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plantomaniac08

Cereus monstrose 'Ming Thing'- Do you own one?

plantomaniac08
10 years ago

I recently recieved a Cereus validus f. monstrose 'Ming Thing' as a gift and was having a difficult time finding pictures online of large specimens (I'm curious what it looks like when it gets "big"). If you have a photo, would you mind sharing (even if you don't consider it a "large specimen," I'm still interested in seeing yours)?

Also, how slow/fast does it grow? Any slower/faster than the "average cactus"? I've never been much for monstrose cacti, but a gift is a gift. ;)

Planto

Comments (57)

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    kaktuskris,
    Thanks for sharing! How long have you had yours? I hope Tom posts a photo of his, as you mentioned he has a large specimen. :)

    alkh86,
    Yours looks a little more filled in at the base than mine, should make a nice specimen when it gets older (I'm afraid mine is going to look more like a tree lol). What's that second picture of? I've seen it before but can't quite put my finger on it...

  • alkh86
    10 years ago

    The label says: Crested Echinopsis /
    Caterpillar Plant

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Hmm... I wouldn't have guessed Echinopsis. I'm not much for crested cacti either (I know, I'm picky lol), but I actually like yours.

    Planto

  • TT, zone 5b MA
    10 years ago

    Not sure about the 'Ming thing' with mine, but here it is hanging in my now empty sunroom...

    âÂÂ{{gwi:543844}}"

  • petrushka (7b)
    10 years ago

    they are pretty slow growing.
    mine bloomed after 10 years with me and it was a big plant when I bought it: about 18".
    it's called night blooming cereus - the flower opens for just one night.
    it needs south window to bloom. mine is now in the west and it stopped blooming.
    here's the photo of the biggest one I've seen in Bronx botanical garden in nyc. don't know how old it is.

  • hanzrobo
    10 years ago

    Hi guys! I'm pretty sure we're talking about 2 different plants. I'm not huge into cacti but I do have a 'Ming Thing', or what was sold under that name at L O W E S. I don't think it ever gets that big. I know there are at least a few different types of monstrose Cereus.

    Here's my 'Ming Thing', had it for about 3 years, happily lives indoors near a south-facing window, has grown imperceptibly. I included this salty little fish for reference... chomp, chomp!

  • kaktuskris
    10 years ago

    I have had my plant a year or two, and I don't know if it is the same as yours, hanzrobo, but I have definitely seen some growth on mine.

    Christopher

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    tom_termine,
    Not sure if yours is the same as my plant, but whatever you have there, it's impressive! Has it ever bloomed for you?

    petrushka,
    Well, I hope mine doesn't take more than 10 years to bloom... it's only about 4 inches tall! It's too bad the closest botanical gardens here doesn't have cacti or succulents, I'd love to see something like that in person.

    Ryan,
    Wow, that's tiny for 3 years of growth. :P I put mine outdoors with my other cacti so maybe I'll notice some growth by this time next year hehe.

    Christopher,
    Even if it's not the same, do you have a photo you'd like to share?

    Planto

  • kaktuskris
    10 years ago

    Planto, my photo is in my first post above...

    Christopher

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Christopher,
    Oh... ah ha... ah... ha... Sorry about that. This is why I should go to bed when I'm tired instead of attempting to read. I do remember seeing your picture and responding to. *sigh* And, I re-read your post from last night... you were mentioning to Ryan you weren't sure if it was the same as his... not directed to me and Ryan.

    Again... Sorry, I apparently should have called it a night sooner than I did. Your monstrose has quite a bit of growth on it already IMHO. I should post a photo of mine. I'll do that later. :)

    Planto

  • petrushka (7b)
    10 years ago

    yep, mine is a different cereus, but they all have similar giant flowers that open for 1 night only.
    I looked up 'ming thing' it seems to be a dwarf variety. 12"-18". also for some reason some sites state part-shade for it.
    I guess in AZ everything needs part-shade :0.

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    petrushka,
    Oh, that's nice to know about being a dwarf variety. I don't think I'd have the room for anything as tall as some of the previous pictures. Hehe, our patio probably feels like AZ in August. I have it with my other cacti, but it's in a more shady spot with a couple succulents.

    Planto

  • teengardener1888
    10 years ago

    I have looked at this plant on the logees website and i SHIVERED!!!!!!!!! I can see why this plant is a good collectible but it is not a plant to make it in my beautiful succulent collection

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Teen,
    I couldn't find it ('Ming Thing') on Logees, are you referring to the two Epiphyllums they have (night blooming cereus)?

    Planto

  • Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
    10 years ago

    I had one for a few years. Grew very slowly and looks different and was told it was Cereus peruvianus Montrose, then Cereus fernambucensis f. cristate. I cut it up and gave out all the pieces here and on another garden web site. Supprised no one post theirs here yet.

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Ok, here's a picture of my 'Ming Thing' as promised.

    Planto

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Stush,
    That's one large cactus! Granted, I'm not surprised... you have some rather large Sans. :)

    Planto

  • kaktuskris
    10 years ago

    So maybe mine isn't a 'Ming Thing' as it seem to be branching out, not staying in a small clump...

