Pachycormus discolor

🌳 Pachycormus discolor – The Baja Elephant Tree

Category: Rare Caudiciform Tree / Bonsai-Style Succulent
Origin: Baja California, Mexico
Delivery: Ships bare root with care instructions

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Description:

Pachycormus discolor, also known as the Baja Elephant Tree, is a remarkable caudiciform succulent with a thick, water-storing trunk and naturally bonsai-like branching. Native to Mexico’s arid Baja peninsula, this tree thrives in hot, dry conditions and develops into a beautiful, architectural specimen with time.

What makes this plant truly stand out is its seasonal leaf color change. The fleshy, oval leaves emerge blue-green during the growing season and gradually turn reddish or purplish under strong sun or during cooler months — creating an ever-changing display of color through the year.

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🌟 Key Features:

✔️ Thick pachycaul trunk and sculptural form
✔️ Leaves shift from blue-green to red-purple in stress or cool weather
✔️ Deciduous in winter or extreme drought
✔️ Can be trained as a bonsai tree
✔️ Extremely drought-tolerant & long-lived

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🍃 Foliage Color Highlight

• New leaves appear blue-green in spring and summer

• As temperatures drop or in strong sun exposure, they may develop rosy, reddish, or purplish tones

• In very dry or cool conditions, leaves may fall, leaving behind a striking bare form

• The name “discolor” refers to this seasonal leaf color variation

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🪴 Care Guide (Adapted for Indian Climate):

• ☀️ Light:
  Full sun or bright indirect light. Leaf color intensifies in direct sun and cooler conditions. Protect from extreme summer heat in central/south India.

• 💧 Watering:

  • Active Season (March to October): Water deeply but only when soil is dry

  • Dormant Season (November to February): Minimal watering; plant may shed leaves

• 🌡️ Temperature:
  Grows best in 15–35°C. Tolerates dry heat well. Keep dry during monsoon and protect from temps below 10°C.

• 🌱 Soil Mix:
  Use a very fast-draining mix – cactus mix with added pumice, coarse sand, or crushed brick.

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💤 Dormancy Cycle (India):

• Dormant: November to February – may drop leaves, reduce watering

• Active: March to October – leaf flush and trunk swelling

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🪴 Potting Tips:

Use a shallow, wide pot to showcase the caudex. Allow the base to sit slightly above the soil to enhance its bonsai appeal.

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📦 Shipping & Packaging:

• Ships bare root (no soil) to prevent transit rot

• Packed with care to protect trunk and branches