Scientific Name
Echinopsis atacamensis (Phil.) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Cardon, Cardon Grande, Cavul, Pasakana
Synonym(s)
Cereus atacamensis, Echinopsis atacamensis subsp. atacamensis, Helianthocereus atacamensis, Leucostele atacamensis, Trichocereus atacamensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Origin
Echinopsis atacamensis is native to Chile. It occurs in arid soils in the Atacama Desert at elevations that range from 5,580 to 12,800 feet (1,700 to 3,900 m).
Description
Echinopsis atacamensis, also known as Leucostele atacamensis or Trichocereus atacamensis, is a cactus with a tall columnar habit, sometimes forming branches and becoming tree-like. The stems can grow up to 33 feet (10 m) tall and up to 28 inches (70 cm) in diameter. They have 20 to 30 ribs lined with areoles bearing 50 to 100 maroon-colored spines. The spines can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long but are usually about 4 inches (10 cm) long.
The flowers are rose-white, appear on the sites of the stems, and can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. The dark green edible fruits are densely covered with hairs and can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8a to 10b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even when slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can easily be rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the mother plant's base. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cut surface's size, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis.
Subspecies
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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