Oreocereus (Crested)

Its name derives from Greek and literally means "mountain cereus", to indicate precisely that this plant, in nature, is present only at very high altitudes. A very slow growing cacti, which have a columnar habit and generally do not exceed one meter in height. Their main peculiarity that makes them easily recognizable are the thick white bristles that completely cover the plant, perfect for protecting them from intense cold and direct sunlight: thanks to these natural protections, they are not only very resistant to any climatic and environmental condition, but also extremely long-living plants! Here are some simple tips for its proper care and cultivation: It requires a lot of light throughout the year, however, avoid direct sunlight. It is better to keep it at mild temperatures, that should never go below 4 °C, for this reason it is recommended to place it in properly sheltered and ventilated places during the winter period. Water moderately, always making sure that the soil is completely dry between a watering and the next one. It is enough to water the plant once a week in spring and summer and once a month in autumn. You should suspend watering completely in winter. The best soil is a well-draining one, even better if further enriched with inert materials such as pumice or lapilli. They do not need frequent fertilization, it is sufficient to dilute a specific fertilizer with watering once a year.