Mammillaria cactus - many-sided and amazing

Mammillaria is the conqueror of many hearts of those who love to grow cacti. This species gained its popularity because of its unusual shape, amazing colors and even needles that differ in their appearance. It is very easy to grow mammillaria, since the cactus is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and is able to forgive mistakes in care. Many gardeners choose Mammillaria for other houseplants. They have small spiny glomeruli that fascinate with their diminutiveness and neatness. When the Mammillaria flower begins to bloom, it shows amazing delicate buds.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Mammillaria: a description of the cactus and important features

Mammillaria - belongs to the Cactus family and its genus is considered the largest among all. The Swedish scientist Karl Linnaeus in the middle of the 17th century talked about this plant in his scientific works in the book "Plant Species", where this flower was named Cactus mammillaris, which means nipple or tubercle. The bumps can be attributed to the distinctive feature characteristic of this cactus.

Mammillaria is a small plant. It has a small size, fleshy ball-like, short cylindrical and flattened stem, the diameter of which ranges from 1 to 20 centimeters, the height can also be from 1 to 40 centimeters. They can be single, or they can branch. Mammillaria cactus is covered with tubercles-papillae, peculiar leaves with areola at the tips of tubercles. Areola is a modified axillary kidney with a bundle of hairs and needles on its crown.

Mammillaria lacks ribs, like other representatives of Cactus. The entire stem is strewn with tubercles or papillae, which can be very densely located on the surface, and can be completely free, can have a chaotic arrangement or be arranged in a spiral.

The development of flowers and lateral processes of mammillaria begins in the axillary tubercles. The top of the stem is covered with sharp, hard spines, the base is covered with fluff and hairs. Where the flower bud begins to form, the stem begins to become covered with fluff and villi to a greater extent.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

The root system of the mammillaria cactus does not go deep into the ground, it is thickened, has fleshiness, thick and rather tenacious.

Mammillaria begins to bloom at the very beginning of spring. The formation of small, delicate flowers occurs between the tubercles, where they can appear as a single flower, or in whole groups.

The corolla can be bell-shaped, tubular and disc-shaped.

The flower can be 1 centimeter in diameter, and can reach 6 centimeters. The petals can stretch up to 3 centimeters in length and 9 mm in width, this will depend on the variety chosen. Petals of white, yellow, silver, pink, red and beige shades. In order for a flower to fully open, it needs a lot of sunlight.

The mammillaria cactus can be pollinated as independently, only the wind is enough, and insects. The formation of tiny-sized ovaries occurs after flowering ends, in the axillary papillae. Ripening of bright, round or club-shaped fruits of 3 centimeters, occurs within 3 months.As their growth increases, they become similar to the growths that cover the plant. Remaining on a cactus for 10 months, they become its additional decoration.

When fully ripe, the seed bolls crack and the seeds fall under the plant. Each fruit contains small brown, red, green seeds.

The Mammillaria cactus grows well alone and is capable of creating other plants next to it, discarding its lateral children.

Mammillaria has a high drought resistance and is able to develop even in the absence of water.

Most of the plants grow in the Mexican territory, and these plants also grow in the southwestern regions of the United States, in Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and Venezuela.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

When does a cactus bloom?

Mammillaria begins to release its beautiful flowers with the arrival of spring and lets you enjoy them until autumn. When growing at home, a cactus can bloom in winter, the main thing is to provide it with good lighting. A cactus must be grown in an environment where it can receive light for 16 hours or more. Fluorescent lamps can be a good helper. The duration of flowering is about six months.

The main part of Mammillaria varieties during flowering forms a crown of flowers on the central stem at the top. The range of colors and shades is quite extensive. The petals can be white, red, scarlet, crimson, beige, cream, and pale yellow. Some specimens have large flowers, whose diameter is 3 centimeters, but then, on one plant there will be no more than 3 flowers.

Mammillaria: species and varieties with photos and names

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

At the moment, there are 200 species of mammillaria in the world, and all of them have great decorative value. Most of them are very popular at home growing cacti. Despite the fact that there are many species, more and more new ones still appear. There are some that are incredibly valuable to collectors and are especially popular.

The Mammillaria cactus can be the first plant for a novice grower. This plant is able to forgive even the most gross mistakes and survive under adverse conditions. This is probably one of the reasons for such a high popularity of the species.

