Leucostele atacamensis subsp. pasacana (F.A.C.Weber ex Rümpler) Schlumpb.

🌱 Morphology
An arborescent columnar cactus of extraordinary stature, which can reach 10–15 m in height and develop thick trunks and candelabra-like branches. The stems are greyish-green, up to about 50–60 cm in diameter, with approximately 20–30 broad ribs. The areoles enlarge considerably with age and produce spines that are initially yellowish or honey-colored, later turning greyish. Adult specimens can feature numerous spines, some up to 25–30 cm, creating a spectacular silhouette.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is distributed throughout northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia, primarily in the arid environments of the Puna, between approximately 1,700 and 3,900 m altitude. It grows on rocky slopes, in dry valleys, and in xerophytic mountain scrubland, often forming authentic open forests of cardones. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, subfamily Cactoideae, and tribe Trichocereeae. Trichocereus atacamensis subsp. pasacana and Trichocereus pasacana are widely used combinations from the past.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −10 ºC when kept dry and for well-acclimated specimens. Its high-altitude origin explains its remarkable cold resistance, although cold dampness requires excellent drainage.

☀️ Lighting
It requires direct sun and very intense radiation to develop robust stems and dense spination. During active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended as a reference.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. In winter, it should be kept dry, especially during cold nights. From spring to autumn, it can receive deep, spaced-out waterings, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between them. In cultivation, rapid drainage is essential to avoid root problems during cold periods.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers emerge laterally on adult stems and are large, white to white-pinkish, approximately 10–14 cm long. The floral tube is densely covered in dark hairs. They remain functional both day and night and appear mainly from late spring to summer. The fruits are green, fleshy, covered in hairs, and up to about 5 cm; they are edible.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month during watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.

45x45 cm pot