Pilosocereus Species, Old Man Cactus, Old Man of Mexico, Tuno, Woolly Torch

Pilosocereusleucocephalus f. palmeri

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Pilosocereus (pil-oh-so-KER-ee-us)
Synonym
Cephalocereus palmeri
Pilocereus palmeri
Pilosocereus palmeri
Cereus palmeri
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Phoenix, Arizona

Reseda, California

Lecanto, Florida

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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M
Faith, NC (Zone 7b) | July 2018 | positive

This is a beautiful cactus! I love the blue hue
to it. I hope to find it one day soon! 7/26/18

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | October 2006 | positive

This is a potentially beautiful cactus, but has so many synonyms, that should be a hint that it is also a variable species. I have seen ...Read More

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