Mammillaria is a plant of the Cactaceae family. Homeland – Mexico, South America. Some species also grow in Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela and Colombia.
Mammillaria is a small, very decorative and unpretentious cactus, the stems of which are densely covered with small papillae and a large number of thin spines. It is believed that this genus of cactus is evolutionarily advanced and represents an example of a very deep adaptation to a hot arid climate. Plant size ranges from 1 to 20 cm in diameter and 1 to 40 cm in height.
How the Mammillaria cactus blooms in nature
Mammillaria cactus can have spherical, elongated or flat-disc-shaped stems covered with tubercles organized in spirals. There are both separately growing specimens and those forming a large accumulation of plantings due to lateral shoots. Instead of the ribs found in many other species of cacti, papillae or tubercles of various shapes are densely located on the surface of the plant, forming spiral rows, the number of which can serve as one of the distinguishing features of a particular species. This structure is a kind of protective mechanism – a ball of small thorns beats off the sun’s rays well, and water evaporation is minimized. Also, the shape of the plant is designed so that it can accumulate dew, which is extremely important for moisture in arid climates.
The roots of a flower such as Mammillaria are loofah-like outgrowths, which, however, are fleshy and can have rather large thickenings.
Small flowers appear in groups. Depending on the type, they are colored yellow, red, pink or white. In the place of flowering areoles, mammillaria are covered with a very large number of thin spines and down. The flowers themselves can be in the form of a tube, bell or flat circle. They are usually very small in size, but in some species with hooked spines, they can grow up to 3 cm in length. The width of each individual petal varies from 1,5 to 8,5 mm.
Mammillaria cactus can bloom in nature both all summer and only one or two months – for most species this is the period from April to May.
After that, fruits are formed on the plant – small sinuses of white, yellow or green color with seeds. At first, they are so tiny that it is impossible to notice them behind the thorns, but then they appear on the surface.
All types of mammillaria: names, descriptions and photos during the flowering period
The photo shows that not all types of mammillaria cactus have the same structure – their number exceeds 180 varieties, each of which has its own characteristics and is very beautiful during the flowering period. Below is a description of some of them.
Popular types include:
Mammillaria satin (M. bobycina);
Mammillaria blond (M. albicoma);
Mammillaria to the Hague (M. haagea);
Mammillaria graceful (M. gracilis);
Mammillaria beautiful (M. formosa);
Mammillaria Matudae (M. matudae);
Mammillaria beautiful (M. perbella);
Mammillaria snow-headed (M. chionocephala).
Mammillaria Bokasanskaya (Mammillaria bocasana)… As you can see in the photo, this type of mammillaria cactus has a very peculiar smoky surface, which is why it is appreciated by many flower growers. This is a small plant that forms a group shrub with different sized balls. The entire outer part of the flower is densely covered with a felt-hairy pile, the length of which reaches 2,5 cm. In the center of each fluff formation there is one large brown spine. In most, the species is valued by flower growers only because of this feature, since this mammillaria blooms with completely nondescript pink flowers.
Mammillaria “Carmen” (Mammillaria carmenae)… At a young age, the plant is solitary and has the shape of a round ball, but over time it stretches and becomes like a cylinder. Already mature cacti give many young shoots, which is why a lush bush is formed, the width of which can reach 16 cm. The height of the plant does not exceed 9 cm. The areoles of this flower are covered with a large amount of fluff and thorns. The flowers can be cream or pale pink in color and are small in size. Among all other species, this mammillaria is valued due to its high resistance to low temperature conditions, which is quite important for growing in temperate latitudes.
Mammillaria beautiful (M. perbella)… The plant has the shape of a slightly elongated ball, the height of which reaches no more than 6 cm. A small number of small spines are also located on the weakly pubescent areoles. The flowers are pink with small splashes of white.
Mammillaria blond (M. albicoma)… As you can see from the photo, this type of mammillaria got its name due to the strongly pronounced hairiness, which forms a white veil on the entire surface of the cactus. It is very small and spherical. The flowers are white or cream in color with a large number of stamens in the center.
Mammillaria graceful (M. gracilis)… This cactus is one of the most popular types of mammillaria, which, in comparison with its counterparts, has a rather large growth – 12 cm.The diameter of the cylindrical trunk is 5 cm.This species also has a well-developed hairiness, which makes it seem from afar as if the plant is braided with cobwebs … A distinctive feature of this cactus is a very large number of shoots, as well as flowering in the winter season. Its flowers are tubular, elongated, yellow-cream in color.
