The online magazine for cactus and succulent enthusiasts Issue 43 December 2024

Contents
4 Click to read 19 Click to read
The misuse of the A yearning for yellow
name hildewintera and Graham Evans
the naming of cactus The striking flower of
Apteranthes burchardii
hybrids see page 17
Colin C. Walker
36 Click to read
5 Click to read The genus
Cleistocactus – an Weberocereus
Zsolt Varga
updated summary
by Martin Lowry
Reviewed by Graham Evans
23 Click to read
Caudiciforms and
pachycauls
7 Click to read Colin Parker
Gymnocalycium
cabreraense
Graham Evans

10 Click to read 45 Click to read

Dudleya updated Mediterranean
Colin C. Walker gardens
Laurie Poulson

29 Click to read
Puya at the Ventnor
Botanic Garden
Chris Kidd

17 Click to read
61 Click to read
Apteranthes burchardii Cactus at the Castle
in habitat 2024
David Ilett
Vicky Davies
 3

Welcome to the December issue Two other interesting publications Also in this issue we have the
of the Cactus and Succulent are new this year. Go to page 5 for second article in the series by
Review. a review by Graham Evans of the Zsolt Varga, The Flying Garden,
Kaktusy Special Cleistocactus – an (page 36) dealing with the
In this issue I am pleased to
updated summary by Martin comparatively unknown genus
include an item on Gymnocalycium
Lowry, while Dudleyas, a Weberocereus and including some
cabreraense, discovered as
comprehensive review of the spectacular pictures.
recently as 2010 and published in
genus, is featured in the article by
2018 (see page 7). More spectacular pictures are to
Colin C. Walker on page 10.
be found in two articles
It is exciting to find that new
concerning gardens. Ventnor
species of cacti are still being
Botanic Garden holds the National
discovered aided, no doubt, in at
Collection of hardy and half-hardy
least some cases by improved
Puya and Chris Kidd, its curator,
communications to remote areas.
gives us an insight into how this
It is also interesting to note that came about (page 29). Then we
cacti have some of the fastest visit a number of gardens in the
diversification rates among plants, Mediterranean area with Laurie
albeit over considerable time (see Poulson, with many pictures of the
below). plants they contain (page 45).
Finally we have reached, or nearly
Reference reached, the end of another year
Thompson, J B. so I would like to thank everyone
Hernández-Hernández, T. who has helped me during 2024,
Keeling, G. Vásquez-Cruz, M. including those of you who have
Priest, N K (2024 ) written for me, supplied
Identifying the multiple drivers of photographs, provided advice and
cactus diversification support and my two hard-working
Nature Communications 15 Walking under an ancient Opuntia proof readers.
Article number 7282 Jardin Exotique de Monaco Sheila Cude

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 4

The misuse of the name hildewintera

and the naming of cactus hybrids
by Colin C. Walker

I n the previous issue of the Cactus and

Succulent Review Ed Seeley sang the
praises of the cactus hybrids that he called
himself admits. None of these plants are
hildewinteras in any sense because their
genes have originated from more than a
hildewinteras, although he commented single genus as currently understood.
‘that there is no such thing as a
So what should these hybrids be
Hildewintera’ (Seeley, 2024). I regret to say
called? Intergeneric hybrids have
that as a scientist I could not let the misuse
their own names which usually
of the name go unchallenged.
indicate their hybrid origin. To
Before considering the hybrids let’s go take just a single example, the
back to basics and answer the question: cultivar ‘Andre Mora’, illustrated
what is a hildewintera? The genus of South by Ed, has the following
American cacti under consideration began parentage: Cleistocactus ‘Helm’s
life in 1962 as Winteria. Friedrich Ritter Neue’ × Borzicactus icosagonus
published this name oblivious of the fact subsp. roseiflorus. The name for
that this generic name already existed: such an intergeneric hybrid is
Wintera (in the family Winteraceae). × Cleistoborzicactus which
Winteria Ritter was therefore invalid from indicates the parentage of this
its inception. particular cross. The correct
name for this hybrid is
In 1966 Ritter attempted to resolve the
therefore × Cleistoborzicactus
problem by publishing the new name
‘Andre Mora’. I appreciate that
Hildewintera but again he failed and this
this taxonomy may seem
name is also invalid.
cumbersome but that’s how
In the same year, however, Curt Backeberg it is.
published Winterocereus which is valid. If
Other crosses have the
one takes a very narrow view of cactus
parentage Cleistocactus ×
genera then this latter name is the one to
Echinopsis for which the
use, which includes either one or two
intergeneric name is
species. The broad current consensus
× Cleistopsis.
view, however, is that Winterocereus is
merely a synonym of Cleistocactus where The world of orchids, for
the species C. winteri and its two example, has become
subspecies: subsp. colademono and accustomed to these formulaic
subsp. winteri currently reside. names for a very long time but the cactus × Cleistoborzicactus
world has yet to come to terms with them. ‘Andre Mora’
I emphasise that the generic names
Winteria Ritter and Hildewintera Ritter are The late great Gordon Rowley, past (Photo: Ed Seeley)
invalid and hence should not be used in President of the British Cactus and
any context since they infringe the strict Succulent Society, wrote an excellent book
rules of botanical nomenclature that dealing in detail with these topics entitled
determine the formalities of how plants are Succulents in cultivation – breeding new
named. Regrettably, especially among cultivars (Rowley, 2017) but regrettably few
German cactophiles, this stance is growers and hybridisers appear to have
generally ignored and the name consulted this authoritative tome. n
Hildewintera abounds in collections,
nurseries, on plant labels, in numerous
publications and on the internet. References

The confusion is further compounded when Rowley, G.D. (2017) Succulents in cultivation
– breeding new cultivars, BCSS,
we consider the cactus hybrids discussed
Hornchurch, Essex.
by Ed. All the plants he described and
illustrated are intergeneric hybrids with Seeley, E. (2024) Hanging hildewinteras.
complex genetic backgrounds as he Cact. Succ. Rev., 42: 37–42
 5

Kaktusy Special 2024/2

Cleistocactus –
an updated summary
by Martin Lowry
Reviewed by Graham Evans
Softcover; 35 pages; 73 images and 1 map;
English language. ISSN 0862-4372,
Published by Kaktusy (Czech Republic) and available
through the British Cactus and Succulent Society,
price £6.00 (plus p&p)

E very year the Czech cactus and

succulent society, Kaktusy, publishes a
couple of special editions. The most recent
Each species is illustrated with images of
plants in habitat and sometimes also in
cultivation. Molecular data is not cited
Above: The most
popular
Cleistocactus in
of these features Cleistocactus and is other than to confirm the monophylly of collections is
written by Martin Lowry, who surely knows Cleistocactus and note the recent inclusion undoubtedly
the genus (and the cacti of Bolivia) better of three additional species not included in Cleistocactus
than anybody writing in the UK today. the commentaries. This sinks three strausii
monotypic genera, two of which are rarely
Opening with a brief history of the genus
encountered in collections (the new
and a short outline of its unusual
combinations in Cleistocactus were actually
diagnostic features, the booklet is
made by Nigel Taylor in 2023).
positioned as an accessible update to the
author’s 2016 Bradleya paper ‘A synopsis Lowry’s taxonomy is fairly broad but not
of the genus Cleistocactus Lemaire’. restrictively conservative and mistakes or
omissions made in 2016 are acknowledged
The bulk of the content, 29 pages, is
and pragmatically corrected in the light of
devoted to commentaries on the 27
new understanding. The headliner is the
species currently accepted by Lowry,
inclusion of his recent new description,
based primarily on his extensive research
Cleistocactus aurantiacus Lowry 2023.
of the plants in habitat, with brief accounts
of the locations, notes on climatic Potential readers should, perhaps, be
conditions and comments on the aware of the near-complete absence of
conservation outlooks of those localities. what the author calls ‘nomenclatural
Martin Lowry: Cleistocactus – an updated summary 6

baggage’. Other than a very few new

referrals, there are no synonymies given,
making it somewhat difficult to find the
commentary pertaining to a plant in one’s
collection bearing a name not recognised.
The reader is referred to the previous paper
(via ResearchGate) for this information.
The style is authoritative but personally
related, very readable and not without
humour, which clearly displays the author’s
knowledge and enthusiasm for South
American cacti and the places they grow.
The target audience is one with some
experience and understanding of both cacti
and the geography of South America, for
whom the publication will offer much to
appreciate. It is, perhaps, slightly academic
as a beginner’s introduction to
Cleistocactus but nevertheless serves to
make the reader aware of the species and
their considerable attractions.
There are a couple of very minor niggles.
Under C. winteri, in the reference to
acceptable names for the invalid
Hildewintera aureispina, a typo in the text
results in ‘W. aureispina Backeberg’, the
‘W’ abbreviating Winterocereus, being
accepted. The name should be
‘W. aureispinus Backeberg’. It matters
Another attractive species Cleistocactus hyalacanthus subsp. tarijensis
because ‘W. aureispina’ (albeit a Ritter
name), where the ‘W’ would stand for
Winteria, had been dismissed earlier in the
commentary as also invalid. There appears
too to be an error with the author citation
for C. baumannii, which is normally given
as ‘(Lemaire) Lemaire 1861’, that quoted
appearing to be for the basionym.
Perhaps more disappointing is the
production quality of the booklet, which is
somewhat flimsy. The cover in particular
would benefit from heavier paper. The
restrictions imposed by the Kaktusy layout
also result in the images being smaller than
would be ideal.
For those keen to learn, there is much here
to capture the interest, educate and enjoy.
This is a highly informative, accessible and
very affordable addition to any cactophile’s
library, refreshingly uncompromised by
dumbing down and which makes
reasonably concise sense of a much
misunderstood genus. n
Photos: Graham Evans

Cleistocactus winteri has atypical but beautiful

flowers
 7

Gymnocalycium
cabreraense
An introduction to an exciting
recent discovery.
by Graham Evans

T he problem with new Gymnocalycium

names is there are so many of them.
Passionate specialists in the genus are
It is quite an
occasion,
therefore,
always keen to announce new taxa, which when a new
wider cactus authorities then advocate Gymnocalycium species is A
referring to more established names. This published that presents as both three-year
is especially so at subspecies level where immediately distinctive and extremely old plant growing
myriad new combinations for relatively attractive. in the author’s
minor variations are seemingly erected collection
each year.

