Old Man of the Andes
Scientific Name: Oreocereus celsianus (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) Riccob.
Synonym: Borzicactus celsianus, Cereus celsianus, Oreocereus maximus, Oreocereus neocelsianus, Pilocereus celsianus
Family: Cactaceae
Sunset®: 10-13
USDA: 8-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix to 10°F (-12°C)
Heat Tolerance: Need protection from the afternoon sun in summer in Phoenix
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Bolivia, Peru, northern Argentina
Growth Habits: Grows slowly to 10 feet (3m), 4 inches in diameter (11 cm)
Watering Needs: Light water, rot easily in winter if overwatered
Propagation: Seeds
Flowers of Oreocereus celsianus, Copyright Martin Lowry
This cactus is very frost resistant, but beware of the sharp thorns hidden within the abundant white hairs. It has showy 3 to 4 inches flowers (7-10 cm), in summer.
Picture 2 is from Willy Smith's Site
Fruit and flower of Oreocereus celsianus, in Britton and Rose's The Cactaceae
Desert-Tropicals is dedicated to provide gardening advice, gardening ideas, and information about flower of all kind for landscape and collections.We try to check carefully the identification of the plants on the illustrations as well as the other information from the page, but occasionally errors do occur. if you notice anything that needs to be changed please contact us.Thanks.
© 1998-2020 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.