Poisonous aloes in East Africa continued

having been concerned that they may all have Another poisonous Aloe, Aloe ruspoliana, has attractive
disappeared. Amazingly enough it was mixed with tall and delicate bright yellow inflorescences with flatly
another interesting find in that evergreen scrub – the capitate racemes. This is a particularly widespread
scrambling stems of some beautiful Vanilla orchids – Aloe seen also in southern Somalia and Ethiopia.
Vanilla roscheri. Found commonly in northern Kenya, this Aloe was
used traditionally to kill hyaenas in Mandera District.
A. ballyi is a tall, elegant Aloe with recurved pale Found along the road to Sala Gate in Tsavo East
turquoise/green leaves that, unlike the multi-stemmed National Park, it has taken a fair amount of friendly
Aloe volkensii, one of Kenya’s large shrubby species, persuasion to urge the park wardens and officials in
are not persistent when dry. A rather insignificant the park absolutely not to use this Aloe medicinally.
inflorescence tops it with dull red flowers with a Potent alkaloids within the leaf make this species
greyish tip. exceedingly poisonous. This stemless clumping Aloe
Similar in appearance to Aloe ballyi is Aloe elata, which has a rosette of yellow green leaves with whitish teeth
grows on the steep slopes of the Nguruman and occasional insignificant spots in the younger
escarpment and which may be seen from the road to leaves. Like the other poisonous species, these leaves
Lake Manyara in Tanzania, on the rocky cliffs near are also not persistent when dry. Seen in deciduous
Mto-wa-Mbu. This is an elegant Aloe with a solitary bushland below 1000 metres, this Aloe is hard to see
naked stem, and longer leaves than A. ballyi, with until flowering, and even then, its flowering branches
coarser marginal teeth. However, these laxly flowered are often mixed in with the nearby vegetation.
spreading racemes are much more striking than In 1893, on a collecting trip for the University of
A. ballyi, with more attractive scarlet/orange flowers in Bologna, Prince Eugenio Ruspoli was tragically killed
bud, ageing into a by an elephant near
delicate yellow on what is now Burgi,
maturity. It is also Somalia. Apparently,
found in fairly dense Domenico Riva, who
bushland, often in was his companion,
conjunction with the was so shocked at the
really attractive purple death of his friend, that
flowering Thunbergia he could not get over it
holstii. Apparently and committed suicide
Peter Bally did not in the following year.
originally describe it as Aloe ruspoliana was
a different species named after Ruspoli
because Gilbert and Aloe rivae is
Reynolds regarded it named after his friend.
as just A. ballyi.
Many botanical
Instead he wrote the
treasures were
epithet ‘elata’ on his
collected by these
specimen sheets that
prominent botanists in
he prepared for the
Ethiopia and Eritrea
herbarium. Later, it
including several
was described by Len
succulents, Ceropegia
Newton and Susan
ruspoliana, Cissus
Carter as a different
ruspolii, Euphorbia
species. The Maa
ruspolii and
name for the
Pyrenacantha ruspolii
poisonous Aloe elata –
among many other
‘osuguroi’ – is the
trees and shrubs from
same as that for Aloe
what is now the Somali
volkensii, the roots of
region (Ogaden) in
which are commonly
eastern Ethiopia; a
used for brewing and
previously unexplored
Aloe secundiflora,
and floristically rich
which is commonly
region. Caralluma rivae
used in traditional
and Euphorbia rivae
medicine and to
were named after
improve the
Domenico Riva. The
fermentation process. Aloe ruspoliana

