Publication: [as: Cereus chiloensis var. panhoplites K.Schum. 1897]
Description
Echinopsis chiloensis var. panhoplites previously known as Trichocereus chiloensis var. panhoplites is very much like that of standard Echinopsis chiloensis but shows young spines almost black and central spine very long. The fruit and seed are similar to those of the other Varieties. Nowadays this plant is not considered a distinct variety but only one of the variable phenotypes of this this clinal species.
Growth Habits: It is a fiercely spiny cactus that develops into a shrub or small tree.
Stem: Rarely single, usually of several branches, sometimes of many, arising from near the base, starting nearly at right angles to the main trunk but soon erect, up to 8 m tall, stems 10-12 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 10 to 17 low and broad, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercles even when fully mature.
Areoles: Large whitish, 2 cm apart.
Spines: Young spines almost black, stout, at least when young, greyish later.
Central spines: 1 to 4 centrals, porrect, 5-12 cm (or even 25 cm long).
Radial spines: 8 to 12 , up to 4 cm long.
Flowers: Flowers open during the day, white, 14 cm long, outer perianth-segments white but tinged with red or brown; inner perianth-segments white, acuminate.
Sun Exposure: Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun.
Origin and Habitat
Ovalle, Coquimbo, Chile.
Cultivation and Propagation
Trichocereus chiloensis is very easy to grow and cold hardy as low as -12°C (or less). Need a fertile, well drained soil mix. Water the plants well and allow them to dry before watering again. This species seems to do better with a little more water than most cacti. In fact, its cultivation requirements are really more like ‘normal’ plants than most other cacti. During the growing season fertilize them monthly with a balanced fertilizer
Sun Exposure: Outside full sun, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. During winter month, put them in a cool luminous place and encourage them to enter winter dormancy by withholding water and fertiliser over the winter as they will etiolate, or become thin, due to lower levels of light.
Pest smd diseases: They are susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered, but are not nearly as sensitive as many other cacti, especially in warm weather. They tend characteristically towards black rotted spots unless watering is moderate and only in hot weather, if kept damp through cold periods, they will invariably suffer.
Growth rate Trichocereus chiloensis produces noticeable amounts of growth each year if kept well fed and watered throughout the warmest months, particularly if it has been acclimatised to accept full sun. Once this cactus is established it can easily produce 20 cm of growth every year.
Propagation:: Cutting or from seed. The seeds are quite easy to germinate and grow. Their main requirements consist of high humidity levels, free-draining soil mix, and enough water, light, and nutrition.
Notes
The original name for this cactus was Trichocereus chiloensis. In 1950, Skottsberg pointed that the name was misspelled, and was changed to “chilensis” for “Chile”+“ensis”. The rules of nomenclature now, give priority to the original name, misspelling included, except if the name was changed by the original author. Thus, Friedrich & Rowley retained “chiloensis” when they included the genus Trichocereus into the genus Echinopsis.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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Friedrich Ritter “Kakteen in Südamerika: Ergebnisse meiner 20jährigen” Volume 2, Argentinien/Bolivien, Volume 2 Selbstverlag, 1980
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Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde,” Volume 2 G. Fischer, 1959
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N. L. Britton and J. N. Rose “The ‘Cactaceae’, Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the ‘Cactus’ Family” volume 2 Carnegie Institution, 1920
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Riedemann, P. y G. Aldunate. “Flora Nativa de Valor Ornamental; Identificación y Propagación. Chile, Zona Centro.” Edición 2, Chile 2004.
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Gordon Douglas Rowley “Reunion of the genus Echinopsis”. In: IOS Bulletin. Journal of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study. Volume 3, Nuber 3, page 94 , 1974
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Haustein, Erik. “Der Kosmos-Kakteenführer.” Kosmos / Gesellschaft der Naturfreunde., Stuttgart, 1983
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Walter, H.E., Faundez, L., Guerrero, P. & Saldivia, P. 2013. Echinopsis chiloensis. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species”. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 31 October 2013.
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