The Virtual Cactus

Mammillaria leuthyi. One of the outstanding competitive entries in past OCSS shows.


The annual CNE cactus and succulent show and competition will be at the CNE again this year August 18, 19, and 20 in the Heritage Court of the CNE’s new National Trade Centre. Participants in the competition should note that there is an error in the CNE’s competition guide booklet this year. The cactus show is to be staged on the morning of August 18th not August 19th as indicated in the CNE booklet. The error was confirmed to the OCSS by CNE official Paula Ellis. If you are participating in the competition please take note of this change and don’t show up with your entries one day late because of the CNE typo!

The competition is open to anyone, you don’t have to be a member of any horticultural club or society. Last year OCSS members dominated the cactus and succulent show entries and walked away with the majority of the prize money. Prizes for individual plants include $10 for firsts in any class, $9 for 2nds, $8 for 3rds, and $5 for honorable mentions. Prizes for collection categories of several plants award $12 for 1sts, $10 for 2nds, $8 for 3rds, and $4 for honorable mentions. For each of three sections a special $10 award is also given for best entry in the section. Staging of entries for competitor’s is to commence at 6:45 AM Aug. 18th to be completed by 10 AM. All entries must be removed after 10PM on August 20th. There is a $1 entry fee for each entry but entrants are not only eligible to win monetary prizes for their entries but they also get free passes for parking and CNE grounds for the days of the show. CNE rules and regulations can be viewed online at http://mmi.theex.com/FYI/GARDEN/garden_booklet.pdf.

For those who just wish to see and not compete the show is worth looking for. Many of the best cactus and succulent plants from private collections across the province will be there.

# posted by cactusman : 10:36 AM