Astrophytum ornatum f. mostruosa
Astrophytum ornatum f. mostruosa (monstrose ornatum) is an irregular-growing form of Astrophytum ornatum, the "monk's hood" cactus. Unlike the tidy, spiralled ribs of the wild species, this monstrose form grows with disorganised ribs and clustered, proliferating tubercles, producing sculptural, unpredictable bodies that are prized among collectors of oddities. It is not a botanical variety but a selected mutant clone, propagated vegetatively to keep the trait. Care follows that of the parent species, Astrophytum ornatum.
Description
Where a typical Astrophytum ornatum forms a neat, columnar body with eight or so sharply defined ribs, flecked with silvery scales and armed with stout spines, the monstrose form abandons that order. Growth points multiply and wander, so the ribs break up, fuse, and swirl, and the tubercles bunch into knobbly, cauliflower-like masses. Areoles and spination are irregular — often reduced, crowded, or scattered unpredictably across the surface. The characteristic white flecking of the species is usually still present, giving the sculptural body a marbled, silvery cast. Because the disorganised meristem rarely settles into a stable flowering apex, monstrose plants flower far less reliably than the ordinary species, and each specimen is essentially unique in form.
The term "monstrose" (from Latin monstrosus) describes this kind of chaotic, multi-growth-point mutation; it is distinct from a crest (fasciation), though the two are sometimes confused. Both are valued in cultivation for the strange, one-of-a-kind shapes they produce.
Cultivation
Cultivation is essentially as for the parent species — see Astrophytum ornatum for the full account. In brief: give bright light, a fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix), and careful watering that lets the roots dry fully between soakings, with a dry winter rest (see Watering). Keep it above freezing.
A few points deserve extra attention with monstrose plants. Their crowded, contorted growth traps moisture and creates many hidden crevices, so good airflow and restrained watering are especially important to prevent rot from setting into the folds. Bright light also helps keep the body firm and compact; in too little light the abnormal growth tends to soften and stretch, muddling the very features that make the plant interesting. Many monstrose Astrophytum are grown on their own roots without difficulty, but slow, weak, or particularly congested specimens are sometimes grafted onto a vigorous stock to speed growth and keep them healthy.
Propagation
Because monstrose plants rarely come true from seed — the trait is unstable and seedlings usually revert to normal growth — this form is propagated vegetatively. Offsets and pups thrown up by the clustering body can be removed, callused, and rooted, or used as scions for grafting. Grafting is the most reliable way to bulk up and preserve a good monstrose clone. Conventional seed propagation is used for the ordinary species but not for maintaining this form.
See also
- Astrophytum ornatum — the parent species
- Astrophytum — the genus overview
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering