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Succulent MorselsNewsletter of the Chinle Cactus & Succulent Society

April 2018, Vol 10, No 4

April 2018, Vol 10, No 4

April Program:

“Creating a Cactus Community” will be presented by John (Obie) Oberhausen.

This presentation will be about the Cactus Rescue Project, initially an effort to save the endangered Santa Fe cholla (Opuntia viridiflora), that now also builds community interest and involvement in the promotion and use of cacti in southwest gardening. John will also show cactus projects within the community including work done with the New Mexico state botanist.

John has been growing, collecting and planting cacti in the Santa Fe area for about 15 years. He has over 100 different types of cacti in his extensive home cactus gardens. He is a member of the Santa Fe Cactus Club, Colorado and New Mexico Cactus and Succulent Societies and a founding member of The Cactus Rescue Project.

Join us Thursday, April 12th at 6:30 p.m. for this talk at our regular meeting place: Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave, Grand Junction. As usual we will also have a short business meeting, member

show-and-tells, a plant drawing and a surprise treat from chef Tom Burrows’ kitchen.

Also in April

Reminder that the Club has reserved booth space at this year’s Arbor Fest, put on by the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department. Saturday April 21, 12:00 - 5:00 pm.

The event is held at Lincoln Park (12th Street & Gunnison Avenue) and will feature horticultural and arts & craft booths, live music, a mac & cheese cook-off, a jalapeño eating contest, a tree lottery, live music and a craft beer expo.

We have decided to not sell plants at this event, but instead will be holding raffles for a selection of indoor and outdoor cacti and succulents. Plan to volunteer (we will have a sign-up sheet and arm-twisting event at the April regular meeting) or just stop by.

More information about this year’s Arbor Fest can be found at http://www.gjcity.org/residents/parks-recreation/special-events/southwest-arbor-fest/

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2018: Waking Up the GardensWestern Colorado Botanical Garden CC&SS Demonstration Garden

At our first garden party of the year we had a fantastic turnout at the WCBG Demonstration Garden. Thank you gardener volunteers: Eric Baltes & Leslie Joanis, Loren Benoit, Don Campbell, Lois Davidson, Janet & Bill Hassell, Kim & Rick Krueger, Deb Mallory, Marj McKenna & Walt Scheer. Behind the scenes, Forbes and Lois Davidson helped Don harvest new dead juniper specimens for the garden.

April 2018, Vol 10, No 4

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Ground spurge (Euphorbia prostrata) featuring a drip of its caustic latex

August 2017, Vol 9 , No 8

Lois and Don arrange one of the new ornamental juniper skeletons in the garden

Rick, Don & Eric plant a dead tree. Survival probable.

Marj demonstrates high tech gardening equipment

Stalwart Walt bare-handed takes on some yuccas

Deb, Kim & another dead tree

Davis’ cholla (Cylindropuntia davisii) glistening in the sun.

What a beauty!

L - R: Rick, Eric, Kim, Walt, Deb, Marj, Leslie, Don & Lois.

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And in theColorado State University Extension CC&SS Demonstration Garden

April 2018, Vol 10, No 4

At the CSU demonstration we are seeing the first buds on spring’s harbinger: the lovely mountain ball cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii). Last year’s refurbishment efforts and some unscheduled early March maintenance (thank you Lois Davidson, Leslie Joanis and Kate & Ken Weissenburger) are paying off and we got a great start on the spring cleanup with a good turn out of volunteers. And what a beautiful spring day it was. Thank you John Hall, Lois Davidson, Doris Schlichter, Janet & Bill Hassell, Don Campbell, Kate & Ken Weissenburger, Leslie Joanis & Eric Baltes and Deb Mallory.

Ken and John eradicating the epicenter of an agressive prairie zinnia infestation. This cold hardy little beauty (Taylor’s dwarf,

Cylindropuntia ramosissima) had been in hiding under a bit of leaf litter. We hope to see some blooms

this spring on its pencil-thick spineless stems.

Eric has just successfully executed a complex Lindy hop move ….

…. while Leslie

And finally, Janet & Don wind down a great gardening session. A

beautiful day with friends.

Janet toeing in hens and chicks for later planting.

