HSCSS Program Director Dave Janas has left his position as a horticulturist at Missouri Botanical Garden and is headed home to New Hampshire, leaving the program position for Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society vacant. “For us, it is a great loss,” society President Ralph Olliges said. “Thanks, Dave, for all that you have done …
The Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society has donated $2,000 to the Center for Plant Conservation to help preserve two diminutive succulent species. The club gave $1,000 to support the Navajo pincushion cactus, Pediocactus peeblesianus var. peeblesianus and $1,000 toward conservation efforts for the short-leaved dudleya, Dudleya brevifolia. …
By Mike Hellmann – Summer looks bleak at this point. We’re all canceling vacations while also trying to get back to work and adjusting to changes we never expected to address. No sports, no special events, and the “unknown” looms ahead of us. I know this is a difficult time for all. Please take time to catch up on things, create projects and enjoy what you have around you. Hopefully, when we finally step out of this pandemic, the world will be a better place. …
By Mike Hellmann – It is indeed a concerning world in which we’re living right now, with so many new and unprecedented things happening at such a fast pace. We’re living one day to the next, not knowing what the next day will bring. Please find solace in your plants as much as you can. Many exciting things are happening right now with the spring season, so take some time to enjoy them. …
Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society has established a new award to recognize volunteers who freely give their time and energy to support the club. Named in honor of a long-time member who worked for HSCSS on many levels until his passing in 2017, the first Martin Schweig Appreciation Award was presented to Jerry Beckerman. …
By Mike Hellmann – It is with deep regret that I let you all know that Chuck Hanson passed away on May 14, 2019. Hanson was a dear friend to some of our members and was very supportive of our society. He spoke at several of our regional conferences. He was a speaker and vendor at the CSSA convention we hosted …
By Pat Cosgrove – We in the St. Louis region are fortunate to have within driving distance Drummond Nursery, located near DeSoto, Mo. It offers four greenhouses packed with an array of cacti and succulents. Fred and Gladys Drummond began their business in 1968 by producing plants for terrariums, which were …
By Don Lesmeister and Mike Hellmann – As I looked out the SUV’s window, “riding shotgun” took on a whole new meaning. Here I was … riding down the highway in New Mexico, staring out at the rolling hills of the high desert, thinking what a rough terrain it was and how hard it must have been for the early settlers. The landscape …