Time: Tuesday 6 December 2022 at 7.30pm (GMT)
Graham Charles, the BCSS President, joined the then National Cactus and Succulent Society 60 years ago at the age of 12 and he has enthusiastically pursued the hobby ever since. He is especially interested in the study of South American cacti. During his 10 visits to Peru, matucanas became a particular interest and, with his travelling companions, a number of new species were found and described.
The Peruvian cactus flora includes 21 genera which may be considered as columnar, from the tiny Pygmaeocereus to the huge Armatocereus and Neoraimondia. Although there are many which are rarely cultivated there are some which make very welcome additions to our collections. Hairy espostoas, golden-spined haageocereus and dwarf pygmaeocereus can often be found in glasshouses. Graham will show you spectacular plants in their dramatic habitats amongst mountainous landscapes and wild rivers. Travelling in Peru is certainly an adventure, and you never know what you will find if you venture off the main roads.
