> ⚙️ **Auto-generated, pending human review.** This page was compiled automatically by a bot from community discussions and has **not yet been verified by an editor**; details may be imperfect and corrections are welcome. //Editors: delete this line once you have reviewed the page.// ====== SS02 ====== {{clones:s:media:ss02:35612a7956545b0f.jpg?400}} {{clones:s:media:ss02:6cf8e634c9e62c38.jpg?400}} {{clones:s:media:ss02:7ef07f6b50d0da7a.jpg?400}} {{clones:s:media:ss02:cabc9ca26ab58a81.jpg?400}} {{clones:s:media:ss02:fbb5f2932b511cf2.jpg?400}} ===== Description ===== SS02 is a highly celebrated clone of *Trichocereus* (syn. *Echinopsis*) lineage, widely classified as a *Trichocereus bridgesii* or "bridgesoid" type. It is characterized by a semi-nudum or "bald" appearance compared to typical spiny *T. bridgesii* specimens, though it can produce longer spines under certain conditions or when grafted. The epidermis is typically glaucous green with prominent ribs and relatively sparse areoles. ===== History & Origin ===== The clone was sourced from the private collection of renowned cactus collectors Ed and Betty Gay, who were known for their extensive field collections in South America and domestic acquisitions. Ben Kamm (BK) of Sacred Succulents acquired massive quantities of the plant—described as "literally full U-Haul loads"—from the Gays' extensive stands. Initially, Ben Kamm referred to the clone as a "bridgesoid" due to its unique morphology, which differed from typical *T. bridgesii* clones in cultivation. However, after observing wild southern populations of *T. bridgesii* in Bolivia (where the local Aymara word for the plant is "achuma") that closely resembled SS02, Kamm transitioned to classifying it as a true *T. bridgesii*. The exact original source of the plant before the Gays' collection remains unknown. ===== Cultivation Notes ===== While specific cultivation requirements for SS02 are not heavily detailed in the source discussion, community members note that seed collections from the southern Bolivian populations do not fully replicate the distinct SS02 morphology when grown under California conditions. There is also open discussion regarding whether grafting SS02 onto vigorous rootstocks coaxes the clone into producing longer spines. As with most *T. bridgesii*, it thrives in well-draining soil, requiring dry dormancy in winter and moderate watering during the active growing season. ===== Community Discussion & Citations ===== //Visible to trusted reviewers only.// ^ Date ^ Speaker ^ Key Insight/Quote ^ | 2021 (approx) | Lawrence Smith | "interesting to think of u-haul loads of SS02 20-30 years ago.... Is there anywhere one could go to get even a flat rate box full these days?" | | 2022 (approx) | Jeremy Mercado | "I wonder if SS02 is at the HBG Somewhere..." | | 2022 (approx) | Daniel Hackbarth | "According to my memory, BK refers to it as a 'bridgesiod.' I've always wondered what would prevent him from just calling it a bridgesii," | | 2021 (approx) | Krüz Kalke | "SS02 is originally from the Ed and Betty Gay collection; they were known to go to South America to get plants, but collected many in general. No idea where the plant is originally from before them, but BK got 'literally full U-Haul loads' of it from them without making a dent in the stands they had." | | 2022 (approx) | Krüz Kalke | "Well, it doesn't look like any other bridgesii I've seen (other than SS02 crosses) The thing that pushed BK from bridgesoid->bridgesii was seeing the southern population of bridgesii in habitat in Bolivia. He claims he saw many there that were spitting images of SS02, though his seed collections of those plants don't quite show that in California conditions." | | 2022 (approx) | Krüz Kalke | "Not even remotely saying 'it is SS02', but the 79960 there looks really similar..." | | 2022 (approx) | Krüz Kalke | "achuma is the aymara word for T. bridgesii" | | 2021 (approx) | Mike Johns | "Love mine 💚" | | 2022 (approx) | Irving Washington | "looks more like bald bridge from this photo" | ===== Contributor Confidence ===== ^ Speaker ^ Confidence ^ | Lawrence Smith | 10/10 | | Jeremy Mercado | 10/10 | | Daniel Hackbarth | 7.5/10 | | Krüz Kalke | 7.4/10 | | Mike Johns | 7/10 | | Irving Washington | 7/10 | ===== Credibility Notes ===== Lawrence Smith and Jeremy Mercado are recognized experts in the Trichocereus community, receiving automatic high-confidence ratings. Daniel Hackbarth and Krüz Kalke provide detailed historical and taxonomic context regarding Ben Kamm's observations and the Ed and Betty Gay collection. Mike Johns and Irving Washington provide consistent observations aligned with community consensus.