Stenocereus thurberi
ikon of the southwest , organ tobacco pipe cactus ( Stenocereus thurberi ) is one of the best known specie of cacti in the United States .
Reaching up to 26 feet in height and 12 foot wide , this slow - growing , long - lived Lord’s Day devotee can be truly tremendous .
sturdy , dour , and armed to the tooth , this cactus is the gross instance of evolution ’s refined technology .
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Given scarce water , organ pipe can boom its stem and store water internally . In the blistering rut of its native range , this cactus protects itself with tough skin and bristling spines .
To keep its fragile flowers protect from the spicy sun , S. thurberiblooms at dark when it can also take advantage of the region ’s pollenate chiropteran .
Although this cactus is sartor - made for Mexico and the American Southwest ’s harshest landscapes , northern gardeners , do n’t despair !
fall in mountain of sunlight and warmth , some low - nutrient soil , and just a minuscule water supply , organ pipe can be grown in a passel .
And for southerly gardeners , given the right condition , this cactus can fly high in gardens there , too .
Here ’s a immediate prevue of everything you ’ll learn as you read along :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Organ Pipe Cactus?
A member of the Cactaceae , or cactus sept , the organ pipe cactus bears all the hallmarks of this burry , spiky , desert - dwelling grouping .
mature from a low body , it quickly branch out into magniloquent , leggy stems , which look more like arms , or even tentacle , to us .
It ’s this multi - limbed appearance that makesS. thurberi , with a bit of resource , calculate like a multi - piped church service organ and that gives it its common name .
The cactus ’s common name in Spanish , pitaya dulce , is a nod to the sweet and voluptuous yield , which – once you get past the needle - shrill sticker – is juicy and saccharine . It tastes almost like watermelon .
Once the pear-shaped fruit is ripe , it splits open to reveal red pulp and shiny , dark seeds . In the wild , these little propagules are disperse far and wide by coterie rats and other pocket-sized fauna .
Preceding the cactus ’s edible fruit is the flower .
Tubular and wan purple to whiten in colour , the peak come once a yr during the rainy season . These are pollinated by bats and unaired once the hot Sunday rises .
Cultivation and History
Somewhat finicky about its climatic preference , this cactus ’s native mountain chain is relatively minor .
In the United States it can only be found growing close to the Mexican perimeter and almost exclusively within Organ Pipe National Monument lands in southwestern Arizona .
In Mexico , it grows in the northwest portion of the commonwealth .
Tolerant of low-cal frost , but illiberal of knockout freeze , almost all cacti in the northerly part of this mintage ’ range of a function bear grounds of insensate weather damage .
Evident as lumps and bulge in their otherwise square stem turn , icing damagecan be prevented by get across the plant life ’s tender growing tips with something like a cup or sheet . Heck , get originative !
If you are growingS. thurberioutside of the recommended USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , make certain you plant it either in a jackpot or against a wall , tumid rock-and-roll , cliff , or other bodily structure that can shine heat at night and protect it from frost .
Despite its disdain for southwestern winters , some attempt have been made to commercialize the sweet cloying fruit in the US .
As most of the reed organ pipe cactus universe is protected within Arizona ’s national monument reserve , these attempt have mostly failed . The fruit is seasonably available in Mexico , however , where it ’s used to make succus , candies , and more .
The fruit and wood of this species has historically been of terrific meaning to local native people living in the area . These group used the yield for upkeep and the wood for making fires .
Interestingly enough , the dodo phonograph record hint the reed organ pipe cactus is a comparative freshman to the United States . About 3,500 age ago , as the climate step by step warm , this cactus was able to go out the dry tropics and stake a claim in the Sonoran Desert .
Organ Pipe Cactus Propagation
It may seem a little intimidating to cultivate such a unique plant at abode , especially one with relatively narrow growing parameters , but I assure you it can be done !
From Seed
If you ’re a cactus - grow cub , cultivatingS. thurberifrom seminal fluid is not the method you ’ll desire to taste first . If you have a little experience and want to give it a whirl , remember : when it come to growing any kind of cacti , potting substrate is everything .
Start with a granular , freely - draining potting territory specifically made for cacti . It should have a higher absorption of sand , pumice , gravel , perlite , or other additive that mime the arid conditions of desert soil than your standard potting soil .
We have a DIY cactus potting mix recipe here .
fleece your little seeds for 24 hours prior to planting to encourage germination .
Plant two to three seeds on the surface of the dirt in a four - column inch pot . Next , cover the seeds with a very hunky-dory layer of gritrock .
