National Capital Cactus & Succulent Society Logo
 National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society

The next event of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society of Washington, D.C. will the September 19, 2010 regular monthly meeting.
Echinocactus horizonthalonus
  Echinocactus  horizonthalonus
Commonly known as the "Turk's Cap Cactus" Echinocactus horizonthalonus  is a globular cactus native to Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States.  It's not commonly seen in succulent plant collections due to its very slow growth and distasteful habit of rotting if keep too wet too long.  Because of its slow growth most nurseries don't grow it and thus it's not often found offered for sale. When grown well, mature plants produce a very large and attractive flower.  The plant pictured above is in the collection of NCCSS member Bob Stewart who grew it from seed.  The plant is approximately 24 years old.    

For More Photo's Visit Our Plant Gallery

The Plant Gallery features photos from our recent newsletters and photos of our member's plants and plant relative activities.

The September Program at the National Capital Cactus ans Succulent Society

The program for the September 19th meeting of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society will be Blooming and Bumbling in Bowie.  NCCSS member Pete Boudriault will     show us photographs of the cactus and succulent plant collection he grows in Bowie Maryland.  This will be a general presentation of his plants, how he cultivates them and what peaks his interest.  Pete is a long-time member of the NCCSS and his presentation will include photos of the first cactus he acquired 35 years ago and that he still has in his collection.

The National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society

The NCCSS is a group of individuals sharing an interest in the collecting and growing of cacti and other types of succulent plants.  We meet  once a month from September through June.  In August we hold an annual plant show and sale at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. Our Regular Monthly Meetings are held at St. Anselm’s Abbey School at 14th & South Dakota Ave. N.E. Washington, DC.  Our meeting begin at 10:30 a.m. and end at Noon.   If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and are interested in succulent plants, why not visit one of our meetings and share your interest with others who also love these weird and fascinating plants.  

The NCCSS and National Zoological Park ConnectionAgave parryi at National Zoo

In 1990 members of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society supplied the plants and labor to plant them, and the Washington, National Zoo provide the location, an area next to the Small Mammal House across from the Great Ape House, and a hardy cactus and succulent garden was born.  Now, 20 years later, an Agave parryi is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the planting by producing a flower stalk. The photo at the right shows the agave and its ever growing flower stalk.  Click on the photo for a larger version.
Membership & Dues:

To join the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society contact Lee Miller   leejmiller@verizon.net or Bob Stewart  stewart723@gmail.com.    If you would like a sample of our most recent newsletter, The Eastern Spine, contact newsletter editor Bob Stewart. Annual membership dues are $20.00 per individual and $30.00 for a family. 

Web Site of the Month:
There are a lot of great web sites for the cactus and succulent enthusiast. Each month we will feature one of these great sites.

The Succulent Plant Page                                            http://www.succulent-plant.com/home.html  
Here's a general web site that provides a lot of information on the non cacti succulents.  There is info on cultivation, pests and diseases, and growing from seed.  There's a photo gallery and even a cactus recipes section.         
Monthly Newsletter:

The Eastern Spine is the official newsletter of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society.  It is  published monthly, September through June and is included with your society membership. Bob Stewart is our newsletter editor. Join our club and get your own copy delivered to your mailbox.
Click NEWSLETTER-PDF to view a sample copy, in PDF format, of a recent newsletter. 

Purpose of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society:
  • the study, culture, and propagation of cactus and other succulent plants;
  • to exchange information among interested persons and organizations, and to further the education about and understanding of succulent plants and their habitats;
  • to encourage conservation of plants and preservation of natural habitats;
  • to affiliate or associate with other organizations of similar purpose;
Benefits of the National Capital Cactus and Succulent Society:
  • Share ideas and techniques with other cactus and succulent growers.
  • Interesting and informative programs.
  • Good fellowship and refreshments.
  • Use of an extensive club library.
  • A monthly newsletter, The Eastern Spine.
  • Sales table with members plants and related items.
  • Monthly raffle of donated plants and related items.

Programs:

Our program committee arranges for us to have a unique event each and every month. These consist of lectures, slide shows, informal discussions and presentations; they are always interesting and informative.

Plant of the Month:Epithelantha micromeris

Each month a succulent genus, or special selection of succulent plants are featured as our plant of the month.  Our plant of the month for May 2010 is the genus Epithelantha. These are small, globular cacti that are covered with dense white spines from Mexico and parts of the southwest U.S.  While epithelanthas are grown primarily for their attractive form and spination, they also have a very interesting fruit display (shown in the Epithelantha micromeris plant to the right).  Epithelanthas are slow growing, require full sun and need a coarse, well drained soil mix.  

Information on Growing Succulent Plants:

One of the important aspects of growing healthy succulent plants is using the proper potting soil mix.  You can read the NCCSS Potting Soils for Succulent Plants handout by clicking right HERE.

Plant Sales:                                                                                                             

If you have any surplus plants, seeds, pots, books or any other plant related items you want to sell, you can bring them to the meeting. Set your own price. 25% goes to the club to buy new books and cover other club related expenses.

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History:

First meeting was held July 21, 1974 at the Samson House at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. The club newsletter, The Eastern Spine, became official for the November 1974 meeting. The club began its affiliation with the Cactus & Succulent Society of America with the adoption of the By-Laws at the September 15, 1974 meeting.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

  • Annual Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale.
  • Summer field trips.
  • Summer picnic.
  • Holiday Buffet at St. Anselm's Abbey School in December.
NCCSS Officers for 2010

President: Lee Miller
Vice-President: Bob Petza
Recording Secretary: Donna Kuroda
Membership Secretary: Lee Miller
Treasurer: Paul Hanerfeld
Hospitality:
 Ty Tydings
Directors at large: Margie Hanerfield
Ben Burkhardt      
Newsletter Editor
 Bob Stewart
Librarian
 Laurie Perper


Links to Gardens and Other Societies in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area: Cactus and Succulent Society of America  (CSSA)CSSA Logo

The National Capital Cactus & Succulent Society is an affiliate society of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America.  For more information about the CSSA see their web site at: http://www.cssainc.org

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The NCCSS  web site is maintained by Bob Stewart

The NCCSS Web Site is part of the Cactus Mall Web System
Use the Link Below to Visit the Cactus Mall Site

The Cactus and Succulent Plant Mall