Introducing the
Ming Thing! Cereus forbesii monstrose to be precise.
Why is this cactus so weird-looking? According to the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, monstrose growth is caused by a mutation (genetic, viral, or bacterial) that causes every growth tip to think it's the dominant one. So instead of slowly growing into a nice barrel or cylinder, it just...grows everywhere. Fast.
In Cereus, the mutation happened quite a long time ago, in nature, and now it's deliberately cultivated. It didn't escape from some lab in West Texas. That's a relief.
Monstrose cacti can be a little more rot-prone, but can also be propagated by cuttings, which is a big plus.
So what do you think of the Ming Thing? Fabulously freaky or just URGH?
