‘CF@Churchmall’ – Trichocereus bridgesii x TPM – Cuts

Overview

Trichocereus bridgesii x Trichocereus pachanoi monstrose (TPM) ‘CF@Churchmall’ is a selected hybrid showing a strong and persistent monstrose expression.

This isn’t just the occasional wonky rib. Growth repeatedly stretches, merges and reorganises along the stem, producing long smooth sections that look almost laid over one another. Individual areoles become separated onto raised islands of tissue, ribs terminate and reform, and the growing tip develops into a compact cluster of swollen, rounded segments.

The result is a plant that still retains enough columnar structure to show its Trichocereus heritage, but with the TPM influence thoroughly interfering with the normal rules.

Spination is generally fairly restrained compared with many bridgesii, leaving the unusual structure of the epidermis to do most of the visual work.

Genetics & Parentage

Trichocereus bridgesii

The bridgesii side contributes the relatively slender columnar habit, distinctive areoles and general bridgesii character visible beneath the mutation. Bridgesii genetics can also bring vigorous growth and considerable variation when used in hybrid crosses.

Trichocereus pachanoi monstrose (TPM)

TPM is the widely circulated monstrose form associated with Trichocereus pachanoi-type material. It is known for irregular rib development, melted or swollen sections, shifting areoles and occasional transitions between relatively normal and heavily mutated growth.

Together, the cross has produced a plant with clear bridgesii influence but a particularly strong TPM-style morphological expression.

Clone History & Provenance

‘CF@Churchmall’ was released by Terrence, the same grower associated with several selected Trichocereus clones, including ‘Clime’, a well-known Sharxx x TPM selection.

Quite what possessed anyone to settle on the name CF@Churchmall is probably lost to history, but the clone itself is considerably more memorable than its naming convention.

It has been retained under the original circulated name to preserve its provenance.

Growth Form

The most interesting feature of CF@Churchmall is the way the mutation repeatedly expresses itself throughout the stem.

Rather than simply producing uneven ribs, sections become:

• Long and raised, almost like overlapping plates
• Smooth and partially spineless between areoles
• Swollen or compressed
• Interrupted as ribs terminate and restart
• Irregularly spaced around the stem
• Increasingly congested towards the growing tip

Some areas can appear relatively organised before immediately transitioning back into heavily distorted growth.

The apex is particularly characteristic, often becoming tightly packed with rounded lobes and displaced areoles as new growth tries to organise itself.

What to Expect

• Growth rate: Moderate to fast once rooted and established
• Mature form: Columnar with persistent monstrose and melting expression
• Colour: Fresh green to blue-green depending on conditions
• Spines: Generally short to moderate and comparatively sparse
• Growth pattern: Irregular ribs, elongated areole islands, swelling and rib interruption
• Mutation: Strong, although individual sections may vary in intensity
• Difficulty: Straightforward for growers familiar with Trichocereus

Grower Notes

Grow CF@Churchmall much as you would other Trichocereus hybrids.

Use a free-draining cactus substrate, strong light and good airflow. Once established and actively growing it can take regular watering through the warmer months, provided the root system is healthy and the substrate is allowed to drain properly.

UK greenhouse cultivation suits it well, although heavily distorted areas can occasionally create small pockets where moisture sits longer than it would on a normal columnar cactus. Good airflow is therefore particularly worthwhile.

As with any monstrose Trichocereus, future growth should never be expected to reproduce every existing feature exactly. The plant may become more heavily distorted, produce relatively conventional sections, or change expression again later.

That variability is inherent to the clone and very much part of its appeal.

Why This One Stands Out

• Trichocereus bridgesii x TPM genetics
• Strong, repeated monstrose expression
• Distinctive elongated and overlapping rib sections
• Sparse spination allows the unusual morphology to remain clearly visible
• Particularly chunky, distorted growing tips
• Selected clone rather than an unnamed seedling
• Released by Terrence, also associated with the ‘Clime’ selection
• A genuinely unusual Trichocereus for collectors of TPM-derived freaks

Important Notes

The exact morphology of monstrose plants can change as they grow. New sections may become more or less distorted depending on genetics, maturity and growing conditions.

This variability should not be considered reversion or a defect unless growth becomes consistently conventional over an extended period.

With plants like CF@Churchmall, variation was the goal, not the exception.

UK Growing

In the UK, bridgesii’s are quite popular due to their hardiness and can handle our low temp during winter (around 5C before bringing inside, although, adults can go lower). Flowers produce after around 10 years of growth, so, patience is required. Bridgesii differ in terms of humidity requirements, they do not tolerate high humidity very well and can form rot if left in high humidity for long periods. All our cacti are shipped bare root to protect the cacti, please ensure you have suitable substrate and a pot for your new dude. If you are stuck for what to use as a substrate, we have a very handy guide here. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch, I will help you with any questions you might have. We have a trichocereus care sheet which you can reference.

Synonyms

• Trichocereus bridgesii Monstrose
• Bolivian Torch Monstrose
• Trichocereus boliviensis Monstrose
• Echinopsis lageniformis Monstrose
• Cereus lageniformis Monstrose
• Cereus bridgesii Monstrose
• Cereus bridgesii var. longispinus Monstrose