Trichocereus Pachanoi
The Trichocereus Pachanoi, also known as San Pedro, is a columnar cactus native to the Andes. It is a legendary species cultivated for centuries for its ornamental, medicinal and sometimes shamanic uses. It is distinguished by its fast growth, elegant column shape, and its ability to adapt to various environments.
This cactus features a bluish-green to light green stem with shallow rounded ribs. It can reach up to 6 meters in height in its natural habitat, but remains much smaller when grown in pots. The areoles bear short spines (sometimes absent in cultivated specimens) arranged symmetrically.
Its modern and minimalist appearance makes it an excellent choice for arid gardens, minimalist pots, or remarkable cactus collections. Hardy, vigorous and undemanding, it is also known to flower abundantly once mature.
This cactus is perfectly adapted to rocky, arid environments, strong day-night temperature variations, and well-drained mineral soils.
🌞 Direct sunlight: 5 to 8 hours per day is ideal for healthy growth.
🌤️ Acclimation: After winter, gradually expose it to full sun.
⚠️ Lack of light causes pale, stretched growth (etiolation).
🌱 Spring / summer: Water when the soil is completely dry. In pots, about once every 15 days.
🍂 Autumn / winter: Stop watering when temperatures fall below 12°C.
💧 Always use non-calcareous water and avoid wetting the stem.
🌡️ Growing temperature: 20–28°C.
❄️ Tolerance threshold: Can withstand light frost down to −5°C if kept dry.
🏠 Wintering: Indoors in bright light or in an unheated cold greenhouse.
🪨 Ideal substrate: equal parts of cactus soil, pumice stone and pozzolana.
🌸 Season: between May and July
🌼 Form: large white tubular nocturnal flowers
🌙 Special feature: flowers open at dusk and last one night
💡 A mature, well-fed plant can produce several flowers per year.
