The Offset – March 2017
Meeting Time: 7 pm
Location: Senior Citizen Center
3505 Pat Murphy Dr, Oklahoma City
March 16th meeting
“Potting Your Cactus and Succulents by Joyce Hochtritt”
Join us at our next meeting to learn all about repotting your succulents. Our speaker is long-time member and member at large Joyce Hochtritt. As the owner of J&J Cactus and Succulents, Joyce has a lot of experience growing all kinds of succulents.
The cat picture (Repotting time) is taken from the British Columbia Cactus and Succulent Society. Photo By Steven Boisvert February 12th, 2012
Club News
President’s message Niki Furrh
We met in February at the Senior Center at WR and details of the meeting are in Robert’s minutes. Our March meeting will be the last one at the Senior Center and then we get back to the newly redecorated Garden Center. There will be some open houses for the new facility so check the newsletter further for possible dates and times and also call if you need further information. Officers held a Board Meeting Feb 11 and we are trying to get program, field trips and Show and Sale items pinned down for the year. We still need a few people for refreshments in the fall, so look for the sign-up sheet at the meeting. With the Show and Sale the first weekend in June, we will go ahead and have our Dish Garden Workshop on June 15th. Details will follow.
For those members who are planning on selling items on their own at the Show and Sale be sure and get a Member Vendor Sales Contract from me, filled out and returned. We are asking that anyone who sells at the Show and Sale support the event further by entering at least 2 plants for the Judged Show. If you are not able to do this, please get in touch with me for I have several ideas that could be implemented in lieu of the plants if needed but we will need to know this by the middle of April. Entry cards for the Judged Show are available on line.
We are also having several get-togethers called “Coffee/Tea In the Garden”. Members are picking a date and time to have refreshments (reimbursed by the club at $20 if requested) and tours of their yards and greenhouses if applicable. Rosario is handing this and you should contact her if you would like to participate. These can be planned all summer and into the fall.
We are also working on a program with one of the OKC Zoo employees and this may be either at the zoo or at the garden center, whichever works out best.
Our Christmas Party will be Dec 21st at the Salt Grass Steak House (south) and further details will be announced as it gets closer to the holiday.
I am hoping to have details of the Show and Sale available at the March meeting where we can start signing up for jobs, etc. We may try to get the postcards ready for mailing at the April meeting since the Show is so early this year. They need to be mailed about 2 weeks before.
There’s lots going on and we need input from members on what they would like to focus on this year and what field trips they are interested in. We have several to discuss at the March meeting so get the March meeting on your calendar and plan on joining the rest of us. Personal health problems are simmering down and we hope everyone can make the club a priority this year. See you next week!
From the Vice-president Rosario Douglas
New Webpage and Newsletter
As you may have noticed we have a new webpage. We will discontinue the old newsletter at Google Sites and our new address is now:
oklahomacactus.com
We are now using WordPress which provides a more user-friendly platform with more options when designing a webpage. One of the tabs is Newsletters and there you will find past newsletters (since 2011) as well as the current year’s issues. I will be sending you an email with the link to the latest newsletter when it is ready.
The new webpage is more interactive and if you explore a little you will see icons for our Facebook page (you can click on it and it takes you directly to our Facebook page). Other features are a language translator, address and map for our meetings, and a like icon. If you click on most of the photos you can see a larger version. Clickable links can be introduced throughout the text. All the forms/flyers are available under the “Events” or “Join” tabs and can be printed directly or you can download them to your computer and print them. You can use the “Contact” form to send comments or questions. Although there is a Print button for every page in the webpage including the newsletter, the newsletter will be very long to print due to the formatting. In other words, it won’t print the way it looks.
We hope this changes will bring real improvement to our webpage and newsletter, although I would still like to encourage member participation. As always, your photos, articles, comments or questions for the newsletter are welcome.
This is a work in progress so if you see problems or have suggestions to improve both the webpage or newsletter let me know. You can either send me an email or you can fill out and send your comments via the contact form in the webpage.
Show & Sale
A CALL TO MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHOW THIS YEAR
This year’s Show & Sale will take place the first weekend in June. The board members would like to strongly encourage members to enter plants at the Show part of our annual event. It is crucial to have as many plants in the Show as possible. So start thinking about which plant or plants you may want to bring this year. Remember it is not about competing with other member’s plants. There are so many categories, including novice, that there really is a place for everyone to participate. So don’t feel that you have to have perfect plants, instead come to the May meeting where we will have a program dedicated to preparation for the Show & Sale. You will be able to ask questions and get help identifying plants. You can also email any of the board members with your plant questions. So lets “ALL” enter at least one plant (ideally more) this year to have a great Show for the public and cactus enthusiasts attending our annual event.
