Expert Talk – John Burrows – The family: Cactaceae – The invader species in South Africa

Date: Time: - John Burrows – The family: Cactaceae – The invader species in South Africa. Expert Talk – John Burrows Friday 16 September – 11:00 Venue: Calitzdorp Station       This is a free event. No booking required.   John Burrows, botanist and author will take us on a journey of some of the members of the cactus family that are cultivated in South Africa that have escaped into the wild and become invader plants. John and Sandie Burrows – who have recently moved to Calitzdorp - are botanists and authors of several books about the plant life of Southern Africa. Sandie – who is also a botanical artist - illustrated all of John’s books and numerous scientific papers. Some of her work will be on display as part of the art exhibition at the Vetplantfees in September 2022.  

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Expert Talk – Rupert Koopman – Update: Poaching & Habitat Destruction – Efforts to stem degradation of the veld.

Date: Time: - Update: Poaching & Habitat Destruction - Efforts to stem degradation of the veld. Expert Talk – Rupert Koopman Saturday 17 September – 11:00 Venue: Calitzdorp Station     This is a free event. No booking required.   Rupert Koopman is a long time conservation activist who worked for Cape Nature in the Northern Province and as the Conservation Manager for The Botanical Society of South Africa. Rupert is now an independent contractor and is currently advising the Wilderness Foundation and Conservation SA. Rupert will fill us in on the latest efforts to stem the degradation of the veld as a result of habitat destruction and poaching. According to Rupert, it is not all bad news and there are several bright spots in the fight to preserve our natural heritage of succulent plants. The talk will be informative and provide a good view of what the situation on the ground is currently.  

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Expert Talk – Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld – Welwichia the Uncrowned Monarch of the Namib.

Date: Time: - Expert Talk – Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld – Welwichia the Uncrowned Monarch of the Namib. Expert Talk – Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld Saturday 17 September – 13:00 Venue: Calitzdorp Station This is a free event. No booking required.   Welwichia the Uncrowned Monarch of the Namib Currently the new plant specialist at Babylonstoren, author of numerous books on succulent plants and a the curator of succulents at Kirstenbosch gardens for 40 years, Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld will entertain and educate us on the Welwichia, the uncrowned monarch of the Namib. He will tell us about the wonders of this ancient desert plant, share his knowledge of the species and share his experience of planting and growing them in the southern cape of South Africa. This will as always - be an extremely interesting talk as we all know that we learn a lot from all of his presentations. Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld has been interested in succulents since a young boy collecting and growing succulent plants. He has authored or co-authored more than one hundred succulent plant species. He is especially interested in the classification Gasteria and Aloe and other monocotyledonous succulents. His other interests include the Mesembryanthemaceae and Crassulaceae. He is a keen explorer regularly traveling to remote parts of South Africa, Angola and Namibia. Some of the expeditions include rubber canoe expeditions investigating remote river valleys. Ernst also regularly travels abroad and lectures on succulent plants. Ernst was a horticulturist at Kirstenbosch for more than 40 years. He built and curated the Botanical Society Conservatory. He was appointed extraordinary senior lecturer at the University of the Western Cape in 2012. He is the author of more than two hundred articles (popular, semi-scientific and scientific) and several books. He is a keen explorer and for his latest study (cliff dwelling succulent plants), has visited cliff habitats throughout southern Africa. Ernst has been at Babylonstoren since 2015 where he continues to build display gardens, green houses and educate the public about botanical things.  

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Expert Talk – Louis Jordaan – Familiarity breeds care!

Date: Time: - Expert Talk – Louis Jordaan – Familiarity breeds care! Expert Talk – Louis Jordaan Friday 16 September – 13:00 Venue: Calitzdorp Station     This is a free event. No booking required.   An excellent introduction to the plant treasures we have all around us that will inspire you to properly observe, interpret, appreciate and cherish them. The talk will be illustrated by a presentaton of photos of these plants alongside a discussion of their very interesting (and appropriate?) common names – sometimes with the tongue firmly in the cheek! Louis will be showing photos of other organisms and for some, their absorbing “stories” will be told. You will leave the talk enlightened to the fact that when dealing with creatures of nature, familiarity does not breed contempt but care! Louis Jordaan is a nature guide and environmental educator. He is an interpreter, a ‘storyteller’, unveiling a wealth of ‘stories’ (facts, interpretations, explanations, uses, superstitions, etc.) of plants and other creatures and objects of nature. Louis also provides nature lovers with knowledge and skills which allow them to discover and unravel secrets and mysteries that may require a more expert and trained ‘eye’ – he guides people to observe with all their senses, and to understand what they have discovered.  

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Succulent Plant Auction

Date: Time: - Be sure to participate in this event which is unique to Calitzdorp. Plants, artwork and other special items will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Attendees will find the most beautiful of succulent plants and art work. This is a special opportunity for succulent plant collectors to acquire mature and sometimes very rare plants. Items will be sold to the highest bidder with reserve on some. The vendors and artists at the Succulent Fees will contribute to the Succulent Plant Auction. This event will be memorable in all respects. The auction will be held at 15:30 on Saturday, 17 September 2022. Attendance is free.

