Central Mexico Organ Pipe, Organo, Jarritos

Scientific Name: Pachycereus marginatus (DC.) A. Berger & Buxb.
Synonym: Cereus gemmatus, Cereus marginatus, Lemaireocereus marginatus, Marginatocereus marginatus, Pachycereus marginatus var. gemmatus , Stenocereus marginatus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 9b-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 23°F (-5°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Central Mexico (San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Mexico D.F.), cultivated all over Mexico

Growth Habits: In the wild, basally branching with unbranched stems, up to 5 feet tall (1.5 m), cultivated, they are columnar, up to 12 feet tall (4 m) or more; 5 to 7 ribs; large confluent areoles; 1 yellowish central sp., up to 0.4 in. (1 cm); 5-9 radials

Watering Needs: Little water when established

Propagation: Stem cuttings

The stems are exceptionally straight, in Mexico, they are often used to make live fences in the small streets of the villages. They grow often more than 3 feet a year (1 m).

Blooming Habits:
Pink to greenish flowers in spring, up to 2 in each areole, 1.2 to 1.6 inches long (3 to 4 cm). The spiny fruit is yellowish to reddish, 1.6 inches in diameter (4 cm), and rather dry. The many seeds are black.