Trichocereus ‘Rainbow Mountain’ – TPM x Grandiflora

Overview

‘Rainbow Mountain’ is a named Trichocereus hybrid released by Terrace Longbutton, also known for releasing clones such as ‘Clime’, the sought-after Sharxx x TPM clone. This plant comes from a cross of TPM x Grandiflora, bringing together the irregular monstrose behaviour of TPM with the more floriferous, compact, ornamental influence often seen in Trichocereus grandiflorus-type genetics.

This specimen has developed into a proper character piece. The head is dense, knobbly, and heavily folded, with multiple rounded crested and semi-monstrose growth points forming a compact crown on the graft stock. It has that lovely “what the hell are you doing?” growth pattern that makes TPM hybrids worth growing in the first place.

The colour is a fresh, bright green with lighter new growth and fine golden spination across the ridges. It is not a clean architectural cactus, and that is the point. The appeal here is mutation, texture, provenance, and the way the growth has matured over several seasons.

To see his rate of growth, this is what he looked like January 2025:

Genetics & Parentage

Trichocereus pachanoi monstrose, TPM

TPM is widely grown for its irregular monstrose growth, rib shifting, swollen tissue, odd areole spacing, and unpredictable structural development. It is one of the classic mutation lines used in Trichocereus breeding.

Trichocereus grandiflorus-type hybrid

Grandiflorus-type Trichocereus are generally known for compact growth, strong flowering genetics, and ornamental breeding value. Classification and naming can vary between growers, but in hybrid work the grandiflorus influence often brings a different structure and a more compact habit than the larger columnar species.

Together, this cross has produced a plant with strong mutation expression, dense crown formation, and a very distinctive grafted specimen presence.

Specimen Details

• You will receive the exact plant shown in the photos, this is a one-off specimen
• Name: Trichocereus ‘Rainbow Mountain’
• Cross: TPM x Grandiflora
• Origin: released by Terrace Longbutton
• Size: approximately 20 cm tall including graft stock
• Crown width: approximately 15 cm across
• Form: grafted multi-headed monstrose / crest-leaning specimen
• Root system: grafted plant, established on rootstock
• Condition: healthy, actively grown specimen with normal aged graft union marks and minor cosmetic scarring

What Makes This One Special

This is not just a small fresh graft being sold on hype. The final photo shows how it arrived a few seasons ago, and the current plant has clearly built a far more substantial crown since then.

The head now has a tight, lumpy structure with multiple growth points pushing in different directions. Some areas lean crest-like, others stay more knobbly and monstrose. That mix gives it a proper “mutant mountain” look, which suits the name rather nicely.

It is also a good example of why TPM hybrids are worth selecting individually. Not every TPM cross does anything interesting. This one has.

What to Expect

• Growth rate: moderate to fast while the graft stock remains vigorous
• Mature form: compact, swollen, multi-headed monstrose crown
• Colour: bright green to yellow-green in strong active growth
• Spines: fine golden spines, denser around the folded growth points
• Difficulty: easy to moderate, best treated as a grafted collector cactus rather than a standard columnar plant

Grower Notes

Grow in bright light with good airflow. In the UK, this will do best in a greenhouse, conservatory, or bright protected growing space where it can stay warm and dry between watering.

Because this is grafted, avoid leaving the pot cold and wet for long periods. Water well during active growth, then allow the substrate to dry properly. In winter, keep it mostly dry and protected from frost.

The graft union shows normal ageing and healed marks from previous growth, which is expected on an established grafted specimen. The crown may continue to throw new odd growth points over time, and the exact expression can shift as it matures.

Collector Appeal

This is a strong fit for collectors who enjoy named Trichocereus clones, TPM hybrids, grafted freaks, and plants with a bit of provenance behind them. It has already proven itself as an interesting specimen rather than just a hopeful seedling or tiny fresh graft.

Important Notes

Mutation expression can continue to evolve over time. Some growth may become more crest-like, some may revert towards more ordinary ribbed growth, and some may keep pushing irregular monstrose tissue. That variation is part of the appeal.

This plant is sold for ornamental and collector cultivation only.

Why This One Stands Out

• One of a kind, ‘Rainbow Mountain’ – This plant is in it’s original condition and has not been propagated at all.
• TPM x Grandiflora hybrid
• Released by Terrace Longbutton
• Established grafted collector specimen
• Dense, multi-headed monstrose crown
• Clear development from a much smaller graft
• Exact plant shown in the photos