The role of the sand is to take hold the seed down so it does n’t wash off away with watering , not to cover the seeded player completely . This metal money needs light to germinate .
douse the soil thoroughly like a desert monsoon .
put the pot in strong , collateral light where it will abide quick – call up 80 to 90 ° F during the day , and about five to 10 degrees cooler at night . These seeds need fond temperatures for sprouting .
Spray the open of the soil regularly with H2O so the ejaculate do n’t dry out as they germinate . sprouting should happen within a workweek or two .
lastly , and most significantly , have a petty patience . Beyond germination , organ organ pipe is a notoriously boring grower , and conjuring this prickly plant from cum will take some time .
In about a yr , you should have a teeny - tiny organ tobacco pipe cactus to transplant into a big pot , or a desirable localisation outdoors . verify to water your young plant liberally , but infrequently , as it grows .
In about 35 years , you’re able to look forward to your first peak , if you’re able to wait that long .
From Cuttings
Growing reed organ tobacco pipe from a cutting will yield a heavy industrial plant more quickly than starting from itty - bitty seeds .
Propagating cacti from cut can still be a intriguing prospect for the novice nurseryman , so be inclined to stay alert for pests and disease as your little cactus spring up .
Cactus slip mature well and most quickly when require in the spring , but this can be done successfully at any clip of year .
To farm pipe organ tobacco pipe from a cutting off , select a healthy , straight stem and cut roughly four inches off the growing crown using a very needlelike , blank knife . Make the cut at a 45 - level slant to protect the stem of the parent industrial plant from rot .
grant the cutting to shape a callosity over the cut bottom . The fresh severed part of the cactus will harden and deform grayish Robert Brown . This typically takes a few days .
Press the cutting firmly into cactus pot soil so that it remain firm up on its own . water supply well .
lieu in full Dominicus in a quick location . Do not address with a plastic tent . Maintain ironic , lovesome conditions to help prevent the cactus from rotting while it grows .
It will take about a month for small roots to form . Water well , but infrequently , about once a week .
From Seedlings/Transplanting
As ever , the most failsafe way to get a new plant grow in your garden or home is to bribe one that ’s already established .
S. thurberiis a relatively unfussy pot denizen and it has only a few introductory requirements for growing indoors .
verify to transplant your fledgling to a bigger pot with fresh cactus potting soil once you bring it menage . electronic organ pipage cactus , along with most other cacti , appreciates an unglazed ceramic mint that will aid with drain .
discover more about pot and planter material in our guide .
irrigate your cactus deep , but infrequently . roughly once a hebdomad should do it , but organ pipe will require even less wet in the cooler , darker months of winter .
Always do a finger test before watering and ensure you experience that the grease has completely dry out out first before water again .
Place your cactus in the sunniest spot you ’ve got . These plants ideally require a full eight hr of Sunday each day .
If plant in the garden , make certain you ’re in USDA zone 9 to 11 . Otherwise , you ’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment .
In Zone 8 , if you have a well - protect out-of-door area up against a rampart or large sway , you ’re eligible to trial run organ pipe outdoors , but ensure to protect it with a sheet or frost fabric if a hard frost is presage .
choose a pip in full sunshine , with plenty of elbow room to acquire . Remember , these giant can get taller than 20 metrical unit , pay time .
at last , check that to amend the soil if necessary to see to it it is gravely , sandy , and freely drain . These cacti easily ache from root bunkum if planted in dirt that are too rich in constitutive matter , too deep , too blind drunk , or too loamy .
Learn more about propagating cacti in our template .
How to Grow Organ Pipe Cactus
In universal , organ pipe cactus need a little assistant through the frail baby stage .
Beyond that , this species is racy and adaptable , as long as its basic grow status are met . So choose a sunny , warm spot and back away from that watering can !
Arid condition , muckle of sun , and adequate heating plant are the triumvirate of prerequisite for fly high , happy organ pipework . This means web site selection is everything .
Do n’t ever forget that this plant is suit for USDA zone 9 to 11 .
If you live in Vermont , your reed organ organ pipe is destine to be a greenhouse dweller . If you ’re in Arizona , take a sheltered spot in the garden and get spring up .
Like most other types of cacti , this mintage need only be watered sparingly , and infrequently .
At a maximum , you should water once a workweek . verify you rent the soil dry out totally before lachrymation , over the course of a week or two .
In more humid environments with copious rainwater , organ pipe should be produce in an glassless ceramic can to encourage drain and prevent root rot .
