Unsual Growth On My Mammillaria

[leisurely]

My Mammillaria duwei has recently developed a growth that looks like a tumor. I am wondering if I should leave it or remove it and try to graft it. I welcome any comments or suggestions.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/84014570@ ... ed-public/

[olsonc25]

Yep! Your cactus has a tumor. It's just like a gall on an oak tree. Shouldn't spread, or be harmful if you cure the underlying cause- usually an infection of some sort.

Here's a short article from the NY times about plant tumors:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/16/scien ... ancer.html

[Aiko]

Looks like a Mammillaria bocasana 'Fred' is growing up there...!

[DaveW]

You may be able to propagate it as a monstrose form by grafting, as Aiko indicates that is probably how Mammillaria "Fred" originally occurred as a sport on a normal plant.

http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/MAMMIL ... a_fred.htm

[leisurely]

Thank you for your help. I just noticed that the strange growth appears to have begun at a point in the plant where there is a slight ring, as if growth may have stopped and resumed. It could be the result of an injury. I think I will leave it on the plant for a while and observe (it appears to be growing pretty fast) then remove a piece or two and grant on Cereus jubertii. If there is any success, I will post a picture at the end of the growing season.

[toadstar]

You may be able to propagate it as a monstrose form by grafting, as Aiko indicates that is probably how Mammillaria "Fred" originally occurred as a sport on a normal plant.

http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/MAMMIL ... a_fred.htm

Quite grotesque!

[leisurely]

Maybe this plant could be the origin of another "Fred".

[DaveW]

Yes I hate cristates and monstrose cacti Toadstar, so perhaps should not be encouraging people to propagate them.