Living proof that Doris does occasionally take a break.

Deb in “Incognito Mode.”

Bill “The Tool Man” and bucket.

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We’re Live on Facebook!www.facebook.com/chinlecactusclub

For the past two years our club has been using social media website Meetup to announce its events. To save money and reach a bigger audience, we are switching from Meetup to Facebook, effective April 5, 2018. The Facebook page is live now! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/chinlecactusclub. Please “Like” the page, “Follow” it, and “Share” its posts with your friends.

In light of the recent news about Facebook's carelessness with user data you may be hesitant to join Facebook or to continue using it. Consumer Reports published an article recently about these options: deleting your account permanently, deactivating your account temporarily, or curtailing 3rd-party data collection by turning off the “Facebook Platform.” You can read their article at https://www.consumerreports.org/social-media/how-to-quit-facebook/.

Also, you do NOT need to be a member of Facebook to access the Chinle page on Facebook. You can look at the content (our calendar of upcoming events, pics, etc.), without having to login to Facebook. However, if you do not login you can’t Like, Follow or Share our page.

Again, you can access the page at this address: https://www.facebook.com/chinlecactusclub.

From all of us, many thanks to Lisa Hamilton for initiating this effort and volunteering to put our club page together and maintain the site. It is beautiful and will help us connect with our community and audience. See for yourself:

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Ground spurge (Euphorbia prostrata) featuring a drip of its caustic latex

August 2017, Vol 9 , No 8

At the March Regular Meeting: “A Summer Sampler of the Sonoran Desert”

Don Campbell’s program was a lavishly illustrated journey through parts of the Sonoran Desert visited by him and Kathy McCoy on a four day tour in August following the 2017 Cactus and Succulent Society of America convention in Tuscon, Arizona. What a treat to be able to virtually visit this area following its monsoonal rains.

Kathy and “the world’s biggest and bestest chili relleno”at the Tohono

Chul Garden Bistro

Coryphantha recurva (golden beehive cactus), Ruby Road, NW

of Nogales, Mexico

Coryphantha bigelovii (teddy bear cholla) Ironwood Forest National Monument, NW of Tuscon

Don and a spectacular Ferocactus wislizeni (fishhook barrel), Ironwood Forest National Monument, NW of

Tuscon

Though not in bloom, this Echinocactus

horizonthalonius (Nichols turks head) is impressive

neverthelessFeatured libation at the Tohono Chul Garden

Bistro, Tuscon AZ

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Transitioning Indoor Plants to the Outdoors

With the weather warming as we move through late spring into summer, many of our indoor plantsappreciate some time outdoors. But transitioned improperly, you run the risk of permanently disfiguring them. With this in mind, here is a repeat of an article published in the June 2013 and 2014 Chinle newsletters that addresses some common issues. Courtesy of World Seed Supply April 25, 2013, with thanks, https://www.worldseedsupply.com/acclimating-indoor-cacti-to-the-outdoors/

“For those who do not have the luxury of keeping their cactus collection outdoors all year round, spring is usually the time when we put our plants outdoors. We all want to take advantage of the growth spurt we get from the strong summer sun and heat. The sun wakes up the plant’s immune system and cacti also benefit from the increased fresh air exchange that occurs outside. But if you do not properly acclimate your cacti, it can ruin their aesthetic appeal. And for serious collectors, that can potentially mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in cacti damaged.

People commonly misconceive that cacti can handle the sun without issue. After all, they live in the desert where the strongest sun on earth occurs. How can springtime sun, when the sun is barely gaining strength, do any harm? Well, there are two things you’ll want to keep in mind. The first is that the sun outdoors, even in the shade, even in the spring or fall, is many times stronger than even bright lights. You might feel like you can see better in bright indoor light. However, the total output of energy is much greater outside. After all, we’re talking about the sun here. It powers the entire planet. So any move outdoors is a move to more light.

The other issue you want to keep in mind is that although cacti have an incredible ability to handle sun, it is a capability that has to be turned on. Wild cacti have been outside their entire lives, so the level of sun they are “tuned” to handle is pretty much the same all the time. They never reach the level of darkness that indoor cacti experience. There is variation between seasons, but the overall change is gradual. Wild

cacti do scar, but not to the degree that will usually happen if you totally neglect acclimating your cacti before bringing them out.

