So, I’ve been messing around with this “la choya” thing. I saw some stuff online, and, well, I got curious. You know how it is.
First, I tried to figure out what it even was. Turns out, it’s a type of cactus, also called the jumping cholla. The “jumping” part? Yeah, that got my attention.
My Little Experiment
- Step 1: Finding One. Not as easy as you’d think! I finally located one in a local nursery. It looked innocent enough, sitting there in its little pot.
- Step 2: The Poke Test. Okay, I didn’t actually poke it. I used a stick, because, common sense. I gently nudged it, and wow. Those spines are no joke. A little piece actually did seem to “jump” off.
- Step 3: Close Inspection. I grabbed some very strong tweezers to check it out,I carefully picked up one of the detached segments. Those spines are barbed, like tiny fishhooks. Now I get why they stick to everything!
- Step 4: Planting an detached part.I use a new pot and new soil to plant it,and look forward to grow it!
Honestly, it was more interesting than I expected. It’s like, nature’s Velcro. Super cool, but definitely something you want to admire from a respectful distance. I wouldn’t want to accidentally brush up against one of these in the wild. Ouch.
I’m now keeping my little cholla segment in its own pot, far away from any unsuspecting ankles. It’s a fun little project, and a good reminder that nature is full of surprises.