13
Poisonous aloes in East Africa continued

Aloe ruspoliana
Photo: Belinda Levitan

tragedy put a halt to a prolific collecting spree for new Bibliography

species of flora in both the temperate highlands and Agnew, A D Q (2013) Upland Kenya Wild Flowers and Ferns,
the tropical lowlands of Eastern Africa; a spree made A Flora of the Flowers, Ferns, Grasses and Sedges of
all the more difficult by immense distances, lack of Highland Kenya, Nature Kenya, Nairobi.
infrastructure and communication and political unrest. Allan, S and Ole Yenko, L (2013) Letilet’s Tales. The Vanishing
The demand for Aloe gel has led to a serious loss of World of a Hunter-gatherer. Shaba Ltd, Channel Islands.
habitat in areas within the parched northern arid Bjorå, Charlotte S, Wabuyele, Emily, Grace, Olwen M, Nordal,
regions of Kenya. Being some of the few plants that Inger and Newton, Leonard E (2015) The uses of Kenyan
can withstand drought conditions, the loss has had aloes. An analysis of implications for names, distribution and
significant impact on vulnerable cliff faces and edges conservation. Journal of Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine 11:
82–97.
causing even more degraded vegetation and
subsequent erosion. A presidential decree in 1986 to Carter S, Lavranos, J J, Newton, L E, Walker C C (2011)
ban wild harvesting was largely ignored and, rather Aloes, The Definitive Guide. Kew Publishing, Royal Botanical
Gardens, Kew.
than defoliating plants in their natural habitats in a
sustainable manner, it was discovered that ‘farming’ Dharani, Najma and Yenesew, Abiy (2010) Medicinal Plants of
produced small quantities of gel that was most East Africa. An Illustrated Guide, Drongo Editing and
Publishing.
probably actually wild sourced. Aloe secundiflora was
merely being dug up and transplanted from the wild Kihara, F I, Mathuva, J M, Kamau, M G and Mathenge, G
into ‘farmed plantations’. Aloe utilisation guidelines, (2003) Aloe Trade in Kenya, Market Study Report. Laikipia
Wildlife Forum, Kenya and Nareda Consultants.
gazetted by the Kenya government, are in place and
we hope that they will be enforced. Sustainable Kokwaro, J O (1976) Medicinal Plants of East Africa. East
utilisation could support and empower rural African Literature Bureau.
communities if properly managed and an Aloe Working Oldfield, Sara (1997) Cactus and Succulent Plants, Status
Group was initiated to organise sustainable trade. Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Cactus and
However, there is a great deal of work to be done on Succulent Specialist Group.
both the marketing and the trading, to make it a more Polhill, Diana and Roger (2015) East African Plant Collectors.
attractive trade. On a more positive note, many tall Kew Publishing, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
shrubby aloes such as Aloe volkensii and Aloe Reynolds, Gilbert Westacott (1966) The Aloes of Tropical
kedongensis are being harvested for use as fencing, a Africa and Madagascar. The Trustees, The Aloe Book Fund,
practice that at least propagates the species. n Mbabane, Swaziland.
Photos: Susie Allan unless stated otherwise Stewart, Joyce and Campbell, Robert (1996) Orchids of
Susie Allan is the Chairperson of Succulenta East Africa, a Kenya. Timber Press Inc.
division of NatureKenya devoted to succulent plants Verdcourt, Bernard and Trump, E C, (1969) Common
http://naturekenya.org/about/succulenta-east-africa Poisonous Plants of East Africa. Collins, London.
14
 Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’

Growing aeoniums
by Elizabeth Maddock

Ifirst became interested in aeoniums when,

many years ago, I got my first from a
protection and heat from the house. I put
them next to the house wall and water
gardening society member. It was Aeonium them enough to keep them damp. This Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
arboretum atropurpureum, and it
intrigued me because it was a lovely
dark red colour and such a curious
shape, as the owner had let it go into
summer dormancy.

Since then I have acquired many more. I

have also visited the Canary Islands and
Madeira, where I saw them growing in
their natural habitat, and collected some
seed as well. As a result I have quite a
large collection now and have refined
how I grow them.

In the Canary Islands and Madeira there

is winter rain, but little during the rest of
the year. There is the water that
condenses on the tops of the highest
mountains and trickles down, but this
is limited.

