Scientific Name
Mammillaria bombycina Quehl
Common Names
Silken Pincushion Cactus, Silken Pincushion
Synonyms
Chilita bombycina, Ebnerella bombycina, Escobariopsis bombycina, Neomammillaria bombycina
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Subtribe: Cactinae
Genus: Mammillaria
Description
Mammillaria bombycina is a popular solitary or clustering cactus with bright-green to grey-green stems with bulbous tubercles surrounded by downy white hairs, short white spines, and much longer curved brown spines. The stems grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter. Some clones cluster aggressively and form gorgeous, up to 3 feet (90 cm) wide mounds as they mature. The circular clusters of deep rose-pink flowers appear on the upper surface of the stems in spring and summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °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 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, make sure to fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot Mammillaria, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Origin
This species is native to western central Mexico (Jalisco and Aguascalientes states).
Links
- Back to genus Mammillaria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
