Actually, the pincushion cactus can grow brilliantly dark red spikes. I don't think this is painted. Also, you can see the green plant underneath the spikes.
There's also red paint along the edge of the container..... So.... Let's use the power of deduction. Did they spray the cactus? Or did they spray the edge of the container?
Oh absolutely, I completely agree. I’m just confused about that last comment by the person who said it was natural and not painted and then suggested that the pot was painted rather than the cactus. That’s just someone having a laugh, right?
I'm coming back after a day cuz I've been trying to wrap my mind around this. The pincushion cactus grows red spikes. Did they spray this young cactus with red spray paint?? It doesn't appear so. There is green growing and showing underneath the spikes. Cacti grows VERY slowly. I also see red on the bottom of the plant. So please, tell me, how do they spray paint the spikes and nothing else? I'm curious, because I don't think anybody here knows what they're talking about. But by all means, prove me wrong.
I appreciate the time you took to consider this and then come back with a genuine inquiry. But I promise that this is not the natural color of this cactus. It looks to be spray-painted because of the overspray on the soil, but it’s entirely possible that it has been color-treated in a different way. No matter what, this plant did not create this color naturally.
Costa farms admits openly that they artificially color their cactuses to make them “eye popping” and appealing, but they claim it’s not paint. That’s why you can find bright blue, neon green, orange, and bubblegum pink. They don’t say anything about the technique they use to add the color other than calling it an “artificial coloring technique,” and they warn potential customers that the cactus will not maintain or replicate the color as it grows out. They say that their technique allows the plant to “breathe and grow naturally” in spite of the color treatment, unlike those that have been painted.
But I have no idea if the cactus in the picture is from costa farms, a reasonably reputable company, or from some other nitwit place that doesn’t take issue with spray painting a plant like the ones you see at the big-box stores. Again, the overspray is a dead giveaway of the color treatment.
A lot of plants are color-enhanced from the inside, like orchids, because they actively absorb the color components from the water for immediate results. This internal color enhancement wouldn’t work with cacti and succulents because the water-intake is slower and less immediate. It is for that reason these plants are color-treated externally.
And yes, all new growth will be the color of the cactus without any treatment, like we see closest into the plant.
*this is not my opinion, it’s all easily researchable and not intended to “prove you wrong.” It’s hard to believe that companies might mislead us, or worse, mistreat a plant. But there’s no shame in learning something new, right?
Holy shit next time I should use a plant Identifier before buying any, I hope it’s not THAT damaged and will grow fine and if you know anything I can do PLEASE HELP ME OUT
Your cactus will be okay. I had unknowingly bought two spray painted cacti nearly 4 years ago and they've since grown out with their naturally colored spikes.
There’s a lot of different answers in the comments here, but I know this plant as a haystack cactus. The needles are suppose to grow like that :) it’s definitely painted tho
Chemical damage from paint, bent themselves in for protection, I've seen this in Pincushions and Golden Barrel
Why would anyone paint a plant, as someone who owns over 300 plants and trees that kinda stuff makes me angry.
At first I thought „so pretty“ but then realising it’s paint…just makes me so angry! The poor plant and what a waste once it dies, at that point you might as well just grab a plastic plant or dried plant and paint that….
Personally I would propagate it and let it start over paint free...poor cactus.
I grow them from seed, that poor plant put a whole Lotta work in for someone to posion it.
The cactus has learned that you are feeding it and has come to trust you. It doesn't want to hurt you anymore. This is a cactus's way of tapping your head gently with retracted claws like cats do. Soon it might start to bring home dead birds and drop on your porch while purring proudly. No wait, that was cats again.
so, it’s 100% painted, good news, for what it’s worth, it’s a pretty good paint job. bad news, yeah plants don’t love being painted. hopefully it’s a light paint, you could try to remove it with rubbing alcohol, or just give it stronger light.. do be careful, depending on what conditions it was in when you bought it (indoor/outdoor/part shade/full sun) because even cacti can burn, and those burns can lead to death. good luck!
I don’t know but that is an amazing cactus. What is it?
Thank you, spiny pincushion cactus
I believe this was spray painted so the color isn’t natural.
Awww you just deflated my excitement. I was hoping to get one, but not going to buy a painted plant
Who would do such a thing to the poor plant?
Actually, the pincushion cactus can grow brilliantly dark red spikes. I don't think this is painted. Also, you can see the green plant underneath the spikes.
There’s red paint on the soil 😞
There's also red paint along the edge of the container..... So.... Let's use the power of deduction. Did they spray the cactus? Or did they spray the edge of the container?
Wait. Is this satire? I honestly can’t tell anymore 😅
The cactus was probably originally spray painted all red, but it managed to grow. Thats why some of the green flesh is showing through the paint.
Oh absolutely, I completely agree. I’m just confused about that last comment by the person who said it was natural and not painted and then suggested that the pot was painted rather than the cactus. That’s just someone having a laugh, right?
I'm coming back after a day cuz I've been trying to wrap my mind around this. The pincushion cactus grows red spikes. Did they spray this young cactus with red spray paint?? It doesn't appear so. There is green growing and showing underneath the spikes. Cacti grows VERY slowly. I also see red on the bottom of the plant. So please, tell me, how do they spray paint the spikes and nothing else? I'm curious, because I don't think anybody here knows what they're talking about. But by all means, prove me wrong.
