"Nature's Geometry: Succulents"
Presented by Russel Ray
Russel uses the Fibonacci sequence of numbers to look at the shape of plants, the number of plant ribs, the number of spines in areoles, golden angles, phyllotaxis (the divergence angle), golden triangles, Fibonacci triangles, golden squares, golden rectangles, circles, fractals, and, most fascinating to him, golden spirals. He brings a selection of live succulents showing nature’s geometry and will have copies for sale of his book, “Nature’s Geometry: Succulents” a soft-cover book with over 600 pictures in 174 pages, discounted to $25 at the meeting.
Russel is from Kingsville, Texas, where he was born and then raised mostly by his paternal grandmother. He has lived in the San Diego area since April 1993. He has been self-employed his entire life, mostly as a "serial entrepreneur" specializing in getting companies through startup and growth phases. He has owned businesses in grocery export, antique restoration, roofing, landscaping, international & wireless telecommunications, heating & cooling, computer sales, writing & editing, typing & desktop publishing, construction, real estate agent, real estate investing & renovating, project management, business consultant, home inspector, photographer, and author.
A short Russel Ray timeline:
1962—Received his first plant, a heartleaf ivy (Philodendron cordatum), from his first grade teacher.
1966—Got started in photography as a volunteer elementary school events photographer.
1968—Created a 100-square-foot cactus rock garden in his grandmother’s yard.
1973—Became fascinated with the Fibonacci sequence of numbers and how they are expressed in nature.
2017—Retired and started learning the scientific names for all his favorite plants.
If you have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19 you are welcome to come and join us for this excellent in person presentation (masks will be highly encouraged). This meeting will also be a Zoom program and will be an important educational and informational event you must see. Also, if using Zoom, be sure to log in to win a $25.00 gift certificate from TCSS or choose a copy of the new 3rd edition of the Field Guide to Cacti & Other Succulents of Arizona. Plant give aways will take place at the in person meeting but that portion of the program, because of the recording, will not appear on Zoom. When leaving the live in person meeting, everyone can get a free plant offered to you by the TCSS.
Join us on Zoom https://bit.ly/tcssmm