Since cacti are one of the easiest plants to grow and care for, it is only natural to want more of them to keep you company! As the saying goes – the more the merrier. And if you do not already have a Pilosocereus pachycladus a.k.a. a blue columnar cactus in your collection, this is its perfect time to become more familiar with this cute plant.
Pilosocereus pachycladus, commonly known as the blue columnar cactus or the blue torch cactus, is a species of flowering cacti in the one and only Cactaceae family. This alluring cactus is native to various regions of South America, with the widest distribution in Brazil.
The blue columnar cactus is a super popular ornamental worldwide, and it thrives in any location that mimics its natural habitat. Over the years, the blue columnar cactus has gained lots of appreciation not only for its glamorous look, but also thanks to its very low-demanding nature. Like all cacti, the blue columnar cactus is drought-tolerant for long periods and will thrive with sunlight, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil.
Keep reading to find out how special and easy-going this cactus is and by the end of the article you’ll surely want to add it to your plant collection!
Quick Facts
| Fact Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Blue Columnar Cactus, Blue Torch Cactus |
| Native to | South America, widely in Brazil |
| Uses | Ornamental plant, traditional medicine, and food in Brazil |
| Growing Conditions | Sunlight, warm temperatures, well-draining soil |
| Watering | Frequently during summer, monthly otherwise |
| Size in cultivation | 6 to 12 inches in height and 2 to 4 feet in width |
| Flowering | Funnel-shaped, white flowers with greenish to reddish outer parts |
| Propagation | By branch cuttings or seeds |
| Safety | Non-toxic to humans and animals, but spines can cause harm if touched |
| Pests and Diseases | Susceptible to mealybugs and fungal diseases, can be treated with insecticide |
| Optimal Temperature | Above 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Frost Tolerance | Not frost-tolerant, best suited for USDA zones 9 through 11 |
About Pilosocereus Pachycladus
- Pilosocereus pachycladus belongs to the Pilosocereus genus. It shares this genus with other interesting species, such as P. aureispinus, P. azulensis, P. leucocephalus, P. magnificus, P. robinii, and P. royenii.
- Its genus name “Pilosocereus” consists of the words “pilosus” which means “hairy” in Latin and Cereus which is a genus of columnar cacti. This name refers, of course, to the generous number of spines that this cactus features, which provide it with an overall hairy appearance.
- Blue columnar cactus grows at elevations of (50-1550 m) above sea level. This cactus shows up among quartz outcrops, scrubs associated with rock fields, in several protected areas, and also locally with other woody vegetation.
- In Brazil, some people use Pilosocereus pachycladus as traditional medicine and even as food. Some people believe that this cactus works as a great treatment against urinary infection and prostate inflammation.
- Blue columnar cactus will look absolutely wonderful in many landscape decorations. The most common uses include rock gardens, desert gardens, cacti gardens, succulent gardens, botanical gardens, patios, and containers.
- This eye-catching cactus can be an excellent companion plant to any other species of cacti such as hedgehog cactus, Christmas cactus, feather cactus, old lady cactus, etc, succulents such as zebra plants, echeveria, crassula, and different types of plants that have similar growing and environmental needs.
- The blue columnar cactus is not toxic to either humans or animals. However, it comes along with lots of spines that can harm curious kids or pets if touched. Make sure you keep this cactus in a location where children, dogs, or cats cannot reach it.
- Also, it is recommended to wear protective gloves when handling these cacti to avoid getting a spine stuck in your skin. If this happens by accident, you can remove the spines with a pair of tweezers, by applying a little glue on the affected area, or by using duct tape.
Pilosocereus Pachycladus Features: An Overview
- Pilosocereus pachycladus is a columnar tree-like species of flowering cacti. This cactus tends either to ramify at the base or to produce a distinct trunk that contains dozens of erected, bluish-silver branches.
- In its native habitat, Blue columnar cactus can grow as tall as 3.3 feet (10 m). In cultivation, however, it usually reaches only 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm) in height and 2 to 4 feet (61-123 cm) in width.
