Mammillaria magnifica

Scientific Name

Mammillaria magnifica F.G. Buchenau

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Mammillaria magnifica is a rapidly growing, clumping cactus with cylindrical stem, up to 16 inches (40 cm) tall and up to to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. It form clumps of tall column bristling with yellowish brown, hooked central spines. Flowers are purplish red or pinkish red circling the crown of the plant, up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long and up to 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) in diameter. Flowers are followed by club shaped, pink fruits with green tips and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.

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, the 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. It's imperative that the cactus is not exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, make sure to fertilizer during the growing season for the best results. Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a cacti, 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… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.

Origin

Endemic to Mexico, where it is distributed in the states of Morelos and Puebla.

Links

• Back to genus Mammillaria
• Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus

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