Henry Shaw
Cactus Society
A CSSA Chapter
St. Louis, Missouri
www.hscactus.org
info@hscactus.org

[ CONTACTS ]

Monthly Meetings

The Henry Shaw Cactus Society generally holds meetings the second Sunday of the month throughout the year at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. A club picnic is scheduled for summer, while the December meeting is a holiday party. Visitors are welcome to attend these informal but informative affairs. (See schedule below.)

Next Meeting: May 4

Program: Star Cactus -- Bedroom of the Bees and Cupboard of the Conies

Our May program will be led by a member of the Missouri Botanical Garden staff: conservationist, cactophile and former Texan Anna Strong, project coordinator for the Center of Plant Conservation. Strong will focus on Astrophytum asterias, one of the most difficult to cultivate members of the Astrophytum genus. Commonly known as the star cactus, it is seen commonly as a seedling but less frequently as a specimen-size adult plant. A. asterias is sensitive to overwatering and can turn to mush seemingly overnight.

The program will not be on the culture of star cacti, but rather on their bleak outlook in habitat. Ranching and agriculture have significantly reduced populations of A. asterias, and it now an endangered species in its native northeastern Mexico and one county in southern Texas.

Strong will explain her efforts with the Center for Plant Conservation to help the world better understand the biology of star cacti and thus help create a plan for their conservation. She has studied the basic biology of the plants and their associations with animals, especially potential pollinators and herbivores that share the same habitat.

It is encouraging to see the topic of conservation routinely entering the world of our hobby. Many plants in our collections are the progeny of generations of commercially grown plants. Yet many of these species barely eke out an existence in their natural habitats. The Cactus and Succulent Society of America has recently created a conservation committee to further study this important aspect of our hobby.

Usual Meeting Location

Missouri Botanical Garden
Ridgway Center
4344 Shaw, just south of I-44
St. Louis, Missouri
[ Click for map ]

1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. -- Social hour
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. -- Program
3:00 p.m. -- Business meeting

Upcoming Events -- 2008

January 13 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
February 10 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
February 24 -- Workshop: Transplanting (Pacific, Mo.)
March 9 -- Monthly Meeting (Garden Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
March 30 -- HSCS Show Meeting (Giessow Residence)
April 13 -- Monthly Meeting (Kemper Center Classroom, MBG)
May 4 -- Monthly Meeting (Beaumont Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
May 31-June 1 -- Out of Africa Road Trip (Columbus, Ohio)
June 8 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
June 12-15 -- Mid-States Conference (Grand Junction, Colorado)
July 13 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
August 3 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
August 7-17 -- HSCS Show and Sale (Ridgway Center, MBG)
September 14 -- HSCS Picnic
October 19 -- Monthly Meeting (Missouri Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
November 9 -- Monthly Meeting (Botanical Room, Ridgway Center, MBG)
December 14 -- HSCS Holiday Party

At typical meetings, guest speakers present varied programs of interest to succulent hobbyists. Hands-on workshops on pruning, potting and dividing are held thoughout the year. Members are encouraged to bring in plants to show off and share their cultivation secrets. Books from the club's library can be requested for pick up at meetings, too.

HSCS Show and Sale

BIGGEST CACTUS & SUCCULENT SHOW IN THE MIDWEST!
*** 2008 HSCS SHOW -- AUGUST 9-17
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

[ 2008 SHOW & SALE PAGES ]

Henry Shaw Cactus Society's main event is its Annual Show and Sale, held each summer at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. This weeklong fund-raising event attracts member exhibitors who bring their best specimens to display and vie for awards. Judges will give out trophies and ribbons for the best entries in over 150 categories. Vendors will supply thousands of starter and specimen plants for sale, too. Click above for information on new FREE Workshops and other event details.

CSSA 2003 Convention

In June of 2003, the Henry Shaw Cactus Society hosted a very successful 30th Biennial Cactus and Succulent Society of America Convention. It offered six days of informative programs, cactus sales, tours -- and fun. Click for a full report and photos.