Scientific Name
Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata
Accepted Scientific Name
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber ex Britton & Rose
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Epithelantha
Origin
Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata is a crested form of Epithelantha micromeris. It is usually selected in cultivation, but crested specimens can also be found in the natural habitat of this species in Mexico and the United States.
Description
Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata is a small cactus that makes a tangled cluster of beautiful crests. The stem surface is completely obscured by small, ashy gray to white spines.
The flowers are small, pink to white, and appear from late winter to early spring. They are followed by bright red, narrowly cylindrical fruits that contain several black seeds.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °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 for increased water storage. The flowers emerge from the axils of these tubercles 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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