BOB Hunter has travelled the world to look at cactuses and it has nearly landed him in trouble.
The Cactus and Succulent Society of WA president and WA Horticultural Council vice-president recalled a trip to Mexico to look at cactuses.
“You need to know what you are doing in Mexico because it can be pretty lawless; there was one time when we walked into a town with a Texas park ranger and when we were at the bar they were talking Spanish,” he said.
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“The ranger told us to put down our drinks and leave. He later told us that they were plotting to kill us and I just thought it was lucky they didn’t know he was fluent in Spanish.
“There was another time when we were in a gully and a group of Spanish guys called out to us. According to the guide they were asking if he had a gun to kill a javelina, which is a sort of a pig.
“Our guide later told us that there was no pig, they just wanted to see if we were armed and were planning on shooting us.”
Mr Hunter will be among the representatives at the Plant Fair, which will be held at the South Perth Community Hall on February 25 and 26.
The fair gives various garden clubs and societies a chance to sell plants.
“It’s a chance for the groups to showcase themselves, get more members and sell plants,” Mr Hunter said.
“We usually get around 2000 to 3000 people; it usually peaks on Saturday.
“There used to be mainly older people but now younger people and kids come along.
“It can be spectacular and colourful. We always try to put on a show.”