Perennials, Tropicals > Trichocereus > Trichocereus peruvianus > Trichocereus peruvianus 'Blue Form'

Family

Cactaceae

Genus

Trichocereus

Species

peruvianus

Cultivar

'Blue Form'

Category

Perennials, Tropicals

Synonyms

Trichocereus pachanoi (basionym), Cereus pachanoi, Trichocereus pachanoi

USDA Hardiness Zone

8b - 10b

Canadian Hardiness Zone

Requires cold season protection under glass.

RHS Hardiness Zone

H2 - H4

Temperature (°C)

-9.4 - 10

Temperature (°F)

15 - 50

Height

3 m

Spread

0.15 m

Photographs

Description and Growing Information

Flowering Period

General Description

Resembles the San Pedro (Trichocereus pachanoi) in form, but is different in colour and has longer thorns.

Cultivation

Best cultivated in a sterilized mix of sand, perlite and gravel. Prefers a drying period between waterings, even to the point where they slightly wilt. When watering, water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. Do not leave exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never put in a dish of water. Fertilize during the growing season for the best results.

Growth

Fast

Bark/Stem Description

Thorns of 7-10 cm in length, 6 to 8 ribs with additional branches extending from the base.

Flower Description

Large flowers open at night and are produced at the end of stems. Up to 24 cm long and up to 20 cm in diameter. Large flowers open at night and are produced at the end of stems. Up to 24 cm long and up to 20 cm in diameter.

Colour Description

Bark is green-blue to blue. Flowers are white.

Notable Specimens

Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Propagation

Can be easily rooted from offsets, which 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, the cut surface will dry out and form a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil. Add small drainage holes in the growing container to help reduce chances of over-watering. The environment should be humid and ideally around 23°C, but do not place the growing medium directly on a heater. Fluorescent lighting is preferred for the first 3 months of growth. Only after a year should they be placed in direct light.

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