California Succulent Road Trip

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With Jeff Moore
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – 7:00 pm Pacific Time (California)

Members and visitors can attend in person in San Francisco,
or register/join the meeting in progress on Zoom.

Program Description

Jeff has this to say about his California Road Trip talk:

This presentation came about as an idea for a zoom presentation during the time of COVID. Having made a round of talks to cactus clubs in New England in 2018, I learned that whenever those succulent enthusiasts wanted to take a snowbird escape trip to see some of their favorite cacti and succulents, they almost always thought first and foremost of visiting Arizona.

I also love visiting Arizona, but after making multiple California speaking trips in support of my books, I had gained an even greater appreciation for the quality of growers, nurseries and botanical gardens in the Golden State. So essentially I created this powerpoint as a commercial to consider opting instead to follow a loose plan for a ten-day to two week trip: flying into the Bay Area, spending a few days visiting the Ruth Bancroft and Berkeley botanic gardens, plus a few local collectors and nurseries; then proceeding down the coast, with stops in Monterey; then ideally down through Big Sur (if that option ever comes back) to San Luis Obisopo; then visiting Lotusland and Aloes in Wonderland in Santa Barbara.

Time permitting, continuing onto some of the famous gardens in LA, then finishing off in San Diego with private gardens/collections and wholesale growers. The presentation toggles between beautiful images of private gardens, nurseries and botanic gardens, showcasing primarily succulents both containerized and in-ground, along with some other xerophytic plants. After giving zoom presentations to a few east coast clubs (one is planning to do this trip in reverse in conjunction with the San Diego C&S convention in 2025), it occurred to me that those of us in California often find ourselves sequestered in our corners of the state and would benefit from at least some version of this adventure – sort of a succulent excuse for a coastal California road trip (not shown but mentioned are some of the other highlights of such a trip – places to eat, breweries/wineries, museums, etc …).

About our Speaker

Jeff has owned and operated Solana Succulents north of San Diego for 32 years. In recent years, he has dived into book publishing, putting out a series of books on succulents starting with Under the Spell of Succulents in 2014. The soon-to-be released Dudleya book will be his sixth. Jeff is married with two adult sons, but is the only plant geek in the immediate family.

Show & tell table: we will feature Euphorbia on the succulent side, and Thelocactus on the cactus side, plus anything else looking good or in bloom.

Featured grower: Jeff Moore, L&J Plants

Snack table:, There will be a shared spread, but we suggest bringing something every couple of months if you partake regularly. As a thought, we are often short on drinks. 

Covid precautions: We will keep doors open to ensure adequate ventilation. This can make the room a bit chilly, so dress appropriately.

Meeting Agenda

7:00 Mingling and announcements
7:30 Formal presentation starts promptly with Society business
7:35 Show and Tell Table
7:50 Leg stretch
7:55 Featured presentation

Watch Online

On Zoom: Register or join the meeting in progress.

Or watch the simulcast on our Facebook page: http://fb.me/sfsucculent

Upcoming Events

  • May 21, 2024 – Michiel Pillet –
  • May 23, 2024 – UC Berkeley Field Trip – MEMBERS ONLY – Join us for this Thursday Morning tour given by their staff.
  • June 14-16 2024 – SFSCS Annual Show and Sale
    Multiple programs will be streamed live from the event.
  • June 18, 2024 – No Meeting