Essex

SucculentReview
Volume 52 Number 4 December 2015

In this issue
My Agave collection
by James Gold

A constellation of
Astrophytums
by Stirling Baker

My Chilean diary
by Angie Money
A. potatorum ‘Kissho Kan’
Editorial
Welcome to the Essex Succulent
The
Review.
I now have a new website for the
Continental
Essex Succulent Review at
www.essexsucculentreview.org.uk
where all back issues will be
Cactus Crawl
archived. In addition the current
issue will still be available on the The Reunion Tour
Zone 15 website. Please note this
issue is a little longer than usual
17–20 March 2016
and, due also to the number of by James Gold
pictures, I will have to downsize it
for emailing. If you prefer a higher
resolution file this can be Welcome aboard the One of the favourite must-see
downloaded from the website. SS Rotterdam. Yes, you read nurseries is Exotica run by Ernst
correctly. For 2016 we are and Marita Speck. It is a succulent
If you do not already do so, and exploring the nurseries of Holland lover’s paradise. If it exists then
would like to receive the Essex and Germany from the comfort of they have it, along with lots that
Succulent Review as a pdf as soon the SS Rotterdam, a former cruise you did not know existed. All
as it is ready, please send me an ship, permanently moored in perfectly priced, labelled and
email to the address below and I Rotterdam harbour. It features two organised. For many cactus
will add you to the notification list. restaurants with open kitchens and collectors, Piltz is the favourite. It is
This is completely free and you authentic ships’ cabins. The air- hard to know what to do first, look
can unsubscribe at any time simply conditioned rooms have been at the sales plants, his private
by telling me you wish to do so. decorated in 50s-style and benefit collection or have some chocolate
And finally, a rather belated from tea and coffee making biscuits and coffee. Or maybe it is
welcome back to the UK to the facilities, free wi-fi, minibar and the large Dutch nurseries, that are
Essex Succulent Review’s founder, flat-screen TV. so huge, the employees move
Len Newton who has now returned around by bike. Or maybe it is the
The Club Room restaurant features
to his ‘type locality’ in east generous and eclectic Cok
elegant décor and gastronomic
London. I am very pleased to be Grootsholten with his large and
cuisine while the modern Lido
able to include a short article by magnificent private collection from
Restaurant has a spacious terrace
Len on page 7 of this issue. which he is prone to give you a
and offers a range of light meals,
cutting or two.
Sheila Cude some of which showcase local
ingredients. Cocktails are served in Why not make up your own mind?
the Ocean Bar. A free shuttle takes At the time of writing there are a

SucculentReview
Essex visitors to the Rijnhaven metro few places left on the coach. Prices
stop, from where the centre of per person are £422 single and
Rotterdam is easy to reach. £307 double.
The Essex Succulent Review is
published quarterly in March, While this is all very tempting, If you are interested please contact
June, September and December. during the day at least, the James Gold
highlight will be visiting favourite Email: [email protected]
It is available on-line free of nurseries and exploring new ones. Phone: 07765 131883
charge. Just send an email to
[email protected]
to receive notification of each Zone 15 Mini-Convention
issue when it is available. Sunday 13 March 2015 – 1.00pm
Past issues are archived at Paul Hoxey – Chile from the coast to the high Andes
www.essexsucculentreview.org.uk Len Newton – East African discoveries, past present and possibly future
Editor Sheila Cude
Plant sales – Plantlife Book sales – Keith Larkin
Address 25 Macleod Road Venue: Capel Manor College, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, EN1 4RQ
London N21 1SW
Tickets £14, to include a buffet lunch and afternoon tea from
Phone 020 8340 1928 Eddy Harris, 49 Chestnut Glen, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 4HL
Email Phone 01708 447778 email [email protected]
[email protected] Plus free admission to Capel Manor’s extensive grounds from 10.00am

