Abstract
Golden Torch Cactus (Trichocereus spachianus) from Argentina is a handsome, cold-hardy, columnar cactus with excellent landscape potential. Hydrophilic polymer in combination with 5 watering regimes has been tested to determine the optimal water cost-effective manner to produce these cacti. The hydrophilic polymer is a highly absorbent polyacrylamide compound. The summer water regimes tested were: rainfall only, irrigation twice per week, once per week, twice per month, and monthly. The study was evaluated at 16 and 36 months. Amendment with polyacrylamide resulted in significant depression in total cuttings and total length of cuttings as of 16 months, but this effect had disappeared as of 36 months. There were no significant interactions between the polyacrylamide and irrigation regime variables. Irrigation regime significantly affected performance throughout the course of the study. Weekly irrigation (summer) resulted in the greatest cost benefits in terms of production as a function of water applied. Cultivation under ambient rainfall resulted in 100% survival and modest production, as compared with irrigated plants.
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