Cephalocereus senilis for sale – Easy plant to grow, mostly grown for the ornamental shape, flowers and for the white spines, planting season in spring to autumn, better to buy plant or another option to start from seeds yet more challenging.
Cephalocereus senilis – information before buying:
Growing information: perennial plant, growing hardiness zone: 11+, but also grown as house plant, water needed – small amount, light conditions – full sun to partial shade, height: 0.5-10m, 20-400 inches
Blooming in the summer in bowl shaped flowers that appear in pink color.
Alternative names: Old man cactus, Bunny cactus, White Persian cat cactus, Old man of Mexico
Popular plant in warm climate desert gardening. Old man cactus are mostly grown indoor in a container.
Distribution – Guanajuato and Hidalgo, eastern Mexico
Here are some growing tips:
Location – Full sun, or indoor next to a window to be exposed to the sun
Soil– Loamy or sandy well-drained with a pH acidic, neutral or alkaline
Temperature – doesn’t handle well the cold so if you are in a region where temperatures can go under 0°C (32°F) it can be better to move the container indoor. In growth period the temperature should stand between 15 and 25°C (59 to 77°F). Its long hair keeps the cactus cold in its habitat.
Propagation – easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings. By seeds it takes time. Sow the seeds in May. Important to have quality seeds (seeds from a mature fruit)
Watering – in growth period water regularly. Water very little in the winter. Between 2 waterings let the plant dry out. If the plant is over-watered, the roots can rot and it will lead the cactus to die.
Flowering – in summer or in the night.
Pruning – no needed
Pests and diseases – Mealy bugs, scales and spider mites. Fungal infection.
