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Mammillariais the genus name of anattractive eccentric of succulentcactus flora native mostly to the southwesterly United States ( southern New Mexico and westerly Texas ) and Mexico , with some having naturalized in the Caribbean .

There are around 300 species within the genus Mammillaria .

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This plant is also experience by its common name , Nipple or Pincushion Cactus works .

Many of the individual Mammillaria species look so much likewise as to be almost indistinguishable . Others vary greatly in visual aspect and cultivation needs .

In this article , we discuss the care and uses of this interesting works and share advice on selecting the correct Mammillaria pincushion cactus of the many species useable for your house , nursery , patio , yard , garden , or windswept desert property .

Mammillaria Cactus Quick Care Tips

What Are Cactus Mammillaria Related To?

The pincushion cactus is often confused with several other type of belittled cacti ( for instance , Neolloydia , Epithelantha , and Coryphantha ) . This confusion has led to as many as 400 different specie being mistakenly identified in the past .

A great deal of punctilious research in the field , along with genetic analytic thinking has gone into sorting out this mare’s nest .

Now botanists are convinced that the genus hold around 300 species .

You wo n’t find most of the many metal money offer in nursery , garden center field , and shops .

The diverseness for sale as houseplants are typically pocket-sized and grow closely to the ground in the natural state .

To recognize a true Mammillaria cactus , look for its spirally arranged , succulent nipple - shaped tubercle .

Interestingly , the backbone of true cactus Mammillaria are arranged fit in to the Fibonacci sequence .

This means that each words of tubercles is equal in number to the sum of the two rows straightaway above it .

When you view the pincushion cacti from above , you should notice that it has a very organized and orderly appearance .

Growing Mammillaria Cactus Facts

Size & Growthvary greatly reckon on the species . Some Mammillaria top out at an inch high , others at a understructure high .

Flowering & Fragrancevary greatly from one pincushion cactus to another . All grow in a crown - like formation ring the top of the plant . Moreover , it has central spines or shock - corresponding areoles of heyday and has about 0.4 to 8″ in in diameter stems .

Light & Temperature : Generally speak , Mammillarias like warm temperature ( 50 ° to 85 ° degree Fahrenheit ) and brilliant light . It thrives in full sun or partial tint exposure . It need at least 2 to 6 hr of lineal sunlight day by day .

Watering & Feedingshould be thin twelvemonth - orotund . During the spring , summer , and early fall , water thoroughly when the grunge is almost ironic .

During the winter , reduce tearing by half . cater a half - strength feeding of abalanced cactus fertilizerat the beginning of spring and toward mid - summertime .

Potting Soil & Transplanting : The pincushion cactus favor a fairly rich , well - draining cactus mix . Repot or transplant infrequently , as these works do well when slightly rootle bound .

Grooming is Simple : Keep an bird of Jove centre out for any sign of rot , and foreshorten it away immediately if you observe it . Otherwise , separate and repot pups when they become overcrowded .

USDA Hardiness Zone : Mammillaria is by and large stalwart in USDA zones 8 to 11 ; however , this may depart from metal money to metal money . Refer to the USDA Plant Profile Pages for more specific info .

The various pincushion cactus species are aboriginal to habitat ranging from low desert to both cold and tropical forest preferences . Their lifelike mountain chain extends across the southwest US and throughout Central America .

Mammillaria Cactus Care

guardianship direction for this genus of cacti vary greatly depending on the coinage you select and how you choose to use this succulent industrial plant .

Rugged outdoorplants require very little fear . Keeping a cactus Indoors is another issue entirely .

When you keep indoor cactus , be trusted to set up a sunny location in a way with a S - facing windowpane during the winter .

This setting provides the most sunlight . A windowpane locating is typically a bit coolheaded than the rest of the elbow room , and this cool temperature during the wintertime month is necessary to goad Mammillaria to blossom during the produce season .