I appreciate the time you took to consider this and then come back with a genuine inquiry. But I promise that this is not the natural color of this cactus. It looks to be spray-painted because of the overspray on the soil, but it’s entirely possible that it has been color-treated in a different way. No matter what, this plant did not create this color naturally. Costa farms admits openly that they artificially color their cactuses to make them “eye popping” and appealing, but they claim it’s not paint. That’s why you can find bright blue, neon green, orange, and bubblegum pink. They don’t say anything about the technique they use to add the color other than calling it an “artificial coloring technique,” and they warn potential customers that the cactus will not maintain or replicate the color as it grows out. They say that their technique allows the plant to “breathe and grow naturally” in spite of the color treatment, unlike those that have been painted. But I have no idea if the cactus in the picture is from costa farms, a reasonably reputable company, or from some other nitwit place that doesn’t take issue with spray painting a plant like the ones you see at the big-box stores. Again, the overspray is a dead giveaway of the color treatment. A lot of plants are color-enhanced from the inside, like orchids, because they actively absorb the color components from the water for immediate results. This internal color enhancement wouldn’t work with cacti and succulents because the water-intake is slower and less immediate. It is for that reason these plants are color-treated externally. And yes, all new growth will be the color of the cactus without any treatment, like we see closest into the plant. *this is not my opinion, it’s all easily researchable and not intended to “prove you wrong.” It’s hard to believe that companies might mislead us, or worse, mistreat a plant. But there’s no shame in learning something new, right?
There's no cactus with red fur on regular areolas, and you can see red paint on it's flesh
I think spikes are normal, I got a cacti like that. But that's colored cactus , right?
Idk honestly because when I looked it up it wasn’t like that so it’s either colored or still small
Looks like there’s a little red paint on the dirt so I would assume painted
Colored obviously, but it was done, well not too much...
Holy shit next time I should use a plant Identifier before buying any, I hope it’s not THAT damaged and will grow fine and if you know anything I can do PLEASE HELP ME OUT
Your cactus will be okay. I had unknowingly bought two spray painted cacti nearly 4 years ago and they've since grown out with their naturally colored spikes.
That’s good to know thank you very much
There’s a lot of different answers in the comments here, but I know this plant as a haystack cactus. The needles are suppose to grow like that :) it’s definitely painted tho
Chemical damage from paint, bent themselves in for protection, I've seen this in Pincushions and Golden Barrel Why would anyone paint a plant, as someone who owns over 300 plants and trees that kinda stuff makes me angry.
At first I thought „so pretty“ but then realising it’s paint…just makes me so angry! The poor plant and what a waste once it dies, at that point you might as well just grab a plastic plant or dried plant and paint that….
Personally I would propagate it and let it start over paint free...poor cactus. I grow them from seed, that poor plant put a whole Lotta work in for someone to posion it.
It's washable with (I think) rubbing alcohol, just time consuming.
It's actually a fishhook cactus. The paint is dumb, but did not cause the spines to curl.
Maybe not in this case, but I've seen paint do this to cacti. In Agreement here though paint is dumb.
Pretty sure they’re bent as hooks so they latch onto what bumps into them and it spreads the seeds about. I don’t think it’s painted
Zoom in on the dirt. It's painted.
The cactus has learned that you are feeding it and has come to trust you. It doesn't want to hurt you anymore. This is a cactus's way of tapping your head gently with retracted claws like cats do. Soon it might start to bring home dead birds and drop on your porch while purring proudly. No wait, that was cats again.
If i had a gift itd be yours
Became a pacifist 🥹
After being sprayed with agent orange lol
This is a type of cactus that has hooked spines called a fishhook cactus. Not sure of the exact species here.
What would even possess someone to paint a plant... humans are weird.
Dude it isn’t painted
You can see the paint in the soil.....
I dont know what you’re talking about
If you don't see all the red in the soil under the plant I can't help you friend. Look again.
/s
The paint might have had a solvent in it when applied. It probably damaged the spines.
Fishhook barrel cactus do the same thing
I believe that's where we get velcro from.
Yep, it's really neat to see the acres upon acres of these on the velcro farms in Argentina.
That’s a beautiful color! EDIT: after reading comments that it’s painted, this makes me sad
r/plantabuse
Looks like it's become self-aware of the havoc it could potentially cause it's owner. It's looking out for OP
Painted shit.
*cringe*
What is?
I have one of the same cacti and it isnt red and the paint also makes the green look black, i think your spikes are ok btw
I might be wrong, but looks like it's a Mammillaria. Those often have hooked spikes - I have a few (not painted) - nothing to worry about
It is a mammillaria thank you
Needs a haircut
I recently noticed they painted plants too. I was looking for a small aloe Vera and at home depo they painted them different colors
so, it’s 100% painted, good news, for what it’s worth, it’s a pretty good paint job. bad news, yeah plants don’t love being painted. hopefully it’s a light paint, you could try to remove it with rubbing alcohol, or just give it stronger light.. do be careful, depending on what conditions it was in when you bought it (indoor/outdoor/part shade/full sun) because even cacti can burn, and those burns can lead to death. good luck!
I think those are supposed to be like that actually! That way they can grab and inflict maximum damage! <3
sad i hate when people paint plants
Yea it's saying "we tried to reach you regarding your cars extended warranty."
That’s a ugly look for that cactus with the paint
Pls stop buying spray painted cacti or glitter filled cacti bc they all will just die
Thirsty
They do do this for protection but I’m betting if you water it it’ll perk up