“Cactus and Succulent Journal” – Volume 97-4

In this issue

• Editorial
  Peter Breslin
• Remembering Tucson’s Cactus & Succulent Godfather
  Three of Tucson’s leading voices share memories and insights celebrating one of the city’s most influential figures in the cactus world.
  Greg Starr, Gene Joseph, and Dick Weidhopf
• Cultivating Beauty, Cultivating Trends – Debra Lee Baldwin’s Succulent Journey
  A personal and beautifully told story from the “Queen of Succulents” herself, reflecting on her career, creative evolution, and the changing world of succulent enthusiasm.
  Debra Lee Baldwin
• Growing Aloes from Seed: A Simple and Effective Method for Home Gardeners
  A practical, step-by-step guide that demystifies aloe propagation—perfect for growers at any level.
  Joseph Shaw
• Lithops and Small Geophytes in the Namib Desert: Old and New Stories
  An engaging look at these remarkable desert dwellers—combining field notes, observations, and a few surprises from one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
  Peter Beiersdorfer and Jaan K. Lepson
• Opuntia Web: A New Resource for Studying U.S. Opuntia Species
  Introducing Opuntia Web, an important new platform for understanding, comparing, and researching Opuntia across the United States.
  Joseph Shaw, Nanette Hussey, Daniel Green, and David J. Ferguson

About the Cover

Artist Bio: Steven Derks

Born in Dubuque, Iowa in 1957, Steven Derks is a self-taught artist currently based in Tucson, Arizona.

In the 1980s, Steven worked as a Native Plant Specialist—known informally as a “cactus cop”—for the Arizona Department of Agriculture. This connection to the desert landscape continues to influence his artistic vision today.

Steven’s primary focus is metal sculpture, particularly in the realm of found-object art. He also maintains secondary practices in non-objective painting and photography. His work has been featured in books, magazines, television, and film, and is held in numerous public, corporate, museum, and private collections across the United States and internationally.

Among his notable achievements are a six-year exhibition in the Oval Office and White House during the Clinton administration, and an ongoing residency and exhibition at the University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona.

Represented by several fine art galleries as well as private and corporate art consultants, Steven maintains a prolific studio practice. His work is inspired by the natural forms and structures explored by artists and scientists such as Ernst Haeckel and Karl Blossfeldt. Learn more at www.stevenderks.com.