Trichocereus as Rootstock: Compatibility with Other Species
Trichocereus as Rootstock: Compatibility with Other Species and Professional Grafting Technical Guide
The use of Trichocereus (syn. Echinopsis in a broad sense) as rootstock in cacti is a well-established strategy in advanced collecting and nursery production. Its vigor, tolerance to relative cold, strong root system, stems of good diameter, and ease of handling make it a solid base to accelerate growth, rescue valuable material, or multiply crested and variegated forms.
At TRICHOLAND we work with species such as T. spachianus, T. pachanoi, T. peruvianus/macrogonus, T. bridgesii (syn. Echinopsis lageniformis) and, for field rootstocks, T. terscheckii for large-caliber grafts. This guide compiles compatibility criteria by genera, comparison with other rootstocks, grafting protocols, and long-term management to minimize incompatibilities and maximize the lifespan of the graft union.
Why Trichocereus as Rootstock?
Vigor and diameter: fast growth and stems of 6–15 cm Ø that facilitate cambial alignment with small and medium scions.
Robust roots: good anchorage and absorption, tolerate mineral substrates and deep, spaced watering.
Climatic tolerance: greater resistance to short, dry cold than tropical rootstocks (useful in USDA zones 9a–10b).
Longevity: longer lifespan than Hylocereus in temperate climates; renewable by pruning and regrowth.
Wide compatibility: high success rate (“take”) with numerous Cactoideae genera.
Compatibility by Genera (Practical Nursery Perspective)
Compatibility in cacti is broad but not absolute. The closer the taxonomic and physiological relationship, the better the medium/long-term performance. We classify practical experience into four levels:
High Compatibility (generally stable and vigorous grafts)
Trichocereus/Echinopsis (intrageneric): cultivars, crested/monstrous forms.
Gymnocalycium (except high-consumption chlorophyll-lacking cultivars, see notes): excellent for seed production and variegated forms.
Astrophytum (including myriostigma, capricorne, asterias): fast growth and early flowering.
Lophophora (all species): very stable long-term for propagation and fruiting.
Turbinicarpus, Rebutia/Sulcorebutia, Frailea, Mammillaria (many species): good general affinity.
Ferocactus and Echinocactus (juvenile/medium): acceptable, useful to accelerate juvenility.
Medium Compatibility (good take; monitor medium term)
Ariocarpus: takes and grows very well; necks or imbalances may appear at 5–10 years; preferable to renew timely or switch to Harrisia jusbertii (see interstocks).
Copiapoa: variable by species/clone; manage conservative watering to avoid overly watery tissues.
Obregonia, Pelecyphora: generally positive, monitor for “bottle-neck”.
Echinocereus: heterogeneous; many respond well, others show uneven growth over time.
Delicate Compatibility (graft for temporary purposes or with interstock)
Aztekium and Geohintonia: possible take, but frequent late incompatibilities and tight tissues. Usually performs better on Harrisia (Eriocereus) jusbertii or Myrtillocactus, or with an interstock between Trichocereus and the scion.
Uebelmannia: sensitive; better warm-tropical stocks or Harrisia under controlled conditions.
Discocactus and Melocactus: require stable heat year-round; on Trichocereus in cool climates conflict arises due to winter dormancy of the stock.
Blossfeldia: viable after a phase on Pereskiopsis, but better specific alternatives long-term.
Low/Not Recommended
Epiphytes (Schlumbergera, Rhipsalis, Epiphyllum): different physiology; prefer Hylocereus or Selenicereus.
Opuntioideae (Opuntia/Consolea, etc.): very limited compatibility with columnar Cactoideae.
Note on “moon cactus” (chlorophyll-lacking Gymnocalycium): Trichocereus can maintain them, but fully achlorophyllous clones usually demand very high sap flow and fare better on ultra-vigorous stocks like Hylocereus/Selenicereus in warm environments. In cold climates, compromise with Trichocereus is possible indoors in temperate conditions.
Choosing Trichocereus Species as Rootstock
T. spachianus: nursery standard. Fast, straight, easy to obtain, good behavior in pots and soil. Excellent vigor/robustness balance.
T. pachanoi (syn. Echinopsis pachanoi): very vigorous and versatile; ideal for medium and large grafts; roots easily and regrows after pruning.
T. peruvianus / macrogonus: similar to pachanoi; vigorous clones perform very well.
T. bridgesii: somewhat thinner; excellent in pots, good tolerance to dry cold.
T. terscheckii: slow but extremely robust; suitable as a long-term base for display or garden grafts.
Quick comparison with other rootstocks:
Pereskiopsis: unbeatable for seedlings (micrografting); temporary, then transfer to Trichocereus/Myrtillocactus/Harrisia.
Myrtillocactus geometrizans: very fast and easy; less cold tolerant than Trichocereus; good lifespan in mild temperate.
Harrisia (Eriocereus) jusbertii: high long-term compatibility with “difficult” Mexican genera (Ariocarpus, Aztekium, Geohintonia); excellent as interstock.
Hylocereus/Selenicereus: maximum vigor in heat; very sensitive to cold; short lifespan in temperate.
Interstocks: When and How
If the scion is “delicate” with Trichocereus, use an interstock (bridge) to improve compatibility and physiology:
Trichocereus → Harrisia jusbertii → Aztekium/Geohintonia/Ariocarpus: very stable long-term combination.
Trichocereus → Myrtillocactus → ultra-slow growth scions: accelerates but advisable to renew every few years.
The interstock must have an appropriate diameter and be well rooted; perform a flat graft stock→interstock, allow consolidation for 2–3 weeks, then interstock→scion.
