Columnar Cactus Clone - (TBM CLONE A - Long Form)

TBM Clone A, popularly known as the "Long Form," is a unique monstrose mutation of a columnar cactus native to high-altitude regions of Bolivia. Unlike the more common clumping variety, Clone A is characterized by its elongated, snaking stems that can reach 1–4 feet in height.

Key Characteristics of TBM Clone A

• Growth Habit: Grows primarily upright in a columnar fashion with fewer branches than other forms.
• Physical Appearance: The stems have smooth, slender green skin with distinctive elongated nodes typically measuring 4–8 inches or more.
• Spines & Areoles: Features sparse, long yellow or honey-colored spines, with areoles mainly appearing at the base.
• Rarity: Clone A is considered much rarer in the market compared to the "Short Form" (Clone B), making it a highly prized item for collectors.

Provenance and History

The provenance of TBM Clone A is a subject of great botanical interest. While its exact natural origin in the wild remains unknown, it is a stable mutation of a species native to the high-altitude regions of Bolivia. The cultivar has been circulating in specialty horticulture for decades. The specific designation "Clone A" was popularized by Sacred Succulents in the late 1990s as a way to distinguish this upright, long-segmented variety from other clumping mutations. Historical records suggest that German botanist Curt Backeberg may have been one of the first to document and distribute similar monstrose forms as early as the 1930s.