Watering Needs
The old Man cactus is a drought-tolerant plant and doesn't require a lot of watering. It's important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings, as overwatering can cause the roots to rot.
During the summer months, you can water your Old Man cactus once in 2-3 weeks, but during the winter months, you should reduce watering to once a month. When watering, make sure to water the soil directly and avoid getting water on the cactus itself, as this can cause the yellow spines to turn brown and fall off.
Light Requirements
The old man cactus prefers direct, bright sunlight and can tolerate full sun for most of the day. However, it's important to acclimate the plant to direct sunlight slowly, as sudden exposure to bright light can cause sunburn.
If your Old man cactus is indoors, make sure to place it near a south-facing window or under a grow light. If this fuzzy cactus isn't getting enough light, it may become leggy, and the yellow spines may turn brown.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The old man cactus prefers soil that is well-draining, which means that water can flow through it easily. This is important because the cactus is susceptible to root rot if it sits in water for too long. Cactus or succulent soil mixes are a good choice because they are specifically designed to provide good drainage. If you decide to make your own soil mix, you can use equal parts of sand, perlite, and potting soil. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your cactus to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizing the old man cactus, it's important to remember that this plant doesn't require a lot of nutrients. In fact, over-fertilizing can be harmful to this fuzzy cactus. You can fertilize the cactus once a year during the growing season with balanced, NPK (5-10-5) fertilizers. If you notice that your Cephalocereus senilis isn't growing as quickly as you'd like, you can increase the frequency of fertilization, but be careful not to overdo it.
Hardiness Zone & More
As desert dwellers, this hairy cactus enjoys hot temperatures. They prefer constant temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate triple digits in the summer, so don't worry if your cactus gets too hot.
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