Green thumb Wendell “Woody” Minnich, with columnar cactuses from Brazils Minas Gerias region, travels the world to talk about and collect rare cactuses and succulents. He also sells many of the plants he keeps in his backyard greenhouses and arbors. (Al Seib / LAT)
Desert rose The succulent Adenium obseum is one of Minnichs many species in his 10,000-square-foot collection. (Al Seib / LAT)
In bloom Flowers from the cactus Ariocarpus fissuratus bloom in Minnichs backyard. They are able to flourish in Southern Californias arid climate as the plants require little water. (Al Seib / LAT)
Cactus corral Minnichs nursery features the largest documented collection of the genus Mammillaria, including M. magnifica, in the background, and M. parkinsonii, foreground. (Al Seib / LAT)
