The Old Man Cactus can be easily propagated in different ways. When grown indoors and in colder regions, the succulent may undergo a dormant period and will not need much watering during this time. The Old Man Cactus does not require a rest period if it is planted in regions where there is no threat of frost. Weak liquid cactus fertilizers can be administered to the plant once or twice a year during its active growing seasons.
However, it can benefit from occasional solutions of a well-balanced water-soluble plant fertilizing food. The Old Man Cactus requires little to no fertilizing to grow and thrive. The ideal condition is to keep this plant in a dry, arid location. As a result, excess humidity can be detrimental to this succulent as high levels could encourage fungus, bacteria, and mildew to build up.
#Old man cactus free#
The Old Man Cactus prefers a warm area with great air circulation to keep its hair-like modified spines free from excess moisture. Gardeners living in North American USDA zones 9 and 10 may enjoy raising the Old Man Cactus as the climate is ideal and suitable for these succulents. Cacti do not tolerate frost and are not cold-hardy, as the temperature could cause the stored water inside the plant to freeze and split the plant open. The Old Man Cactus prefers warm temperatures, with the ideal ranges between 65 to 90 F in the summer and 50 to 65 F in the cooler months. The Old Man Cactus may need to be repotted after three to five years, as it is very slow-growing and does not appreciate frequent transplanting activities. Ideal pot containers are made of unglazed terra cotta, allowing the water to evaporate from the sides. When planted in containers, the soil mix should remain the same, although some commercial cacti soil mixes are available for potted succulents. The Old Man Cactus prefers light soil made of sand, perlite, and garden soil, as this is the normal soil mixture in its native habitats.
#Old man cactus windows#
South-facing windows are the best locations for indoor spots if direct sunlight is not available. When grown indoors, the ideal locations for the Old Man Cactus to take up residence will be the spots that receive the most direct sun throughout the day. The growth of longer and thicker modified hair -like spines indicates the plant’s positive response to extended sunlight exposure.
The native environment of this succulent plant has led to it preferring lengthy periods of light exposure, and in this case, the more light the plant receives, the better it grows. The Old Man Cactus loves long exposure to bright levels of sunlight. When grown indoors, the ideal watering method is the “soak and dry,” where the soil is thoroughly watered and drained and only watered when the few inches of topsoil is dry. Aside from root rot, pests are drawn to overly-watered cacti and could cause additional issues. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot and eventually perish, decimating the plant itself. Due to the succulent nature of this plant, any water that the roots come into contact with will be efficiently absorbed and stored in the plant’s fleshy tissues. The Old Man Cactus does not require much watering, and it is recommended to water only when a few inches of the topsoil are dry. The only grooming this plant requires is an occasional shampoo and brushing of its fine, modified hair-like spines to wash away dirt and insects that may live there. Using the right combination of light, water, soil, and temperature, many cacti cultivators have found success in growing this sweetheart of a succulent. The Old Man Cactus does not require much care, although specific growing conditions have to be established for it to grow well. Due to its appearance, this fuzzy white cactus is often referred to as the Grandpa Cactus or the Bearded Cactus. The Old Man Cactus is a slow-growing succulent that can be found in dry and warm climates as it thrives in high levels of sunlight and heat.
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