Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing'

Cereus cactus 'Ming Thing'

Cereus cacti are erect or semi-prostrate columnar cacti reaching up to a meter in height, the stems up to 15 cm in diameter with up to 8 ribs, the central spines and 4 to 7 radial spines. Has white flowers to 25cm. Cereus forbesii is a branching shrubby or treelike cactus, with blue-green cylindrical-columnar stems with long spines. It can reach a height of about 2 m. It bears large white or pale pink funnel-shaped flowers that are reddish outside, in Spring to early Summer. Cereus 'Ming Thing' is a monstrose form of Cereus forbesii. Forms clumps of green/blue nodules with short black spines and woolly areoles. Prefers shade or filtered light. Grow in a porous cactus soil with adequate drainage for best results. Keep it warm during cold winter months. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Less water during the cold winter months to prevent root loss.

plant Features

Full sun to partial shade
Very little water
Not Frost hardy
Light and free draining

plant information

Common name

Cereus cactus 'Ming Thing'

Latin name

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing'

type

Succulent

family

Cactaceae

ph

5.5 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral

Light

Full sun to partial shade
Frost

Not Frost hardy

Soil

Light and free draining
Water

Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Cereus cactus Ming Thing is 0.15meters x 1.00meters

0.15 M 1.00 M

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing'

Planting

From Early Summer TO Late Summer

'Cereus' typically don't like direct afternoon sunlight and should be in partial shade through the hottest hours. They can take direct sunlight in the morning and afternoons. A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal. To plant, do this preferably during the warm season. To repot a cacti, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.

Propagating by cuttings

From Late Spring TO Late Spring

'Cereus' are propagated from stem cuttings. Most cuttings require time to dry and produce a callus on the wound, this can take from a week to a day depending on size and type. Use John Innes No 1 with up to 30 percent by volume of added grit and keep the compost on the dry side to prevent the cutting rotting off. Always check what your individual specimen will require.

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