Care of the cactus Mammillaria karwinskiana or Cactus karwinskianus |
The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria karwinskiana, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria geminispina, Mammillaria discolor, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria carmenae, Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria backebergiana, Mammillaria marksiana, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria lenta, Mammillaria laui, Mammillaria magnimamma, Mammillaria pringlei, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica, Mammillaria matudae. Scientific synonyms: Cactus karwinskianus, Neomammillaria karwinskiana. This species is native to Guatemala and Mexico. They are cacti with a bluish-green cylindrical body that can produce suckers and reach 15 cm (5.9") in height. They have woolly and white bristles in the armpits. They have 4-6 dark radial spines and no central spines (sometimes 2). The flowers can be yellow or white with reddish tones. Cactus karwinskianus is used in pots as a houseplant, greenhouse, balcony and terrace and in rockery in frost-free regions. Mammillaria karwinskiana needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. The winter temperature should not be lower than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. Water once a week in summer, every 2 weeks in spring, once a month in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents diluted to half the usual dose. Neomammillaria karwinskiana does not need pruning. The biggest danger for Mammillaria karwinskiana is excess moisture. Cactus karwinskianus propagates from seeds sown in spring in a slightly humid sandy substrate. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria karwinskiana or Cactus karwinskianus |