Echinopsis spachiana or Golden Torch Cereus

Care of the cactus Echinopsis spachiana or Golden Torch Cereus

The genus Echinopsis, family Cactaceae, comprises 150 species of cactus native to South America. Some species are: Echinopsis spachiana, Echinopsis schieliana, Echinopsis peruviana, Echinopsis oxygona, Echinopsis huascha, Echinopsis chiloensis, Echinopsis chamaecereus, Echinopsis candicans, Echinopsis bruchii, Echinopsis aurea, Echinopsis atacamensis, Echinopsis ancistrophora, Echinopsis subdenudata, Echinopsis pachanoi, Echinopsis mamillosa, Echinopsis tarijensis, Echinopsis schickendantzii, Echinopsis rhodotricha.

Common names: Golden Torch Cereus, Torch cactus, White Torch cactus. This species is native to Bolivia and Western Argentina.

They are columnar cactus branched from the base that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. They have 10-15 ribs with yellowish or brown areolas and 8 radial spines with 1-2 longer central spines. The spectacular white flowers are 20 cm (7.87") in length, scented and open at night until early morning. They bloom in early summer but only the adult specimens.

They are relatively fast growing plants that are used in cactus and succulent gardens and on rockeries. Young specimens can be grown in pots. They are ideal as rootstocks for other cactus species.

Echinopsis spachiana needs very sunny exposure and temperatures above 3 ºC (37.4 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand and leaf mulch. When they are adults add a little clay.

Always water moderately, waiting until the soil has dried; do not water in winter.

Fertilize in early spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

They do not need pruning.

They can be attacked by fungi if there is excess moisture.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by branch cuttings.