Icaros DNA (Cuttings) - Plantstock

"Icaro DNA" is a very interesting and somewhat unique case in the world of Trichocereus cultivars. It's not a single clone in the traditional sense, but rather refers to genetics associated with a specific, reputable seed vendor from Peru.

Here's what's known about 'Icaro DNA':
Origin and Identity:
Not a Single Clone (Primarily): The most important distinction is that "Icaro DNA" is not a single, named clone (like 'Sharxx Blue' or 'Serra Blue') in the way most "CV." plants are. Instead, it primarily refers to high-quality Trichocereus Peruvianus seeds sourced and sold by a very well-known vendor named Julio from his "Icaro DNA" shop in Peru.

Geographical Origin: The seeds are wild-collected from the Matucana region of Peru, at elevations around 2500m above sea level. This region is known for its impressive Trichocereus populations.

Reputation: Julio and his 'Icaro DNA' shop have earned a strong reputation over many years for consistently providing high-quality, viable seeds from this specific

Peruvian origin. This has made 'Icaro DNA' a highly trusted source of genetics.

"Landrace" Genetics: Because the seeds are wild-collected from a specific locality,

"Icaro DNA" effectively represents a "landrace" strain of Trichocereus peruvianus. This means it's a naturally occurring, genetically diverse population adapted to its specific environment, rather than a single, vegetatively propagated clone.

Key Characteristics (of plants grown from Icaro DNA seeds):

Appearance: Plants grown from Icaro DNA seeds are highly prized for their striking appearance. They typically grow into amazingly dark to blue-green colored columns, often with a strong glaucous (waxy, powdery blue) coating.

Spines: They usually develop strong spines, which can sometimes be dark brown and are considered among the most beautiful types of Trichocereus. Spine formation can vary (long, short, random) across seedlings, reflecting the genetic diversity of the seed batch.

Robust Growth: They are known for developing into robust, impressive columnar cacti.

Similarity to Other Clones: There's a lot of discussion in the community about how plants from Icaro DNA seeds can resemble, or even be the origin of, other famous Trichocereus peruvianus clones. Sharxx Blue and potentially Rosei 2 are often suggested to have originated from Icaro DNA seeds, where a particularly desirable trait (like intense blue color) was then selected and cloned.

Cold Hardiness & Soil Requirements: Their cold hardiness and soil requirements are generally identical to other Trichocereus peruvianus varieties.

Cultivation and Availability:
Primary Distribution: 'Icaro DNA' is primarily distributed as seeds. Due to the vendor's long-standing reputation, these seeds are highly sought after and have a reputation for high germination rates.

Cloned Material: While primarily seed-based, there are "relatively common clones" that have been traded around the Trichocereus community, which were most likely sourced from specific plants grown from Icaro DNA seeds. However, the sheer volume of seed-grown plants makes differentiating a true clone difficult without strict provenance.

Popularity: 'Icaro DNA' is one of the most popular and highly regarded Trichocereus peruvianus strains among collectors, particularly in Australia where it's somewhat more common.

Hybridization: The genetics from 'Icaro DNA' are highly valued and are often used in hybridization efforts to create new crosses.

In essence, "Icaro DNA" represents a benchmark of quality and desirable aesthetics within the Trichocereus peruvianus species, stemming from its origin as high-quality, wild-collected seeds from the Matucana region of Peru. While not a single clone, it has given rise to many impressive individual plants and possibly even famous named clones.