Stenocereus Pruinosus. Best in temperatures ranging between orders 65 and 85F

Stenocereus Pruinosus, Gray Ghost Organ Pipe, Pitayo, Pitaya of October, Pitayo de Octubre, Pitaya, Pitayo de mayo, Cuapatla, Xoconostle. Best in temperatures ranging between 65 and 85°F

Flowers open in from late February to May and later in September. Picture #1= 28" Tall, Picture #2= 24" Tall,Picture #3= 21" Tall.

Origin and Habitat:
It is widely distributed and very abundant in Mexico in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz (and also Guerrero and Chiapas ). The species is abundant and cultivated due to its edible fruit.
Altitude range It grows at elevations of 800 to 1,900 metres above sea level.

Synonyms:

Stenocereus pruinosus (Otto) Buxb.
Bot. Stud. Heft 12 (Entwickl. Trib. Pachycereae) 101 (1961).
Synonymy: 11
Stenocereus pruinosus (Otto) Buxb.
Cereus edulis F.A.C.Weber ex Rother
Cereus pruinosus (Otto ex Pfeiff.) Otto
Echinocactus pruinosus Otto ex Pfeiff.
Lemaireocereus pruinosus (Otto ex Pfeiff.) Britton & Rose
Rathbunia pruinosa (Pfeiff.) P.V.Heath
Ritterocereus pruinosus (Otto) Backeb.
Stenocereus pruinosus f. variegata hort.
Lemaireocereus pruinosus f. variegata hort.
Rathbunia pruinosa f. variegata hort.
Ritterocereus pruinosus f. variegata hort.
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Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Gray Ghost Organ Pipe, Pitayo, Pitaya of October
SPANISH (Español): Pitayo, Pitayo de Octubre, Pitaya, Pitayo de mayo, Cuapatla, Xoconostle

Temperature
The Stenocereus pruinosus fares best in temperatures ranging between 65 and 85°F (18°C to 29°C), especially when it's in the growth stage. But during winter, it can survive in lower temperatures of about 45 to 55°F (7°C to 13°C).

Description: Stenocereus pruinosus is a large shrubby or tree-like columnar cactus to 4-5(-7) m tall, usually with one or more, definite trunk(s) from which little-branching stems arise from the base for a distinctive V-shape. This plant is certainly native in south-central Mexico, and distinguishable from the related cultivated Stenocereus griseus by fewer ribs, larger flowers, and ovoid fruit. The pruinose colour of young branches distinguishes it from the other arborescent species. This cactus is also known as 'pitayo de Octubre' or 'pitayo de mayo' in Mexico, which indicates its ripens mainly around October and May.
Stems: 8-10(-12) cm in diameter, grey-green to dark green, the new growth often bearing a distinctive white-glaucous bloom near apex.
Ribs: 5-6 (rarely to 8 or even 10) very hight, separated by broad intervals and with wavy margins.
Areoles: Up to 3-4 cm apart. Flowering areoles large, brown-felted.
Central spines: 1-4, grey to brownish, 2-3 cm long.
Radial spines: 5-8, greyish to brownish, radiating, 1-2 cm long.
Flowers: Borne on new growth at the stem tips. Funnel-shaped, modestly sized up to 9 cm long, 7 cm wide and packed with yellow stamens. Upper scales and outer perianth-segments 1 cm long or less, rounded at apex. Inner perianth-segments white or pinkish longer and thinner than the outer ones. Ovary with numerous brown-felted areoles.
Fruit: Ovoid the size of a small apple, 5-8 long, orders varying from yellow, orange-green to purple, without persistent perianth parts. The outer skin of the fruit is spiny in youth, growing smooth with maturity making them easier to harvest.
Phenology (in habitat): Flowers open in from late February to May and later in September as around the clock bloomers to exploit both day and night flying pollinators and produces fruits between May and October.
Seeds: 2-2.5 mm, black, warty.
Taxonomic Notes: Hunt et al. (2006) consider Stenocereus laevigatus (Salm-Dyck) Buxb. as part of S. pruinosus, however, Arreola (2006) reports it as valid species. Natural hybrids may be possible with Stenocereus stellatus.