UPDATE for PSSC SEPT. 18 2021 IN PERSON MEETING

[DoomsDave]

Everyone, I am pleased to announce an in person PSSC meeting, potluck lunch and plant auction in Westminster and Fountain Valley, Orange County.

To allay any confusion, we provide updated Covid guidelines from previous communications.

MASKS NOT REQUIRED OUTDOORS. Under the provisions of California's most recent Covid Update, as well as guidelines provided by Orange County, the "mask mandate" in some previous communications (i.e., the recent printed newsletter) regarding the September 18, 2021 PSSC meeting is superseded.

We would like to eliminate any confusion as to whether masks will be required for attending our meeting on September 18, 2021.  As stated above, masks are currently not required to be worn by the State or the County of Orange in any outdoor event, therefore there will not be a requirement that attendees wear a mask or other face covering.  However, the Board recommends that unvaccinated individuals wear a face covering depending on their own personal health concerns.  Also, vaccinated individuals may also choose to wear a mask depending on their own health concerns.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Two PSSC members,  Seve Velez and Larry Black have agreed to host at their homes and gardens on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Steve is the son of the late Ralph Velez who died in April of 2018. Ralph was one of the founding members of the PSSC who led many present members into the society. R I P Ralph.

The first garden will be that of Steve Velez, at 115461 Devonshire Circle, Westminster, CA 92683. This is one of the legendary, epic gardens that PSSC members for at least a couple generations have flocked to. The late Ralph Velez started the garden in 1969. In the intervening 52 years, palms planted there have had the chance to grow to size you'll normally see in arboretums. Highlights include a large Jubaea chilensis, towering Roystoneas, one of the tallest Nannorrhops in Southern California, a large Jubaeaopsis caffra, soaring Livistonas, and on and on. Relive old nostalgia, or create new glorious memories.

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!

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.

For the second part of the meeting, we all roar off to the home and garden of Larry and Sue Black, 9166 Sara River Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. While the Velez garden wows with sheer neck-breaking towering-overhead excess, this garden will stun with jewel-like elegant intimacy, and bold colorful arrangements. Out front is a striking garden like the cover of a glossy garden book or magazine, with flowers, bromeliads and ti plants as well as palms, which include Cocothrinax, Chamadorea, Dypsis, and Rhopalistylus.

In back, the Blacks' in-ground pool is surrounded by a palm garden full of small-but-great palms, many of which aren't supposed to grow here, like Arecas, Hyophorbe langencaulis, and various "ankle biter" Dypsis and Chamadoreas from tropical forest floors. Ever wonder what a Dypsis concinna looks like? Or Dypsis baronii "black stem"? You'll be able to see! Overhead is a canopy of Dypsis, Ptychosperma, Archontophoenix and Rhopalistylus. 

 

POTLUCK LUNCH

We'll be having a potluck lunch with fried chicken provided. Bring your favorite dish to share. Meat, vegetables, dessert, or any combination. Make 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 Munich, Mumbai or Memphis. Come feast on food, and the joint joys of palms and good fellowship on a glorious late summer 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, bromeliads, 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.

As everyone is aware, the Covid 19 pandemic, and the forced closures of group events has hurt the PSSC's finances badly as the auction is a vital source of funding for the PSSC. The recent "re-start" auctions have helped a great deal, but more is needed; your participation by donating and buying will help immensely. 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
115461 Devonshire Circle

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

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