€15,90

Oreocereus celsianus (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) A.Berger ex Riccob. 

🌱 Morphology
   Columnar cactus, generally branched from the base, which can reach 2–3 m in height and about 8–12 cm in diameter per stem. It presents numerous low and rounded ribs, generally between 10 and 25, with large, densely woolly areoles. Thin radial spines and several robust, elongated central spines emerge from these, in shades ranging from yellowish to reddish-brown. The most spectacular characteristic is the abundant silky white wool that progressively covers the stems, especially their upper part, forming a true protective layer against intense radiation and the low temperatures of the high mountains.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
It is distributed throughout the Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina, especially in puna environments and dry mountain valleys, at approximately 2,900 to 3,600 m in altitude. It grows exposed to high solar radiation, large thermal fluctuations, and periods of drought. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −9 ºC when kept dry and with well-acclimatized specimens. Its Andean origin allows it to withstand moderate frosts, but it must be kept completely dry when temperatures drop below 0 ºC.

☀️ Lighting
It requires direct sun and very intense light to develop a compact shape and abundant wool coverage. During active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended. Exposure should be increased progressively for specimens previously grown in the shade.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During winter, it is kept practically dry. In spring and summer, with active temperatures, deep and spaced waterings are resumed, letting the substrate dry completely before watering again. In autumn, they are progressively reduced until suspended. The combination of cold and humidity should be especially avoided.

🌸 Flowering
It takes 15–20 years to bloom. The flowers appear near the ends of the stems, emerging from the dense wool. They are tubular, reddish-pink to purple-red in color, approximately 7–9 cm in length, and have a relatively narrow opening. Flowering occurs mainly during spring and summer. In their habitat, they are visited by hummingbirds, especially the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas).

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.

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