Ferah x Debra

Ferah-- Ferah is a pure scopulicola clone sourced from the two Australian cactus collectors Ferah & Gulen, from which the clone gets its name. The clone has been spread through the US primarily by The Cactus Jones, and is highly sought after by collectors looking to make hybrids. A very sought after clone of scopulicola that is rare.

This is a Pricocereus hybrid that OCC is growing. "cv. Ferah scopulicola" refers to a specific cultivated variety of the Trichocereus scopulicola cactus. It's widely regarded as an exceptional Trichocereus scopulicola clone, with some even calling it the "greatest Scopulicola on Earth". 

Here's a breakdown of what makes it stand out:

Distinctive Appearance: Trichocereus Scopulicola generally grows as a columnar cactus with few to no spines. However, "Ferah" is specifically mentioned as being a gorgeous, near-spineless clone. One Reddit user noted that their specimen, sourced from "Ferah herself," was more spiny and less notchy than expected, suggesting some variation within the cultivar or among individuals.

Highly Sought After: "Ferah" is a popular and frequently requested clone, indicating its desirability among cactus enthusiasts.

Australian Origin: It's noted that "Ferah" scopulicola comes straight from Australia.
Propagation: The clone is propagated through cuttings. Growers ensure cuttings are well-callused before shipping to prevent fungal rot.

"Kingstock" Designation: Sometimes, "Ferah" is designated as "Kingstock" such as by Cactus Jones, signifying its premium quality and high regard in the cactus community. 

'Debra'

Ross Gurau is a well-known name in the Trichocereus cactus community, particularly recognized for his extensive collection and the high quality of his open-pollinated (OP) seeds. He is based in New Zealand and has cultivated a reputation for producing vigorous, healthy cactus seedlings. His method of having dedicated areas with only a few mature clones for open pollination helps ensure the genetic integrity of his crosses.

Regarding the specific Trichocereus cultivar 'Debra' by Ross Gurau, detailed information about its specific lineage or unique characteristics beyond what's generally known for Trichocereus hybrids can be somewhat limited in publicly available resources. This is common with many specific cultivar names in the hobby, which often circulate within enthusiast communities rather than being formally documented like registered plant varieties.

However, we can infer some general characteristics based on what is known about Trichocereus cacti and Ross Gurau's reputation:

Origin: As a Ross Gurau cultivar, it would have originated from his breeding program in New Zealand.

Vigor and Growth: Ross Gurau's seeds are known for excellent germination rates and producing vigorous, fast-growing plants. 'Debra' would likely share these traits, indicating a healthy and robust cactus.

Appearance: While specific details for 'Debra' are scarce, Trichocereus generally exhibit columnar growth, with varying shades of green, and can develop prominent ribs and spines. Ross Gurau's plants are often lauded for their aesthetic appeal, likely due to ideal growing conditions and his fertilization practices (including fish waste).

Flowers: Most Trichocereus species produce large, showy, often white flowers, typically blooming in late spring or summer, often at night. It's reasonable to expect 'Debra' to exhibit similar impressive blooms.

Hardiness: Like many Trichocereus hybrids, 'Debra' would likely be hardy in USDA Zones 9-11 and exhibit good drought and heat tolerance.

Cultivation: It would require typical Trichocereus care: full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil (a specialized cactus mix is ideal), and infrequent watering once established.

It's worth noting that Ross Gurau has recently moved and did not take his entire collection with him, meaning that his seeds, while still available, will become less common over time as existing stock becomes non-viable. This makes cultivars like 'Debra' potentially more sought after by collectors.

For the most precise information on 'Debra', it would be best to consult directly with collectors or online communities specializing in Trichocereus where Ross Gurau's specific crosses are discussed, as they might have firsthand experience and more detailed observations.

In essence, "cv. Ferah scopulicola" is a prized, near-spineless cultivar of Trichocereus scopulicola, recognized for its aesthetic appeal and originating from Australia.

Deborah's Terscheckii: The story goes (according to Jeremy "Prickocereus") like this: Debra is a terscheckii named after the collector in Los Angeles. She had an amazing collection of mature plants, but had to get out of Dodge. Everything was being removed and demolished for the new home owners. So Derek and Kohl were able to rescue the large Terscheckii from being all thrown to the dumpster. They have the stump and it flowered and he (Jeremy) got the lower column to flower. Saved the genetics and the story of Debra with it.