Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoiis acactuscommonly grown in Peru , Ecuador , and Bolivia as an ornamental plant or fencing . The flora has a foresighted story of manipulation in the Andes Mountains region , where it has been used for religious divination and healing purposes for over 3,000 years . It is usually screw as the San Pedro Cactus due to the belief that its hallucinogenic dimension allow users to " attain heaven while still on earth , " similar to how St. Peter holds the keys to heaven .
Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoi(Britton & Rose ) Albesiano & R.Kiesling
San Pedro Cactus

In cultivation, Akaroa, New Zealand. Photo by Lizi Reese. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Cereus pachanoi , Echinopsis pachanoi , Trichocereus macrogonussubsp.sanpedro , Trichocereus pachanoi
phratry : CactaceaeSubfamily : CactoideaeTribe : CereeaeSubtribe : TrichocereinaeGenus : Trichocereus
The varietal epithet " pachanoi(pronounced puh - KAH - no - ee ) " honors Professor Abelardo Pachano ( 1885 - 1958 ) , a famed Ecuadorian who assisted the American botanistJoseph Nelson Roseon his expedition to South America .

In cultivation, Akaroa, New Zealand. Photo by Lizi Reese. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Trichocereus macrogonus var . pachanoiis aboriginal to the Andes Mountains inEcuador , Peru , andBolivia . It grow at EL between 6,600 and 9,800 feet ( 2,000 and 3,000 m ) . This cactus has also been introduce inVenezuela , Argentina , Chile , and some tropical part in other parts of the world .
Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoi , formerly known asTrichocereus pachanoiorEchinopsis pachanoi , is a fast - growing columnar cactus with vertical stems get 4 to 8 ribs lined withareolesarmed with clusters of spines . It can grow up to 13.1 feet ( 4 one thousand ) and produce multiple leg , typically extending from the understructure . The branch can reach a diameter of 6 inch ( 15 cm ) and are wan fleeceable when young but maturate into a dark green . The pear-shaped areoles are grizzly or dismal brown and can digest 3 to 7 yellow to pale brown , all similar spines growing up to 0.8 inch ( 2 cm ) long . On previous areoles , the spines are often absent .
During the summertime , Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoiproduces white fragrant flowers near the top of the branch . The flowers appear at night and persist launch the undermentioned day . They are trump - shaped and can arrive at 9.6 inches ( 24 cm ) in duration and 8 inch ( 20 curium ) in diameter . The fruit are dark green , and when matured , they split , revealing the white flesh containing tiny black seeds . They are oblong and can originate up to 2.4 inches ( 6 cm ) prospicient and 1.2 in ( 3 cm ) in diameter . The blossom tube and fruits are cut across with browned hairs .

In cultivation, Hacienda Heights, California, United States. Photo by Ana Marina Morelli. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoican be distinguished fromTrichocereus macrogonusvar.macrogonusby the turn and length of the spines . Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoihas no backbone or 3 to 7 spines on older areoles . In comparison , the typical variety has 18 to 20 spines , including three to four central ones that are longer , stronger , and more robust than the others . to boot , the stems ofTrichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoiare shorter and more supple than those of the typical variety .
Light : Although it can handle fond nicety , Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoithrives in full Sunday . If grown indoors , a sunny window is a good spotlight . To encourage balanced growth , rotate the corporation a poop tour every workweek or two . It is good to move it alfresco from fountain to devolve if possible .
Soil : This cactus spring up just in well - draining soil . you may either utilise commercial soil for cacti ormake your own intermixture .

Fruits. In cultivation, Akaroa, New Zealand. Photo by Lizi Reese. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Hardiness : During the growing season , Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoienjoys warm temperatures , while in wintertime , it prefer cooler temperature . It produce best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones8b to 10b , with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 15 to 40 ° atomic number 9 ( -9.4 to 4.4 ° C ) .
Watering : To keep this cactus healthy , waterit exhaustively , but allow the territory to dry out completely before watering again . As downfall approaches , gradually reduce the watering frequency . During the wintertime , when it is hibernating , urine this cactus only enough to forbid shrinking .
Fertilizing : During its growing time of year , this cactus requires even fertilizing . A balanced , water - soluble fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength can be sum to each watering . A 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer is ideal . you may also use ironical plant food instead of making a answer of water and plant food . However , stop fertilizing during the winter .

In cultivation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Santino Rischitelli. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Repotting : You should repotTrichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoionce a year when it is youthful and when it outgrows its pot when mature .
Propagation : The gentle method acting to pass around this cactus is by shank cuttings , as seminal fluid propagation is a slow process . saltation and summer are the proficient times to take cuttings and sow the seeds .
Learn more atHow to maturate and give care for Cereus .

In cultivation, Akaroa, New Zealand. Photo by Lizi Reese. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Trichocereus macrogonusvar.pachanoiis considered non - toxic .
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Flower. In cultivation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Santino Rischitelli. Used with permission. All rights reserved.