Trichocereus pachanoi "Church Hill" (or "Churchill") is a distinct, very fat clone of the San Pedro cactus originating from New Zealand collection sources.
Key Traits
Appearance: A very thick-stemmed, columnar San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi / Trichocereus pachanoi) clone.
Spines: has little to no spines.
Rib Count: Exhibits a characteristically high rib count compared to standard baseline plants.
Origin: Sourced from New Zealand grower Ross Gurau under the collection number GW077.
General Care Basics
Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to light afternoon shade.
Watering: Allow soil to dry completely between deep waterings to prevent root rot.
Hardiness: Tolerates USDA zones 8b–10, with brief light frosts handled if kept dry.
Step By Step Planting Guide
Sterilize the Soil: Mix your soil components and moisten until it holds its shape when squeezed but does not drip. Microwave it for 3 to 5 minutes or bake it at 200°F (93°C) for 30 minutes to kill fungus gnat larvae and mold spores. Let it cool completely.
Prep the Container: Pack 1 to 2 inches of the sterilized mix firmly into your clean plastic container. Ensure the surface is completely flat so seeds do not wash into deep crevices. Do not poke drainage holes in the bottom yet; keeping it sealed prevents contamination.
Sow the Seeds: Scatter the "Churchill" seeds evenly across the surface of the soil. Do not bury the seeds. Cactus seeds require light to trigger germination.
Mist and Seal: Lightly mist the surface with your spray bottle to settle the seeds into the dirt. Snap the clear lid securely in place to lock in 100% humidity.
Set the Environment: Place the container under grow lights on a 14-to-16-hour daily timer, or on a warm, bright windowsill. Maintain a temperature between 70°F and 85°F (21°C to 29°C). Alternating warmer days with cooler nights can boost germination rates.