2
 Fig.1 A. ellemeetiana

My Agave collection
by James Gold

The family and I are driving clockwise around the and the latter flowered and, being monocarpic, died
perimeter of Gran Canaria in a hire car. It is very hot, some time later.
so we pull in to buy some water. I stretch my legs and
The great attraction
find that next door, under some makeshift shading, a
lady is selling some bizarre looking plants. I buy a My attraction to agaves, as to most things in life, was
couple and jump back into the car. purely aesthetic.
I later began to
To protect the plants I wrap them up and push them value their drought
into a two-litre soft drinks bottle. To ensure their safety, tolerance, as I was
I decide to put the bottle in my ‘man-bag’ while going often away from
through customs. I am stopped and my bag is home while
searched. A stern-looking guard barks to his travelling. At that
colleagues to come across. I hear someone say point I did not
“Dope?”. I am now separated from my family and have a
surrounded by customs officials. They tip out the greenhouse and
contents of my bag and look at the plants. They look the few plants that
up at each other, it becomes very silent and then they I had were on the
burst out laughing with someone shouting, kitchen windowsill.
“Succulenta”. The A. americana
The beginning … started to grow at
an alarming rate
So began my collection of succulent plants and agaves
and was turning
in particular.
out to be a
The offending plants were Agave americana and monster of a plant
A. victoriae-reginae. I do not have these particular and had to be put
plants now as the former was lost in a very cold winter outside. I then Fig. 2 A. attenuata

Fig. 3 A. nizandensis Fig. 4 A. bracteosa ‘Monterrey Frost’

3
My Agave collection continued

Fig. 5 A. victoriae-reginae f. nickelsiae Fig. 6 A. victoriae-reginae f. viridis

began to find out how cold hardy it was, so long as it As my collection grew (in number as well as size) I
was dry. I liked its exoticness and the fact that it began to appreciate that, while they are always readily
seemed to be indestructible. It had got to a point recognisable as agaves, actually there is quite a bit of
where I could only move it with a sack trolley, so I left it variation across the species, particularly when I strayed
outside all year, only wrapping it up to keep it dry off the species road and started buying hybrids,
during the winter months. cultivars and variegated plants.
I started buying other agaves and most of them grew The knowledge
large, quickly, as well. While I could move them, I
My desire to find out more about these plants was
experimented with storing them in the garage
initially met by the ‘bible’ for Agave enthusiasts (and
overwinter. To my delight they sat there in the dry, cold
arguably still is), Howard Scott Gentry’s monolith,
and dark garage all winter and then burst into life when
‘Agaves of Continental North America’. Not willing to
put outside in late spring.
mortgage forward my future children, I bought a
It was the perfect plant, aesthetically very appealing second printing edition from 1998. It is an impressive
and it had all the characteristics to suit my life style. lifetime’s work and quite indispensable. Full of a

Fig. 7 A. victoriae-reginae with broad, flatter leaves Fig. 8 A. victoriae-reginae ‘Himesa Moyuki’

Fig. 9 A. victoriae-reginae ‘Kazu Ban’ Fig. 10 A. victoriae-reginae ‘Royal Spine’

4
My Agave collection continued

Fig. 11 A. nigra Fig. 12 A. macroacantha

tremendous amount of detail and filled with lots of Queen + king + relatives
sketches and black and white photographs. Another I must include A. victoriae-reginae. It was one of my
equally indispensable book is John Pilbeam’s ‘A ‘founding’ plants and is much prized by growers who
Gallery of Agaves’ (including variegates). This is an enter plants in competitions. There are quite a wide
alphabetically arranged visual delight, in colour. variety of forms and cultivars as you can see from the
Together, they are all you need, until you become photographs. In addition to the typical form, there is
obsessed and buy everything that you can. A. victoriae-reginae f. nickelsiae (Fig. 5) with its much
bolder white markings and fewer, stubbier leaves and
I have picked out some of my favourite plants along
f. viridis, (Fig. 6) (possibly a natural hybrid between
with a variety of others to illustrate the irresistible allure
A. victoriae-reginae f. fernandi regis x lechuguilla).
of the Agave.
I have another plant with a fewer number of broad flat
Soft leaves with faint white markings (Fig. 7) and attractive
While most agaves are quite ferocious and spiny there cultivars include ‘Himesa Moyuki’ (Fig. 8), ‘Kazu Ban’
are some exceptions. The very tropical looking (Fig. 9) and the hybrid ‘Royal Spine’ (Fig. 10).
A. ellemeetiana (Fig. 1) has short, wide, fleshy Black and spiny
green leaves. A. attenuata (Fig. 2) is one of
Black spines are an attractive quality and
the few agaves with a very prominent
in this category I value plants such as
trunk and soft leaves while
A. nigra (Fig. 11), A. macroacantha
A. nizandensis (Fig. 3) is most
(Fig. 12) along with the
perplexing by having soft, thin
aforementioned ‘Royal Spine’
leaves and is quite small.
(Fig. 10).
Very similar is A. bracteosa,
particularly in the variegated Fig. 14 (left) A. titanota (blue form)
version ‘Monterrey Frost’ There is also an attractive green
(Fig. 4). form (not illustrated)

