Woolly candle cactus espostoa melanostele nana

Credit: Stan Shebs

Cactus duvetuex Espostoa melanostele nana

Credit: George

Small hairy columnar cactus Espostoa melanostele nana

Credit: Vivian Evans

Hair-covered candle cactus Espostoa melanostele nana

Credit: Stans Shebs

Espostoa melanostele nana, a woolly candle cactus

In its native Peruvian mountains, Espostoa melanostele nana dons a woolly coat to protect itself from the sun during the day and from the cold at night. Coquettish or chilly, this candle cactus retains its white down, even when grown indoors.

How to recognize Espostoa nana?

A columnar cactus, Espostoa nana is smaller than espostoa melanostele. It grows to no more than two meters in height. The stem measures up to 30 centimetres in diameter. After a few years, it branches at the base and produces shoots. The cactus then forms a dense bush.

The main stem and branches are green. They are covered with a silky white down. But resist the urge to touch them! Espostoa nana is bristling with yellow prickles!

With a lot of patience, you'll be able to see your Espostoa nana flower. In fact, only plants over ten years old produce white flowers. They bloom on the sides of the cactus, on a yellowish cephalium. Flowering takes place at night in summer.

Espostoa nana is not toxic to humans or animals. However, its sharp thorns can hurt! Keep your plant out of the reach of small children, and wear gloves when handling it.

Our maintenance tips

Your plant needs watering in winter only when the temperature is above 18°C. If it spends the off-season outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse, one watering every two months will be more than enough.

Watering

Espostoa nana are the enemy of excess water. Before giving your specimen a drink, always make sure the soil is at least five centimetres dry.

Like many plants, the plant prefers rainwater. But it's fine with tap water. Just make sure it's at room temperature.

Remove any water stagnating in the cup under the pot. It can rot the roots.

Spray

Your espostoa nana hates wet foliage. You must not mist the plant.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Espostoa melanostele subsp. Nana to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

In a pierced pot, pour a layer of well-draining substrate. You can use commercially available potting soil for cacti and succulents, or make your own growing medium by mixing ordinary potting soil and sand.

Plant your Espostoa nana in the center and add soil. Be careful not to bury the leaves, and leave a watering trough.

Water generously to encourage rooting and expel air bubbles.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

You don't have to fertilize your plant to make it grow. However, if you want to stimulate its growth, you can give itfertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Select a sunny location. If possible, choose a slope or embankment: water will run off more easily and roots will be less likely to rot.

Dig a hole the size of the root ball. Plant your Espostoa melanostele subsp. Nana in the middle. Fill with a mixture of potting soil and sand. Pack by hand and water to eliminate air pockets.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

After a few years, your Espostoa nana produces shoots. You can divide them to multiply the plant.

Once the plant has been dug up, separate one of the shoots, with its roots. Beware of thorns! Remember to wear gloves when handling your Espostoa nana.

Pour a light, well-drained substrate into a pierced pot. You can use potting soil for cacti and succulents or a mixture of ordinary potting soil and sand.

Plant your cutting, burying the first two centimetres in the soil. Place the cup in partial shade.

Wait ten to fifteen days for the cuttings to root before watering.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Cactaceae - Cactaceae
Type	Espostoa - Espostoa
Species	Espostoa melanostele - Espostoa melanostele
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrat	Calcareous earth
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Category	Succulent
Tag	Beginner
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color
Flower color