As they are winter growers in the Canary

Islands and Madeira, I try to keep them
ticking over in winter in my greenhouse. I
do this by keeping it above freezing with
a fan heater and some insulation. As it is
also a lean-to greenhouse it gets
15
Growing aeoniums continued

Aeonium stops them losing the mass of leaves that I put them outside in spring after the frosts
davidbramwellii they would if kept dry and gives them a have finished and bring them back inside in
in habitat good start in spring to take off and flower. autumn. I use a cold frame as a halfway
Our springs are very much like their Canary house as this is useful to put them in when
Island winters and our summer is more like it gets very wet during early spring, and in
their spring, so they will adjust well to our September, when it cools and can be wet
climate. before the arrival of winter in November/
December.
When we get the few weeks of extra heat
in summer I allow them to go dormant, if
they are showing signs of wanting to do so.
There are some species that curl and die if
you water them at this time, notably
A. tabuliforme and A. aureum, so these are
not watered and are left to go dormant.
Most are happier and look better, in my
opinion, if you do not water them much at
this time.
Come September I make sure they are
watered and they most definitely liven up.
Of course, I feed them occasionally too; a
couple of times in spring and maybe once
in autumn.
Aeoniums are more varied than is accepted
by most that grow them. They are known
mostly through the variations of
A. arboretum ‘Zwartkop’, which has been
hybridised more than any other species.
‘Zwartkop’ is the sport that has been used

Aeonium glandulosum in habitat

16
Growing aeoniums continued

Aeonium sedifolium

extensively to produce so many of the dark A. glandulosum

red, very handsome aeoniums, such as grows on cliff
‘Voodoo’, ‘Velour’ ‘Blushing Beauty’ etc. sides and is
These are beautiful but if you look at some nearly flat too.
of the other species you will find plenty
more variation. A. sedifolium, by comparison, is tiny with Aeonium simsii
rosettes at most 3cms in diameter. It is a in habitat
A. ‘Sunburst’ is another very popular shrubby branched plant which, with good
cultivar, which always sells well. It is light, produces the Aeonium speciality,
supposed that it is a variegated form of tannic stripes, thick red lines spanning out
A. davidbramwellii, certainly it produces a up the leaves.
mass of white flowers, so it is not a form of
A. decorum as thought previously (that is A. lindleyi is another that is worthy of
too small) or A. arboretum which has another look as it has small leaves and is
yellow flowers. covered with fine hairs. Other hairy ones,
A. tabuliforme is flat, growing on the are A. simsii, with small rosettes and leaves
faces of cliffs and can reach the size of that can have short tannic stripes and very Aeonium lindleyi var.
a dinner plate. Similarly the Madeiran hairy leaf edges, called cilia. A. smithii has lindleyi

17
Growing aeoniums continued

I have not touched on the

very large ones, with rosettes
30cms or more across, such
as A. canariense varieties
canariense (from Tenerife),
palmense (La Palma),
subplanum (La Gomera) and
virgineum (Gran Canaria) or
A. nobile and A. cuneatum.
Or A. leucoblepharum from
East Africa and the Yemen,
with small rosettes, thick
leaves on shrubby branches
and the most pronounced
tannic stripes.
In fact, aeoniums are
remarkably varied, with
distinct types that grow on
every island, which includes
the Canary Islands, Madeira
Aeonium
very hairy stems, small rosettes and leaves and the Cape Verde islands, as well as
leucoblepharum
that have a very hairy edge. A.haworthii, eastern Africa.
A. decorum and A. castello-paivae, all have I find the plants beautiful and in their own
small rosettes, about 5-8cms across and habitat, like all habitat plants, they look
form small branched shrubs with thin their best. n
woody stems. Photos: Elizabeth Maddock

Trotsky – cactus collector

by Peter Micklethwait

Trotsky and his second wife, Natalia, first came to

Mexico in 1937 as political refugees. In April 1939
for his chickens and rabbits and looking after the
garden for which he collected cacti and agaves from
they moved to 19 Avenida Viena (sic) on the banks of the nearby El Pedregal and the sierra of Hidalgo state.
the river Churobusco in Coyocan, a residential district
The cacti collecting trips were major excursions with
south of Mexico City. The house was fortified before
Natalia, bodyguards and any friends who were staying,
they moved in and there were always bodyguards in
all packed into three cars. Trotsky, who was
attendance.
enthusiastic about strenuous exercise, would help to
The house was a spacious villa with a walled garden dig up the chosen plants using a pickaxe and wearing
planted with trees and lawns. Trotsky enjoyed caring heavy duty gloves. He roped in his bodyguards to help
wrap the plants in layers of newspaper
and heave them into the cars, along with
sacks of extra soil. Trotsky particularly
admired ‘los Viejitos’ probably
Cephalocereus senilis. In turn the
bodyguards probably hated the
expeditions as some of the chosen cacti
weighed as much as 50 or 80 kilos.
Perhaps to their relief these expeditions
ceased after the first assassination
attempt in May 1940.
Bertrand Patenaude in his book ‘Stalin’s
Nemesis: The exile and murder of Leon
Trotsky’, states that an attempt on

