Home
Activities
Archives
Awards
Benefits
Common & Scientific Names of Cacti
Nopalitos
Officers
Opuntia Cactus
Pictures of Cacti
TCC Membership
Zeroscaping
TEXAS CACTUS COUNCIL
PO Box 423
BENAVIDES , TEXAS 78341
********
March, 2010, Newsletter
The monthly meeting in February in Freer, Texas, was great. The program by Emma Martinez on using cactus to landscape your yard was very informative and easy to understand. As most gardeners know, the most pressing problem in the garden is controlling the weeds. The work in keeping the garden weed-free is never ending. Many times we'll see that the weeds have taken over the garden completely. Many will then abandon the garden for this reason. There is no chance that this garden will be getting a GARDEN OF THE MONTH award.
Mrs. Martinez, however, had the solution for controlling weeds in your garden.….she recommends that we surround the cacti with old magazines. Emma first soaks the magazines in water and then covers the garden beds with magazines (or newspapers), your problems with weeds will be over. Emma covered the magazines with stones obtained from a nearby gravel pit. The stones can be the size of a grapefruit or smaller. She paid $21 a ton for the gravel. The gravel solves the problem and looks great in the cactus garden. Incidentally, the magazines can be used in other gardens (rose gardens, in annual and perennial flower gardens, etc). Emma uses ROUNDUP to control weeds along the fence line.
When landscaping with cactus and succulent plants, you should always do your homework first. Learn more about their individual growing requirements and try to match these requirements to that of your landscape.
Cactus plants have a number of survival tactics that allow them to adapt to a particular environment; however, it's always better to choose those that are more likely to thrive in your particular area. Including a variety of cacti that share similar growing needs but with different heights and textures will add interest to the cactus garden. Other plants and succulents may be planted with the cactus. Plants that need lots of water should not be planted with cactus since cactus needs very little water.
Choose cacti which produce plenty of colorful blooms. Throw in some other succulents and perhaps a bougainvillea or two (they don't need much water). The hard work in the cactus garden will be worth every hour you put into it. And the work involved will be great exercise which will benefit you.
Thanks, Emma, for the fantastic program!
****************************
Recipes
****************************
Cactus tuna Salad
1 Can Tuna Fish
1 head lettuce, chopped, (may substitute two heads leaf lettuce)
1 cup chopped diced nopales and ½ onion, minced
Your favorite salad dressing
Mix all ingredients, chill and serve.
Grilled Cactus Pads
Cactus pads, olive oil, salt/pepper as needed
This is an interesting treat for a cookout. Scrub cactus leaves well with a vegetable scrubber to remove any spines that may be on them. With the end of a potato peeler cut around the spiney nodules and remove them. Make sure that all are removed. Grill the leaves over charcoal or wood fire for 10 to 12 minutes on each side. Thicker leaves may take slightly longer to grill. Brush leaves with olive oil occasionally while grilling. Serve hot.
Scrambled Eggs Arizona Style
1 or 2 cactus pads
8 eggs
1/4 pound cheese (cheddar, American, etc).
Salt and pepper to taste
Scrub cactus leaves and remove spines. Use a potato peeler to cut around spiney nodules and remove. Slice cactus leaves into bite-size pieces. Saute cactus leaves in a small amount of butter for 5 minutes. Remove. Beat eggs in a mixing bowl and add shredded cheese and cooked cactus leaves. Pour in heated skillet and scramble. Serve warm.
********
Water Purification
TCC member, Dr. Shinichi Tokuno, sent me some information on using cactus to purify water. Many Mexican communities have drinking water laced with unsafe levels of arsenic and unappealing amounts of sand and other solids. To make the water cleaner, Norma Alcantar, a chemical engineer at the University of South Florida in Tampa and her colleagues are working on an environmentally benign filtering process based on a plant found all over Mexico: the nopal cactus or prickly pear. We'll soon have more information from Shin.
