Consulta Plantas

Care of the cactus Echinopsis peruviana or Peruvian Torch

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

Common name: Peruvian Torch. This species is native to Peru.

They are cylindrical cacti that branch from the base and reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. They have 6 to 8 broad and rounded ribs, whitish areoles and 3-7 radial spines and 1-2 long central spines; the apex of the cactus is a "V" shaped indentation. The scented, large flowers appear at the end of the stem, are white in color and open at night. They produce oblong dark green fruits.

They are used to create barriers, in gardens of cacti and succulents, in groups in dry areas of the garden, in rockery and in pots when they are young.

The Echinopsis peruviana needs very sunny exposure and hot, dry climates. Resists occasional frosts; the winter safety temperature is 5 ºC (41 ºF).

They need a sandy soil that drains well and contains organic matter. The pot transplant is done in early spring.

Water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry; do not water from mid-fall to early spring.

They do not need pruning.

Fertilize in early spring with compost and once a month with cactus fertilizer in summer.

They do not have pest and disease problems if they are not overwatered.

They propagate by cuttings in spring; reproduction by seeds is a slow and complicated process.

Images of the cactus Echinopsis peruviana or Peruvian Torch