18
Trotsky – cactus collector continued

Trotsky’s life had been planned using a potted cactus. during which time he recorded much of Trotsky's daily
The idea, it seems, was to deliver this to Trotsky with a life in photographs and film.
bomb concealed in its compost. (Presumably this
The house is now a Trotsky museum with many rooms
would have been triggered had Trotsky tried to remove
restored to their appearance when he was living there.
the plant from its pot.) The plan was abandoned as it
The garden has also been restored, although it is
uncertain whether any of the original cacti remain. n
was felt it might not reach its intended target. (The
feelings of the cactus were not taken into
consideration.)
The pictures shown here were taken by Alexander The photographs shown in this article are copyright of the
Buchman, a journalist and cameraman, who lived in the Buchman family, and were supplied by the Hoover Institute,
house as a guard for five months during 1939-1940, Stanford University, USA.

Hardy Aloe
by John Hayward

I have grown this Aloe species

in my garden for about seven
years, growing against a wall
which faces south, where it
flowers every year. It was
bought from a surplus
plant stall at an open
garden.
A few years ago we had
some very sharp frosts
which lasted about two
weeks and the whole
plant was cut down to
ground level. To my
surprise shoots appeared
in the spring at ground level
and it has not looked back
since. I think the flower stems
look better in bud than open
flowers, and if anyone would like to
offer a name I would be pleased. n

19
 Gymnocalycium spegazzinii
in Argentina
by Rick Gillman

Fig. 1 An Argentinian landscape with colourful rocks and a beautiful cloud formation

‘Gymnos’ are not everyone’s favourite Why do I have so many? I expanded my

cacti, but if you are lucky enough to visit collection of these beautiful plants after
Argentina you will be able to see many of having seen them in habitat, where I was
these plants in their natural habitat and astounded to see how different the plants
appreciate what magnificent beasts can be compared with those generally seen
Fig. 2 G. spegazzinii they are. in UK collections. I will present here a
north of Quilmes. selection of the hundreds of images I took
A pleasingly I have around a hundred in my collection during my visit to Argentina in October/
symmetrical form and about 20 of these are G. spegazzinii. November of 2012.

20
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii in Argentina continued

I first encountered
G. spegazzinii growing close to
the road, (as many plants do in
Argentina), on a windy ridge Further Growing with
north of Quilmes, in the state on up G. spegazzinii north
of Salta (Fig. 2), growing with the of Quilmes:
road, Top left: Fig. 3
G. saglionis, Acanthocalycium
G saglionis in bud,
thionanthum and Parodia there Above: Fig. 4
microsperma among others. It is were A. thionanthum,
typical of cactus country in many more Left: Fig. 5
Argentina that, in many places, many plants with a P. microsperma
different species of cacti (and some variety of forms. nestled among the
other succulents) grow sympatrically and in Fig. 6, taken just rocks
large numbers. south of Cafayate, shows a

Fig. 6 This plant may be monstrose, or possibly suffering from repeated munching by goats
21
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii in Argentina continued

plant offsetting
profusely, unusual in
this species. There
were some beautiful
large plants, some
looking uncannily
like South American
versions of a
Ferocactus, with a
woolly growing point
(Fig. 7).
On the way to the
city of Salta the next
day, we saw the
‘spegs’ at several
more locations. Near
‘Los Castillos’, they
were growing in
pinkish gravel,
showing remarkable
spination (Figs. 8
Fig. 7 A large plant about 8" across, with a nest of grey spines at the top and 9).
A couple of days later south of
Puerta de Castilla in a
beautiful but windy area,
there was another
incredible form of the
plant growing with
Trichocereus pasacana,
Parodia faustiana, tunillas
and other cacti (Fig 12).
Towards the end of the trip,
we passed along the
Quebrada de Cafayate, where we
visited a natural amphitheatre. Here
visitors can stand at the bottom of a huge
fishbowl-shaped hole in the cliffs. There
Above: Fig 8 One of several plants with beautiful curly spines was a big rockfall as we went into the bowl
Above right: Fig 9 An amazingly spiny seedling! but luckily no-one was injured. A little later