FORMS
The forms required to participate in the Show&Sale are available to print on the webpage. Go to the tab named EVENTS and select SHOW & SALE. Scroll down and you will see the appropriate forms.
Refreshments
Volunteers are needed for the months of: August, October and November. We will have the sign up sheet at the next meeting or you can send me an email.
Membership renewal
If you have not yet renewed your membership you can do so at our next meeting or you can download the membership form in the webpage (under the Joint tab).
February minutes Robert Millison Secretary
16 present (12 members and 4 guests)
At approximately 7pm, Mike Douglas presented a program on the Big Bend National Park in Texas. He shared a list of plant genera found therein, along with geographical data and climate information. Big Bend National Park in located in the Chihuahuan desert and has a variation of plants depending on the different types of rock found throughout the park and has multiple environments due to differing elevations; it is the part of the continental United States that has the highest species diversity. Big Bend National Park is also one of the darkest places in the US, with a night sky that is excellent for star-gazing. Mike’s program covered plants found at different elevations and exposures, as well as including many different animal species. The photos presented were beautiful and certainly sparked interest in visiting this lovely park. Big Bend National Park has many trails and numerous camp sites. Thank you Mike (& Rosario) for the inspirational presentation. This presentation is available for viewing online.
After a short break for snacks, the business meeting was called to order at 8:10pm by Nikki. The Treasurer reported 21 paid members and a club bank balance of $8,780.75.
NEW BUSINESS:
The COCSS Board has approved the purchase of a new library cabinet; Tony will be researching and locating a larger/more sturdy storage cabinet.
The WRGC will be re-opening on 3-17-17 after being remodeled; Mark mentioned that room reservations at the WRGC must be scheduled 14 months in advance. As the March meeting is scheduled for 3-16-17, it will probably be held at the Senior Citizens Center.
Rosario presented the idea to begin using WORDPRESS for the club web-page and newsletters at a cost of $35/year; this was moved, seconded, and approved.
Nikki discussed the new “Coffee/Tea In The Garden”; this will be an opportunity for members to show off their gardens/plant collections on a day/time of their choosing. Members interested in showing their gardens/plant collections are expected to provide snack/beverages (will be reimbursed by the club up to $20) and should contact Rosario & let her know what day/time. These will be occurring sporadically throughout the growing season. The following dates have been scheduled: (specific times will be announced later)
April 8th – Jeanette Sciara (small nursery and winery) – 3023 Jardot, Stillwater, OK August 12th – Freddy Hill – 609 S. Howard Ave., Moore, OK September 16th – Joyce Hochtritt – 600 N. Pine, Midwest City, OK
Up-coming programs discussed:
August – Speaker from OKC Zoo (may be held at WGRC or at the Zoo – details to come).
September – COCSS Picnic – Will begin with burgers/etc. at Peggy Anglin’s (members to bring side dishes) & then progress down the street to Nikki & Tony’s home for dessert.
December – COCSS Christmas Party – Will be held at Salt-Grass Steak House.
Discussion of Show/Sale topics:
The Duties List will be available for sign-up in March. The board has decided that any members wishing to sell plants/items at the S/S are expected to enter at least 2 plants in the judged show (this will be added to the member-vendor contract). Rosario has a sign-up sheet for members to indicate an approximate number of show plants they wish to enter in the judged show; having an idea of the number of show plants will assist in planning placement/number of tables at the S/S and help determine the number of judges needed.
Other topics discussed:
Home & Garden show @ Cox Convention Center weekend of February 25th; Freddy Hill will be presenting at talk about 3pm.
Mark has contacted the owners of a home on Tulsa Ave. in OKC which has a yard full of various succulents (this home belonged to Lois & Marvin Hall). The club will be scheduling a day/time for members to gather at the home to dig up plants & take cuttings. More information to come.
Meeting ended at 8:55pm.
Happenings Joyce Hochtritt
March 16, 7:00 pm COCSS Meeting & Program – Will Rogers Park Senior Center
Program: Re-Potting Your Cactus and Succulents – Joyce Hochtritt
Refreshments: Niki Furrh
April 1 – 2, 2017 – Austin Cactus and Succulent Society’s Spring Show & Sale, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Austin, TX.
