Oreocereus celsianus - Old Man of the Andes

Highlights

Old Man of the Andes (Oreocereus celsianus) (Riccobono): An adorable, columnar cactus that has adapted to life in an extremely harsh environment. It is native to the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Its thick covering of white, woolly hairs protects it from both sunburn and cold air. More hours of direct sun will induce it to grow a thicker coat. In the wild the stems can reach 7.0' tall and 4.7" wide, branching off at their bases. It blooms in spring with cerise flowers. It can tolerate short frosts down to 10F if kept dry in winter.

This cactus variety will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures it can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. Cactus need bright sunlight, great drainage, and infrequent water to prevent rot. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 70% to 80% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply and wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Keep dry in winter.

Full Cactus Guide

Product Size

2.5" Pot

Current Primary Color

White

All Seasonal Colors

Green

Bloom Color

Red Bloom

Grow Zone (Hardiness)

Zone 8 (10F), Zone 9 (20F), Zone 10 (30F)

Recommended Light Conditions

Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun

Maximum Height

Over 12"

Growth Habit / Shape

Clumping / Mounding, Vertical Grower / Tall Stem

Special Characteristic

Hard to Kill, Showy Blooms

THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 8 - 10

8 9 10

WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?

Zip Code

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