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Vincent Price & Norma Lewis

Dear Kirk Pamper

You're confusing Vincent Price's screen persona with the man. He was also
widely respected as an art collector and a gourmet cook. Apparently, He
also was a lover of succulent plants also!

There was an article written about him and his plants by none other than
Norma Lewis (our Crasulady) in The Sansevieria Journal 4 (1): 39 (1995).

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VINCENT PRICE & SANSEVIERIA

Norma Lewis

About 18 years ago in 1976 my husband asked me to go with him on a short
business trip. I agreed. We went to the home of Vincent Price, the well
known Hollywood star, right after he had sold it to a client of ours. First
thing that greeted us was a swarm of bees at the front door. The new owner
showed us around. The living room was empty. I believe there were 7
bedrooms upstairs. Downstairs there was a wine cellar and a large kitchen
with an island work-space in the middle. It was crowned by a copper hood,
and pots and pans hanging over. Attesting to Vincent's inclination for
cooking, there was accustom-built cabinet capable of holding thousands of
recipe cards.

I looked out into the front yard that faced Beverly Glen and, lo and
behold, I could not believe my eyes! There was a 10 ft. - at least - full
grown, multi-headed specimen of Aloe plicatilis! I had just priced one
small cutting for $35.00 at a nursery. So…why not? I asked for a cutting as
I explained I was a new collector and had not seen one that size. The owner
was very gracious and just said "Help yourself": they were re-doing the
landscape and everything had to be towed away.

After helping myself I went outside to look at the pool, which was huge,
and the lanai area. There was also a potting shed and patio. Hanging on the
shed were many epi's of which I also took cuttings and then I saw it…and
fell in love at once with Sansevieria cylindrica! I took a small piece,
about 4 inches long, as I did not want to damage the plant. I found out
later that the gardener took the rest home, apparently with the owner's
blessing.

We came back home with my treasure, I stuck it in the ground along a shady
fence and made no extra effort. I forgot all about it, not realizing that
it might grow, but it did. I have since given many offsets as gifts not
knowing all these years I should have fertilized this poor plant. It only
gets watered by accident so it is a wonder it is still alive.

If I had only known - I wonder what I could have missed!

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Now we know this was Norma's first Sansevieria.

Trick or treat? Happy Halloween! (in Hollywood)

(not so) Cereusly, Steve
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