CCCSS Show - May 2016

Open Class Best Cactus - Ariocarpus retusus - a huge, old many headed specimen from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Open Class Best Succulent, Avonia quinaria - small, delicate member of the Portulacia family from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Advanced Class Best Cactus, Astrophytum myriostigma ssp. coahuilense - an extremely well grown example of this sometimes difficult ssp. from Ron Harris, Galt, CA

Advanced Class Best Succulent, Calibanus hookeri - entry by Ken & Ann Byrne, Santa Maria, CA

Novice Class Best Cactus, Stenocereus hollianus - a cristate form nicely presented by Linda Drake, San Luis Obispo, CA

Novice Class Best Succulent, Aloe dichotoma - a small plant, here presented by bonsai master Ann Marie Erb, Nipomo, CA

Best Rookie Entry - Cactus,- Mammillaria elongata - a really nice cristate form from Steven Thrasher, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Rookie Entry - Succulent, Haworthia reinwardtii - another great presentation from one of our talented group of rookie (first time) entrants - Barbara Neuman, Nipomo, CA

Rarest Plant in Show, Haemanthus deformis, despite being introduced to cultivation in 1869, this odd relative of H. albiflos is distinct and not often offered - shown to us here by Greg DeChirico, Summerland, CA

Best Agavaceae, Yucca endlichiana - a unique member of this group that is not monocarpic. It will bloom and continue to live forming multiple growing points from a large flat panicle. here shown by "Snake", San Luis Obispo

Best Aloceae, Aloe erinacea - a Namibian relative of A. melanacantha. Threatened by habitat loss and collecting combined with very slow growth and infrequent flowering, clean, mature specimens such as this will remain rare - from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Baja Native plant, Dudleya pachyphytum - from Canada de la Mina, on El Cedros Island off Baja's western coast. Described in 1981 and later collected almost to extinction it now is readily available from specialty nurseries. Growing it is a challenge for those not in coastal climates. This one from Nick Wilkinson, owner of Cambria, CA's Grow Nursery

Best Caudiciform plant, Stephaia venosa - a tropical vine from S.E.Asia & Malaysia forms large tuberous roots. It can be exhibited as an ornamental but is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Not sure which ultimate use Rob Skillin has in mind but either way, it's a wonderful presentation.

Best Crassulaceae, Adromischus marianae cv "Brian Makin" a well grown and nicely marked example from the many variations seen in A. marianae - from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Crested Entry, Ariocarpus kotschoubeyannus - this unique specimen defines both "cristate" and "slow growing" Plan on may years to get one like this on from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbia viguieri var capuroniana - One of 5 varities of E. viguieri from the costal forests of central and northern Madagascar. Dicideous, generally single stems with striking spines and leaf scars and topped by colorful seasonal inflorenences. Here shown in growth by Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Mesemb, Pleispilos bolusii - a great example of "living or split rocks". Good beginners choice to learn the care of this group. Covered with 3-4" flowers begining in August - from Jan Moon, Cambria, CA

Best Chihauahuan Desert Cactus, Mammillaria geminispina - from the southern range of the Chihauhuan this plant is found in SLP, Hidalgo, and Queretaro at 1,000-1,850 m altitude. Lots of light and heat and attention to water needs results in stunning clumps of 50-90 cm dia. Like this one from Rob Skillin, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Madagascan Plant, Pachypodium horombense - a succulent shrub up to 1.5 m tall from an enlarged caudiciform base. The campanulate "bell shaped" flowers distinguish it from the look-alike forms of P. rosulatum. Here, with seed pods ripening from Rob Skillen, Arroyo Grande, CA

Best Staged Plant - Open Class, Operculicarya decaryi - the favorite of succulent bonsai fans, grows quickly from cuttings and is easily trained in a variety of styles. from Nick Wilkinson, Cambria, CA

Best Staged Plant - Advanced Class - Fockea edulis, a vining member of the dogbane family that rises from a large underground tuber that is easily raised for display. Endless variation in tuber shape and grower's talents combine to produce results such as this. From Kathie Matsuyama, Nipomo, CA

Best Staged Plant - Novice Class - Ipomoea platense, a tuber forming morning glory from Argentina. Start from seed or cutting letting the tuber develop underground then slowly raise for display. Done masterfully here by Inacia Matheus

Best Miniature, 3" pot or less - Pseudolithos cubiformis - A Somalian member of the stapeliae. The name means "false stone" + "cube shaped" It's restrictive cultural needs will keep it rare in collections. A full grown, mature specimen from David Westberg, San Luis Obispo, CA

Best Collection, Rebutia - For lovers of early spring flower power, nothing beats the small clump forming members of this group. A nice grown assembly from "Snake", San Luis Obispo, CA

Best Dish Garden - Where the artists really meet the plants to produce living displays. Everyone should own at least one all it takes is plants, courage and talent such as shown here by Barbara Brooks, San Luis Obispo