Announcing New Succulent Show-and-Sale Videos

A collector's boxful of cacti & succulents from the San Diego show

The idea of making behind-the-scenes videos about the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society shows-and-sales came from friend/collector Rick Bjorklund. Such events are a huge undertaking, and organizers and volunteers deserve accolades. Plus they have great tips to share. I met up with Rick the day before the show during set-up and took photos and…

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Garden Etiquette Gaffes

Shih-tsu with flower in mouth

No one wants to commit an etiquette gaffe, but when it comes to garden tours, plant shows and sales, and going to nurseries big and small, it’s easy to do. We get caught up in all things spring and can be, well, clueless. Perfect for spring garden touring: A garden hat decorated with succulents. By…

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Upcoming Succulent Shows & Sales 

San Diego Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale, vendor area (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Find a list of upcoming succulent shows and sales on the main website of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America. Go to: CSSA & AFFILIATED SOCIETIES EVENT CALENDAR To request or update a listing, email Laurel Woodley at calendar@cactusandsucculentsociety.org. Related Info on This Site Garden Etiquette Gaffes No one wants to commit an etiquette…

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Where to Find Rare Succulents

Euphorbia obesa (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Collectors shop for rare and unusual succulents at the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Show and Sale Collectors know where to find rare succulents: at shows hosted by Cactus and Succulent Society affiliate clubs. Attend one near you to see unusual plants grown and displayed perfectly; blue-ribbon winners; reasonably priced plants not found in nurseries;…

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Kids Discover Succulents at LA Kids Day

A popular area of the annual Los Angeles Drought Tolerant Plant Festival is the “Kid’s Day” section, with fun educational exhibits and activities for children. As you’ll see in the video, hand’s-on activities and exhibits introduce children and parents to gardening and fascinating aspects of succulents. My favorite was the potting table, where volunteers help kids…

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LA Drought-Tolerant Festival Highlights

At the recent Drought Tolerant Plant Festival, I managed to smile despite sitting on a cactus cOUCH. The LACSS (Los Angeles chapter of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America) hosts this popular garden festival annually at the Sepulveda Garden Center (a community garden) in Encino, CA. The setting is parklike, with grass underfoot and tall trees providing…

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Succulents at the Spring Home/Garden Show

Greenhouse for succulents in display garden

At San Diego’s Spring Home Garden Show, I share tips for keeping succulents healthy, happy and looking their best. I’m in a big exhibit hall, so turn on closed captions if background noise is a problem. Topics in the video: 0:20 Rule of thumb for watering succulents 0:52 How much sun do succulents need, stressing…

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