There is a beautiful large cactus outdoors in my complex that I'm speaking with the owner about possibly purchasing (it's been passed on between tenants for years). While it's outdoors in a courtyard, it's against a wall that leaves it mostly exposed to the north with only a little direct sunlight in the morning/late afternoon. I'd like to bring it indoor to my place that has both a large north-facing floor-level window and I'd put it underneath a north-facing clerestory window that is ~10 feet in the air. I have two questions:
1) Does anyone know what kind of cactus this is? Peruvian Torch?
2) Does anyone have any thoughts on if the cactus stands a chance with mostly likely only indirect light in Oakland, CA?

Hi Oakland! to NGA

It may be Cereus peruvianus. BUT it needs more light.

You could add a couple of t-5's up there somewhere to get it more sunlight. I'm talking about t-5 grow lights - four tubes per fixture producing at least 6500k x 2. North light is not exactly good light for a cactus. I have never seen a shady desert.

Daisy

That is one beautiful specimen Oakland Newbie!

I think since it is such a big specimen already, acclimated to north side facing sun, it has to continue on in similar direction, but outdoors. Cacti do more active gas exchange at night, so being outdoors with lots of air is better for it. It would be nice to be able to move it in a protective overhang during the winter months to keep it cool and dry in case rains come about.