In the springtime and the summertime , variegate the positioning to provide your Mammillaria cacti with the most light and heating system .

present your plant an outdoor vacation in lineal sunshine is a good musical theme .

How Often Should Indoor Mammillaria Cactus Be Watered?

During the growing season , rent the top couple of in of soil wry out before water these succulent plants . Water the plant thoroughly , let excess pee to run off .

If your industrial plant has a drip tray , be sure to empty it . These plants should never stand in water .

How Long Can You Go Without Watering A Mammillaria Cactus?

In winter , cut back on watering . You should only water about once a calendar month and then quite sparingly . Just give the works enough water system to preclude it from shriveling up .

Be certain to keep your plant at about 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit during the wintertime and ply plenty of indirect brightness .

How Much Fertilizer Does A Mammillaria Need?

you may fertilise your Mammillaria with a specially formulated cactus fertiliser or a very weak solution of houseplant fertilizer that is lowly in atomic number 7 and high in potassium and phosphorus .

Do n’t overfeed your cactus , as this will encourage fleeceable growth and discourage blooming .

What Type Of Potting Soil Is Best For Mammillaria Cactus?

When you repot your pincushion cactus , you could use a disposed cactus / succulent pot ground or make up your own cactus mix to get the soil texture you want using a combination of one part potting mixture , one part coarse detergent builder ’s sand , and one part loam . add pumice stone will also facilitate amend drain .

Moreover , assure the ground mixing has good drainage and aeration .

When And How Often Do Mammillaria Bloom?

Only mature Mammillaria bloom , and when they do bloom , they display an attractive tip of flowers palisade the top of the industrial plant .

These lovely flowers appear at the top of the stalk , which furnish a pop of color when flower .

blossom come in a wide range of colors , sizes , and shapes , depending on the mintage of Mammillaria .

Some of them are richly fragrant andvery attractive to hummingbirdsand other pollinator .

How Often Do Mammillaria Bloom?

In an ideal outdoor setting , these plants produce bud during one get time of year and then go dormant through the winter and into the spring and former summer .

After the first summertime rainwater , the pincushion cactus opens , and the flowers last for about seven days . sizable , happy Mammillaria may bloom several times during the growing season , always follow rainwater .

Flowers may mature into eatable fruit . Some are lemony and tasty , while others are quite smooth . more often than not verbalise , these fruit are very pocket-sized , and it is hard to cumulate enough to provide much nutrition .

How Long Does It Take Mammillaria To Mature?

It can take many years for a pincushion cactus to mature , so you may not see a flowering works for a very retentive time .

You should also recognise that desert cactus kept indoors may never blossom because they simply can not get enough light .

The only way of being indisputable you are get a mature plant is to buy one that is already in bloom .

When Should Mammillaria Cactus Be Repotted?

You should not require to repot your cactus more than once every couplet of years . They do well with crowded root systems but will need repotting if the cactus becomes top - heavy or the tidy sum becomes overcrowded with offset .

by nature , you should supersede the potting grime every dyad of years because it will become exhaust , and salts may build up from water over prison term .

It is proficient to repot at the commencement of the uprise season , but it may be done almost any metre of the year .

Do n’t water before repot the cactus , as it is leisurely to criticize away dry dirt from the roots , and pot in ironical dirt helps foreclose the risk of root rot .

Examine the root carefully and cut away any parcel that come along to be dead or rotten . Treat the areas you cut with a spritz of hydrogen hydrogen peroxide or a antimycotic . teach more about usingHydrogen Peroxide for plant .

Put the plant into its newfangled pot with drain holes and surround it with your disposed cactus mixture . Spread the roots out to give them room to grow .

Do n’t water aright away . Wait about a hebdomad , and then give the plant a tripping watering . Doing this helps prevent root rotting .

Other Mammillaria Cactus Varieties to develop :

How Do You Propagate Mammillaria?

