The Beaver Tale February 2008

President’s Note
It has been hectic this month, what with all the end-of-year holiday aftermath, but I’m looking forward to
our club meeting coming up on the 7th of February. I’m pretty sure we have Woody Minnich lined up as
our speaker. Victor has contacted him and received a positive response. It’s been over two years since
Woody last did a club presentation (January 2006 and before that, March of 2005). However, he was
here for one of our show/sales in 2007. Woody needs no additional introduction from me. He is an
honorary member of our club and a giant in the world of cactus and succulents. This excerpt came from
the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society newsletter in September 2005:

Woody Minnich grew up in the desert and has been a cactus and succulent enthusiast his entire
life. He has made over one hundred trips to Mexico and South Americas studying cacti and other
succulents. He is an authority on a number of genera. He has given lectures and presentations
about cacti in habitat from his many trips to locations all over the world. Woody is also an avid
photographer and always includes special photos in his presentations.

Woody’s presentation to us next month will likely be on Socotra, an Island in the Arabian Sea, at least
that is the one I suggested from the choices he offered. Woody will also be bringing some plants for
sale.

The meeting itself will also highlight our Cactus Points Awards program for the past year. The awards
themselves have finally arrived and I hope everyone who was notified that they were receiving an award
(or placed an order for the shirts from L. L. Bean) will be on hand.

Additionally, Paula Garrett will be giving us a preview of the upcoming Plant Affair sponsored by the
Arboretum at UNLV in March, which will feature a number of presentations on cacti and succulents by
our own club members, and Susan Kent will be filling us in on our own Celebrate Cactus event in April at
Turner’s Greenhouse.

Lots of good stuff! I’m sure Liz will tell us what goodies to bring for our gastronomic pleasure as well.
And Susan will be bringing raffle plants and a special plant for auction.

Finally, for our Executive Board members, a reminder that the Board meeting will be held before the
regular meeting. We’ll meet in the usual place at 6:00 p.m. Please be on time. I’ll open up the building
at 5:30 if you would like to come and help set up. Since the last meeting we have spruced up the place
a bit. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. For sure you will be able to see better; we replaced
something like 45 burned out overhead fluorescent bulbs!

See you in February! Phil Lawton

++++++++++

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 Next Meeting Date/Time Monthly Meeting Programs:
February 7, 2008 February Feature: Woody Minnich – likely topic is,
Regular Meeting Starts at 7:00 PM
“Socotra, an Island in the Arabian Sea.” See “bio” in
Please come early to help set up! Board
Meeting starts at 6:00 PM President’s Note.
Members with last names ending in N-Z
please bring refreshments. ++++++++++
Annual Dues Were Due in January!
Meetings are the first Thursday every month To remain a member, please act NOW!
at the Garden Club near Lorenzi Park, at the
corner of Washington & Twin Lakes Drive. Individual - $15.00; Household - $25
http://www.csssn.org Lists the club Officers Name(s): ____________________________________
++++++++++ _____________________________________________
If you have an e-mail address, we e-mail the Street: ______________________________________
newsletter. If you wish a paper copy, please
notify Liz at dicnliz7067@netzero.net. City, State, Zip ________________________________
++++++++++
Planned Events Phone: ______________________________________
Get family and friends together for a self-
guided great winter or spring outing. e-mail address: ________________________________
February 7, 8, 9 caravan with Victor to email & website are default methods of communication.
Southern Cal! See web site for details!
UNLV's Leisure Lecture Series: "A Plant
Affair" 3/1, 3/15, 3/16, 3/29 & 3/30
April 12 and 13 – DOUBLE HEADER! We will collect dues at the meeting or you may mail them.
Celebrate Cactus Show & Sale - at Thanks for your continued interest!
Turner’s CSSSN – Membership
Nevada Garden Clubs Spring Show - at P O Box 571101
Lorenzi Park Garden Center
Las Vegas, NV 89157
++++++++++
Planned Speakers
March: Mark Muradian
April: Mark Dimmitt

Turner-Greenhouse- http://www.turner-greenhouse.com
Dave & Kris Turner
645-2032 4455 Quadrel Street, Las Vegas, NV 89129
We specialize in Cactus & Succulents for the Landscaper & Collector
Native Nevada Cactus, Hedgehogs, Beavertails Red & Golden Barrels, Rainbow Cactus
Yuccas, Joshuas, Ocotillos, Aloes, Agaves
We also have a large selection of additional Succulents from all over the world for the house & patio.

