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When and Where
We'd love for you to join us
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Why Attend Our Meetings?
They are fun, educational, and you will leave with more plants!
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CSSM Recorded Programs
Check out our latest recorded programs on YouTube
September 13, 2025: 19th Annual Cactus and Succulent Festival
In-person Celebration
Visit our Festival page for more details
Mark your calendars for this must-attend event. The Festival is always a great time to admire hundreds of plants on exhibit, to buy fabulous plants, pots, books, tools, and gifts from 25+ vendors, and to feast on the best hot dogs this side of Fenway Park.
Time: 9:00a-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
October 18, 2025: Rooted in Success: Soil, Water & Propagation for Thriving Plants
For our October meeting we will have a trio of speakers with talks designed to help your plants become the best they can be.
Art Scarpa on Soil Basics: Which soil components are good for cactus & succulents, which to avoid, and why – plus a good basic recipe.
Jean Butler on Water and Watering: How water interacts with the soil chemistry, when to water, and how.
Tom Chen on Propagation: Your plants are thriving, Paul will demonstrate some safe and simple ways to share the wealth through propagation.
Time: 12:00p-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
November 15, 2025: Haworthias
Ryan Egan is a landscape construction professional with a passion for unique plants. For the past seven years, he has been dedicated to collecting, growing, and hybridizing Haworthia, cultivating his plants primarily indoors under grow lights. Around 2022, Ryan expanded his horticultural pursuits by building cold frames to overwinter Haworthia and other succulent species, combining craftsmanship with botanical expertise to create ideal growing conditions year-round.
Time: 12:00p-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
December 6, 2025: CSSM Holiday Party
In-person Celebration
No formal meeting, we’ll be having a potluck lunch with lots of laughter, an optional gift swap, and gift plants for all registered attendees. CSSM Registered Members only.
Time: 1:00p-4:00p
Location: First Universalist Society Meeting House - 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA 02038
January 17, 2026: Exploring Euphorbia: A look at Euphorbias from Africa, Madagascar and the Americas
Virtual meeting via Zoom
Thomas “Tom” Glavich is a renowned plantsman, author, and advocate for the cultivation and conservation of succulents. With decades of experience growing and hybridizing cacti and succulents, Tom has earned recognition as an expert in the field. His passion for horticulture is evident in his meticulous breeding programs, particularly focusing on hybridizing succulents to create unique and visually stunning specimens.
An accomplished author, he has contributed extensively to publications, offering insights into succulent cultivation, propagation techniques, and the ecological importance of these plants. His writings have appeared frequently in To The Point, the quarterly e-newsletter of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, Inc., and are valued resources for both novice and expert growers.
Tom is a Fellow of the Cactus & Succulent Society of America, Inc. and has long been active in his local club, sharing his knowledge through lectures, workshops, and leadership in promoting the hobby. He is the past co-chair of the Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show. As a long-time resident of Southern California, he has been instrumental in fostering appreciation for arid-land plants, both locally and internationally.
When not tending to his extensive collection, Tom enjoys exploring the natural landscapes of the Southwest, finding inspiration in the unique beauty of desert ecosystems. His dedication to the world of succulents has left an indelible mark on the community, making him a respected figure among enthusiasts and conservationists.
Time: 1:00p-4:00p
Location: Zoom details to be sent to members
February 21, 2026: A Private Tour of Sphaeroid Institute Greenhouses
Virtual meeting via Zoom
Lean back in the comfort of your sofa and enjoy a panorama of plants, and some pithy wisdom, from Steve Hammer and Oakes Austin of the Sphaeroid Institute in California.
Treasures you'll see include many plants from South Africa, especially mesembs (e.g. Lithops, Conophytum, Delosperma, Titanopsis) and other rare succulents. Their Haworthia are drool-worthy.
CSSMer Oakes Austin and Steven Hammer will conduct a walk-through of the greenhouses, showcasing some of the most interesting plants on display.
Steven Hammer is one of the world experts in the field of South African mesembs, as well as Haworthia and many other South African succulents. During his 29 trips to South Africa he has collected many rare seeds and they now adorn his greenhouses in Vista CA.
Due to the grace of CSSM founders Art and Paul, Oakes was introduced to Steven at the end of 2020. At the beginning of 2022, Oakes moved to California to work at Steven’s nursery. Since then, he has learned a great deal about South African succulents and has also expanded his own collection quite a bit.
Time: 1:00p-4:00p
Location: Zoom details to be sent to members
March 21, 2026: TBD
In-person meeting
Stay tuned for more details
Time: 12:00p-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
April 18, 2026: The Humble Brag (Pot Edition): Members’ Favorite Plants and Pro Tips
In-person meeting
A little bragging never hurt—especially when it comes to your favorite cacti and succulents!
Join us for April’s lively CSSM meeting, where members will show off their most cherished plants and share the secrets behind their success. From dramatic spines to blooming showstoppers, this is your chance to witness some serious plant pride! We’ll feature a “Pot of Pride” slide show of member-submitted photos, plus a round of lightning talks from CSSM growers sharing their personal tips and tricks for keeping their plants happy and thriving.
This month’s humble brag categories include:
• Favorite plant
• Oldest plant
• First plant (the one that got you hooked)
• Holiday party plant still in your collection
• Rehabbed plant that bounced back
• Most expensive plant
• Rarest plant in your collection
• Plant you started from seed
• “A face only a mother could love” — your lovable oddball
Whether you're a seasoned grower or just getting started, you’ll walk away with practical insights and inspiration. Come with questions, curiosity, and maybe even a few photos of your own prickly pals to share. It’s an evening of learning, connecting, and yes—just a little bragging. We can't wait to see what you're growing!
Time: 12:00p-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
May 16, 2026: A Journey through South America, Succulent Style
In-person meeting
Join CSSM members Marek and Maria Kawka as they journey
throughout South America on their quest to see the many succulents of South America.
This presentation investigates the fascinating world of native cacti,
succulents and other unusual plants found across a selection of South
American countries.
Maria and Marek will present their favorite, iconic plant species
thriving in their natural habitats. The journey will cover plants of Peru,
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Colombia, and Brazil.
The stunning photography will highlight the unique adaptations of these plants,
particularly cacti, in varying environments, from arid desert regions to
high-altitude landscapes. A few slides illustrating the history, culture,
and nature of the visited regions will provide further context and
appreciation for the rich ecosystems supporting these remarkable plants.
Time: 12:00p-4:00p
Location: Norfolk Public Library - 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
June 20, 2026: Annual Picnic
In-person event
Join us for a relaxed afternoon outdoors as we gather for our annual picnic! It’s a wonderful chance to connect with fellow members, swap stories (and maybe a few cuttings!), and celebrate our beloved plants together.
Time: 1:00p-4:00p
Location: Directions to the picnic will be sent to members in May. Keep an eye out!