General characteristics, rules for indoor growing mammillaria, recommendations for cactus reproduction, pests and diseases, facts to note, species. Mammillaria is one of the largest genera in the Cactaceae family. To date, scientists have assigned 185 species to this genus, and by this number we can say that the genus Mammillaria is one of the three largest genera of this ancient family, along with Opuntia and Echinopsis. Most of the varieties of this genus of cacti worship the territory of Mexico with their native lands, but some of the species grow in the southeastern regions of the United States, and can also be found in the West Indies, Colombia, this includes the regions of Venezuela, Guatemala and Honduras.
For the first time, Mammilliria was described in 1753 by the famous taxonomy of the flora of the planet Carl Lineus, who called it Cactus mmammillaris. The name of the genus was given on the basis of the Latin word "mammilla" meaning "nipple", since the entire surface of this cactus was covered with papillae (tubercles), which was its distinctive feature. Then, a researcher of cacti from Britain, Adrian Haworth, included in the genus Mammillaria in 1812 all species with similar characteristics.
This cactus is a plant that is distinguished by the most enhanced properties of deep adaptation to extreme heat and arid climatic conditions. The height of the mammillaria is usually small, the stems take on a spherical shape, but they can grow convex or flat-disc-shaped. In diameter, their parameters vary within the range of 1–20 cm with a height of up to 1–40 cm. The entire surface is covered with tubercles, which form a spiral pattern.
Cacti can grow both singly and gather in abundant clumps (formations from the same representatives of the flora, occupying large spaces), due to the growth of lateral shoots on the stems. It is because of the papillae (tubercles) located on the surface and replacing the usual ribs inherent in many cacti that mammillaria stands out among the family. The shape of the papillae is quite varied, and their arrangement is usually in several rows twisting in a spiral. According to the number of tubercles, there is a difference between the varieties. These papillae create a dense structure on the surface of the cactus that reflects and scatters bright sunlight, and also helps to reduce the surface from which moisture will evaporate and helps dew collect, which is practically the only source of water for such desert plants. This structure consists in the upper part of spines, and in the lower part there are deep-set sinuses with pubescence on it.
The root system of the mammillaria is scaly, but also the root processes can be fleshy and thickened. After prolonged dry periods or other natural disasters, this cactus easily reproduces vegetatively, restoring the affected area.
In mammillaria, a specific and at the same time distinctive feature is the structure of the areoles, it has a division into two parts. Those located at the top of the stem have thorns, while others, located in the papillae sinuses, are devoid of thorns, but often with pubescence or hairs. The latter are generally understood as kidneys. In many species, the pubescence of the areoles becomes stronger in those places where the formation of flowers or lateral shoots (branching) takes place, therefore, whole zones appear on the surface, covered with fluff and ring-shaped hairs.
During flowering, buds are formed with a corolla in the form of a tube, bell or flattened circle. Flower sizes vary. On average, the length of the petals varies within 4–30 mm with a width of about 1, 5–8, 5 mm. The color of the petals can be white, different shades of yellow and red. The number of stamens is very multiple. The corolla, ovary and fruits lack pubescence, as well as scales.
After the ovary, the fruits are located in the axils of the tubercles and are practically invisible. They are visible only when fully ripe. The fruit is club-shaped or elongated, juicy, usually colored red, but sometimes white, yellow or greenish. The fruits reach 5–50 mm in length, with a diameter of 2–9 mm. Depending on the species, the seed size varies 0, 8–1, 4 mm. Their surface is smooth, but can be covered with white tuberosity or hairs, glossy or matte. The color of the seeds varies from yellow to black.
Tips for growing mammillaria, home care
- Lighting and location selection. These cacti are very fond of bright lighting with direct rays of the sun, this is especially required for those species that have a pubescent surface - pots with such cacti should be placed in a southern direction. It is the bright insolation that becomes the key to abundant flowering. If the mammillaria has a surface without hairs and the plant gives the impression of green, then good illumination is still required, only with shading in the midday heat from direct sunlight - window sills facing east or west are suitable for them.
