Cactus and Succulent Day (and swap) Sat. 7/19

Join us Saturday July 19th for a FREE day-long celebration of all things spiky, sculptural, and stunning. In addition to cacti, celebrate and explore bold cold-hardy agaves and architectural yuccas and sotols, to blooming hesperaloes, vibrant euphorbias, and a diverse collection of indoor and outdoor low-water using succulents!

Enjoy:

Free educational sessions for beginners and collectors
Tips on growing low-water plants that thrive in Texas from local experts
Rare and quirky plant selections (and pots) from local vendors
Tables to share and swap cuttings, divisions and pups
A fun cactus-and-succulent experience and networking with other plant people!

12804 Pelzel Rd. Pilot Point TX 76258

Cactus Day Event Schedule

10:15-10:45 – Paula Spletter
“Succulent Stars: Meet the Desert Rose!”
Join Master Gardener Paula Spletter as she shares her expertise on cultivating and curating beautiful Adeniums, the dazzling Desert Roses. Add a splash of exotic flair to your succulent collection while learning the secrets of growing, trimming tops and roots, repotting, and lifting those eye-catching caudexes. Plus, enjoy a live demo as Paula shows how to prune and prepare your plants for a fabulous repotting!
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11:00-11:30 – Patrick Dickinson
“Prickly Perfection: The Art of Euphorbia”
Horticulturist Patrick Dickinson shares his expertise on cultivating and curating a thriving Euphorbia collection. With over 2,000 species, Euphorbia is one of the most diverse and fascinating plant genera, from delicate ground covers to towering, tree-like forms. Patrick will cover the essentials of growing, maintaining, and appreciating these unique, sculptural plants, offering insights drawn from years of hands-on experience and a passion for sustainable horticulture.
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11:45-12:15 – Jason Harkrider
“Succulent Spikes: Agave Uncovered”
Join guru Jason Harkrider as he shares his passion for agave, featuring highlights from his personal collection. Jason will explore a variety of native and hardy Agave species perfect for Texas landscapes, offering insights into their care, growth habits, and life expectancy. With over 200 species, the Agave genus showcases incredible diversity, most originating from the arid regions of the Americas, especially Mexico. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious beginner, this talk will deepen your appreciation for these striking and resilient succulents.
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12:30-1:00 – Daniel Cunningham
“Hesperaloes: Red Yuccas and Beyond”
Horticulturist Daniel Cunningham explores the fascinating world of Hesperaloes, also known as Red Yuccas. Discover these cold-hardy, heat- and drought-tolerant natives ideal for Texas landscapes. Daniel will highlight the many species and cultivars now available, ranging from compact to towering forms, and showcase the rainbow of bloom colors beyond classic red. Learn how to use these versatile plants for low-maintenance, high-impact designs.
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1:15-1:45 – Nolan Bishop
“Grafting Cacti: Propagation for Conservation”
Join Nolan Bishop, President of the Fort Worth Cactus and Succulent Society, as he unveils the art and science of cactus grafting. Nolan will demonstrate essential grafting techniques, share insights on the best materials and methods for success, and explain how to maintain healthy grafted plants. Beyond personal propagation projects, Nolan is leading an effort to catalog and distribute endangered cacti to botanical gardens and conservation institutes. Don’t miss this chance to discover how grafting can be a powerful tool in your own conservation efforts—and in preserving rare and threatened cactus species for future generations!