Oroya peruviana

Origin

Central Peru

Family

Cactaceae

Description

Oroyo "neoperuviana" is up to about 40 cm. tall and 25 cm. wide, with 24-40 ribs, the spines are pectinated, yellowish to straw-yellow.

The flowers are produced in a ring around the crown of the plant in spring, they are orange-red...

Environment

Oroyo tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production. Some shade during a hot summers day can be helpful to prevent sunburn.

It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether. Use pot with good drainage and a very porous potting media.

Allow the soil mix to become nearly dry between watering, but then water thoroughly. Suspend watering in the winter, but mist occasionally. Not enough sunlight and over-watering are common mistakes.

Feed every 4 weeks with a high potassium fertiliser during summer

Landscape Uses

It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small