Mini-Show Cactus October: Copiapoa

Mini-Show Succulent October: Graptopetalum, Graptoveria, Pachyveria

PRESENTER FOR  OCTOBER: Jim Gardner “Fascinating succulent flora of the Canary Islands”

Jim Gardner

I moved to southern California from the Midwest in 1968.  I fell in love with succulent plants in 1971 after a colleague of mine at work introduced me to them in his fantastic garden.  I’ve been growing them ever since.  Since then, my wife and I have taken many trips into the deserts of the southwest and Baja California to see these plants in their habitat.

We have also taken many trips abroad to see succulent plants in their habitat as well.  In February 2011 we went to the Islands of Tenerife and La Gomera in the Canary Islands and delighted in the abundance and variety of Aeoniums and other succulents in their winter growth phase.  We then went to the Canaries again in May 2014 on a trip sponsored by the Cactus and Succulent Society of America led by Dan Mahr.  On this trip, we visited 6 of the 7 major islands of the Canaries and again were delighted by the abundance and variety of the Aeoniums as well as other succulents and non-succulents as well.

In our succulent garden at home, my wife and I have focused on winter-growing plants coming from the “Mediterranean” climate zones of the world, especially the plants of South Africa and the Canary Islands as they are so well-adapted to our climatic regime here in Southern California.

Another passion of mine is ceramics, especially making planters for my succulents.  The two hobbies are complementary.