The largest succulent show and sale in Northern California takes place this weekend in San Francisco.
This year’s theme is beyond the desert, inviting garden lovers to think outside the box when it comes to succulents and cacti. Many of them prefer semi-arid and seasonally dry climates, and some even thrive in wetter areas in the tropics and other unexpected places.
There will be a juried succulent and cactus show, more than 40 plant vendors selling unusual species of succulents and cacti not found at stores, handmade pottery designed for succulents and experts available to give growing advice and habitat and conservation information.
Organizers say that Saturday morning is always the most crowded and has the longest lines, while Saturday afternoon and Sunday are the least crowded times.
To make the experience smoother, the San Francisco Succulent and Cactus Society suggests bringing your own boxes to carry home any plants you purchase and take advantage of the Plant Hotel, where you can safely leave your purchased plants during your stay.
Succulents in a pot. (Photo by Martha Proctor)
Live presentations include the following, although subjects and exact times may change.
• Listen in as the show judges discuss this year’s winners and their personal favorites during “Show Judges Table Talk” at 11 a.m. Saturday.
• A short presentation on this year’s theme by Jon Schwark, San Francisco Succulent and Cactus Society’s president, is at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Discover unexpected succulents when globetrotting author, lecturer, explorer and nursery founder Sean Hogan presents “On the Lush Side” at 1 p.m. Saturday.
• Learn how to multiply your favorite succulents by growing them from seed during Ernesto Sandoval’s “Propagation of Succulents from Seed: Tricks and Techniques” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. He will bring aloe and agave seeds and at least one South African bulb. Participants will leave with some potted succulent seeds to grow at home.
• Jorge Quiñónez, program director of the Monterey Bay Area Cactus and Succulent Society, discusses the main groups of epiphytic cacti (cacti that can grow on trees or branches rather than soil or sand) and demonstrates practical cultivation techniques at 11 a.m. Sunday.
• Hogan returns at 1 p.m. Sunday to discuss “Lewisias and Friends.” The colorful Lewisia, or bitterroot, is native to the rocky slopes of Western North America, is deer-resistant and grows well in a mostly sunny site with quick-draining soil. It also does well in rock gardens or containers.
The show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the San Francisco County Fair Building at 1199 Ninth Ave. in San Francisco. Admission is free. More information at sfsucculent.org.
Show off
If you have a beautiful or interesting Marin garden or a newly designed Marin home, I’d love to know about it.
Please send an email describing either one (or both), what you love most about it and a photograph or two. I will post the best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published, and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.