"Cactussen en
Vetplanten" v.z.w.
"Cactussen
en Vetplanten" is a Belgian society for lovers of cacti and other
succulents.
It has 400 members
(December 2005).
As a member you receive a
2-monthly journal, called "Vakblad" and a 2-monthly newsletter,
called "Kringblad".
The journal is published 6
times a year. It contains plant descriptions, cultivation and propagation tips,
historical info and lots of colour pictures. "Vakblad" is a good mix
of articles for the beginning and for the more experienced amateur. For
the both everything is written from our own experience. We are doing our best
to make it as complete (and yet as simple) as possible for everyone. Our goal
is : accurate information which is perfectly understandable.
The newsletter is a less
formal magazine to announce and report our activities, the meetings, the
lectures, etc... Additionally it contains information for less experienced
growers such as month to month plant care, questions and answers, etc... It has
an event-calendar with all succulent activities in Belgium and Holland.
The February issue contains a seedlist with several hundreds of species (800 in
2006).
"Vakblad" and
"Kringblad" are both in Dutch. "Vakblak" is illustrated
with a lot of beautiful colour pictures. Back volumes from 1984 on are still
available in separate volumes or as bound books. "Kringblad" is
printed in the same format, but on less quality paper and without colour
pictures.
please
visit OUR HOMEPAGE (with a full Dutch and a full English and a full French section)
25th INTERNATIONAL CACTUSSHOW
more than 40.000 succulents in a greenhouse and a garden, unique in our
climat
June 01st
till 03th and August 31st till September 02nd, 2007 (10.00 - 18.00 h.)
Kasteellei 111, Wijnegem (near Antwerp), Belgium
free entrance
WHAT CAN YOU
EXPERIENCE DURING THOSE DAYS ?
One of the most important
activities of our society is the organisation of the yearly spring and autumn
show. In the past years we have already welcomed a lot of foreign visitors.
This year we are making an extra effort to attract succulentophiles from here
and from abroad to this unique exhibition.
At our shows you can see
more than 40,000 succulent plants in a greenhouse and outside. The
collection has been built over the last 57 years - most of the plants are seed
grown - and it is said to be one of the largest private collections in Europe.
The 200 m2 greenhouse is
stuffed with beautiful plant tablets as well as a lot of plants in pots. There
are plants of 50 years and older as well as young seedlings. Outside there are
another 600 m2 of succulent plants. Behind the greenhouse there is a botanical
garden with thousands of cacti and other succulents planted out between rocks and
lava. This garden is unique in our climate. Mid May at least 20 members of our
society start bringing the plants outside. The whole operation takes about 4
days. After the autumn show everything is brought back inside for the winter.
In 1997 we installed as an extra a big pond with plants and rocks. At the back
of the garden you will find several other tables with thousands of cacti and
other succulents on it.
On the square at the street
side we erect a big tent. A great succulent plant sale (about 50 m2) will be
the most important activity over there as well as a table with materials for
sale: all kinds of pots, fertilizers and chemicals (more than 100 different
products). Further more you must not forget to take a look at our seed stand.
You can choose from our extensive seedlist with more than 800 species, amongst
them several rarities. The price is only 0.40 euro per portion of 20-50 seeds.
For starters we offer a complete sowing packet with all the necessary materials
and 10 portions of seed for 3.00 euro. There will be an information stand where
you can become acquainted with our journals as well as with all the other activities
of our society with its 400 members (in 2005). Of course you can make contact
with our members who can answer your questions about the hobby and the
collection.
And last but not least,
there will be hundreds of plants for sale : all sorts, all sizes, all prices.
Shortly, an event for all
lovers of succulents to look forward to.
The collection can also be
visited by groups between end May and mid September. You can get a guided tour
with explanations on the hobby and the collection. A visit can be combined with
a visit to the nearbymall of Wijnegem, with its 245 shops one of the biggest of
Europe. Hotel accommodation can be arranged and there is a camping place in the
neighborhood.
MEMBERSHIP
To join,
pay with international pay order or cash to:
BE92 7363 0215 0923 (BIC nr KREDBEBB)
Cactussen en Vetplanten v.z.w.
Rozenlaan 9, B-2861 O.L.V.-Waver, Belgium
The
membership, including 6 issues of our "Vakblad" and 6 issues of our "Kringblad" and
seedlist, costs yearly:
Belgium : 15.00 euro
Elsewhere : 25.00 euro
More info : cactusvetplant@online.be