There are types of Mammillaria that are similar to fluffy balls of delicate wool, these include Mammillaria ghana, mammillaria plume. There are those who are especially worried about their decorative qualities, for example, Mammillaria sprouting can be attributed to them. Regardless of the choice, all these thorny creatures have the amazing beauty of their delicate flowers, unusual shapes and sizes. Mammillaria has already become a decoration of many apartments, houses and plots.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Golden wool mammillaria - Mexico is the homeland of this species. There it grows in the hills of the highlands. It has a single dark green stem that does not exceed 6 centimeters in height. Its shape is similar to a flattened ball 8 centimeters in diameter. The root system is very dense, thick and fleshy. The arrangement of elongated, rounded tubercles is sparse and separate from each other. The cactus is covered with white needles as thin as hair. There are no thorns in this species. During the flowering period, flowers bloom, resembling bells in shape, painted in beige or cream paints. Each petal has a pink stripe along its length. The flowers are 3 centimeters across.

Mammillaria Bokasana - the owner of a dense dark green stem whose height is about 6 centimeters. It is shaped like a cylinder.On it there are long spines of a dark color, framed by a white pile in the form of a bundle, on the tips of which there are hooks. When this handsome man begins to bloom, it is covered with delicate pinkish bell-shaped flowers, forming a wreath of them. If you take good care of this type of mammillaria, you can enjoy flowering every year.

Mammillaria Wilda - the owner of a barrel-shaped stem with a diameter of 5 centimeters. The color is dark green. It is strewn with short, elongated tubercles. Thin threadlike spines frame a hard, hook-like thorn in the center of the cactus. In mammillaria vilda, lateral shoots are often formed in large numbers, the length of which is 2 centimeters. They stay on the plant if not cut. During flowering, small-sized, snow-white flowers with a yellow center appear. Fruit formation occurs in the case of pollination.

Bokasanskaya Mammillaria is the owner of a thickened oblong stem with a diameter of 5 centimeters with elongated oval tubercles. In this species, many side shoots are formed, due to which a group quickly emerges from one plant. The tops of the tubercles are covered with hook-shaped spines of a dark color, which frame hairy whitish spines. When the plant begins to bloom, a large number of small-sized snow-white buds are formed on it. Fruits are formed only in case of pollination.

Mammillaria Zeilman - beautifully flowering mammillaria, when it blooms, it forms a charming wreath, which is made up of small flowers of a bright pink hue. The flowering of this handsome man lasts six months. It has a rounded, sometimes short, cylindrical stem, the papillae of which are tightly set. In the center is a hook-like thorn, which is framed in a bundle of thin white spines.

Escaping Mammillaria is a small cactus that can grow in groups, throwing out large numbers of lateral babies. Its stems are short and rounded. The spines, similar to needle-like hairs, are golden in the center and whitish at the edge. The arrangement on the stem is dense. When flowering begins, snow-white flowers bloom on a cactus. Fruit ovary occurs on its own without requiring pollination. They are located on the stem decorating it.

Mammillaria Carmen - has a strong, elongated, oval-shaped stem reaching 5 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in width. It is entirely covered with short brownish or dark yellow spines and pile like needles. When a cactus begins to bloom, it is covered with a large number of small snow-white flowers.

Mammillaria Zelman - at a young age, the stem of this species is similar in shape to a ball, but then it begins to stretch, becoming 7 centimeters long and 15 centimeters in diameter. Lateral processes actively begin to grow at the very foot of the stem. In the center of the rosette there is a hook-shaped thorn painted red with many needles around it. This species is recognized as the most beautifully flowering cactus. When flowering begins, the top of the stem is covered with large, deep pink flowers 3 centimeters across. The beginning of flowering occurs in early spring and lasts until the onset of autumn cold weather. Ideal for those who are just starting out in floriculture.

Mammillaria Luthi - the stem of this tiny variety is pear-shaped, dark green in color. Thorns are practically absent. When a cactus begins to bloom, one stem produces about three buds, the diameter of which is 3 centimeters. The petals of these flowers are painted in different colors, their base is white, and a shade of lilac or purple appears closer to the tips.

Cactus Mammillaria Luthi: photo of a plant

Mammillaria plumosa - is especially popular among lovers of highly decorative species. The shape of the stems is spherical with a diameter of about 6 centimeters. They are completely covered with dense papillae and on each there is the formation of thin, like hairs, white spines. If you look closely, you can find similarities with the feathers of birds, hence the second name "feathery". In plumose, lateral shoots are often formed, due to which families are formed occupying an area of ​​20 cm in diameter. This cactus is distinguished by its exactingness in care and in choosing a place for it, perhaps this was the reason that the species was not often met at one time. The sizes of snow-white flowers do not exceed one and a half centimeters.

Mammillaria Prolifera - small spherical branches of this species grow in groups. They are covered with long thorns painted in gold, which in appearance resemble thin needles. When flowering begins, white single flowers bloom on the cactus with a yellow center and a glossy surface on the petals.