Fig. 13 A. utahensis var. eborispina Fig. 15 A. xylonacantha

5
My Agave collection continued

Fig. 16 A. isthmensis ‘Ohi Raijin Shiro Nakufa Fig. 17 A. filifera ‘Shira Ito No Ohi’

Fig. 18 A. meridensis ‘Joe Hoak’ Fig. 19 A. attenuata var. marginata alba

Fig. 20 A. parryi ‘Merico Nishiki’ Fig. 21 A. marginata

Long and unusual dimension to these already interesting plants. These

Long and unusual spines are also of interest and the include A. isthmensis ‘Ohi Raijin Shiro Nakufa
top three in this category are A. utahensis var. (Fig. 16), A. filifera ‘Shira Ito No Ohi’ (Fig. 17),
eborispina (Fig. 13), A. titanota (Fig. 14) and A. meridensis ‘Joe Hoak’ (Fig. 18),
A. zylonacantha (Fig. 15). A. attenuata var. marginata alba (Fig. 19),
A. parryi ‘Merico Nishiki‘ (Fig. 20),
The white stripes A. potatorum ‘Kissho Kan’ (see front cover) and
More recently, a large number of variegates have an extreme form of A. marginata (Fig 21), amongst
become available and have added an additional many others.
6
My Agave collection continued
Bonkers
A. pumila defies description. It grows incredibly slowly.
I can count all the leaves on one hand (Fig. 22) and
(Fig. 23) a much, much
older one. The mature and
juvenile plants look quite
different. It is, however, one
of my favourites. I do not
think it is bonkers, it just
drives me bonkers.
The kinky ones
Another time perhaps...
meanwhile I hope this has
Fig. 22 A young A.pumila aroused your interest. n Fig. 22 A pumila (mature plant) Photos: James Gold

The succulent Yucca

by Len Newton

Following Paul Spracklin’s mention of Yucca species in Endlich (died 1915), who collected plants in Brazil,
the last issue, it is worth pointing out the most Mexico and Paraguay.
succulent member of the genus. This is Yucca The genus Yucca is also of interest for its pollination
endlichiana, a native of Mexico. It was first described mechanism. Usually pollen gets onto a pollinating
from Coahuila in 1907, and it is also seen in the animal accidentally as it moves around on the flower
Chihuahuan Desert. (mostly drinking nectar), and it is accidentally
The succulent leaves arise from a very short stem, so deposited on the stigma of another flower in the same
the plant is usually described as acaulescent, or way. Yucca is one of only two genera (the other is
stemless. It has few upright and succulent leaves, up Ficus) in which there is deliberate pollination by the
to 50cm long. As the leaf matures the margin becomes pollinator. Yucca flowers are pollinated by a female
frayed, and a number of moth, which actively
stiff curly fibres result, collects some pollen
adding to its attractive and then flies to a
appearance. flower on a different
plant. There she pierces
In my (rather weedy) the flower ovary wall
Nairobi garden it grew with her ovipositor, lays
slowly. I acquired it in an egg, and then
2006 but it had not deliberately rubs pollen
flowered by the time I onto the stigma. When
left the country in 2015. the egg hatches, the
However, it is stated in larva feeds on some of
the description that the the developing seeds.
inflorescence is much By the time the fruit
shorter than the leaves, ripens the larva has
and so one must be pupated and a new
careful not to miss it! adult moth emerges
A flowering specimen is when the fruit splits
illustrated in the open to release the
‘Monocotyledons’ remaining seeds. Thus
volume of the the plant and the moth
‘Illustrated Handbook of depend on each other,
Succulent Plants’ as neither can complete
(2001). The species was its life cycle without
named for Rudolf Yucca endlichiana the other. n

7
Senecio velatus
An interesting succulent
by Philip Greswell

At least to me it is an interesting plant. Mine is an ISI plant named Senecio velatus

