Oreocereus celsianus var. fossulatus
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This plant makes an interesting addition to cactus and succulent gardens with its hairy columnar stems. Care should be taken to locate it away from pedestrian traffic as it is covered in spines under the “hair”. It makes a statement when massed along a dark wall or a contrasting background. Works great in containers too.
This plant can be grown from seed or stem cuttings. When collecting seed allow fruit to over-ripen before harvesting seed, then clean and dry seeds before planting.
This is a branching columnar ribbed cactus which is covered in fine white hair and sharp spines. It grows by slowly branching at the base to form an upright colony.
In spring and summer it has pretty pink-to-red tubular 4″ flowers which are attractive to nectar-seeking birds. O. celsianus is fairly cold tolerant, but it is a easy to protect each column’s growing tip with a Styrofoam cup during hard freezes.
Indigenous to the mountains of South America (southern Peru, northern Chile, northern Argentina, Bolivia) between 6,000 and 12,000 feet (2,000 to 4,000 meters) in elevation
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
Names and Synonyms: Pilocereus celsianus, Cereus celsianus, Borzicactus celsianus, Cereus fossulatus, Oreocereus fossulatus, Borzicactus fossulatus, Oreocereus maximus, Oreocereus neocelsianus, Pilocereus foveolatus
Common Names: Old Man of the Andes, Old Man of the Mountains, Old Man Cactus, Mountain Cereus
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Indigenous to the mountains of South America (southern Peru, northern Chile, northern Argentina, Bolivia) between 6,000 and 12,000 feet (2,000 to 4,000 meters) in elevation
Height: 6′
Width: 3-6′
Cold Tolerance: 20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high heat tolerance
Light Requirement: Full sun to light shade in hottest desert climates
Water needs: Drought tolerant, keep dry in cold winters to avoid root or stem rot
Maintenance: Remove dried flowers/seed pods as desired
Uses: This plant makes an interesting addition to cactus and succulent gardens with its hairy columnar stems. Care should be taken to locate it away from pedestrian traffic as it is covered in spines under the “hair”. It makes a statement when massed along a dark wall or a contrasting background. Works great in containers too.
Propagation: This plant can be grown from seed or stem cuttings. When collecting seed allow fruit to over-ripen before harvesting seed, then clean and dry seeds before planting.
Problems: Requires excellent drainage.
Research Links:
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Oreocereus&species=celsianus
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Oreocereus
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/63726/
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Borzicactus_fossulatus.html
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/OREOCEREUS/Oreocereus_celsianus/Oreocereus_celsianus_cristata/Orocereus_celsianus_cristata.htm
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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