EVENTS
SUCCULENTICON
This year the biennial national conference will be held in Victoria March 30 - April 2. The venue is the Monte Villa Motor Inn and Reception Centre, Hoppers Crossing and there will be international and Australian speakers. Three exceptional speakers have been booked - Kelly Griffin, Woody Minnich and Rudolf Schulz. Rudolf will speak on Chile 10-17years apart outlining the changes he has seen on his visits ... he is also speaking on succulents of Chile. Woody is talking on Namibia a dry place in a wet time and the American South West (both recent trips he has made). Kelly is expected to speak on hybrid aloes. Heinz Staude is talking on Sanseveria bella which has magnificent flowers. Additional speakers are being finalised. Succulenticon is jointly hosted by the Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society and the Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia. On the Sunday of the conference there will be a huge Autumn Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale ... it will be exceptional! For show and sale details contact Bill Morrison or Attila Kapitany.
To download the full information flyer, click here
Contact details:
BCSS Bill Morrison cactusepi@yahoo.com.au
CSSA Attila Kapitany gecko@connexus.net.au
MONTHLY MEETINGS
The Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society has meetings on the second Friday of each month, starting at 7:30pm.
Location: Robert Clark Horticultural Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Lake Wendouree (Access and parking in Gillies St North). All Welcome.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
DATE |
SUBJECT |
SPEAKER |
10 February 2012 |
Soil health and its effects on plants |
Ian Munroe (Munash) |
16 March |
Later date because of clash with Begonia Festival |
|
13 April |
||
11 May |
||
8 June |
AGM & Plant Sales Night |
- |
13 July |
- |
|
10 August |
||
14 September |
|
|
12 October |
||
9 November |
||
14 December |
Xmas Party (remember $5 gift) |
Santa Claus |
DISPLAYS
The Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society has a regular display at the Ballarat Begonia Festival and also holds the "Winter Warmth" Display every year in the Conservatory near the Robert Clark Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
BEGONIA FESTIVAL
Our Society displays cacti and other succulent plants during the Labor Day Long Weekend in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
The BCSS marquee will be set up near the Conservatory. Our members will give lots of advice to a growing Begonia Festival crowd. BCSS members have a large range of plants on display and for sale.
During the lead up to the 2012 festival why not visit the Ballarat Begonia Festival website for the latest festival information, including free tours, talks and entertainment.
WINTER WARMTH DISPLAYS 
The Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society held a well-supported September display last year featuring Cacti, Succulents and Bromeliads. Sales were solid for this annual fundraiser.
The display is free to the public, and an opportunity to chat with members and ask them questions on many topics such as how to take care of these plants, where to obtain them and which plants are suitable to the Ballarat area and climate.
EXCURSIONS
Bus excursions to succulent gardens and collections are part of the Society's activities. For details, please contact our Secretary, Bill Morrison, on 5345 2995.
BUS EXCURSIONS
One of the best excursions in recent times was to Melbourne, visiting the Botanical Gardens and its newly-restored 'volcano' planted with cacti and succulents. Plus there are a lot of trips to members' cactus and succulent collections. Costs are usually subsidised.
CONFERENCES AND GATHERINGS
WESTERN REGION GARDEN CLUBS CONFERENCE 
Last year's conference was held at Naracoorte, South Australia. Guest speaker was Sophie Thompson from Gardening Australia. There were talks and a forum, as well as roundups from participating garden clubs. Plant sales and displays were a feature. This year's conference will be held in Casterton.
CACTUS AND SUCCULENT GET-TOGETHER
The biennial national get-together in Canberra (Sept-Oct) was a great success with illustrated talks, garden visits, plant sales and dinners. Be sure not to miss the next one!
THE 32nd IOS CONGRESS
This year's Congress of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study will be held in Havana, Cuba, 3-6 July. It aims to provide an international forum for academics, researchers and amateurs to exchange ideas in the field of biology and conservation of succulents. Click here to view the flyer
BUS TRIP TO SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES
Attila Kapitany reports that expressions of interest have fallen short for a guided bus tour of the southwest of the United States. So Attila's cancelled the trip but says he's still keen to organise another one in a year or two. If you are still curious phone Attila 0419 990 934 or email gecko@connexus.net.au
© Ballarat Cactus & Succulent Society
ballarat cactus & succulent society/events