Particularly when it decided to flower, 2005.37. It is much more attractive than
forming a corymbose cluster, in May this that shown in Gordon Rowley’s book and,
year. It comes into leaf in the summer and, as I have just found out, a different
by Christmas, has shed all its leaves. So, I species.
was surprised to see flowers coming from
The following is quoted from ‘International
the bare shoot tips which, as you can see,
Succulent Introductions of the Huntington
are the typical yellow compositae daisy-like
Botanical Gardens’: ‘A couple of Mexican
Senecio flower.
senecios have thick succulent stems and
I obtained it at a Manchester BCSS bear thin, palmately-veined leaves in loose
meeting in June 2010, presumably as a rosettes at their apices. S. velatus is one of
small plant, and it disappeared into my these, forming a shrub or small tree 1.5 to
collection. It remained there unnoticed until 5m tall, like the related S. praecox. Both
it came to my attention, perhaps a year have showy, yellow, daisy-like flower
ago, as it began to become much bigger heads, but S. velatus is distinctive in its
and taller. dense white arachnoid tomentum on the
stem tips. HBG 91544, from seed collected
In ‘Succulent Compositae’ by Gordon
Apr 2004, by JP Simcox (JP 4671), NE of
Below left: Rowley,1994, I found what looked to be the
Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico.’
S. velatus in full same thing under the name Senecio
flower May 2015 praecox, which grows to some 4m tall in So there we are, in our hobby we are never
Below right: the wild and, apparently, was the only far away from unexpected surprises, all
succulent Senecio to come from the New adding to our knowledge and giving much
pleasure. n
S. velatus foliage,
autumn 2015 World worth including in the book. Photos: Philip Greswell

8
A constellation of
Astrophytum
Cultivars and hybrids
by Stirling Baker

Astrophytum in general come from Mexico A. myriostigma, although there are

(with some locations for A. asterias in differences in the flowers and fruits.
Below left:
south-east Texas). In my opinion there are A myriostigma
four species (excluding A. caput-medusae) They are extremely easy plants to cross-
together with A. coahuilense, which many pollinate to produce viable seed, which has Below right: a fine
people consider to be a separate species, led to some fantastic cultivars and hybrids specimen of
A myriostigma
but I think is probably the same as many of them originating in Japan.
‘Onzuka’

9
A constellation of Astrophytum continued

Above: A. asterias ‘Super Kabuto’ Above: A. asterias nudum ‘Hakuun’

Right: A. asterias ‘Sergeant Stripes’

The A. asterias in my opinion, is quite

‘Onzuka’ a difficult plant to grow, possibly
form of A. more difficult than some of the
myriostigma Ariocarpus. I think that people
was created tend to underestimate it
in Japan sometimes.
around 1974-
A. asterias can sink, and once they
1977 by Tsutomu
Below: start sinking they never seem to expand
Onzuka. It was the
A. ornatum hybrid again. I am not sure what causes it;
product of repeated back
possibly a change of regime, eg if someone
This plant was on a crossings – but seems to have been more
graft which rotted, has grown one from seed, in a compost
or less accidental in its final result.
and the rot spread that contains loam, and then it is
into the plant. I have A. asterias ‘Super Kabuto’ is another transferred into a compost that does not
rerooted it, and it cultivar arising from a natural mutation. contain loam, it may have a detrimental
now seems to be I have actually got a picture in a book of effect. I am not sure that is the reason
growing well.
A. asterias ‘Super Kabuto’ growing in though; I just do not know.
habitat. The origins
I grow my plants in a pumice-based
of those in
substrate with 10% clay in it. I understand
cultivation today
that in habitat they grow in or near
seem to be a little
mysterious but they
may arise from a
plant or plant(s)
imported to Japan
by Masaomi Takeo
in 1980 and sold to
Tony Sato who
propagated them.
However there are
plants available
today under the
name ‘Super
Kabuto’ which are
probably hybrids.
They look like a
A. ornatum ‘Fukuryu’
‘Super Kabuto’ but
The cultivar name ‘Fukuryu’ means extra ribs
are not the true
or sometimes refers to warts on the ribs’
plant. surface
10
A constellation of Astrophytum continued