These cacti are loose to procreate via two propagation method : germ or offsets ( pups ) from the mother flora .

The pincushion cactus spring up in clustering around the base of the parent works . To propagate them , dispatch them cautiously using a very acuate , sterile steel or simply take out them away .

lie the kickoff on a clean paper towel in a shelter , airy setting for a few days . This will allow a callus to mould over the deletion or country where the puppy was split from the parent plant .

When a callus has organize , you could put the whelp into its own locoweed . Keep it in a warm , shelter berth with vivid , indirect sunshine until it takes root .

This may take a few days or a few weeks . Once the industrial plant has shew roots , you may treat it just like the matured parent flora .

What Are Some Common Pests & Problems Affecting Mammillaria?

Most problems with cactus maturate as houseplants imply bacterial or fungous diseases that are get by unreasonable tearing .

This is why it is very of import to establish a sparing watering schedule and take note your flora carefully for any signs of decomposition .

These admit black spot around the base of the plant and mushy flesh .

In increase to problems triggered by overwatering , common houseplant pests are sometimes problematic . Among these are :

It can be very gruelling to get these pests under control once they are established because they are very little and obscure quite in effect .

Some of these pest have protective finishing that make it hard to reach the actual insect with a pesticide or natural discourse .

To make matters worse , many common plant plague have developed resistance to commercial pesticides .

That ’s why it is sassy to maintain anIntegrated Pest Management ( IPM ) strategywhen dealing with any and all garden and houseplant pestilence .

1 – Keep your plants healthyby providing the right environment and the correct care . Healthy plants are better able-bodied to resist disease and pests .

2 – Always quarantine new plantsfor at least three weeks to avoid land in sickness or hitchhikers . If you key out problems with a young plant life , keep it separate and treat it or toss it .

3 – Use innate treatment first . Spider mite and mealy bug can often just be washed off with a strong sprayer of body of water . Remember to cover the soil with plastic to keep overwatering your cactus in the appendage .

4 – canvas and make clean the root of cactuswhen repotting or transplantation . Root mealybug can be washed off the root with a strong spray of water system . Blot spare water supply from the roots and allow them to air dry for a few hours before carry on with repotting or transplant .

5 – Examine your cacti oftenfor signs of ordered series and mealybugs . If you see just a few , you may be able-bodied to remove them easy with a cotton fiber mop dip in fret intoxicant .

6 – you could spray your cacti occasionallywith a dilute rubbing alcohol solution . Mix up one part intoxicant with three parts water for a spray that will assist deflect these pests . Be sure to screen spray a low spot on the plant life before spraying the entire plant . Some cacti are sensitive to rub inebriant .

7 – Trap fungus gnat with yellow sticky trapsor place up lowly jars of Malus pumila cider vinegar ( ACV ) to immobilise them . To do this , you ’ll need a small shock with a hat . Punch small holes in the lid ( or expend an former spicery bottle that already has a lid with holes ) .

pelt about half an inch of ACV into the jar and screw on the chapeau . put the jounce among your plants . Gnats will pilot in to get the ACV and wo n’t be able to get out , so they ’ll drown in the ACV .

8 – Make milder insecticide your first selection , applied sparingly and only when necessary . Neem vegetable oil and pyrethrins are expert choices .

How Do You Tell If You’re Overwatering Mammillaria Cactus?

Remember , these cactus plants do n’t just tolerate drought , and they need it . Their roots are very susceptible to rot , and it ’s easy to kill them with too much water .

It may not seem that way at first , though . When a cactus first receive too much water , it may become very chubby and begin couch out newfangled outgrowth .

Even when this happens above terra firma , the roots are sure to suffer under the soil .

When cactus roots become waterlogged , they start die and rotting . step by step , the stinky roots cause the apparently levelheaded plant to start deteriorating .

The flesh becomes discolor and begins to damp . When this get down to happen , it may be too belated to save the industrial plant .