The flowers are white

with a delicate and
charming pale crimson
hue and a purple-red
throat
Gymnocalycium cabreraense 8

One such occasion memorably occurred in G. cabreraense is described as always

August 2018 with the publication in solitary with globose stems, greyish green
Schuetziana of Gymnocalycium to blue-grey in colour and up to 12cm
cabreraense by Volker Schadlich, the late across. There are normally seven ribs,
Ludwig Bercht and Michael Melojer. which are flat and have neither tubercles
nor furrows. The spines number 5–7,
Since then, the species has been fairly
sometimes including a single central, and
slow finding its way into collections,
these are blackish to deep red-brown,
certainly in the UK, but seedlings are now
10–17mm in length and slightly recurved.
beginning to appear via specialist nurseries
(there were plants offered at the Cactus The flowers are described in great detail.
Explorers Weekend and Cactus at the Superficially, they are funnel-shaped,
Castle this year) and the name is included 60mm long and 40mm wide, whitish with a
in the latest lists of several reputable greenish midstripe on the outer petals and
European seed merchants. a purple-red throat. The filaments are
purple-rose while the anthers and stigma
The taxon was discovered in 2010 on the
are yellowish white.
Cerro Cabrera (from where it gets its
A stunning plant
specific name) in the Gran Chaco of north- I was very fortunate to be given a small belonging to
western Paraguay, not too far from the seedling in the summer of 2023, grown Volker Schadlich,
border with Bolivia. The authors compare it from Schadlich seed. The plant was about displayed in a
with G. chiquitanum, G. paediophilum and 2.5cm across at, I believe, two years old. 12cm pot at
G. chacoense, also from broadly the same It has more than doubled in size in the ELK 2023
part of the world, and the four species form intervening fifteen months and, in
(Photo: Graham
a very nice aggregate. cultivation, the beautiful blue-grey Charles)
Gymnocalycium cabreraense 9

epidermis and gorgeous deep red spines

are clearly preserved.
It flowered for the first time with a single
bloom in early August this year, repeating
the exercise in mid-September. The buds
were unusually narrow for a
gymnocalycium and developed more slowly
than would normally be expected from
plants of this genus, although the
inconsistent weather at the time perhaps
makes direct comparisons hazardous. In
basic appearance, the flowers are typical
gymnocalycium in shape and size but
blessed with a delicate and enchanting
pale crimson suffusion to their white petals.
I have grown the plant in full sun using my
standard cactus mix of equal parts Irish
John Innes compost, grit, molar and
vermiculite together with an additional
combined part of 50% sand and 50% peat
or coir, to which I add a base fertilizer.
Watering has been fairly liberal in the
summer growing period with none given
during winter.
I cannot really comment from a sample of
one precious plant on minimum
temperatures but being Paraguayan it
stands to reason that some winter warmth
might be advisable. For the record, I do not
believe my plant has been below 10°C but,
based on its relationships, it would likely
tolerate lower temperatures than this,
although some of these species can mark if
kept below around 5°C.
I have seen larger plants than mine,
perhaps 7 or 8cm in diameter, in one
renowned collection and I am pleased to
report they have the same bright colourful
appearance as much smaller plants,
suggesting the vibrancy of youth is well
retained into maturity.
Gymnocalycium cabreraense is, to my
mind, an instant classic that deserves a
place in both general and gymnophile
collections. n
Photos: Graham Evans unless stated otherwise

Newly pricked out two-year old seedlings in

6cm pots (Photo: Vicky Davies)

It is anticipated that seedling

Gymnocalycium cabreraense will be
available for sale from C&V Cacti in the
spring/summer of 2025.
 10

Fig. 1

Dudleya updated
Colin C. Walker
What’s new in the world of dudleyas?

Dudleya is a cinderella genus in the bench. Despite these shortcomings, the

Above: Dudleya
Crassulaceae closely resembling the far genus does have its followers, one of pachyphytum with
more familiar and popular echeverias. whom is Simon Snowden who wrote an a 15cm diameter
Significantly, dudleyas are restricted to the introduction to the genus for the Cactus rosette
winter rainfall region of western North and Succulent Review (Snowden, 2020).
America and hence require cool wet
The new book Dudleyas (Fig. 2), published
winters and hot dry summers, conditions
in May this year, should reinvigorate
that are tricky to replicate in cultivation,
interest in these plants. What follows is an
especially in the UK.
update on Simon’s article based on Spath
Another feature of dudleyas which has not et al. (2024).
endeared them to collectors is that the
This book is a pictorial feast surveying
perennial species tenaciously retain their
these attractive rosette plants, mainly in
dead leaves, making them somewhat
habitat but also in cultivation.
untidy and hence unpopular for the show
Dudleya updated 11

Dudleya displays a range of diversity from Here I showcase just five species, four of
small, delicate deciduous geophytic corms which I have grown and the fifth because
to large robust, perennial rosettes up to not only does it have an interesting history
50cm or more across, usually with but it also has a remarkably wide
glaucous or farinose (powdery white) distribution relative to the rest of the genus.
coverings to the leaves.
So, what is new in the world of dudleyas?
Firstly, Dudleya has been shown to be
monophyletic when it includes the formerly
segregate genera Hasseanthus and
Stylophyllum, meaning that this genus has
a single evolutionary origin and hence,
fortunately, it is taxonomically sound. It is,
however, only very distantly related to
Echeveria and its close relatives such as
Graptopetalum and Pachyphytum. This is
partially evidenced by the absence of any
naturally-occurring or artificially-produced
intergeneric hybrids between Dudleya and
Echeveria.
Spath et al. accept 49 species, 23
subspecies and five possible ‘new’
species. They reprint a molecular family
tree for the genus which clearly indicates
that Dudleya taxonomy will need to change
quite drastically in the coming years to
accommodate the molecular evidence.
Firstly, the three currently accepted
subgenera: Dudleya, Hasseanthus and
Stylophyllum, are not supported by the Fig. 2
molecular data, such that a new
infrageneric classification is required. Cover of the latest
Dudleya pachyphytum book on the genus
Secondly, some species currently
composed of three or four subspecies will This is undoubtedly the jewel in the
need to be split into several discrete Dudleya crown and hence it is much
species. The world of Dudleya, therefore, sought after by collectors. The name
looks set for a step change in its taxonomy. ‘pachyphytum’ was given in 1980 because
the plant resembles those of the endemic
Spath et al. also provide a good Mexican genus Pachyphytum to which it is
perspective on the geographical only distantly related. This name in turn
distribution of the genus that occurs mainly comes from the Greek meaning ‘thick
in coastal western North America with plant’ for its thick leaves (Figs. 1 and 3),
many taxa endemic to one or a few of the which means that it is unlikely to be
Pacific Ocean islands and hence are confused with any other member of its
narrow endemics. genus.
From the conservation perspective, the Its stems are initially erect as in my plant
authors have gone to great lengths to but with age they can grow up to 40cm
emphasise that this genus has been long when they become decumbent,
particularly targeted by poachers, who forming a branched cushion up to 70cm
have illegally plundered natural across. As shown in Fig. 3, my plant has
populations. They stress the need for yet to branch. Leaves are broadest at the
collectors to buy sustainably sourced base, up to 3.5cm across and 7.5cm long.
material to circumvent plants being dug up The powdery farinose covering is incredibly
from the wild. They are also cognisant of easily marked. My plant has also yet to
the danger that their new book could be flower but the inflorescence is described as
the resource tool used to facilitate future being nodding up to 14cm across bearing
illegal trade. white flowers.
Dudleya updated 12

Fig. 3

Dudleya pachyphytum,
about 14cm tall in a
12cm tall pot. Note
especially the dead
leaves

Spath et al. (2024) deservedly devote eight part of the island to preserve the remaining
pages to this species and include 16 plants”.
habitat photos, two of which are full page
My plant is derived from the 1998 ISI
and all of which highlight its stunning
distribution (ISI 98-40, HBG 81830) raised
beauty. Emulating the colour and clean
from seed produced on a self-pollinated
looks of this plant in cultivation is a
plant collected on Cedros Island by
challenge even for the most experienced
R.M. Beauchamp in 1978. This also
grower. This beauty unfortunately has its
provides evidence that this species is slow-
downside because this species, along with
growing in cultivation since these seedlings
D. farinosa, has been specifically targeted
took 20 years to reach saleable size.
by illegal poachers.
Spath et al. are bang up to date since they
Dudleya pachyphytum is restricted in its
include two species described as new only
distribution to the northern end of Cedros
last year: D. cochimiana and D. delgadilloi,
Island off the west coast of Baja California,
both also endemic to Cedros Island, which
hence making it a highly localised endemic.
is also home to two other non-endemic
The good news from the conservation
species: D. albiflora and D. acuminata. This
perspective, however, as reported by Spath
one Pacific Ocean island seems to be
et al. is that “The Mexican government has
Dudleya heaven!
wisely but sadly restricted all access to this
Dudleya updated 13

