Mountain Elder (Oreocereus celsianus)

View of the Oreocereus celsianus

Image - Wikimedia / GFDL

The Cactus Oreocereus celsianus It is one of the most popular in succulent collections and gardens. And, not only does it withstand very high temperatures, but it is also not harmed by -weak- frosts.

In addition, although he does not produce flowers as showy as others in his family, he by himself already It is a plant with high ornamental value that will not be difficult to care for if you follow our advice 😉.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is a cactus or succulent cactus native to Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Its scientific name is Oreocereus celsianus, although popularly it is called elder of the Andes or elder of the mountain. It develops columnar stems, forming groups, up to 3 meters high, each measuring 8 to 12 cm in diameter. These are covered in soft white hairs, and sprout from the areolas on each rib. It has 1 to 4 central spines up to 8cm long, and 7 to 9 radial spines up to 2cm long.

The flowers are tubular, slightly curved, pale pink-dark red in color, and are 7 to 9cm long by 3cm in diameter.

What are their cares?

Orocereus celsianus in garden

Image - Wikimedia / Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

  • Location: it must be outside, in full sun.
  • Earth:
    • Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
    • Garden: grows in well-drained soils. If yours is not like that, make a hole of 50cm x 50cm, and mix the earth with perlite in equal parts.
  • Irrigation: about 2 times a week in summer, and every 7 days the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer, with fertilizer for cacti following the indications specified on the package.
  • Multiplication: by seeds and cuttings in spring-summer.
  • Rusticity: it resists up to -4ºC, but if it is young it will need protection against hail.

Did you know the Oreocereus celsianus?


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.