Victory Lindsey’s http://calplants.biz/

If you have veggie or tropical plant gardening
questions, contact club member, Leslie Doyle, aka
the “Tomato Lady”
http://www.sweettomatotestgarden.com
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We are always looking for rare, special, and large
specimen Cactus & Succulents to buy.
Call 1-800-384-4559
E-mail calplants@yahoo.com
 Succulent Care Tips: genus SANSEVIERIA (family Agavaceae)
By Susan Kent

When is a common houseplant, not quite so common? Viewing a

Sansevieria species collection answers that question. Many people
know the plant as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” or “Snake Plant.” Three
variegated bands typify S. trifasciata laurentii, the most common
Sansevieria. Many trifasciata cultivars abound, and are available at
almost all retail flower shops.

Sansevieria are succulents, a point most often forgotten. They have

rhizomes and have strong fleshy leaves, the fibers of which can form
rope, mats, and bowstrings. People that bring most houseplants to their
demise have probably kept at least one of the common Sansevieria alive
in their home for a while. Here’s why: They are evergreen, tolerant of
little light, and appreciate being kept on the dry side. They don’t object
to being pot bound, and are easily propagated from offsets in the “Minnie 3” pot mature; spike-
summer. Here's another plus: the raceme inflorescence (spike like like raceme inflorescence
flower) is fragrant! With all that in their favor, they are a great choice
for the houseplant lover, and the “how-to-care” questions are easily
answered. Most of the “Sans” are great adapters to low light
conditions. Life below 50°F slows them down and 32°F and below kills
them. If you must attempt to grow these plants outdoors in the ground,
plant them in a very sheltered winter-warm microclimate. If taking
them outside for “summer vacation,” be sure to keep them in the shade
with no direct sun to avoid sunburn. Lacking these OUTDOOR
growing conditions, most Las Vegas growers keep the plants inside.
They require very little water in the winter. In the spring and summer
months, make sure the soil dries before watering the soil (do not mist).
Always avoid direct water in the center of the leaf rosettes. Moisture at
the heart causes rot. They are insect and disease resistant as long as
they are not over watered. Unless very heavily organic soil is used or S. “Bantel’s Sensation”
other plants in the home are infested, fungus gnats are rarely, if ever, a vertical albino variegation and
problem. little to no green cross banding

The many different Sansevieria species (50+) are native to Africa and
the East Indies. The plant can grow profusely outdoors in parts of
California and Florida, but they are not native to that area. They vary
greatly in potential size, and coloration. In addition to the many species
that seem to be solidly identified, several hybrids and undocumented
plants exist which confuse even the experts. Nurseries misidentify
specimens by accident or from having been misinformed. The photos
here are not presented for identification purposes, but rather to illustrate
the specie diversity within the genus. Kris Turner has a private
collection from which she sometimes propagates. The collection is
among the most diverse in the area, and the source for the photos
accompanying this article as well as some books. B. Juan Chahinian’s
plant key and books are valuable resources on the genus. A “Robusta” that’s spiro-
The International Sansevieria Society has one of many websites on distichous
which one can see great photos and learn more as well. Sadly, the site
is under reconstruction, so resources are presently limited.
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All 3 above are S. trifasciata Hahnii. Left is possibly “White Gold” which is a direct descendent S. t. laurentii.
Center is a possible sport of “Golden Hahnii.” Far right is “Silver,” marginata.

S. kirkii (above) sometimes with S. suffruticosa – Likes to hang in a basket (center photo) or creep along
a copper hue; light affects leaf atrium floors; stolons increase the ease of propagation as shown on the
blotching; capitate raceme right even when blooming.
inflorescence

Related Botanical Terms to remember:

Plant Identification Key – Traditionally, a numbered Kingdom: Plantae
and lettered table of dichotomous questions (only two Division: Magnoliophyta
answers to each; similar to a "truth table") about Class: Liliopsida
technical characteristics of plants; developed by Order: Asparagales
naturalists to help identify existing and new Family: Agavaceae
discoveries. Genus: Sansevieria)
Species: kirkii (more than 50)
Raceme (spike like), panicle (branched), capitate (Variety follows)
(sparkler-like) inflorescence (flower) REFERENCES:
AGAVES, YUCCAS, AND RELATED PLANTS by
Stolons (above soil), rhizome (beneath soil) – Mary and Gary Irish
horizontal stems that store food and water and BOTANY FOR GARDENERS REVISED EDITION
produce adventitious roots by Brian Capon
THE HOUSE PLANT EXPERT by Dr. D. G.
Distichous growth in Sansevieria occurs on round Hessayon
leaved species, and can be fan-like, spiral, or ranked THE SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA VARIETIES
(2 by 2) and THE SPLENDID SANSEVIERIA both by B.
Juan Chahinian
Monocarpic – the plant flowers once and then dies. SANSEVIERIAS by K. D. Morgenstern
Genus Agave is monocarpic; genus Sansevieria is not Turner-Greenhouse, Cactus & Succulent Nursery,
monocarpic, even though both are members of the Kris Turner
family Agavaceae. Not All Agavaceae are
Monocarpic.

