Scientific Name
Echinopsis spachiana (Lem.) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Golden Column, Golden Torch, Torch Cactus, White Torch Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cereus santiaguensis, Cereus spachianus, Echinocereus spachianus, Echinopsis santiaguensis, Soehrensia spachiana, Trichocereus santiaguensis, Trichocereus spachianus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Origin
The native range of Echinopsis spachiana extends from Bolivia to western Argentina.
Description
Echinopsis spachiana, formerly known as Trichocereus spachianus, is a slow-growing columnar cactus with cylindrical stems with 10 to 15 ribs lined with large woolly areoles, out of which grow clusters of spines. The stems grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter, branching at the base. Areoles are about 0.4 inches (1 cm) apart and covered with curly yellow wool that turns white or grey as they age. The straight spines are reddish-yellow initially, fading to gray as they age. Each areole bears 8 to 10 radial and 1 to 3 longer central spines. The up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) long central spines are surrounded by up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long radial spines.
The flowers are white, funnel-shaped, and can measure up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and 8 inches (20 cm) long. They appear in spring and open at night.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °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 if they 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. Laensureure to fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can easily be rooted from offsets that 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 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.
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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