Scientific Name
Mammillaria bocasana Poselg.
Common Name(s)
Fishhooks, Powder Puff Cactus, Powder Puff Pincushion, Powderpuff Pincushion Cactus, Snowball Cactus,
Synonym(s)
Cactus bocasanus, Chilita bocasana, Ebnerella bocasana, Krainzia bocasana, Neomammillaria bocasana
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria
Description
Mammillaria bocasana is a clump-forming cactus with blue-green, spherical to cylindrical stems with cylindrical tubercles tipped with dense clusters of spines. The stems can grow up to 4.8 inches (12 cm) tall and 3.2 inches (8 cm) in diameter. Each areole bears numerous white, hair-like radial spines measuring up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long and 1 to 7 (one, occasionally two hooked), reddish-brown central spines measuring up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long.
The flowers are funnel-shaped and can reach up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter. They can be creamy-white, creamy-yellow, or pinkish and appear in spring and summer. The fruits are rosy-pink to red, cylindrical, and can grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
This cactus is only suitable for outdoor life in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b to 11b. In most zones, only indoor potted Powder Puff Cactus is an option for gardeners.
Powder Puff Cactus needs plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures. It is happy as long as temperatures are between 70 and 80 °F (21 to 27 °C) and there are at least 8 hours of sunlight. During the winter, it becomes dormant and can be kept in a dry, cool house room. Exposure to temperatures between 60 and 65 °F (16 and 18 °C) helps encourage flowering in spring. Move Powder Puff Cactus outside in summer.
The potting soil needs to be porous so it can drain well. Allow the soil to become nearly dry between waterings, but then water thoroughly. Never let the pots sit in the water. Suspend watering in the winter, but mist occasionally.
Fertilize Powder Puff Cactus in spring with a 5-10-5 liquid fertilizer. In summer, continue feeding the potted plant every month. Suspend fertilizer in fall and winter when the plant is dormant.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for a Powder Puff Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana).
Origin
Mammillaria bocasana is native to Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas).
Varieties and Cultivars
- Mammillaria bocasana var. splendens
- Mammillaria bocasana 'Fred'
- Mammillaria bocasana 'Multilanata'
- Mammillaria bocasana 'Roseiflora'
Links
- Back to genus Mammillaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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