I was hoping someone could help me ID a cactus I have. I bought it in 2006 and it was around 18" tall. It's one of those columnar shaped cacti. I've been doing some research online and I think it may be called a cereus peruvianus, but I'm not sure. Last winter I measured it at over 9' tall. I live in Dallas...I brought it inside every winter prior to last, but at 9' tall I couldn't even get it inside the door, plus my ceilings are too low. I wrapped it in frost cloth and laid it down on its side and it survived outside...pretty much without any watering all winter. Early spring I unwrapped it, but before I could water it and put it next to the fence which provides it some support, the wind blew it over and broke off about 18" of it, which have now rooted and are in a separate pot. The main plant is back to around 8' or more in height and a couple of Friday nights ago it bloomed. Big white blooms...no fragrance I could notice. I have a couple of pictures (one from it blooming)...if anyone could help me ID it, I would be most appreciative. I was wondering if it could be planted in the ground next to my privacy fence (I live in a condo) and winter outside? As I said, I live in Dallas...it survived outside last winter, but was in a pot. I didn't know if it would be too wet for it or not if I planted it in the ground. With it potted, I was able to control the amount of moisture it got, but that may not be an issue, I don't know. When I unwrapped it last spring, it was a little wrinkled from being thirsty I think, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
Cereus peruvianus looks right. We have it in the ground in zone 9 - dry summers, wet winters, very few frost events. That said, I suggest asking someone locally. good Luck!
Thanks so much with the assistance ID'ing this thing...I think I'm in zone 8, so I may be pushing it a little by planting it in the ground, but I think I'm going to try it. It's simply too big to move in and out of the house with the weather changes! Thanks again!
