Why Attend Our Meetings?
They are fun, educational, and you will leave with more plants!
CSSM Monthly Programs
October 19, 2019: SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER WOODY MINNICH
Woody Minnich grew up in the desert of California and has been a cactus enthusiast his whole life. He has made over 100 trips to Mexico and South America studying various genera of cacti and succulents, and is considered an authority on a number of genera. He has given numerous entertaining and informative lectures and presentations about cacti in habitat from his trips all over the world.
Through a collaborative effort of several regional horticultural organizations, Woody will be the Distinguished Speaker at our October 19th meeting.
This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s foremost cactus experts.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
November 16, 2019: BACK to BASICS: SOIL, POTTING, AND MORE BY ART SCARPA
Every once in a while it’s a good idea to review the basic necessities and requirements of our favorite plants. November’s Program will do just that. CSSM Emeritus Member Art Scarpa will lead the interactive session exploring all aspects of proper Cactus and Succulent care. Topics include Pots (plastic, glazed, ceramic, metal, terra cotta) soil (sand, gravel, “potting soil”, volcanic rock!), watering, feeding, etc., etc., etc. Bring your curiosity, questions, and ideas.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
December 14, 2019: OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
All Members are invited to our 30th Annual Holiday Party.
Details will be forthcoming at our November Meeting. Come for the food, come for the gift exchange, come for the plants, come for the camaraderie and come for the fun! Don't miss it.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
January 18, 2020: HOW to BUILD a WINTER HARDY CACTUS AND SUCCULENT GARDEN in NEW ENGLAND by CSSM MEMBER, LAU MAGNER
Yes, it is possible to create a beautiful "Little Arizona" right in your own backyard. Come discover the very easy, very doable secrets to creating a lush
Desert in New England!
As part of this illustrated presentation you will learn how to design and build a cold hardy cactus and succulent garden, what desert plants will thrive in the garden, where to buy the plants, and what to expect as your garden passes through a typical New England year.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 0205
FEBRUARY 15, 2020: CACTUS and SUCCULENT PROPAGATION and NOMENCLATURE
Ever wonder how to successfully propagate your Cacti and Succulents? Come to our February meeting and get the inside info.
Plus, what about those scientific names? Opuntia this, Mammillaria that and Haworthia whatever. Well, there is a method to the madness. Come and find out how to make sense of those tongue twisting names.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
MARCH 21, 2020: CSSM EXPLORES ARIZONA’S SONORA DESERT. NARRATED by OUR RESIDENT DESERT RAT, LAU MAGNER.
What happens when 23 CSSM members come face to face with thousands and thousands of blooming desert cacti, miles and miles of stunning desert vistas, cactus and succulent nurseries by the dozen, and one confused rattle snake on the porch? Come to our March meeting to enjoy an entertaining CSSM travelogue and to meet the adventurers themselves.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
April 25, 2020: HUNTINGTON GARDENS VIRTUAL TOUR by CSSM PRESIDENT STEVE HUBBARD
The Huntington Gardens in San Marino California are among the most beautiful Botanical Retreats in the entire United States. Don’t miss this up close and personal tour of the gardens narrated by our own President and accomplished photographer, Steve Hubbard
DATE CHANGE - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING IS ON THE 4TH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, NOT THE 3RD SATURDAY.
Time: 1p-4p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
May 16, 2020: DESIGN AND CARE OF SUCCULENT BONSAI by CSSM MEMBER and BONSAI EXPERT JOEL MULLEN
Come discover a new twist in the Wonderful World of Succulents. Joel Mullen of New England Bonsai Gardens and the CSSM will explore similarities between growing bonsai and growing succulents and how to train various succulents into bonsai. Topics will include tools, pots, soil and all the helpful things that can be taken from one and used on the other. Joel will also present information on how to use succulents as kusamono, which are accent plants that accompany show-quality bonsai trees.
JUNE 20, 2020 : ANNUAL CSSM FIELD TRIP and PICNIC
Picnic, Explore, and Purchase Beautiful Plants at the Lyman Estate Green Houses in Waltham, Massachusetts. Join fellow CSSM members in spending a delightful afternoon picnicking on the lawn and wandering through one of the oldest greenhouse complexes in America.
Admire, and perhaps purchase hard-to-get plants as well as a variety of exquisitely crafted pots and garden tools.
So, mark your calendar and come celebrate the first day of summer surrounded by beautiful estate plantings, historic greenhouses and good friends.
June 20, 2020, from 1 - 4 PM, Lyman Estate Greenhouses, 185 Lyman St., Waltham, Mass
