How to properly care for Mammillaria at home

One of the largest types of cacti is mammillaria, of which there are more than 300 varieties. Cacti are characterized by unpretentious conditions of growth, because care for mammillaria is simple, but there are subtleties.

Description

Mammillaria is a relatively large cacti of cylindrical or spherical shape of a dark green color. The main difference from other types of cacti is the papilla located on the stem, from which spines grow. From the sinuses, flowers appear between them. Varieties of mammillaria have a different shape, color, structure of flowers and thorns. The root system is powerful, although it is located mostly on the surface of the soil. Thanks to the thick roots, the cactus is easily restored after a dry period.

Varieties

Almost all varieties of mammals with small flowers and have a spherical shape. Some flowers can have only one shade, while others - just two. A common feature of all varieties is an inflorescence with many stamens inside. The difference from each other is the different color of the thorns and the stem.

Mammillaria elongated

The most widespread are the following varieties of mammillaria:

• bauma - a rounded cactus with white spines that deform under the weight of the fruit, usually grows in "flocks", small flowers, a bright yellow hue;
• wild - blooms with dull yellow or white flowers, spines of a golden hue, in the form of hooks, the stem is dark green, it is very bushy;
• proliferator - oblong in shape, with yellow needle or hairy spines;
• gracilis - very quickly and easily propagated by the vegetative method, young specimens are small columns with bundles of thorns, an adult plant has the appearance of an inverted pyramid, the flowers are often white, sometimes have a yellowish tint, with a diameter of about 1.5 cm;
• bokasskaya (bokasana) - elongated, with white flowers and pink fruits.

Mammillaria mix - not the type of plant, but the name of the set consisting of several different cacti. Sold in flower shops.

Mammillaria bokasskaya

How to care - lighting and temperature

Correct cactus care at home provides an excellent appearance of the plant and its flowering.

Despite the fact that cacti are very photophilous, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight harms them. The best option would be a little shade, in the summer months it is better to put the flower on the balcony. The best place to grow Mammillaria is the windowsill of a window facing the west or east side. Here, the probability of sunburn will be minimal, while the plant will receive enough light and heat.

The temperature from +20 to + 23 ° C is favorable for flowering in the summer months, in winter the range from +10 to + 12 °, not higher than +15, will be optimal. If you create such conditions, the cactus will very soon please the appearance of unusual flowers.

Mammillaria proliferator

Watering

Mammillaria needs a minimum amount of moisture in the summer - watering should be done no more than 3-4 times a month. Cacti very poorly tolerate excess water in the ground. In autumn, watering should be reduced to two times a month, in winter - up to once a month, or stopped altogether.

Tip
purityis.decorexpro.com/en/ magazine focuses on the fact that in winter the cactus is at rest.Therefore, it is better not to disturb him during this period, you should not even change the location of the pot. Violation of the dormant regime is fraught with the fact that the plant does not bloom or open the formed buds and simply dump them.

Mammillaria is characterized by increased resistance to drought, but at the same time loves spraying, especially in summer, when it is hot. Never spray cacti in the sun, as this will result in burns on the plant.

Mammillaria wild

Soil and top dressing

For growing cacti in a flower shop, special soil is sold. To prepare the mixture yourself, take:

• 1 part of turf land;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sheet;
• 0.5 parts of coarse river sand;
• 0.5 parts of crushed brick.

Put broken brick on the bottom of the pot (it acts as a drainage), mix the remaining components and pour on top. The resulting soil should pass air and water well.

Cacti should be fed in spring and summer, not more than 1 time per month, with a weak solution of fertilizer, which is presented in any flower shop. How often and in what amounts to feed cacti is usually indicated in the instructions for fertilizer. Mammillaria, however, develops well without fertilizing.

Mammillaria Baum

Transplantation and reproduction

Young cacti should be transplanted annually, best in early spring, adult specimens - as needed (usually this is done once every 3 years). The pot for growing mammillaria should be shallow, but wide, since this type of cactus forms a branched root system that penetrates the soil shallow.

