Scientific Name
Soehrensia spachiana (Lem.) Schlumpb.
Common Name(s)
Golden Column, Golden Torch, Torch Cactus, White Torch Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cereus spachianus, Echinopsis spachiana, Trichocereus spachianus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cereeae
Subtribe: Trichocereinae
Genus: Soehrensia
Etymology
The specific epithet "spachiana" (pronounced "spak-ee-AY-nuh") honors Édouard Spach (1801-1879), a French botanist.
Origin
The native range of Soehrensia spachiana extends from Bolivia to western Argentina.
Description
Soehrensia spachiana, formerly known as Echinopsis spachiana or Trichocereus spachianus, is a slow-growing columnar cactus with cylindrical stems, which have 10 to 15 ribs lined with large woolly areoles, out of which grow clusters of spines. The stems can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter, branching at the base. The 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 mature. Each areole bears 8 to 10 radial spines and 1 to 3 longer central spines, with the central spines measuring up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) in length, while the radial spines can grow up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long.
The flowers are white, funnel-shaped, and can reach a length of 8 inches (20 cm) and a diameter of 6 inches (15 cm). 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 standing water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Ensure fertilizer is applied 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 sit 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 Soehrensia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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