Scientific Name
Echinopsis pachanoi 'Cristata'
Accepted Scientific Name
Echinopsis pachanoi (Britton & Rose) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
San Pedro Cactus
Synonym(s)
Echinopsis pachanoi f. cristata, Trichocereus pachanoi f. cristata, Trichocereus pachanoi 'Cristata'
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Description
Echinopsis pachanoi 'Cristata', formerly known as Trichocereus pachanoi 'Cristata', is an odd, slow-growing cactus that forms spectacular mounds of fan-shaped, green to bluish-green stems. It grows up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall. The whitish areoles may produce up to 7 dark yellow to light brown, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long spines. This form usually does not produces flowers.
Origin
Echinopsis pachanoi 'Cristata' is a rare form of Echinopsis pachanoi selected for its crested growth.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8b to 10b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too 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 be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. 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 size of the cut surface, 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.
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