    Christopher

  • plantomaniac08
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Christopher,
    Yours looks like one to me. I don't know much about these (hence the OP), but yours just looks like a taller version of mine IMHO.

    Planto

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    10 years ago

    Here is my "Ming THing". What do I have to do to make thiss thing grow!!! He is pretty in the setting sun.
    {{gwi:543845}}

  • fieldofflowers
    10 years ago

    Posting a bit late. I might have bought mine around the time this was posted if that counts. Mine is marked Cereus 'Ming Thing Mini'.

    When I first looked it up, I couldn't find much info. I still don't see much info. I figured it must be kinda rare but I see it being pushed at our local garden center. At least what appear to be three different sources or brands. I could have bought a bigger, bushier one than mine, for about three dollars but I passed. One is enough..but looking at the blooms on this post, lol, now I almost regret that I didn't grab another.

    Anyways I must be doing something right. It hasn't died yet. It wants to grow roots in the air along its base. I'm keeping it under direct fluorescent light and watering when it feels dry or the pot gets really light when lifting.

  • Brandon Smith
    10 years ago

    I like that mini. The others arent really my taste.

  • oldstumpy1 Long Island ny
    10 years ago

    I like little trees myself

  • norma_2006
    10 years ago

    I noticed that the flowers were monstrose as well, I have never seen one in flower. I have seen several. Those all look great. Norma

  • rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
    10 years ago

    Richard

    Very nice tree...btw, do you sculp too? Or is it my imagination - something dark on your table/shelve (on left of the photo) looks like a face to me...Rina

  • oldstumpy1 Long Island ny
    10 years ago

    Rina

    No I don't sculp what you see on the shelf is a pair of rolled up glass gloves I use to repot cactus with.
    succulent are my only vise
    Richard

  • rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
    10 years ago

    gloves!...I am seeing things...lol
    Rina

  • paul_
    10 years ago

    Here's mine. Been a very slow grower for me, too.

    {{gwi:111167}}

    {{gwi:543846}}

  • violetlovers1
    9 years ago

    Hello,
    I have recently acquired four Ming Things and two Curiosity plants. This afternoon I noticed white spots on all the plants and wondered if anyone knew what I was dealing with. I have never owned these plants before and thought perhaps it was mealy bugs but that scenario does not seem to fit the picture.
    Any input would be greatly appreciated.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    9 years ago

    My ming thing does not have white fuzzies so I think they could be mealies. You could always try to kill it with alcohol and a systemic and see if it goes away.

  • breathnez
    8 years ago

    Just found this thread. Violet, did you ever discover the source of the white fluffs on yours? Looks like part of the plant to me, just more of them than usual.

  • Jose Galindo
    8 years ago


  • laticauda
    8 years ago


    Then promptly dropped it.

  • Jose Galindo
    8 years ago

    Mines 3 years old

  • mr. white (6a)
    8 years ago

    Just go it one last week,so ugly they are great..nice to see all your pics so I know what I have to look forward to!

  • laticauda
    8 years ago

    That's so incredible kris!

    Why does it seem like mine is really dark green) maybe it's the lighting on the camera.

  • Jose Galindo
    8 years ago

    Any idea how to reproduce more lady fingers

  • Pat Z5or6 SEMich
    8 years ago

    Sooooo, back to Lowes I go to pick up the tiny one I saw yesterday. Thanks a lot, alkh86. As Sugi said on another thread, you guys are killing me here.

  • jeremy sherfey
    7 years ago

    here is my monster. i was fortunate enough to spot this jewel while working. i was turning around in my work truck in a nice residential area and asked the homeowner if i could have a clipping. here he is in all his glory. the crested area is about two and a half feet across.


    in all his glory.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    7 years ago

    Amazing crest. Mine is starting to grow but ever so slowly, but , I think it is picking up speed.


  • Ian Curtis
    7 years ago


    Started this one in the early spring in central Mississippi.

  • Ian Curtis
    7 years ago

    Has grown 3/4 its size since.

  • breathnez
    7 years ago

    Nice! Mine is a steady green, whereas yours seems almost variegated. Or is that just the camera?

    ez

  • Adam D
    4 years ago
    Picked this guy up today. About 4” tall.
  • cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
    4 years ago

    Adam, that's a great plant. To keep it looking good, your soil is going to need less bark (like almost all) and more drainage materials, like cutting your soil with half perlite or pumice or granite chips. People go to extraordinary lengths to make a perfect soil (having done so myself and seen it many times, it's easy to geek out on) but a cactus needs better drainage that that soil would seem to provide.

  • Adam D
    4 years ago

    I was thinking the same thing after doing some research. I really appreciate your input. whats your favorite cactus soil recipe?

  • cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    What my favourite is is thirds of sifted top soil, Turface MVP and granite chips, but those aren't always easily available, so the screened-for-large-bark-chunks potting soil, cut with half perlite, is usually something that's pretty easy to acquire. I have a British cactus book from the 1950s that list 27 different recipes for cactus mix, depending on the genus of cactus grown, but that's I think going off the deep end (however, reading it is fascinating!).


  • Randi Holbrook
    4 years ago


    This is mine. I suppose they are an "acquired taste," lol.

  • Adam D
    4 years ago

    I love the strange and unique.