You read that right hand ! The adorable Mammillaria matudae , also known as the pollex cactus , is a fascinating little plant that will at once capture your heart . With its plump , cylindric stems hatch in fuzzy white-hot spines , it await like a tiny cactus fauna straight out of a children ’s storybook . But do n’t let its cuddlesome visual aspect fool you – this cactus think concern ! allow ’s plunk into the weird and fantastic world of the Mammillaria matudae .
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About Mammillaria matudae
Native to several regions of Mexico , this charming cactus forms squiffy clump of fleshy stems that can reach up to 8 inches marvellous . Each stem is thickly coat in soft , radial spines radiating outwards , giving it an adorably spiky coming into court . During the springiness and summer calendar month , the Mammillaria matudae rewards growers with a crown of vivacious pink , red , or imperial flowers blooming atop each radical . It ’s a true showstopper !
Related Post:39 Mammillaria Cactus Types and Care [ With Pictures ]
How to Care for Mammillaria matudae
Light Requirements
The Mammillaria matudae thrives in bright , lineal sunlight . Ifgrowing outside , ensure it receives at least 6 time of day of sun photo day by day . For indoor culture , place it near a sunny , southward - facing window or use aquality grow light . Gradually premise more igniter to prevent tan .
Soil Mix
This cactus opt a well - draining soil mixture designed explicitly for cacti . Asuitable blendcontains ingredient like coarse gumption , perlite , and a minuscule amount of organic matter . you could make your own mix or buy a pre - made lush ground from your local greenhouse .
Water
Water your Mammillaria matudae good , allowing the soil to dry out wholly between lachrymation . During the winter dormancyperiod , come down lacrimation to once a calendar month . right watering habits are essential to prevent rot and see healthy emergence .
Temperature
These little cacti tucket in fond temperature between 70 - 80 ° F during their fighting growing time of year . Inwinter , they can tolerate slimly cooler temporary worker around 50 - 60 ° farad but should be protected from frost .
Fertilizer
fee your Mammillaria matudae every few weeks during fountain and summer using a balanced , water system - solublefertilizer formulate for cacti . Avoid fecundate in wintertime when the plant is torpid .
Potting and Repotting
When first pot up Mammillaria matudae seedlings or beginning , utilise a small container with excellent drainage mess . A plastic nursery wad or terracotta locoweed form well .
As the cactus matures and the stems cluster together , it willneed to be repottedevery 2 - 3 years into a slightly larger pot . Choose a container just an in or two wider than the plant clump .
Be gentle when repot , as the spines can well detach . Water the cactus softly a few days before repotting to minimize stress . Gently remove theroot ballfrom the subsist pot and replant into refreshed succulent soil at the same depth it was antecedently growing .
Pests and Problems
Though generally hardy , Mammillaria matudae can sometimes fall dupe to commonhouseplant pestslike mealy bug or antecedent mealybugs . Inspect the cactus on a regular basis and treat any pests promptly with an insecticidal max or neem oil spray .
Rot is another potential issue if the cactus is overwatered or the soil does not drain freely . Signs include sentimental , discolored stems or black darn . take out any affected areas with a clean knife and replant the sound stanch in dry soil .
With their spiny defensive armor , Mammillaria are not as prostrate to job from fauna or tyke as some other home plant . Still , it ’s best to keep them out of reach and excuse that they are burry and not to be touch .
Mammillaria matudae Propagation Guide
Propagating Mammillaria matudae is straight and rewarding ! Here ’s how :
With a little forbearance , you ’ll shortly have an adorable new Mammillaria matudae to contribute to your accumulation !
