Trichocereus Roseii 1 ~*

Roseii is an old name for what is now considered Peruvianus. Trichocereus Peruvianus, the Peruvian Torch Cactus or San Pedro Macho, is a fast-growing columnar cactus native to the western slope of the Andes in Peru, between about 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) above sea level. Trichocereus Peruvianus has a long history of being used in Andean traditional medicine. Archeological studies have found evidence of use going back two thousand years, to Moche culture. Currently it is believed to help with nervous conditions, joint problems, drug addictions, cardiac disease, and high blood pressure. Trichocereus Peruvianus contains hordenine and "it has been shown that hordenine, N,N-Dimethyl-hydroxyphenylethylamine, exhibits an inhibitory action against at least 18 strains of penicillin resistant Staphylococcus bacteria. The plant is bluish-green in colour, with frosted stems, and 6-9 broadly rounded ribs; it has large, white flowers. It can grow up to 3-6 meters tall, with stems up to 8-18 cm in diameter; it is fully erect to begin with, but later possibly arching over, or even becoming prostrate. Groups of 6-8 either red or honey-coloured to brown rigid spines, up to 4 cm in length, with most about 1 cm, are located at the nodes, which are evenly spaced along the ribs, up to approximately 2.5 cm apart. There are 2 different forms of Roseii, type 1 and 2. Roseii 1 is a fatter shorter spined variant, whilst 2 has longer and more spination, as well as being skinnier. They both look to be very reminiscent of the cacti around Matucana that are pictured on Keeper Trouts website. The 1st 4 pics are of the mother clump out at Fields, it has a tendency to grow strange, split double columns which you will see below. May be a genetic thing, I don't know but I have seen this clone do it in numerous different gardens, so it's not conditions. My cutting I recieved about 9 months ago and the stress of being cut and transplanted caused a small amount of black rot on the tip. Probably wouldn't have been an issue and most likely the plant would have recovered fine without me doing anything, but I decided to just lop the tip off to be safe, and promote pupping. In the last month my cutting has shot out some pups and is now on it's way for the skies. Roseii 1 is a particularily nice glaucus blue with big fluffy aeroles, a trait I love in cacti. This is definatly one of the more beautiful cacti. Here's some pics, enjoy :)

26th, March, 2012 Update~* New pics. The pups are coming along nicely :)