Fig. 10 A typical Argentinian ‘cactus-scape’ with plenty of Trichocereus pasacana. G.spegazzinii was also growing here

22
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii in Argentina continued

Above: Fig 11 ‘Cactus-scape’ south of Puerta de Castilla and Below: some of the plants growing there

we stopped to look at an area of pinkish some of which had apparently adapted to

gravel and found more ‘spegs’ of different their habitat by camouflaging themselves in
shapes and sizes (Figs. 18, 19 and 20), the gravel.

Fig 12 A dark-bodied form of G spegazzinii with very thick

spination down its ribs

Fig 14 Pyrrhocactus umadaeve in flower

Fig 13 Parodia faustiana Fig 15 A small-growing form of Opuntia sulphurea

23
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii in Argentina continued

Above: Fig 16 Fig 18 Another pinkish plant in bud with lovely curly spines
One of several
plants with
pinkish
bodies and
spines
Right: Fig 17
Close-up of
a very spiny
G. spegazzinii
in flower
Lower right:
Fig. 19 A magnificent
pink plant

Below: Fig 20 A plant

covered in spines,
perfectly hidden
amongst some dead Our final sighting of G. spegazzinii was in the field, where it was growing near at
grass somewhat unexpected, on our last full day least 12 other species of cacti, including
two other
gymnocalyciums
and again doing
its best to hide
(Fig. 20).
By the way if,
after seeing these
images, you still
do not like
gymnos (and
G. spegazzinii in
particular), then I
would still
recommend a trip
to Argentina as
there is a load of
stuff to see! n
Photos:
Rick Gillman
24
 BCSS
Zone 15 supplement
John and Joyce Jackson –
an appreciation
by Eddy Harris
John and Joyce ran the BCSS Waltham Forest Branch for many years. They always ensured
there was a warm welcome for all members, and they will be sorely missed.
John and Joyce first came to my notice when I used Crawls’, visiting many continental nurseries over a
to go to the now defunct Enfield Branch, which four day period. Participants in these came from all
eventually combined with the North London Branch over the country as well as locally and it became a
and then amalgamated with Harlow Branch to regular yearly feature thanks to its popularity. These
become the Lea Valley Branch. continued until 2015 when they decided that they
were getting too old to continue organising these
John originally joined the then Cactus and Succulent
‘Crawls’ and in 2017 decided to stand down from
Society of Great Brittain North London Branch in
their positions in Waltham Forest for the same reason.
1975, but also attended the National Cactus and
Succulent Society Branch of Leytonstone which I Both John and Joyce were active members of the
helped to form in the Haworthia Society and
early 1970s. He served joined the Committee
on both of the Branch in 2006. From 2007
committees Joyce was
(Leytonstone eventually Membership Secretary
became the Waltham and John Publicity
Forest Branch), Officer, roles which
becoming Chairman of they continued to hold
the North London until 2015 when they
Branch and then, in retired from the
1989, also becoming Committee. They were
Chairman of the always willing to help
Waltham Forest promote the Society,
Branch. He then and travelled all over
combined this position the country to man the
with the post of Society’s stand at
Secretary in 1998. BCSS events including
Joyce used to help him the National Show.
run the combined
They have always
library of both
been one of the
Branches during this
mainstays of their
time, but eventually
Branch's activities,
became the Treasurer
doing more than
of Waltham Forest
sufficient to promote
Branch with the
their Branch and gain
amalgamation of
more members. They
Harlow and North
were always willing to
London Branches.
support and help at
In 1999 they organised events organised by
the first of the John (walking towards the camera) and Joyce on the 2015 Cactus other Branches and
Continental ‘Cactus Crawl Photo: David Traish Societies. n
25
Thomas Merrifield Endean, known as Tom, lived at Laindon, in Essex. He had a collection
of cacti and other succulents which was known to many for the rarity and numbers of its
specimen plants .