Amahaskaya - This species is covered with numerous papillae and are 15 mm long. hard thorns, as well as a small fluff, under which tubercles are hidden. The stem of a dark green color has a flattened ball or resembles a cylinder. The crown rises to a height and grows in width by 10 centimeters and has pubescence. When flowering begins, small flowers with a pinkish tinge in the shape of a funnel open on it, forming a corolla at the top.

Ghana- the stem of this species can resemble a ball in shape, or it can be cylindrical in shape. Its diameter is about 10 centimeters. On this type of cactus, there is a fairly frequent formation of side shoots. White long hairs tightly envelop the stem, which makes a fluffy soft lump of the plant. When flowering begins, the tip is covered with a wreath of flowers of a pink hue and small size.

White-wool - grows in the southwest of Mexico at 2000 meters above sea level. This is an extremely rare specimen that is rarely on sale. It has a dark green thornless stem, densely covered with light hairs. With age, she releases a large number of daughters. The stem has a barrel-shaped, elongated shape and the crown reaches 15 centimeters in height and 8 centimeters in diameter, it is flat and as if depressed inward. The root system is dense and fibrous. It blooms with small star-shaped flowers of pinkish or crimson shades with a diameter of 8 mm. They are gathered in a group at the top of the stem.

Satin - has a single or branching, blue, slightly squeezed stem resembling a ball, cylinder or barrel-shaped with a diameter of 8 cm and a length of 20 cm.The papillae can have a conical shape or be in the shape of a cylinder, their length is about 1 cm.In the sinuses, tubercles have a strong pubescence. One areola is covered with 40 white or yellow spines 10 mm long. They resemble thin radial needles. In the center is a hook-shaped spike 2 cm long, its color can be brown or covered with a mixture of red and brown.

Cactus Mammillaria Satin: photo of a plant

The pink or reddish flowers are funnel-shaped, with a diameter of one and a half centimeters.

Slender - Stems of this species are presented in the form of a cylinder. During life, many lateral processes are formed on it. Spines in the form of snow-white threads envelop the entire stem, and long dark needles are located in the center. When flowering begins, beige or yellow-pink single flowers form at the tops. Flowering occurs in winter.

Elongated- This species is widespread and sold as a houseplant. This flower is also called elongata. Its stem can be up to 20 centimeters long and about 4 centimeters wide.Its shape is straight and cylindrical. With age, it begins to lean towards the ground due to its weight, and as adults, most of them completely lie on the surface of the soil. The papillae of the plant are elongated and golden spines form at their tips.

During flowering, specimens growing in the house are covered with red or white flowers. Fruit formation occurs after pollination. With age, it forms many children, which densely cover the base of the plant.

Cactus Mammillaria Elongated: photo of a plant

Mammillaria: home care

Most gardeners like to grow cacti, planting them in groups, so they get a whole flower bed of different cacti. If you plant different decorative varieties, but choosing them correctly, then you can get a bright and colorful flowering at the same time, and it will be quite simple to care for them.

Mammillaria is an undemanding plant, the only thing that matters to it is sufficient lighting. All species need to be in the open sun, but at the same time they need to be shaded in the summer heat. Despite his love for sunlight, if the plant is in the south of the apartment, then in the daytime it will need to be shaded.

Airing is also a very beneficial procedure for the plant, especially during hot periods.

It is important to remember that due to poor lighting, Mammillaria loses its decorative effect, as it begins to stretch strongly.

Watering rules for Mammillaria

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Mammillaria easily tolerates drought, so it can develop well even with rare and very scarce watering. But if you want the cactus to bloom magnificently and beautifully, then it is necessary, albeit infrequently, to water it using a small amount of water. During the spring-summer period, watering should be carried out three times a month, and at high temperatures, this amount should be increased. Soil moistening is done only when the top layer spills.

In the last month of summer, watering of mammillaria should be reduced, and starting from mid-autumn, it is enough to just moisten the top layer of the earth.

With the onset of winter, you should limit yourself to only one light spraying per month. Some species do not need watering at all in the winter.

Temperature regime

The Mammillaria cactus enters vegetative rest in winter. What care should be taken when the plant is resting? For the winter period, it is necessary to put the plant in a dry room where the air temperature will be reduced to +7 degrees, species with pubescence should be at +15 degrees. In the winter months, these will be the best conditions for the plant.

With the onset of summer, it is best to take the plant out to a terrace, balcony or garden. In any heat, the plant will be comfortable.

Humidity level

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Mammillaria does not need air humidification, but responds well to spraying. This should be done from a sprayer with very small holes and only in the morning or evening hours so that direct sunlight does not touch wet leaves.

