ACSS Meetings and Other
Happenings
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Febuary ACSS MeetingJoin us for the next Austin Cactus & Succulent Society meeting, Thursday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the Austin Area Garden Center in Zilker Botanical Garden (2220 Barton Springs Rd.) Our program will feature a presentation by Woody Minnich: The Mini Jewels of Mexico
The Miniature Jewels of Mexico presentation features the often rare, but always tiny, species of cacti and other succulents that are found in the vast country of Mexico. This presentation includes Woody's photos and experiences covering 40 years of exploring almost all of this, the most cactus rich country in the world. We will see Mammillarias, Ariocarpus, Turbinicarpus, Thelocactus, Strombocactus, Aztekiums, Gymnocactus, Astrophytums, Escobarias, Coryphanthas, Geohintonias, Echeverias, Sedums etc., etc., etc. We will encounter miniature plants from such states as; Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Lois Potosi, Sonora, Sinaloa, Queretaro, Oaxaca, Puebla and many more. The habitats where these plants grow and its relevance to successful cultivation will be discussed. This talk will address the uniqueness of each species and their historical background from their original discovery to their relationships with the field workers of the past and present. Many of the miniature jewels in this presentation will be plants that most of us have had or have admired for most of the years we have enjoyed this special hobby. An added bonus from this program is, for those of us with limited growing space, learning just how many species we can keep in an area the size of a coffee table! February Speaker Biography: Wendell S. (Woody) MinnichWoody,
as he is commonly called, has been in the cactus hobby for some
41 years and has become well known for his participation in many
of the cactus and succulent clubs. He is an honorary life member
of seven clubs as well as a life member of CSSA (Cactus & Succulent
Society of America.) He has served in almost all positions of leadership
from president, to newsletter editor, to show chairman and so on.
He is also known for his extensive field work studying primarily
the cactus family. He has traveled throughout the United States,
Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Africa, Yemen and
Socotra. From these trips he has developed an extensive knowledge
of the cactus family as well as many of the other succulent genera. Woody
is also known for his many presentations. His photography is considered
to be special and his commentary very entertaining and educational.
He is a recognized international speaker and has spoken for plant
conventions - organizations all over the USA, as well as in England,
Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Mexico. Woody has
also authored a number of articles for various newsletters, the
CSSA journal and his photographs are well published. Woody is the
creator-originator of the first color version of the CSSA journal
"Cacti and Succulents for the Amateur" that also featured
show plants, shows and the growers of the pictured plants. He is also known for his cactus and succulent nursery, Cactus Data Plants. CDP was started in 1975 and is still in operation today. Cactus Data Plants specializes in show specimens and rare cacti and other succulents with particular emphasis in Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Mammillaria, Gymnocalycium, Turbinicarpus, Melocactus, Copiapoa, Fouquieria, Pachypodium, Euphorbia, Cyphostemma, Adenium and Adenia. Woody and his wife Kathy now live in the beautiful mountains south of Santa Fe New Mexico in a region called Cedar Grove. He has a small 1,200 sq, ft. greenhouse where he grows his unique plants. He is always on the move and travels frequently to do presentations and shows throughout the western United States. Woody is the proud parent of three children, Leah, Denver and Sarah, all of whom are now grown and out in the big world. Woody is also the proud grandparent of three grandsons, Indiana, Ashton and Logan. He is a retired high school teacher of 32 years and he taught Graphic Arts, Architecture, Art and Health.
Attendees are encouraged to bring in plants or other succulent-related items for show and tell and/or the free plant raffle. We hope you can join us Thursday evening! |