How do I care for a small Peruvian Torch cactus?

How do I care for a small Peruvian Torch cactus?

• I purchased a small 4-5" columnar cactus on sale at Wal-Mart last summer. No ID tag was present in the container. I've finally discovered from research, that it appears to be a small (8-10") Peruvian Torch, possibly a San Pedro cactus. I have it planted in a 6" clay pot, in a mixture of potting soil and sand. It gets full sun for about half the day. It seems to be growing, albeit very slowly. I've read that they can grow a foot per year. Mine only grew about 3 or 4 inches. Any advice?

• Answer:

  We recommend that you further investigate this historically significant plant, a central sacrament of ancient Native South America. One of the things further investigation will reveal, for instance, is that this cactus, if ingested, can make you violently and painfully nauseous. These plants are DANGEROUS, AND ARE NOT FOR INGESTION. Peruvian Torch makes an excellent addition to any ethnobotanical garden with its fast growth rate and easy germination rate. These unusual and beautiful live cuttings will grow well, and this is the only purpose for which they are sold. Our grower writes: I have tried all kinds of potting mixes and have found that regular cheap potting soil works great for these plants. A 12 inch cutting does great in a 8 to 12 inch pot. I sink about 1/3 of the plant in the soil, with the nettles sticking up. I water my plants as soon as I plant them, but thereafter, only when the soil is completely dry - which can be every other day in some hotter climates. I don't water in the winter at all. And in the fall only as needed if we are having some hot spells. As for nutrition I use fish emulsion solution once in the spring, once in the mid summer, and once at the end of summer. I use one cap-full per gallon. These are particularly fast-growing cacti. The flowers can reach 12 inches in diameter, and bloom