Pilosocereus pachycladus - Blue Torch Cactus
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Highlights
Blue Torch Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus) (Ritter): A branching, columnar cactus with glaucous, olive stems that turn blue with age. The stems are lined with 5-19 ribs with coppery yellow spines. This species is native to Brazil where it can reach an astounding 33.0' tall after decades of growth. It can produce wide flowers (often white) that develop into magenta fruit.
This cactus variety will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures it can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. Cactus need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 70% to 80% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply and wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering again.
Product Size
2.0" Pot
Current Primary Color
Blue / Blue-green
All Seasonal Colors
Green, Yellow / Gold
Bloom Color
White Bloom
Grow Zone (Hardiness)
Zone 10 (30F)
Recommended Light Conditions
Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun
Maximum Height
Over 12"
Growth Habit / Shape
Vertical Grower / Tall Stem
Special Characteristic
Hard to Kill, Showy Blooms
THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+
10
WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?
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Questions & Answers
Popular Questions
• Staff Answer
Hi there!
I grow a couple of these personally and I can tell you from experience that they have the potential for some fuzziness. One of them has obvious fuzz and the other doesn't. I believe the one that has no obvious fuzz will grow fuzz as it matures. After all, the name "Pilocereus" actually means "hairy candle"! I hope this helps.
I grow a couple of these personally and I can tell you from experience that they have the potential for some fuzziness. One of them has obvious fuzz and the other doesn't. I believe the one that has no obvious fuzz will grow fuzz as it matures. After all, the name "Pilocereus" actually means "hairy candle"! I hope this helps.
• Staff Answer
If the wound is beginning to rot, there's not much you can do to fix it. However, there are a couple things that can help.
First, make sure the humidity around the cactus is as low as possible. This will encourage the wound to dry out and will discourage rot to spread.
Second, try sprinkling cinnamon powder in the wound but don't pack in there or you'll risk making the wound bigger. This helps by drying out the wound and by actively killing fungus. Cinnamon is a natural fungicide.
First, make sure the humidity around the cactus is as low as possible. This will encourage the wound to dry out and will discourage rot to spread.
Second, try sprinkling cinnamon powder in the wound but don't pack in there or you'll risk making the wound bigger. This helps by drying out the wound and by actively killing fungus. Cinnamon is a natural fungicide.
• Staff Answer
Hi there!
The limited tag just means that we don't have a whole lot of that plant, and propagating it takes a lot of time. Plants with the limited tag can only be ordered once per order. In other words, you can only order one of them at a time.
The exclusive tag means that we're the only major outfit that sells that particular plant. You may be able to find an Etsy or Ebay listing, but no major nurseries are selling it, with the exception of us. These plants are rare, and typically exciting, but they're going to be a bit pricey.
I hope this all helps!
The limited tag just means that we don't have a whole lot of that plant, and propagating it takes a lot of time. Plants with the limited tag can only be ordered once per order. In other words, you can only order one of them at a time.
The exclusive tag means that we're the only major outfit that sells that particular plant. You may be able to find an Etsy or Ebay listing, but no major nurseries are selling it, with the exception of us. These plants are rare, and typically exciting, but they're going to be a bit pricey.
I hope this all helps!
• Staff Answer
Shop Succulent Soil Here
Succulents need grittier soil than other plants because they are adapted to dry conditions and store water in their leaves. Regular potting soil mixes stay damp for long periods of time, which can cause rot in succulents. Instead, use a sandy, well-draining soil so you can water thoroughly without leaving your succulent in standing water.
IN POTS…
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• Staff Answer
Our plants can be transplanted immediately upon arrival.
If you want to wait to transplant, they can remain in their original containers for up to a month. If the pots came in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the carrier tray prior to the first watering.
Keep the plants indoors near a sunny window or outdoors under a roof (only if outdoor temperatures stay above your succulent's minimum hardiness temperature). Water only after the soil is fully dry by drenching from above with a faucet, hose, or watering can. Gently shake excess water from the leaves and allow containers to drain completely.
• Staff Answer
Fertilizing is not necessary, but it is a good option for succulent growers who want to encourage faster, larger growth. It can be used on mature plants with established roots. Only fertilize in the growing season (spring and summer for most varieties) to avoid weakening or burning dormant plants. Use a light touch and make 2-3 applications of low-Nitrogen, diluted fertilizer each year (N-P-K ratio around 5-10-10). You can find specially-formulated cactus / succulent fertilizers in most garden centers or go organic with compost tea or bone meal.
Example: Miracle-Gro Quick Start, diluted to half strength
• Staff Answer
Succulents need deep, infrequent watering, especially during their growing season and when they are young and establishing roots. Only water after the soil is completely dry and the plant feels less firm. Err on the side of underwatering. Watering too frequently is the most common way to kill succulents.
HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS
- Drench from above using a faucet, hose, or watering can
- Do not mist with a spray bottle (the only exception is for Air Plants)
- Water until it drains from the container's drainage hole. If your container does not have a drainage hole (not recommended), use about 1/3 the volume of the container…
• Staff Answer
Different succulent varieties have different light needs. You can find the Recommended Light Conditions on each variety's page by scrolling down to the Product Details. We use four categories of recommended light, and some plants can thrive under a range of light conditions.
LOW INDOOR LIGHT
- Can grow indoors without direct sun.
- Placing outdoors in direct sun or on sunny window sills might cause dark burns.
- There are a limited number of succulent varieties that thrive in low light, notably Haworthia, Gasteria, Peperomia, and some Jade…
• Staff Answer
Many succulent varieties are only available seasonally because of their growing and propagation cycles. During the growing season, we can usually restock sets and trays weekly. Most individual plants will go in and out of stock through the seasons, but they are also restocked weekly when available. Thursday is usually the best day of the week for finding plants in stock. Spring and Summer are generally the best seasons for availability.
Any product that is out of stock has an "Email me when a product is back in stock" button (shown above). Click the button and enter your email to be notified when it's available again. If this button isn't appearing, the plant may have very recently sold out - check back after a short while and the button should appear.
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