- Content temperature. For growing mammillaria, experts recommend adhering to moderate temperatures. Many people think that, since a cactus tolerates high heat levels under natural growth conditions, it will grow normally at 35 degrees, but, as experience shows, it is not worth subjecting a plant to such tests in a room. In nature, due to constant air circulation, such temperatures are tolerated more easily than behind glass on the southern windowsill. It is necessary to create suitable growing conditions - in the summer, it is important that the thermometer column is within 20-24 degrees, and with the arrival of autumn, the heat indicators are lowered, bringing them to 7-10 units (for pubescent specimens at least 15) with a dry content … Such a drop will be the key to future successful and abundant flowering. Higher temperatures are undesirable. You can take the pot of mammillaria out to the balcony or garden so that there is a constant flow of fresh air. There is information that some species can briefly experience without loss for themselves a temperature drop of up to 7 degrees below zero.
- Air humidity when growing this cactus is not an important component, since mammillaria easily tolerates dry indoor air. However, if infrequent spraying is carried out, then such operations in the summer heat are only welcome. It is only important to use a fine spray for spraying, as well as select the time when the sun's rays do not hit the cactus.
- Watering the mammillaria. The plant requires regular soil moisture from spring to late summer. The portion of water should not be large, the frequency of watering is once every 8-10 days in the spring-summer period, in the autumn months, watering is gradually reduced, and in winter the frequency of humidification is brought to once a month (especially with low heat indicators). There are varieties that stop watering altogether during the winter months. In any case, the soil in the pot should have time to dry out between waterings. It is important to remember that this cactus will suffer from waterlogging faster than from a lack of moisture. Since in nature, mammillaria grows on lime substrates, there will be nothing wrong if water for irrigation is used directly from the tap, without settling.
- Fertilizers. In order for Mammillaria to please with its growth and subsequent flowering, it is recommended to carry out top dressing during the period of its growth activation - this time begins in April and lasts until early-mid-autumn. You can take ready-made fertilizers for cacti. In the winter months, the plant does not need fertilizer. The preparations must be dissolved in water for irrigation.
Mammillaria is transplanted annually, and when the specimen grows up, then after 2-3 years, occasionally, if necessary, after a year. It is imperative to lay a good layer of drainage material at the bottom of the new container - medium-sized pebbles or expanded clay can act as it, this will help the substrate not to become waterlogged. They begin to transplant in the spring. The pot is selected wide (due to the large number of young children growing on the sides of the stem), but of shallow depth. Before transplanting, it is recommended to dry the soil.
For mammillaria, you can use ready-made soil mixtures for cactus plants. But lovers of their cacti usually prepare the substrate themselves, mixing the following ingredients:
- leafy and soddy soil, coarse-grained sand and brick chips (medium-sized and well-sieved), in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 0, 5;
- peat, leafy soil (taken from under birch trees, last year's foliage and a little soil), sod soil, river sand and crushed and sifted bricks (the proportions of the parts are equal).
How to propagate mammillaria with your own hands?
In order to carry out the reproduction of this cactus, you can sow seed or root the lateral processes (children). But the latter method can eventually lead to the degeneration of the mammillaria - its spines and stems become small, elongate and their outlines take on very delicate forms.
For sowing seeds, you will need to constantly maintain heat indicators of 20-25 degrees. Drainage holes are made in the bottom of the container (bowl) and a small amount of a substrate made up of coarse sand and turf, taken in equal parts, is poured. It is recommended to distribute the seeds neatly over the soil surface, but not to deepen or sprinkle the substrate on top. The dish is wrapped with plastic wrap or covered with a piece of glass - this will create the conditions for a mini-greenhouse. Regular spraying of seeds from a fine-dispersed spray bottle (it is important that they do not dry out) and airing will be required. As soon as shoots appear, the shelter is gradually removed and the mammillaria are accustomed to indoor conditions. With the appearance of the first thorns, it is possible to pick and transplant young cacti.
