Arid Art (Cuttings)

All cuttings will be thick and ready to root. Please allow 5-7 days to dry if fresh cut.

I obtained Arid Art is from Tyler at Mallacht's Plants (a local Southern California talented grower) 

 'Arid Art' is a specific cultivar that originated in Australia. It was first germinated from seed in 2007 by a well-known grower/eBay seller named "Arid Art," and the clone has since been distributed and used in various crosses. It's noted for being an "excellent father" in breeding, suggesting it passes on desirable traits. One specific cross mentioned is 'Rosei 1' (a Trichocereus Peruvianus cultivar) x Trichocereus Macrogonus 'Arid Art', which is known to produce seedlings with a red spine phenotype from the 'Arid Art' parent.

While 'Arid Art' itself isn't a naturally occurring species, it belongs to the Trichocereus genus, which is now largely classified under Echinopsis. These columnar cacti are native to the Andes Mountains in South America (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Argentina) and are known for their fast growth and impressive size, often reaching several meters tall.

General Characteristics of Trichocereus (relevant to 'Arid Art' as a cultivar):

Growth Habit: Typically large, multi-stemmed columnar cacti, forming small trees with several branches.

Stems: Upright, flexible, pale green to blue-green, sometimes glaucous when young, becoming darker green with age. They can be 6-15 cm in diameter.

Ribs: Usually 4-8 (commonly 5-7), broad at the base, obtuse, and rounded.

Areoles: Whitish and close-set.

Spines: Highly variable. Often wanting or few (3-7), unequal, and generally short (1-2 cm long), ranging from dark yellow to light brown. In cultivated varieties, they are often shorter, sometimes even mostly spineless.

Flowers: Very large, white, fragrant, night-blooming, and often remaining open into the following day. They can be up to 22 cm in diameter. The flower tube and fruits are covered with scales and black curled hairs.

Fruit: Oblong, dark-green, 5-6 cm long, and 3 cm in diameter.

Care for Trichocereus (general guidelines that would apply to 'Arid Art'):

Soil: Needs a fertile, well-drained soil mix. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.

Watering: Water well and allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Trichocereus species tend to do better with a bit more water than many other cacti, especially during their active growing season (spring and summer). Reduce watering significantly in winter or when night temperatures fall below 10°C (50°F) to encourage dormancy and prevent etiolation (thin, stretched growth).