SS02 x Sharxx Blue (Rooted Plants)

"SS02" is a highly regarded and much-sought-after cultivar of Trichocereus Bridgesii, also known as the Bolivian Torch cactus (syn. Echinopsis lageniformis).

Here's a breakdown of what's known about "SS02":

Origin and History:

Sacred Succulents: "SS02" was brought into cultivation by Ben Kamm and his nursery, Sacred Succulents, which is why it bears the "SS" designation.
Ed and Betty Gay's Collection: The original plant came from the now-defunct Serra Gardens in Malibu, which had inherited the collection of Ed and Betty Gay. The Gays were known for collecting plants throughout Central and South America from the 1930s to the 1950s, suggesting "SS02" likely originated from their expeditions.
Likely Bolivian Origin: Its appearance is similar to ecotypes observed around the La Paz basin in Bolivia, which is a native region for Trichocereus Bridgesii.
Characteristics:

Columnar Growth: Like other Trichocereus Bridgesii, "SS02" is a columnar cactus that can reach impressive heights, potentially up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall.
Stems: It forms blue-green stems up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) in diameter, which branch from the plant's base.
Ribs: Sacred Succulents' description mentions 5-7 ribs.
Spines: "SS02" is generally described as a relatively short-spined variety, with areoles bearing 2-4 central spines up to 1.5 inches long. However, some mature specimens can develop more prominent, double spination. New growth on older stems can sometimes be spineless.
Flowers: It produces white, nocturnal (night-blooming) flowers.
Cold Hardiness: It is considered cold-hardy to about 25° Fahrenheit (-3.9° Celsius).
Growth Rate: In ideal conditions, it can grow roughly 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) per year.
Significance and Use in Cultivation:

Hybrid Parent: "SS02" is highly valued in the cactus community for its genetic qualities and is frequently used in hybridization. It's known to produce a wide variety of "mind-boggling" and unique offspring when crossed with other Trichocereus species and cultivars. Many popular hybrids in circulation have "SS02" as a parent.
Distinctive Form: It's considered a distinct form of Trichocereus Bridgesii.
Easy to Grow: "SS02" is generally easy to grow both indoors and outdoors in USDA Zones 8-10. It thrives in fertile, free-draining soil and with regular watering during the growing season.
In summary, "SS02" is a historically significant and highly desirable clone of Trichocereus Bridgesii, recognized for its distinct characteristics and its prolific use in creating diverse and appealing cactus hybrids

"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.