Mammillaria zeilmanniana is one of the most beautiful Mammillaria. It is an exception from the general rule that red-flowered cactus of this genus do not bloom until they are several years old. It produces a profusion of deep carmine-red flowers while still quite young and small.The young cactus is solitary but slowly forms a cluster of individual nearly globular stems, which are glossy green and usually about 6cm (2.3 inch) high and 5cm (2 inch) across.
A four-year-old specimen is likely to fill a 10cm (4 inch) container. The tubercles are 6mm (2.3 inch) high and each areole has 15 to 18 radial white and 2 to 4 central brown spines, all about 1-2cm (0.4-0.8 inch) long. One of the centrals is hooked. Mammillaria zeilmanniana flowers during the summer sometimes followed by brightly coloured fruits. The flowers, placed in circle close to the apex, originate from the aureola at the base of the tubercles, bell-shaped, with a diameter of 1.8-2 cm (0.7-0.8 inch) and keep open for almost one week; the blossoming lasts the whole summer.
How to Grow and Care
These cacti are easy to propagate either from seed or using offsets (pups). The pups spring up in clusters around the base of the parent plant. To propagate them, remove them carefully using a very sharp, sterile blade, or simply pull them away.Lay the offsets on a clean paper towel in a sheltered, airy setting for a few days. This will allow a callus to form over the cut or area where the pup was separated from the parent plant.
When a callus has formed, you can put the pup into its own pot. Keep it in a warm, sheltered place with bright, indirect sunlight until it takes root. This may take a few days or a few weeks. Once the plant has established roots, you can treat it as a mature plant.
Growing Conditions
Light: Mammillaria species appreciate strong light, but many species dislike more than four hours of direct summer sunlight. Provide bright, even light for the best results.
Water: Allow the soil mix to become nearly dry between waterings, but then water thoroughly. Immaculate drainage is essential, so never let the pots sit in water. Suspend watering in the winter, but mist occasionally.
Hardiness:
Hardiness USDA zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Distribution and habitat: Mammillaria zeilmanniana is a cactus endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat the daytime temperatures are quite high and the nights are cool. It grows on steep of volcanic rock (igneous) face in canyon walls in semi-desert and deciduous forests.
Soil: A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, fertilize with a cacti fertilizer mix. Suspend feeding during the dormant winter period.
Propagation
Mammillaria cacti can be propagated easily from offsets, which readily form in clusters around the base of the mother plant. To propagate, carefully remove the offset and allow the cut to dry on a paper towel for a few days. Depending on the size of the cut area, a callous will form over the cut surface.
Once the callous has formed, place the new plant in a pot with a potting soil mixture and keep in a warm place until new roots emerge. Once the plant is established, repot it into a regular container.
- Learn more at TIPS: HOW TO GROW AND CARE MAMMILLARIA
A four-year-old specimen is likely to fill a 10cm (4 inch) container. The tubercles are 6mm (2.3 inch) high and each areole has 15 to 18 radial white and 2 to 4 central brown spines, all about 1-2cm (0.4-0.8 inch) long. One of the centrals is hooked. Mammillaria zeilmanniana flowers during the summer sometimes followed by brightly coloured fruits. The flowers, placed in circle close to the apex, originate from the aureola at the base of the tubercles, bell-shaped, with a diameter of 1.8-2 cm (0.7-0.8 inch) and keep open for almost one week; the blossoming lasts the whole summer.
- Scientific Name: Mammillaria zeilmanniana Boed.
- Common Names:
Rose Pincushion Cactus,Rose Pincushion, Pink Crown, Nipple Cactus, Fishhook Cactus - Synonyms:
Mammillaria crinita subsp. zeilmanniana, Mammillaria crinita f. zeilmanniana, Chilita zeilmanniana, Ebnerella zeilmanniana, Neomammillaria zeilmanniana - Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Cacteae
- Subtribe: Cactinae
- Genus: Mammillaria
How to Grow and Care
These cacti are easy to propagate either from seed or using offsets (pups). The pups spring up in clusters around the base of the parent plant. To propagate them, remove them carefully using a very sharp, sterile blade, or simply pull them away.Lay the offsets on a clean paper towel in a sheltered, airy setting for a few days. This will allow a callus to form over the cut or area where the pup was separated from the parent plant.
When a callus has formed, you can put the pup into its own pot. Keep it in a warm, sheltered place with bright, indirect sunlight until it takes root. This may take a few days or a few weeks. Once the plant has established roots, you can treat it as a mature plant.
Growing Conditions
Light: Mammillaria species appreciate strong light, but many species dislike more than four hours of direct summer sunlight. Provide bright, even light for the best results.
Water: Allow the soil mix to become nearly dry between waterings, but then water thoroughly. Immaculate drainage is essential, so never let the pots sit in water. Suspend watering in the winter, but mist occasionally.
Hardiness:
Hardiness USDA zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Distribution and habitat: Mammillaria zeilmanniana is a cactus endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat the daytime temperatures are quite high and the nights are cool. It grows on steep of volcanic rock (igneous) face in canyon walls in semi-desert and deciduous forests.
Soil: A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, fertilize with a cacti fertilizer mix. Suspend feeding during the dormant winter period.
Propagation
Mammillaria cacti can be propagated easily from offsets, which readily form in clusters around the base of the mother plant. To propagate, carefully remove the offset and allow the cut to dry on a paper towel for a few days. Depending on the size of the cut area, a callous will form over the cut surface.
Once the callous has formed, place the new plant in a pot with a potting soil mixture and keep in a warm place until new roots emerge. Once the plant is established, repot it into a regular container.
- Learn more at TIPS: HOW TO GROW AND CARE MAMMILLARIA
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| source pic:pinterest.com |
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| source pic:pinterest.com |
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| source pic:pinterest.com |