Grafting Protocol on Trichocereus (Professional Level)
Optimal Timing
Late spring to summer with stable temperatures (22–30 °C) and actively growing stock.
Avoid cold or extreme heat waves; in greenhouse, bright light with slight shade (30–40% mesh).
Rootstock Preparation
Water Trichocereus 2–4 days before (turgid tissues but dry surface on graft day).
Disinfect tools (flame/70% IPA). Make a flat, clean cut perpendicular to the axis, removing 2–3 mm of outer bark if corky.
If the cut shows “buds” or soft pith, trim to firm, homogeneous tissue.
Scion Preparation
Fresh scions with clean cuts. If from cuttings, allow air-drying 1–3 days until surface tightens without excessive callus formation.
For seedlings, parafilm can be used for handling and anchoring.
Union and Fixation
Cambial alignment: center the scion on the cut aiming for at least 1–2 points of vascular ring coincidence (a slight offset often improves ring overlap).
Firm and even pressure: use rubber bands, elastic tapes, or inner tube strips. Avoid displacement for 5–10 days.
Conditions: 24–28 °C, 50–70% RH, bright light without direct sun. No humidity dome for medium/large scions.
Check at 7–10 days: if taken, gradually remove tensioners; first light watering 3–5 days later in temperate substrate.
Specific Techniques
Flat graft: most used in globular cacti.
Side splice: useful when scion diameter is smaller; favors ring coincidence.
Wedge graft: for columnar scions; make a vertical slit in the stock and fit the wedge.
Management of the Graft–Rootstock Assembly
Light: gradually increase to full sun according to scion species; avoid initial burns.
Watering: deep and spaced, allowing thorough drying. Avoid “peaks” that swell scion tissues.
Nutrition: 50–80 ppm N per application during growth, formula low in N and high in K with micronutrients. Avoid excess salts (periodic leaching).
Stock pruning: remove lateral shoots of Trichocereus to concentrate sap in the scion.
Renewal: if upward corking or severe narrowing appears, regenerate by re-grafting to a new Trichocereus apex or switch to a compatible interstock.
Common Problems and Solutions
Scion displacement: use greater pressure and stable base; repeat graft with fresh cut.
Late incompatibility (neck, hardened tissue, growth stop): move to Harrisia jusbertii as interstock or revert to own roots if material allows.
Excessive stock vigor (hydroponic-like scion, thin skin): reduce watering and N, increase K/Si, more light.
Rot: almost always due to moisture/cold. Sanitize to healthy tissue, sulfur on cuts, retry in warmer, drier season.
Bottleneck and fracture risk: re-graft higher on a larger diameter stock or perform a bridging with interstock.
Recommended Calendar (Northern Hemisphere; invert for Southern Hemisphere)
Apr–Jun: optimal grafting window; highest take rate.
Jul–Aug: grafts possible, avoid heat peaks; light shading.
Sep: last grafts in temperate regions; prepare stock for dry winter rest.
Oct–Mar: avoid grafting except in heated greenhouse; keep stocks dry and dormant.
Use Cases and Recommendations by Objective
Rapid seed production: graft Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Lophophora, Gymnocalycium onto T. spachianus/pachanoi. They flower earlier and more profusely.
Rescue of damaged specimens: healthy disks onto fresh Trichocereus stock; high recovery rate.
Display of crested/monstrous forms: Trichocereus provides mechanical support and constant supply with good outdoor tolerance.
“Difficult” species long-term: use interstock of Harrisia jusbertii for Aztekium/Geohintonia and some Ariocarpus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Trichocereus is “best” as rootstock? For general use: T. spachianus and T. pachanoi for availability, vigor, and stability. For monumental bases: T. terscheckii.
How long do grafts on Trichocereus last? With good management, several years to over a decade. Renew when the stock corks excessively or the scion shows a neck.
Can grafting be done in winter? Only in controlled environment (24–26 °C, light, and ventilation). Outdoors/in temperate zones, better to wait until spring.
Do I need hormones or sealants? Not essential; the key is clean cut, alignment, and pressure. Sulfur powder helps dry surfaces if exudates are present.
Good Plant Health Practices
Strict hygiene: sterile blades, clean surfaces, disinfected hands/gloves.
Quarantine incoming material for 3–4 weeks to avoid mealybugs (aerial and root), mites, and fungi.
Highly draining substrate (50–70% mineral) and watering with low salinity water. Irrigation pH 5.8–6.2 favors nutrient uptake and prevents chlorosis.
Control stock shoot growth: periodically pinch off suckers.
Summary Practical Sheet
Recommended stocks: T. spachianus, T. pachanoi, T. peruvianus/macrogonus, T. bridgesii; for XXL base: T. terscheckii.
High compatibility: Echinopsis/Trichocereus, Gymnocalycium, Astrophytum, Lophophora, Turbinicarpus, Rebutia/Sulcorebutia, Frailea, many Mammillaria.
Useful interstocks: Harrisia (Eriocereus) jusbertii, Myrtillocactus.
Timing: late spring–summer; 24–28 °C.
Key to success: clean cuts, ring alignment, constant pressure, temperate and dry environment.
TRICHOLAND: Professional Rootstocks and Consulting
At TRICHOLAND we produce Trichocereus rootstocks selected for vigor, straightness, fast rooting, and climate tolerance. We supply specific calibers for each graft type, as well as mother plants and columns ready for “top-graft.” Our technical team can design your grafting protocol by genus/objective (seed production, rescue, display), select interstocks when appropriate, and define the cultivation plan afterward (substrate, fertigation, light management, and plant health).
If you need a homogeneous batch of T. spachianus for graft banks, T. pachanoi bases, or T. terscheckii columns for collection pieces, contact us: we tailor the material to your climate and production program.