What’s Included in our Meetings

When and Where

CSSM's membership year runs September through June. Meetings are held at the Norfolk Public Library, in Norfolk, MA, on the third Saturday of the month from 1-4 PM. In June, we forego the regular meeting for a group field trip to a regional cactus and succulent plant-related destination.

There are no official CSSM events in July and August, though we do meet to deal with preparations for our annual show and sale in September.  

Meetings are typically attended by 60-70 people. We start off with a social hour. During this time members sell and trade plants, enter and admire the plant show, buy raffle tickets, and use the club Library. Then comes a brief business meeting followed by an educational program lasting for 45-60 minutes. After that, the meeting continues with a plant raffle and specimen plant auction. We wrap up at around 4 pm.

Socializing and Refreshments

We take 30-45 minutes at the beginning of each meeting for socializing because it is so much fun to talk about and share your plants.  During this time you can enter plants in the show and vote for your favorites.  You can also buy plants being sold by other members and check out the auction and raffle plants.

Refreshments are provided during the meetings.  The Society provides sandwich fixings and drinks while members bring in snacks and deserts to share.

Monthly Plant Show

We have a small plant show at each meeting. The monthly winner in each category is rewarded with first pick from the raffle table!  Members are highly encouraged to enter a few of their plants every month. It is a great way to share and learn.  Whether or not you enter a plant in the show, be sure to check out those on display. You will see something new and exciting every time and perhaps find a plant that you want to add to your collection.


The monthly plant show is open to all members and visitors. The plant show categories are different each month and are listed in the CSSM newsletter. The "open succulent" category is always included in the plant show. This category allows you to enter any plants that do not fit into the other categories, as well as plants that are not identified. If you have a nice plant whose name you do not know just enter it in the "open succulent" category and wait for people to help you solve the mystery.


Monthly plant show rules are as follows:

  1. Plants must not be field collected.

  2. Plants must be free of pests and disease.

  3. Plants must have been in the owner's possession for at least three months.

Entry forms can be found on the Plant Show table. Please try to fill out your entry forms before the meeting, it will make the show set up go much faster.  

Plant Auction

Every month we include the most desirable and well grown of the sale plant selection in our auction. This includes both plants that the club buys specifically for the auction and those that members have donated to the society. Spectacular show quality specimens, one of a kind oddities, and very rare plants have been sold at our auctions. You never know what is going to show up so be sure to make it to every meeting.


Auction plants are on display in the designated area during the meeting for members to examine and admire. The auction takes place at the end of the meeting and payment must be made at that time.


Members may sell their plants in the auction for a donation of a percentage of the sale price. See the Society's treasurer for details.


Desirable plants sold at recent CSSM auctions:

  • Dioscorea elephantipes - specimen with 10" diameter caudex

  • Tylecodon singularis - young seedling about 2" cross

  • Conophytum cubicum - mature plant with ten leaf pairs

  • Conophytum hammeri - four plants in one pot

  • Cheiridopsis peculiaris - mature plant

Please let the officers know what plants you want to see on the auction table by emailing a list to the President, the Nursery Order Chairman, or writing the names on the plant wish list at a meeting.

Plant Raffle

Every month we have a table full of plants to be raffled. The selection is always different and includes both plants purchased by the Society from specialty nurseries as well as others generously donated by members who have extra plants, cuttings, and seeds. You never know what you will find and many folks have gotten some real gems.

Raffle tickets may be purchased during socializing time.

Selling Plants at Monthly Meetings

You never know what great plants a member may bring in to sell during the meeting. Members set their plants out at the beginning of the meeting and you may purchase them at any time. Be sure to arrive on time for the best selection.


Members in good standing are welcome to sell plants at the meetings in exchange for a 10% commission on what they sell. Space is limited so please contact the President well before the meeting if you would like to sell plants. If you are selling plants, you can normally arrive at 12:30 to set up, but do verify this with the President.