San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society
Next Club Meeting: November 12
Ayres Hall of the LA Arboretum: 7:30 PM.
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Plants of the Month are:
Cacti: Melocactus and Discocactus
Succulents: Madagascan Pachypodium
Workshop: November 18
Topic: Tips and Techniques
Palm Classroom of the LA Arborertum: 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00
November Speaker: Al Klein
Growing “Fat Plants”:
Succulent Caudiciforms
Caudiciform succulents, often called “fat plants,” are among the most unusual plants we grow. Plants such as Dioscorea elephantipes, Euphorbia, Cyphostemma, and Pachypodium are favorites with collectors, but their care can sometimes be challenging.
This presentation covers soil mixes, watering, fertilizing, and light, with useful tips for both beginners and experienced growers. We’ll also learn when to water and when to hold back during dormancy, how to protect exposed bases from sunburn, and what to consider when growing these plants from seed or cuttings.
Whether you have a few fat plants or a whole collection, there should be something here for you.
Al Klein’s interest in plants and the natural world began while growing up in Chicago. Visits to the Field Museum of Natural History inspired him to grow cacti and collect fossils, minerals, and insects.
At 17, Al moved to California, where his interest in horticulture grew. He worked at South Shores Nursery in San Clemente while attending Cal Poly Pomona, earning a degree in Ornamental Horticulture with an emphasis in landscape design and retail nursery management.
After graduation, Al joined Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar and became Nursery Manager within a year. He later helped open Canterbury Gardens and Gifts in Escondido, where he became a partner and worked for 35 years before retiring.
Al now devotes his time to his own nursery, Botanic Wonders, specializing in growing and selling rare and unusual plants, including succulents, cacti, and cycads.