Since a large number of shoots (children) are formed on the sides of this plant, it is possible to reproduce by rooting them. This is the simplest and most effective method. The pots are selected flat and filled with a mixture of sand and turf soil (equal parts). The soil should be slightly moistened. Next, you need to start separating the children - they are carefully cut from the mother's mammillaria using a sharpened knife. Then the cuttings are recommended to be placed on the surface of the substrate, slightly pressing into the soil. You should not bury it deeply. Until the plant takes root, then for them you need to create a support from the branches or lean against the pebbles or the wall of the pot.
It is necessary to use a grafting that is suitable for a number of large-flowered cactus species and "white mammillaria" - cacti with very small (miniature) sizes, a specific structure of thorns, these types are very popular among cactus lovers. This procedure is resorted to out of the desire to preserve the copy. And as a rootstock, Trichocereus is used, but other cacti are also suitable. When vaccinating, it is recommended to use root stimulants, since without such drugs, the operation is practically doomed to failure.
Difficulties in caring for mammillaria and ways to solve them
The most common problem when growing this cactus is the attacks of the red spider mite, especially if there is no pubescence on the surface of the mammillaria. To combat this pest and general prevention, experienced cactus growers recommend wiping the plant with a soft brush, which is dipped in an alcohol solution (it can be a pharmacy alcoholic tincture of calendula), and to destroy the pest, spraying with actellic is carried out (solution of 0.15%).
Also, root nematodes can become a nuisance when caring for mammillaria, while the cactus dies rather quickly. To identify this pest, you will have to examine the root system of the cactus, nematodes are rather small worms, but when they are affected, bulges in the form of balls appear on the root processes. It is recommended to immediately remove all infected roots with a sharpened knife. After that, a "hot bath" is arranged for the mammillaria: it is necessary to place the roots of the cactus in water with a temperature of 45-50 degrees for 10 minutes, but try to make sure that the liquid does not get on the root collar. Then all cut areas of the root system are powdered with charcoal or activated carbon powder. The plant is planted in a new sterilized pot and substrate.
Interesting facts about the mammillaria cactus
A feature of plants is its surface, consisting of tubercles (papillae) - this is what distinguishes Mammillaria from the whole variety of cactus plants. It is the papillae that may be the only property that is similar in the species representing this genus.
Mammillaria is most suitable for people born under the sign of Capricorn. Individuals have an idyllic harmony with these plants. They are very beneficial for their emotional and physical health.
Mammillaria species
There are a lot of varieties of this cactus, the most popular are presented here:
- Elongated mammillaria (Mammillaria elongata) has a long and thin stem, tubercles are not high, the thorns have a golden hue, they are collected in a neat rosette. The flowers are small and white, but they only appear in favorable growing conditions. If you carry out pollination, then fruits in the form of berries can form.
- Mammillaria spiny (Mammillaria spinossissima) with a stem in the shape of a ball, it is covered with thin and sharp spines, painted in white and brown tones. There is pubescence between the tubercles, resembling white balls of cotton wool. When blooming, buds are formed with bright pink petals.
- Mammillaria wildii. The stem is elongated and thick, can reach 1–5 cm in diameter, cylindrical in shape, its color is dark green. There are multiple branches, side shoots (babies that do not fall off, but continue to grow). The papillae are thin, there are thorns of a golden color, located in the center has a bend in the form of a hook. It blooms with small flowers with white petals, a bright yellow tone in the middle. After pollination, berries are formed.
- Mammillaria zeilmanniana (Mammillaria zeilmanniana). The cactus has a dark green stem with a cylindrical shape, it can take on the shape of a ball. There are multiple side shoots. The surface is covered with hook-shaped spines and long soft threads. The flowering process can last up to 6 months, the location of the buds is usually at the top of the stem. The corolla of the flowers is in the form of a bell, the color of the petals is bright pink or violet-red, often white buds can appear in spring. Native territories are in Mexico.
- Mammillaria excellent (Mammillaria perbella) differs in a stem in the form of a ball, reaching a diameter of 6-7 cm. On the surface there are small spines of white color. Often, a large number of children (lateral shoots) are formed on the sides. When blooming, pink and red buds open.
What mammillaria looks like, see below:
