CSSA June Gathering 2024

Hope you can join us at the CSSA June Gathering! For those unable to attend the hall we will still be Live Streaming to the CSSA Members-Only Group and Zooming (details on how to join can be found below).

Our Speaker this month is Attila Kapitany - Boabs, Bottle Trees & other closely related Brachychitons

Marvel at the majestic and spectacular giants of the Australian continent. Some of the presentation will show trees in habitat but with regular reference to cultivation and numerous pictures to support their incredible potential in landscape gardening and design. While some people are aware that Australia has the Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris), most aren’t aware of several other species within the genus that also develop bottle-shaped trunks, such as Brachychiton compactus. This is a much rarer and much more spectacular species, primarily in that its flowers are large and the canopy luxuriant. Even rarer new species will be shown. Though not quite as large as the famous bottle tree, some other classic favourites Brachychitons will be covered e.g. Brachychiton discolor. Attila and his wife Michele have over 100 Bottle trees in their garden, many of them mature. Attila has authored a book on the subject along with many photos taken in habitat and in his garden. Some very unusual cultural ideas are covered!

Attila Kapitany is a leading expert on Australian succulents. He has written and co-authored 18 books or publications on cacti and succulents including large tomes on Copiapoa and Echeveria. Nearly 40 years ago, with his brother Jeno, he developed and established several nurseries, both wholesale and retail, that are now Australia’s largest centres for succulent research, development and marketing. He has since left the commercial business to continue and expand what he loves doing the best – promoting the passion for plants to others. For several decades, Attila’s professional and private life has been consumed by the appreciation and promotion of these plants to the collector, the gardener and the general public. He has regularly appeared on television, radio and stages around the country and internationally. In the last 15 years he has become best known for his work with Australian native succulents and other xerophytes including bottle trees and boabs. Most recently, along with the Australian Government, Attila helped organise a series of postage stamps featuring his favourite plants. For more information visit www.australiansucculents.com.

POTM: Crested or monstrose succulent

AT THE HALL:

AT THE HALL: >>Members/Visitors/Guests will need to sign in with the CSSA, this is for Society Insurance purposes and must be completed. 

The order of proceedings will be as follows (approximate times):

• 6.00pm Hall will open to set-up the venue (if you can assist with set-up this would be appreciated) 

• 6.45pm Sellers may enter the Hall to set-up their sales 

• 7.00pm Members/Guests/Visitors may enter the Hall 

• 7.30pm Zoom room will open and soon after the live stream to FB CSSAustralia Members-only Group will commence 

• 8.00pm Monthly Gathering starts 

• 10.00pm Gathering close and pack up (if you can assist with pack-up this would be appreciated)

FOR THOSE WISHING TO JOIN THE MEETING VIRTUALLY:

>> CSS Australia Members are provided the Zoom details via email and the Members-Only FB Group

>> If you would like to join the Monthly Gathering Zoom room as a Guest/Visitor, please contact us no later than 24 hours prior to commencement of the Monthly Gathering.

Guests/Visitors are welcome to join our Monthly Gatherings either at the hall or via Zoom for up to three occasions, after this time we ask you to become a Member. More information about our Membership is available on our Website (https://cssaustralia.org.au/membership). Membership costs as little as AU$20 ($15 concession holders) a year – so there is no better time to join than now!