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

Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 .

Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 .

Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 of Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 .

Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 .

Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

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 of Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) aka Trichocereus pachanoi or Echinopsis pachanoi

Flower. In cultivation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Santino Rischitelli. Used with permission. All rights reserved.