2008 Conference

EXCITING MID-STATES CONFERENCE DRAWS A RECORD CROWD
By: Bobbie Irwin

 Cacti and succulents from the Colorado Plateau and beyond were the hot topics as registrants from 15 states and the United Kingdom converged on Grand Junction in mid-June. The 12^th Biennial Mid-States Cactus & Succulent Conference, June 12-15, drew over 100 participants from California to New Jersey (and England!) and many points in between. Many are veterans of past Mid-States conferences, while for others, this was a first experience attending a cactus conference.

 The conference hosts, members of the Chinle Chapter of the Colorado Cactus & Succulent Society, provided a warm welcome with an icebreaker social Thursday evening, during which registrants had the first opportunity to visit the vending area. Five invited plant vendors from Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico brought thousands of exotic plant temptations, including a good selection of winter-hardy species. Local vendors also sold pots and watercolor prints. The sales area opened to the general public Friday and Saturday, introducing many local residents to these wonderful plants and recruiting some new members for the Chinle Chapter. This was the first time a conference or sale of this type had been held in western Colorado.

 Friday and Saturday, participants were enlightened and entertained by six renowned speakers, who presented a virtual world tour of the succulent world through their photographic presentations. Speakers included Don Campbell, Jan Emming, Panayoti Kelaidis, Woody Minnich, Rob Wallace, and Jim Weedin. Moderator Dave Spenny, from the new Walking Stick Chapter of CCSS, did a fine job of introducing the speakers and keeping the programs on schedule.

 A bonus session Friday evening assembled a stellar group of experienced show judges—Bob Barth, Don Campbell, Joyce Hochtritt, Woody Minnich, and Chuck and Connie Staples--for a hands-on judging seminar (unrehearsed). This gave the audience an opportunity to understand what plant and presentation features are considered during the judging process. The seminar was designed to encourage greater and more knowledgeable participation in plant shows as well as to discuss how to recruit new judges and standardize the process to a greater degree.

 Saturday evening, participants enjoyed a banquet of succulent prime rib and other culinary delights and Bobbie Irwin’s light-hearted look at our sticky obsessions. Rob Wallace proved to be an excellent and entertaining auctioneer, as the audience had one last opportunity to dispose of a little more cash and take home some exceptional plants and other succulent-related items. Plant nurseries and other businesses from throughout the region and beyond were especially generous with their donations, and the bidding was enthusiastic.

 Unlike many Mid-States venues, western Colorado has quite a number of native cacti and succulents, including some rare endemic species and varieties, and many additional hardy plants thrive in the high desert climate. Numerous participants took advantage of field trip opportunities on Sunday, June 15. Don Campbell led an all-day excursion for the hardier participants, including a hike in the Colorado National Monument, followed by stops in a canyon south of Grand Junction to see Sclerocactus glaucus, Pediocactus simpsonii, and a variety of other species in habitat. A shorter field trip option provided a brief habitat walk on the edge of the Monument to see Sclerocactus parviflorus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus, and various Opuntias. This morning trip, guided by Chinle members John Moore, Kathleen McGinley, and Curtis Swift, also included stops at the two noteworthy public gardens maintained by the Chinle Chapter. Lunch and transportation were included for all on these two field trips; other conference registrants took advantage of the opportunity for self-guided excursions in the Grand Junction area, including, perhaps, tours of local wineries!

Click the link at left for Photos and other details from the 2008 conference.