Oreocereus celsianus: Care and Propagation Guide
Oreocereus celsianus is also called the “old man of the Andes”. It is mainly native to parts of Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. This plant grows in the form of clumps featuring cylindrical stems that can end up growing quite tall.
The stems all have several ridges or ribs which further contain areoles that give birth to numerous white spines that tend to cover the entirety of the columns, making the green barely visible beneath the white.
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Contents
How to Care for Oreocereus celsianus
Light
The Oreocereus celsianus grows well when it has bright light all through the day. Full to partial sunlight with good ventilation is best for the growth of the Old Man of the Andes and it does better outdoors than indoors.
If you’re growing the Oreocereus celsianus outdoors in your garden, then choose a spot where the plant gets plenty of sunlight.
If you’re growing the plant in a pot or container indoors, then make sure to place the plant in a south-facing window that receives ample sunlight.
Watering
The Oreocereus celsianus must be watered well in the summer months, during the vegetative period. Make sure to water the plant regularly, but you must allow the surface of the soil to dry up completely before watering it again.
During the autumn and winter months, the plant must be kept dry and it must be just watered to prevent the plant from shriveling. Avoid watering the cactus on days when it is humid, overcast or on cold winter days.
Over-watering the plant or keeping it wet during winter or when the weather is humid can cause it to rot.
Soil
The Oreocereus celsianus grows best in rich, acidic soil with pH levels between 5.0 to 6.5. The soil must contain around 1/3rd part grit or equal parts of leaf mulch and coarse sand and be well-draining to prevent root rot.
Fertilizing
When you consider the feeding requirements, the Oreocereus celsianus must be fertilized regularly, once in one to two weeks during summer and spring. You can either use proprietary cactus food or a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Climate
Native to the arid mountainous areas, the Oreocereus celsianus is predominantly an outdoor plant and does better when planted in outdoor gardens. The cactus does well in warm climates and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7a to 11b, with temperatures around 20°F.
In colder areas, it is better to grow the plant indoors, as long as it receives plenty of sunlight and is kept dry. It is best not to expose the plant to temperatures less than 20°F, even if the area is protected and well-ventilated.
If you live in an area where the winter months are cold and wet, then it is best to keep the Oreocereus celsianus in a sunny greenhouse where the plant is protected and dry from the wet conditions.
In conditions of very high humidity, the plant is particularly sensitive to rot and so you must protect it from excess humidity, especially during the winter months.
Pest and Diseases
In general, the Oreocereus celsianus is healthy and is resistant to diseases, but it may be susceptible to pests like mealybugs and red spiders.
Pruning
The Oreocereus celsianus does not require any pruning.
Potting and Repotting
You must re-pot the Oreocereus celsianus the first time you bring it from the store. When the roots of the Old Man of the Andes become cramped in the container, then you should re-pot the plant, preferably in spring.
The plant must be repotted once in 1-2 years to provide fresh soil. When you re-pot the Old Man of the Andes, avoid watering the plant for around 1-2 weeks.
How to Propagate Oreocereus celsianus
The Oreocereus celsianus can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. Since it is a slow-growing plant, it is generally not recommended to grow the Old Man of the Andes by seeds.
You can collect the seeds of the Oreocereus celsianus from over-ripe fruits and plant them in March. To propagate the plant using its seeds, the seeds must be planted in well-draining soil and kept at a high temperature and humidity.
You can also propagate the Oreocereus celsianus via cuttings. For this method, during spring, make a cut and allow it to dry. The cut surface will dry and form a callus. Place the cutting in a soil, pumice and sand mixture.
You can increase the success of propagation via cuttings by making more than one cutting at the same time.