Tom Endean
by Tony Clifford

In May 1929 he published, at his own expense, his cacti, revealing many of his ‘secrets’, was published in
32-page booklet ‘Cacti culture’, which was printed by the Cactus Journal (September 1932) and can be
Baigent Printing Service of Barking. The photographs viewed online.
in the book were taken by A. W. Wheldon, also of
In those early days of cactus cultivation in the UK,
Laindon.
Endean used to recommend baked clay for growing
Some biographical information is contained in the book plants and apparently had quite a little business selling
and, in the conclusion, we are told that the author had it to other cactus growers. He dug the clay from his
been a cactus grower for over 40 years. There is a garden, baked it on a steel sheet on top of a bonfire,
portrait of Mr Endean, so we know what he looked like, then sold it to other cactophiles. This apparently
and the large greenhouse collection in the picture resulted in his garden being a lot lower than when he
presumably belonged to him. The caption tells us he moved in! The next reference to similar material was in
won a Silver Gilt Banksian Medal for cacti and Buxbaum’s ‘Cactus culture based on biology’ (1958), in
succulents at the RHS Chelsea Show in 1928, and which pulverized bricks, which of course are simply
a Silver Cup for cacti and baked clay, are recommended.
succulents at the RHS Autumn Nowadays Seramis, cat litter
Show in the same year. and ‘grog’ are similar materials
Arthur Boarder reports that he that can be used.
first raised Mammillaria Tom’s son, another Tom, was a
klissingiana, one of his favourite Fire Brigade volunteer. He was
plants, from seed obtained slightly physically disabled, and
from Endean in 1929. The RHS spent many years in Laindon
Lindley Library has a copy of offering himself as a ‘jobbing
an undated catalogue of gardener’, proclaiming his
Endean’s cactus and succulent services in large capital letters
nursery in Laindon. around the rim of the black
The Mesemb Study Group peaked uniform hat he
Bulletin (Vol.22, no.4, 2007) habitually wore. Tom was a
contains a resumé of a talk on kindly soul who would do his
Mesembryanthemum given by utmost to be of assistance
Endean on 24 April 1935. wherever he could. His nightly
Tom Endean survived the stand was at Laindon station
Second World War, but his selling late editions of the
plants perished. He is largely evening press this time
remembered as a pioneer in the wearing a ‘Laindon Recorder’
use of ‘burnt clay to a secret hat band. n
formula as the ultimate elixir for With thanks to Brendan Burke,
cultivation’. An article by Portrait of Tom Endean from the frontspiece of BCSS Librarian, for providing the
Endean on the cultivation of Cacti Culture scans used in this article.

26
Zone 15 on display
at RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show 2017
by Richard Rolfe

Background was, shall we say, interesting, but the Branch elected a

ThefaceBritish Cactus and Succulent Society seems to new Chairman/Secretary and Treasurer on the
growing problems of ageing membership, lack understanding that remaining members would be more
of attendance at Branch meetings and an ongoing active and no longer expect to simply come and sit at
need to recruit new members and stimulate Branches. meetings, if they came at all.
These problems came to a head at Chelmsford Branch With these problems in mind the new Chairman
in 2012 when it faced closure with the loss of its approached the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Hyde
Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The AGM that year Hall Gardens in the hope of presenting a display to

