By Gianluca Bacci
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 7:00 pm Pacific Time (California)
Members and visitors can attend in person in San Francisco,
or register or join the meeting in progresson Zoom.
Program Description
Socotra, an island of the Republic of Yemen in the Indian Ocean supports a wealth of botanic wonders. Gianluca Bacci, our April featured speaker, will detail his journey to this remote island and the living treasures he discovered there, from giant dragon trees to diminutive stapeliads.
About our Speaker
Gianluca, founder of Rare Plantsmen Nursery, is an avid horticulturist with a passion for developing new innovative ways to sustainably grow and propagate rare plants. He began his horticultural collection at the age of five, and has worked professionally in the industry for the last decade.
At college he spent three years managing and caring for the xeric plant collection at the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, while studying physics and biology. He also co-taught the Conservatory Internship, and assisted in the teaching of several other UC Davis classes.
Gianluca now runs a wholesale nursery in Sonoma County, specializing in the production of rare and unusual species for the Horticultural trade. He is well known for his expertise in cultivating succulent plants, and has given many lectures on the subject to botanical institutions and societies over the last few years.
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
Show & tell table: Senecio (including Curio and Kleinia) on the succulent side, Stenocactus on the cactus table, and Pachycaul Euphorbias for the pachyforms, plus anything else that’s looking good or in flower.
Featured grower: Gianluca Bacci
Snack table: Some basics are provided by the club, but we suggest bringing something to share every couple of months if you partake regularly. As a thought, we are often short on drinks.
Watch Online
On Zoom: Register or join the meeting in progress.
We will attempt to simulcast on our YouTube channel.
Upcoming Events
Monthly Volunteer Day at the Golden Gate Park “Arizona Garden“
Third Sunday of each month
9am – 12noon – Come any time.
Just east of the Conservatory of Flowers.
More Info – Check the linked page at 8am on the day of to see weather cancellation announcements.
Monthly Volunteer Day at The Gardens of Lake Merritt
Fourth Saturday of each month
10am – 2:30pm with a break for lunch at noon
666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings usually occur on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
April – Carl Frederick on Namaqualand
May – Tom McCoy on the Aloes of Saudi Arabia
SF Succulent Expo 2026
June 19-21, 2026
Friday afternoon members only – Join now
Sat and Sun open to the public
San Francisco County Fair Building