Althea x Sharxx Blue

'Althea' is a specific cultivar of Trichocereus Peruvianus (often synonymous with Echinopsis peruviana), a columnar cactus native to the Matucana mountain region of Peru. It's a relatively new and rare cultivar, gaining popularity among cactus enthusiasts.

Here's a breakdown of what's known about 'Althea':

Origin and Characteristics:

Cultivar, not a variety: 'Althea' is a cultivar (CV), meaning it's a specific plant selected for unique traits and propagated clonally (e.g., through cuttings or grafting). It's not a naturally occurring botanical variety. 

Parentage: It originates from Trichocereus Peruvianus seeds, specifically from a US-based grower named "GeeBee" who isolated, cloned, and distributed it to the community. It's also linked to "Icaros DNA" seeds from the Wild Andes.

Appearance:

Glaucous: 'Althea' is known for being extremely glaucous, meaning it has a bluish-white or grayish-white waxy coating on its stem.

Short Spines: It typically has short spines.

Girth: It tends to favor girth, meaning it produces thick, robust columns.

Growth Rate: It's considered a slow grower, possibly even slower than other Trichocereus cultivars like 'Sharxx Blue'.

Flowers: Like most Trichocereus species, 'Althea' produces large, white, night-blooming flowers with black or brown hairs along the tube leading to the flower.

General Trichocereus Characteristics (likely applicable to 'Althea'):

Columnar Growth: They are generally tall, green columnar cacti with vertical ribs.

Branching: They have a strong tendency to branch and form candelabra-like structures as they mature.

Native Habitat: Native to the Andes Mountains (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, northern Chile), thriving at altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level. This habitat makes them relatively resilient to diverse weather conditions, including fluctuating temperatures.

Traditional Uses: Historically used in traditional medicine and veterinary medicine.

Ornamental: Widely grown as an ornamental cactus due to their striking appearance.

Care and Cultivation (general Trichocereus care, applicable to 'Althea'):

Sunlight: Thrives in ample sunlight. Full sun is preferred, but they can tolerate partial shade. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window is ideal. Protect from extreme midday scorching sun, especially in hot climates.

Soil: Requires well-draining soil. A cactus potting mix or a blend of potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite (or pumice, akadama, crushed lava rock) works well. The key is to ensure quick drainage to prevent root rot.

Watering:

Growing Season (Spring to early Autumn): Water regularly, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Less frequent watering is better than overwatering.

Dormancy (Winter): Reduce watering significantly, or stop altogether, especially in cooler temperatures. They do not like to be wet for long periods during dormancy.

Fertilization: Organic matter and mulch can provide sufficient nutrients, so frequent fertilizing isn't always necessary. If there are signs of nutrient deficiency (stunted growth, yellowish leaves), apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 NPK) during the peak of summer. Some growers use a low-nitrogen fertilizer at the start and end of the season.

Temperature: Can withstand relatively low temperatures (down to 0°C to -5°C) if kept dry during winter dormancy. Some reports suggest they can even tolerate -10°C.

Airflow: Good airflow is important, especially when grown indoors or in humid environments, to prevent fungal issues.

Potting: Wide and shallow containers with good drainage are recommended to allow for root growth. Consider uprooting annually to check if the plant needs more space.

Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Cuttings are a popular method for 'Althea' to ensure clone fidelity.

All information provided here is for horticultural and ornamental interest.

'Sharxx Blue' is a highly sought-after cultivar (CV) of Trichocereus Peruvianus, often considered a favorite among collectors due to its striking appearance.

Here's a breakdown of what's known about it:

Origin and History:

'Sharxx Blue' is an Australian clone that originated from the Dawson's Cactus Collection.

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

It's highly likely to be a Trichocereus Peruvianus from the Matucana region of Peru, sharing similarities with other well-known Matucana Peruvianus varieties like Icaro DNA, Los Gentiles, and Rosei's.

Characteristics:

Appearance: It's known for its fat-growing, columnar form and is consistently described as being extremely blue and glaucous (having a powdery, waxy coating that gives it a frosty blue appearance).

Spines: It typically has short spines, a defining characteristic. Peruvianus cacti generally have 6-8 honey-colored to brown spines that can reach about 4cm in length.

Ribs: Typical Trichocereus Peruvianus traits include six to nine ribs.

Size: It can grow up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) tall and 20 cm (about 8 inches) in diameter.

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

Cultivation and Care:

Soil: Like most Trichocereus cacti, 'Sharxx Blue' thrives in free-draining soil. A good mix would be a half-and-half mixture of high-quality potting mix (well-composted pine bark and large particles for airflow) and perlite. Some growers recommend a more inorganic mix (60-70% inorganic) in cooler climates.

Sunlight: It prefers full sun during the growing season. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window is ideal.

Watering: Water during the growing season (roughly April to October), allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Less frequent watering (once a month or less) is needed in fall and winter, and it's generally recommended to stop watering during winter when temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F) to prevent root rot.

Dormancy: These plants benefit from a dormancy period during winter, where they are kept in a cool, dry place with good airflow.

Fertilization: Fertilize regularly during the growing season. Some recommend low nitrogen at the start and end of the season, switching to a balanced 20-20-20 NPK feed during peak summer. Seaweed is also a good option.

Rooting Cuttings: Cuttings need to be callused (dried for several days) before planting. They can be placed about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in substrate, or rooted in perlite, with light watering until roots form.

Potting: Regularly check if the plant needs more space; mature plants can be put directly into the ground in free-draining soil in suitable climates.

Relationship to San Pedro:

Trichocereus Peruvianus is part of the broader "San Pedro" cactus group, which also includes Trichocereus Pachanoi (San Pedro) and Trichocereus Bridgesii (Bolivian Torch). While "San Pedro" often refers specifically to T. Pachanoi, it's also used as a general term for many columnar Trichocereus species, including 'Sharxx Blue', that share similar characteristics and traditional uses.

Psychoactive Properties:

Like other Trichocereus Peruvianus cultivars, 'Sharxx Blue' is known to contain mescaline, a psychedelic alkaloid. However, it's crucial to understand that the legal status of growing and consuming these cacti for their psychoactive properties varies widely by region. While growing them as ornamental plants is often legal, preparing or consuming them for their mescaline content is typically illegal in many places.

In summary, 'Sharxx Blue' is a beautiful, distinct, and highly regarded Trichocereus Peruvianus cultivar known for its intense blue coloration and short spines, originating from an Australian collection and likely descended from Peruvian Matucana genetics.