When you have a cactus that has been indoors all winter, even if it was under bright artificial lights, it is like a person who has been indoors all winter. Did you ever notice how easy it is to get burned early in the summer? It’s not because the sun is stronger early on. It’s because your skin has not yet built up a tolerance to the sun. Cacti (and other plants) are the same way.

A cactus under too much sun can burn in only a matter of minutes. It will usually cause the cactus to quickly

discolor. That discoloration will eventually dry out, shrivel and scar, leaving an unsightly rough texture where the nice cactus flesh color had been. Unlike human skin, these scars are permanent. So, how do we avoid this?

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The concept of acclimation is very simple. You want to start out with a minimal exposure, both in time and intensity, and gradually increase it over time until your cacti reach their desired location. While conceptually it is simple, it can logistically be a big ordeal depending on the size of your cactus collection. If you have a lot of cacti, the best thing to do is put them in crates or bins so you can transport them more easily. Instead of moving back and forth with each plant, you can carry multiples at once.

It is best to start your acclimation early in the season when the sun is at a lower intensity. But you also want to make sure to do so after the nighttime temperatures are securely above freezing. Find a shady spot in your yard, preferably under a deck or bush. Keep an eye on your plants. If they start to lighten or change in color at all, bring them back indoors immediately. Sometimes it is already too late

to prevent scarring once you notice any color change. Usually under a deck or bush will be dark enough that you do not have to keep moving them back and forth between indoors and outdoors. Keep the plants in that spot for about 2 weeks. Next, find another shady spot with slightly more light, and do the same thing. The more levels of shade you can graduate to before reaching your final spot, the better. Sometimes, even after the plants have been outside for a while, you can still do damage when you get to direct sun. So you cannot be too careful if you really want to avoid any harm.

If you lack the extreme shade of underneath a deck or bush, you may have to manipulate your sun exposure with time. In that case, start your cacti in the shadiest available spot for about an hour or so before moving it back inside. The following day, try two hours and continue to lengthen the time. There’s not a set formula in terms of how long to take to do this. It depends on a lot of factors. But the idea is to do it gradually enough for the plant to build up its immunity to the sun before the sun does its damage.

Another thing to consider when acclimating is rain. If your cacti have been in dormancy all winter, it is best for them to be “awake” before they are watered. If you know you are getting any substantial rain within the first week of acclimation, it might be a good idea to bring them in for those periods as well. Otherwise, try to find an overhang or somewhere they won’t get soaked. You might expect that they really need a drink at this point in the season. But let them wake up and get their immune systems in gear before you allow them to drink. Chances are they would still be fine. But you should always have a cautious mentality, especially if you have rare or expensive specimens. Anyone who’s experienced the loss of a few plants they love probably won’t find it hard to think that way. And if you can learn before you have to experience that, then you’re ahead of the game.

As you approach this process, think of it in terms of chemicals that have to build up in the skin of your cacti. It is ironic because you need the sun to activate the production of these chemicals. Yet, if you give them more sun than they are ready for, the very thing they need will harm them. But if you have patience and avoid shortcuts, the payoff will be that you will have the types of specimens that other collectors drool over.” Photos by Loren Benoit, Janet Hassell, Ken

Weissenburger & Kate Weissenburger

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April

April 2 Board Meeting 6:30 pm at Don Campbell’s home

April 7 Garden Party 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Ave, Grand Junction

April 12 Regular Meeting of the CC&SS 6:30 pm 536 Ouray Ave., Grand Junction - Program: John “Obie” Oberhausen on “Creating a Cactus Community”

April 18 Garden Party 9:00 - 11:00 am at the CSU Extension Garden, 2775 US-50, Grand Junction

April 21 Chinle @ Arbor Fest 12:00 - 5:00 at Lincoln Park, 12th Street & Gunnison Avenue, Grand Junction - come by our booth!

