Northants News 16.3 Autumn / Winter 2005

The cactus explorers' weekend    Jack B and Trev

Jack: In his opening remarks, Graham Charles who organised the event, stated the aim for the weekend was ‘ for those who had been in the hobby for a long time to expand their horizons.’

Trev: Background rumour had it that the Chileans (a serious splinter group dedicated to studying South American cacti in habitat and cultivation) had not met centrally for a few years and Graham was giving them an excuse to get together again. This was not a weekend for the average BCSS member and beginners would be lost from the beginning – the first lecture was ‘Botanical nomenclature’!

Jack: To achieve this aim a programme of 22 talks (eleven half hour and eleven of an hour. Pow!) had been arranged. The subjects ranged from ‘Nomenclature’, to the ‘History of Cactus Exploration’. There were studies of Sulcorebutia, Mams, Ariocarpus (twice), Echinopsis, Pyrrhocactus, Espostoa, Rhipsalis, Eulychnia, and the Opuntias of Brazil, (well someone loves them). Also talks on habitats in most of the South American countries from a range of expert speakers. Amazingly the programme ran roughly to time.

Roger Ferryman tells us of his favourites - but why did the audience laugh?

Trev: Sue could not believe that the talks lasted from 0900 in the morning until 1015 at night. Not only that but I loved it. The Chilean roots of the weekend guaranteed a lot of South American habitat talks on the sort of plants that we like to grow. However Nigel Taylor brought us a masterclass on Rhipsalis – the South American plants we probably don’t like to grow. Yes; well they are tender, very prolific when kept warm and have relatively small flowers, but… These are curious cacti and a half – the only cacti that have escaped from the Americas, very different from our beloved desert types and I will write an intro to them for NN one of these days. Or ask Nigel!

Jack: In addition the creature comforts were not ignored, the talks were held in Stamford Hall, an elegant house and garden which we had for our exclusive use. The seats for the talks were comfortable, an excellent buffet lunch was served and there was an extensive range of plants on offer from the ‘delegates’.

Trev: Extensive range meant South American cacti (a great many with habitat information). However I noticed that Jack did find some interesting Agaves, though I suspect these might have been under-the-counter items.

Jack: Comfortable accommodation was provided at Highgrove House and the full English breakfast and the four course dinner with wine, served in the refectory, were first class. (Trev: Hear, hear, and it was Chilean wine naturally). The day finished in the bar which opened as the talks finished – it was an excellent way of spending a weekend.

Trev: Yes, it was an excellent way of spending a weekend, but by Saturday night I was finished as the bar opened and went to bed!

Jack and Trev: We think we will be back next year for more of the same! Thanks Graham!

Jack and Trev

Iron rations for the explorers

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