November Speaker J. D.Wikert

GYMNOCALYCIUM

Our speaker this month is J.D. Wikert.

He will present the
cactus genus Gymnocalycium.

J.D. is a fisheries biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife
Service working on restoration of habitat for salmon in
California’s Central Valley and lives in Lodi, California.
Previously, he worked in Florida sampling fish and doing lake
restoration.

He is a self-trained succulent hobbyist and
usually has more than 150 flats of plants in his back (and
side) yards. J.D. has been actively propagating succulent
plants for around 20 years and has figured out how to kill
most succulent species over that time.

He is a member of
both the Sacramento and Stockton Cactus and Succulent
Societies, and just finished a three year stint as president for
the Stockton Club.

J.D. will provide a broad overview of the cactus genus Gymnocalycium. The presentation will include
information regarding taxonomy, distribution, cultivation, and propagation as well as providing
pictures of many of the more readily available species. Be ready to answer when J.D. asks where in
the world do you find Gymnocalycium in their natural habitat. (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.)

You might have seen J.D. speak in a previous meeting about Haworthia a few years ago. He also
has presentations on Adromischus, Aloe, Dudleya, Gasteria, Sedum, Senecio, Stapeliads, a general
Succulent Overview, watering succulents, and a succulent quiz.