Mammillaria propagates by seed and lateral shoots. Seating by children (side shoots) is a more efficient and convenient way, but experienced flower growers advise to prefer seeds if it is necessary to preserve the plant.

Reproduction by children:

1. Separate lateral shoots closer to the base from adult mammillaria. This must be done carefully to avoid damage to the shoot.
2. Let the children dry for several days (leave for a week to dry the cut).
3. After planting the shoots in small pots filled with soil specially designed for cacti.
4. Then pour a little sand on the surface of the soil, lightly pour and put in a warm place (but not in direct sunlight!).
5. When the first thorns appear, rearrange the mammillaria in a more lighted place.

Propagation by seed:

1. Soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate (it should be light pink).
2. Place in a container of wet sand and lightly sprinkle seeds on it.
3. Cover the container with glass or plastic wrap on top, forming a small greenhouse.
4. As soon as thorns appear on the grown shoots, the cacti are ready to transplant them into permanent pots.

Pests

The two main pests of Mammillaria are cactus scale insects and red spider mites. As a way to control both pests, spraying with insecticides is effective.

A sign of the defeat of mammillaria by scabies is the appearance of very small, 1-2 mm in diameter flakes on the stem. These insects suck out the cell sap, which weakens the cactus. Insecticides are effective in combating scale insects: Aktara, Aktellik, Tanrek, Fitoverm, Vertimek. Before processing, carefully read the instructions for use of the drug. Folk remedies are also effective: wash the flowerpot, window sill, window with soapy water (the more foam, the better), spray the cactus, wash off the soap foam from the flower after 2-4 hours.

Tip
Before treating the cactus with soapy water, cover the soil with plastic wrap. The product should not fall on the soil and roots of the plant.

The danger of infection with a tick for mammals is due to the fact that the plant does not tolerate excess moisture and loves drought, like an insect.The red spider mite begins to multiply especially when the humidity is below 50%.

Signs of a red spider mite lesion:

• the microscopic web on the plant in the form of “dusty” plaque;
• yellow dots and spots on the stem, which eventually turn brown;
• severe defeat manifests itself in the form of a clearly visible web, surrounding the cactus.

As soon as at least one of the signs has appeared, the cactus is immediately required to be treated with insecticides, alternating different means. If this is not done, the plant will inevitably die.

An effective method of combating red spider mites is triple treatment with the Fitoferm insecticide. Once a week, spray the cactus and everything around it. Between treatments should be an interval of 7 days.

It is permissible to use other insecticides: Actofit, Actellik, Kleschevit, Borneo, Sunmayt.

Tip
Do not limit yourself to one treatment, as it will not be enough to destroy young individuals and larvae. Mammillaria should be sprayed at least 3 times.

There are folk ways to destroy the tick:

• chop 15 g of onion (ordinary onion), pour 1 liter of water and let it brew in a closed container for 7 hours;
• Grind 30 g of dandelion roots, pour 1 liter of water and leave for 2-3 hours in a warm place;
• Grind or pass 150-200 g of garlic through a press, pour 1 liter of water, insist in a closed container for 5 days, before use, dilute 5 ml of solution in 1 liter of water.

Processing with folk remedies is also necessary many times.

As a prophylaxis for the defeat of the red spider mite, regularly spray the cactus from the spray gun.

Useful Tips

The recommendations of experienced gardeners will allow you to grow a beautiful flower and ensure its flowering:

1. The most dangerous pest insect for Mammillaria is a red tick that loves to settle on prickly varieties of cactus.
2. For mammillaria, less watering will be less harmful than excess moisture in the soil.
3. Lack of light leads to the fact that the cactus is greatly elongated. This greatly spoils the appearance of the plant.
4. The soil for Mammillaria should always be loose, it must necessarily contain large river sand and crushed brick.

Mammillaria look especially exquisite in flat flowerpots when small bushes completely fill the surface with themselves. This type of cactus is very decorative, often placed in the composition and looks spectacular.