May

May 12 Garden Party 9:00 - 11:00 am at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Ave, Grand Junction

May 14 Board Meeting 6:30 pm at Don Campbell’s home

May 23 Garden Party 9:00 - 11:00 am at the CSU Extension Garden, 2775 US-50, Grand Junction

Calendar of Upcoming Club Events

April 2018, Vol 10, No 4

2018 Chinle Cactus and Succulent Society Board & Appointees

President: Don Campbell Vice President: Bret SeligmanSecretary: Deb Mallory Garden Activities Coordinator: Lois Davidson

Treasurer: Eric Baltes Newsletter Editor: Kate Weissenburger Member at Large: Walt Scheer Program Committee: Shari Skeie Governance & Public Affairs: Don Campbell

Facebook: Lisa Hamilton Web Site: Kate Weissenburger

The Chinle Cactus and Succulent Society usually meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are held in the Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave., Grand Junction, CO. Guests are always welcome. For information about upcoming meetings, please check our website.

Mailing Address: Chinle Cactus & Succulent Society, PO Box 233, Grand Junction, CO 81502

Phone: 1-970-773-7637

Website: www.chinlecactusclub.org

Contact Us: info@chinlecactusclub.org

Facebook:www.facebook.com/chinlecactusclub

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The meeting was called to order by President Don Campbell at 6:30PM. Guests were introduced and welcomed.

The business meeting consisted of the following:

1) The financial report was given by Treasurer Eric Baltes. The money market and checking accounts are in good shape. Eric reminded everyone that annual dues are due by the end of March. He also mentioned that for those attending the May field trip, the charge for the field trip can be paid at any time before the trip departs.

There was a question about whether it is possible to get a list of all members with their contact information. There is a list available that we can share with protected access. An email can be sent to all paid members that would include a link that would allow access to the membership list. Everyone felt this would be helpful.

2) Committee reports:

Shari Skeie reported on upcoming programs. April’s program will be John Oberhausen who will talk on “Forming a Cactus Community.” May will be the Marble Canyon field trip which will take the place of the regular meeting. The program for June is yet to be scheduled, but it should be confirmed in the near future.

Lois Davidson reported on activities for the Garden Committee. Garden parties will begin soon, with March 17 being the first. Lois stated that she and several other members did some preliminary work today, mostly pruning and trimming of shrubs.

3) Kate Weissenburger briefly described the change that will happen soon from our Meetup site to a new Facebook page which is currently being assembled. Lisa Hamilton, who has been managing the Meetup site, suggested to the Board that the Meetup site was not giving us good value for the money, and suggested changing to a Facebook page. The Board agreed this is a good idea, and Lisa will be in charge of the transition to the Facebook site. She has volunteered to manage the site, and Kate will take this over at the end of the year. Lisa will also take care of notifying current Meetup members that the change will be happening soon.

4) Don commented on the revision of the Bylaws, which the Board is currently pursuing. There are several changes that are being proposed. These changes will be presented to the general membership for voting, once they are completed.

5) The May field trip was briefly mentioned. Ken Weissenburger has offered to do a second trip, immediately following the first, for all the people on the wait list. He will cover the same route as the main group. Don reminded everyone about our conservation policy, which most importantly states that no plant collecting of any kind will be tolerated. Don and Ken are finishing up the details for the trip, and they encouraged anyone with any questions to please contact either Don or Ken.

6) Raffle plants were described, and Don pointed out the silent auction plant as well as the grow light and ventilation fan which were offered for silent auction. The grow light is a great value for anyone trying to

Minutes of the Chinle Cactus & Succulent Society March 8, 2018

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manage their indoor plant collection(s). The refreshment break commenced, complete with a delicious “unbleached cake” goody provided by master baker, Tom Burrows. The plant drawing was held after refreshments, and the silent auction continued, with the winner announced at the end of tonight’s meeting.

Tonight’s program was given by Don Campbell. He gave a travelogue on his visit to southern Arizona in July 2017. He provided a beautiful slide show through the vivid lime green landscape of southern Arizona during the monsoon season. Many gorgeous desert flowers are only seen during the rainy season, and Don shared many of those beautiful blooms through his photography. It was a stunning contrast to those normal desert photos typically seen of dun-colored earth sparsely dotted with sage green plants. Certainly it was an enticement to visit the southern desert even during the formidably high temperatures that are typical in mid- to late-summer.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Mallory