An interesting hybrid A capricorne var. niveum A variety with long

A. asterias x coahuilense x ‘Super Kabuto’ straight spines which
was discovered as
limestone areas. I do not use limestone, I nilly, and end up with a load of seed that recently as 1930.
really do not like it and I am sure that there does not make any sense. It is important to
are different types of limestone. So, if keep good records when hybridising plants
somebody reads an article, saying and make sure you know what you have
Astrophytum grow on limestone, goes out produced.
and gets some limestone chippings or The Japanese have also produced some
whatever, which have nothing to do with fantastic books. I have the ‘Astrophytum
the limestone where the plants come from, Handbook’, by Tony Sato which is a set of
then puts them on their plants they may – four books one each on A. asterias,
possibly – end up killing them. A. myriostigma, A. capricorne and Below: A myriostigma
My plants are all watered with water that A. ornatum. These are just pictures ‘Kikko nudum’
has a ph of 7.0 or below, preferably 6.0 or basically, nothing to do with cultivation. (‘Kikko’ is derived
from the Japanese
6.5, which means it is slightly acid. I find Another excellent book, released last year, word for turtle shell.
that most plants respond to that, even is ‘Japanese Hybrid Astrophytum’ written This is a grafted plant
plants which grow on limestone in habitat by Pavlica and Saeki. Again mainly pictures which needs warmer
prefer slightly acid water. It also stops the of the many different forms that have been conditions, for the
plants from marking with that white deposit produced, but a must for anyone who is benefit of the stock,
on the top of the soil which is just lime that interested in Astrophytum. n not the graft.
leaches out. I feed at each watering until
the end of August using either Chempak,
Phostrogen (two scoops per three gallons)
or Tomorite (half strength). The greenhouse
is heated to 10°C in winter but there is
always plenty of ventilation.
If an A. asterias of any size is seen on the
show bench it should be regarded highly.
As should A. capricorne, which is another
difficult plant to grow unmarked. A large,
good-looking A. capricorne should always
be judged highly.
The Japanese are also good at producing
interesting hybrids. If it has got spines on it
then A. ornatum, or A. capricorne will be in
there somewhere. There are some fantastic
plants out there, but I sometimes think
people cross one plant with another willy-

11
The old Saguaro cactus –
stolen or faked
by David Swinden

Over a number of years my wife and I have spent time in Arizona, USA, and Carnegiea gigantea
(Saguaro) has become of particular interest to us.

Stolen
The cacti only grow naturally in a portion of the
Sonoran Desert, including parts of southern
Arizona, a corner of south-eastern California and
a narrow strip of northern Mexico. Their
distinctive size and shape make them
recognisable all over the world and the plants are
prized as landscape features.
The theft of cacti has been a major problem for
decades. As far back as 1980 there were news
reports of an estimated 250,000 desert plants
being illegally dug up and sold. The thefts are not
only from federal land but also from private
properties.
The Saguaro has not escaped major thefts in
spite of being protected by state and federal law.
A fake Saguaro – soon to be completed
One recent court case involved not only stealing
the cacti but then exporting them to Austria. Thieves code, but no battery or other way to store energy.
typically target plants that are about 40 years old and Instead, if a special wand is waved over it, the wand
five to seven feet in height. sends enough power to the chip to turn it on and
retrieve its code. This system is being used in the
What has been done to try and reduce the numbers of Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. However,
stolen Saguaro? with over 1.3 million Saguaros in the park they have
Simple only tagged those plants near the access roads that
identification could be used by the thieves. This scheme also allows
tags, called the authorities to check plant nurseries and private
passive properties for stolen plants.
integrative Fake cacti
transponders, or
For a number of years now you could have seen fake
PIT tags, are
trees and Saguaro cacti along the roadsides in USA.
placed in the
Mainly they were put there as cell phone masts and
Saguaros’ flesh.
disguised to make them more environmentally friendly.
The PIT tags use
the same Now the authorities have moved on a further step and
technology that are putting cameras into these fake cacti to check on
people use for vehicles against a database of stolen cars and of
their dogs and persons of police interest. One problem that has
cats. They are occurred with cameras like this is that they do suffer
preprogramed damage by persons firing bullets during the night.
microchips
Conclusion
encapsulated in
glass or silicone, In conclusion I would say that any new system
about the size introduced that protects the cacti from being destroyed
and shape of a and used for illegal profit is a necessary thing. Future
large grain of generations should be able to enjoy these, and other,
rice. Each tag magnificent cacti in their natural habitats. n
The real thing has a unique Photos: David Swinden

