BCSS Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch

Newsletter June 2006 - A Northumberland visit

I recently went to Newcastle on Tyne for the weekend and whilst I was there I had a few hours to kill, so I thought "This is an ideal opportunity to go and see Ray Stephenson and his collection". So, before I went, I e-mailed him to set up a visit. After a little unneeded diversion we found his house, his directions were fine, though my interpretation was less than perfect!

He apologised for the condition of his collection, as he said that only the week before it was under snow. However, I felt that this did not matter, as plants are interesting at any time of the year, also the snow had gone, to be replaced by torrential rain. I found that in common with us all he was struggling to contain all his plants in suitable conditions over winter. The usual problem - too many plants! This was in part because he was housing two other collections of people who could no longer look after their plants. Thus not only were his greenhouse shelves full, there were numerous plants hanging from the roof and under the benches and over the floor. Then there was another greenhouse for the more choice hardier plants, mostly Sedums. Then there was a summer house, doubling up as an extra greenhouse, with some huge Cacti and Bromeliads in it. Then there were his raised beds for the hardy plants, Sedums, Sempervivums and Rhodiolas (a particular favourite of his). Then there was the overflow into the house and porch - it was a succulent plant lover’s dream.

It was difficult to see everything; indeed he told me that some friends find something new every time they have a look, even if there are no new plants! I saw some choice Echeverias, some interesting hybrids of Graptopetalums with Sedums or Echeverias, loads of Sedums (he is the founder of the Sedum Society), a few very nice Pelargoniums, a lot more succulents and plenty of cacti. The raised beds were what I found particularly interesting, as most plants there were uncovered but planted in well-drained compost in pots placed on gravel. He even had a hardy Crassula (I brought a bit of that home). I’m sure he was right that the collection would look better when everything was growing better. I hope I can go again at a better time of year. I was still fascinated with the set up and there is plenty to see. My husband, who is not a plantaholic, still managed to be entertained by Ray’s guitar collection; he’s got something for everyone! Alasdair is going next week, so it will be interesting to exchange notes.

Elizabeth Maddock

The week before Easter I had the pleasure of visiting and speaking to Teesside and Northumbria branches, always a most enjoyable experience. Like Elizabeth, I find that a visit to Ray’s collection is fascinating, there is such a wide variety of plants to see. I’m one of the people who finds something new each time I go. There were some remarkable plants in the extra collections he was housing including the biggest and one of the best plants of Mammillaria elongata I’ve seen. I departed with a nice Thelocactus, about to flower. Interestingly it was growing in 100% grit - no soil, so I guess it’s going to require fairly regular feeding to keep it going well. I hope to report on my experience with this plant in the future.

Alasdair Glen