Accepted Scientific Name: Echinopsis hybrid x aporocandicans Gräser
Kakteen Sukk. Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 1967 ( 9).
Synonyms:
Description: Echinopsis hybrid x aporocandicansSN|25873]]SN|25873]] more commonly known as "Aporocandicans hybrids" (Aporocactus flagelliformis x Trichocereus candicans): Aporocactus flagelliformis (Rattail cactus) is a creeping or epiphytic cactus with branches that hang down, unspectacular prickles and very deep red blossoms cultivated as a houseplant for nearly 300 years. The rattail cactus gave rise to several famous hybrids mostly with Epiphyllum, Disocactus and other epiphytic specie. However Aporocactus flagelliformisSN|4775]]SN|4775]] has proven to be able to cross with the stout columnar and very dissimilar Trichocereus candicansSN|7680]]SN|7680]] with strong spines and large white blossoms. Blooms of Aporocactus flagelliformis fertilized with pollen of Trichocereus candicansSN|7680]]SN|7680]] will once in a while produce fruits containing black shinning seeds that take about one year to mature. Seeds proved to be anle to germinate. The new born seedlings look like genuine Aporocactus flagelliformis seedlings, with small cotyledonal leaves and a relatively long and very thin hypocotyl between root and cotyledons. But the shoots developing between the cotyledonal leaves are globular with strong, yellow spines much like those of the Trichocereus parent and can easily confounded with little Echinocactus grusoniiSN|3345]]SN|3345]]. This hybrids are quite slow growing and seed grown specimens can take several years (even 20) to start blooming. Strange to say, the diameter of the column-like body of the hybrids is even wider than that one of the male parent plant and can reach up to 15 cm in diameter. The flowers are about 13 to 15 cm in diameter and look similar to those of Trichocereus candidans but the tepals are in shades of salmon pink or reddish, slightly wavy and marked by small stripes of darker red at the rim. The filaments are red. The anthers are partly missing and do not have any pollen. On the other hand, the ovary contains fertile ovules, which give rise to viable seeds if pollinated with pollen of other types of Trichocereus and Echinopsis. This hybrids are unquestionably some the most beautiful and most sought Trichocereus hybrids.
Cultivation and Propagation: Trichocereus hybrids are very easy to grow and cold tolerant, as low as -5°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 seeds or cutting.
