Oroya

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Peru.

Description. Oroyas are small, slow-growing cacti native to the Andes. The stems are dark green, slightly flattened on top, spherical, but with age they take on a cylindrical shape; their diameter can reach 20 cm. The ribs are clearly defined and vertical. The spines are strong, thick, golden-straw to brown in color, straight or slightly curved. Flowers appear in abundance in the upper part of the stem, small yellow, red, pink with a yellow center, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. After flowering, round, fleshy fruits are formed, in many cacti they are edible.

Height. 10 - 30 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In summer, Oroya will appreciate warm conditions at a temperature of at least 20°C, and will enjoy the summer heat. In winter, the temperature is lowered to 8°C to form flower buds. If possible, it is better to provide a daily temperature difference.

Lighting

Light shading is only permissible on very hot summer days. In the morning and evening, these cacti should receive the required amount of direct sunlight.

Care

A fairly demanding plant, it is often grown on less fastidious rootstocks. Can be taken outside during the warm season.

Substrate

The soil should easily pass water and air, pH not higher than 6.5. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made substrate for cacti and succulents. 

Feeding

You can feed it monthly with fertilizers for cacti at half the concentration.

Flowering time

Adult specimens bloom for the first time at the age of 5 years, in summer.

Air humidity

In summer, watering can be replaced with spraying, but make sure that there is good air movement around the plant and the water evaporates without a trace before dusk. 

Soil moisture

Water so that the soil dries out almost completely between waterings. In winter, the frequency of watering is further reduced and oroya is kept in almost dry soil.

Transplant

Cacti can live for many years without replanting. Adult oroyas are replanted every 3-4 years into fresh soil in the spring, before flowering.

Reproduction

Radical shoots quite often form around the plant, which are separated and planted. Seeds can be sown in spring, on the surface of the soil. The crops are not watered, but sprayed, and covered with a plastic cap or glass to maintain humidity. 

Pests and diseases

If kept in too low temperature conditions, scars may appear on the stem. Cactus rots when exposed to excess moisture.

Among harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by red mites, mealybugs and aphids.