Fig. 4 Fig. 5

Dudleya albiflora Dudleya albiflora is the only species I have

Fig. 4 Dudleya
In contrast to D. pachyphytum, D. albiflora so far flowered when in July – August 2024 albiflora about
has a relatively wide distribution along a (Fig. 5) it produced a 13cm tall 15cm tall
significant stretch of the western coast of inflorescence bearing seven branches. In
habitat it is recorded as flowering in April to Fig. 5 The flowers
Baja California, together with some inland of Dudleya albiflora
and island populations, making it a species June. Not surprisingly the flowers are
of least concern from the conservation white, as are those of D. pachyphytum,
point of view. whereas in most other species these are
either pale yellow, yellowish or more rarely
Dudleya albiflora bears narrow farinose pink or red.
leaves and my plant (Fig. 4) has branched.
In habitat this species can grow into On Cedros Island a small form assumed to
clumps up to 70cm across. An important be D. albiflora with terete (circular in cross
point to note here is that Dudleya section) green leaves has been
branching is caespitose (or cespitose) distinguished as one of the new species
meaning that each rosette splits in the mentioned above: D. delgadilloi. Both
centre either dichotomously (into two) or species have similar white flowers and
more rarely trichotomously (into three). In bloom at the same season hence
contrast, echeverias offset or branch from intermediates between the two have been
the base. The dead leaves of dudleyas identified. Other species of Dudleya occur
remain tenaciously attached to the stem in both farinose and green forms, so
and this feature, together with the mode of whether the separation of the green forms
branching, makes propagation from as a distinct species is justified remains to
cuttings somewhat tricky. I have no be seen.
experience of trying to root Dudleya Based on the above features, D. albiflora
cuttings but by all accounts this is not has the appropriate common name of
always easy, unlike Echeveria propagation ‘white-flowered liveforever’; ‘liveforever’
in which offsets generally root easily. being the general common name for all
dudleyas.
Dudleya updated 14

Fig. 6

Dudleya cespitosa
Dudleya cespitosa covering making it more attractive but also about 13cm
more easily marked and disfigured. across
This species was first described in 1803 by
the renowned English botanist Adrian Dudleya cespitosa is an American species
Hardy Haworth as Cotyledon cespitosa. restricted to a narrow belt along the
Way back then Cotyledon was the catch-all western coastline of California in a series of
genus including not only the more familiar disconnected populations from north of
European species (now in Umbilicus) but San Francisco Bay southwards to San
also American and African species. Diego County at its most southerly locality
Cotyledon is now restricted to a small on the Cabrillo Monument. My plant is
number of southern African species typified derived from the 2002 ISI distribution
by Cotyledon orbiculata. (ISI 2002-18, HBG 16598) as a rooted
Notice especially that Haworth named his cutting from a plant collected by Otto
new species as ‘cespitosa’. Along the way Sokol on Anacapa Island, about 15 miles
this spelling was changed to ‘caespitosa’ off the coast of Port Hueneme, California.
and this is how it has been generally spelt Anacapa, incidentally, is the only Pacific
until the new Dudleya book appeared with Ocean island locality recorded for this
the correction reverting to Haworth’s species (Spath et al., 2024).
original and hence valid spelling. This species branches profusely to form
My plant (Fig. 6) lives up to its name by large clumps of up to 100 rosettes. It is
branching caespitosely (or cespitosely if recorded as being quite variable and
you are American). Comparing D. cespitosa occurs in both farinose and green forms.
and D. albiflora these are very similar but Its flowers are a bright canary yellow borne
the former has a far denser farinose on inflorescences up to 60cm tall.
Dudleya updated 15

Dudleya greenei
This species looks like an intermediate
between the really chunky-leaved
D. pachyphytum and the narrower-leaved
D. cespitosa. It is in fact a very close
relative of the latter and may only be a
segregate of it.
The type locality of D. greenei is Santa
Cruz Island off the west coast of California
where plants were first collected by
Professor Edward Lee Greene in 1886. It is
therefore named after a person and not for
the colour of its leaves!
Individual white farinose rosettes
(Figs. 7 and 8) range from 12–22cm across
on branched stems up to 15cm long that
can divide to form clumps up to 1m in
diameter. Its inflorescence is up to 22cm
tall bearing pale yellow to white flowers
produced from May till July in habitat.
It is an island endemic occurring on just
three Pacific Ocean islands (the Californian
Channel Islands): San Miguel and Santa
Rosa, in addition to Santa Cruz, where it
grows on coastal cliffs up to 150m altitude
where it is relatively uncommon. Fig. 7
Dudleya arizonica Dudleya greenei in a 9cm diameter pot
Of the five species illustrated here this is
the only one that I have never grown. It is
included here for two reasons. Firstly, it is
an example of the outstanding work of the
famous English botanical artist Mary Emily
Eaton, whose work was showcased in the
last issue of the Cactus and Succulent
Review (Shaw, 2024) with examples from
Britton & Rose’s renowned four volume
monograph The Cactaceae (1919–1923).
Eaton, however, painted a wide range of
other plants including succulents, many of
which appeared in Addisonia, the scientific
house journal of the New York Botanical
Garden where she was employed. Fig. 9 is
reproduced from that source, first
published by Rose (1923) when he
described D. arizonica as a new species. In
addition to Eaton’s published work, the
National Geographic Society of Washington
D.C. apparently possesses about 500 of
her unpublished paintings (Blunt & Stearn,
1994).

Fig. 8

Dudleya greenei with a 10cm diameter rosette

Dudleya updated 16

The second reason for including

D. arizonica is that, in contrast to
D. pachyphytum and D. greenei which are
narrow island endemics, the ‘inland’
species D. arizonica has the widest
distribution of all, ranging from south-west
Utah south to Ángel de la Guarda Island in
the Gulf of California. Even more
significantly, this is the only Dudleya
species occurring in mainland Mexico
where, in stark contrast, the genus
Echeveria is at its most diverse with
perhaps 140 endemic species.
Dudleya arizonica was first collected by
Mrs. Charles Bly of Yucca, Arizona on
rocky canyon walls in Mohave County. It is
now known to occur in at least five widely-
spaced populations in this US state, where
the only other native Dudleya is D. saxosa
subsp. collomiae. Dudleya arizonica had
been reduced to subspecific status as
D. pulverulenta subsp. arizonica in 1943
but has since been reinstated as a distinct
species (Spath et al., 2024).
Dudleya arizonica has short stems, small
rosettes of 15–25 leaves and is also less
densely farinose than the larger, typical
D. pulverulenta. Its inflorescence is up to
60cm tall bearing red or apricot-yellow
flowers. n
Photos: Colin C. Walker

References
Blunt, W. & Stearn, W.T. (1994) The art of
botanical illustration. Antique Collectors'
Club/Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Rose, J.N. (1923) Dudleya arizonica. Arizona
Dudleya. Addisonia, 8: 35, pl.274.
Shaw, J. (2024) Mary Emily Eaton botanical
artist. Cact. Succ. Rev., 42: 50–56.
Snowden, S. (2020). Dudleya. A new love.
Cact. Succ. Rev., 26: 37–43.
Fig. 9
Spath, J., Griffin, K. & Moore, J. [2024]
Dudleyas. Privately published by the Dudleya arizonica in a watercolour painting by Mary Eaton
authors, [USA]. (from Rose, 1923)
 17

Fig. 1

Apteranthes burchardii
in habitat
by David Ilett

M y recent trip to the Canary Islands took in three

islands including Fuerteventura. During this visit
we had a lunch stop at Castillo de Lara which allowed
This species can be found in the eastern Canary
Islands and Morocco. Initially it took a bit of searching
to spot the grey four-ribbed stems but as we moved
time to investigate the plant life in the surrounding further up the slopes and got our eyes into what we
area. were searching for, it became apparent that there were
a good number of plants in the area.
The terrain was a mixture of rocks and sandy soil.
There were plenty of obvious succulents plants like
Euphorbia balsamifera, E. regis-jubae, Kleinia neriifolia Above: Apteranthes burchardii showing the typical terrain
and the odd opuntia but one reason for this stop was in which they grow
to find Apteranthes burchardii (Caralluma burchardii).
Apteranthes burchardii in habitat 18

Fig. 2 Fig. 3

Apteranthes burchardii growing in shade Apteranthes burchardii in open ground

Some were growing under other shrubby plants (Fig. 2)

Videos of the trips to Fuerteventura are available on
and others out in the open ground (Fig. 3). The flowers
YouTube at The Prickly Pair channel (longer version)
are very attractive with brownish petals covered in and the BCSS YouTube channel
white hairs and a yellow centre (Fig. 1; see also front
cover). It took a bit more searching to find these plants
in flower but there were a handful, with some being
visited by small insects (Fig. 4)
Further evidence of pollination was the numerous
plants that had their twin seed pods sticking up like a
pair of horns (Fig. 5). The future of this species here
looks good. I am not a great grower of stapeliads, so it
was a great experience to see so many healthy
specimens in their natural (mealy bug free!)
environment! n
Photos: David Ilett

Fig. 4 Fig. 5

Apteranthes burchardii flower with pollinator Apteranthes burchardii with seed horns
 19

