The theme of Extravaganza 2013 is PASSION. Everyone speaking, volunteering, attending, and participating has a passion for succulents. To learn more about the speakers, click here to read their extended bios.
Of Special Note
While passion is the theme, creativity is the focus. All of the speakers and volunteers are creative, driven individuals with new ideas for incorporating succulents into, not just gardens, but daily life. From accessorizing with succulents to making more succulents to photographing succulents for lasting memories, everyone on the schedule has amazing ideas for ways that all of the attendees can go home and continue to cover the world with succulents.
You WILL leave Extravaganza 2013 with new ideas, tips, and techniques that you can immediately implement in your garden or landscape (or outfit!).
*Please remember, for a succulent shopping experience, bring cash! We do not accept credit cards.
Succulent Extravaganza 2013 Schedule
Friday September 27, 2013
8:30 a.m. Morning Stroll Through the Gardens with Brian, Brian Kemble of the Ruth Bancroft Gardens will talk about the plants around the nursery. If you have ever accompanied Brian for one of his “talks," then you know we are referring more to a “super succulent experience."
10:00 a.m. Plants that Drink Responsibly, Debra Lee Baldwin ~ Debra’s Top Ten Favorites
Presented by Debra Lee Baldwin, garden photojournalist and author
As Debra introduces her favorite easy-care succulents for southern CA gardens, she explains how to beautifully combine them in landscapes, gardens and containers. Based on her new book, Succulents Simplified, this fun and informative presentation celebrates the shapes, colors and textures of succulents, and gives tips for keeping them fat and sassy. Come be reassured, entertained, and inspired! Book signing follows.
11:15 a.m. A Photography Walk Through the Gardens with Candice, Candice Suter (small group-first come, first served)
Candice Suter of Sweetstuff’s Sassy Succulent’s on a group photo tour through our beautiful gardens. Get tips and ideas on how to photograph these incredible plants through Candy’s unique perspective. No photography experience needed. This will be a fun way to see the gardens and get some great photos to remember the day!
11:30 a.m. Accessorizing with Succulents, Laura Balaoro
Give your old hats and jewels new life with a succulent makeover! Learn how to create a hat adorned with succulents and how to convert the hat into a succulent planter. Learn how to plant the cuttings that formerly adorned the hat in the hat and learn how care for your new living work of art.
1:30 p.m. Coring Agaves, Why and How?, Tony Krock
How and why do you “Core” a succulent plant? What is “Coring”? Tony has used Coring to propagate unusual succulents for many years and will be sharing his knowledge in this talk.
2:00 p.m. Three Vertical Gardens: A Valley in China, Winnie the Pooh, and Sailing Sunset, Robin Stockwell
A brief description of each of the displays in the front parking lot. Robin will be talking about the how and why of these two vertical gardens and a new vertical garden in the making.
3:00 p.m. Making a Succulent Bridal Bouquet, Marialuisa Kaprielian
Marialuisa will lead us through the process of creating succulent bouquets, showing us how to prepare each cutting and bloom for wiring, and will demonstrate two different wiring techniques along with stabilization of the wires. Then she will show us how to tie the bouquet and dress with ribbon, felt or stems. She will finish with how to care for your bouquet and questions and answers.
4:00 p.m. The Globe from Concept to Completion, Robin Stockwell
A description of how the idea came about, and what it took to complete. Engineering, planter modification, finding a template, plant selection, planting, delivery and assembly.
5:00 p.m. Bar B Q
- Bar B Que’d Corn on the Cob, Mike Johnson cooking
- Grilled Nopalitos, a new addition to this year’s Extravaganza menu with chef Mike Johnson's compliments.
- Bar B Que’d burgers with lots of great condiments
- Haute Enchilada’s awesome Tamales
- Locally brewed beer
Saturday September 28, 2013
8:30 a.m. Garden Tour with Brian Kemble (Covering different areas than the Day 1 tour.)
9:30 a.m. A Photography Walk Through the Gardens with Candice, Candice Suter (small group-first come, first served)
10:00 a.m. Pairing Plants and Containers, Debra Lee Baldwin
Achieve harmony and synergy by matching succulent plants with complementary containers.
11:30 a.m. Planting Succulents in Vintage Containers, Kim and Kristin Scheidt 
Enjoy a demonstration about planting succulents in vintage containers. It’s important to prepare the container properly prior to planting to protect the container to ensure the plants thrive. You'll learn how to do this while using a variety of containers, including a mini wheelbarrow, fishing tackle basket, and various antique tins. Go home prepared to make your own unique creations!
1:00 p.m. The Succulent Landscape: Who, how, and Why (and who to invite to the party), Tom Jesch
Learn about the process of designing a succulent landscape from start to finish. What are the challenges and how do you overcome them? What are the realities when planning for maintenance of the succulent landscape? Who do you invite to the "party" to grow along with the succulents?
2:30 p.m. Designing and Creating a Miniature Landscape with Succulents, Gary Bartl
Gary will select a container and create a dish garden while talking about the plants he chose, handling of the plants, and issues related to container gardening. Gary will also share some of his experiences related to working with succulent plants and therapy.
3:30 p.m. The Globe: Part 2, Robin Stockwell
4:00 p.m. EVENT CONCLUDES AND NURSERY LOCKED!
