Tucson fat

“Tucson fat” is a robust specimen within the Trichocereus genus, frequently associated with T. pachanoi or T. scopulicola morphology. As the name suggests, the clone is characterized by its significant girth and thick-stemmed growth habit. While specific rib counts are not explicitly detailed in the primary discussion, community members describe it as a “fat” clone capable of reaching substantial sizes, with individual columns reported at lengths of 25 inches or more in cultivation. The epidermis is typically described in the context of other “fat” clones, suggesting a glaucous green color with relatively short spination.

The clone is closely associated with the nursery Plants for the Southwest located in Tucson, Arizona. According to community accounts, the nursery owner, Gene Joseph, maintains a large mother stand used for propagation. The original plant is believed to have been cultivated by an unnamed gardener in the Tucson area before being acquired by the nursery.

There is significant community discussion linking the history of “Tucson fat” to the NMCR (New Mexico Cactus Research) seed distributions. Specifically, it is often discussed alongside the FR991 Trichocereus scopulicola siblings. Documentation suggests there were seven “sister plants” from the NMCR S1438/7 I:FR991 batch, and “Tucson fat” is frequently analyzed in relation to these historical accessions.

“Tucson fat” is noted for its vigor and adaptability. It has been successfully cultivated in diverse climates, including the arid environment of Tucson and the more temperate, humid conditions of Northern California. * Growth Rate: High; specimens are reported to reach over 24 inches in relatively short periods once established. * Propagation: Readily produces roots from cuttings. * Hardiness: Standard T. pachanoi care applies; ensure well-draining soil and protection from hard freezes, though it is known to be resilient once it forms a “stump” or established root system.

The discussion centers on the provenance of the clone at Plants for the Southwest and its potential genetic relationship to the NMCR FR991 (scopulicola) siblings. Will Tomlinson is cited by peers as the primary authority on the historical lineage of these plants.

Will Tomlinson is regarded by the community (specifically cited by Krüz Kalke) as the leading authority on the history of this lineage, providing specific accession numbers (NMCR S1438/7) and historical trade data from the 1990s. Tom Suazo provided specific, verifiable details regarding the nursery of origin (Plants for the Southwest) and the owner (Gene Joseph), which aligns with known botanical commerce in the Tucson region.