Imagine a cactus that looks like it ’s handle in fuzzy white hairsbreadth , with eery reddish - brown spines prod through . The otherworldly Oreocereus trollii might just give you nightmares – or invigorate you to supply this peculiar plant to your succulent compendium . Keep reading to uncover the foreign mystery of the “ Old Man of the Andes . ”
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About Oreocereus trollii
Native to the arid , high altitude lot of Bolivia and Argentina , the Oreocereus trollii belongs to the Cactaceae fellowship . Its unwashed name is a nod to the wooly bloodless hair that cover its costate , dour unripe columnar stems , giving it an ripened , wizened appearing like an “ Old Man . ”
The hair protect the behind - grow cactus from intense sun in summertime and frost in wintertime . It can take up to 20 years for this intrepid industrial plant to reach just 2 feet magniloquent ! But once it does , it produces funnel - shaped purplish - red or pale pink flowers in late spring .
The Oreocereus trollii ’s bizarre feel make it an eye - catching addition to rockeries and out-of-door cactus gardens . Here ’s how to give care for this funny botanical relic .
How to Care for Oreocereus trollii
Light Requirements
The Old Man of the Andes thrives in promising , cheery conditions all solar day long . It does full with full to partial sun exposure and safe air stream , preferring to be grow outdoors rather than inside .
For an out-of-door garden , pick a spot that gets plenty of sun . If uprise in a container indoors , place it in front of a south - facing window . you’re able to also use agrow lightto supplement rude light if needed .
Watering Needs
In summer ’s vegetative time period , the Oreocereus trollii needs frequent watering – water exhaustively but allow the soil surface to fully dry out before water again .
In fall and wintertime , let it remain drier , only water from time to time to prevent shriveling . Avoid watering on humid , overcast days or when temperatures dip below freeze .
Over - tearing , especially in humid winter conditions , can cause this cactus to waste .
Soil Preference
For best ontogenesis , the Old Man needs fast - draining , acidic soilwith a pH between 5.0 - 6.5 . A mixing of 1/3 grit or equal parts foliage mulch and vulgar sand works well .
Fertilizing
course your Oreocereus trollii every 1 - 2 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer orproprietary cactus solid food .
Temperature and Climate
come from arid stack , this is primarily an outdoor cactus that thrives in warm climates . It grow best in USDA zona 7a-11b with temperatures around 68 ° farad .
In colder areas , grow it indoors as long as it receives ample sun and stays dry . Avoid unwrap it to temps below 20 ° fluorine , even if the space is sheltered .
For insensate , wet wintertime , keep it in a sunny greenhouse to protect it from superfluous moisture – the Old Man is very prone to rot in high humidness periods .
Pest and Disease Resistance
in general a hardy , disease - resistant plant , the Oreocereus trollii may occasionally encountermealybugsor wanderer mites .
Pruning
Nopruningis postulate for this cactus .
Potting and Repotting
Repot the Oreocereus trollii when you first get it , providing wise , well - draining cactus territory . Repot every 1 - 2 yearsin saltation as roots outgrow their container . Let it dry out 1 - 2 week after repotting before water again .
How to Propagate Oreocereus trollii
The slow - grow Old Man is n’t the easiest to spread from seed , so taking cuttings is recommend . Here ’s how :
With its shaggy , twisted appearance unlike any other succulent , the Oreocereus trollii cactus is an flakey yet hardy specimen you ’ll never forget !