April 8 – 9, 2017 – New Mexico Cactus and Succulent Society’s Annual Show & Sale, Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM
April 8 Tea/coffee in the gardens. The first of a series of gardens/greenhouses that members of the Central Oklahoma Cactus & Succulent Society can visit.
Time: 9-12 Location: Stillwater Succulents at 3023 N Jardot, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
April 20, 7:00 pm – COCSS Meeting & Program – Will Rogers Exhibition Center?
Program: To be announced
Refreshments: Robert Millison
April 26 – 27 – 28, 2017 – San Antonio Cactus and Xerophyte Society’s Annual Show & Sale, San Antonio Garden Center, San Antonio, TX.
May 18 COCSS Meeting & Program – 7:00 pm – Will Rogers Exhibition Center?
Program: Getting ready for the Show & Sale
Refreshments: Mary Cox
June 3 – 4, 2017 – Central Oklahoma Cactus and Succulent Society’s Annual Show & Sale, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, Oklahoma City, OK.
June 15 Build your own dish garden Workshop. 7-8:30 pm at the Will Rogers Garden Center.
July 8 – 9, 2017 – Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society’s Annual Show & Sale, Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MO.
Article of the month
The following article was prepared years ago by members of the Central Oklahoma Cactus&Succulent Society. A pdf file can be downloaded in the Resource section. You can click on the pictures to see a larger version. All photos in this document are by Mike Douglas
Winter Hardy Succulents for Central Oklahoma
Most of the species listed here are from drier and somewhat warmer climates, but may experience similar extremes of cold as occurs in central Oklahoma. Their survival and vigor will be enhanced by providing good soil, drainage and good sun exposure. More sensitive species may be benefit from locations protected from the extremes of cold, such as near a south wall.
Cactus family Cactaceae
Coryphantha missouriensis (Syn. Neobesseya missouriensis, Mammilaria similis).
Short stemmed, tightly clustered into dome shape. Salmon or beige flowers. Slow growing. Has been found in Central Oklahoma.
Coryphantha vivipara
Often found as a single stem, rocky areas, sometimes associated with Junipers. Rose-colored flowers.
Cylindropuntia sps.
Although called chollas, most have an arborescent or shrub like habit, cylindrical stems and dangerous spines.
Cylindropuntia kleinae
Shrub like to 3’ with long spines and stems 1/4 in diameter.
Cylindroputia imbricata
A big cholla that is the source of the “skeleton” wood found at roadside souvenir shops. It may reach 8’ and can be found throughout west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Pink flowered. Slow to moderate growth.
Cylindropuntia whipplei and C. wigginsii
These two species are intermediate in size, herblike, moderate to fast growth.
Cylindropuntia clavata
One of the non-arborescent chollas, this species forms a cluster of creeping stems with attractive white spines. Found in the mountain foothills and high desert of New Mexico.
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
The common “pencil cactus” fond in the west and central Texas and into Southwest Oklahoma. Shrub like, dense growth, attractive red fruits. Rapid growth.
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
Echinocactus texensis
The “horse crippler” of central and west Texas. A ribbed barrel cactus usually wider than tall, 1-6” tall and 3-12 wide. South, very rigid spines making it a hazard to horses and cattle.
Echinocereus reichenbachii subsp. baileyi
Echinocereus reichenbachii subsp. baileyi
Common in the Wichita Mountains. Stems 1-3” in diameter; usually in clusters of a few to several; 2-8” tall. Spines usually golden, occasionally white. Lavender to purple 3’ blooms in May.
Echinocereus caespitosus var caespitosus
Common in limestone hills of southern and southwest Oklahoma and central Texas. Stems 1-2 “ in diameter. Single or in clusters of several; 2-10” tall. Very short spines suppressed “pectinate” against the surface. Spines white or occasionally reddish purple. Lavender to purplish 3” blooms in May.
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Echinocereus triglochididatus
The “claret cup” cactus native to southern New Mexico, brilliant red 3” blooms. 3-5 “ diameter. Stems in clusters of several, up to 18” tall and 3’ across.
Echinocereus viridiflorus
Small plants, lime green color blooms.
Mammillaria sp. See Coryphantha
Opuntia sp.
Flat stemmed cacti often sub grouped as Platyopunita. May have prostate or ascending growth habit. Some winter damage may occur but they tend to recover in spring. Impressive flowers, ranging from lemon yellow, golden yellow, apricot, pink and purple. Showy edible fruit.
Other succulents. No cacti are included here.
Agaves (in the Agavaceae/Liliaceae family)
Agave sp.
