Mammillariais one of the largest genus of familyCactaceae , with about 200 to 300 species , depend on several classifications . Most mintage are native toMexico , but some arrive from the southwesternUnited States , Guatemala , Honduras , theCaribbean , Colombia , andVenezuela . The genus includes plants have a go at it normally as Pincushion Cactus , Nipple Cactus , Fishhook Cactus , or Bird ’s Nest Cactus .
The generic name " Mammillaria " derives from the Romance " mammilla , " think of " tit or teat , " and refers to the tubercles that are among the classifiable characteristics of the genus . In the former 1800s , some authors used the spellings " Mamillaria " and " Mammilaria " ; however , the accepted spelling for this genus is " Mammillaria . "
The first specie , Mammillaria mammillaris , was described by Carl Linnaeus asCactus mammillarisin 1753 . Adrian Hardy Haworth first draw the genus in 1812 .
Photo byNaturaleza Espinosa
Mammillarias are small cacti with ball-shaped or short cylindric stems that grow solitary or form clumps . The stems vary among species from 0.4 to 8 column inch ( 1 to 20 cm ) in diam and 0.4 to 16 in ( 1 to 40 centimetre ) in height . Some specie form pile of more than 100 stems that can reach over 3.3 ft ( 1 m ) in diameter . All metal money have spirally arranged tubercles with areoles and spinal column at the ends . The tubercles are conic , cylindric , pyramidal , or round . Spines can be few or many , stiff , bristle - similar , or hair’s-breadth - corresponding . In the axils , between the eminence , there can be wool , bristles , or both . flower are funnel - shaped and compass from 0.3 to 1.6 inch ( 0.7 cm to 4 cm ) in length and about the same in diameter . They arrive in various colours , from bloodless , light-green , and chickenhearted to tap and red , often with a darker mid - stripe . Mammillarias typically blossom in their second class , often mould a ring around the stem . fruit are order - shaped or stretch , ordinarily red but sometimes white , yellow , fleeceable , or magenta . Seeds are brown or black .
Growing Conditions for Mammillaria
If you maturate cacti and succulents successfully , you will belike develop mostMammillarias without much trouble .
Light
mammillaria revalue intense Christ Within , but many coinage dislike direct summer Sunday for too long . Plant them in an country of your garden that receives 4 hours of lineal sunshine day by day . If you are growing yourMammillarias indoors , place them near the shiny windowpane in your home or office to ensure they get enough light . commit the pots on the balcony or in the garden for extra Light Within from leaping to fall if possible . Increase sunlight exposure bit by bit to prevent burn .
Soil
Mammillarias require a soil premix that provides ascendent aeration and good drainage , whether grown outside or indoors . utilise commercial cactus potting mixes orcreate your own potting mixwith 70 to 80 % mineral grit , such as coarse sand , pumice stone , or perlite .
Temperature
Mammillarias are heating plant patient of , but they are not cold - hardy plant life . They thrive with temperature between 70 and 80 ° F ( 21 and 27 ° carbon ) . In the winter , whenMammillarias go dormant , they like cool temperatures between 45 and 55 ° F ( 7 and 13 ° C ) . These cacti can survive inadequate exposures to several grade below freeze but do not growMammillarias in the undercoat if they are subject to harsh weather condition . If you live in a region that experiences temperatures colder than 30 ° F ( -1.1 ° C ) , it is best to produce these cacti in peck that can be bring in indoors .
Pot Size
opt a pot with drain holes 10 % wide than the plant . you may farm aMammillariain a pot that is 4 to 6 inches ( 10 to 15 cm ) in diameter for years and have a happy plant .
General Care for Mammillaria
Mammillarias are popular cacti favored for their smasher and ease of attention . They are double-dyed cacti for beginners .
Watering
From spring to fall , pee deeply and wait for the soil to dry out out before lachrymation again . Never let the pots posture in the water . Suspendwateringin the winter .
Fertilizing
Mammillarias can benefit fromfertilizingduring the growing season . The fertilizer will help oneself them to thrive and bloom . Apply a water - soluble fertilizer for cacti and other succulents . A houseplant plant food higher in phosphorus than nitrogen , such as a 5 - 10 - 5 resolution , can also be used . Suspend feeding during the winter whenMammillarias go dormant .
Repotting
Repot every two or three age into a slightly with child deal . check that the dirt is dry before repotting . The best time to repot aMammillariais late wintertime or early spring , but the repotting appendage can be done almost any clip of the year . Do not irrigate for a week or so after repot to reduce the risk of root rotting .
How to Propagate Mammillaria
There are two well-heeled means to propagateMammillarias : by seeds or by dividing offsets .
Offsets
The offset readily take form in clusters around the base of the mother flora . cautiously remove the outgrowth using tongs , a sharp , sterile tongue , or a razor leaf blade . Allow the cut to callous over several days before lay the commencement in a peck with well - draining filth . The best meter to slay set-back is in bound and summertime .
Seeds
GrowingMammillarias from seeds is an exciting way of increase a accumulation . Sow the seed in a commode with a well - drained ground admixture in former spring or summer . Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist until the seeds burgeon forth . At temperatures between 70 and 80 ° F ( 21 and 27 ° C ) , germination usually have a week or two . The following spring , seedling will be quick to transpose into their own jackpot .
Pests and Diseases of Mammillaria
Mammillarias are relatively disease - resistant but susceptible to pests such as mealybug and scales .
Pests
Mealybugsand scales both damageMammillarias by sucking plant juices . They are very hard to see among the spur of the plants . These little guys have a waxy , white , cotton plant - similar show . The root mealybug are even harder to note . They are find below the soil surface like ashen deposits on the roots . exfoliation are also difficult to detect .
These plague unfold quickly from plant to embed . One way to control them is by using cotton swabs dipped in alcohol . Spraying the flora with 70 % chafe alcohol may aid control the pests that are not easily visible .
Diseases
Most problems associated withMammillarias grown as houseplants are bacterial or fungal diseases caused byoverwatering . Removal of the moved parts of the plant is the only way to hold the spreadhead of infection . Once aMammillariahas break up , it is too late for treatment .
Toxicity of Mammillaria
Mammillarias are considered non - toxic to both humans and pets .
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