That ’s why it is so important to supervise your cactus cautiously and look for soft , discolored position around the root word of the flora .

How Do You Save An Overwatered Mammillaria Cactus?

If your cactus is showing signs of rot around the root , you must remove it from its skunk and habituate a knifelike , sterilized blade to foreshorten away the rotten component part .

Work from the bottom up , removing lean slice until you reach fresh , insensible flesh .

seal off off the open cut of meat with cornflour , and leave the cutting to dry out on a newspaper towel for a period of several week .

If your cutting is pop off to survive , it will bring on a few solution during this time .

When this pass , carefully sweep off the cornstarch and provide the cutting with its own new flowerpot and fresh cactus mix .

Best Uses For Mammillaria Cactus Indoors or Outdoors

There are so many different type of Mammillaria cactus that , no matter what your setting or purpose , you could for sure line up a miscellany to suit your motive .

Some mintage are quite finespun and suitable to a sheltered indoor context . Some are rugged , low growth , and tight - propagate and make tall accession to rock gardens and other challenging preferences .

Still , others grow quite magniloquent and show isolated growth patterns , make water them ideal as specimen plant life in a cactus garden or centrally located plantation owner .

A mini cactus garden is a beneficial way to exhibit several unlike varieties of Mammillaria indoors !

This TV demonstrate many of the more rugged varieties of the genus Mammillaria in their natural home ground , where the cactus grows , and could inspire some great ideas for using Mammillaria in your own desert landscape .

What Are The Most Popular Mammillaria Varieties?

There are unnumberable species of Mammillaria cactus ( Pincushion Cacti ) . All flower freely , and those that are readily usable commercially are quite loose to take care of .

Many specie of Mammillaria have very colourful , descriptive epithet based on their show .

Still , others do not have common names in English but do have common name in Ukrainian , Russian , Spanish and/or Swedish .

Very often , the common names are used interchangeably to refer to similar species within the genus .

Some have no common names at all . Here are just a few representatives of this interesting and abundant genus of cacti .

14 Most Popular Mammillaria Varieties

Mammillaria lower classifications .

1 – Mammillaria tetrancistra(common Fishhook cactus ) is establish in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the northern part of Mexico and in the southwestern US . It grows jubilantly in a wide variety of desert options . This flora has soft , blank spines with a cardinal , curved thorn . Flowers are showy and pink .

2 – Mammillaria backebergiana(Pincushion Cactus , known in Ukraine as Bakerberg Mammillaria ) is a columnar cactus . Its knifelike spur are yellow or yellowish / brown . The cactus bring about large , empurpled flowers .

3 – Mammillaria plumosa(feather cactus ) is a low - growing , clumping plant . It forms dense mounds that can cover quite a bit of ground with close - lot , white , feathery spines . The heyday are off - white / yellow and sweetly fragrant .

4 – Mammillaria spinosissima(Red - Headed Irishman ) is very common the domain over . It is easy to regain this cactus offer in nurseries and other purveyor of plant . The plant has reddish , rusty - colored spines .

5 – Mammillaria baumii(Golden Pincushion Cactus)is a low - growing , clumping species with dense primal spinal column that obscure the stems . The funnel shape - shaped flowers are golden yellow and very fragrant .

6 – Mammillaria elongata(Gold Lace Cactus , Ladyfinger Cactus ) is available in a variety of embodiment and colors . One version has copper - colored spines , another has regular white / tan rachis , still others are queerly shaped ( crested and brain - shaped ) . blossom may be either pinkish or yellow .

7 – Mammillaria zeilmanniana(Rose Pincushion Cactus)grows in clump overlay with dull , blanched “ hair . ” The blossom are deep blood-red / reddish blue .

8 – Mammillaria bocasana(Snowball or Powder - pouf pincushion ) is extremely brave . This cactus grows in cluster and is covered with dense , piano - face white “ whisker . ” Be careful , though . Sharp fish - hook spines are hide beneath the fuzz . The bloom of this mintage are quite small and may be white , yellow , or pinkish .

9 – Mammillaria candida(Snowball Pincushion ) is a clumping ball - shaped plant covered with pink - atilt , white rachis . Cream - colored flush emerge early in spring and transition to knock as the time of year progresses .

10 – Mammillaria elegans(Pincushion Cactus)is a spheric cactus hailing from Mexico . The cactus has white prickle , soft fleece , and deep Battle of Magenta flowers that last for an extended menstruum of time .

11 – Mammillaria hahniana(Old Lady Cactus or Superba ) grow as a solitary specimen . This cactus is spherical in form and produces dense , short clean hair . The flower are reddish / purpleness . These very attractive cacti are stout , carefree , and light to grow .

12 – Mammillaria matudae(Crawling Log or Giant Snake ) has a mounding growth habit that manifest as recollective , snaking stem . https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/indoor-cacti/

13 – Mammillaria longimamma(Nipple Cactus , Finger Mound , Peyotillo)is unusual looking and quite pop with its “ farsighted mamilla ” ( longimamma ) . The acantha of this cactus are tenuous and thin . Its prime are a lovely , bright yellow .

14 – Mammillaria rhodantha(Rainbow Pincushion)is a very popular , easy - to - bump , easy - to - grow cactus . It has a solitary growth substance abuse and may have either red or golden spines . Its flower are pink .

13 Less Readily Available Mammillaria Varieties

1 – Mammillaria grahamii(Fishhook Pincushion or Graham ’s Nipple cactus ) is also call the Cabeza de Viejo ( Old Man ’s Head ) in Spanish . This cactus grows in abundance in the Arizona Upland , where it can be establish amidst debris underneath various desert shrubs .

This cactus favor fond shade . It is a rugged , robust cactus that grow extravagantly in challenging options throughout the deserts of the southwestern US and Mexico . It can do well in landscape setting such as desert garden and stone gardens .

2 – Mammillaria compressa(Mother of Hundreds)grows in rather large mound . Its spines are thin , and its physical body is a dull , sick shade of green . peak are pink .

3 – Mammillaria decipiens(Bird’s - nest Pincushion ) has interesting , low - uprise growth habits . Its limbs are prominently nippled , and its long , curl spines whorl together to create a bird ’s nest visual aspect .

4 – Mammillaria formosa(Owl Eyes or Royal Cross ) is a globular industrial plant with extremely curt spines that do not stick to the skin .

5 – Mammillaria karwinskiana(Owl Eyes or Royal Cross)is a only specimen plant that produces offsets in a dull and sporadic manner . Its back are sparse , and its efflorescence may be either bright yellow or pink .

6 – Mammillaria geminispina(Twin Spined Cactus ) comes in several form . Some have retentive backbone , and others have short pricker . Some have a clumping ontogenesis habit , and others are columnar and develop in small groups . Some eccentric have pinkish bloom , and others have light yellow flowers .

7 – Mammillaria matudae(Thumb Cactus)has a tall , columnar emergence use . The flora tends to get top - profound and may fall over if it is not braced . Spines are extremely myopic and close - space . The flowers are brilliant pink , and this species can be counted on to blossom year - round .

8 – Mammillaria gigantea(Ukrainian common name Mammillaria Huge , Giant , or the Giant ) is a very orotund ( 4′ gamey ) globular species with unattackable , vehement spines and spectacularly beautiful efflorescence that pasture in color from deep pink to a silver shade of yellow . This rugged flora may originate as a solitary specimen or aggroup with others . It thrive in hot , dry , sunny desert preferences .

9 – Mammillaria mystax(Cactus Mystax ) is a barrel - shape cactus with a unfrequented growth habit . It is very standardized to Mammillaria gigantea . These hardy plants have light , deep spine and a very orderly architectural show . This is a tough species that does well with hot sun and very niggling water .

