Good recap! I can't make it to the show though :-p I have been using orchid fertilizer inbetween my av fert. It's more concentrated, so harder to get the proper dosage. I use a small pinch per 2.5l instead of 1/8 tsp (which would carry twice the amount of salts as the av fertilizer). so far, all I can say is that they aren't dieing from too much fertilizer ;-) Karin

Stan, most of these same sellers are also at the San Jose sales (in Santa Clara) *twice* a year. Have you tried attending those? That would be easier to get to for you, and you'll find some of the same plants and pottery there. Sometimes these are better, because you get first dibs on rare plants in Spring before the larger summer sale. I've found some real nice ones there. In the East Bay, you could also try the UCB sales for succulents (but that can be a parking nightmare which is worse than in SF). These sales and shows are driven by the local C&S societies, so if there was one based in Oakland, I don't see why it wouldn't happen there as well. Is that group now defunct? The traffic and parking issues are certainly pitfalls for sellers but the tradeoff is having a larger venue and more potential buyers. This sale turned out to be one of the best years ever, so despite the economy, bridges and traffic, people are still spending on plants. The prices are definitely higher this year, but not more than what you'd find on eBay or the online growers, especially for the caudex plants. The cost of the space there is up this year and staff is down..and the sellers are certainly not getting rich doing this, and most are just supporting their hobby. But you'll still see them driving up from central California and even Arizona to participate.

Hello, I am living in Austria (Styria) and I have read only now about your Calceolaria. I am cultivating this plant since a couple of years and it does well outside in summer, but when it begins to set flower-buds here with us I must bring it inside, because first frost may damage it. I would be interested which temperatures the plant could withstand outside. Do you know anything about hardiness? Greetings Solveig

CACTUS and SUCCULENT SOCIETY of SAN JOSE 48th Annual Spring Show & Sale SATURDAY, April 29, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. SUNDAY, April 30, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Peterson Middle School 1380 Rosalia Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94087-3795