A yearning for yellow

by Graham Evans

I often think of yellow as the colour of

spring, when primroses and daffodils
share their sunny dispositions and remind
G. andreae hails originally from Argentina,
the type locality being in Cordoba. It was
first described by Boedeker in 1930 as an
Above:
Gymnocalycium
andreae
us that winter is over. While this winter has Echinocactus, the specific name honouring
in truth barely begun, I am finding that, the German nurseryman Wilhelm Andreae,
perhaps influenced by the ignominious although the genus Gymnocalycium was
indifference of the most recent UK summer, fairly widely accepted by then.
my yearning for spring has commenced
The combination in Gymnocalycium was
unseasonally early.
made by Backeberg in 1936. It has,
There are, of course, lots of cacti with therefore, been known for a long time and
yellow flowers but one of those that it has been readily available to collectors
delights me most each spring is for very many years. Comfortingly, in this
Gymnocalycium andreae, a fairly small world of ever-changing taxonomies, it is
growing member of its free flowering and accepted as a good species by all reliable
deservedly popular genus. authorities.
The vast majority of gymnocalyciums have Individual heads are globose and normally
white flowers (see Cactus and Succulent reach 5-6cm in diameter but quite sizeable
Review Issue 36 March 2023 for a review of clumps can be achieved in cultivation.
the red-flowered species) but G. andreae The epidermis is green to blue-green but
has beautiful blooms of bright yellow, can bronze in full sun. The spines are fairly
which it normally produces somewhat weak with a count of 5-7 radials and 1-3
earlier than most of its relatives. In my centrals, the latter often a darker brown
collection of around 220 ‘gymnos’, only than the former but all fading to greyish
G. bruchii is sometimes in flower sooner. fairly quickly.
A yearning for yellow 20

A pleasant but slightly unassuming plant, it so named with cream to almost white
is the flowers than make it deserving of flowers or occasionally even pale pink.
space. In the best forms these can be 5cm G. andreae subsp. carolinense is best
across with rich yellow petals, frequently regarded as a separate species and does
with a greenish midstripe on the underside. not have yellow flowers.
As a rule of thumb, I have found the colour
G. andreae is not a difficult plant to grow
most intense on smaller blooms.
and seems to do best with a degree of
Conversely, those of the sometimes
shade in summer. It likes plenty of water in
encountered variety grandiflorum, rather Gymnocalycium
the growing season and will increase in
than being more flamboyantly hued, often andreae var.
size quite steadily each year once it has
have little other than a slightly larger size to grandiflorum
finished flowering.
commend them. Indeed, I have seen plants (Photo: Vicky
Davies)
A yearning for yellow 21

There are other gymnocalyciums with The New Cactus Lexicon and Graham
yellowish flowers but none that in my Charles follow Papsch (2000) in accepting
collection have quite the same richness. it as a subspecies of G. reductum but more
recently Lodé (2021) has recombined it as
G. leeanum can perhaps be the next best
a subspecies of G. hyptiacanthum. Both
for colour but its petals can often be
these species are predominantly white to
suffused with a dirty green or diluted with
cream flowered.
an excess of cream so as to be rather less
eyecatching. It is also a difficult plant to Whatever you may choose to call it,
identify with certainty and not all plants G. leeanum is an attractive cactus with a
sold under the name are correctly labelled. glossy green body and fairly tidy, often
appressed spines. It is larger growing than
Coming from Buenos Aires and La Pampa
G. andreae with individual heads reaching
in Argentina, its history is somewhat
7cm in collections and handsome multi-
chequered. Originally described as
headed clumps can be achieved with time
Echinocactus leeanus by Hooker in 1845
and good cultivation. As the name
(after a London nurseryman named John
suggests, the variety roseiflorum has pale
Lee) and transferred into Gymnocalycium
pink flowers.
by Britton and Rose in 1922, its standing
has been questioned repeatedly in the
years since.

Gymnocalycium
leeanum
A yearning for yellow 22

My favourite member of the

G. hyptiacanthum aggregate is
G. netrelianum. The flowers are a paler
lemon yellow rather than a more vibrant
shade and appear later than those of
G. andreae but the plant itself has a most
attractive appearance to my eye. The
nicest forms have highly attractive light
coloured spines, uniformly and tightly
appressed in horizontal rows against a leaf
green body. The heads reach 6cm across
and often remain solitary, although small
clumps are sometimes seen.
Another nomenclatural nomad, this time
from Maldonado in Uruguay, the first name
to be erected was Echinocactus netrelianus
by Monville in 1853 before Britton and
Rose moved it into Gymnocalycium in
1922. Since then it has been made a
variety of G. leeanum by Backeberg in partial shade and will thrive in most potting Gymnocalycium
mixes suitable for a general collection of netrelianum
1936 and a subspecies of
G. hyptiacanthum by Meregalli in 2008 but cacti, given standard treatment of regular
it has also often been dismissed as just a watering during the growing season and
variant of G. uruguayense, itself also cool (above freezing), dry conditions in
reduced to subspecies rank below winter. One or two very light waterings in
G. hyptiacanthum by Meregalli. winter are recommended to prevent
desiccation and preserve the roots if the
Graham Charles supports both these
plants are over-wintered where there is
infraspecific combinations in his excellent
central heating.
book Gymnocalycium in Habitat and
Culture (2009). He further suggests that
subsp. uruguayense is often mislabelled in
collections and yellow flowered plants
probably belong elsewhere within the
G. hyptiacanthum complex.
I will finish with G. uebelmannianum. This is
a delightful miniature species, rarely larger
than 6cm in diameter, that normally
remains solitary. Its flowers are not often a
true yellow but are more frequently off-
white to pale lemon, although slightly
darker tones are occasionally seen. My
three plants all have fairly pallid blooms but
it is such an appealing little plant with a
fresh green body and neat spination that
this hardly matters. The species was first
described relatively recently by Rausch in
1972 (from La Rioja, Argentina) and named
in honour of the renowned Swiss
nurseryman and explorer Werner
Uebelmann.
None of the species in this article are
challenging to cultivate; nor will they grow So whether buttercups build you up, you Gymnocalycium
their owners out of house and home. All dream of sharing a life of ease in a yellow uebelmannianum
should be reasonably readily available submarine or electric bananas make you a (Photo: Vicky
either as plants or seeds and they flower mellow yellow, let’s embrace la joie du Davies)
well to make a pleasant colour break from jaune to help us look forward to spring.
the predominant whites of most
Photos: Graham Evans unless stated otherwise
gymnocalyciums. They do well in full sun or
 23

Caudiciforms and pachycauls

A personal selection
by Colin Parker

Introduction caudiciforms usually have the caudex

One way to start an article like this is to buried or partially buried, pachycauls have
explain, for the benefit of new members to the whole of the body above the soil level.
our hobby or for those of a purely cactus This may be significant botanically but it is
orientation, what caudiciforms and sometimes difficult to distinguish one from
pachycauls are. the other as there is not always a clear
Caudiciforms are not a succulent genus but differentiation and the separation
a succulent growth form. They have a sometimes seems somewhat arbitrary. As
swollen or calcified stem or root growth – far as the grower is concerned the
called a caudex – the function of which is difference is even more blurred because in
to act as a water storage organ to help the cultivation it is usual to grow the plants
plant survive in arid climates with long with the caudex raised above soil level.
periods of drought. Caudiciforms are The reason for doing this is that the caudex
sometimes called ‘Fat Plants’. is usually the most interesting part of the
Pachycauls are distinguished from plant. All have a top growth which varies
caudiciforms by having thick trunks and considerably from ‘normal’ to thick
stems; the word derives from the Greek succulent leaves or climbing vine-like
‘pachy’ meaning thick or stout and the stems that can grow to a considerable
Latin ‘caulis’ meaning stem. In habitat length in one growth season.

Fockea edulis
This is a plant native to South Africa.
It is probably one of the easier
caudiciforms to grow, not being too
demanding in its requirements but, like
all caudiciforms, it needs extra heat in
the winter months.
Its top growth is a climbing vine-like stem
which can reach several feet in length in
the growing season. It is probably a good
idea to keep this growth pruned or trained
around the caudex, otherwise it will
become entwined around all nearby plants
The top growth exudes a thick milky sap if
damaged but a spray of water stops it
bleeding. The specific name ‘edulis’
implies that the plant is edible. It is
reported that the native people where the
plant grows dig up the caudices and eat
them raw. It apparently helps to quench
thirst. I have not been tempted to try it
myself! The plant pictured is in a 25cm
(10inch) pot.
Caudiciforms and pachycauls 24

Cultivation Another accepted wisdom is that a

I use my usual cactus/succulent mix of caudiciform will not grow if the caudex is
50% John Innes no. 3 with 50% grit or raised above the soil level. I have found
pumice. Watering is once a fortnight with a that if the caudex is raised, some
cactus feed every other time. Almost all caudiciforms at least do grow, although
caudiciforms are deciduous – shedding the very slowly.
top growth in the autumn and remaining Species
dormant throughout the winter.
Caudiciforms and pachycauls are probably
Spring is an interesting and exciting time regarded by growers as a small and
as you watch to see if the plants are specialist corner of our hobby. Specialist is
coming into growth again. The accepted probably fair but small is not. There may
wisdom always used to be not to water well be more than 100 succulent genera
until the plants show new top growth. If that contain these plants.
this happens all is well. If not do not give This does not, of course, mean that all the
up hope for I have found that plants species in that genus are caudiciforms.
sometimes take a year off. If a plant Euphorbia, for example, has about 800
remains dormant throughout the summer, I succulent species of which maybe 100 are
only moisten occasionally and very caudiciform. Surprisingly, there are three
sparingly to keep the roots turgid with the cactus genera Pterocactus, Peniocereus
occasional spray. Watering dormant and Wilcoxia (Echinocereus) some of which
caudiciforms is, I think, a recipe for have thickened rootstocks which could be
disaster. termed caudices.
To be honest these are not the easiest of Caudiciforms can also be very large in size
plants to grow. I am one of those people with reports of plants in habitat several feet
who, if you tell me a plant is difficult to across. So not small in number or in
grow, then I want one! I once heard a talk dimension. Caudices vary considerably as
by Gillian Evison on these plants where she can be seen from the pictures that
described them as having suicidal accompany this article.
tendencies and I know what she meant.
All the plants shown are from my own
collection.

