Scientific Name
Epithelantha bokei L.D. Benson
Common Name(s)
Button Cactus, Boke's Button Cactus, Ping Pong Ball Cactus
Synonym(s)
Epithelantha micromeris subsp. bokei
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Epithelantha
Origin
Epithelantha bokei is native to Texas in the United States and Coahuila in Mexico.
Description
Epithelantha bokei is a small cactus with disc-shaped or cylindrical stems thickly covered in white or yellowish spines. The stems are usually unbranched and can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) tall.
The flowers are pale pink and can reach up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) in length and nearly equal in diameter. The edible fruits are smooth, bright red, and can grow 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. In its native habitat, much of the plant are located below ground, with a few centimeters above. They contract into the ground during dry periods.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
To encourage better flowering, allow the plants to enjoy a cooling period in the winter and suspend watering. Unlike many other cacti, which use their ribs as storage devices, Mammillaria feature raised tubercles, from which spines emerge. When you water, the tubercles will expand to allow for increased water storage. The flowers appear from these tubercles' axils on the previous year's growth, which accounts for their interesting halo effect. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot Mammillaria, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill it with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Links
- Back to genus Epithelantha
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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