TPM

TPM (Trichocereus pachanoi monstrose) is a highly sought-after monstrose cultivar of *Trichocereus pachanoi*. While typical specimens exhibit the standard ribbed, columnar habit of the species, TPM is prone to termination, rib shifting, and monstrose growth patterns. The epidermis is typically light to dark green, sometimes displaying glaucous blue tones in new growth. Spination is highly variable; while typical *T. pachanoi* features very short spines, community members note that some clones associated with this name have historically been distributed by nurseries under the label “short spine Peruvianus,” suggesting slightly more prominent or variable spination than standard pachanoi.

The exact origin of the original TPM clone remains complex, as the name has been applied to several distinct lines. The community distinguishes between multiple sources: * Nitrogen's TPM: A well-known mother plant owned by the grower Nitrogen, which has been used extensively in breeding projects, producing highly variable seed-grown offspring. * Altman's TPM: Commercial nursery Altman's Plants has distributed monstrose pachanoi under this label. According to community accounts, Altman's has distributed approximately four distinct TPM clones rather than a single genetic individual. * Other lineages: Some specimens in circulation are seed-grown plants from Nitrogen's crosses rather than clones of the original mother plant. Additionally, local distributions exist, such as a lineage grown in Santa Cruz, California, sourced from a grower named Eddie, as well as distinct mother plants cultivated in Australia. Community members also point to Jonathan, a trusted member of the Trichocereus community, as a source of information and specimens.

TPM shares the general cultivation requirements of *Trichocereus pachanoi*, preferring a gritty, well-draining soil mix and deep but infrequent watering during the active growing season. Because monstrose growth can sometimes create dense, compact areas prone to moisture retention, good airflow is essential. During winter freezes, growers recommend protecting the plants in a greenhouse or utilizing frost cloth to prevent tip damage. Additionally, growers of TPM seed crosses note that a high percentage (approximately half) of the resulting seedlings tend to exhibit crested or monstrose growth habits.