Pianta di grande eleganza. Forma sottili ventagli con affascinati apici crestati completamente ricoperti da lunghi peli bianchi. Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family) Origin: Bolivia Common English Names include: "Cotton Coral Cactus", "Cotton Pole", "Old Man Opuntia" Etymology: The species name "vestita" refers to the plants' vestments, its clothing of white hairs that turns into dens colonies what appears to be patches of snow remembering the high mountain peaks that surround - on all sides - the habitat of this plant. Synonyms:
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| Description: It is usually a slender columnar white and very furry cactus from high altitude. The standard plants form branch both basally and near the top of the stems. Crested form: The nice crested form has unsegmented, undulating pads covered with fine white hair and is now common and present in most gardens. Flowers eventually appear on any reverted "Cotton Pole" slim stalks. Cristate forms generally occur when injury occurs to the plant at a young age (this damage can be due to insects eating the growing tip, or from many other causes, including a genetic predisposition). In reaction to the "injury", the cells at the tip of the branch where growth occurs begin to multiply at a much faster rate and the normal growing tip "goes crazy", creating fantastic whorls and fans. | |
 Summer (with leaves) |  Winter |
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| Cultivation: This particular species needs regular watering when soil is dry during the growing seasonis but it is prone to root rot, so prudent watering is necessary. Keep dry in winter. I comes from high altitude and do not like hot, stuffy summers, it is best to put them in airy places with ample airflow. It requires a very drained and mineral potting mix and a full sun or slightly shady exposure. Protect from severe frost. Propagation: Seeds are seldom available and extremely difficult to germinate. Best reproduced by cutting that produce roots easily. The crested variety, which is more delicate, multiplies more easily using grafting. | |
