Echinopsis atacamensis or Cardon Grande

Care of the cacti Echinopsis atacamensis or Cardon Grande

The genus Echinopsis, family Cactaceae, comprises 150 species of cactus native to South America. Some species are: Echinopsis atacamensis, Echinopsis ancistrophora, Echinopsis oxygona, Echinopsis chiloensis, Echinopsis candicans, Echinopsis subdenudata, Echinopsis chamaecereus, Echinopsis mamillosa, Echinopsis bruchii, Echinopsis tarijensis, Echinopsis schieliana, Echinopsis spachiana, Echinopsis pachanoi, Echinopsis schickendantzii, Echinopsis rhodotricha, Echinopsis huascha, Echinopsis peruviana, Echinopsis aurea.

This species is native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.

They are large, slow-growing, columnar cacti that branch out and can reach 10 meters (32.8 feet) in height and 30 cm (11.8") in diameter. The body is green in color and is lined with marked ribs with numerous spines highly variable in shape and color. They produce large white flowers (up to 12 cm/4.7" in diameter) that open at sunset.

They are used in cactus and succulent gardens, as isolated specimens or in groups in dry areas of the garden, in rockery and in pots when they are young.

Echinopsis atacamensis needs full sun exposure and high temperatures. In winter it is advisable not to expose them to less than 5 ºC (41 ºF).

The soil must be sandy to drain well and contain some organic matter. The pot transplant is done at the beginning of spring.

Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to have dried well, eliminating watering in winter as the plant goes to rest.

Pruning is not necessary.

Fertilize with compost in early spring and with cactus fertilizer in early summer.

They can be attacked by mealybugs and fungi if there is excess moisture.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by separating suckers.