27
Zone 15 on display continued

attract the public to the grounds, advertise the Society show in 2017 was ably staged by Southend branch at
and sell plants. At first little progress was made until, the United Reformed Church, Westcliffe-on-Sea.
quite suddenly, the RHS approached the Branch to
stage a display. The first display in the then visitors’ With the above background in mind prior to 2017; at a
centre comprised two display tables and four sales Zone 15 committee meeting in early November 2016
tables. This was such a success Chelmsford were the chairman of Chelmsford Branch put forward the
invited back for a second year when the display idea that perhaps Branches in the Zone could stage a
comprised six tables and five sales tables. With these joint display, sell plants, educate the public and try to
successes under its belt, as it were, Chelmsford recruit members.
Branch suggested that the Zone 15 Show should be The main idea was to reach out to the public as a
held at Hyde Hall in the Barn. whole in the hope of spreading interest in our hobby
As many readers will know the Zone shows held there and gaining new members for the Society. Though
over the next two years were resounding successes. Chelmsford Branch staged two separate displays at
However by 2017 the Barn was going to be Hyde Hall in 2017 the main event, encompassing the
demolished to make way for a new educational whole Zone, was a display at the RHS Hyde Hall
building, restaurant and exhibition centre. The Zone 15 Flower Show between 3–6 August 2017.
Thus following
negotiations with RHS
Hyde Hall, liaison with the
Hyde Hall Events Manager
and the Branches in the
Zone, it came to fruition
that the Zone would stage
a display in a 6 x 9 metre
marquee. The marquee
would have to be paid for
but it was hoped
commission on plant sales
would offset the cost of
the marquee and maybe,
just maybe, make a profit
for the Zone. It was
decided that of the four
Branches participating,
each would provide
display plants for one
table only, plus helpers for
the event and participating

28
Zone 15 on display continued

members would be able to sell plants to the public. to see us! The attendance at Hyde Hall was about
The four Branches participating were Chelmsford, 5000+ people a day with some 1564, 1833 and 1707
Southend-on-Sea, Havering and Lea Valley. visitors coming to see our display, discuss the plants,
learn how to grow them and buy plants, lots of plants.
The Show The last day, 6 August, was hot and sunny with over
The participators/exhibitors arrived at the show ground 8000 visitors to the show, overflowing car parks and
over the day of Wednesday 2 August to set up the some 2100 visitors to our marquee with commensurate
tables (provided by Hyde
Hall), display and sales
plants. The day itself was
quite warm and pleasant.
By late afternoon of that
day all was ready for the
public.
The three days of 3–5
August were windy, with a
mixture of sunshine and
showers. Each time it
rained more people came

discussions and plant sale. By the end of

the show we were all tired but pleased, so
pleased we all wanted to do it again in 2018
but in a bigger marquee! Better still sales
had been so good that sufficient
commission was raised to pay for the
marquee and make a profit for the Zone.
There were, as with any first time event (for
us), numerous teething problems and
realisation there were better ways to do
some things, but these are for future
discussions. Of course any future display at
Hyde Hall is dependant on the RHS wanting
us, and being able to use a bigger marquee.

29
Zone 15 on display continued

That said the senior staff at Hyde until the lady was
Hall said they were very pleased told the plant was
with what we did so we are dead and rotting;
hopeful for the future. and she was given
a leaflet of how to
It turned out we were the first
look after the
actual plant society (not a
plants. She was
nurseryman or other business) to
going to try again
ask to display at a Hyde Hall
but not in the
Flower Show. Indeed we were
bathroom!
advertised nationally via the RHS
website and journal as the ‘New‚ A series of 11 images
event’ at the show; what price free are included to give
national publicity? readers some idea of
our marquee, situated
The visitors were great, with a very large
near the entrance to the
number of people interested in the plants,
show, the setting up of the
how to grow them and worse, how to get rid
tables, sales plants, display and
of mealy bug (a nightmare for all). Some people
of course some of the members
kept spiny plants in their bathrooms (not
who helped. The two cacti shown in
recommended and could be painful), some kept them
flower were just over 50 years old, like most of the
in dry fish tanks (!) and many on windowsills. A few put
members there!
them in the garden during the summer (well done).
Others were amazed to learn you could put the plants One final comment, these types of activities have
outside in the summer. However some people were certainly stimulated members of Chelmsford Branch as
cruel to their plants with such comments as, “I water it they all helped at this show and Branch meetings are
once a year and it’s still in the original 6cm pot after 14 much more inclusive and stimulating. I believe from
years‚”. The worse was‚ “I have this cactus in my comments made at the show that all helpers from all
bathroom in a wooden trough, I give it a drink every the Branches feel this reaching out is the way to go. It
day but it’s gone all brown and squidgy. What should I is to be hoped the visitors who said they were
do with it.” The suggestion of throwing it on the interested in joining the society, do so. n
compost heap, or into a dustbin was not well received Photos: Richard Rolfe

30