This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
⚙️ 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.
Zombie
Description
“Zombie” is a vigorous hybrid clone of Trichocereus (syn. Echinopsis). It is a cross between the clones “Lumberjack” (a suspected T. bridgesii or bridgesii-dominant hybrid) and “Huarazensis” (a prominent T. pachanoi clone). While specific botanical details such as exact rib count and spine morphology are not fully detailed in the initial community release, the clone is known to produce very thick, robust columns (“giant cuts”) and has a strong tendency to produce offsets (pups) readily.
History & Origin
The “Zombie” clone was selected and named by grower David Gonzalez in approximately 2025. The plant originated as a seedling from a Lumberjack x Huarazensis (LJ x HZ) cross. Around 2021 (approx), the seedling began to rot, leaving only the tip viable. In an attempt to save it, David Gonzalez grafted the remaining tip onto an Opuntia rootstock.
The graft was highly successful. The plant was later degrafted and grown on its own roots, reaching an impressive height of 7 to 8 feet within four years. Gonzalez named the clone “Zombie” because it survived near-death (initially considering the name “Phoenix” for rising from the ashes) and because he was listening to the song “Zombie” by Fela Kuti at the time. Other growers, including Chris Cosby and Al Marks, sowed the same seed batch during the same year, with Al Marks growing another notable sibling specimen in the ground.
Cultivation Notes
This clone exhibits exceptional vigor and resilience. It has demonstrated high compatibility with Opuntia rootstock for micro-grafting or emergency propagation. Once degrafted and established on its own roots, “Zombie” is a fast grower, capable of reaching over 7 feet in height in a four-year span under optimal conditions. It is also noted for being a prolific pupper, frequently producing offsets from cuttings.
Community Discussion & Citations
Analysis of the discussion.
| Date | Speaker | Confidence Score | Key Insight/Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (approx) | David Gonzalez | 9 | “Some of you will remember a graft I made on opuntia 4 years ago, and I did it for sh*ts and giggles because most of the the seedling was rotted and only the tip looked good… it grew to between 7-8' in 4 years, and still one of my favorites… I thought about Phoenix because it rose from the ashes, but Zombie was more fitting in my opinion and maybe pure coincidence but I was listening Fela Kuti, and even thought his song Zombie is political I thought I would named it in his honor.” |
| 2025 (approx) | Julian Friedman | 7 | “From what I remember it's Lumberjack x Huarazensis or the reverse” |
| 2025 (approx) | Chris Cosby | 7 | “I sowed this cross that year too and some very nice plants came from it. I agree about the parents being stellar too” |
| 2025 (approx) | Al Marks | 7 | “in the ground pumping hard” |
Credibility Notes
David Gonzalez was assigned a confidence score of 9 as the originator of the clone, providing direct, first-hand historical context regarding its propagation, naming, and lineage. Julian Friedman was assigned a score of 7 for accurately identifying the parental lineage (Lumberjack x Huarazensis). Chris Cosby and Al Marks were assigned scores of 7 as they sowed the same cross in the same year and provided direct observations on the growth habits and quality of the sibling plants.
✍️ No community contributors yet — be the first.