It is a particularly attractive cactus with remarkable thorns. It is solitary and ribbed, which becomes cylindrical in age and reaches an exceptional height of 3 meters. Its stem is unbranched, dark green, first globular and then cylindrical, erect, up to 1.5 m or more in height and up to 30 in width. It has between 24 and 32 prominent ribs, sharp, slightly expanded below the areolas, 2.5 cm deep. Young light gray felt areoles, oval to elliptical, 15-20 mm long and 6 mm wide, constricted between the flower and the carrier section of the spine, 4 cm or less apart in older plants. The spines are clearly differentiated into robust centrals, and thin, white radial ones. The central spines between 7 and 13 in two series, reddish brown or grayish pink with paler tips, with bands, the main 4 form a cross, flattened upper and lower, two lateral subulates, longer lower, from 2.5 to 4 cm long and 6 to 10 mm wide, quite convoluted and curved but not hooked at the tip. The radial spines between 5 and 6 are whitish, extended, 2.5 to 4 cm long, variable, thin, straight, flattened, setaceous, sometimes twisted. The flowers are diurnal, funnel-shaped, approximately 4 cm long and 3.5 cm in diameter, reddish with darker red veins. Ovary with widely placed scales that intersect in obtuse, red, external perianth segments. Internal segments of the linear-lanceolate internal perianth, 25 mm long and 5 to 7 mm wide, medium lavender red, yellow margins, serrated. Numerous, red, fine filaments, attached to the style. Style 22 mm long, yellow and red above, stigma lobes around 9. Flowering season: Plants generally flower in late spring or early summer, occasionally in late summer. Solitary bees are probably the most important pollinators. Ants visit extrafloral nectaries at the apex of the plant and can protect the cactus from insect herbivores. The fruit is cylindrical oblong, yellowish, with broad rounded scales.

Light-Temperature:

Full sun. It can tolerate sporadic light frosts.
The lowest temperature (ºC) supported by this cactus is on average:: 5

Irrigation:

Water during the growth cycle. Avoid moistening the bodies of these plants while in sunlight. In winter, keep it completely dry at 10 degrees Celsius.

Multiplication:

Seeds

Soil:

Suitable for any rich, well-drained soil.

References:

www.llifle.com