GARDENING SUCCS
You say "obsession" like it's a bad thing.
  • Blog
  • Instagram
  • Store and Resource Guide

SF Flower and Garden Show

3/24/2014

 
Picture
Yesterday, my girlfriend, a couple of friends, and I went to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show in San Mateo.  And I have to be totally honest, succ-ers: I was a little underwhelmed.  Not because there weren't a lot of plants there (there were), and not because the display gardens weren't great (they were), but mainly because there was so dang much for sale that had only peripherally to do with gardening.  At times, it felt like more one of those outdoor "festivals" where people sell various wares at small booths.  Items for sale included BBQs, freestanding hot tubs, bar soap, and paintings (not of plants, nor gardens) on silk.

All of which is *not*, by any means, to disparage the show or the folks who were selling things there.  I was just expecting more plants--well, let's be honest--more succulents.  And to be fair, my visit did not coincide with the succulent-relevant seminars held by succulent luminaries such as Debra Lee Baldwin and Robin Stockwell, and I'm sure those were terrific.

A few highlights.  Agave attenuata "Kara's Stripe" was featured in the "hot plants" room.  Judging from the array there, I understood "hot" to mean "newly popular" rather than "best for hot climates."  And there were a lot of gorgeous bonsais there, too, several of which were many decades old, and truly amazing.

Picture
Succulent Gardens was one of only two succulent-specific vendors present, and they had a predictably terrific array of plants and books.  In addition to picking up a few plants such as the unnamed euphorbia pictured, right (which I would have sworn was a hoodia, but there were a bunch of them, all labeled "Euphorbia sp.," which just goes to show that I still have a lot left to learn).  I also had a chance to say hello to the lovely Tiffany Polli, the SG Retail Manager, knows a great deal about succulents and has a wonderful sense of humor to boot.  At last year's show, Succulent Gardens displayed the famous globe.

Picture
The other mostly-or-solely-cactus-and-succulent purveyor, Sticky Situation, was new to me, and had come all the way from Tucson, Arizona to show their wares.  I picked up two very cool gymnocalyciums from them a g. mesopotamicum (cresting!) and a g. friedriechii.  Check out that amazing purple color!

Sticky Situation also had the most drool-worthy plant I saw at the whole event: a huge crested myrtillocactus geometrizans (pictured below).  Hmm...  My birthday's coming up in a couple of months...  anyone wondering what to get me?  Look no further!
Picture
There was a smattering of other cool succulent-related stuff (check out the succulent display wall below, for example) but for the most part, I think I'm going to need to keep an eye out for cactus and succulent shows, since they're probably more likely to have the kinds of plants and pots in which I'm most interested.
Picture
Debra Lee Baldwin link
3/24/2014 06:40:01 am

Aw, honey, I really wish you could have attended my Succulent Color Wheel potting demo. It got off to a shaky start so I decided to (metaphorically) let my hair down. The audience was supportive and engaged, and pretty soon passersby joined us, so it was SRO. I quoted Jabberwocky and threw cuttings into the audience. (A few people ducked, but most didn't.) Afterwards, the Show person who was in charge said, "Debra, I didn't know you were a stand-up comedian." Actually, I didn't either. High praise, indeed (I think). But of course, the BEST part was that the Succulent Color Wheel turned out great, something that astonished even me. Watch for photos of it on Facebook. Btw, succulent enthusiasts who were there, and whom I know you would have enjoyed meeting (and vice-versa), included Larissa Haney, Candy Suter and Gary Bartl. Girl, we need to plan better next time. Speaking of which, Robin Stockwell and I will both be presenting at Sunset's Celebration Weekend 5/31-6/1 in Menlo Park, where we'll be billed "the King and Queen of Succulents."

Katie link
3/24/2014 06:48:18 am

Oh my goodness, that sounds like soooo much fun! I wish I had been there, Debra! Seeing you quote Jabberwocky and throw cuttings at/to audience members sounds like a riot! Yes, let's plan better next time for sure. I'm glad SOMEone is finally making it official that you and Robin are the king and queen of succulents--that sounds about right to me! ;) If you'll be in town a couple days and have any free time, we should plan a succulent lovers' coffee get-together. (Or just you and me--I'd love to pick your brain about misc. writing matters.) Is the Sunset Celebration Weekend open to all? I'll have to check it out! It's only 30 min. from my house.

Candy Suter link
3/31/2014 08:53:52 am

OMG we could have met up if you came on the days we were there. Debra, Larissa and I had a blast. And I do agree with you. There were wayyyyy to many vendors this year. And the gardens displays seemed to be kept to a minimum. I think they should have been in the front not the back. They were the star of the show. Hey hope to see you at SC in June! Woohoo, it will be fun!


Comments are closed.

    Subscribe by email:

    Picture
    Picture
    GS on Facebook
    GS on Instagram


    Other Succ-ers

    Danger Garden
    Debra Lee Baldwin
    ​Desert Plants of Avalon

    I Can Stop Tomorrow
    Rock Rose
    Sky Succulents

    Spiky Obsession
    Succulent Sundae
    Succulents and More

    Succulents Forever
    Succulent and Cactus Lady


    Categories

    All
    Adromischus
    Aeoniums
    Agaves
    Aloes
    Blogs And Blogging
    Cacti
    Crassulae
    Echeverias
    Euphorbia
    Events
    Fun And Games
    Guest Posts
    Haworthia
    Kalanchoe
    Nurseries
    Pets
    Photos
    Plant Health
    Projects
    Propagation
    Public Gardens
    Q&A
    References
    Sempervivums
    Wish List
    Zone 5


    Archives

    February 2021
    May 2019
    January 2018
    May 2017
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    RSS Feed