GUEST SPEAKER:  Dr. Eric Ribbens
Biology
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455

TOPIC: Opuntia fragilis

Title: Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child: Opuntia fragilis in the Midwest

Abstract: "Opuntia fragilis, the most cold-hardy of all North American cacti, is widely distributed in western North America, extending east into Ontario in the northern Midwest. I have studied the ecology of Midwestern Opuntia fragilis for 17 years now. I will describe my experiences with Opuntia fragilis, which include building a matrix of pad fates in the Illinois population, documenting a form of self-incompatibility that seems to be preventing sexual reproduction everywhere in the Midwest, and my search for every population of Opuntia fragilis in five Midwestern states. I will share descriptions of its ecology and habitats in the Midwest, the research that we have been and plan to conduct into this species, and some of my experiences along the hunt for this interesting cactus."

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

• Plant of the Month - Opuntia! We'll pick back up on Agaves later. Dr. Ribbens is bringing some pads to swap with a few of us. So, look around your garden and container collection and bring some pads to share with him and the rest of us. The hardier the better! (Anyone got a huge "Dinner Plate" to share that would fill his trunk?)

Bring a plant to show!  The rules and location can be found at this link:

Moon-Sun Cactus & Koi Garden Nursery

Bring your appetite for new plants!  Bring a friend, neighbor, or relative!

GUEST SPEAKER:  Russ Thompson Sunkissed Horticultural Consultants.

TOPIC:  (Something like)  The Many Ways to Kill a Tree

Trees here in the Mojave are, as world wide, undeniably an important part of our environment. They provide the "anchor," the much needed shade, and strong, yet graceful architectural beauty to our landscapes. To most of us, trees are speechless. Thanks to Russ, we will learn some life saving lessons for these sometimes poorly treated plants. For those of you that don't know Russ, he's one of the most knowledgeable people in the tree industry here in the southwest. He recently retired from more than 30 years with the Clark County Department of Parks. You can learn more about Russ by visiting his website at http://sunkissedhorticulture.com/

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

• Plans and responsibilities at Show & Sale April 20 and 21 at Moon-Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens ( http://www.moon-sunlandscapes.com )
• Plant or Plants of the Month - They will be included in the raffle. Agave Ferox
• Announcement of May Speaker and Program
• Walking Box Ranch Field Trip?

We look forward to seeing you, your friends, your neighbors, and even your relatives!

GUEST SPEAKER:  Brian J. Esposito Vice President of Business Development at Soil-Tech, Inc.

TOPIC:  Environmental Restorations

Soil-Tech, Inc. has been a pioneer in developing and providing specialized land restoration services for over two decades.  The company is the established leader in Mojave Desert restoration.  The company brings high levels of experience to the fore front addressing habitat restoration planning, dust and erosion control, revegetation and tortoise fencing.  As you can imagine Brian is a busy individual engaged in important and demanding industry.  He can be emailed at http://soil-tech.com/contact.php or by phone at 702 367-3888; cell 702 279 2475.  For more information about the company go to http://soil-tech.com/

Other Agenda Items:

• Plant of the Month:  Aloes will continue to be discussed and will be included in the raffle.

More Cool Weather Bloomers: Aloe  Mosaic, Aloe humilis & Hybrid Blue Elf, Aloe glauca, Aloe Sinkatana. This is the last ALOE month for a while. I apologize for not supplying photos of each of the "plants of the month."  I'm just not set up for decent photography. Some day, when there are fewer tasks on the "to do list," maybe I'll catch up. I hope to set up a POM Gallery. This might even serve as a plant inventory.

GUEST SPEAKER:  Paula Garrett

Topic:  Chasing Butterflies - A Mt. Charleston Research Project

(Why?  Because we care about the entire Mojave environmental experience!)

By way of introduction to those of you that may not know, Paula is a busy Research Scientist with the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies and a Program Associate with the Walking Box Ranch/Public Lands Institute. She is also an important part of a beautiful family here in Las Vegas. When time allows she supports CSSSN with a variety of contributions. We are very happy to hear from her on this interesting subject. Paula can be reached at the following:      

paula.garrett@unlv.edu  University of Nevada, Las Vegas  

4505 S. Maryland Parkway   Las Vegas, NV 89154-4009

Office: (702)895-1421

Other Agenda Items

• We'll be continuing our discussion for a brief while on "seasonally pertinent" plants and MAINTENANCE - perhaps both interior and landscape.
• Plant of the Month:  More cool weather bloomers:  Aloe ferox, Haworthia resendeana, Howarthia turgida, and Faucaria tigrina (Tiger's Jaw)

Prior to or just after the meeting, items related to our discussion will be posted on the website.  Come back and visit the web site as we redefine our "BEAVER TALE NEWSLETTER" and populate more areas of the website.  You are invited to help us in this effort! Please email us: info@ csssn.org 

SPEAKERS:  Susan Kent & Other Club Members

TOPIC:  Cold Weather Dormancy & Landscape Maintenance

We'll be talking about "seasonally pertinent" plants and MAINTENANCE - perhaps both interior and landscape if time allows. Bring snacks if convenient. Bring a guest or two to help share information about our interests!

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS:

• Plant of the Month (in raffle):  Aloes (LARGEST ENEMIES:  cold, over water, poor drainage, full sun) Aloe x 'Doran Black', Aloe brevifolia (Short Leaf Aloe), Aloe fleurentiniorum, Aloe 'Rooikappie" (Little Red Riding Hood)
• Additional topics m:ay be posted as we near the meeting date, so come back to the web site!  If you cannot make the meeting or have a special topic you would like reviewed, please use the "CONTACT PAGE" to tell us.  We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon!

This is strictly a social gathering.  There will not be a business meeting this month.  I would bet, however, that there may be a "pointed" conversation about  cactus here and there.

The meeting will be to vote for officers for 2013.  Office of president and treasurer are open.  We'll also be talking plants.  Bring snacks if convenient.

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Victor Lindsey, of Cactus by Lindsey and a CSSSN member, will give a brief presentation on how to prepare your specimen plants for showing.  Victor has long experience showing plants in and around the large Southern California cactus and succulent societies.  This presentation is in preparation for the Moon-Sun Cactus Show and sale scheduled for October 20, 21 2012.  We'll be co-hosting the show. So get some pointers on showing plants from Victor and bring a nice plant or two to the show the following weekend.

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