Cactus ID Help

[Jupe]

these are from our new decorative garden..any ideas?

[Pharmer]

You have a winner!  Nice San Pedro Jupe!

Peace.

[Jupe]

thanx Pharmer....I  have read and read all the literature describing the ID process, but until you have one  in front of you, its just words.  In my neighborhood here, there a quite a few old estates, with old clumps of cactii  needed "rescue".  
   Is that fat profile cross-section the best ID feature, or should I start to learn the needle structure and placement?  (especially for other more exotic  varieties?  thanx for your Help!!!    

[laughingwillow]

The v notch placement on tricos (above the spines, as shown in the photo) are similar on all variations.

lw

[JRL]

A side picture would help too. Might be pachanoi might be scopulicolus(sp?)

[Pharmer]

It doesn't look like a Echinopsis Scopulicola to me.  

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/ ... icola.html

I am certain what you have there is Trichocereus Pachanoi.  It has a slightly unusual look about it probably due to the conditions in which it was grown.

Peace.

[Jupe]

here's another shot...LW what are "V" notches?  thanx everybody for this help.

[CJ]

Wow..look at that streak like mottling on the tallest coloumn...that is sure purty. Another might  object to the obvious growth sections, but to me it gives unique charactor to the whole appearance of the coloumns. Way more than the ole everyday Pachanoi,tho` there is always other surprises and exeptions to the norm ,no matter what.Always poss. a hybrid say w/juul`s,tips showing some good width.

     Interesting!! That Asking for a side view was definetly worth it....

[Pharmer]

The V notches are just above the areole.  The point of the V is at the top of the areole.  These notches are helpful in determining direction when planting midsection cuttings vertically (so as not to plant upside down).

You can see the V in this pic above the areole.  If you look at the areoles on the side you can see one side of the V notches there.  These are more noticable on some Pedros than others.  It varies quite a bit.  Some times they aren't very noticable.


Peace.

[Jupe]

Thanx for Help.....so the V notches are the very slight indentations immediatly above the spines?

I have also read about the "dominant" spine in a cluster pointing downwards.  Is this a wives tale or good ID feature?

I will be putting this info to the test tomorrow, as my friend has a pickup truck full of euphorbias and "tall" (he says) cactii that need  homes.  I'll say yes to everything anyway, but it will be fun to see whats what....  thanx again folks Jupe

[Pharmer]

Yes, the V notches are the slight indentations above the areoles.  The dominant spine thing is more applicable to Peruvianus and Bridgesii.  It doesn't really work that way with Pachanoi.  Notice in the pic I posted that the dominant spine is pointing up on all of the areoles.

Good luck with the cacti hunting.  It sounds promising.  Tall columnar cacti can't be too bad.  

Peace.

[visionarybear]

personally, the top pics look more like Juul's giant to me, the triangulation of the ribs seems scop but with the pachanoi-like growth tip i would think it looks like a juuls giant. but as previously mentioned, it could also be a hybrid of sorts. nice nice cacti tho
~vb

[Pharmer]

I suspect the appearance is largely a result of changes in the way the cactus was cared for.  Maybe in the last year or two it has received better care?  It really doesn't look like Scopulicola or Juuls Giant to me, but you guys do have me wondering a bit.  I still think it is Pachanoi.  Look at the portion toward the bottom of the plant where it is hourglass shaped, and pinches in repeatedly every three inches or so.  This cactus has had a hard life.  Luckily now I imagine it is getting better care as the tips are growing out nice and healthy.  I hope more Trichocereus growers will weigh in on this.  I am actually surprised more haven't voiced there opinion.

Peace.

[Jupe]

haha heres a Salvia growers post instead....The Cactii are about 4 ft. tall, and I think the uneven care has resulted in the pinching.  They were potbound in a nursery.  I have to be careful not to baby them as I do all other plants at this estate.  We planted them high, (in the ground haha) and used a fair amount of lava, so I'm hoping drainage won't be an issue.

[laughingwillow]

It just looks like they haven't been babied right now, is all. Some years get more water than others in the desert. It looks like they were babied for a bunch fo years and then neglected for three or so. I like the natural look.

lw