Sunday, April 28, 2013

San Antonio Cactus & Xerophyte Society State Show & Sale

It's Fiesta San Antonio week so lets celebrate by heading to the San Antonio Cactus & Xerophyte Society State Show & Sale in the San Antonio Garden Center which shares a parking lot with the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.  This is an official Fiesta event and probably the only one I'll attend this year.

Both a show and sale are available so we'll visit the show section exhibits and displays around the sides of the room first.




Fascinating plants on display along with detailed information.

I enjoyed this display since it featured Texas native cacti.


Photos of the cacti collection in their yard.
 

Native Horse Crippler cactus up close

 

Lots of "Do Not Touch" signs.

 
 
No problem with the cacti but I could see how it might be tempting with some of the other plants like these Astrophytum in this display


 




The Hairy Cacti


Haworthias



Pachypodium


  
Cactus stamps from around the world showing the places cacti are found.



I spent some time looking over this exhibit of Terrestrial Bromeliads.  I have one of these which was unmarked when I received it so I needed more knowledge of the category.  Is it a bromeliad or a dyckia? Now I understand the term Terrestrial Bromeliad includes dyckia.


Some of the plants exhibited were in bloom


On to the vendors which were in both the main exhibit hall and an adjacent room.
 

 This table in the main exhibit hall had dish gardens complete with little ceramic snakes


The second room was vendors only and was quite busy for a Thursday morning.
 

Tables filled with plants


Watch your step too



Yes it does get this cold--not often, but it's nice to know there are plants that will survive when it does.



A rare quiet moment at this table


I've wanted to visit East Austin Succulents since reading about them on Digging.  The next best thing is to have them visit San Antonio.  They carry the cold hardy Argentinian Saguaro I saw in Jeff Pavlat's garden at their Austin store so I'll try to stop in there next time I'm in Austin.


More nicely arranged succulent displays from East Austin Succulents

 
When I leaned in to take a photo of plants on the floor I was smitten by this little variegated agave and it ended up going home with me along with a hardy iceplant also from East Austin Succulents.   The agave is 'Shira ito no Ohi' which means Queen of White Thread-leaf and it is cold hardy.


The show is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 25 - 27 from 10 am to 5 pm so there's still plenty of time to see the show and sale at San Antonio Garden Center 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave.  I'm already planning to go back next year.

18 comments:

  1. A fun looking show & sale! You displayed quite a bit of restraint in buying only two of the many gorgeous plants you photographed!

    Xerophyte not to be confused with zerophyle - someone who collects zeros or xerophyle, someone who is fond of xerox copies.

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    1. Yes, well I made note of some other things I'd like for later and completely forgot to look for a native lace cactus which has been on my list forever. There's always next time and they are open today and tomorrow as well....

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  2. Wow what a feast for the eyes. Cacti are so unusual and beautiful. Thanks for sharing all these photos. I really enjoyed seeing them.

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    1. The shapes and textures are special, glad you enjoyed.

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  3. I always get fired up after shows like these. I buy a lot of plants with pretty pots and eventually kill them:) So I now I go and just enjoy the ideas:)

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    1. I have yet to kill an agave and I think iceplant is safe enough. The expensive specimens were left to those who are devoted to their special care.

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  4. What a fun exhibit! I was impressed that they even had an exhibit about stamps. A little for everyone. So many interesting plants. I never knew there was a horse crippler cactus, but the name is very descriptive!

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    1. The schools are out on Fiesta Friday so I'm sure there were some families there the next day. The horse crippler resembles its name quite well.

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  5. Wow - the multi-headed Horse Crippler is new to me (I only see them single). I'm guessing some potted Astrophytum and other spiky / fuzzy goodies in your future.

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    1. I thought that was especially interesting as I had not seen that either. Those specialty specimens will be better off with someone who knows what they are doing.

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  6. What a banquet for lovers of the odd and unusual (aren't we all). I went to my first succulent & cacti show last year, but it is dwarfed by yours. Of course you have a more conducive climate.

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    1. A banquet is right, all those tables are a feast for the eyes. I see a couple of things in photos I need a better look at next time.

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  7. I could get in a lot of trouble here...

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    1. You could say it's dangerous, but you didn't, so I won't either.

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  8. Now, that would have been a fun show to see. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It is fun and is held the same week during Fiesta each year. Next year head on down to Fiesta and check out our botanical gardens too.

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  9. I'm not much of a cactus person. They're too stabby for me. But I'm glad that there are cactus appreciators out there. They're a cool plant, especially from a distance!

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  10. Looks like fun event, Shirly. I have some succulents but no cactus. I've never seen the interesting shaped one in the fourth photo.Your blog always inspires me:)

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