*****
The Texas Cactus Council will meet at Strickland's Restaurant in Falfurrias , Texas , on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is at 1918 S. Hwy 281. The menu is great. Come early if you wish.
The program will be presented by Anne Estevis. TCC member, Dr. Anne Estevis, along with several other authors, will read excerpts from Valleysong: An Anthology Echoing the Rhythm and Cadence of Life in the Rio Grande Valley. The book is a collection of poetry, prose, and fiction about life in the Valley written by a group of 15 South Texas authors known as Texas Rio Writers. The anthology provides glimpses into the culture, the history, the people, and even some of the flora and fauna of the land along the Rio Grande. Estevis, originally from Corpus Christi, moved to Edinburg in 1974 after having lived 20 years in New Mexico . She is the author of two award-winning young adult novels reflecting life in deep South Texas during the Second World War. She is retired from the University of Texas-Pan American. Books can be purchased for $15.00.
I read two of Anne's books, DOWN GARRAPATA ROAD and CHICKEN FOOT FARM. Both were great and I highly recommend them.
Please bring a door prize. We appreciate your cooperation in bringing the door prizes.
See you in Falfurrias,
J. T. Garcia
Secretary/Treasurer
Camelback and the Praying Monk Poster by Ann McLeod
Webmaster: Chumbe Salinas
loancougar@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/benavidesconnect
February, 2010, Newsletter
The Texas Cactus Council had a great meeting in January. The program was presented by Sara Flores from Corpus Christi, Texas. Sara is president of SAGA (Spanish American Genealogical Association). Sara explained the steps we must take to research our family tree.
Write down everything you have learned from your family and begin to enter the information in a pedigree or family tree chart. If you're unfamiliar with these traditional family tree forms, you can find step by step instructions in filling out genealogical forms on the Internet. These charts provide an at-a-glance overview of your family, making it easy to track your research progress.
1) Select a single surname , individual, or family with which to begin. Focusing your family history search helps keep your research on track, and reduces the chance of missing important details due to sensory overload. As much as you might want to, you can't do it all at once.
2) Explore the Internet for information and leads on your ancestors. Good places to start include pedigree databases , message boards , and resources specific to your ancestor's location . Visit your local Family History Center where you can access the world's largest collection of genealogical information.
3) Look for the records of your ancestors including wills , birth , marriage and death records , land deeds , immigration records , etc.
Thanks, Sara, for a most informative program.
********
I was contacted by Cynthia McAlister, a member of the Chihuahan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) in Fort Davis , Texas . Several West Texas universities are academic resources in the areas of biology, geology, agriculture & natural resources and the Center for Big Bend Studies. The information below comes from their website www.cdri.org .
The Chihuahuan Desert Region
A desert region can be defined many ways. To a physical scientist such as a meteorologist, a desert can be defined as an area receiving an average annual rainfall of 10" or less. On the other hand, a biologist will consider how moisture moves through an ecosystem and the effect it will have on life forms. His definition of a desert region is an area in which the evaporation rate exceeds the annual rainfall. At the Fort Davis Headquarters of the CDRI, the annual evaporation rate is 36-48" while the annual rainfall averages 17". In addition, the evaporation rate on an open body of water such as a pond, river, or stock tank can be as high as 72" annually. Pretty dry! As a result, a desert region is usually defined by a combination of factors such as climate, topography, and plant and animal communities.
The Chihuahuan Desert region is home to a multitude of specialized invertebrates . Among the most conspicuous are the Desert Tarantula, Whip Scorpions or Vinegaroon, Desert Millipede, a number of scorpions, and Giant Centipede. A rich butterfly and moth fauna is also to be found here.
As with most desert regions, fish species have evolved through ages of isolation. Spring systems have become home for a plethora of endemic (unique) fish. More species of pupfish occur here than in any other desert region.
