Our 6th Annual Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale is coming up on October 8 and 9 at the East Hills Mall. This is by far the biggest event we do each year and member support is crucial to its success. Our previous Shows have all been very successful – we’ve had plenty of plants in the show and plenty of plants to sell. The responses from the people that came to see the show were always complimentary. Now is the time to put our efforts into high gear.

The most important element to our show is the plants themselves. Our show has always been different from most others in that its emphasis has been on education and not competition. We need a large variety of plants to show the public the great diversity that exists among the succulents. Many people are unaware of just how many weird and wonderful plants there are. In considering which plants you might want to bring to the show, remember that your most ‘ordinary’ plant may be extraordinary to those viewing the show. No plant is too small to bring, it just needs to look nice. That is what this month’s meeting can show you how to do (it’s really easy).

Another key element is to have members available to talk to the public about the plants and about our club. This requires a lot of hours, but there are plenty of members to share the workload (check out the sign-up sheet at the next meeting).

There is also the need for helpers in the initial set up (I think this happens the night before) , after hours security, and take down. Here are some days and times that you need to be aware of:

PLANT SET UP: Saturday 7 am to 10 am
SHOW HOURS: Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
TAKE DOWN: Sunday 4 pm to 6 pm.

Maynard adds this:

SHOW and SALE “things to do”

- Please bring plants. It does not matter whether they are “staged” with special pots, top dressing and rocks. We want diversity. The only thing to watch for is mealy bugs or scale insects. We can’t accept any “buggy” plants.

- If you don’t have entry cards, don’t worry. You can fill one out on Saturday morning.

- BRING PLANTS. Bring them Saturday morning between 7 and 9 am so we can set up the show. It is really difficult to add plants after the show is set up.

- BRING “allied interests” such as photographs, ceramic succulents, etc. – any arts and crafts display dealing with cacti and other succulents.

- Pick up your plants between 3 and 4 on Sunday afternoon.

- The Show and Sale is officially open from 10am – 6pm on Saturday and 11am – 4pm on Sunday (October 8-9). Even if you have not signed up, please “hang around” and talk to visitors. No special expertise is required. It is lots of fun to share our enthusiasm with the public.

- Be sure to wear your BCSS t-shirt.

If you have questions and/or would like to help out,
come to the next meeting or contact Maynard at:
CooleyMoe@aol.com