See My Succulent Show-and-Sale Videos
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 footage of anyone and anything interesting. Well, everyone and everything was, so instead of one video, I realized I needed to do several. The people and plants are so interesting, amazing and memorable!
VIDEOS: The HIGHLIGHTS
Part 1: SHOW SET-UP & VENDORS Filmed the day before the SDCSS winter show. You'll see growers, the succulents they're especially proud of, and a set-up that's "like a symphony.”
Part 2: SHOW & SALE DAY More plants, vendors and experts, plus numerous rare and beautiful specimens that shoppers snapped up and happily discuss. So aglow are some, you'd think they'd bred those striped agaves or cool cacti themselves.
Part 3: PLANT JUDGING & WINNERS. We eavesdrop on judges, see impressive plants on display, and view blue-ribbon specimens staged in stunning art pottery.
Part 4: PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCULENTS with grower-hybridizer Steven Hammer. This renowned and delightfully erudite mesemb expert holds forth on why succulents are sexy. Except he doesn't say it quite that way; rather via clever metaphors and quotable, tongue-in-cheek comments.
Behind the Scenes
Sales Chairperson Chris Miller is a haworthia expert and the group's V-P
You may spot yourself among the crowd if you were there, or your collector-friends. You'll definitely see experts you've heard of and---I'm betting---others you'll find fascinating.
For sale: These variegated aloes and agaves are from Altman Plants' tissue culture lab. They originated with renowned hybridizer Kelly Griffin, past president of the SDCSS. In the third video of my series you'll see him judging plants that members entered in the show.
A collector's haul includes grafted cacti and haworthias
Shoppers and collectors arrive at the San Diego CSS show in Balboa Park early for the best selection.
The SDCSS holds two shows annually. The big summer show takes place the first weekend in June at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park. Find details on my Shows and Sales page or the SDCSS website.
For decades, Casa del Prado in historic Balboa Park has served as the venue for SDCSS shows, sales and meetings. Photo: San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society
See the blue-ribbon winners!
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