Maipu x ARB VRG (Peach) - (Yearlings)

"Maipu": A Sought-After Cultivar of the San Pedro Cactus

The cactus cultivar CV "Maipu" is a notable and increasingly popular clone of the San Pedro cactus, scientifically known as Echinopsis pachanoi (a species frequently still referred to by its former classification, Trichocereus pachanoi). Its origins trace back to a specific nursery in Chile, and it is primarily recognized for its vigorous growth and use as a grafting stock.

Origin and Naming

The name "Maipu" is geographical, directly linked to its place of origin. It was first identified and distributed from a nursery named "Cactus Maipu," located in the Maipú commune of Santiago, Chile. This connection to a specific nursery is a key part of the cultivar's identity and history within the cactus collecting community. The subsequent appearance of names like "Maipu New Zealand Pachanoi" indicates the clone's circulation and cultivation by enthusiasts and nurseries in other parts of the world.

Botanical Identity

"Maipu" is not a distinct species but rather a specific genetic clone of Echinopsis pachanoi. As a cultivar, it is propagated vegetatively, most commonly through cuttings, to ensure that the resulting plants are genetically identical to the parent. This practice maintains the specific traits of the "Maipu" clone.

Morphological Characteristics

While a precise and universally agreed-upon set of distinguishing morphological features for "Maipu" is not extensively documented in formal botanical literature, some characteristics are noted by growers and collectors. Generally, it exhibits the typical features of Echinopsis pachanoi:

• Form: A columnar cactus that can grow quite tall, often with multiple branches from the base.

• Color: The stem is typically a shade of green, which can vary depending on growing conditions.

• Ribs: The number of ribs is consistent with the variable nature of the species, usually ranging from 6 to 8.

• Spines: Like many Echinopsis pachanoi clones, the spine length and number can be variable. Some "Maipu" specimens may have short spines or be nearly spineless.

What truly sets "Maipu" apart for many in the horticultural community is its vigor. It is known to be a fast-growing and robust plant, which has led to its widespread use as a grafting stock. Cacti that are slow-growing, have weak root systems, or are otherwise difficult to cultivate on their own are often grafted onto a vigorous rootstock like "Maipu" to accelerate their growth.

Cultivation and Use

The cultivation of "Maipu" is similar to that of other San Pedro cacti. It thrives in well-draining soil and requires ample sunlight. As a vigorous grower, it may appreciate more frequent watering and feeding during its growing season compared to slower-growing cactus species.

Beyond its horticultural value as a robust grower and grafting stock, Echinopsis pachanoi in general has a long history of use in traditional medicine and shamanic rituals in its native Andean region due to the presence of psychoactive alkaloids, most notably mescaline.

In summary, the cactus CV "Maipu" is a significant cultivar of Echinopsis pachanoi with a clear origin story tied to a Chilean nursery. While it shares the general characteristics of its species, it is particularly esteemed for its vigorous growth, making it a valuable plant for both collectors and for use as a reliable grafting stock. Its distinct identity is primarily rooted in its lineage and horticultural utility rather than a set of unique, formally described morphological traits.

Highly collectable and reminiscent of Ogun. Is Maipu the new Ogun? Sorta seems like it lately. It’s prettier than Ogun (better color IMO + smoother) but, who knows the full story behind it and why it fetches such high prices. If anyone wants to share information on this CV. I am interested in adding it to this description. This is a special plant. Please send any information on Maipu to seedgrowncacti@gmail.com.

ARB VRG"

It is not a single, pure clone like many other named Trichocereus cultivars (e.g., 'Sheridan' or 'Serra Blue'). Instead, it specifically refers to a hybrid cross between two Trichocereus parent plants:

ARB: This typically stands for Arboricola, which is likely a Trichocereus species, possibly Trichocereus arboricola (though sometimes "Arboricola" might be a shorthand for a specific Trichocereus clone with that name). Trichocereus arboricola is a species often described as being somewhat prostrate or hanging as it matures, and it is native to Argentina and Bolivia.

VRG: This is an acronym for Variegated Red Grandiflorus. This parent is a Trichocereus grandiflorus (or an Echinopsis grandiflora hybrid, as Trichocereus grandiflorus is often reclassified under Echinopsis huascha var. grandiflora) that exhibits variegation and produces red flowers. Trichocereus grandiflorus is known for its large, showy, often red, orange, or yellow flowers.

Therefore, "ARB VRG" is a Trichocereus hybrid (specifically, Trichocereus arboricola x Variegated Red Grandiflorus).
Here's what's known about this specific hybrid:
Key Characteristics and Desired Traits:
Increased Chances of Variegation: One of the primary goals of this cross is to produce offspring that exhibit variegation. Variegation is a genetic mutation that results in patches of different colors (often yellow or cream) on the stem due to a lack of chlorophyll in those areas. This makes the plant highly ornamental.
Different Color Flower Blooms: The "Red Grandiflorus" parent contributes genetics for colorful flowers, often red. This means the hybrid offspring will likely produce flowers that are more vibrant than the typical white Trichocereus blooms. The flowers can come in various shades of pink and other colors.
Fast Growers: Like many Trichocereus species, this hybrid is described as a fast grower.
Produces Lots of Pups: It's known to produce many pups (offsets), which means it can readily form multi-stemmed clusters and is easy to propagate.
Resilience: Trichocereus species, in general, are quite hardy and relatively easy to care for, and this hybrid likely inherits that resilience.
Cultivation and Availability:
Cuttings: This hybrid is primarily sold as cuttings (both tip and mid-cuttings) from plants that have expressed the desired characteristics.
"Exact" Labeling: Sometimes you might see it listed as "#EC22 EXACT Trichocereus Hybrid Arboricola X VRG Cactus Cutting." The "EXACT" often implies that the specific cutting is from a known, desirable expression of this cross.
Care: General Trichocereus care applies: well-draining soil, plenty of bright light (acclimate gradually to full sun), and watering when the soil is dry. They are somewhat tolerant of colder temperatures if kept dry.
Breeding Value: This cross is a good example of how Trichocereus species are hybridized to combine desirable traits, such as variegation and colorful flowers, into new and unique cultivars.
In summary, "Cactus CV. ARB VRG" is a specific Trichocereus hybrid created by crossing Trichocereus arboricola with a variegated, red-flowering Trichocereus grandiflorus. It's valued for its potential to produce beautiful variegated plants with vibrant, non-white flowers, and its vigorous growth habit.