Trichocereus peruvianus ‘Ancash’ | ‘Peruvian Torch’ | Live plant

(syn. Echinopsis peruviana, Trichocereus macrogonus ssp. peruvianus, Trichocereus macrogonus v. peruvianus)

This Trichocereus peruvianus ‘Ancash’ is an impressive columnar cactus, deriving from an old German plant which in turn derives from material collected from Peru’s Ancash region. Ancash is home to an incredible pool of Trichocereus genetics which are most certainly prized by those in the know… This listing is for live clones of this excellent cactus variety.

A fast-growing cactus, related to Trichocereus bridgesii (‘Achuma’, ‘Bolivian Torch’) and Trichocereus pachanoi (‘San Pedro’), Trichocereus peruvianus (syn. Echinopsis peruviana) is considered by many to exist on a continuum or complex with both Trichocereus cuzcoensis and Trichocereus macrogonus. Covered with fierce, reddish-brown-white spines (between approximately two and eight centimetres long), the species grows frosted, blue to green coloured columns (up to roughly eighteen centimetres in diameter) that reach up to six metres tall. Gorgeous, white to whitish blooms appear between late spring and summer.

Native to the Peruvian Andes (growing at a height of around two thousand to three thousand metres), peruvianus forms a complex intergrade with related species including cuzcoensis and macrogonus, which loosely comprises of many fantastic varieties and hybrids. As are many of the columnar Trichocereus species, peruvianus is often used as a hedge plant and also as an important adjunct to certain indigenous medicine practices.

Trichocereus peruvianus ‘Ancash’ grows easily outside anywhere in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, or else indoors. Plant it in a well-drained, mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil, somewhere in full to partial sun. When planting into the ground, space between fifty centimetres and a metre apart, so that they have ample room to grow. Allow the soil to completely dry out between watering, reducing over the winter months as per your local climate. Don’t forget to moderately fertilise as necessary!

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