Winter care for Mammillaria

In winter, the most important thing is to provide the plant with the necessary conditions for keeping in a room where the thermometer will not fall below +10 and rise above +15 degrees. Watering during this period should either be stopped completely, or be very scarce. There are also species that can withstand temperatures as low as -7 degrees.

If all these conditions are met, then the cactus will bloom well and live a long time.

Fertilization

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Cultivating mammillaria in the house, it must be fed in the period April-October with breaks of 30 days. To do this, dissolve a mixture special for fertilizing cacti in water and water it. Thanks to this, the cactus will develop well and bloom profusely.Please note that fertilizers should be based on calcium and phosphorus without nitrogen content, which has a bad effect on cacti. Mammillaria is able to grow well even in the absence of fertilizers.

Disease and pest resistance:

Mammillaria has a strong immune system, which copes with various diseases and pests. Diseases and pests can appear only if maliciously violate the rules associated with cultivation.

Frequent guests of the plant are the red tick and the scale insect; they are most dangerous for species with pubescence.

In order to protect plants from the attack of these insects, it is necessary to wipe the stems and their processes with a brush and an alcohol solution. If the pests have already settled on the plant, then it is necessary to treat the plant with a 0.15% and secticidal solution. The procedure can be repeated after 7 days.

If you water the plant too often or use a lot of water, putrefactive diseases can begin to develop. Fungicides will help to cope with these, as well as a revision of the irrigation regime.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Planting and growing Mammillaria at home

Mammillaria can be propagated using seeds and cuttings. Since cactus daughters are formed quite often and in large numbers, it is much easier to carry out this procedure in a vegetative way.

Separation of lateral shoots and their transplantation is carried out after they grow up. It is best to carry out a transplant using rubber gloves, as you can easily injure your hands with thorns. After the daughters are separated, each must be wrapped in paper.

Landing rules

Containers for planting mammillaria cacti should be wide, flat and large drainage holes should be made at the bottom. A drainage layer is laid out in the container. Brick chips or expanded clay are well suited here. Dry earth is poured on top, which is moistened from a spray bottle before planting. Next, you need to cut off the side shoots with a sharp and clean knife and plant them in a container, slightly pressing them into the ground. In order for the plant to be fixed before roots appear, it must be fixed by overlapping with small stones.

Mammillaria transplant

Mammillaria is not afraid of transplants. At a young age, they should be transplanted once a year, then once every two years. These events should be carried out with the arrival of spring. Before replanting them, you need to remove the plant from the sun and stop watering. The soil mixture into which the plant is transplanted should consist of turf, leaf humus, peat and river sand. When transplanting long-grown cacti, it is necessary to use an earthen mixture, where the sod land will be equal to 2 parts. The cactus has a small root system, which allows the lateral shoots to root in the same pot as the parent plant. To make them comfortable in their large groups, the container needs to be wide but low.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Breeding methods for Mammillaria at home

With the help of vegetative propagation, Mammillaria can grow a new plant much faster. This is due to the fact that a completely developed plant is separated from the cactus, which only needs to develop its root system in a new place, which happens quite quickly. The shoot is cut off at the base of the main stem and left for a week in the open air to dry out. Next, the appendage is planted in an earthen mixture.

The vegetative method is very simple, but the frequent use of children for reproduction leads to the degeneration of the plant, to deformation and elongation of the stem, which leads to a complete loss of decorative properties.

With the help of seed reproduction, you can avoid such consequences and grow several new cacti at once. Sowing is carried out in the spring.First, it is necessary to process the seed with the help of a weak solution of manganese. The container should be shallow and wide. It is necessary to put loose fertilized soil in it and spread the seeds over the surface. To prevent the seeds from drying out, they must be sprayed from time to time. After planting is complete, the container must be covered with glass or foil and placed in a room where the air temperature will be from +25 to +25 degrees.

Every day it is necessary to conduct airing, removing the shelter for 15 minutes, as soon as the first shoots appear, the film must be removed. After the thorns appear, the plants must be transplanted into separate pots. Development takes place quite quickly and after three years you can enjoy the beauty of flowering.

Mammillaria cactus: plant photo

Using mimmillaria:

Mimmillaria is actively cultivated in houses, apartments, gardens and, of course, is an integral part of greenhouses. With it, you can create unusual and sophisticated phytocompositions. It is necessary to grow this type of cactus in wide and shallow containers, because even one such plant will soon grow and fill all the free space.

Regardless of the type you choose, you can get a beautiful, prickly and even air "cushion". For example, by planting a shoot-bearing Mammillaria, you can get an amazingly beautiful ornamental plant that can not only delight with the beauty and brightness of its flowers, but also be covered with fruits that look like bright beads on it.