Espostoa lanata, commonly called the Peruvian old man cactus, the snowball cactus, or the cotton ball cactus, is a species of cacti native to the Andes mountains in southern Ecuador and Peru. E. lanata is a columnar species that can grow over 20 feet in height in their natural habitat. They are covered in a thick wool that has helped them adapt to high altitudes with more intense solar radiation and colder temperatures. The flowers are usually white, occasionally purple or red and are 2 inches long and 1 ⅓ inches in diameter. Espostoa lanata are hardy to USDA hardiness zone 10.
Sow the Espostoa lanata seeds on the surface of a well draining potting mix. Sprinkle just enough soil over the seeds to cover them and water. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet, between 70°F and 80°F for best results. Germination typically takes 1 to 4 weeks to occur. Even with optimal conditions, germination may be slow and sporadic.
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