Little Waltham Gardening Club
Dear Members (and other gardeners)
Little Waltham Gardening Club is looking forward to welcoming everyone who has an interest in growing plants to its new programme of events for 2024.
Best wishes Margaret Williams (Hon. Sec and Chair)**
May Meeting – A PRESENTATION ’BACK TO BASICS – CACTI AND SUCCULENTS’ by Dr. Richard Rolfe, Chairman of Chelmsford Branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society.
Richard is obviously a passionate grower of these species and brought along a number that he had either grown from seed or propagated. His slides of colourful cactus and succulent flowers demonstrated to us what can be achieved with the correct cultivation.
Cacti and succulents (with the exception of the ‘Christmas Cactus’, Schlumbergera ), require plenty of sunlight all year and a good airflow around the plants.
They also require excellent drainage, allowing the plant to dry out between watering. They do not need to be permanently moist.
Cacti and succulents need a winter rest in a cool dry space (about 5 degrees) Cease watering from mid September to mid March. They survive better if they are bone dry in the winter.
Richard now uses perlite as his growing medium, thus preventing the introduction of unwanted
fungi spores, seeds and insects. Perlite should be dampened before use to prevent inhalation of dust. Handle the prickly plants using gloves and a tea towel. When repotting or potting on , do not water for a week and then apply a light watering or diluted feed, ‘Citrus Focus’ ( NOT Cactus Focus) is recommended.
Richard ended his talk by listing the multitude of pests that can beset both cacti and succulents together with methods of control.
The evening ended on a topical note by Ollie Scorah giving members some tips on how to manage the many and varied jobs that beset us gardeners in May.
Club members are looking forward to monthly afternoon outings until Wednesday 4th September when Maike Windhorst will be giving a presentation on ‘ Growing for the Flower Arranger All the Year Round’
New members and visitors very welcome.
**General Club Information**
The Club was formed in 1983 with the object of providing members with the opportunity to meet and discuss items of gardening interest. (Club History)
Members enjoy free entry to all 8 evening meetings. In April we hold our Spring Show and garden visits are arranged for the summer months.
Members also enjoy the opportunity to purchase seeds and horticultural sundries from a well known seed catalogue up to 50% discount.
We are a friendly bunch of amateurs who are always learning about gardening in all its forms. Whether you have a window box or a vast area of land, please come and join us and share our passion.
Meetings held on 1st Wednesday of the Month at 7.30pm (Doors open 7pm)
Venue – Little Waltham Memorial Hall CM3 3LN (Opposite LW Doctors’ Surgery) Car Park at rear of Hall
Contact Margaret Williams 01245 360042 info@littlewalthamgardeningclub.co.uk
Annual subscriptions from March 2024 £10.00
Visitors £3 per visit