Names | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Family |
Cactaceae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tribe |
Trichocereae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Botanical Name |
Trichocereus pachanoi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Synonym(s) |
Echinopsis pachanoi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
English Name(s) |
San Pedro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese Name(s) |
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Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Size & Growth Habit |
San Pedro cacti grow as a tall columnar cactus. They may reach a large size, 4-5 meters or more. These cacti may reach 10" diameter, but this varies. Multi branched and generally dense growth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Areoles & Spines |
A distinct "V" shape depression above the areoles. Areoles contain 3-7 spines, generally small (under 2cm). Spines are dark yellow-brown in colour. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ribs |
4-9 ribs being slightly glaucous in younger plants. Older plants become a darker green colour. Ribs, when in good condition, are rather fat and show no apperant banding/indentations like some similar appearing cacti such as Cereus. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers |
Large (20cm +/-) white flowers appear at night and often form at the upper parts of the plant. Flowers are quite fragrent. Flower buds/stems' scales have black hair on them appearing furry. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cultivars & Hybrids |
There are many clones of this specie as well as many hybrids due to its relative ease of cross fertilizing other members of the genus. Often times, clones of this specie are named after people and or numbers. Generally these clones are kept due to their superior mescaline content and/or growth habits. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cultivation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Seed |
Please see our cactus seed sowing article for more information: Growing Cacti from Seed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Cutting |
Please see our cactus cutting article for more information: How to Take Cacti Cuttings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Grafting |
Please see our cactus grafting article for more information: Grafting Cacti | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soil |
San Pedro can accept many different kinds of soil. Generally speaking, slightly alkaline soils are best for cacti. Trichocereus pachanoi has been known to grow well in mixes containing the following ingredients: Sand (coarse), Coco coir, Peat moss, Pumice (crushed), Perlite, Soil (garden), gravel/rock (smaller grade), compost. A mix we like (for North America growing) is 20% coco coir, 60% Coarse sand/grit and 20% crushed pumice. We also use worm castings or similar type of organic fertilizers for them. Also see our cactus soil guide for more information: Cactus Soil Mixes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Water |
Trichocereus pachanoi are more forgiving than most cacti when it comes to water. They can be watered a fair bit without concern, but care should be taken to make sure the soil does not stay moist for more than a week. A good rule of thumb is to water heavily once the entire pot is dry. In cold winter areas, no water shoud be given unless indoors or in a controlled growing area. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feeding |
We use natural organic type fertilizers for our plants. Pellet fertilizers and worm castings have proven excellent in our garden with San Pedro. A Diluted cacti feed (low N-P-K), also works once a month at 1/4 strength during the growing season. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Light |
San Pedro benefit from strong full sun all day. The longer the days (they still need a night) the better. placing them outside under the sun is the best idea. If San Pedro does not get enough light, it will grow skinny and appear to "stretch for light"; this is called etiolated and makes the cactus easily damaged by wind or other random things like children or animals bumping it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pruning |
Not needed, but when pruned San Pedro will send out more branches relatively fast. its good if your looking for a dense growth look, however San Pedro will branch a fair bit on its own once larger. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Climate |
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Other |
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Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Human Uses |
San Pedro has long being used by people in South America, and now around the world, as a hallucinogen. San Pedro contains the hallucinogenic alkaloid Mescaline. Mescaline is a powerful hallucinogen found in many cacti, however most have very minute quantities. These cacti are used throughout the Americas by different aboriginal tribes, often in religeous/spiritual contexts. The most commonly used, and most well known, mescaline containing cacti are: Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), Achuma(Trichocereus bridgesii) and Peruvian Torch(Trichocereus peruvianus). San Pedro cactus are also used by many folks, in warmer climates, as landsacping features. Due to their hardy nature, fast growth and overall pleasant appearance, they make wonderful yard pieces that can grow fast and large to fill a space with something out of the ordinary. Another use for San Pedro is for grafting. These are great grafting stocks for other cacti. To learn more about this please click this link: Cacti Grafting Stocks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chemicals/Activities |
Please note: Some chemicals may not be listed and some may or may not be toxic. Do not consume plants based on this table, it only gives a general idea of *some* of the chemicals this plant contains.
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Links |
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Pictures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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