- If you are searching for a small cactus to keep on your desk, Pilosocereus Pachycladus is a great option as this cactus is usually a slow grower. This means that you won’t have to worry about repotting if for a long time.
- The cactus has a light blue-green or sky blue stem with branches of 2.2 to 4.3 inches (5.5-11 cm) in diameter. In general, it features between 5 and 19 ribs.
- Blue columnar cacti have areoles with long, white bristles and white to grey felt. The spines are translucent and yellowish, but they turn a beautiful grey with age.
- During its blooming period, in summer, a mature Blue columnar cactus can exhibit funnel-shaped, white flowers with greenish to reddish outer parts. The flowers measure up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length and up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) in diameter.
- This cactus bears fruits once the flowering period has ended. The fruits are globular, flattened, reddish-purple capsules. They have dry flowers remnants and contain shiny, black seeds.
Growing Pilosocereus Pachycladus
Growing Pilosocereus pachycladus will bring you excitement and rewards with little effort on your part. And although this showy plant has few demands, this does not mean that you can ignore it for good. But, with proper care and lots of love, this cactus will be by your side for a very long time.
If you want to be the lucky owner of a flowering Pilosocereus pachycladus, you will have to pay extra attention to how much light it gets. This cactus needs lots of bright and direct sunlight to grow happy and produce flowers with time. In general, it will benefit from 10 to 12 hours of sunlight daily in both indoor and outdoor settings.
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Like most species of cacti, this buddy is cold-hardy only in the USDA zones 9 through 11. Blue columnar cactus will not handle cold temperatures or frost very well. In regions with cold winters, we recommend you keep your cactus inside until the weather gets warmer. On the other hand, Blue columnar cactus prefers temperatures above 70 °F (21 °C) and can also tolerate periods with high heat.
Blue columnar cactus does not encounter serious issues in terms of pest infestations and fungal diseases. Still, you should keep an eye on your cactus for mealybugs. If left to their own devices, these pests can affect almost every part of your beloved cactus. When you notice these intruders on your blue columnar cactus, remove them with spray water, then apply an insecticide until the infection is gone.
Planting Pilosocereus Pachycladus
Without a doubt, the best growing medium you can provide your Pilosocereus pachycladus with is one that comes with very sharp drainage. If you dream about growing this cactus indoors, it is wise to plant it in a clay or terracotta pot to improve the drainage system. These particular containers will keep your plant away from irreversible problems like root rot.
Blue columnar cactus grows fine in sandy, well-draining soils. For optimal results, plant your cactus in a dry soil mixture of equal parts of sand, perlite, and limestone. Moreover, make sure the substrate also has some organic matter in it. You can also use a store-bought cacti and succulent soil mix.
When it comes to fertilizers, blue columnar cactus requires very little to perform at its best. You can use fertilizer when your cactus does not seem to grow as fast as it normally should and if you want to encourage growth. Feed your cactus with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer once every few weeks or once a month during its active growing period. The active growing period of Pilosocereus pachycladus is during the summer and, like most cacti, it goes dormant during the winter. Before applying the fertilizer, it’s important to remember to dilute it to half its strength so it doesn’t damage your plant. Using fertilizer that’s too strong can burn your cactus. So, if the package recommends using a 15 ml per gallon of water, use only 7 ml instead.
Watering Pilosocereus Pachycladus
Pilosocereus pachycladus makes for a good companion to beginners and for forgetful gardners. And why is that? Well, this cactus requires frequent watering only during the hot summer months. Outside of this season, your cactus will become fairly tolerant of drought and will do just fine only with a bit of water once every month.
The secret to avoiding over-watering your Blue columnar cactus is to spoil it with drinks when its growing medium has dried out completely. Because the soil typically dries faster in summer, that when your cactus will benefit from weekly waterings. However, if the soil feels somewhat wet to the touch, we suggest you wait for a few days and check it again then before giving your cactus another drink.
To be on the safe side, always use the ‘soak and dry’ watering method. This method is extremely effective with succulents and cacti and it consists of checking the soil with your finger and only watering the plant if the soil is completely dry.
