Mammillaria backebergiana

Scientific Name

Mammillaria backebergiana F.G. Buchenau

Synonym(s)

Mammillaria fertilis

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria

Etymology

The specific epithet "backebergiana" (pronounced "bah-keh-ber-JEE-ah-nah") honors Curt Backeberg (1894-1966), a German horticulturist especially known for the collection and classification of cacti.

Origin

Mammillaria backebergiana is native to Mexico (Guerrero, Michoacan, and the State of Mexico). It grows on cliffs at elevations of around 6,230 feet (1,900 m).

Description

Mammillaria backebergiana is an attractive cactus with green stems that have pyramidal, spirally arranged tubercles, each tipped with clusters of yellow or brownish-yellow spines. The stems can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter, spherical at first, becoming cylindrical with age. Each areole bears 8 to 12 radial and 1 to 3 central spines.

This species is similar to Mammillaria spinosissima but has more slender stems.

The flowers are purplish-red and appear in spring, forming rings around the stems near the tip. They are funnel-shaped and can reach a length of 0.8 inches (2 cm) and a diameter of up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm).

Subspecies and Forms of Mammillaria backebergiana

Mammillaria backebergiana subsp. backebergiana
Mammillaria backebergiana subsp. ernestii
Mammillaria backebergiana f. albiflora

How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria backebergiana

Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).

To encourage better flowering, allow the plants a cooling period in winter and suspend watering. Unlike many other cacti, which use their ribs as storage devices, the Mammillaria feature raised tubercles, from which spines emerge. When you water, the tubercles expand to increase 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 standing water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a cactus, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Next, remove the old soil from the roots and remove any rotted or dead roots.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.