Cactus of the Month: Ariocarpus, Obregonia

Succulent of the Month: Adenium, Adenia

PRESENTER FOR SEPTEMBER IS: Gunnar Eisel – “The Folklore, Enchantment, and Evolution of the C&S Hobby from 1894 to the present day”

The allure of  cacti and succulents has fascinated people for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. However, unlike some other horticultural endeavors, the collecting and fostering an interest in the C&S is fairly new. This program focuses on the people, the changing American landscape, and a curious set of events that have shaped our hobby as we find it today.

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 recently retired as music professor at Citrus College in Glendora where his students were frequently subjected to his rantings regarding cacti and succulents.

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

The Zoom meeting invite will be emailed to members before the event.