From Backebergs Trichocereus lexicon, T. validus (Monv.) Backbg. (1)
Bo. becoming tree-like(?), known till now only as stout, erect columns, green; St. to 35 cm 25; Ri. c. 10; Ar. fairly large above, to 3 cm apart; Sp. few or weak at the apex, developing later in the lower half of the Ar., pale yellow, sometimes darker above; Rsp. 7—10, to 3.2 cm long., the bottom one longest; Csp. 1—2, to 7 cm long.; Fl. to 14 cm long., white, with light greyish-brown H.; Fr. ovoid, woolly.—SE. Bolivia(?). Long known in collections as Echinopsis valida Monv.
Hands down without a doubt my favorite cactus, she's a beast! This massive tree like cactus is just simply, fucking awesome. One of the rarer Trichos that has alot of mystery and conjecture about it, seems there are a few different plants getting about by this name now. This cactus comes from Fields Cactus Farm and has been grown on the property for around 50 odd years or more. There are 2 different Valida plants out there and I have a cutting from both plants as I'd assumed they where different clones from the same seed batch, will have to find out if they were seed grown or recieved as a cutting direct from Sth America. Will get to the bottom of it next time I'm out there. The 1st pics are of both plants out at Fields, the 1st and larger plant is truly spectacular, bursting through the roof of broken down old shed. It also displays a strange splitting of a couple of the columns into 2 and some rib morphing. The second plant displays some very interesting pronounced rib morphing. They are a really different plant. I was lucky enough to recieve a nice big fat log the last time out there that had undeveloped flowers. The flowers thankfully didn't abort and came through in breathtaking fashion, all while still a cutting lying on my outdoor couch! I collected some pollen and will be doing some breeding with it, and passing some along to another private collector for breeding, should make some very special hybrids. My big log had a decent bend in it so I decided to cut that off leaving a straight column and a mid cut, both have now been planted and are hopefully growing roots. With the mid cut I plan to get some pups that I can pass around the community, get this plant out there. My other smaller cut I recieved about 9 months ago and is now starting to put on some new growth. Slow grower this one so patience is needed. A large amount of material seems to grow reasnobly quickly but every one I know with this plant all say it grows slow for them. The last pic shows a couple little Uyupampensis seedlings that have been supposedly lumped in with Valida now, will be interesting to compare them as they grow. No point now though however as they are still juvenile while my cuttings are from fully mature plants. Time will tell. Anyways here's a bunch of pics of this awesome giant beast! Enjoy :)
Update~* 18 January 2012~*
Got back out to Fields Cactus Farm today and confirmed that the 2 different plants out there did infact come as seed and are 2 different clones from the same seed batch. The seed was recieved via the sister of Friedrich Ritter who was a pen pal of the original Mr Fields. Really stoked about that, means I can breed the 2 clones and get pure Valida seed, well, eventually. Slow grower, may be more a long term goal lol :)
Update~* 22 January 2012~*
I noticed on my bigger cut that another flower was coming through, got some pics the other day and today showing the stages of development. Pretty cool, should be open in the next week or so :)
2nd May, 2012 Update~*
Bo. becoming tree-like(?), known till now only as stout, erect columns, green; St. to 35 cm 25; Ri. c. 10; Ar. fairly large above, to 3 cm apart; Sp. few or weak at the apex, developing later in the lower half of the Ar., pale yellow, sometimes darker above; Rsp. 7—10, to 3.2 cm long., the bottom one longest; Csp. 1—2, to 7 cm long.; Fl. to 14 cm long., white, with light greyish-brown H.; Fr. ovoid, woolly.—SE. Bolivia(?). Long known in collections as Echinopsis valida Monv.
Hands down without a doubt my favorite cactus, she's a beast! This massive tree like cactus is just simply, fucking awesome. One of the rarer Trichos that has alot of mystery and conjecture about it, seems there are a few different plants getting about by this name now. This cactus comes from Fields Cactus Farm and has been grown on the property for around 50 odd years or more. There are 2 different Valida plants out there and I have a cutting from both plants as I'd assumed they where different clones from the same seed batch, will have to find out if they were seed grown or recieved as a cutting direct from Sth America. Will get to the bottom of it next time I'm out there. The 1st pics are of both plants out at Fields, the 1st and larger plant is truly spectacular, bursting through the roof of broken down old shed. It also displays a strange splitting of a couple of the columns into 2 and some rib morphing. The second plant displays some very interesting pronounced rib morphing. They are a really different plant. I was lucky enough to recieve a nice big fat log the last time out there that had undeveloped flowers. The flowers thankfully didn't abort and came through in breathtaking fashion, all while still a cutting lying on my outdoor couch! I collected some pollen and will be doing some breeding with it, and passing some along to another private collector for breeding, should make some very special hybrids. My big log had a decent bend in it so I decided to cut that off leaving a straight column and a mid cut, both have now been planted and are hopefully growing roots. With the mid cut I plan to get some pups that I can pass around the community, get this plant out there. My other smaller cut I recieved about 9 months ago and is now starting to put on some new growth. Slow grower this one so patience is needed. A large amount of material seems to grow reasnobly quickly but every one I know with this plant all say it grows slow for them. The last pic shows a couple little Uyupampensis seedlings that have been supposedly lumped in with Valida now, will be interesting to compare them as they grow. No point now though however as they are still juvenile while my cuttings are from fully mature plants. Time will tell. Anyways here's a bunch of pics of this awesome giant beast! Enjoy :)
Update~* 18 January 2012~*
Got back out to Fields Cactus Farm today and confirmed that the 2 different plants out there did infact come as seed and are 2 different clones from the same seed batch. The seed was recieved via the sister of Friedrich Ritter who was a pen pal of the original Mr Fields. Really stoked about that, means I can breed the 2 clones and get pure Valida seed, well, eventually. Slow grower, may be more a long term goal lol :)
Update~* 22 January 2012~*
I noticed on my bigger cut that another flower was coming through, got some pics the other day and today showing the stages of development. Pretty cool, should be open in the next week or so :)
9th April 2012 Update~*
Some new pics from Fields :)
Some new pics, my original cut is starting to put on some nice new growth. My big cut isn't doing much and my little mid cut is starting to stick a pup out. Stoked about that. Love these plants :)
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