Inducing cristate growth
Inducing cristate growth
I have a few young Trichocereus bridgesii plants that I decided to experiment with.
By cutting the tip of the plant off, I allowed for a pup to grow from the cut point. Starting on the first day that I noticed new growth from an areole at the cut site (two-three weeks after cutting), I began to treat the new pup with 250 µM colchicine once a day, applied directly to the growth point of the new pup (generally in 20 µL portions so that the solution bead could remain on the pup without falling due to gravity).
Colchicine is a potent microtubule polymerization inhibitor, thus interfering with cell division. It can be used to cause polyploidy in plants and can potentially induce cristate growth rather than standard apical growth.
The experiment is still pretty young, but it already looks like the new growth is abnormal compared to how new pups look on the same plant without treatment.
It can be seen that the new pup's ribs are spread more laterally rather than bunched into a small group (to develop into a standard column). In about a month's time I'll be able to tell how well the treatments are working and if cristate growth is actually occuring.
I am simultaneously trying this experiment on the growth point of an already-established cactus (not new pup) and the result so far is significantly slowed growth combined with a lack of spines on some ribs. As time progresses I'll have some updates on the phenotype of this plant as well.
By cutting the tip of the plant off, I allowed for a pup to grow from the cut point. Starting on the first day that I noticed new growth from an areole at the cut site (two-three weeks after cutting), I began to treat the new pup with 250 µM colchicine once a day, applied directly to the growth point of the new pup (generally in 20 µL portions so that the solution bead could remain on the pup without falling due to gravity).
Colchicine is a potent microtubule polymerization inhibitor, thus interfering with cell division. It can be used to cause polyploidy in plants and can potentially induce cristate growth rather than standard apical growth.
The experiment is still pretty young, but it already looks like the new growth is abnormal compared to how new pups look on the same plant without treatment.
It can be seen that the new pup's ribs are spread more laterally rather than bunched into a small group (to develop into a standard column). In about a month's time I'll be able to tell how well the treatments are working and if cristate growth is actually occuring.
I am simultaneously trying this experiment on the growth point of an already-established cactus (not new pup) and the result so far is significantly slowed growth combined with a lack of spines on some ribs. As time progresses I'll have some updates on the phenotype of this plant as well.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
It will be interesting to see how it develops, but so far the pup looks normal to me. Quite a few people have tried to induce fasciation in cacti but usually without much success. Anyway I hope it works for you.
However note the warning of the contributor on the BCSS link listed below:-
"But as an organic chemist who has worked with colchicine, can I just say as a health warning in larger letters:
colchicine is very, very toxic
so please do not experiment with it unless you know what you are doing!"
Meanwhile these links may be of interest:-
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dic ... tation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/i ... opic=20765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bcss.org.uk/foruma/viewtopic ... 93&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1052606/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://mycotopia.net/topic/62972-what- ... te-growth/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://eurekamag.com/research/036/105/036105106.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resourc ... 22-08.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
However note the warning of the contributor on the BCSS link listed below:-
"But as an organic chemist who has worked with colchicine, can I just say as a health warning in larger letters:
colchicine is very, very toxic
so please do not experiment with it unless you know what you are doing!"
Meanwhile these links may be of interest:-
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dic ... tation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/i ... opic=20765" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bcss.org.uk/foruma/viewtopic ... 93&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1052606/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://mycotopia.net/topic/62972-what- ... te-growth/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://eurekamag.com/research/036/105/036105106.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resourc ... 22-08.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Inducing cristate growth
I have a lot of experience with poisons, mutagens, and carcinogens, and am taking all necessary precautions I use colchicine frequently for my actual job.
I think compared to my control pup it does look a bit different. I cut another T. bridgesii at the same time and allowed this pup to grow normally, applying the same volume of water to its growth point every day. I don't have pictures of my control right now (just doing this for fun and not for a publication ) but I'll see if I can grab one soon.