Pseudobombax
ellipticum
A native of Mexico,
in cultivation this has
a large grey or off-
white caudex with
scar-like markings.
Branches arise from
the caudex which have
large leaves.
In habitat it will grow
into a large tree,
possibly reaching
18–20 metres (60ft) in
height.
Allegedly it can be
propagated by branch
cuttings, although I
have had no success
with that. The plant
pictured is in a
30cm (12inch) pot.
Caudiciforms and pachycauls 25

Pachypodium brevicaule
This plant’s natural habitat is
Madagascar. It is regarded as one of
the most desirable caudiciforms. It is
very squat – almost flat – and small
leaves are its only top growth.
Unfortunately, its desirable status is Pachypodium bispinosum
partly a reflection of its difficulty to This one comes from South Africa. In
grow. If offered for sale plants of this contrast with the previous species, the
species are often grafted on easier caudex grows upright in a conical style.
pachypodium stems. The top growth is short and spiney.
The plant pictured is on its own roots. The plant pictured is in a 30cm (12inch)
I have found that it does not come into pot. I am told it can grow to 60cm (two
growth every year and has even gone feet) in height or diameter.
two years without signs of life but has
then come back with growth. It is
in a 20cm (8inch) pot.
Caudiciforms and pachycauls 26

Uncarina roeoesliana
This is another one from Madagascar. Of all
the heat-sensitive caudiciforms this is one of
the best suited to greenhouse cultivation. It
still needs winter heat but is more tolerant of
temperatures that fall below 15°C (60°F).
It leafs up regularly in the spring and flowers
freely throughout the summer. The flowers are
long tubed and bright yellow in colour.
Allegedly it will seed if exposed to outside
pollinators and its seed will germinate well.
This plant is in a 11cm (4.5inch) pot.

Cyphostemma uter
This one is native to Angola and
Namibia. There are a number of
caudiciforms in the genus but this is
regarded as one of the most attractive.
The caudex grows in a strange ‘lumpy’
shape and has bark that peels off. The
leaves are large, greenish/yellow in
colour and leathery. The plant shown is
in a 30cm (12inch) pot
Caudiciforms and pachycauls 27

Dendrosicyos socotranus unlikely to grow to this height in a greenhouse.

It is a rare plant and seldom offered for sale.
As the specific name implies this plant is native
to the remote island of Socotra in the Arabian The leaves of the top growth can, at least in
Sea. It is a columnar plant, forming a tall, theory, be retained through the winter if water is
slender trunk with a swollen base, which can supplied. I have never had the courage to try
reach 1.5m (five feet) in the wild but is very this. The plant pictured is 60cm (24 inches) tall.
Caudiciforms and pachycauls 28

Euphorbia stellata
A species from South Africa, with attractive leaf
patterns borne on top of a relatively large
caudex.
This is one of the most popular of the caudiciform
euphorbias. It presents no great problems in
cultivation apart from the need for winter warmth.
It seems to be happy in full sun or partial shade
and can be propagated from top growth cuttings.
The plant pictured is in a 11cm (4.5inch) pot.

Conclusion
This has been a very small personal
selection of these unusual plants. As
described above there are many more
plants exhibiting this form of drought-
surviving growth.
Caudiciforms are not frequently offered
by UK nurseries but if you are inspired
to acquire some they are often
available via the internet. Even
seedlings, however, are quite
expensive.
If you would like to know more about
caudiciform and pachycaul plants I
recommend the following two books.
Caudiciform & Pachycaul Succulents
Gordon Rowley
Mill Valley, California: Strawberry Press
(1987)
A guide to growing Pachycaul and
Caudiciform Plants
Phillipe de Vosjoli
Euphorbia ramena stays fairly small and produces
Advanced Visions Inc (2004) n
This is another of the numerous a top growth of attractive lush
Madagascan caudiciforms. green leaves. It seems to me to Photos: Colin Cutler
Unlike the previous species this grow better in semi-shade but
is a newer plant to cultivation as always with warm winter
and not frequently seen. It temperatures.
 29

Puya
at the Ventnor
Botanic Garden
by Chris Kidd

Puya × ventnorensis
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 30

T he National Collection of Puya held at

Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of
Wight began with a rushed smash-and-
Tresco. On his final day he girded his loins
to hurriedly bag a compost sack full of
puya divisions from an enormous vicious
grab raid of some plants grown in Tresco clump, immediately prior to catching the
Abbey Garden in the Isles of Scilly. helicopter back to the mainland. He sat
bleeding in the Sea King helicopter racing
Former Ventnor Curator Simon
towards Penzance with what would later
Goodenough was collecting plants from far
become the type material for Puya ×
and wide to restock the garden following
ventnorensis, named in 2024 in recognition
two natural disasters. In 1986 a rare frost
of a truly incredible plant.
froze Ventnor in an icy grip, the coldest
temperatures for a century. The following The bromeliad family includes several
year a hurricane hit the south coast of the genera of terrestrial xerophytes. The
UK; what did not freeze in 1986 blew over majority can be considered epiphytic,
in 1987. where the bromeliad form is the familiar
rosette of leaves from the centre of which
With 28 acres to refill with half-hardy
emerges an inflorescence, like the top of a
plants, every nursery trip, envelope of seed
pineapple – our most familiar bromeliad.
and pocket of cuttings was vital to
regenerating the Isle of Wight’s sub tropical The genus Puya is archetypal as the
Botanic Garden. In 1989 Goodenough had spectacular bromeliad from dry
spent several days taking cuttings, mountainous areas in South America. In
collecting seeds and digging up plants at flower these can be quite spectacular, with Puya leaves
showing their
sharp spines
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 31

Puya coerulea
spikes to 4m tall, bearing exquisite An expansion of the collections at Ventnor ‘Black Sapphire’
individual flowers of all hues: reds, blues, began in 2000. Emboldened by the
turquoise and white. success of xerophytes, and the need to
rehome some exhausted plants held under
There are relatively few puya in European
glass, a new arid garden was created. An
cultivation. The rewards from investing
experiment to test the hardiness of existing
time, upwards of 20 years from seed to
plant collections, combined with concerted
flower, can be underestimated and fleeting;
efforts to attain new material, led to a hunt
however when a ‘big one’ flowers it can
for new puya. Over the course of five years
draw press attention and pilgrims from far
all the Puya species available in British and
and wide. For the enthusiast they are
European cultivation were sourced, and
irresistible and perfect in gardens such as
what a jumble of plants they turned out
Ventnor where hardy and semi-hardy
to be.
xerophytes can grow out of doors.
The first introduction to the UK from South
Goodenough’s hasty grab bag initially
America of puya was in the 1860s but
turned into a large clump of rosettes. High
these did not persist in gardens. It was
Andean puya tend to expand vegetatively
Clarence Elliot’s introduction in the 1930s
on transplantation; they offshoot and divide
from material gathered near Valparaiso in
into new rosettes without flowering. Very
1927 that established puya in cultivation.
large clumps can be several metres across.
Further division within the garden created Subsequently there have been many more
new clumps in south-facing sunny introductions of Puya species, some
positions among rocks. legitimate and others less so. A glance
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 32

online will reveal upwards of several dozen only field collection notes. As already
Puya species sold as seed from many mentioned, the phrase ‘caveat emptor’ is
locations, some in South America others rarely more sensibly used.
purported to be in Europe and North
Some plant groups are notoriously badly
America.
named in cultivation and puya is no
For some years the true giant of all Puya exception. Ultimately, the specialist grower
species, Puya raimondii, has been made must take a jaundiced view of Puya
available from several sources. The reader species offered in commerce. The
will not need to be reminded of the risks conclusions drawn at Ventnor are that
inherent in purchasing seed online, almost without exception all plants sold as
particularly of species such as this which the high altitude giants are hybrids; and
are well known to be endangered. Although that all manner of taxonomy, whether
a seed-setting plant may produce upwards fictional or misguided, is applied either
of 100,000 seed, if this plant is in the wild erroneously or mischievously.
state then there it, and its seed, should
Much of what is sold harks back to the
remain.
original introductions on Tresco and the
Legal collections of puya have been made resulting hybrids, second filial generations,
in recent times e.g. Bleddyn and Sue back-crosses and independently assorted
Wynn-Jones of Crûg Farm Plants collected mongrels. Do not be alarmed. Some of
from Colombia in 2016 and Martin Gardner, these are incredible plants but not for the
Clare Morter and Gunnar Ovstebo of purist, who may wait 20 years to find yet
Edinburgh Botanic Garden collected in another disappointment. Exalt the beauty
Chile in 2011. Several specialist nurseries of the hybrids.
offer tantalising un-named species with Puya sp.
RH2910A RSB
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 33

