About San Pedro CACTUS FARM

Peru is a land that holds many ancient secrets.  From the ancient Inca architecture and agriculture to the floating reed boats on which indigenous peoples conquered the waves.  Another invaluable treasure that comes from Peru is the vast array of botany originating from the deep Amazon jungle, semi-arid beaches, and the unique mountain landscapes. This makes Peru one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet.

The San Pedro Cactus Farm is a 35 year long project aimed at spreading the knowledge of and preserving part of this biodiversity in a sustainable manner.  An initiative of the Ayahuasca and San Pedro International Research Center in Peru, the San Pedro Cactus Farm project is dedicated to the preservation of the San Pedro cactus that is native to the Andes Mountains.

The cactus is columnar, hardy, can grow almost anywhere and is known locally for many different uses.  Not only is it a beautiful ornamental house or garden plant, but it also has many known medicinal qualities and has been used as such for thousands of years.  The utilization of the San Pedro cactus stretches back in history more than 3000 years to pre-Columbine cultures and civilisations that settled in northern Peru.

With the San Pedro Cactus Farm project our aim is to beautify and mystify your surroundings, with the San Pedro cactus doing what it does best.  It is known for the following:

  • It is a beautiful addition to any garden, succulent or houseplant collection.
  • The San Pedro cactus can neutralize electromagnetic radiation from your computer and wi-fi. So, putting it close to your router or computer safeguards you and your family against this type of radiation.
  • It can create an almost impenetrable fence around any property, providing security.
  • In Peru it is believed that when you put a San Pedro cactus at your front door, it act as a protector of the house against thieves.
  • You can use it for its medicinal properties by preparing it.  For more on this send us an email.

THE SAn pedro cactus

Scientific Classification

Scientific name: Echinopsis pachanoi / Trichocereus pachanoi
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Echinopsis
Species: E. Pachanoi

History

The Cactus of the Four Winds is native to the mountains of the Andes in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. It is also found growing along the coastline of Peru. There are over 300 species, the better known species being Echinopsis Pachanoi, Trichocereus Peruvianus, Trichocereus Huancabambensis and Huankavelikensis (northern Peru), Trichocereus Arequipensis (southern Peru). In Bolivia, the Trichocereus Bolivianis, Chile the San Pedro de Atacama and Trichocereus terchequii from Argentina.

It is known in traditional cultures by the names: Wachuma, Huachuma, Achuma, and Aguacolla.

The San Pedro Cactus has been used in traditional religious, spiritual and medicinal healing practices for thousands of years with archaeological findings linking it back the Moche and Chavin cultures.

It is a highly variable species with lengths of spines, number of ribs, circumference and glaucousness being the telling features. Variations are closely linked with its own region/town found in the names of the various species.

Our species we have collected over the years from Huancavelica, Mancora, Matucana, Ollantaytambo and Pachacamac.

Description

A large columnar cactus, 3-6 meters tall, multi stemmed extending from the base. The stems may also emerge around broken branches.

Stem colour range from light yellow-green, green, blue-green, or deep emerald-green in colour with a glaucous powdery coating. Stems have diameters of 6-15cm with 6-8 rounded ribs or columns.

White areoles are spaced evenly along the ribs about 2 cm apart.
The areoles can produce up to 7 or 8 yellow-brown spines. These spines can be up to 2cm long. Spines are typically shorter or absent in cultivated species.

Flowering can be rare and occurs during the summer months. It is usually well established, mature plants that produce the exquisite, large (19-24cm) white flowers that are highly fragrant. The flowers appear from the areola as a small hairy ball which extend out to 20cm. The ephemeral flowers only open at night lasting only 1-2 days. Fertilised flowers become dark green oblong fruit (5-6cm long) (not edible) known as pitahaya.

Growing and Care

This Guardian or Whistler cactus can easily be grown potted indoors and outdoors.
It is a great cactus for beginners as it handles more fertiliser and water better than most cacti.

It is fast growing if kept in well drained, nutrient rich soil with plenty of natural light.
It can also survive extreme heat and drought, as well as temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius.
But is best grown in a temperate climate.

You can feed your cactus with a bit of organic fertiliser occasionally.
Excessive overexposure to sunlight may cause the plant to yellow and be sunburned.
Lower levels of light slow growth and may cause the plant to become thin.
Excessive watering may lead to root rot.
San Pedro cactus is susceptible to fungal infections and pests.

Please contact us should you require any assistance with the growth and care of your cactus.

our services

BULK SALES TO NURSERIES & DISTRIBUTORS

Our years of experience and unique propagation methods ensure we have ample stock plants of various sizes ready for supply.

Professional landscaping advice
professional advice on landscaping of cactus

With more than 35 years of experience we can advise and assist with design.

Presentations
presentations about indigenous medicinal plants of peru

We are committed to raising awareness for the preservation and cultural use of indigenous medicines as well as in preserving ancient traditions of indigenous communities in Peru.

Cactus related product sales
cactus related product sales and consultations

For all cactus related products please visit our sister company The Organic Intelligence. For private or group facilitation of plant medicines please contact us here.

MEET THE OWNER

Sayre Tupac is an internationally recognised authority on the use of the medicinal and informational plants of Peru. He has studied and worked with the traditions of Ancient Andean Wisdom and the Consciousness Plants for almost 50 years. He is the holder of the lineage of Sayre Tupac, one of the last Incas of Peru.

His first introduction to the San Pedro cactus came at the young age of 13 and he intuitively knew how to prepare the cactus after finding it in the desert outside of Lima and took it home to his mother’s kitchen.

He is a leading voice in raising awareness for the preservation and cultural use of indigenous medicines as well as in preserving ancient traditions of indigenous communities in Peru. In addition he is a master in martial arts, a surfer and also a learned authority on Peruvian local geography, ecology, culture, politics and folklore. He has lectured extensively around the globe on Ancient Wisdom Traditions and he guides people on journeys of self-discovery through developing awareness and mindfulness in the Sacred Valley and throughout the world.

After attending a British school in Lima he received his Degree in Economy from the University of Lima. In recent years his interest has moved towards Quantum Economics and the Economy of Wellness. He is a philanthropist and the founder of IAPICC (The International Association for the Preservation of Indigenous and Contemporary Cultures) and TAPPT (The Association for the Preservation of Peruvian Textiles).

In 1997 he founded The San Pedro and Ayahuasca International Meditation and Retreat Center in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru. Sayre established this center in order to create an opportunity for all kinds of people from around the world to receive the profound teachings of ancient cultures while getting a deep environmental imprint from the phenomenal setting of the Andes. The Center celebrated its 14th year in 2010 and has been renamed The Ayahuasca and San Pedro International Research Center, for the study of Consciousness.

Sayre’s primary concern is to set in motion a deeper understanding of everybody’s search of that which is innate in all of us: the Primordial Wisdom that allows us to reach new levels of Awareness, and to incorporate this into everyday life so that Evolution of being can take place.