Also known as century plants, the winter hardy species generally are smaller and more compact than their more tropical cousins. Some species include: Agave guadalupensis, Agave kaibabensis, Agave lechugilla, Agave parryi, Agave utahensis.
Dasylirion sp.
Also called sotol or desert spoon. Long, narrow, serrated leaves originating from single base. Spherical form sends up a tall flower stalk to 15’. Species include: Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion lindhermerii and Dasylirion texensis.
Yucca sp.
Arborescent and non-arborescent forms. Leaves may be narrow or wide, rigid or flexible. Some species include: Yucca alfolia, Yucca baccata, Yucca elata, Yucca torreyi.
Crassulas in the Crassulaceae family
Sedums
The genus sedum encompasses a diverse group of succulent plants, ranging from diminutive mats to 2-foot shrubby mounds. They are most often grown for their colorful, clean foliage and ease of culture. There are a number of winter hardy sedums. Below is a photograph of Sedum nuttallianum taken in the Wichita Mountains. They are annuals, thus you can only see them in the growing season. They flower profusely.
Sedum nuttallianum
Portulacas in the Portulacaceae family
Portulaca sp.
Annuals. Portulacas re-seed prolifically Talinum sp. Herbaceous, semi-woody base.
Aizoaceae
Mesembryanthemum sp. There are few species of this large genus that are winter hardy.
Book Review By Mike Douglas
Cactaceas y suculentas del noreste de Mexico: muestra fotografica (Cactus and Succulents of Northeast Mexico: photographic exhibition). This booklet (164 pages, soft cover) is compiled by Jose Magdiel Martinez and Miguel Angel Gonzalez. This is a photographic summary, with introductory text in both Spanish and an excellent English translation, that describes many of the succulent plants of northeastern Mexico – perhaps the world region with the greatest diversity of cactus. Each species that is illustrated (all were photographed in habitat) occupies a full page of the book. Many species are not commonly seen in cultivation, though succulentophiles will be familiar with most of them. More than half of the species illustrated do not occur naturally in the US.
The book (2008) was published by the University of Nuevo Leon (main campus in Monterrey) with 1000 copies being printed. The objective was to increase the awareness of these plants within the region. My only negative comment about the book is that the photographic reproduction isn’t optimal, but I suspect this is mostly related to the limited funds available to print the color photos. Still, they are perfectly adequate to identify the plants in the field and to illustrate the great diversity of the succulents of the region.
From my perspective the book’s best use is to 1) help identify plants that one may see or photograph in the field and 2) motivate further travels in the region by those who have never been there. This area of Mexico, so close to south Texas and so much richer in succulent plants than the neighboring US, is rarely explored by succulentophiles. Hopefully, this booklet will encourage further interest in these plants and this region. The touristic infrastructure in the region, though extensive, has yet to focus on the flora and fauna of the region.
Succulent Plants
by Rosario Douglas
The Genus Gymnocalycium
The name of the genus comes from the Greek gymnos = naked and kalyx=calyx. This name reflects the lack of hairs or spines on the flower buds.
Gymnocalycium anisitsii. Blühende Kakteen – Iconographia Cactacearum Tafel 101. 1904 Author Schumann, Gürke & Vaupel.
There are about 90 species of this primarily South American genus. This genera is represented in Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. Gymnocalyciums are relatively small globose plants ranging in size from 5-7 inches high. These cacti often grow in grasslands and can tolerate some shade. Some species form clumps.
Gymnocalyciums are popular in cultivation due to their colorful flowers.
Gymnocalycium horstii. Wikipedia Creative Commons.
Flowers range from 1-1.5 inches wide.
Sources: CactiGuide.com , “The Encyclopedia of Cacti”, 1984. Cullmann, Gotz&Groner.
Drawings are from Blühende Kakteen – Iconographia Cactacearum Tafel 101. 1904 Author Schumann, Gürke & Vaupel.
The Botanical Corner by Rosario Douglas 
Eu A Greek prefix, meaning “well” or good
Euphorbia A large genus of the family Euphorbiaceae (the spurges), they are often poisonous and chiefly found in arid regions of Africa. They are usually succulent and often spiny. Named for Euphorbus, a Greek physician. Click on the images to see a larger version and to read the caption.
Euphorbioides Resembling a Euphorbia
Euryacanthus Broad-spined
Evanescent Short-lived
Photos: Euphorbia sp. and on the right Euphorbia canariensis. Photos by Mike Douglas
Central Oklahoma Cactus & Succulent Society 