Amateur Scientist is a Cactus Specialist

Cacti and succulents, particularly those that produce attractive blooms or have unusual morphology, have long been popular with plant lovers.

Professionals and amateurs who study and enjoy succulents and cacti have probably heard of Wendell "Woody" Minnich, a retired school teacher and amateur scientist who has become one of the world's leading cactus experts.

Minnich serves as vice-president of the San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society. In 2006 he will speak at the British Cactus and Succulent Society convention. In 2008 he will speak at the Cactus and Succulent Society of New Zealand.

When he's not speaking at cactus meetings, Minnich operates Cactus Data Plants, a retail operation that offers a huge variety of of rare cacti and succulents.

Minnich was featured in a recent story by Eryn Brown in the Los Angeles Times ("He knows their every spine," 29 September 2005). Brown toured Minnich's retail operation and produced a fascinating story about Minnich's broad range of knowledge about succulents and cacti.

The article about Minnich is well worth reading by the amateur scientist community, especially the closing quote captured by writer Brown: "I need about 10 lifetimes to do all I want to do," Minnich said.

Forrest M. Mims III