Puya × ventnorensis is the most commonly temperatures. Like

found hybrid. It may be sold as all puya it does not
P. berteroniana, P. berteroana, P. chilensis, grow well in wet
P. alpestris, P. raimondii, P. ‘Hybrid’, positions and prefers
P. gilmartiniae or any number of cultivar full sun but will grow
names relating to colour, size or origin. In rapidly where water is
truth, it is a hybrid between Puya chilensis available during summer. It
and Puya alpestris subsp. zoellneri. Many will take many years to flower,
of these plants originated as seed from making a large clump first, particularly
Tresco, where both parents co-habit. where the soil is rich and conditions are
Blackbirds on the island have learned to good. After flowering few seed will be set.
drink the nectar abundantly available in the It seems that giant puya need to cross
flowers, taking the role of the sunbirds that pollinate outside of themselves but when
are the natural pollinators in Chile, and they do several thousand seeds will form
hybridising the plants as a result. and thus the pool of plants expands. Above: Puya
hybrid and Inset:
As a garden plant, P. × ventnorensis will Puya was traditionally subdivided into sub- close-up of the
tolerate short periods of sub-zero genera, broadly a division between the true flower
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 34

giants and the smaller species. This and relatively low rainfall. The neutral to
division is no longer formally accepted but, slightly acidic soils and rarity of enduring
for the collector and enthusiast, it remains frost are helpful. Our puya grow mainly in
a useful tool. The species list for the south-facing positions on banks although a
smaller puya is as extensive as that of the few sit on cooler level ground. Some
giant puya and should be treated with species such as P. laxa and P. venusta will
equal caution; synonymy is rife. There has not take to prolonged sub-zero
been far less hybridising, whether arbitrary temperatures. Others, such as P. raimondii
or meaningful. Many of these smaller puya should, on paper, cope with diurnal cold,
are worth pursuit as they have a charm all but with these very high altitude beasts the
of their own, take up very little space, are presence of water persisting to create
easy under glass and can flower with dampness at the base will surely bring
gorgeous colours. failure.
At Ventnor our collection is grown out of In protected cultivation under glass puya
doors because of the unique microclimate, can be far more manageable. At Ventnor
far closer to a Mediterranean climate than we raise plants from seed until they are
that of mainland Britain. We find that the large enough to withstand the boisterous
plants that make up our National Collection outdoor conditions; our aim is not to
of hardy and half-hardy puya cope well persist with indoor collections.
with our conditions of high quality sunlight
Puya chilensis
Puya at the Ventnor Botanic Garden 35

Seed is sown as soon as available on to a

peat-free seed compost with added sand,
covered lightly with vermiculite and given
bottom heat. We water from below. Fresh
seed will germinate very quickly. Seedlings
will in the first season remain in their seed
pans. In the second year we will transplant
clumps of the tiny rosettes into 9cm pots in
peat-free media with added sharp grit. In
the course of the following season they will
expand until they are growing out of the
pots, but these will not be potted on until
they do so. The 9cm plants will be potted
on to 1-2litre pots for a further year, with an
expectation to be planted out in year three
or four. At this point the growth will be very
fast, and nearly always lateral with
offshoots emerging between leaves.
The ‘Goodenough grab’ of puya from
Tresco was originally grown with the name
Puya berteroniana, the name it was given
at Tresco. Revisions of the genus
undertaken by Georg Zizka et al in 2013
revealed and corrected some long held
issues with this name, which in short
showed that P. berteroniana is in fact
P. alpestris subsp. zoellneri, a huge plant
with dazzling pure-azure-blue flowers.
When the Goodenough plants began to
flower, however, it was clear to the author
and Dr John David that these plants were
not true P. alpestris subsp. zoellneri. In
cultivation, and very close to each other at
Tresco, is the related species P. chilensis,
another giant but with yellow flowers. The
Goodenough plant was indeed a giant, but
flowered with a colour halfway between
azure and yellow. It was clearly a cross but
a striking and worthy cross. Other
accessions of puya collected and brought
back to Ventnor began to flower. Some
from seed collected from Tresco, some
from cultivation. The majority shared the
same mixed characteristics as the
Goodenough plant, thereby adding
evidence that nearly all these puya
available as seed or as plants are hybrids.
In recognition the hybrid, hiding in clear
sight for decades, was named
P. × ventnorensis in The Plant Review
(published by the RHS) in 2024. From
helicopter dash to a new name in only
35 years! n

Chris Kidd is Curator at the Ventnor

Botanic Garden, Isle of Wight.
Photos: courtesy of Ventnor Botanic Garden Puya × ventnorensis
 36

The Flying Garden

A series by Zsolt Varga

The genus Weberocereus

These are unique epiphytes from Costa Rica and Ecuador
with waxy glowing flowers

The beautiful flower of

Weberocereus bradei
The genus Weberocereus
37

I n this article I will introduce the less well-

known genus Weberocereus and its
accepted species based on the works on
epiphytic cacti published in recent years by
Korotkova et. al. and Cruz et. al., who
examined five species of Weberocereus
(including the type species W. tunilla). The
species examined are genetically confirmed
as a monophyletic group which is sister to
the genus Selenicereus (including
Hylocereus). Korotkova found, however,
that two species of Weberocereus
(W. glaber and W. tonduzii) belong
genetically to the genus Selenicereus
although in the case of W. glaber this has
not been generally accepted.
Weberocereus are relatively rare in
collections, so very little information is
available about their needs. Their flowers
open at night and typically have a waxy
glow. In European collections they open in
several waves around the ends of the
cladodes from July to November and emit
a characteristically sweet and unpleasant
smell. The author can describe it as fresh
cut grass or cucumber with a subtle
rancid-sweet tint of stinkbug mixed in.
In the case of W. tunilla, which lives in the
Atlantic lowland rainforests of Costa Rica,
it has been confirmed that its flowers are
pollinated by bats; and it can be assumed
that other Weberocereus species are also
bat pollinated (Barthlott 1998).
Their rarity in collections is curious as most
species are easy to grow, only needing
warm conditions, good light and abundant
watering. My personal opinion is that their
rarity is due to their somewhat unassuming
flowers compared to the big flashy
Disocactus hybrids that were in fashion
from the late 1970s. There is also the
difficulty of overwintering them in small
collections where traditional ways of
wintering epiphytes would surely kill them.
In central Europe where I live it was
considered that wintering conditions for
epiphytic cacti should be dark and cold.
Such conditions are only suitable for high
altitude species of Disocactus, related
hybrids and epiphyllums but even those
struggle sometimes. The availability of
different genera such as Pseudorhipsalis,
Pfeiffera and Lepismium has already
challenged these methods. Some of the

Weberocereus tunilla subsp. biolleyi

The genus Weberocereus 38

newer growers in the hobby come from surprising, as W. tunilla subsp. biolleyi from
different plant collecting backgrounds and the same source has grown rapidly as
are finally able to keep heat-loving, low described in the literature and flowered in
altitude, tropical epiphytic cacti alive. January 2024 in my collection. Since then it
has quadrupled in size, growing rapidly in
Introducing the species: waves when multiple new shots appear
Weberocereus (Selenicereus) from roots and from the primary branches
tonduzii too. I keep it under growlights in the winter,
W. tonduzii, described from Limón, Río as it has no rest period and grows all
Chirripó 1800-2500 metres above sea level, winter and flowers in early spring. This is
previously fitted quite well into the Costa one of the easiest species to keep in the
Rican-Ecuadorian species. It is a climbing, genus, and I highly recommend to try Weberocereus
creeping or pendent, segmented epiphyte growing it! tunilla subsp.
that roots aerially and has been moved to biolleyi
Selenicereus. I have only a small plant that
grows slowly in my collection.
Weberocereus glaber
This species, which is the most easily
obtainable, is widespread in Guatemala
and the state of Chiapas, Mexico, at 1200-
1800 metres above sea level. It is an
epiphyte with triangular shoots which are
light green, finely incised, with concave
wavy edges.
In my collection, I grow several clones from
different areas, which so far show very
slow growth; it happens that during one
season they do not produce a single shoot.
I am still experimenting with keeping them
as they need warmth and lots of light.
Weberocereus tunilla
W. tunilla, the type species of the genus,
was described from the Río Birrís canyon in
the Tablón province of Costa Rica, south-
west of Cartago, 1100 metres above sea
level. It is an irregularly branching epiphyte
with a drooping habit, which is also grown
for its fruit.
I have grown this species since 2023 but it
has not flowered for me. Before that,
unfortunately, I had only managed to obtain
different Selenicereus species under the
wrong names for my collection. Both
W. tunilla subsp. tunilla and subsp. biolleyi
are really elusive in the hobby.
Based on information from German
collectors, both subspecies should be
easy-to-keep plants that show rapid
growth. Like other epiphytic cacti they can
both be grown outdoors in sun or semi-
shade. Their medium should be enriched
with bark so that it has good water
permeability (Bauer 1991).
For me W. tunilla subsp. tunilla is a slow
grower which only manages to push three
new clades in a year. This is also very
The genus Weberocereus 39

Above and below: Weberocereus tunilla subsp. tunilla (Photos: Shacarah Gagnon-Kvale
The genus Weberocereus 40

Weberocereus bradei but not all day long as it wilts quickly if its
W. bradei is an epiphyte described from the substrate is dry. Based on information from
Osa Peninsula and Orotina region of Costa German collectors, it requires warmth in
Rica, which forms a dense drooping thicket winter, which also helps to avoid root rot
in Pacific forests. Despite the fact that its (Vollmer 1997). It is a slow grower for me, I
habitat is rich in precipitation, in my suspect mostly hindered in growth by
experience W. bradei, without very good climatic conditions; I think it would grow
air movement, gets root rot easily. I keep it much better in more stable conditions.
in a very airy, very permeable substrate, W. bradei sets buds regularily in the
where I can water it freely. It likes heat summer on fresh growth but the cool late
and high humidity too, otherwise it starts summer nights can easily devastate the
to wilt quickly. flowers. In my experience temperatures
This is not the easiest plant in terms of its under 13°C totally prevent the buds from
maintenance requirements and I am opening but they wither in the morning as
currently struggling to create the right normal. I have also found that green
conditions in my collection. I keep it in grasshoppers like to burrow into the fresh
between my other epicacti species high in buds after which the plant aborts them
the summer tent, where it gets a lot of sun, readily. Otherwise its an easy-to-flower
Weberocereus
species.
bradei (See also
page 36)
The genus Weberocereus 41

