Have you ever come across a cactus that looks like it's been dipped in a bucket of paint? Or maybe one that has yellowish stripes, spots, or even swirls? You've likely stumbled upon a uncommon phenomenon among cacti that is known as cactus variegation. In this blog post, we'll explore what cactus variegation is, how it happens, and whether it affects the collectability.
What is Cactus Variegation?
The picture above explains it pretty well! It's a phenomenon where certain parts of a cactus plant have different colors or patterns than the rest of the plant. Most of the time appearing like its color has been leached away. Variegation is not limited to just cacti! In fact, this can occur all kinds of plant species such as Hoya Macrophylla or Peperomia Obtusifolia.
How Does Cactus Variegation Happen?
Cactus variegation occurs due to a genetic mutation or a chimera. No, we're not talking about a mythical creature here (although that would be pretty cool). A chimera is when two different types of cells exist in one organism. In the case of cactus variegation, one type of cell produces chlorophyll (the green stuff that helps with photosynthesis), while the other type doesn't.
When these two types of cells mingle together, you get a cactus that looks like well..two colors. The non-chlorophyll cells can have various colors, like white, yellow, pink, or even purple.
Does Cactus Variegation Affect Collectability?
Now, let's address the big question: does cactus variegation make a plant more valuable? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some collectors prefer variegated cacti, considering them rare and highly sought after.
On the other hand, some collectors don't find them aesthetically pleasing and don't like that, depending on the percentage of chlorophyll cells, these variegated cacti can be more susceptible to disease and generally weaker than their 'pure' counterparts. Plants need chlorophyll for photosynthesis (creating energy to sustain its life) so when you get a variegated plant, they will obviously struggle a little more to grow or propagate.
Ultimately, the collectability of variegated cacti is a matter of personal preference. If you're a fan of the more quirky and unique, then a variegated cactus might be the perfect addition to your collection.
Can You Force a Cactus to Become Variegated?
Generally speaking, no, as variegation occurs at a genetic level. However, if you happen to get your hands on a variegated cactus, you can make it more pronounced through selectively grafting and encouraging it to pup out of a variegated areole. This isn't a guarantee, but a trick that may work to propagate more variegated cacti, would be to ensure that during grafting you cut your scion so that the variegated areole is the one that pups. In that scenario, the variegated genetics are most likely to be carried on with the new growth.
Whether You Collect Them or Not
Whether you're a fan of cactus variegation or not, you can't deny its charm. Nothing in life is perfect, and thats certainly true for cacti too. Remember, life is too short to be boring, and cactus variegation is here to remind us of that.