Argentine Giant Cactus. Echinopsis candicans, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Argentine Giant Cactus. Also Called: Trichocereus candicans, Cereus candicans, Cereus candicans var. courantii, Trichocereus courantii, Echinopsis courantii. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. A columnar cactus with each stem fast growing up to 4 inches wide, 3 feet tall, and clumping 6 - 7 feet wide. Most books say that they only clump to about 3 feet but as you can see from the top photo, the plants can spread to about 7 feet. It's fragrant blooms normally open at night and persist until early morning. The bright white petals and yellow centers attract night pollinators such as, moths and bats. While it is said to be a nocturnal blooming cactus with the flowers closing at early morning. On cool, cloudy days in Arizona; the flowers continue blooming during the day. Echinopsis candicans is low water use, but that does not mean it requires no water. It prefers deep infrequent irrigation and well-draining soil. Quick Notes: Height: Height to about 3 feet. Spreading to about 7 feet. Flowers: White with yellow centers, very fragrant, up to 8 inches in diameter. Blooming Time: March - April.. Fruit: Purple, with a red pulp. Stems: Green stems are stems 3 or 4 inches thick. Found: Native from Ecuador to S. Central Argentina, and into Chile Elevation: 0 - 2,900 Feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) 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) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. Common xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken March 20, 2006 At Westbrook Village, Peoria, Arizona.

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