12
 My Chilean diary 2015
by Angie Money

Eulychnia breviflora

Paul (Klaassen) and I had an uneventful flight with had to park on the other side of a little stream and
Iberia to Santiago de Chile and arrived there after walked along until we thought we could cross safely.
about 15 hours. Eventually we cleared immigration, Pablo was sure he would be able to find the house,
customs and the control which stops you bringing any even though the trees were much higher than they
food and drink items into the country and made our were when he last saw the place. He very quickly
way straight to Exit 4, where Andres and our hire car crossed the stream and encouraged us to do the
were waiting. Soon after we were off to Olmue to pick same. I was the unlucky second to try and ended up
up Pablo Weisser who used to collect seeds with Hans ankle deep in the water. Paul and I decided that we
Lembke for Friedrich Ritter. Paul met Pablo last year at were going to wait at the car. After about an hour
the Australian Convention when the plan was hatched Pablo came back in a bright blue jeep, which turned
that he would join our three weeks in Chile this year. out to belong to a neighbour of the current owner of
Ritter's house, who had invited us all to come over for
Day 1 – 25 October
coffee and a piece of cake.
The first morning Pablo wanted to show us the house
where Friedrich Ritter had lived and written the book The current owner, Isabel, and her son were very nice.
‘Kakteen in Süd Amerika’ in 1973. He bought the land She had kept some parts of the house as they had
to build his house from Pablo’s father. It was only a been when they bought it and showed us the photos
short drive, in the next quebrada, Cajon Grande. We she had taken before they moved in and extended the
building. She also showed us the cacti Ritter had
planted while he lived there and let us roam around the
garden and take as many photos as we liked. It was an
amazing afternoon!
Day 2 – 26 October
Today was a driving day, we hoped to get as far as
Guanaqueros for the night. After booking into our
cabana at Club Bahia, we had a rest. Later in the
evening, we went to our favourite Restaurant ‘El
Pequeno’. We all had fish lenguado (flatfish), palta
(avocado), tomate and papas mayo (potatoes and
mayonnaise). The meals which turned up could have
fed a big family.
Day 3 – 27 October
Mostly a driving day again, but also several cactus
From left to right Pablo, Isabel, Angie and Paul outside stops were made. Our aim was to reach Choros Bajos
Friedrich Ritter’s house and stay there for three days, so that we could check
13
My Chilean diary continued
out the extent of the infestation of a non-endemic coffee) and then one of them showed us where the
plant, Cylindropuntia tunicata (which comes from worst infestation of Cylindropuntia tunicata was. Of
Mexico), and causes injuries to animals and people in course there were lots of other cacti on the farm and
the area. This was Pablo's project, which was the surrounding areas. The desert was really in flower
sponsored by the BCSS. in many places.
On the way back to Choros Bajos we
encountered guanacos, a very noisy
ground owl, wild donkeys and a fox
which ran in front of our car, but we
managed to miss him.
Day 5 – 29 October
Today was just a driving day to get us
to Vallenar. We had lunch just outside
the town, when Pablo (who also used
to be a tour guide) got chatting to the
man on the next table who was the
owner of a hotel in town. Pablo
managed to get us a
good deal and it
turned out to
be very nice.
Cylindropuntia tunicata and an endemic Alstroemeria

We managed to find a reasonably priced cabana and,

while Pablo was chatting about what we wanted to do,
the owner mentioned two goat herders who were
having a lot of trouble with Cylindropuntia tunicata. She
phoned them and they came and joined us for dinner
that evening and a lively discussion ensued. Bory and
Arnoloo then invited us to see their goats the next day;
one of them would come with his car so that we could
follow him to the farm.
Day 4 – 28 October
Punctually at 6.00am we were picked up and it was a
bit of an adventure to follow two rear lights in total
blackness. But we got there OK.
They provided lunch (goat’s cheese and bread rolls
which they warmed up over an open fire and tea or

