Maurice, Brian Cole and I entered plants at the Gloucester Show on 14^th June.  There were lots of lovely plants being exhibited and we really enjoyed our day.  The next show at which we usually exhibit will be the Oxford Branch Show in Witney on Sunday the 20^th of July.  This is usually one of the best shows in the country and well worth a visit.  If anyone would like a map to help you find your way there, have a word with me. The next show after that will be ours on August 9^th. I hope you are getting your plants ready.  Some of our big exhibitors will be on holidays on that day so we will really need your plants to help to put on a good show for the public. This year I am expecting lots of entries in the Novice Classes please!!! These classes are only open to people who have not won prizes in the open classes at BCSS shows so you are only competing against other novices. This is a very good way of getting the confidence to start to show plants.  Any mature plant that is well grown and in good condition is worth showing.  Nobody will look down on you if your plant does not win a prize.  If you want any advice on showing please have a word with Maurice or myself or indeed any of the more experienced exhibitors. 

              Between the Gloucester show and preparations for the Cactus Mart it has been a very busy month.  It was good to see so many from our Branch at the Mart.  A very big thank you to all the helpers, you really helped the day to run smoothly.   There were some lovely plants for sale and some useful pieces of equipment and pots. 

              It is a good thing that cacti and succulents can stand a bit of neglect without suffering unduly.  When I eventually had time to look at my plants after the mart, they seemed none the worse for their lack of attention. The Astrophytum and Coryphantha have been flowering well.  There were eight Astrophytum in flower at the same time one day  last week and they looked quite splendid.

              The Lithops seedlings sown in February last are now shedding their first skins and starting to show their true colours.  Some of the pots of seedlings are becoming crowded and will soon need to be pricked out into seed trays.  A job to be put off until one afternoon when I have lots of time and patience!!