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Veld Walks – Vetplantfees 2022

Date: Time: - Trained Cape Nature guides will escort small groups of enthusiasts on a 90-minute walk to Calitzdorp’s famous Jakkalskop where dozens of succulent plant varieties will be in flower. It is an experience not to be missed and have proven to be very popular with festivalgoers. DATES & TIMES Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. BOOKING & PAYMENT Booking and payment are essential as only 8 persons will be accommodated on each of the scheduled walks. The fee to join each walk is R150, payable in advance and non-refundable on cancellation. WHERE TO MEET Each walk will depart daily at the appointed time from the main festival paypoint at the Calitzdorp Station. IMPORTANT Participants should wear shoes suitable for walking in the veld and bring water, a hat and sun protection.

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Veld Walks – Vetplantfees 2022

Date: Time: - Trained Cape Nature guides will escort small groups of enthusiasts on a 90-minute walk to Calitzdorp’s famous Jakkalskop where dozens of succulent plant varieties will be in flower. It is an experience not to be missed and have proven to be very popular with festivalgoers. DATES & TIMES Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. BOOKING & PAYMENT Booking and payment are essential as only 8 persons will be accommodated on each of the scheduled walks. The fee to join each walk is R150, payable in advance and non-refundable on cancellation. WHERE TO MEET Each walk will depart daily at the appointed time from the main festival paypoint at the Calitzdorp Station. IMPORTANT Participants should wear shoes suitable for walking in the veld and bring water, a hat and sun protection.

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Veld Walks – Vetplantfees 2022

Date: Time: - Trained Cape Nature guides will escort small groups of enthusiasts on a 90-minute walk to Calitzdorp’s famous Jakkalskop where dozens of succulent plant varieties will be in flower. It is an experience not to be missed and have proven to be very popular with festivalgoers. DATES & TIMES Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Friday, 16 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 13:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 15:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Saturday, 17 Sept 2021 - 17:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 09:00 - To book, click here. Vetplantfees - Veld Walk - Sunday, 18 Sept 2021 - 11:00 - To book, click here. BOOKING & PAYMENT Booking and payment are essential as only 8 persons will be accommodated on each of the scheduled walks. The fee to join each walk is R150, payable in advance and non-refundable on cancellation. WHERE TO MEET Each walk will depart daily at the appointed time from the main festival paypoint at the Calitzdorp Station. IMPORTANT Participants should wear shoes suitable for walking in the veld and bring water, a hat and sun protection.

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Saturday Night Banquet & Talk

Date: Time: - SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER & TALK This is a “must attend” event during the Calitzdorp Succulent Festival. You will have the chance to meet and mix with succulent experts from all over South Africa, enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared and served by the ladies of the Calitzdorp NG Church. Enjoy a talk by Captain Karel du Toit, Commander of SAPS Namakwa Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit speaking on his valuable function as the top cop pursuing poachers of succulent plants in Namakwaland. Cpt. du Toit is a licensed field guide as well, so he will be showing off some of the beautiful succulent plants that are native to Namakwaland. We are planning to broadcast the talk live on Zoom to a worldwide succulent audience courtesy of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. EVENING SCHEDULE 17:30 - Social Hour 18:00 - Dinner Served 19:00 - Talk - Captain Karel du Toit 20:30 - Dessert DINNER MENU To be finalise by July 2022 VENUE Calitzdorp NG Church DATE & TIME Saturday, 17 September 2022 from 17:30 onwards. COST R300 per person. Includes a salad course, main course and dessert, with wine from local wineries. Remember to select your option of Meat or Vegetarian when booking. BOOKING/REGISTRATION Seats are limited and booking is essential. Book Now

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Workshop – Landscape Design with Succulent Plants

Date: Time: - LANDSCAPE DESIGN WITH SUCCULENT PLANTS This workshop is led by Yvonne Hemenway, University of California Master Gardener. She is a lifelong grower of plants and was co-owner of the Prickly Palace nursery in California. She and her husband moved to Calitzdorp several years ago. Yvonne has helped design and install succulent gardens in California and Calitzdorp and she will pass along the many lessons she has learned along the way. Are you thinking about installing or upgrading a succulent garden? If so, please join us for this workshop to get expert methods and ideas you can incorporate in your planning. We will start with a survey of existing conditions then go over basic design elements. Then on to installation, both hardscape and plants. We’ll offer suggestions for plant selection and pass along many helpful tips to help make your new succulent garden a success and create a beautiful living space. YVONNE HEMENWAY Yvonne Hemenway is a life long grower of plants. For the past 30 years, she has been involved with growing succulent plants. She was co-owner of the Prickly Palace nursery in California and has recently moved to Calitzdorp where her passion for growing plants continues. She is a committee member and a founder of the Calitzdorp Succulent Society and is very active organising the Calitzdorp Vetplantfees. VENUE Calitzdorp Station Calitzdorp, Western Cape, South Africa AVAILABLE DATES Friday, 16 September 2022 @ 14:00 DURATION Workshop duration 60 minutes COST R50 per person BOOKING/REGISTRATION Spaces are limited to 20 persons per workshop and advance booking is essential. Book Now

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