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 “CACTUS” CARE TIPS:
LAS VEGAS VALLEY ESTABLISHED PLANTS IN WINTER
BY SUSAN KENT
Many people do or want to include agave,
cactus, Joshua trees, and yuccas in their
landscapes, but are misinformed with respect the
plant requirements of these desert inhabitants.
If you suffer plant loss this winter, remember,
plant replacement is a natural part of gardening,
whether in the desert or back in “Someothercity,
Andstate.” You might recall spending lots of time
and money with “annuals” and overgrown woody
Forsythia where you used to live. Gardening is
an ongoing part of life. There are some things
that can help mitigate winter plant loss.
The following can be used to assist in
established outdoor desert plant care.
practices suggested are starting points from
which you can learn to make your own
adjustments. Above all: Homeowners and
gardeners maintaining well established
successful landscapes should probably not
change routines. The old adage is true most of
the time: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
What Plant IZIT?
If you purchased your plant from a large retail
establishment or got it from a friend, you may not
really know what it is or where it came from. If
you don’t know what it really is, you can only
guess at proper care. Just because a plant
“attacks you” doesn’t mean it’s a cactus. Take
some photos of your landscape and head off to a
knowledge source (see acknowledgements).
Knowing your plant will give you a head start on
providing care. If you have Euphorbia of any
type, it won’t survive a freeze. Many
“monstrose” or crested “anythings” won’t survive
a freeze. Often, juveniles of even the near
native species won’t survive a freeze. Plants
with roots that have atrophied from too little
water, or have started to rot from improper
drainage during the summer are already
compromised even though they may still appear
vigorous above ground. A freeze will further
stress the plant and possibly cause death. Many
of the plants mentioned are not happy when the
temperature dips below 40°F. After you’ve
figured out what you’ve got, you can start to take
care of it properly.
To Cover or Not to Cover?
If you have plants like the aforementioned in your
landscape, try these techniques: Wrap them with
burlap or drape them with blankets. NEVER,
NEVER, NEVER use a plastic wrap. You can
warm a plant slightly by lighting them with “rope”
lights, net lights, or just the simple small
Christmas tree lights. Don’t use the LED type
lights because they DO NOT GENERATE much
heat! Frankly, most folks like to plant what will
take a freeze and not bother with this wrapping
stuff. Eventually, fate will catch up with the
plant, and the owner will be left with an eyesore
in the landscape while, and if, the plant recovers.
The Years of nurturing will be lost and replacement is
almost always the answer.
To water or not to water?
After landscape design, plant selection and
installation, watering presents the largest
problem in sustaining plant life. Even desert
plant material needs water in our landscapes if
we want it to live longer and be more beautiful.
If you are not watering, and plants appear to be
thriving, rest assured they are getting water from
some source. It’s possible that the roots have
traveled several feet to find a bit of moisture
under hard surfaces or in a neighbor’s yard. The
table below applies to plants on drip or
subterranean water management methods, NOT
sprayers or sprinkle heads. It is assumed that
every plant has the equivalent of two 2-gph
drippers within nine inches of the base of the
plant. Larger plants may have more drippers
available. A few Mojave natives like the “Cotton
top” and “Red Barrel” require less water.
Whenever in doubt, head back to your
knowledge source with your photos for advice.
*****
Acknowledgements: University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension Southern Region,
Southern Nevada Water Authority Conservation
Division, Springs Preserve, Turner-Greenhouse
*****
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GENERAL WATERING GUIDE** FOR ESTABLISHED (12 + months in the ground) CACTUS,
YUCCAS, JOSHUAS, OCOTILLOS AND AGAVES
(Adapted with permission from theTurner-Greenhouse Suggested Care Guide)
Visit the nursery for a full copy of the care guide.

Days per week Times per day Minutes each watering

Winter (Nov, Dec, 1 1 12
Jan, Feb)
Spring (Mar, Apr) 2 1 12
Summer (May, 3 1 12
Jun, July, Aug)
Fall (Sept, Oct) 2 1 12
**Annual weather conditions, soil, and location of plant within the landscape as well as within
Las Vegas can vary moisture requirements.
Generally, more frequent water may be needed in sandier soil and on mounds and slopes.
SOIL MOISTURE TEST - DIP STICK APPROACH: Insert a long screwdriver into the soil
about 5 to 10 inches beyond the plant base. Pull the screwdriver back out of the soil. If the
screwdriver blade is very wet, an over watering condition and/or poor drainage exists.
Conversely, if the blade is very dry, under watering may be a problem.