Weberocereus frohningiorum produced strong shoots which, however,

W. frohningiorum, a species discovered in stopped growing due to the coolness of
1994 from the low-lying areas of the autumn but continued the following spring.
western part of Costa Rica, occurs in rocky These growth waves resulted in a
mountain forests in the San José area. A patchwork look, thin and thick stem
very close relative of W. bradei, it differs segments above each other. Based on this
from it mostly in its three-ribbed stem and I would say it prefers stable warm and
in its areoles, which bear longer spines sunny conditions much better than those it
including many hair-like spines. Its flowers gets in my climate zone. In the winter I kept
are pinkish-white. it under growlights for a few years, but I
have found it prefers a bright windowsill
In my collection, based on advice from US behind the glass where it gets winter sun. It
collectors, I keep it in full sun, among my is among the shy bloomers of the
plumerias where it has shown very strong Weberocereus species, my plant showed Weberocereus
root development. I mixed its epiphytic its first blooms in its fourth year. frohningiorum
medium with sand too. It started to grow
quickly, branched from the root and
The genus Weberocereus 42

Weberocereus imitans
W. imitans is one of the most difficult
epiphytic cacti to obtain, and can be found
in very few collections. This species,
described from the Puntarenas region of
Costa Rica, is deceptively similar to
Selenicereus anthonyanus and Disocactus
anguliger in its vegetative state.
Unfortunately in Europe, despite my several
attempts, I have only managed to obtain
mislabelled S. anthonyanus clones under
this name, even from well-known nurseries,
so I had to arrange for a personal contact
of mine to visit Fairchild Botanical Garden
in Miami and buy a plant for me in 2023.
Since the original plant arrived very badly
beaten up from a long journey, I divided
this very fast growing species and got
multiple pots started. It needs extremely
high-light conditions, nearly full sun,
otherwise it will produce spindly, weak
growth. It has not flowered for me yet, but I
expect it to be an easy flowerer like its
closest genetic relative, W. rosei. I have
noticed its sensitivity to hot, dry periods,
however, when it wilts quickly; and also its
sensitivity to cold, when it stopped growing
below 15–17°C. Luckily I had expected this
as some veteran collectors told me they
had never been able to keep this plant alive
for long in their collections due to the
wintering conditions. I will experiment more
with some rooted plants to determine what
is the coldest winter rest this species can Weberocereus imitans
tolerate but currently I keep it under
growlights in a growtent among other
epiphytic plants and aroids.
Weberocereus rosei
W. rosei is one of the more resilient and
also fast-growing, easy–to–keep species of
Weberocereus. It was described from
Chimborazo volcano, Río Chancán canyon,
Ecuador, 700-1000 metres above sea level.
Its shoots are 40–80 mm wide, with a stout
central vein; the edges of the stem parts
are rounded. The outer petals of the
flowers have a yellowish-green tint, the
inner petals are greenish-cream.
This epilithic species is the most similar to
the other ‘leaf cacti’ both in terms of
behaviour and vegetative appearance. In
my collection it has doubled in size in one
season, showing strong growth and bushy
branching from the base, which is very
typical of this species. This endemic plant
can only be found in a small area where
trees are rare, so it lives on hot and dry
Weberocereus rosei buds
sunny rocks. At night, the fog that
The genus Weberocereus 43

descends from the cloud forests provides I overwinter it in warm conditions (above
Weberocereus
the necessary moisture. Accordingly I try to 15°C). From its third year it has only grown rosei the flower,
keep it in a warm, sunny place (partially a few branches but is pushing out buds bud and fruit
shaded) in my collection, with regular and setting fruits constantly. It is self fertile
watering from May to September, when the and seems to be nearly 100% self
soil dries out completely between pollinating too, as it sets fruit easily,
waterings. At night, the humidity is aborting only a few along the way. Its fruit
fortunately high; and in winter it is always is similar to the well known dragon fruit,
around 70% but it rarely receives water. with white flesh and a similar taste.
The genus Weberocereus 44

Weberocereus trichophorus
References
W. trichophorus is another elusive species
Hunt, D. et al The New Cactus Lexicon 2006
which comes from the districts of Limón
and Peralta, Costa Rica, 660 metres above Korotkova, N, Borsch, T, Arias, S. A phylogenetic framework for the
sea level. It can hardly be found in any Hylocereeae (Cactaceae) and implications for the circumscription of
the genera. Phytotaxa 327 1 2017 Phytotaxa
collections, so even major collectors do not
have information on it. I was lucky enough Tschapka, M, von Helversen, O, Barthlott, W. (2008) Bat Pollination of
to trade for this fantastic species. It is a Weberocereus tunilla, an Epiphytic Rain Forest Cactus with Functional
slow grower and I have found it to grow Flagelliflory DOI: Wiley Online Library
mostly without branching. I cut up the 1.5 Cruz, M A, Arias, S, Terrazas T. Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of
metre long main branch and replanted it the genus Disocactus. Wildenowia 46(1) 2016 BioOne Digital Library
this year, resulting in three growing points Bauer, R, Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives No. 17 p18 (2003)
currently. I hope for flowers in the coming Bauer, R, EPIG 1991/1 The journal of the Interessengemeinschaft
years. During the summer months I keep it epiphytische Kakteen – EPIG
in similar conditions to W. bradei and under
Vollmer, B, EPIG 1997/2 The journal of the Interessengemeinschaft
growlights in the winter, as it has no rest
epiphytische Kakteen – EPIG
period and grows better in stable room
conditions than outside. In my opinion it’s
one of the most fascinating plants among
the whole genus with its fuzzy hair-like Weberocereus trichophorus
spines and unique growth habit.
All photos (if not stated otherwise) by
Zsolt Varga from his own collection

Translated and summarised by the author

from the original article:
Zsolt Varga. Betekintés az epifiton
kaktuszok rendszerezésébe- Epifita
Kaktuszok 3.rész. Kaktusz-Világ XLVIII/
ISSN 0209-9152 2024

Weberocereus trichophorus showing the

fuzzy spines
 45

Mediterranean gardens
by Laurie Poulson

Jardin Exotique d’Èze

Aloes framing Nice
Mediterranean gardens 46

B ack in 2017, I was at something of a

loose end. I had lost my dear wife the
previous year after a long illness and
with the Head Gardener. I wrote, but was
disappointed by the reply, which explained
that the house and its gardens (and its 23
Jardin Exotique
d’Èze
A hillside of cerei
because of her health problems our travels greenhouses) were at that time up for sale
in Italy had been curtailed for some time. and visiting (other than by prospective
buyers) was suspended.
At about that time, I added Succulent
Paradise: Twelve great gardens of the The house, originally built in 1830, had
World by Smith and Figueiredo to my book been acquired by King Leopold II of the
collection and was amazed that, in the Belgians in 1904 before being bought
authors’ opinion, four of the “most by the Marnier-Lapostolle family for
beautiful exotic gardens in the world” were growing their ‘special oranges’ used
within around 12 miles of each other on to make Grand Marnier. When
the edge of the Ligurian Sea part of the Campari bought Grand Marnier, it was
Mediterranean. Intriguingly, the gardens are determined to be surplus to
in three different countries: France, requirements and was on the market
Monaco and Italy. They are the exotic for a mere one billion Euros! As
gardens in Èze (near Nice) and in Monaco, potential buyers tended to
plus the Hanbury Garden in Ventimiglia, arrive by helicopter from
just across the border into Italy, plus the their super yachts, I could
garden of Les Cèdres in Nice. not pretend to be a
prospect, arriving
Three of the gardens are open to the at the front gate on
public and the fourth, Les Cèdres, was foot from the local
usually accessible by arrangement station!
Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique d’Èze 47

The three remaining gardens, however, The site of the garden gives breathtaking
made for a stunning trip and a well- views of Nice and the Ligurian Sea far
received talk for my branch of the British below.
Cactus and Succulent Society ‘Three
In the last part of World War II, this coast
gardens, three countries, ten miles!’.
was ravaged by the Allied advance from
Jardin Exotique d’Èze Italy into southern France.
I started at the Jardin Exotique
d’Èze, which sits atop a 400m
cliff, on a steep mound amid
the ruins of a small
medieval castle.

Looking up towards
the ruins
Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique d’Èze 48

Above: Not much

soil needed!
Right: Dasylirion
quadrangulatum
Below right:
Ferocactus
glaucescens
Below:
Astrophytyum
ornatum
Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique d’Èze 49

A typical planting

Amazingly, after the war ended, the Mayor

of Èze, René Gianton, decided in 1949 that
what would transform the future of the
village was an exotic garden filling the top
of the mound!
Designed with support from Jean Gastaud,
the creator of the garden in Monaco, it is
now a major tourist attraction, along with
the numerous craft shops and eateries
which fill the lower slopes. The garden is a
maze of narrow paths, winding among
many mature cacti and other succulents,
interspersed with modern statuary.
In addition, the northern side of the castle
ruin has a completely different environment
of a rocky gulley fed by a stream.

A very different environment on the north side

Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique de Monaco 50

Jardin Exotique de Monaco

My next stop was the Jardin Exotique de
Monaco, just three miles from Èze, reached
via one stop on the coast train down at sea-
level (much cheaper than paying for parking
in Monaco!).
This garden had started life in the latter part
of the 19th century with plants brought back
mainly from Mexico and grown in a garden
on a reclaimed plot by the sea.
At the start of the 20th century a new site
was acquired, on steep ground a little further
inland and the current
garden was built, complete
with footbridges, with the
plant stock expanded to
include African succulents.
The gardens opened to the
public in 1933.

A typical path
Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique de Monaco 51

A magnificent Agave

The views over Monaco to the marina and

the sea are stunning, especially as they are
framed by ancient mature plants in
abundance.
An additional feature of the garden is the
set of recently established conservation
greenhouses for less robust and/or
endangered species. This area is
particularly attractive to enthusiasts as it
seems to be ignored by the coachloads of
tourists who sweep along the winding
hillside paths with cameras furiously
clicking!
Having spent ages looking at the plants
and the vista, there was an added bonus.
Beneath the garden is the grotto, a huge
cavern system in the limestone rock.

