By David Keller – Grafting is the process of attaching a desirable plant, the scion, to another plant, the rootstock. This alters the production of the rootstock in such a way as to support or propagate the scion, which would otherwise be selected against in nature. Many of our favorite succulents and cacti are more successful as grafted scions, as many cannot thrive on their own roots or grow viable roots. Others …

By Emily Hall – When I first began collecting succulents, it was all about the spines. Perhaps my Midwestern suburban life was too dull, and I craved the kind of danger that only plants that could take out an eye would provide. It was cacti for me, and the spinier the better. Gradually, however, my collection has softened. A row of Adenium obesum, spineless and charming, now sits in my south-facing kitchen window. …

By Joe Merkelbach – Looking at the entries in this year’s show, I was struck by the idea of how large some of our plants can get in habitat. One of my entries, Aloe dichotoma, a show-worthy specimen which I received last year, was grown to reflect this notion. The plant in its native southwestern Africa habitat is a tree form …

By Joe Merkelbach – The HSCSS connection with the Missouri Botanical Garden makes us aware of the many ways that plant conservatories and gardens are very important in keeping plant species alive all over the earth. The recent promise of a restored show house for desert plants is a thrilling prospect for all our …