Peruvian torch (Echinopsis peruviana)

El Peruvian Echinopsis It is a shrubby cactus with rather thin stems and a nice bluish-green color. But when it blooms, it produces large, white flowers, a characteristic that beautifies the place where it is, regardless of whether it is in a garden or in a pot placed on the terrace.

Another good thing about it is its rapid growth. It can grow about 30 to 40 centimeters each year, so If you are in a hurry to have a cactus garden, for example, you will only have to wait a few years until it reaches its maximum height.

Origin and characteristics of Peruvian Echinopsis

It is a cactus known as a Peruvian torch with a columnar bearing during its youth that tends to produce branches from its base. It is native to the Andes, where it grows between 2000 and 3000 meters above sea level. The stems are bluish-green, cylindrical, and can measure between 3 and 6 meters in height.. Each of them have 6-8 well differentiated ribs, with whitish areoles and 3 to 7 grayish or brownish radial spines.

The flowers are nocturnal, which means that they open at dusk and close the next morning. These are white, and are up to 24 centimeters long by 4 centimeters in diameter. They are white, and also scented. Once they get pollinated, they produce fruits with an oblong shape and a dark green color inside which we will find numerous small blackish seeds.

What are the care of the Peruvian Echinopsis?

The Peruvian torch is a cactus that we can have for many years with ease. It does not require complicated care, so it is even interesting for those who do not have much experience caring for succulents. Would you like to know what each of them are?

Location

It is a cactus that needs direct sun from young, so we will have to put it outside so that it can grow well. But as sometimes in the nurseries they have them indoors, it is important that if our specimen comes from such a place we place it in semi-shade to avoid burning.

Within a month, we begin to accustom him little by little to the direct light of the star king. For this we will place it in a sunny area for an hour or so in the early morning or at sunset, when the sun is not so intense. As the weeks go by we will lengthen the exposure time by an hour or so.

If it is summer, the best thing is to wait for it to pass; otherwise we run the risk that our Peruvian Echinopsis suffer severe burns.

Earth

• Flower pot: a specific one for cacti will be used as a substrate (for sale No products found.), or a mixture of peat with perlite in equal parts.
• Garden- The garden soil has to be sandy and light so that it can properly drain the water. This cactus does not support excess moisture at the roots.

Irrigation

Resists drought, but not excess water. Therefore, we will water it from time to time. We will let the substrate or soil dry well, completely, before watering again. Thus, the roots can continue to perform their functions with total normality.

You have to pour rain water on it if possible. It is the most suitable. But if we don't get it, nothing happens: tap water would also be worth it if it is suitable for human consumption.

Subscriber

Let's move on to the subscriber of Peruvian Echinopsis. It is advisable to pay during the spring and summer months. It is when it is growing, and therefore when more "food" needs. For this reason, we will pay it following the manufacturer's instructions, since it is the only way to ensure that the product has the expected effectiveness, without causing damage.

Which one to use? It will depend on whether it is planted in a pot or whether it is in the ground:

• Potted: liquid fertilizers will be used, so that the roots can absorb them better and faster. For example, guano or any liquid cactus fertilizer (for sale No products found.) will serve.
• In the garden: if it is on the ground, it can be fertilized with powdered or granulated fertilizers. Also with liquids if you want the plant to absorb it in less time. We can use worm castings (for sale No products found.), compost, mulch, eggshells.

Multiplication

In spring and summer it can be multiplied by seeds and stem cuttings. The seeds must be sown in seedbeds that have a hole in their base, with cactus soil. It is important to keep them separate from each other as that way they will be able to grow better. In addition, they must be covered with a thin layer of earth so that they are not exposed. They will germinate in about 14 days if they are viable.

Cuttings are taken from healthy stems. They should measure about 30 centimeters, and they have to be planted in pots with holes in their base, with a pumice (for sale No products found.) or similar substrates, such as akadama. Then, it will be watered from time to time. In this way, the risk of rotting will be minimal. If all goes well, they will root in about 10 days.

Plagues and diseases

Resists pests and diseases reasonably well, but you have to be careful with snails and slugs. These animals feed on cacti, so they must be treated with repellants, such as No products found..

Rusticity

El Peruvian Echinopsis it can withstand weak and occasional frosts, down to -2ºC, but only if the temperature rises above 5ºC quickly.

What did you think of this cactus?