A Cylindropuntia species possibly C. rosea

Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique de Monaco 52

Polaskia chende crest

Parodia warasii

Left: plants growing

by a typical path
Apteranthes
(Caralluma) joannis
Mediterranean gardens – Jardin Exotique de Monaco 53

There is evidence of early human presence

in the first part of the cave but guided tours
can take you deep into the depths.
In 2024 the garden and grotto are closed
for renovations but the Botanical Centre,
next door, remains open. This huge
greenhouse array was opened in the
autumn after my own visit and the photos
on the website show it to be well stocked
with cacti and other succulents.
While in Monaco I also visited the Princess
Grace Rose Garden, which would be
tranquil but for its next-door neighbour,
Monaco’s very busy heliport. The Princess
Grace Japanese Garden is beautiful and
much more restful!

Ferocactus stainesii

Ariocarpus retusus in the conservation house Melocactus conoideus in the conservation house

In the grotto beneath the gardens The Princess Grace Japanese Garden
Mediterranean gardens – Giardini Botanici Hanbury 54

Giardini Botanici Hanbury

Six miles further east, across the border
into Italy, the third country on the trip, are
the Giardini Botanici Hanbury at La Mortola
near Ventimiglia.
Established by Sir Thomas Hanbury and his
botanist brother Daniel in 1867, the
gardens were developed over the
succeeding decades, with input from
succulent experts like Kurt Dinter and Alwin
Berger, to a collection of over 5800 species
from most of the world’s ‘mediterranean
climate’ regions.

A typical planting
Mediterranean gardens – Giardini Botanici Hanbury 55

Berger used the collection as a basis for donating it to the Society, so that they
his revision of the genus Cereus in 1905 could achieve both their objectives.
and Britton and Rose cited the gardens in
In the final months of World War II, the
The Cactaceae (1919-25).
gardens were devastated as the Allies
It was Sir Thomas Hanbury who interceded advanced from Italy into southern France.
in 1902 when the Royal Horticultural They were subsequently sold to the state
Society membership was split down the of Italy which later passed responsibility for
middle between those who wanted to use them to the University of Genoa and
their existing limited resources to redevelop restoration began in 1987. The villa at their
their headquarters and the rest who heart is now an art gallery and a large part
wanted to replace their garden in London of the gardens has been renewed but the
with a site away from the smoke-laden number of succulent species is more
environment of the city. He resolved the limited than when the gardens were in
issue by buying an estate at Wisley and their prime.

Cereus hildmannianus
Mediterranean gardens – Giardini Botanici Hanbury 56

Parodia erinacea

Inset: Opuntia flower

Below: Oreocereus doelzianus
(Morawetzia doelziana)

Trichocereus spachianus
Glottiphylum depressum
Mediterranean gardens – Giardini Botanici Hanbury 57

For the archaeology buffs like me there is

the added treat that the Via Julia Augusta,
built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in
13BCE, runs right through the middle of the
gardens. This major engineering feat was
the main route from Italy into southern
France, running along the coast where the
mountains of Liguria drop into the
Mediterranean. The Roman road was
restored by the French Riviera Community
and Ventimiglia as recently as 2006.
There was also yet another treat for me
because, arriving there on the Saturday
afternoon, I discovered that the following
day was the Summer Festival with a group
coming from Genoa to recreate the heady
days of the gardens’ Victorian splendour,
complete with ‘Sir Thomas Hanbury’
himself.
Fortunately for me there was still a ticket
Via Julia Augusta
available for the culmination of the day, a Cactus brand beer, there was a quiz and I
multi-course fish-based banquet by the won a copy of the University’s new
sea, where I was the token non-Italian. illustrated catalogue of all the gardens’
After the banquet and a few glasses of current members of the Cactaceae!

The re-enactment group

Mediterranean gardens – Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild 58

Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild

During my trip, I also managed to fit in a visit to the gardens of
the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild which sit atop the
promontory of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat near Nice. The extensive
property includes a set of nine differently themed garden
spaces including a large outdoor collection of cacti and other
succulents.

A path through the cactus area

Mediterranean gardens – Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild 59

The villa now belongs to France’s The story goes that when the hilltop came
Académie des Beaux-Arts and the gardens up for sale the Baroness, who was looking
are officially designated as one of the for a little retreat by the sea, heard that
‘Remarkable Gardens of France’. They are King Leopold II was considering buying it
situated right next to the villa and gardens and got in quickly and gazumped him. She
of Les Cèdres. had the rocky hilltop levelled and built her
ostentatious mansion and gardens as a
sort of ‘one-upmanship’ exercise.

A fine cephalium on an Espostoa species

An Agave in the cactus garden

Cephalocereus senilis Echinocactus grusonii

Mediterranean gardens 60

Street-side cacti

Ferocactus
One of the highlights of this visit was The geographical proximity of all these
peninsulae
walking from the station at Beaulieu-sur- gardens was emphasised at the end of my
growing by a well-
Mer to the garden along streets with stay when sitting on the beach at used path
amazingly mature cacti lining the space Ventimiglia, I could see all of the gardens in
between the roads and the footpath. One that sweep of the coast. n
very striking Ferocactus in particular was
Photos: Laurie Poulson
surprisingly to be found alongside a well-
used path!
 61

Cactus at the Castle 2024

by Vicky Davies
The event has continued to grow, attracting around 800 visitors, while still maintaining
a special charm which can only be referred to as the ‘Lullingstone effect’, giving it a
warm and relaxed atmosphere.

A fter a fairly dismal summer the weekend of 14-15

September was smiled upon and we could not
have had better weather for this year’s Cactus at the
certainly brought a garden party feel to the event after
an intensive morning of plant buying.
The ever popular Bring and Sell Auction took place on
Castle, part of Lullingstone Castle’s Mexican
the Saturday afternoon which included plants from
Celebration Weekend.
several collection dispersals. It was a pleasure to help
Despite the clash with ELK we still welcomed over 30 find homes for these plants, especially those from the
sellers to the mart, several making their Lullingstone late Mick Cotter’s collection, the money raised being
debuts and, for the first time, we had sales in all three donated to St. Christopher’s Hospice.
of our marquees, with the outdoor sellers now taking
In addition to his inimitable tours, Tom Hart Dyke also
pride of place on the grass of the carriage circle in
presented the prizes for the second Lullingstone Open
front of the Manor House. The fourth marquee was
Show on the Sunday and we would like to thank all
home to the Fishers Gin bar which was also serving
those who entered. There were nice plants in all the
some very fine Harvey’s beer and excellent wine. It
classes and the limitations on pot sizes made an

Setting up in the
September
sunshine
Cactus at the Castle 2024 62

interesting change to the plants entered. This year’s

show was judged by the highly experienced Suzanne
Mace and the enthusiastic Jack Ogg of York Gate
Garden, to whom many thanks; and thank you too to
the many visitors who voted for their favourite plant.
The Lullingstone Trophy for the most points was won
by Les Hewitt and he was also awarded the Cactus
and Succulent Review Prize for best succulent, a
Conophytum ectypum subsp. brownii. The Cactus at
the Castle Award was presented to the Uebelmannia
pectinifera entered by Graham Evans. There is also a
very special ‘well done’ to Meda, who won the Castle
Cup for the best plant by a junior entrant for her lovely
Avonia.
This year, we welcomed three speakers and had
multiple talks and demonstrations on both days. It was Mellie Lewis demonstrating aeonium cultivation and
disappointing that Paul Spracklin’s new book had not propagation
made our shores by that weekend but Paul kindly gave
his talk on the Saturday even though there were no Plans are taking shape for an even better Cactus at the
books to sell. The fine weather allowed the ever- Castle in 2025 with the date set to be a week earlier to
popular Mellie Lewis to take her demonstrations on avoid clashing with ELK. We hope you will be able to
aeonium cultivation and propagation outdoors so that join us on 6-7 September 2025 for all things cactus
everyone could make the most of the sunshine. Jack and succulent and to help celebrate the 20th
Ogg entertained with stories of succulent goings on anniversary of The World Garden at Lullingstone
from York Gate Garden, Leeds. Castle. n
Photos: Vicky Davies
Some pictures from the Lullingstone Open Show

Inset: The prizewinning Avonia exhibited

in the junior class

Above: Gasterias and aloes in class 13

Right: Any cactus or succulent (two plants)
Below: Some fine gymnocalyciums
 63

Woodside Cacti
Quality plants at affordable prices.
Cacti and succulents grown in our nursery.
Seedling cacti Our main love is succulents – particularly
grown in West Sussex Echeverias and Haworthias – propagated
from our own collection.
All our plants are UK grown.

We do not buy in plants to

sell on.

A wide variety – from those

suitable for beginners to the
more unusual.

Visit our website www.cvcacti.co.uk Visit our website www.woodsidecacti.co.uk

Cacti, Lithops & Succulents

For collectors and amateurs

Ian & Sarda Woolnough

Cacti, succulents and seed sales
Formerly Eau Brink Cacti, visitors are
welcome to view the collection and sales
plants by appointment.
We will be selling at a number of major Phone +44(0)1275 846239
cactus marts and other events. Email [email protected]
Web www.tonyironscacti.co.uk
Contact us for further details.
Address 17 White Lodge Park
Twickers, Eau Brink Road, Tilney All Saints, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 7HH
King’s Lynn PE34 4SQ
/tonyironscacti1 /tonyironscacti
Tel: 01553 617132 Email: Ian Woolnough