Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (A distinctive cultivar created by cacti enthusiast and hybridiser Bob Schick )

• Echinopsis cv. Maria Piazza

• Echinopsis cv. Maria Piazza
• Echinopsis cv. Maria Piazza f. cristasta

Description: Echinopsis cv Maria Piazza is one of the most popular and appreciated Echinopsis cultivars, it is the result of more than 20 years of devoted work by cacti enthusiast and hybridiser Bob Schick. (ISI 97-19; HBG 80605, Schick 1373-52.)
Habit: Freely pupping.
Stem: Globular, to 9,5 cm in diameter.
Central spines: Up to 30 mm long.
Flowers: Large sized up to 15 cm across.
Tepals: Lance-shaped to linear, involute and broadly ruffled, rich purplish-pink with dark pinkish-red midrib.
Throat-circle: White.
Filaments: Purplish-pink.
Stigma: Exserted, white.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) John N. Trager "Huntington Botanical Gardens" online: http://www.huntington.org/botanicaldiv/schick/hybrids/maria_piazza.html retrieved on 12-12-2013

Cultivation and Propagation: These plants are summer growers species that offer no cultivation difficulties. Grow them in rich, airy, porous, growing medium which mainly consists of non organic material such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould. If potted, repot preferably in the spring, if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more. Water regularly in summer (but do not overwater), and let their soil dry out between waterings, keep rather dry in winter. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Exposure: Outside they need a bright exposure, full sun or half shade in summer if the location is exceedingly hot or bright, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required for safe cultivation, but many of the hybrids very frost resistant if kept dry (The hardiness varies from -5°C to -12° C depending on clone). This plants need a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly. They flower freely indoors if conditions suit them.
Pest & Disease: Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects and spider mite.
Propagation: Easy to propagate from cuttings. Most of the Echinopsis clones produce shoots and can be reproduced exclusively by cuttings. The cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C. Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer, Cut them with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.