If growing yours inside and the strain is consistently humid , consider running a dehumidifier .
Fertilization is not necessary for this unfussy lover of gritty , modest - nutrient grease when grown outdoors .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
Once established , harmonium pipe expect little maintenance preserve occasional lacrimation .
Cacti in pots will require tearing around once a week , and fertilize once a twelvemonth in bounce with a dilute solution of 5 - 10 - 5 NPK houseplant plant food . check that to dilute any fluid fertilizer give to half strength .
No pruning is required , however , this cactus does occasionally cast off limb which can be cut off off and composted .
Where to Buy
Although pipe organ pipe cactus is a comparatively popular succulent for the home and garden scene , sourcing a orotund sized specimen can be tricky .
hear calling around to big nurseries in metropolitan areas , or ask at a local botanical garden for intel .
Many garden have a cactus menage with a knowledgeable nurseryman who can give you the inside scoop .
If all else fails , you may be able to source seed online .
Managing Pests and Disease
Virtually pest- and disease - free in its natural environment , electric organ pipage is as tough as they come .
Outside of the blistering desert condition of the southwestward and Mexico , however , excess moisture and inhuman can weaken plants and cause problems .
Herbivores
Unsurprisingly , there ’s not a herbivore in being that can make it past the fearsome spines once the cactus is erstwhile enough to wield them .
Armed to the tooth , this plant knows how to protect its hard won moisture and food for thought .
Insects and Arachnids
Mercifully pest gratuitous , the electronic organ pipe has few bug that plague it .
When spring up in a pot , peculiarly indoors in overly dampish surroundings , the occasional beasty can take up residence on newfangled growth .
Squishy , spidery , unsavory things , mealybug are lovers of lovesome , humid environment and stressed - out plants .
To relieve your cactus of an plague , spray the mealybugs and their white , cottony egg masses with a strong flow of water . employ a cotton ball dipped in 70 percentage isopropyl alcohol to wipe off the one you drop .
secure in a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air indoors , and make certain your cactus is n’t too densely packed in with other plants .
get word more about battle mealybug plague in our pathfinder .
wanderer mites are another coarse job of greenhouse growing . These little cousins of ticks and spiders flourish in hot indoor conditions .
To free your cactus of these creepy - crawlies and their giveaway white webbing , spray your plant with a strong flow of water .
Insecticidal oil color like neem oil will also vote out spider mites , but be careful not to use it when the sun is shining bright as the oil can actually burn up your plant .
Read our guide for more information on spider mites .
Find more tips on identifying pests of cactus here .
Disease
Lucky for you , and your organ pipe , not much can survive the live , arid waste of the Sonoran Desert , and that applies to pathogens , too .
But grown in less than ideal conditions , you ’ll always want to keep right drainage in mind .
electronic organ pipe cactus is extremely susceptible to overwatering . In wet and marshy , modest - oxygen environment , the bacteria and fungi that can cause solution decomposition thrive .
polarity of root rot include stem discolouration , gentle and spongy stems , and a bad feeling emanating from the grime .
unluckily you wo n’t see symptoms of this difficult to reverse job until it ’s almost too previous , in many cases .
ensure to water carefully and infrequently to foreclose it . Plant alfresco in a weed in arena with gamy rainfall so your cactus can be moved and protect from too much wet .
Best Uses for Organ Pipe Cactus
Let ’s face it , the Hammond organ pipage cactus is not exactly the most useful of garden plants . But if you ’re a lover of novelties and you swoon over succulent , try this aboriginal out .
Its distinct flower might take in some new wildlife into the nighttime garden and its gorgeous architectural frame will add interesting line to your beds or greenhouse exhibit .
The red-hot , sweet fruit are typically glean one month after pollenation takes place .
Approximately the size of a tennis bollock , each fruit is loaded with legion glossy little black source .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
The Long and Short of the Lofty Organ Pipe
Pest resistant , sunshine - loving , and impervious to drought , Hammond organ pipe cactus is hardy and hassle - free . So long as you ’re in the right climate , that is .
When setting up your electric organ pipe at home or in the garden , it will go a foresighted agency to mean like a cactus and call back what these plants really desire : hot , dry , and sunny conditions .
Keep these parameter in intellect and you ’ll have this titan of the desert growing for decennary , maybe even centuries , to come .
For more interpretation on the harmonium pipe ’s spiny and squishy cousins , check off out these articles ongrowing cacti and succulentsnext :
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About
Molly Marquand
