Plant Profile: Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing'

Names

Ming Thing

  • Photo of Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' (Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing's)

Phonetic Spelling:SEER-ee-us FOR-bes-ee-eye mon-STROH-se

Genus:Cereus

Species:forbesii

Family:Cactaceae

The 'Ming Thing' showcases unique, naturally occurring mutations, resulting in sculptural, club-shaped formations of blue-green columnar cacti native to Bolivia and Argentina. These unusual stems are adorned with woolly areoles and short black spines. Unlike many other cacti, this plant can thrive in slightly lower light conditions and has a slow growth rate, reaching up to 1 foot in height.

To cultivate this cactus, use soil specifically designed for cacti and plant it in clay pots that feature multiple drainage holes. During the summer months, it should be placed outdoors in areas with partial to filtered shade, but be sure to bring it indoors before the frost sets in. It's important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Feature Summary

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Image Gallery

Tags

#succulent
#interiorscape
#cactus
#night blooming
#xeriscaping
#partial shade tolerant
#container plants

Similar Plants

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Feature Summary

Attributes
Perennial
Flowers
Night-blooming large white flower with purple hues
Purple/Lavender
White
Stem
Blue-green stems in sculptural club-like shapes
Green
Blue
Whole Plant Traits
Houseplant
Succulent
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Good Drainage
Occasionally Dry
Loam (Silt)
Sand

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Attributes

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Country Or Region Of Origin

Bolivia, Argentina

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Flowers

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Flower Description

Night-blooming large white flower with purple hues

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Flower Color

filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
White

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Stem

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Stem Description

Blue-green stems in sculptural club-like shapes

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Stem Color

grass
Blue
grass
Green

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Whole Plant Traits

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Cultural Conditions

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b
thermostat
11a
thermostat
11b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing' Leaves

Cereus forbesii monstrose 'Ming Thing': Hairs Present

No
Yes