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Monadenium shubei I was having a glance through the images I had snapped at the 2008 National Show and especially the more unusual members of the other succulents. Lots to learn there – and some curious plants. Mostly a zoom in enabled me to read the labels. As I updated the file name it seemed a good idea to check the spelling. Being too lazy to walk to the IHSP, I Googled an approximation. In the case of the title I entered ‘shuberti’, (it seemed a likely contender, the ‘rti’ being behind the plant), but Google asked if I meant shubei, which was correct. High on the hit list for the species was an entry in the Global Compendium of Weeds [GCW] a website featuring plants which have the nature of a weed. i.e. ‘a plant in the wrong place’. I thought this particular Monadenium shubei was particularly suited to its place in Class 108 (One Monadenium less than 140mm) and so did the Judges. It won a first place. Laziness overcome I checked Monadenium shubei in the IHSP. It is apparently widespread in Tanzania. The rather old fashioned Jacobson in his Handbook of Succulent Plants says it comes from Tankaneka and suggests it would need some warmth. http://www.euphorbia.de/, my usual source for info on the Euphorbia Family agrees and suggests a minimum of 10°C. So not for me then! Trev |
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Cactus Display at Kempston Doug & Vivi Rowland
40th Anniversary Event at the Addison Centre, Kempston
The Northampton and MK Branch display was to celebrate 32 years of cactus and succulent plants at the Kempston Flower Show. Over the years we have had very well known locals from our Zone 6 to judge the exhibits here. Names such as Charlie Feetham, Jimmy Machen, Owen Skinner and Peter Coe come to mind.
The centrepiece of the exhibit was a very ancient Ferocactus cylindraceus purported to be a hundred years old. Other flowering plants on display were 30 Conophytums, a box of Sedum hintonii, a white flowered Euphorbia milii, a Glottiphyllum with large yellow flowers and three pans of Zygocactus resplendent at the front with red blooms. (Christmas cactus in August!)
The display caused considerable interest during the day. The Kempston Flower Show is held on August Bank Holiday Monday and there are classes for flowers, flower arranging, vegetables, art, handicraft, cookery, photography and children’s classes. There are 20 desert plant classes, open to all, with prize money. Our exhibits have a prominent position in the centre of the hall and create much interest on show days.
Doug and Vivi
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Left: The branch display at the Addison Centre’s 40th
Anniversary in Kempston.
Ed: The Kempston Show is certainly good fun. The show is like the Timken and Town Shows we used to enjoy in Northampton. I entered most of what Doug and Vivi call the ‘desert classes’ last year and won a few cards, (and some cash!) The date is on our programme card if you want to visit or enter the show. More details will follow in the bulletin. |
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Sedum telephium
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As I wander around, anywhere, I like to look at the plants. All the plants. We were wading through knee deep grass on an overgrown footpath near Dovedale, Derbyshire. It had been raining and we were getting wet. Never mind. I saw an interesting plant. (I mean an interesting succulent plant, there were loads of interesting other plants.) It was like Sedum ‘Autumn Glory’ and perhaps was that plant, escaped into the wild. Luckily we know an expert and Ray Stephenson was able to reply that this was a new location for the ‘orpine’, Sedum telephium ssp. fabaria. Keen Sedum freaks might like to call it Hylotelephium telephium ssp. telephium and the IHSP has a whole column of synonyms which includes fabaria. You probably know that telephium refers to its ancient Greek name. Whatever, I think it is the most spectacular of all the native British succulents. Interesting, but no wonder we all head off to America and Africa! Trev |
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