How to properly care for a mammillaria cactus indoors
Before you start caring for the mammillaria cactus, it is important to provide the plant with the most comfortable living conditions.
The plant is light-loving, but in late February – early March, with the onset of sunny days, it needs light shading. Otherwise, brown spots will appear on the cactus – burns. A particularly large amount of light is needed for highly pubescent specimens. A southern window is best suited for the plant. For some varieties of cacti, the duration of daylight hours in temperate latitudes is not long enough, so these plants need additional lighting.
Some varieties of mammillaria differ not only in their external data, but also in their tolerance to different temperature conditions. While some plants thrive at high temperatures and maximum light, others need a more moderate environment.
In the summer, the flower will feel best at 22 – 25 degrees. In winter, it is recommended to keep at a temperature of 8-10 ° C. However, pubescent species, even in winter, cannot be left in conditions below 15 degrees. Cold wintering for this plant is necessary so that it has the opportunity to gain strength and bloom. It also ensures long flowering times. It is believed that in summer it is best to keep Mammillaria in the fresh air, since in this case the plant is provided with the necessary temperature drops from day to night. It is important to ensure that no precipitation falls on the mammillaria.
It tolerates dry room air well, since droughts often occur in the natural habitat of this plant. In order to properly care for the mammillaria cactus, it is necessary to bring the conditions of its development as close as possible to natural conditions. To do this, you can lightly spray the plant at night so that it can receive moisture as it receives in its natural environment from dew. It is contraindicated to carry out this procedure when the sun’s rays fall on the flower.
The substrate is leaf and turf soil, sand and marble chips (1: 1: 0,5: 0,1). There are also ready-to-use cactus mixes available at any flower shop.
As already mentioned, proper care for mammillaria at home depends on the species, namely, on whether it is pubescent.
Varieties with a lot of villi on the areoles are more hardy and prefer hot weather more. These plants, even in the summer season, can do well with extremely sparse watering, if they are sprayed every day. Otherwise, in the summer, regular watering with settled water is required. This should be done once a week or even once every two weeks so that the earthy clod has time to dry out completely. You need to water it with a little water, otherwise the flower can be damaged. In winter, you can forget about some varieties of plants. Most need light hydration once a month. It is necessary to reduce watering from the beginning of August.
To successfully care for the mammillaria cactus, it must, like all other plants, be fed with suitable fertilizers. This is best done between mid-spring and mid-summer.
Transplanting is one of the very important points of care for the mammillaria cactus, since at home the plant quickly sucks out all life-giving components from the soil and over time becomes too large for a certain pot. Young, growing specimens need to be replanted every year. Mature – only if the need arises. For this cactus, it is better to choose a fairly wide pot, given that it lets out a large number of additional shoots – children that form a bush over time. The depth of the vessel should not be great – the mammillaria has short roots. In order for moisture not to stagnate in the soil and not damage the root system of the plant, a drainage layer must be poured onto the bottom of the pot. For this purpose, you can use expanded clay or broken brick. At home, transplanting requires special care for the mammillaria during the week, since the plant must be prepared for such a stressful event. It is best to put it in a dark place and completely cut back on watering and spraying.
Mammillaria cactus can hurt with improper care, and most often this is due to watering or temperature conditions. Waterlogging combined with low air temperature is especially harmful for a plant.
The pubescent species are strongly attacked by red ticks, root nematodes, etc. To prevent the appearance of insects, a weak solution (0,15%) of actellik is used.
Reproduction of mammillaria by children and seeds
Reproduction of the plant is carried out by lateral processes (children) and seeds. Reproduction of the mammillaria plant by children is a very simple process, since there are a lot of lateral processes, and they take root quickly. To do this, you need to cut off the shoot and leave it in a dry place for a week. After that, the process is planted in the sand and watered. The new plant must be especially carefully looked after, not allowing it to stand in drafts. Exposure to the scorching sun is also contraindicated. The temperature should remain within 25 degrees.
Some growers also vaccinate cactus. Trichocereus are used for the stock. But without the use of growth stimulants, it is often impossible to graft a stalk or a scion.
In order to propagate a cactus using seeds, it is necessary to soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for one day. After that, sowing should be carried out in moistened sand. Then the container is covered with plastic wrap and left in a warm place. When the first thorns appear on the seedlings, the cacti must be placed in different pots.