The desert in flower, mainly Calandrinias

14
My Chilean diary continued

We drove back to Chanaral and took the fast option on

Ruta 5 to Taltal, where we were planning to stay at
least seven days. There is always lots to do and a
good variety of cacti to see. We stayed in Hotel Plaza;
they do an excellent breakfast and they have wi-fi.
Day 7 – 31 October
Today we went to Cifuncho, to see if ‘Benji's Plant’, a
Copiapoa ‘sp. Cifuncho’, which looks very much like a
Copiapoa dealbata (and me) Copiapoa longistaminea, had survived. When we
Day 6 – 30 October arrived at the area behind Cifuncho village, Paul asked
me to find the plant, as I had been able to find it more
The next morning we carried on to Taltal, through the
quickly than everybody else in the past. I looked
Parque National Llanos de Challe to the coast road to
around and thought that the plant had gone, as here
Caldera. There were lots of bulbs, but nothing as
the rains and earthquakes had also changed the
spectacular as in 2010. We stopped when we reached
landscape beyond recognition. I had nearly reached
the big Copiapoa dealbata clumps. I took loads of
the ocean when I turned round and spotted it. We were
photos here. I recognised the spot and raced off to the
all glad that it had survived.
biggest clump in the area, Paul and Pablo went a
different way. So I took the first one of many selfies After everyone had taken its photo, we drove to the
with me and the big clump. other side of the bay, to see Thelocephala weisseri, a
plant which had been named after Pablo. Unfortunately
When we reached Chanaral we decided to take the
we could not find any. But there were Copiapoa
scenic route through the Parque National Pan de
rupestris in all sizes.
Azucar (sugar loaf hill). We managed to get as far as
Caleta Pan de Azucar and then the road was closed. The last place to visit today was was Ritter’s type
The first rain in 80 years in March and May and locality of Copiapoa columna-alba. It was getting dark,
earthquakes had changed the scenery so much you so we just took a few photos and then returned to
would not have known that there ever was a road. the hotel.

Copiapoa sp ‘Cifuncho’ Copiapoa rupestris (C. taltalensis taltalensis)

(This is very similar to C. longistaminea see page 18)

Copiapoa columna-alba (C. cinerea columna-alba)

15
My Chilean diary continued

We carried on driving along the coast road to see if it

might be possible to get to Caleta Botija in two days
time or if parts of the road had been destroyed. We
found very little damage and turned round after 50km.
I was driving back as Paul wanted a rest. I had spotted
on the way there some interesting rocks which stood
out in the landscape because of their colour. This time
I stopped there and had a look and found Copiapoa
haseltoniana here again. It seems that this Copiapoa
has very variable spine colours.
The camanchaca was
coming in and I realised
that there was a track and
I could have driven all the
way up to the rocks.

Copiapoa haseltoniana (C. cinerea haseltoniana)

Day 8 – 1 November
Pablo was having a rest day, so we decided that we
would have a look at the area between Taltal and
Paposo and further north from there. The weather was
sunny which made a nice change, the camanchaca
(sea fog) did not appear this morning. Our first stop
was halfway between Taltal and Paposo where we saw
Copiapoa haseltoniana growing very close to the sea.
It was quite difficult at times to take a decent photo, as
the rain earlier in the year allowed so many more plants Eriosyce paucicostata Copiapoa humilis
to grow and flower.
Our next stop was the shrine of the Madonna above
Paposo. The view is fantastic up there. The only
problem is the toilet paper which people leave behind
the monument. After that you find Copiapoa
haseltoniana, Eulychnia saint-pieana, Copiapoa humilis
and Eriosyce paucicostata. It is not an easy terrain to
walk in, especially as on either side it goes down hill.
We found a few cacti in bud, but none in flower yet.
Copiapoa haseltoniana found on the group of rocks

The camanchaca approaches

16
My Chilean diary continued
Day 9 – 2 November Next was another part of Caleta Guanillos, to see
Today we had a very full programme; first on the list Copiapoa grandiflora and Copiapoa longistaminea.
was Caleta Guanillos (the road signs had been Sometimes they even grow together.
changed to Huanilos, very confusing). At the seaside On the way back, Paul asked me to put my
there is a grave where Alan Craig’s ashes are buried. photographic memory to use again to find Copiapoa
There is also a little fishing village nearby and the laui. But I had great difficulties, as the rain had hit the
people there look after the grave. They were never valley quite badly and the scenery had changed
asked to do this, they just started by themselves. dramatically. I was just going to admit defeat, after

Alan Craig's grave Copiapoa laui (C. hypogaea laui)

