Cactus of the Month: Astrophytum.
Succulent of the Month: Adenium & Adenia.

PRESENTER FOR SEPTEMBER IS: Gunnar Eisel – “Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder:  Our Wonderful and Weird Hobby”

It is easy to see what attracts people to roses or African violets.  However, if one asks C&S enthusiasts what they like about cacti and succulents, one is bound to get very differing answers. At first glance, people are surprised at the variety of striking shapes, textures, unworldly features one sees at our C&S shows. However, our appreciation grows deeper as we become more sensitized to the subtleties of our plants. With some plants, it’s love at first sight.  With others, we may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Our appreciation of our plants often changes as we become more familiar with them.  We may even discover that plants which first attract us often align themselves with aspects our personalities.

“Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder” will explore what to look for as we broaden our appreciation of C&S. To paraphrase author Neale Donald Walsch, “growth begins at the end of your comfort zone”.

Gunnar Eisel’s interest in cacti and succulents can be traced back to his childhood infatuation with photographing night-blooming cereus flowers and a few unfortunate encounters with opuntia glochids. His interest in cacti became intensified through many annual trips to the Anza-Borrego desert.

Born and raised near Heidelberg, Germany, Eisel has taught music at CSULA, CSUF, Whittier College and Fullerton College. He is currently full-time music theory and history of music professor at Citrus College in Glendora where his students are occasionally subjected to his rantings regarding cacti and succulents.

An avid C&S collector, he serves as General Manager of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA) and as past President of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society.