A gargantuan 20 feet tall agave plant stem has emerged in a Wendouree garden, casting a long shadow.
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But passionate gardener Bob Thompson isn’t uncomfortable in a prickly situation. Having grown cactis and succulent plants for more than 15 years, he’s been watching the plant’s progress intently.
“I’ve been sitting in the kitchen looking out the window at it, and I reckon it’s growing about six inches every day,” he said.
“I haven’t put anything on it, it’s just grown and grown, I don’t know why.
“Cactuses don’t take much looking after, they can slop out in the weather and it doesn’t hurt them.
“I like the succulents better though, because the cactus have got too many prickles on them.”
The stem is from a seven-year-old agave americana plant, more commonly know as a Century plant. It will soon be covered in white flowers, with the stem potentially reaching 12 metres tall.
The Ballarat Cactus and Succulent Society is one of the largest cacti clubs in Victoria, with more than 250 members sharing cuttings.