PSSC JULY 20, 2024 MEETING IN "THE OC"

[DoomsDave]

On July 20, 2024, the PSSC is having its July meeting at two gardens in Orange County: the gardens of Steven Velez in Westminster and Larry and Sue Black, in Fountain Valley. Both gardens are noteworthy for being great palm gardens on 1/6-acre suburban lots, yet each has been done with an opposite approach. And both are spectacular. If you have a small yard and want to see some serious possibilities, or even go wild with a larger yard, do come join us.

 

Garden No. 1, the Steve Velez garden, is located at 15461 Devonshire Circle, Westminster, CA 92683. It’s a couple streets north of Mile Square Park. Steve inherited the house and garden from his father the late Ralph Velez, one of the Founding Fathers (along with Mothers) of the PSSC. Started in the 1960s, the garden is visible from half a mile away with soaring Roystoneas, Livistonas, Caryotas, and less soaring but equally spectacular Rhopalistylus, Chrysalydocarpus, and many more, including a big Jubaea and a Nannorrhops that’s one of the biggest in Southern California.

 As an added bonus, Ralph was able to get many of his neighbors to jump on the palm bandwagon, as evidenced by big palms and other tropical plants planted in neighbors' yards, which include Roystoneas, Parajubaeas, Ravenalas, Bismarckias. Ever wonder what a neighborhood palmetum is like? Come and see! You’ll be palmy-agog by the time you get there!

 The board meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Velez place, with self-guided tours at 10:30 a.m. until 11:30.

Garden No. 2, The Larry and Sue Black garden, is located at 9166 Sara River Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. This garden was started in 1999, and now contains hundreds of plants including palms, orchids and Cordyline ("Ti" Plants). Drive up front and be greeted with a blaze of color, and palms that range from Bismarckia, Chrysalydocarpus, Syagrus, Chamadorea, Ravenea, and  Rhopalistylus.

 Go to the back and find an elegantly tiled pool and jacuzzi surrounded by more palms the centerpiece of which is what used to be called Chrysalidocarpus lanceolata, but which the botanists decided was unique enough to call C. blackii, after Larry. The back is also full of small-but-great palms, many of which aren't supposed to grow here, like Arecas, Hyophorbe langencaulis, and various "ankle biter" Chrysalydocarpus and Chamadoreas from tropical forest floors. Ever wonder what a Dypsis concinna looks like? Or Chrysalydocarpus baronii "black stem"? Or pink-crownshafted Ptychospermas? You'll be able to see!

 POTLUCK LUNCH

 We'll be having a potluck lunch with fried and baked chicken provided. Bring your favorite dish to share. Meat, vegetables, dessert, or any combination. Make it yourself, or buy and bring it - if you like it, we will too! If it's grandma's favorite recipe, so much the better. We don't care if your grandma was from Denver, Denali or Dusseldorf. Come feast on food, and the simultaneous joys of palms and good fellowship on a glorious mid-summer’s day.

 

AUCTION

 There will be an auction at this meeting. Donors have a choice of donating 100% of the proceeds to the PSSC (we appreciate that!) or 50% (we appreciate that, too!) The focus is on rare palms, in 1 to 5 gallon containers, though larger ones will be accepted. Also good are nice palm-themed objects d'art, and other exotic plants, including but not limited to, orchids, succulents, bromeliads, Cordylines, fancy Ficus, etc. We accept credit cards, checks, and good old cash, though, due to expenses relating to credit card transactions, we greatly appreciate cash and checks, if possible.

 The auction is a vital source of funding for the PSSC.  If you have a question about a possible donation, contact Dave Bleistein at 323-481-5071 via text or email at urkurk2000@gmail.com.

 Since we have a limited time in which to conduct the auction, we ask that donors provide plants that will realistically sell for at least $20. Please no Washingtonias, Phoenix canariensis, etc. We also appreciate liners and "freebie" plants as well for the plant raffle.

 Thanks to all of our donors!

  

ITINERARY

9:30 a.m. PSSC Board meeting at the Velez garden at 15461 Devonshire Circle, Westminster.

 10:30 a.m. Tours of the Velez garden.

 Roar off to Larry and Sue’s place in Fountain Valley.

 12:00 p.m. Potluck lunch at Black garden at 9166 Sara River Circle.

 1:00 p.m. general meeting at Black garden

 1:30 p.m. auction at Black garden

 4:00 p.m. adjourn