Sharxx Blue x Lora Jean - (Cuttings) - Plantstock

"Sharxx Blue" is a highly sought-after cultivar (cultivated variety) of Trichocereus Peruvianus, often referred to as Peruvian Torch cactus. It's renowned for its striking appearance and is a favorite among cactus collectors.

Here's a breakdown of what's known about Sharxx Blue:

Origin and Naming:

• Australian Clone: Sharxx Blue originated from the Dawson's Cactus Collection in Australia.

• Distributed and Named by PD: It was distributed and named by a member of the Shaman Australis Botanicals (SAB) forum, known as "PD," who named it after another SAB member, "Sharxx."

Key Characteristics:

• Extremely Blue and Glaucous: This is its most defining feature. It consistently displays a beautiful, frosted blue color due to a waxy coating called glaucescence.

• Fat Growing: It tends to grow quite plump.

• Short Spined: Compared to many other Trichocereus peruvianus varieties, Sharxx Blue has relatively short spines. Typically, it has about 6-8 honey-colored to brown spines that can reach around 4cm in length.

• Columnar Growth: Like other Trichocereus peruvianus, it's a columnar cactus, meaning it grows upright in a column shape. It can reach impressive heights, up to 4 meters tall and 20 cm in diameter.

• Ribs: It typically has six to nine ribs.

• Areoles: The areoles (where spines emerge) are brown to beige and spaced up to 2.5 cm apart.

• V-Notch: While some Trichocereus Peruvianus show a distinct V-notch above the areoles, this isn't always a reliable identification trait for Sharxx Blue.

• Likely from Matucana: It's believed to be a Peruvianus from Matucana, Peru, due to its resemblance to other known varieties from that region, such as Icaro DNA, Los Gentiles, and Rosei's.

Cultivation and Care:

• Easy to Root: Cuttings are generally easy to root. They need to be callused (dried) for several days before planting.

• Well-Draining Soil: Like most cacti, Sharxx Blue thrives in free-draining soils. A good mix would be half high-quality potting mix and half perlite to ensure airflow and drainage.

• Full Sun: It prefers full sun exposure.

• Watering: Water from spring to early autumn. Less is better with cacti, as overwatering can lead to root rot. During winter months, little to no watering is required.

• Frost Hardiness: It's relatively frost-hardy for a cactus.

• Grafting: Sharxx Blue is often seen grafted onto San Pedro (Trichocereus Pachanoi) rootstock, which can help accelerate its growth.

Popularity and Hybrids:

• Collector's Favorite: Sharxx Blue is a very popular clone and is considered a "must-have" for many Trichocereus collectors.

• Breeding Stock: It's also a popular choice for Trichocereus breeders due to its desirable characteristics.

• Hybridization: It's frequently used in crosses with other Trichocereus species, leading to new and unique hybrids. Examples include crosses with TPM (Trichocereus Peruvianus monstrose) and Trichocereus Bridgesii 'Ben' or 'Psycho0'. These hybrids often display unique notching or other features inherited from their parent plants.

In summary, Sharxx Blue is a highly prized and visually stunning Trichocereus Peruvianus cultivar known for its intense blue color, fat growth, and relatively short spines. Its ease of cultivation and desirable genetics make it a staple in many cactus collections and a valuable plant for hybridizing efforts.

Lora Jean:

This is a cultivar of Trichocereus Pachanoi (also known as Echinopsis Pachanoi). It's a specific variety of the San Pedro cactus, often sought after by collectors for its unique characteristics.