Home»Cactus - Succulents»Cereus
The cactusCephalocereus senilis(old valet de chambre cactus ) is an odd - looking flora that necessitate a place in every indoor cactus collection or in anoutdoor cactus gardengiven the right mood .
Their unkempt cactus with white hair do them a real standout in any setting . These interesting Mexican natives are pretty hardy and easy to grow , and it is menace in its native home ground in eastern Mexico . [ source ]
Hairy Old Man Cactus Cephalocereus senilis – growing in full sun at BotanicactusMallorca, Spain |Frank Vincentz-Wikimedia
civilize them is a sound way to preserve them .
In this article , we talk over the interesting tall thin old man cactus and apportion growing and care selective information for it . Read on to memorise more .
Quick Old Man Cactus Care Growing Guide
Why Is Cephalocereus Senilis Called The Old Man Cactus?
Not only does this furry cactus with whitened hairs look like an Old Man , but it is also incredibly long - populate .
When raise in the wild in their homeland , some of these cacti have been known to survive as long as two - hundred years and grow to be 20′ metrical foot tall .
Cactus expert say the main grounds they are able to live for so many years is that their retentive , soft , white hair protect them from both heat and stale and helps them retain moisture .
Hairy Old Man Cactus Cephalocereus senilis – growing in full sun at BotanicactusMallorca, Spain |Frank Vincentz-Wikimedia
Although the long white-hot hair on the top are subdued , this cactus must still be handled with care . The shaggy-haired haircloth covers white-livered sharp spine .
The scientific name of Old Man cactus is derive from both Greek and Latin . Cephalocereuscomes from the Grecian word , kephale , which means “ head ” , combined with the Latin give-and-take , cereus , which means “ candle ” or “ wax taper ” .
The name of the species is the Latin word , senilis , which means “ Old Man ” . broadly speaking translated , this cactus is a tall , thin Old Man with a head .
Does The Old Man Cactus Grow Better Indoors or Outdoors?
Old Man Cactus is a good calculate addition to any indoor house plant collection . With the right red-hot , dry sunny setting the “ old man ” makes for a stunning conversation piece in your outdoor cactus garden .
The Old Man of Mexico is a fleck picky and has very specific requirements to outlive and expand .
If you may ply the ripe outdoor precondition , your plant will turn imposingly magnanimous and will be more likely to flower . If not , keep it indoors where you’re able to control its environment .
What Do The Cephalocereus Senilis Flowers Look Like?
In the wild , Old Man Cactus get moderately pink , fragrant , nighttime - blooming bloom early in the spring from the brain of the plant .
When keep in an indoor setting , these cacti very rarely produce peak .
Can You Grow Old Man Cactus From Seed?
It is really best to get this cactus from seed . Some experts say is the only way to grow them .
taste to get from cutting or grafts can be a very tricky , and it ’s easy to order source online or purchase it from a cactus specialty nursery .
related to indication :
Like succulents , to plant it , prepare a shallow tray or sess of good potting dirt . fan out the seminal fluid evenly over the surface of the grease and mist with a spraying bottle .
compensate the soil thinly with plastic wrapping to hold in moisture and order the tray in a warm space with plenty of bright , indirect Light Within .
Mist as needed to keep the grease very slightly moist . It may take three months for your seed to burgeon forth .
Here is an alternating method for starting cactus seed in vermiculite and then transfer the seedlings to a 50/50 sand and potting soil mixture .
Although produce the Old Man cactus from seed can be fun , it does take a very retentive fourth dimension .
In gain to the three - month sprouting period , these are very tedious growing cactus . It will be quite a while before you have a overnice specimen to add to your collection .
For these reasons , you may decide that buy one is the best approximation .
As with all cactus , when buy check the base of the plant cautiously to be sure you are not mother a cactus with root rot .
Additionally , becauseCephalocereus senilisis queer in its natural environment , only leverage glasshouse - farm plants and not those “ poached ” in the wild . [ reservoir ]
Hairy Cactus Care – Needs Some Extra TLC
Unlike many other types of cactus , the Old Man of the Andes postulate a scrap of special precaution . This does not intend the Cephalocereus senilis is hard to develop , just needs special attention .
It just requires It care very specific soil and environmental conditions .
This , along with “ cactus poaching ” may explain why it is endangered in what has been its instinctive home ground .
The Cephalocereus senilis likes lots of bright visible light and heat . During the summertime , they should be kept in full sun in a window or setting with southern or western exposure .
It is important to allow the grunge to dry out completely and then drench the plant thoroughly . Light , frequent watering can cause buncombe .
tie in : Growing The Prickly Pear Cactus
In the winter , keep your Old Man Cactus in a very shiny , cool , teetotal mount . It prefers temperatures ranging from 50 ° to 60 ° degrees Fahrenheit and very little lacrimation .
It is also very important to get the grease just good . A good quality cactus mix is fine , or you’re able to make a cactus mix using steady potting mixture and guts – 50/50 .
The potting soil you utilise should have a gamy mineral content and put up plenty of nutrition .
Grower Tip : Plant your Cephalocereus senilis in an unglazed or terracotta pots to absorb excess moisture and keep the well draining soil commixture on the dry side .
Once potted , these cacti do not like to be disturbed . Only repot once every three - to - five years .
In addition to needing redundant upkeep in terms of temperature , sun pic , and watering , Old Man Cactus may also require an casual shampoo .
If the hair becomes sordid or discolored , you may wash away it with a modest mixture of piss and constitutive soap , such as a limpid Castilla soap .
gargle the works under the rap with clear water to remove all traces of soap , and comb the fuzz in an up direction to dry out .
Place the plant in a warm surface area with in force airwave circulation to facilitate quick and thoroughgoing drying .
Does Old Man Cactus Have Pest And Disease Problems?
Overwatering is the main cause of problems for this cactus . Wet root cause rot , and rot attracts pests .
Mildew can be a big problem because of the long , flabby hair .
That ’s why it is so important to water right and to verify your Old Man dries out decently after a shampoo . If mildew set in , it will spread very quickly and kill your plant .
Aspider mite infestationor an outbreak ofcactus mealybugs(that white pig on the cactus ) may veil in the cactus ’ long hair . Check for them occasionally throughout the class and when you repot the plant .
If you see any of these pests , treat with a soft insect powder or insecticidal soap .
Alternately , just give your plant a shampoo as described above with a insecticidal max . Keep a sharp centre out for re - infestation .
Old Man Is A Personable Cactus!
This cactus is popular because of its interesting , recollective , silver hair that makes it appear like a sprite tale trolling or an Old Man .
These days , quite a few the great unwashed have take to holler it “ The Bernie Sanders Cactus ” ! Curators at Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory at Cornell University recount hear a visiting kindergartener call it just that . [ source ]
