PCSS About Us

Welcome to Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society

An affiliate of Cactus and Succulent Society of America (CSSA)

PCSS is a non-profit organization founded in 1957 to encourage the study, enjoyment and conservation of succulent plants from around the world. San Diego County is a perfect place to grow these endlessly fascinating plants and is the native habitat of many fine examples. It is the jumping-off point for exploration into the Anza-Borrego Desert, and to Baja, Mexico as well.

We seek to provide our members access to a wide variety of speakers and programs that suit all levels of enthusiasts – from the very beginning to the dedicated collector, and possibly researcher. Our monthly meetings allow us to share the passion we have for succulent plants of all kinds with our fellow members and the public.

Each October we host a Show and Sale held at San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Gardens) in Encinitas. We also have a yearly Spring Member Festival. These are in lieu of our regular meetings and allow us to spotlight our members’ exceptional skill in raising beautiful specimens, and to purchase new additions to our collections.

From 1962 through 2011, Club members designed, funded, and maintained the Cactus and Succulent Garden located on the grounds of Palomar College in San Marcos, California. In 2011, the club donated the garden with its thousands of plants to the College Arboretum. A few club members still volunteer there today, helping as needed.

COME JOIN US at a meeting and enjoy our presentations, plant sales, mini-shows, drawings, trading, workshops, and other activities!

See the Meetings tab for information about next month’s meeting, and a basic meeting schedule and a description of the highlights.


MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society is to provide education, appreciation, and enjoyment of cactus and succulent plants to members and visitors. At meetings, we provide programs on a wide range of related subjects, a Brag Table (mini exhibition show), and a lending library of over 200 books. In addition, members have opportunities to buy, sell and exchange plants, to share their experiences and develop camaraderie among fellow enthusiasts. We have an annual Spring Member Festival and a large Fall Show and Sale, open to the public where we have approximately 300 show plants on display. The goal of our fundraising efforts is to raise money to donate to San Diego Botanic Garden.


Board Members & Officers

PresidentDavid Buffington
Vice-President – Sherman Blench
Treasurer – Teri Shusterman
Secretary – Moni Waiblinger
Director at Large, Assistant Treasurer – Liz Rozcycki
Director at Large, SDCSS Representative – Brita Miller
Director at Large – Martina Reed


Volunteers – Meeting & Behind-the-Scene

Event CoordinatorCharlyne Barad
Assistant Event CoordinatorBrita Miller
MembershipRichard Miller
Brag Plant Table — Lorie Johansen, Sherman Blench
Brag Plant Tally — David Buffington
Brag Table Judge — Mike Nelson
Brag Table Photographers — Annie Morgan, Charlyne Barad, Lorie Johansen
Benefit Drawing — Martina Reed, Annie Morgan
Program, Plant Auction — Robert Kopfstein
Meeting Sales — Teri Shusterman, Liz Rozcycki
Name Badge Drawing — Julie Kort
Guest & New Member Ambassadors — Brita Miller, Lorie Johansen
Newsletter Team
Charlyne Barad — Coordinator, Club Info, Speakers, etc. pages
Annie Morgan — Pages on Brag Table Winners, reviewer, misc.
Russel Ray — Pages on Plant of the Month and San Marcos Library Plant of the Month, Newsletter Collator and Distributor
Winston Chan — Pages on Miscellaneous Information
Joan Herskowitz — Pages on Garden Brag Plants
Brita Miller — Pages on Spring Festival and Holiday Party Recap, misc.
Wanda Mallen — Proofreader
Publicity (print) — Tom McCarter
Librarian — Barbara Raab, librarian@palomarcactus.org
WebsiteAnnie Morgan, Russel Ray
A/V, PCSS Plant of the Month, San Marcos Library Plant of the Month — Russel Ray
Additional volunteers who keep meetings running — Moni Waiblinger, Brita Miller, Libbi Salvo