Al’s interest in the natural world started in his childhood. Growing up in Chicago he would make regular visits to Field Museum of Natural History,and read books on the natural sciences. His favorite hobbies were growing exotic plants like cacti, and collecting fossils, minerals, and insects.
After moving to California at the age of 17 he found his passion in plants. He was amazed at the diversity and beauty of the flora of California. He was employed by South Shores Nursery in San Clemente California while attending California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture with emphasis in landscape design and retail nursery management.
After graduation he was hired by Rodgers Gardens in Corona Del Mar, California. Within a year he was promoted to Nursery Manager. Soon Al had the opportunity to start a new business. He was asked to help open a nursery-gift shop in Escondido California, called Canterbury Gardens and Gifts. Soon after he was asked to be a partner in the business. Al recently retired from Canterbury Gardens after 35 years of service. Consequently Al is now running his nursery business, Botanic Wonders full time, his true passion! Botanic Wonders specializes in growing and selling of rare and exotic plants, including cycads, and rare succulents.
Program Topic – Succulent Bonsai
Gasteria, Copiapoa are the mini show plants.
Gasteria is a genus of succulent plants in the family Asphodelaceae, native to South Africa (and the far south-west corner of Namibia).
Gasterias are recognizable from their thick, hard, succulent “tongue-shaped” leaves. Their inflorescence is also unique, with their curved, stomach-shaped flowers, which hang from inclined racemes. The name of the genus derived from the Latin word for “stomach” and refers to the shape of the flower.
Copiapoa is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceaea, from the dry coastal deserts, particularly the Atacama Desert, of northern Chile. It comprises 32 morphologically defined species and 5 heterotypic subspecies. These species vary in form from spherical to slightly columnar and in color from a brownish to blue-green body. They have warty ribs and spiny areoles, and they usually produce tubular yellow flowers which grow from woolly crowns in summer.