HSCSS Events Continue Despite COVID

(January 2022)

The current outbreak of the Omicron coronavirus variant has delayed the planned return to in-person activities for the Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society, but club leaders are still doing their best to bring entertaining and informative programs to members and friends from other Midwest clubs.

“We will continue to transmit via Zoom all meetings like we have in the past,” the Zoom committee said. “We’re all in this together. We hope to return to some semblance of normality post-COVID.”

Following are the events and programs that have been scheduled for 2022. The rest of the year’s programs are in the planning stages and will be announced soon.

January 9

The January 9 in-person meeting intended to be a hands-on presentation discussing pots, soil, water, fertilizer, etc. has been rescheduled as an online Zoom meeting on the same date. Without totally changing course, we will have an open-ended question-and-answer session on these topics for all in attendance who wish to participate. Remember: There is no stupid question except the one not asked.

February 13

In February, we will have another Zoom meeting with a PowerPoint presentation from Ernesto Sandoval. He is the manager of the Botanical Conservatory at the University of California Davis. His talk will cover topics similar to those discussed in January, but from the perspective of a pro who has traveled extensively. If you were fortunate enough to see his presentation for the CSSA Webinar series last September, you know this is a don’t-miss event.

March 13

In March, we will hopefully return to in-person meetings with a summary of the two previous months’ programs, adding a hands-on workshop addressing the basics, plus potting live plants for giveaways. That’ll be fun.

April 10

Depending upon the state of the COVID outbreak, we plan to have our members-only cactus and succulent sale in April. After a two-year hiatus, several hundred plants – including some rare ones – will be sold at cost to members. This is always a welcome and exciting meeting, and certainly comes at the right time – spring.

May 15

In May, we will be discussing moving plants outdoors. When and how to do so without overstressing our plants can sometimes be a tricky project.

June 5

To be determined.

July

In discussion is the real possibility of having a 2022 Show and Sale at a facility to be determined. In past years, this event was held at Missouri Botanical Garden, which is now in the process of a giant renovation of its entrance area. The Ridgway Center has been razed and is being replaced with the new Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. It will not be completed until November of 2023.