Common Chihuahuan Desert amphibians include the Barred Tiger Salamander, spadefoot toads, and the Rio Grande Frog. A recent introduction, the Bull Frog, has found suitable habitat along portions of the Rio Grande and Pecos River.
A great number of lizards inhabit the region. Among these are the whiptails, spinys, horned, collared, and geckos. Snakes have evolved to take advantage of a wide range of conditions. While a few are diurnal such as the garter and coachwhips, most avoid the heat of the sun by prowling after dark. Chihuahuan snake species include the beautiful Mexican kingsnakes, Trans-Pecos Ratsnake, and many species of rattlesnakes. The venomous coral snakes and Gila Monster are only known from the fringes of the Chihuahuan Desert region where they are rarely encountered.
More species of birds have been recorded in Big Bend National Park alone than any other North American national park. Despite the high numbers, most are non-resident or seasonal. In addition, population densities are usually small.
Mammals are diverse and tend to be nocturnal. The northern Chihuahuan Desert region has one of the richest bat faunas to be found anywhere. Eighteen species have been documented in Presidio County , Texas , alone. Most are small and insectivorous. Notable representatives include the Pallid Bat, Western Pipistrelle, and Brazilian Freetailed Bat.
The larger predators have struggled for survival and while the Mountain Lion has been successful, Gray Wolves and Black Bear still hang on in northern Mexico . Grizzly Bears were known to inhabit at least one Chihuahuan mountain range until the late 1960s.
Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, and Pronghorn are common residents while attempts to reintroduce the Desert Bighorn have met with mixed results. Other common mammals include the Coyote, Collared Peccary, Ringtail, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Spotted Ground Squirrel, a number of skunk species, woodrats, and many nocturnal mice.
Ms. McAlister invites members of the Texas Cactus Council to consider whether we are interested in leading a workshop during their Cactus & Succulent festival. Please let me know if anyone would like to take part in this.
********
The extremely cold days of December were devastating to some of the cactus in the South Texas area. Noticeable damage is evident in many of the cactus gardens. (The only cacti not damaged by the icy cold weather is the cactus from Saltillo, Mexico, which we brought to our area in 1991). The cactus was not totally damaged. Most should start to sprout once the warm Spring weather sets in. The Good Lord was very generous with the rain. Livestock are already nibbling on winter weeds and grasses. It appears we will have a much better year than we had last year.
********
The Texas Cactus Council will meet in Freer, Texas , at Buckaroo Inn on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is on 5343 S. Norton St. (Hwy 16) right across from the High School. They have a great menu. Come earlier if you wish. If you can, please bring a door prize.
The program will be on utilizing cactus to landscape your garden. Texas Cactus Council member Emma Martinez from Green Acres will talk on the steps she took to get her cactus garden started. Now that Spring is approaching and the rains have been good, we can concentrate on our gardens. Other TCC members will hopefully also contribute to this discussion.
Coming programs: A book review by TCC member Anne Esteviz - March, 2010.
Feral Hogs - - A fast growing problem, by Sam Gavito - - April, 2010.
Nos vemos en Freer,
J. T. Garcia
Secretary/Treasurer
Opuntia arrastradillo
Webmaster: Chumbe Salinas
loancougar@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/benavidesconnect
January, 2010, Newsletter
The Texas Cactus Council Christmas Party in Benavides , Texas , was great. Our thanks to all the members for contributing the wonderful eats - - - main dishes, desserts, beverages, salads. After the meal, gifts were passed out to all. Special thanks to the owners of the Garza Party Barn for allowing us to use the facility once again.
********
Extremely cold days are upon us. An Arctic front with very strong winds blew in and covered most of Texas. The weatherman warns that we take care of our four P's - - - people, pets, pipes and plants. Bring in your pets, plants (or cover them well where they are outdoors). Slightly run your outdoor faucets to prevent freezing pipes and broken water lines. Also do what you can to provide protection to the homeless (shelter, food, and warm clothes and blankets).
