New Venue: Redeemer Lutheran Church - Multi-Purpose Room (on the north end of the property)
Address: 1084 West Bullard Avenue, Fresno CA 93711 | Map & Directions | .See you on April 4, 2019 | Doors open at 6:30 p.m. | Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
The Succulent Flora of Limpopo, KZN and Mpumalanga
Presented by Rob Skillin
Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga are the 3 provinces of South Africa which comprise the northeastern corner of the country. They are adjacent to the countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland.
The succulent flora there is adapted to a subtropical, summer-rainfall regime and is generally totally different than that found in the winterrainfall areas in the western portions of the country such as Namaqualand and the Richtersveld. The diversity of succulent flora is very high, and comparable to the western areas.
Rainfall varies from lows of 4 to 8 inches in the very northern tip of the country, to highs over 40 inches in the Drakensberg Mountains, which run parallel to, and inland from the eastern coastline. Rain frequently occurs as thundershowers throughout these northeastern areas. Temperatures are generally mild; highs ranging from 77 - 90 degree with lows of 45 – 60 degrees. Maximum highs of 113 – 117 are only occasionally felt. It rarely freezes in the winter, except in the Drakensberg Mountains, where snow is possible.
Rob Skillin visited this part of South Africa in November 2018, and his program will feature euphorbias, aloes, stapeliads, summer-growing bulbs from various different families, adenias, pachypodiums, haworthias and other succulent plants.
Biography: I have been growing cacti and succulents for 41 years, and have been involved in various local societies for most of that time, starting with the San Diego C&SS in the 1970’s, then to the Santa Barbara and Bakersfield clubs. I currently belong to the Central Coast C&SS of which I was a founding member, first President and first Show and Sale Chairman. I have also been involved with the CSSA as a member of its Board of Directors, and am a CSSA certified Judge.
Along with my interest in cacti and succulents, I enjoy photography and travel. These interests have come together in a wonderful way during my botanical explorations of the western US and Mexico, and portions of South America, Africa, Madagascar and the Middle East. I have several programs based on these trips, and I speak regularly to clubs in northern and southern California. Many of my photographs have been published as illustrations for articles and covers of the Journal and Haseltonia, as well as the Timber Press Book of Succulents of the World.
Plants: Rob will bring an assortment of nice plants to offer for sale!
Dinner: High Sierra Grill House, 2003 West Bullard Avenue Fresno, (559) 435-8500.
For reservations, contact Rosanna Rojas by Wednesday, April 3rd to make reservations at 559.999.0017 or rfrojas96@gmail.com. Dinner begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. Reservations under Fresno Cactus Club. Members are invited to attend.