At least superglue is better than the first gimmicky ones that appeared which used to pin the flowers and novelties onto them and this sometimes started rot. Possibly those dyed using food dyes have been less damaged than those with stuck on flowers, since they eventually grow out of the colour.
As to why they are done. A quote from the link below:-
"Today I got an email from Bob Reidmuller, who is the Resident Horticulturist at Altman Plants, responding to my original email in regards to the fake flowers glued on cacti. In that email I asked if the fake flowers were glued onto cacti in part because of retailer demand, here's what he said;
"We actually have some of our own with straw flowers again at the request of the big box store that wanted them. When they actually outsell the ones without the fake flowers 2 to 1 it is not good business to refuse a major retailer's request."
I also asked if he or the company had ever gotten any funny/unusual emails about the fake flowers on cacti.
"I have had more than several emails from people who want to order some more of that specific cactus because it has been in bloom continuously for 2 years and is still going! What is also funny about those flowers too is because of their own inherent nature, many of them will "close" if they get wet or damp, and "open" again when they dry out. No wonder some of the non-plant people might be mislead."
http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.co.uk/2007 ... lents.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.co.uk/2007 ... cacti.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.co.uk/2007 ... abuse.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cactiguide.com/article/?article=article14.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some more examples:-
http://youreasygarden.com/garden-trends ... is-spring/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com ... o-dye-for/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.petaltalk-jean.com/2013/03/a ... color.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 21944.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;