The winter days will come to an end soon. We've had our share of good rains which will provide a good start to our plants in spring. And. of course, it's never too early to start planning your cactus gardens. Below are some useful tips.
GROWING CACTUS FROM SEEDS
-
Cacti are members of the Cactaceae family. They are distinctively different from other plants as they are the only ones that can survive in an extremely hot and dry climate. They are succulents, which means their form is such, that they can conserve water. They make for beautiful ornamental plants, and those who have them, can go on and on about the types of cactus and the vivid and vibrant colors of cactus flowers, set against a dry arid background. So now, you are tempted to grow a cactus, or perhaps are keen on adding more variety to your plant collection. Well, buying a cactus from a nursery could be an easy option, but there are more exciting ways to go about growing cactus plants. Cactus can be propagated through seeds, cuttings or divisions. This article will tell you all about growing cactus from seeds.
How to Grow Cactus from Seeds -
Before you start growing cactus from seeds, it is imperative to get all the possible information on cactus plants . Although cactus seeds follow the usual steps of seed germination , propagation of cactus from seeds is a slow process, as, unlike other plants, the seeds don't germinate within a week. Depending upon the variety of the cactus, and the quality of the seeds, cacti seeds generally take anywhere between 2 to 16 weeks to germinate.
Seeds
Cactus seeds can be bought from nurseries, or collected from the pods of any cactus plant that has flowered. Remove the entire intact mature pod from the cactus plant. With a sharp pen knife, very gently cut open the pod. Spread a sheet of paper on a flat surface, and shake the seeds off from within, without touching them. Leave the seeds on the paper to dry at room temperature. If you manage to collect a large quantity and do not wish to germinate all of them, then store the seeds in a dry airtight container.
Soil
To grow cactus from seeds, complete water drainage of the soil is essential. Of all the different types of soil , the soil mix for cactus should be free draining, and should not act like a sponge by retaining moisture. It should not be rich, and must be devoid of all organic materials, as moist organic matter can promote the growth of fungus and damping off of the seeds. The gravel or sand you add to this mix should not be fine. Fine sand tends to bind the soil, whereas gravel that is slightly big in size will allow the water to flow freely. The soil mix should contain one part washed sand, one part free flowing soil, and one part perlite. Cactus seeds can be grown in large or small containers, or even in Styrofoam cups. At the base, layer some bricks and charcoal pieces, fill the soil 3/4 of the pot, gently pat it down to eliminate air pockets and flatten the surface.
Sowing
Sow seeds in early spring, this way, the germinated seeds will have enough sun as they establish themselves. Sprinkle seeds evenly on top of the soil. For very fine seeds, mix with a little sand for even distribution. Cover the seeds with a sprinkle of very fine sand. There are two ways to water your container. For plastic or earthen pots, spray mist, or place the pot in a shallow tray of water until the top of the growing medium becomes moist. If you are using a Styrofoam cup, spray mist. As cactus is quite susceptible to damping, add a little liquid fungicide to the water, before watering the seeds. The water should drain out completely. Cover the pot with a clean plastic sheet, and leave it undisturbed in a place that receives sunlight, but not direct heat. One can even use fluorescent bulbs for germination, instead of natural light. Turn off the light at night though. The soil should not dry out, at the same time it should not be too damp. Spray mist only when you feel the soil is beginning to dry out.
Germination
Depending upon the variety and quality of seeds, your cactus seed will germinate within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are one or two inches tall, gradually acclimatise them to warmer, drier, and sunnier conditions. Water as per need, but never over water. As cactus is a slow grower, it may take a couple of years before one can transplant into individual pots.
