Juuls Giant

“Juuls Giant” (often associated with “Tom's Juuls Giant” or TJG) is a robust cultivar of Trichocereus pachanoi. It is characterized by a thick, fat growth habit and extremely reduced, short spines. The epidermis is typically green to slightly glaucous, and the spines are small enough that the plant can often be handled with minimal discomfort, described by growers as producing only minor “tickles of stings” when handled.

The precise origin of the clone remains a subject of discussion, with the name “Tom's Juuls Giant” representing a specific, highly regarded cut. Within the community, it is often considered representative of a broader group of similar Southern California pachanoi cultivars (“SoCal pachs”). Some collectors report confusion and mislabeling in circulation, with lookalikes resembling PC (Predominant Cultivar) x Juuls crosses occasionally being distributed under the name. Some growers have renamed specific variants in their collection (such as “The Jones Giant”) due to morphological variations, though other community members advise against renaming to prevent further taxonomic confusion.

Additionally, discussions surrounding Juuls Giant often intersect with other prominent cultivars such as the “KT” (Keeper Trout) clone. According to community records, the KT clone was originally discovered at a Target retail store (sourced from Altman Specialty Plants) and was subsequently named by Mark Dimmitt of EcoGro (a nursery in Tucson, Arizona) after Keeper Trout provided it to them. Some enthusiasts compare these phenotypes to TPQC (Trichocereus Pachanoi Quasi-Cristata) or members of the Ogun/Lima group, while others note resemblances to Koehres Peruvianus, though they are recognized as distinct lines.

Juuls Giant is a highly adaptable and stable clone. Cultivation reports indicate it performs consistently across a wide range of altitudes (from 2,000 to 6,200 feet) and container sizes without significant changes to its morphology. Unlike other clones that may alter their spine development under environmental stress (such as SS02, which is known to produce reduced spines when stressed), Juuls Giant reliably maintains its characteristic short, non-aggressive spines.

Analysis of the discussion reveals a focus on distinguishing the true “Tom's Juuls Giant” clone from lookalikes, sharing observations on its stable morphology under varying environmental conditions, and clarifying the history of related clones like “KT” that arise in comparison. The community also debates the naming conventions of variants and compares the clone's appearance to TPQC and the Ogun/Lima group.

Dave DeStefano was assigned a high confidence score due to providing detailed, first-hand cultivation observations across diverse elevations and pot sizes. Jamie Bolting was rated highly for offering clear taxonomic distinctions regarding the “Tom's” clone line versus general regional phenotypes. Brian Penick was rated highly for providing specific historical details regarding the origin and naming of the compared “KT” clone, attributing the information directly to Keeper Trout.