The British Cactus and Succulent Society hosts Cactus World Live, a competitive cactus and succulent show. It showcases the very best cultivated plants from around the UK across 148 different classes and 300ft of stalls.
Since 1993 the BCSS has supported the conservation of cacti and succulents through its membership grants. Helping to protect native plants from the threats they face. They provide in-person and online talks, articles about new species, and cultivation techniques. They also have a forum for advice, as well as greenhouse tours, and photo competitions.
Cactus World Live is open to everyone who wants to admire the winners or purchase plants from the specialist nurseries and private sellers. You'll need to become a BCSS member to enter any of their competitions. It gives you access to their quarterly journal with cultivtion advice, new discoveries, habitat and greenhouse tours, and other plant-related news.
I'm tempted to join—and maybe even enter a plant to compete! As a dedicated plant collector who loves nothing more than exploring botanical gardens; entering into a plant competition feels like a fun experience.
I visited the Newark Showground where Cactus World Live took place in the George Stephenson Hall.
The event website (now unavailable) did state dogs were not allowed at the venue but I took the risk anyway. I quickly discovered there were plenty of others dogs at the event and nobody said anything. Everyone wanted to say hello to the dog and chat about plants.
The competition stalls were phenomenal with some real showstoppers, from cacti that over 10ft tall and succulents over 50 years old. The growers were keen to tell you everything they knew about their plants. It was a great opportunity to talk with experts who all had decades of experience and knowledge about specific plant species.
Whether you are new to growing houseplants or an expert grower wanting to learn more about new species; Cactus World Live is a fantastic event to see interesting and unusual cacti and succulents you won't find outside of private collections. If you get the opportunity to visit the event, I recommending doing so. It was a real pleasure to meet and talk to such experienced growers and the plants they've grown.