Full Answer
How do you take care of a Peruvian torch cactus?
Once the Peruvian Torch cactus has established itself in soil, it will be capable of handling large amounts of water compared to other cactus species. Watering should alternate with keeping the soil moist and allowing the plants a short drying out period to keep the microflora in check one every 10 to 14 days.
Where do torch cactus grow in Peru?
Peruvian torch cactus (Echinopsis peruviana, formerly Trichocereus peruvianus) is native to the Andes Mountains in Peru. This tall, columnar cactus has bluish-green skin and beautiful large white flowers.
What is the difference between San Pedro cactus and Peruvian torch?
This cactus is a close relative of the San Pedro cactus. It grows much faster than San Pedro and peyote but produces much lower mescaline content — just 0.24% of the dried weight. This means the dose of raw cactus is too high to use the Peruvian torch on its own.
Can you eat Peruvian torch cactus (mescaline)?
Studies have reported dried Peruvian Torch cactus contains approximately 0.24% mescaline. You can eat the Peruvian cactus raw after removing its thorns and skin but it’s not really a palatable substance. A traditional way of ingesting this cactus is by drinking.
What is the Trichocereus Peruvianus?
The Trichocereus peruvianus is synonymous with Echinopsis peruviana. Both scientific names refer to the same species of psychedelic cactus – the Peruvian Torch cactus. This plant contains several alkaloids including the well-research mescaline.
Peruvian Torch Cactus Strain Guide
Healthy specimens of the Peruvian Torch cactus have a bluish green hue. They are columnar and can grow up to 3 to 6 meters tall in the wild with stems up to 8 to 18cm in diameter. Because of the weight brought by its height, it sometimes arches over despite starting out as fully erect. In some instances, the cactus even becomes fully prostrate.
Peruvian Torch Cactus Similar Species
This mescaline cactus species is often confused with the Echinopsis pachanoi, a related species with shorter spines. To the untrained eye, the Echinopsis pachanoi, also known as the San Pedro cactus, is identical. Hence, it’s very possible many plants are being sold with the wrong name.
Peruvian Torch Cactus Habitat and Distribution
This fast-growing columnar cactus grows in the western slope of the Andes in Peru. Peruvian Torch cactus is typically spotted between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level. However, this plant can be cultivated from seeds or cutting as long as they are placed in an environment with a tropical to temperate climate.
Mescaline Content of Peruvian Torch Cactus
The Peruvian Torch cactus is one of many Trichocereus cacti indigenous to the Andes which are reported to contain the psychoactive alkaloid mescaline. The other species are T. pachanoi, T. lageniformis, T. scopulicola, T. santaensis, and T. puquiensis.
Effects of Peruvian Torch Cactus
You can eat the Peruvian cactus raw after removing its thorns and skin but it’s not really a palatable substance.
Cultivating Peruvian Torch Cactus
This cactus can be grown either from seeds or cuttings. The top 15cm end of a cactus column can be cleanly removed by a knife and propagated into a genetic clone of the parent plant. The cutting can be left to heal for a couple of weeks in scattered in indirect light.
About Peruvian Cactus
My name is Cereus peruvianus but I am also known as Peruvian Apple Cactus or Queen of the Night. I am a bluish green desert cactus that grows upright in a single column with 3-5 blades. I am native to South America but I was grown in Florida and am so happy to be going to my new home.
Choosing the Right Location
My energy is exotic, masculine, sculptural and chic. I will grow tall in a vertical direction, but I will not grow in width. Where there is a neutral color scheme, I will add a chic muted touch of color. You can place me in living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, offices, conference rooms, or anywhere with plenty of light.
How and When to Water
When it comes to watering me, below are some helpful suggestions for you to follow. Keep in mind that every plant, like every human, is unique and our needs change over time.
More Tips
In nature, I can grow to be as tall as 30 feet. Indoors in a container, I will grow fast and can get to be 6 feet or taller.
What is Mescaline?
Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in several species of cacti — all of which are native to North America.
What Does A Mescaline Trip Feel Like?
The effects of mescaline are very similar to LSD and magic mushrooms but with some differences.
How Strong is Mescaline vs. Other Psychedelics?
Mescaline is the weakest of classical psychedelics. You need around 200 milligrams of mescaline to achieve a standard psychedelic dose.
How to Take Mescaline
There are two main forms of mescaline — the raw cactus or pure synthetic mescaline powder.
How Does Mescaline Work?
Mescaline binds to several different types of receptors in the human brain to produce its effects.
Is Mescaline Safe?
Mescaline poses little risk to the body. While there are side effects, there have never been any reported deaths caused by mescaline directly.
Is Mescaline Legal?
Mescaline and the cacti that produce it are illegal in most parts of the world, with a few exceptions.
Planting Seed
Start in the early spring. Mix equal parts of sterile perlite, vermiculite and peat. Use a mixing surface that has been cleaned with 10 percent bleach solution to kill any plant pathogens.
Growing Seedlings
Check every few days to see if seed is germinating. Lift the plastic wrap to mist the top of the potting mix occasionally. Do not let the soil dry out. When most of the seed germinates, fold the plastic wrap back to reveal one-quarter of the pot opening. Mist the seedlings daily.
Transplanting Seedlings
Put masking tape around your fingers so your skin isn't pricked by spines. Turn the seedling pot over and tap out the plants. Gently work extra soil away from the roots by softly thumping the seedling root ball against a clean work surface. Use your fingers to gently tap the roots to shake off more potting mix.
Potting Each Seedling
Tape your fingers with several layers of masking tape. Take a pot with its 2-inch-tall clump of seedlings and turn it upside down over a clean work surface. Gently tap the pot rim on a larger pot or the edge of a table while supporting the seedlings in your hand; they should slide out easily.