*
Emulsification of cactus
For many years we have been talking about the benefits derived from eating cactus. Hundreds of cactus recipes have been shared with our members and the public. Many people have reported eating cactus and enjoying the results of doing so. As of now, there is no cure for diabetes. However, the diabetes can be controlled by the consumption of cactus. Although many have the time to prepare cactus dishes, some may not. A method to utilize cactus in our diets without having to prepare it in a recipe, has been developed by one of our Texas Cactus Council members, Dr. Shin-ichi Tokuno. Shin explains how the cactus is emulsified. We have always encouraged everyone to use tender cactus pads for the different recipes. Always remove the spines before you cook with cactus. If you are among the lucky ones to have spineless cactus in your backyard, so much the better. These are the steps:
1). Dice 6 or 7 tender cactus pads into ¾ - 1 inch size. If you do not have tender cactus pads, use mature pads. Dice these and carefully remove the skin from the diced cactus.
2). Add about ½ cup water and diced cactus to blender. Blend for 3 minutes or so. You will find a sticky paste in the blender. Store the blended cactus in the refrigerator or freezer. Quickly wash the blender with warm water and dish detergent to avoid the sticky solution from sticking to the blender.
3). Add two or 3 tablespoons (or more) of the emulsified cactus gel to various foods (soups, oatmeal, instant noodles, Spanish rice, carne guisada, enchiladas, etc.) to supplement various vitamins and antioxidants as well as improving bowel movement.
Thank you, Shin, for this great information. Dr. Tokuno is a microbiologist who now lives in San Antonio .
****************************
Recipes
****************************
Nopalitos a La Mexicana
3 cactus pads
1 large potato
1/4 medium diced onion
2 tomatoes blended with garlic clove
cilantro sprigs finely chopped
1 diced tomato
2 diced jalapeños cumin
Cook cactus pads and potato in saucepan in a little bit of water. Add salt. Half cook the cactus and potato. Dice half-cooked cactus and potato into small pieces. Fry onion, diced tomatoes and cilantro in vegetable oil. Add diced cactus and potato and blended tomatoes and garlic. Salt/pepper to taste. Add cumin.
Cook for about ten minutes in medium heat. Serve with rice.
Recipe by Susana Rodríguez
*
NOPALITOS AND LIME SALAD
8 – 10 diced cooked cactus
1½ cups tomato wedges
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
1 cup julienned jicama 1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh cilantro
Combine nopalitos, tomato wedges, avocado and jicama in a medium serving dish. Combine oil, lime juice, sugar, cumin and salt. Pour over nopalito mixture and mix well. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Chill and serve. Serves 6.
********
JANUARY MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2010, in San Diego , Texas, at Luchazie Restaurant. at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is located at the entrance to San Diego on the right coming from Alice , Texas , on Hi-Way 44/359 right across the highway from Family Dollar. They have a great menu. You may come earlier if you want to place your order earlier.
The program will be presented by Sara Flores, member of the Spanish American Genealogical Association. The information she will present will be very helpful to those who are interested in studying their ancestors' background and starting a family tree. A question and answer session will follow.
Sara Dueñas Flores currently serves as President of SAGA of Corpus Christi, TX. She has served three years in that position. Mrs. Flores has been doing genealogy work for about 20 years. She has attended many state and international conferences . Currently she is researching the Elizondo lines in her family from Monterrey and Saltillo.
The Flores' moved to Corpus Christi 7 years ago from Killeen, Tx where she taught Bilingual Education for 33 of her 39 year tenure. She also taught in New Jersey, Arizona, Germany, and Robstown. She served for 6 years on the Board of the National Education Association and 6 years as a City Council Member of Killeen.
Her other love is gardening. She serves as VP of the Cactus and Succulent Society and is also a Master Gardener and Plumeria Society member.
SAGA has books that are parish records of several border towns in Mexico which include births, deaths and marriages. They are available at sagacorpuschristi.com
Her strong ties to Duval County have motivated her to dedicate her retirement doing genealogy.
Nos vemos pronto,
J. T. Garcia
Secretary/Treasurer
Webmaster: Chumbe Salinas
loancougar@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/benavidesconnect