10 – Mammillaria vetula /Mammillaria gracilis(Thimble Cactus)is a very humble and fragile mintage . It is globe - shaped and incline to produce lots of little showtime that decrease off very well if the plant is move . The spines of this plant life are pale colored and flat , so handling the plant does not cause injury . Even so , this plant is not usually keep in private collections because of its leaning to fall apart when moved . It ’s best leave in its lifelike home ground .

11 – Mammillaria nivosa(Woolly Nipple Cactus ) is a flatness - forming cactus that can produce deceivingly soft looking , wooly clean mats a lilliputian over a animal foot broad . Its flower are yellow and open at night . bloom become interesting , thick red , club - forge fruits .

12 – Mammillaria mainiae(Counter - Clockwise Fishhook ) is aboriginal to the washes , Bad Lands , and valleys of the Sonoran desert . This globe - shaped , little , behind - develop cactus thrives in rocky soil on slopes , hillsides , and sand dune . It likes spate and lots of sun and very little water . It is not a good campaigner for container planting , but if you adjudicate , you must employ a mineral - base potting medium , and keep the works all teetotal during its winter sleeping .

13 – Mammillaria dioica(Strawberry Cactus , Strawberry Pincushion , California Fishhook ) grows course in Baja and northwestern Mexico .

The plant prefers stony soil and often take a hop up in crevices between larger stones . This very small cactus may develop separately or in a grouping of small stems .

The maximum height for this species is 6″ inch , but this is rare . It has short , firm “ tit ” with an aureole of straight white-hot backbone . The primal spine is longer and hook - shaped . The plant produce very small , sensationalistic flowers .

Species without common names include:

Mammillaria theresaeis a very small-scale , very unfearing species that produces almost non - existent backbone . Showy flower are a lush shade of reddish blue / pink .

Mammillaria voburnensis grows to be about three inches high . It is a globe - shape plant with interesting deep green / maroon shape . The plant get tidy sum of offsets . flower are little and nondescript .

Mammillaria supertextaandMammillaria albilanatalook very much alike . They have very myopic , tight - hardening spinal column that do not get hurt when the plant is handled . These metal money grow in a columnar contour . They produce offset slowly . Both have reasonably pinkish flowers .

For images of even more Mammillaria species , along with some just breathing in for container planting , catch this Mexican video en Espanol !

Mammillaria Buying Tips

When shopping for Mammillaria or any cactus , there are a few things you’re able to do to be certain of puddle the right purchase .

Buy your Mammillaria from a reputable dealer . Don’t gain them in the wild or buy them from someone who may have done so . Cactus poaching is often illegal and pass to species defunctness , which is a swelled job .

Be sure the grease is dry . Remember that an overwatered cactus may reckon unspoiled on the top ( for now ) , but bad things are happening underground . Always employ well - drain soil .

Be certain that cactus is standing up straight . list can be a symptom of lack of sparkle or of ascendant rot .

Bring a box to transport your cactus home . A plastic tote bag or cardboard box will protect your cactus ( and you ) from damage on the slip household .

It will keep the plant unsloped and foreclose spilling soil out in your fomite .

If there happens to be a little Hydra hiding in the soil ( as has happened to this writer ) it wo n’t be able to slither under the seat of your car if you put your new cactus in a boxwood or tote .

Mammillaria Cactus Are Fascinating And Easy To Grow

Even though there are so many mintage , and a few of them are a bit picky , if you have had good luck with succulent and cacti in the past tense , you should be able to develop Mammillaria with not bad repose .

This plant life is the gross cacti for any initiate !

Just think to place your plants aright in wintertime and concentrate watering to give them a good ease period of time .

cater lots of bright sunlight and fond temperature in the spring and summer , and before you have it off it , your cacti will reward you with beautiful , fragrant blossoms .

Remember that a light touch on the fertiliser in former spring and proper watering is your most important keys to success with Mammillaria .