{"product_id":"vatricania-guentherii-woolly-column-cactus","title":"Vatricania guentherii – Woolly Column Cactus","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRare in cultivation but visually striking, \u003ci\u003eVatricania guentherii\u003c\/i\u003e is a tall, columnar cactus with dense ribs and tufts of golden wool that emerge around its areoles. Native to high-altitude regions of Bolivia, it grows slowly indoors but can eventually form statuesque columns up to a metre tall. Mature specimens may produce a cephalium – a woolly zone where it flowers, similar to \u003ci\u003eMelocactus\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eEspostoa\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eVatricania guentherii\u003c\/i\u003e (named in honour of botanist Werner Günther and Vatrican, director of the La Paz botanical gardens)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSynonyms\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ePreviously considered part of \u003ci\u003eCereus\u003c\/i\u003e and occasionally confused with \u003ci\u003eEspostoa\u003c\/i\u003e species\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWoolly Column Cactus, Vatricania\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to Bolivia – particularly in the dry valleys and rocky slopes of the Andes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eRequires full sun or extremely bright light. Best in a south- or west-facing window. Protect from sudden scorching by acclimatising slowly to direct light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWater deeply only when the soil is bone dry. In spring and summer, this may be every 2–3 weeks. In winter, reduce to once a month or less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003ePrefers dry air. Ensure excellent ventilation and avoid high humidity spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eUse a gritty cactus mix with added sand or perlite for quick drainage. Avoid moisture-retentive compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer using cactus fertiliser. No feeding in autumn and winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eIdeal range is 20–30°C. Can tolerate short dips to 5°C if kept completely dry, but must be protected from frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNo – mildly toxic and spiny. Keep out of reach of pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAvoid overhead watering to prevent moisture collecting in the wool – water directly at the soil line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eExtras\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDevelops a woolly cephalium with age, from which small, tubular red flowers can appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid You Know?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDespite its slow growth indoors, \u003ci\u003eVatricania guentherii\u003c\/i\u003e can form tall, tree-like columns over time – a rare treat for patient plant lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"5.5cm","offer_id":56990923325821,"sku":"3970722268571","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"10.5cm","offer_id":56990923293053,"sku":"5970722268571","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/vatricania-guentherii-woolly-column-cactus-8004469.jpg?v=1759670809","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.live\/products\/vatricania-guentherii-woolly-column-cactus","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}