Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
A Trichopsis hybrid by Dr. R. Gräser , Germany
Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Synonyms:
Description: This is a popular and notably Trichocereus hybrid with magnificent bloom of approx 14cm. The inner petals are bright magenta with a contrasting vermillion midline, the outer petals are dark scarlet. Magnificent bloomers, the flowers open nocturnally, or early in the morning, closing by mid morning, and can endure for two-three days (depending on temperature and sun exposure).
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Echinopsis hybrid (Trichopsis) group
- Echinopsis cv. Apricot Glow: has multi-coloured with delicate shadings of apricot, orange-red and yellow.
- Echinopsis cv. Barbara Cornely: Large-sized with beautiful salmon, pink and fuchsia tones.
- Echinopsis cv. Chamäleon: flowers are pastel red-orangish-pinkish on the first day while on the second they became clearly pastel-pink.
- Echinopsis cv. Chelsea Girl: has multi-coloured flowers with delicate shadings of white, pink and purple.
- Echinopsis cv. Dione: has bright lilac-carmine blooms with reddish-lilac-coloured margins, paler pink midline, green-yellowish throat.
- Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde: has bloom of approx 14 cm, bright magenta with a contrasting vermillion midline, the outer petals are dark scarlet.
- Echinopsis cv. Gräser´s Schönste: it is the most beautiful and most sought “Aporocandicans” with frilled salmon and pink flowers.
- Echinopsis cv. June Noon: has candid white petal with a canary yellow midrib. It is a Dimmitt hybid.
- Echinopsis cv. Super Apricot V. JB. Kornely: Flowers are multi-coloured with delicate shadings of apricot, orange-red and yellow.
- Echinopsis cv. Volcanic Sunset: has dark orange-red, long lasting flowers, with wide petals and rounded tips. 10-12(-15) cm across.
- Echinopsis cv. Yellow California: has bright yellow flowers with golden-yellow on the inner petals and some burnt orange on back petals and a lighter yellow throat.
- Echinopsis hybrid (Trichocereus) f. variegata hort.: has yellow and green variegated stems.
- Echinopsis hybrid (Trichopsis group): wide heterogeneous category of hybrids involving various Trichocores species (now Echinopsis) and other Echinopsis species and Lobivias.
Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde Photo by: Cactus Art Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde Photo by: Cactus Art Echinopsis cv. Gräser Freunde Photo by: Cactus Art Cultivation and Propagation: Trichocereus hybrids are very easy to grow and cold tolerant,as low as -5/-12°C (or less depending on clone). They need a fertile, well drained soil mix. Water the plants well and allow them to dry before watering again. This cultivars seem to do better with a little more water than most cacti. In fact, their 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, but during hot summers the cactus are subject to sun burning, so grow them in light shade. Inside they need bright light, and some direct sun. During winter months, 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. 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.
This plants produces large amounts of growth each year if kept well fed and watered throughout the warmest months, particularly if they have been acclimatised to accept full sun. Once these cactus are established they can easily produce 10cm (or more) of growth every year.
Propagation: By cutting.