Dre Drop

Dre Drop (also known as SPV or San Pedro Varigate) is a variegated *Trichocereus* clone. While detailed botanical descriptions of its rib count, spine length, and exact epidermis color are limited in community records, it is characterized by having variegated sections or “arms.” The variegation is reported to be localized, sometimes appearing on only a small portion of the plant rather than throughout the entire growth. It is described by some growers as having a distinct growth habit compared to other historic Southern California clones like “Jurupa Discovery Center.”

The clone was originally sourced and curated by Monty Corso (also referred to as Monty Carso) in San Pedro, Southern California. Corso named the plant “SPV” (San Pedro Varigate) due to its collection location and its variegated branches.

At a later date, Ryan Kolanz (alternatively spelled Koblenz in some discussions) obtained the plant, introduced it more widely to the community, and renamed it “Dre Drop” after his wife. Because the plant was distributed under both names, both “SPV” and “Dre Drop” remain in common usage.

There is community speculation that the clone originates from a historic, approximately 100-year-old stand in a Southern California backyard, which may have originally been brought to the region from Bolivia. Some community members note morphological similarities between this clone, the “Jurupa Discovery Center” stand, and a 65-year-old stand located in Highland Park, though these connections remain unverified.

Cultivation reports suggest that Dre Drop can be somewhat challenging depending on the local climate: * Variegation Stability: The variegation can be difficult to propagate reliably, as it may only present on specific sections of the mother plant. * Regional Performance: In hot, humid climates like Texas, the clone has been reported to grow poorly compared to other robust clones like Jurupa. * General Care: Standard variegated *Trichocereus* care is recommended. Provide well-draining soil and protect variegated portions from intense, direct afternoon sun to prevent scorching on the chlorophyll-deficient tissue.

Analysis of the discussion. The community discussion focuses on resolving the naming confusion surrounding “Dre Drop” and “SPV,” establishing that they are synonyms for the same clone collected by Monty Corso and later renamed by Ryan Kolanz. Growers also discuss the history of variegation popularity in the hobby and compare the clone's growth habits to other old Southern California stands.

* Shannon Edwards and Michael Lytar provided highly consistent historical details regarding the origin of the clone, specifically identifying Monty Corso as the original curator who named it SPV, and Ryan Kolanz as the person who later distributed it as Dre Drop. * James Buchanan offers direct provenance details, having acquired his specimen directly from Monty Corso in 2020, and provides first-hand comparative cultivation observations from his greenhouse in Texas.