As mentioned above, overwatering can be a problem when it comes to cacti. When they receive too much water, cacti can become waterlogged. When this happens, the cacti are susceptible to root rot. A cactus that is affected by root root will usually have roots and stems that become discoloured, or black and mushy.
The good news it that saving a cactus that has developed root rot isn’t an impossible task, but it can only be carried out if the plant hasn’t been affected. If you overwatered your cactus and you fear that it might develop root rot, the best course of action is to repot the plant in fresh, dry soil. If your plant is already starting to change colour and it has become yellow and mushy, it might be best to discard of it completely. If, however, there are a few stems that are still healthy, you can cut them and replant them in fresh soil.
In plants that present rot or other infections in the upper part or in some of their stems, it’s best to remove the affected parts as soon as possible, to prevent the infection from spreading. It is also recommended to treat the wound with powdered sulfur to avoid other infections and to encourage healthy growth. Over time, the wound will callous and if you provide your plant with the ideal growing conditions and avoid overwatering, you will start to notice fresh growth.
Propagating Pilosocereus Pachycladus
Pilosocereus pachycladus is truly a spectacular cactus that deserves to be shared with other cacti-lovers family members or friends. Luckily, this cactus generally produces several branches that emerge from the main stem. These branches can serve as an excellent propagation material and moving them to different containers will not be as difficult as you might think. And with very little effort, you will be able to surprise your loved ones with a nice gift!
First things first, make sure that the branches you want to use for propagation are in their best shape. Cut the branches as close as you can from the stem using a sharp and sterilized garden tool or knife. Keep in mind that blue columnar cactus has lots of spines that may harm you during this process. We advise you to wear garden gloves for protection.
Once you have the cuttings, you can start filling a container with the same type of soil you already grow your Blue columnar cactus in. After this step, plant the cuttings in the soil and move the container to a warm area where the tiny cacti can receive plenty of bright and direct sunlight. If you water the cuttings whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, they will develop a strong root system in several months or so.
You can also propagate Blue columnar cactus through seeds, but this is a viable method only if your cactus has produced fruits. All you have to do is collect the seeds from the ripe fruits, then sow them in fresh soil just above it. This species grows at a fast pace, so germination should occur in little to no time.
In Conclusion
Pilosocereus pachycladus a.k.a. the blue columnar cactus has all it takes to be a nice addition to any plant collection, be it a cactus, succulent, or exotic plant collection. This cactus looks unique, it has a nice colour, and it is very low-maintenance! If you have fallen in love with this particular specimen, make sure you also check out other amazing cacti, such as the fairy castle cactus, claret cup, and creeping devil for the best ornamental effect.
Do you already have a blue columnar cactus in your plant family? Share your thoughts about your experience in the comments!
Pilosocereus Pachycladus FAQS
Is blue cactus rare?
The blue columnar cactus, or Pilosocereus pachycladus, is not considered a rare plant. It’s popular among cactus enthusiasts due to its unique color and easy care.
Why is blue torch cactus blue?
The blue hue of the blue torch or blue columnar cactus is due to the presence of a wax-like coating on its surface. This coating serves as a protective layer that helps the plant to reflect harsh sunlight and minimize water loss, crucial for survival in desert conditions.
Is the Brazilian blue cactus real?
Yes, the Brazilian blue cactus, another name for Pilosocereus pachycladus, is a real species of cactus native to South America, particularly Brazil.
Is blue torch cactus rare?
As mentioned before, the blue torch or blue columnar cactus is not considered rare. It’s widely cultivated and sought after by plant collectors due to its unique color and relatively easy maintenance.
What cactus flowers every 100 years?
The Saguaro cactus, native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, is often mistakenly believed to bloom every 100 years. In reality, it takes about 35 years for a Saguaro to produce its first flower, but then it flowers annually thereafter.
What is the rarest cactus in the world?
The rarest cactus is believed to be the Pediocactus peeblesianus, also known as the Peebles Navajo cactus. This cactus is endemic to Arizona in the United States and is classified as critically endangered due to its extremely limited and fragmented habitat.
