Pilosocereus Pachycladus - Blue Columnar Cactus - 4 Arms

Pilosocereus pachycladus

You will receive this exact, large specimen.
Features 4 big arms!
Measures 18" tall above the soil line.
Roots as shown.
Will be shipped bare root.

Pilosocereus pachycladus, also known as the Blue Torch Cactus, is a vibrant and striking columnar cactus known for its distinctive blue-green stems and upright growth habit.

Appearance:

• Columnar Growth: It grows as a columnar cactus, often developing multiple branching arms as it matures, resembling a miniature Saguaro.
• Blue-Green Stems: The stems are a beautiful glaucous (bluish-gray) olive color when young, which intensifies into a vibrant blue with age and sufficient light exposure.
• Ribs and Spines: The stems have pronounced ribs, each adorned with regularly spaced, creamy white areoles from which long, coppery yellow spines emerge.
• Flowers: It produces showy, white flowers, often with greenish-red outer parts, that bloom during the summer or late spring to early summer, typically at night.
• Fruit: The flowers develop into attractive globular, reddish-purple fruits. 

Origin and Habitat:

• Native to Brazil: Pilosocereus pachycladus is native to Brazil, specifically the caatinga region, a dry desert shrubland.
• Drought and Heat Tolerant: It is well-adapted to hot and dry conditions, tolerating high temperatures and extreme moisture fluctuations. 

Care and Cultivation:

• Light: Needs bright sunlight, ideally 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. When growing indoors, place it on a south- or west-facing windowsill or under a grow light.
• Watering: Water infrequently using the "soak and dry" technique, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Reduce watering significantly during the winter dormant season.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining cactus and succulent soil mixes, preferably slightly acidic to neutral (6-7 pH). You can improve drainage by adding perlite or sand.
• Fertilizing: Requires minimal fertilization. A small amount of low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-5) applied once a year in spring is sufficient.
• Temperature: Thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 75-90℉ (25-32℃). It cannot tolerate hard frosts or temperatures below 50˚F (10˚C).
• Hardiness Zones: Can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9, 10, and 11.
• Propagation: Easily propagated by stem cuttings. 

Other Information:

• Common Names: Also known as the Blue Torch Cactus, Blue Columnar Cactus, or Tree Cactus.
• Size: Can reach a height of 33 feet in its native habitat but typically grows to a more manageable size of 10-20 feet tall in cultivation.
• Growth Rate: Grows at a slow rate.
• Non-Toxic: Safe for humans and pets, but the spines can cause injury.
• Medicinal Uses: Believed to have traditional medicinal uses for various conditions, including fever, inflammation, and pain. 

Note: While often referred to as "Pilosocereus azureus", Pilosocereus pachycladus is the currently recognized botanical name for this species.