If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Echinopsis pachanoi is a fast-growing, columnar cactus up to 20 feet (3 m) tall. It is native to the Andes Mountains. The stems of Echinopsis pachanoi are light to dark green, sometimes glaucous, usually with 6 to 8 ribs and up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The whitish areoles may produce up to 7 yellow to brown spines up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long. It has multiple branches, usually extending from the base. White flowers open at night and are produced at the end of the stems. They are large, up to 9.6 inches (24 cm) long and up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. There are black hairs along the length of the tube leading to the flower. Oblong dark green fruits are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) across and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long.
Watering san pedro cactus san pedro cactus loves a dry atmosphere and like other cacti, they are easily affected by overwatering that can even lead to cactus death. When planted outdoors, san pedro cacti will need more frequent watering in summer, and minimal watering in a cold winter months.
Mix together three parts potting soil, three parts coarse sand or gravel, and two parts perlite or pumice. Don't use a potting soil mix that contains fertilizers because the fertilizer can burn cacti roots and cause leggy growth.
Houseplants should typically be pruned at the beginning of the growing season, which is late winter or early spring for many varieties.
Keep your San Pedro cactus warm. This native of Peru and Ecuador likes heat and performs best at sustained temperatures well above 50 F throughout the growing season. Move the plant to a cooler location during the winter months, if possible. Optimum winter nighttime temperature is 48 F.
Plants that don't like a lot of moisture will need a drainage hole for moisture to escape and for airflow to circulate through the pot. Another important function of drainage holes is to allow water to flush the soil of excess salts from fertilizers. Terracotta containers are a good choice for cactus gardens. They let water evaporate faster than other materials. Terracotta containers are a good choice for cactus gardens. They let water evaporate faster than other materials.