Paul pointed out that there was a seal on a big rock, so about an hour, when I found the right spot, and there
I left Pablo and Paul looking for Thelocephala weisseri, were more than I had ever seen before in this location.
which we have never seen in flower here, or found Day 10 – 3 November
more than one plant. I had never seen a seal in the
Today we drove to El Cobre and Caleta Botija. It was
wild, so both cameras at the ready, I went as close to
a pretty boring drive along the desert which leads to
the water as I dared. The waves were enormous,
Ruta 5, but we turned off before then and went
another thing I like to take photos of. The seal seemed
towards the coast. We stopped to take photos of the
to be watching me and promptly turned round and
camanchaca coming up the valley. It seemed to be a
showed me its back. I moved too, and eventually I got
new road, but unfortunately it changed back to rough
a few photos.
track, where cars would have difficulties passing each
other. By now we were in the camanchaca and could
just see the road. Looking down in the valley was just
grey fog.
Eventually we left the camanchaca behind us and got
to the area where most of the Copiapoa solaris are
dead or barely alive. There seemed to have been water
damage in the area and some Copiapoa solaris showed
signs of life. And a few wild flowers brightened up the
scenery. We were glad when we saw the ocean, we
knew we would soon be on the coast road then.
Wrong, we ended up in a dead end, a coastal
settlement. Pablo went to have chat; the people were
Photographing Thelocephala weisseri very friendly and offered us a cool drink. It turned out
this was El Cobre. The mine had finished and was in
When I returned, Paul and Pablo were sitting next to the process of being dismantled, and this was now
Alan's grave chatting. I asked them, if they had found El Cobre village. They gave us instructions on how to
any thelocephalas? The answer was no. I looked at my get back on the coast road.
feet and there was one in bud. They shook their heads, On the coast road we realised that many places had
“how does she do it?” I took my photos and left them had a lot of water or earthquake damage, but the road
to take theirs. had been repaired so that it was passable. Many
Paul said, “Can you find one in flower please?” I places we did not recognise as, during repairs, the
walked around for a few minutes with my eyes down road had been moved closer to the hills. Because it
and there it was, one in flower. had changed so much, we found another place where

17
My Chilean diary continued
Copiapoa solaris var found some smaller
luteus was growing. We clumps of Copiapoa
had heard about it, but desertorum on the other
had never seen it, so side and some nice
we made a brief stop. Copiapoa columna-
Most plants did not alba. It seemed that it
look too happy but I had to be grasshopper
thought I had found a breeding season, you
really nice one. could not move without
However, as I got up seeing them jump out
after taking a photo, I of our way in pairs.
noticed that the plant More photos were
did not have a live taken.
centre.
But Caleta Tigrillo was
We carried on towards Copiapoa ahremephiana waiting and I was really
Caleta Botija. Paul's looking forward to
Satnav said it was another 12km away and we knew going there again, as I had been there only once before
then that there would not be time to walk in the caleta. in 2003. I was hoping to find a Copiapoa longistaminea
As we arrived at the sign which said Caleta Botija, (tigrillensis) which I had taken a picture of then, and get
there was stunned silence. Botija is well known for its an up-to-date photo of it. I was very surprised when
white beach and all we could see was black rocks and we arrived at the end of the caleta, that it looked
grey sand. Then Pablo spotted a Copiapoa almost the same as it had in 2003. I was the first one
ahremephiana and we knew this really was Botija. We out of the car and a few minutes later I had found the
spent 15 minutes taking photos and recording what we plant. Then I tried to get as many pictures as I could of
had seen, then we left to get back to Taltal before the Copiapoa longistaminea in the area, in my opinion
darkness. they are best looking Copiapoa. It is not easy to climb
the rocks here, it is very crumbly granite and it’s easy
We got caught in the dark on the coast road in 2010
to slip. But it makes a nice background to the plants.
with two cars. Luckily we had Florencia with us and
she drove our car back to Taltal at breakneck speed, Next on our list for today was Las Maderas to see
the second car had trouble keeping up. None of us thousands of Copiapoa columna-alba from tiny
wanted to try that again and we got back in good time. seedlings to big plants, and we were in luck, some
were in flower too. In between were some battered
Day 11 – 4 November
looking Eulychnia saint-pieana. At first we got out of
After yet another nice breakfast at Hotel Plaza, we left the car, took a few pictures, back in the car, stop again
Taltal on the coast road. Pablo wanted to take some and again, until we just left the car and spent about an
more photos of Copiapoa cinerea. A lone vulture was hour taking lots of photos. It was almost too much.
watching us, as we were taking our photos, so I took We could have stayed there all day.
one of him too.
Our last stop was
Our next stop was just a quick one for
Copiapoa Thelocephala
desertorum. weisseri.
Unfortunately a big Unfortunately none
digger was in the had open flowers,
process of digging just seedpods or
a deep hole along closed up for the
the length of the night.
road, possibly for
something the We were totally
nearby mine exhausted when
needed. The gap we arrived back at
was too wide for the hotel. n
us to jump it, so I
took some photos
with my newer To be continued
camera, which has in the March issue
a longer zoom, just Photos:
for the record. We Copiapoa longistaminea Angie Money

18