Cleistocactus strausii

     Native to Bolivia and Argentina, Cleistocactus strausii, the "Silver Torch" is a columnar cacti to ten feet high and 3 inches around. Unlike some Cleistocactus, they don't branch, rather they produce offsets at the base and in time become a clump of stately columns. From spring to fall the Silver Torch produces 3 inch long purple flowers from the sides of the stem near the tips. They are mostly propagated from seeds or offsets, cuttings can be difficult to root.
     I put a group of three of them in the ground last season. They didn't grow much but did produce a fourth stem. I also added two more taller ones to the group. I think I'll water and fertilize them a little more this year, Ive read they won't flower till about 18 inches high and they are only half that. Below are some pics I've taken at various places around town and Arizona of mature specimens.

At B & B Cactus Farm

At Tohono Chul Park

At Tohono Chul Park