Dalton x Marty (Seedlings)

Dalton x Marty:

'Dalton' is a cultivar of Trichocereus cactus that has gained attention in the cactus community, particularly among enthusiasts of San Pedro cacti and related species. Here's what is known about it:

Origin and Breeder:

Ross Gurau is the individual associated with the 'Dalton' cultivar. He is a cactus breeder and grower, primarily based in New Zealand. He's known for his open-pollinated seeds and the vigor and appearance of his plants. Some sources suggest he has cultivated an environment with specific mature clones for breeding, essentially creating his own breeding program.

The exact lineage or parentage of 'Dalton' isn't explicitly stated in public discussions, but it's often mentioned in the context of Ross Gurau's other crosses, such as "Dalton x Marty" seeds. There's some speculation that 'Dalton' might have "NZ blue origin," suggesting a connection to certain blue-hued Trichocereus from New Zealand.

Characteristics:

While specific detailed characteristics for 'Dalton' as a named cultivar are not widely published like a botanical description, general observations from growers and seed listings indicate:

Vigor and Growth: Ross Gurau's seeds, including those involving 'Dalton', are often praised for their high germination rates and vigorous growth. Seedlings are reported to be robust and grow quickly.

Appearance: Growers appreciate the aesthetics of Ross Gurau's plants, including those related to 'Dalton'. While appearance can vary from seed to seed (as 'Dalton' is often sold as a parent in crosses), the general reputation is for healthy, visually appealing cacti.

Columnar Growth: As a Trichocereus, 'Dalton' would exhibit the typical columnar growth habit of the genus, generally characterized by tall, green stems with vertical ribs.

Reputation and Community:

Ross Gurau has a good reputation within the cactus community for producing high-quality seeds. His plants are admired for their strong growth and attractive appearance.

The 'Dalton' cultivar is frequently encountered in online forums and sales, particularly on platforms like Reddit's r/cactiexchange and r/sanpedrocactusforsale, where growers share information, cuttings, and seeds.

Important Note: The genus Trichocereus has undergone some taxonomic reclassification, with many species now being included under the genus Echinopsis. However, in horticultural and enthusiast circles, the name Trichocereus is still commonly used for these large columnar cacti.

'MARTY' refers to a specific clone of Trichocereus that originates from Ross Gurau's garden in New Zealand.

While detailed specific visual characteristics of the 'Marty' clone itself are not extensively documented in the available information, here's what can be inferred:

Origin: It is known to be one of the named clones from Ross Gurau's collection, similar to 'Sheridan', 'Gissy', 'Church Hill', and 'Decosta'. Ross Gurau is a well-known Trichocereus grower and breeder in New Zealand.

Species: Given its association with other clones from Ross Gurau's garden that are primarily Trichocereus pachanoi, 'Marty' is very likely a form of Trichocereus pachanoi (San Pedro cactus) or a related Trichocereus species.

Breeding Use: The existence of a specific clone name suggests it possesses desirable characteristics for propagation and possibly for use in hybridization, though no specific crosses involving 'Marty' were detailed in the provided context.

General Trichocereus Characteristics: As a Trichocereus clone, it would generally share traits common to the genus, such as being a columnar, fast-growing cactus that is relatively hardy and can be propagated from cuttings. They typically produce large, white, nocturnal flowers.