Stenocereus Species, Gray Ghost Organ Pipe, Pitayo, Pitaya of October
Stenocereus pruinosus
| Family: | Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Stenocereus (sten-oh-KER-ee-us) (Info) |
| Species: | pruinosus (proo-in-NO-sus) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Cereus pruinosis |
| Synonym: | Lemaireocereus pruinosus |
| Synonym: | Rathbunia pruinosa |
| Synonym: | Ritterocereus pruinosus |
| Synonym: | Echinocactus pruinosus |
Category:
Trees
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing:
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Pale Pink
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Chandler, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona(2 reports)
Gardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Dec 18, 2010, smurfwv from Cabin Creek, WV (Zone 6a) wrote: I have a bluish cactus thats supposed to be this, but mine is twisting, its not got the straight ribs, its growing in a corkscrew way. |
| Neutral | On Aug 25, 2005, Xenomorf from Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: The fruit of this plant are harvested for food. |
| Positive | On Nov 16, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: Grey green columnar cactus that forms some branches low, but then all columns pretty much solitary up to 20'. RElatively sparsely spined as young plant. Mexican species with only mild cold tolerance. Small white to pinkish flowers bloom at night. |
