Trichocereus peruvianus ‘Ikaros DNA’ / ‘Icaro DNA’ Mother – Whole Plant

Overview

This is another proper working mother plant, this time Trichocereus peruvianus ‘Ikaros DNA’, also widely seen written as Icaro DNA. The naming is a bit of a rabbit hole, and honestly, anyone pretending it is perfectly tidy is delusional lol..

The important bit is this: Ikaros / Icaro DNA is best understood as a seed source or seed line rather than one single fixed clone. Trichocereus.net notes that ICARO DNA was known for high-quality Trichocereus seed, with plants often producing dark to blue-green columns and strong spination, and that there is a lot of genetic variation in circulation from seed-grown material. Some material has also been traded around as clone stock, which makes the naming even messier.

This specimen fits the look well, dark blue-green skin, broad ribs, strong upright growth, and that harsher peruvianus-type spination that gives it a bit more attitude than the smoother Matucana mother.

The stump has old cut marks and typical mother-plant scarring, so this is not a pristine display column. It is a chunky, functional, established plant that has already shown it can throw strong pups.

Name Note: Ikaros DNA / Icaro DNA

This name is used in a few different ways in cultivation. Julio’s material is often written as Ikaros DNA, while Icaro DNA is also very commonly used in collector circles and on older listings.

What Makes This One Special

This plant has a different feel to the smoother, bluer Matucana mother. It is a little more rugged, darker, and spine-forward.

The active pup shows:

• Dark blue-green skin
• Strong peruvianus-type spination
• Golden to straw-coloured new spines
• Broad, upright columnar growth
• Firm ribs with a slightly tougher, wilder look
• Good future propagation potential once the pup has sized up further

The old stump is doing what mother stumps do, sitting there looking like it lost a pub fight, then casually producing good growth from the top. Ugly base, useful plant, nice genetics.

Grower Notes

Grow in strong light with excellent airflow and a mineral, free-draining cactus mix. This type does well in a UK greenhouse provided it is kept dry and ventilated through winter.

During active growth, water thoroughly, then allow the pot to dry properly before watering again. Avoid keeping the old cut surfaces damp, especially in cooler weather. The blue-green colour and glaucous finish tend to show best under bright, dry greenhouse conditions.

The active pup can be left to grow into a larger column, or eventually used for propagation once it has enough size.

Collector Appeal

This is for a grower who wants an established Trichocereus peruvianus Ikaros DNA / Icaro DNA mother plant, not just a small seedling or cutting. It has name recognition, provenance interest, visible maturity, and a strong practical use as future cutting stock.

It is also a good one for anyone who prefers the darker, spikier Peruvianus look over the softer blue Matucana-style plants.

Important Notes

The stump is visibly marked and has old cut surfaces. That is part of the listing, not something being hidden. Please check the photos carefully, this is a working mother plant with cosmetic history.

Because Ikaros / Icaro DNA material is seed-line based and variable, individual plants can differ in colour, rib count, spine length, and overall form. This specimen should be judged as the exact plant shown, not as a promise that every plant under the name looks identical.

Why This One Stands Out

• Established Trichocereus peruvianus mother plant
• Ikaros DNA / Icaro DNA name recognition
• Strong dark blue-green peruvianus-type growth
• Pronounced spination with a rugged collector look
• Useful future propagation plant
• Exact one-off specimen shown in the photos