So gorgeous. I was there too.

Ahhhh, never gets old, that one. Mint & Spines, my favorite flavor!

What is it?

Sorry, forgot to add the name. Tephrocactus geometricus. There are spined and (almost) non-spined forms. The flowers are pretty, too.

It was a great show.

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This post was edited by hoovb on Mon, Aug 19, 13 at 14:40

Great pix, Hoovb! Thanks for sharing! I love those mint blobs! What is the 2nd great specimen/tree?

I considered going, but heard how hot it would be (Reggie said 96). But, I had been invited to the Del Mar horse races (an annual BD treat for me from a friend), where it was a cool 75. =)

Glad you were able to go!

Oh my word, such great plants. The Tephro and Cyphostemma uter (?) are egregiously jaw-dropping plants. I would repot that Cypho, though, into something deeper if it were my plant (but it won't be, since I don't have several thousand dollars (I'm thinking at least 2.5)). I'm such a critic. Thanks for showing us wonderfully-taken pictures, too - two snaps and a hand wave for that one!

Fascinating, I've never seen anything like either of these.
K

Absolutely jaw dropping gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!

I can see why you won a trophy for that beauty!

No, no, not my plants, just my pictures.

I thought the Cypho deserved a better pot. That one doesn't seem to be right for it. But its not about the pot, is it.

Another big winner:
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And another. Does anyone know this? I could not read the tag.
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There were some spectacular plants that didn't win any prizes at all. Very high level of competition.

The Dioscorea is mine, I wasn't planning on entering it in the show till 4wks ago. It broke dormancy then started to flower. Made the pot to highlight the plant.

The Tephrocactus is a friend's plant, I also made that pot

I was one of 13 judges for the show

Beautiful plants and pots caudex. Do the pots have drainage holes and do the plants live in them all the time or just for show. Ive been looking at decorative pots for some of my aloes.

The Tephro has been in that pot for 5yrs and has many drain holes.

The Dioscorea has been in that pot for 1 week. It will probably stay in for at least thew next year. If I decide to put more size on it I'll move it to a larger container.

Blossfeldia liliputana, Best Miniature Cactus
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Best Agave
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Aloe "Reuben Shein", Best Aloe
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I am curious , Caudex, if you are a judge and have plants i the contest, how is the "conflict of interest" handled in the judging... Congratulation on your gorgeous plant and pots.

I enter plants in the Advanced (intermediate) category and judged the Open (Vendors and highly experienced growers).

AHHH, so simple, more than one contest. Who would a thunk. I wasn't really looking for a hidden conspiracy at the C&S show.

hoovb,

Thanks to you and Keith for the additional pictures. That plant is Alluaudia dumosa, a favourite of mine.

The answer to the question of dumosa the Alluaudias flower - yes, they do, eventually.

This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Thu, Aug 22, 13 at 11:40

Congrats on superb plants, caudex1, and perfect pots for them.

cactusmcharris, thanks for the ID on that beauty.

I thought the 'Royal Spine' was best Agave? what did I miss? (A lot!)

"Royal Spine" was Best Novice Agave

Thanks!