Oreocereus Species, Chastudo, Old Man of the Andes, Viejito

Oreocereus leucotrichus

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Oreocereus (or-ee-oh-KER-ee-us)
Species
leucotrichus (loo-koh-TRY-kus)
Synonym
Borzicactus hendriksenianus
Borzicactus leucotrichus
Oreocereus hendriksenianus
Oreocereus ritteri
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Queen Creek, Arizona

Riverside, California

San Leandro, California

Sonoma, California

Vacaville, California

Valley Center, California

Luven, Grisons

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
T
| August 2010 | positive

Got one of these from a niece when it was a wee pup...bit of a slow grower...but then it bloomed...what neat flowers!!! Last year it's b...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | August 2006 | neutral

Another synonym of this plant is Cereus hendriksenianus.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | March 2005 | positive

Another of the hairy old man cacti from S America... this one has large, orange spines that protrude out from beneath the hair on top

Featured
Aphelandra'Snowflake'
(Aphelandra squarrosa)
Wavy-lined Looper
(Synchlora aerata)
Australasian Grebe
(Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
Featured
Aphelandra'Snowflake'
(Aphelandra squarrosa)
Wavy-lined Looper
(Synchlora aerata)
Australasian Grebe
(Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)