What makes Stenocereus gummosus spiralis, spiral?

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Lactus
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Location: Humboldt CA Zone 9

What makes Stenocereus gummosus spiralis, spiral?

Post by Lactus »

Hello. I hope this is the right place for this, but I've been trying to pin down a Stenocereus gummosus spiralis and I have no idea how it gets that way. Is it a type of "monstrose"? Is it genetic? If so, how common is it? If I grew 100 from seed, how much potential is there that one would become a spiralis? Thanks in advance!
DaveW
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Re: What makes Stenocereus gummosus spiralis, spiral?

Post by DaveW »

The spiral is common in nature. Many of our cacti spiral as the tubercles are arranged in Fibonacci spirals. In the case you mention this is done to an abnormal degree, therefore the plant is a monstrous form. In the wild if it limits its reproduction the plant would tend to die out, but often in cultivation these monstrosities are preserved by vegetative propagation.

Not sure if you would obtain the same monstrosity from seed, or if all the plants you mention have now been obtained by vegetative propagation? However, from time-to-time different monstrosities may be obtained from seed. Also, which seed would you be using? That from normal Stenocerus gummosus or has anybody yet put seed from the monstrose form on the market as that would be more liable to produce mutations?

See:-

https://www.samwoolfe.com/2014/05/spira ... 20cells%3F

https://www.sussexflora.org.uk/resource ... es-plants/

If the plant hybridists are anything to go by you would need to grow many thousands from seed to obtain anything significantly different. You will be best looking out for a plant of it by searching online nurserymen's lists.

http://www.cactus-mall.com/nursery.html
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Lactus
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2022 4:58 am
Location: Humboldt CA Zone 9

Re: What makes Stenocereus gummosus spiralis, spiral?

Post by Lactus »

DaveW wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 10:30 am The spiral is common in nature. Many of our cacti spiral as the tubercles are arranged in Fibonacci spirals. In the case you mention this is done to an abnormal degree, therefore the plant is a monstrous form. In the wild if it limits its reproduction the plant would tend to die out, but often in cultivation these monstrosities are preserved by vegetative propagation.

Not sure if you would obtain the same monstrosity from seed, or if all the plants you mention have now been obtained by vegetative propagation? However, from time-to-time different monstrosities may be obtained from seed. Also, which seed would you be using? That from normal Stenocerus gummosus or has anybody yet put seed from the monstrose form on the market as that would be more liable to produce mutations?

See:-

https://www.samwoolfe.com/2014/05/spira ... 20cells%3F

https://www.sussexflora.org.uk/resource ... es-plants/

If the plant hybridists are anything to go by you would need to grow many thousands from seed to obtain anything significantly different. You will be best looking out for a plant of it by searching online nurserymen's lists.

http://www.cactus-mall.com/nursery.html
Thanks for the response!

I don't think any monstrose seed exist on the market as far as I'm aware so I'd try with normal seed and see if I get lucky I guess.
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