= Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus (Weing.) P.V.Heath
Calyx 2(3): 107 (1992)
Accepted Scientific Name: Pachycereus schottii (Engelm.) D.R.Hunt
Bradleya 5: 93 (1987)
Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Pachycereus schottii
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Totem Pole Cactus
Description: L. schottii var. monstrosus 'forma mieckleyanus' is a slow-growing usually trunkless cactus that forms numerous tall, ascending, columnar stems which branch at the base in a candelabra-like arrangement. Stems have a waxy bloom on the surface and reach a height of 3-4 metres (but can grow up to 7m high) and are 10 to 12cm in diameter. This mostruos mutation has variable, irregularly shaped ribs whit sparse areoles. This form has thinner stems with less tubercles. Stems are ascending but not straight with irregular bumps, slim, lightly pruinose, and also branch just from the base and occasionally at higher levels, reverting sometimes to normal species growths. Some stems reach 6m, but they usually remain smaller (from 2 to 3m tall). The flowers are virtually unknown. The stems mark quite badly with age, due to weathering and old age.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Pachycereus schottii group
- Pachycereus schottii (Engelm.) D.R.Hunt: (var. schottii ) has relatively thick stems with fewer (5-6) stem ribs, and and trunk-less habit with numerous, ascending, columnar stems in a candelabra-like arrangement. Distribution: northern part of the range (southwestern Arizona to the Guaymas region and inland to Hermosillo, also Baja California to northern Baja California Sur.)
- Pachycereus schottii f. cristatus: This is a highly priced crested form for its sculptural shape. There are indeed other crested clones that have a tendency to fan out, some will form stable crests while others just cluster over one another.
- Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus (Weing.) P.V.Heath: This monstros form has thinner stems with less tubercles. Stems are ascending but not straight with irregular bumps, slim, lightly pruinose, and also branch just from the base and occasionally at higher levels
- Pachycereus schottii f. monstrosus (H.E.Gates) P.V.Heath: Mutation with variable, irregularly shaped ribs with raised, tubercle-like, knobby-looking swellings along the stems, and few (if any) spines or bristles.
- Pachycereus schottii var. tenuis (G.E.Linds.) P.V.Heath: usually forms a short trunk, has more slender stems with 6-10 ribs, and is shrub sized. Distribution: Sonora, northwestern Sinaloa, and Baja California Sur.
- Pachycereus schottii cv. Big Penis Cactus: is a controversial monstrous cactus species with smooth rib-less stems, dubiously thought of as a mutant Lophocereus schottii and remembering of a large-sized Echinopsis bridgesii f. monstruosa (Long joined type).
Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Lemaireocereus mieckleyanus (Pachycereus schottii f. mieckleyanus) Photo by: Cactus Art Cultivation and Propagation: This species presents no problems in cultivation and will do well in a sunny spot in a cactus house. These plants will tolerate extreme sun and heat, but not extended periods of frost. They can survive to a minimum temperature of -4, but the growing tips need protection. The monstrose form is more frost sensitive and should not be kept at less than -0°C . They will tolerate severe drought if they have a large colony of stems. Grow them in rich, porous, sandy soil, and let their soil dry out between waterings. If potted, repot in the spring, if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more. The monstrose plants enjoy a warm sunny environment and for more speedy growth a light position on a higher shelf with light feeding and rainwater given to the bottom of the plant will ensure success, especially with rooted detached branches, which do well in these conditions. Often plants can be seen with a root or two projecting from a lower stem. Plants in cultivation will begin to get a bit tatty after several years, and if you wrap an offset in newspaper and send it to your friend through the post, it will probably get marked anyway.
Propagation: L. schottii var. monstrosus 'forma mieckleyanus'' does not apparently flower or seed. All specimens also in cultivation must at one time have been propagated vegetatively. It can be increased by cuttings, which will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C. Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer, Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife just above a bud or shoot (a 7-20 cm long tip or branch is most suitable for propagation). Leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.