Cacti - Oreocereus Old Man of the Andes - Doelzianus

Oreocereus doelzianus, fondly known as the Old Man of the Andes, is a truly captivating and unique columnar cactus native to the high altitudes of Peru. Its most striking feature is the dense covering of long, white, hair-like spines, reminiscent of an old man's flowing beard, which gives this cactus its charming name.

Appearance:

• Shape & Size: The Old Man of the Andes grows in clusters of slender, columnar stems, reaching heights of up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall.

•  Spines: The stems are densely covered with long, white, hair-like spines that provide protection from the harsh Andean sun and cold nights. Hidden amongst this "hair" are sharp, needle-like, yellow to brown spines.  

• Flowers: In maturity, it may produce stunning, bright red, tubular flowers that emerge from the wooly cephalium (a dense growth of hair and bristles) at the top of the stems, creating a beautiful contrast against the white spines.

Growth Habits and Care:

• Sunlight: Enjoys full sun to partial shade. The density of its hairy covering will increase with more sunlight exposure.

• Soil: Requires well-draining soil, such as a cactus or succulent mix.

• Watering: Water moderately during the growing season (spring and summer), allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Additional Information:

• Oreocereus doelzianus is a relatively slow-growing cactus, making it a great choice for containers or rock gardens.

• Its unique appearance and ability to tolerate cooler temperatures set it apart from many other cacti.

The succulent plant housed in the red pot comes in a 130mm diameter container. While the image provides a representative depiction of what you will receive, but may vary slightly because no two succulents are the same. 

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