I think compared to my control pup it does look a bit different. I cut another T. bridgesii at the same time and allowed this pup to grow normally, applying the same volume of water to its growth point every day. I don't have pictures of my control right now (just doing this for fun and not for a publication ) but I'll see if I can grab one soon.
Last edited by HP22B on Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Very interesting, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
Craig [my pictures]
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Here's an update for today.
So far the pup looks to be at about 8 "ribs" compared to the 5-6 in all of my other plants of this species.
The pup that was already established before treatment seems to have stopped producing areoles/spines from the growth/application point.
So far the pup looks to be at about 8 "ribs" compared to the 5-6 in all of my other plants of this species.
The pup that was already established before treatment seems to have stopped producing areoles/spines from the growth/application point.
Last edited by HP22B on Tue Dec 09, 2014 5:54 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Inducing cristate growth
Wow this is very interesting. Please keep us up to date about the progress. I've wanted a cristate bridgsii and several other types but it's hard to find for me being in Canada. Though I wouldn't expect to do what you're doing anyhow, it's neat!
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Not enough new growth for a picture yet but it does look like a 9th 'rib' is poking its way out. This pup may not be cristate but it definitely is going to be mutated somehow.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Very cool experiment. I believe there's a chap over in the chili pepper world experimenting with using colchicine and polyploidy. Interesting stuff. I'll be following your progress.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Cool, actually the two main things I like to grow are cacti and chili peppers I wonder how his experiments are going. Polyploid plants can give larger fruit which might be interesting for peppers.
Here's a shot from today, the 9th rib is now pretty clear. I'd say overall the growth of this pup is much slower than standard.
Here's a shot from today, the 9th rib is now pretty clear. I'd say overall the growth of this pup is much slower than standard.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Another update, six days later we have about 11 ribs by my count. I've stopped the daily treatments, now I'm just going to let it go.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Afraid it still looks a normal offset to me and I would only count the outside tubercles as the number of ribs (5) so far as those in the crown may simply coalesce with the outer ones as the offset grows. I note the "normal" pup in your third picture down also has 5 ribs. In any case rib numbers are not fixed in cacti, plants can gain or loose ribs on occasion. Still time will tell.
Re: Inducing cristate growth
It doesn't look cristate to me, but the ribs are definitely doing something weird. I've cut this species many times to get pups and never have they looked like this. It always starts out at 5-6 that slowly get bigger, never more or less so far.
I don't know what it's going to look like but I'm excited to see it, whatever it is
I don't know what it's going to look like but I'm excited to see it, whatever it is
Re: Inducing cristate growth
great experiment thanks for sharing
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Just an update on this:
The pup has reverted to normal looking growth and this can be chalked up as another failed experiment
DaveW you can pick up your prize at the door
The pup has reverted to normal looking growth and this can be chalked up as another failed experiment
DaveW you can pick up your prize at the door
Re: Inducing cristate growth
Yes it does not seem to be easy to artificially and safely produce fasciated growth, otherwise nurserymen would be producing them by the hundreds to cash in on the market. It has been claimed radiation can be used, but that is not something amateurs can try.
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dic ... tation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://tentativeplantscientist.wordpre ... asciation/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some claim it can be caused by viruses, but other works dispute this:-
http://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php ... /2754/1586" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
However you could try injecting some sap from a cristate or monstrose plant to see if it would produce any effect. Presumably you would only need to abrade or nick the skin of the subject slightly and spread sap of the fascinated plant on the cut to introduce any viruses present?
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dic ... tation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://tentativeplantscientist.wordpre ... asciation/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some claim it can be caused by viruses, but other works dispute this:-
http://www.lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php ... /2754/1586" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
However you could try injecting some sap from a cristate or monstrose plant to see if it would produce any effect. Presumably you would only need to abrade or nick the skin of the subject slightly and spread sap of the fascinated plant on the cut to introduce any viruses present?