Calitzdorp ready to bloom

Succulents in all shapes and sizes will take centre stage in Calitzdorp this weekend as the annual Vetplantfees returns from Friday, 18 September, to Sunday, 20 September.

Held at the Calitzdorp Station, the Vetplantfees brings together succulent enthusiasts, specialist growers and plant experts from different parts of the country.

Thousands of rare and indigenous potted succulents will be on sale throughout the weekend, with many of South Africa’s specialist succulent growers offering a wide variety of plants. Several new vendors are joining the festival in 2026, adding to the variety of plants on offer.

According to the organisers, vendors are asked to sell only plants that have been artificially propagated, meaning plants offered for sale have not been removed from the veld. Festivalgoers are reminded that plants will be available on a first-come, first-buy basis.

Those keen to see succulents in their natural surroundings can join guided veld walks to Calitzdorp’s well-known Jakkalskop.

Trained CapeNature guides will lead small groups on 90-minute walks, where dozens of succulent varieties can be seen, many of which are flowering at this time of year.

A series of free talks by plant experts will also be presented during the Vetplantfees.

On Friday at 11:00, Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld and Cornell Beukes will share highlights from a 12-day expedition to the arid and desert regions of southwestern Angola in January this year. Their journey focused on Welwitschia, as well as several other succulent species.

Van Jaarsveld and Beukes will present another talk at 14:00, this time focusing on succulents in the Kruger National Park and ongoing efforts to document the succulent species found there.

On Saturday at 12:30, Buck Hemenway will turn the spotlight closer to home with a talk on the aloes of the Klein Karoo, including where they occur naturally and how to recognise the different species. The expert talks are free and no booking is required, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Festivalgoers can also get their hands dirty during practical workshops covering succulent propagation and ways to successfully grow and display these plants.

A succulent exhibition and plant competition will form part of the weekend, including the chance to see the “Best Aloe in Show”.

Botanical art will also be exhibited, with original works available for sale. Another attraction will be the rare plant auction on Saturday at 11:00, where mature and sometimes particularly rare succulents, artwork and other special items contributed by vendors and artists will go under the hammer.

The festivities continue on Saturday evening with a dinner at the Calitzdorp NG Church, prepared and served by the ladies of the church. Aloe expert Jaap Viljoen will be the guest speaker and will reflect on more than 65 years of interest in aloes in his talk, Aloes, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

The dinner starts at 18:00 and costs R350 per person. Seats are limited and advance booking is essential.

The plant market opens at 09:00 on Friday 18 September and continues until 15:00 on Sunday 20 September. (MALISSA SPIES)

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