Mammillaria matudae or Mammillaria compacticaulis

Care of the cactus Mammillaria matudae or Mammillaria compacticaulis

The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria matudae, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica, Mammillaria longiflora, Mammillaria carnea, Mammillaria brandegeei, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria schumannii, Mammillaria painteri, Mammillaria magnimamma, Mammillaria lenta, Mammillaria laui, Mammillaria karwinskiana, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria geminispina, Mammillaria discolor, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria carmenae, Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria backebergiana, Mammillaria pringlei.

Scientific synonym: Mammillaria compacticaulis. This species is native to the Mexican states of Michoacán and Guerrero.

They are small cacti with a solitary cylindrical stem (they can produce shoots) that reach 20 cm (7.87") in height and 5 cm (1.96") in diameter. The tubers are conical, the axils do not have wool and the areoles are elliptical. They have up to 20 white radial spines of 3 mm (0.11") in length and 1 central spine of 4 mm (0.15") in length. The showy but small (1 cm/0.39") reddish-purple flowers appear at the top of the stem. The fruits are green with reddish tones.

Mammillaria compacticaulis is usually used in pots for patios, balconies and terraces; it is also suitable for rockeries and cactus and succulent gardens.

Mammillaria matudae needs full sun exposure and a warm, dry climate. The safe temperature in winter is 3 ºC (37.4 ºF).

The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture, in equal proportions, of leaf mulch, coarse sand and normal garden soil.

Water moderately, waiting for the soil to dry completely; Mammillaria matudae is very resistant to drought. From mid-autumn to early spring, stop watering.

Fertilize once with mineral cactus fertilizer in spring.

Mammillaria matudae does not need pruning.

Excessive watering can cause fungal diseases and rotting of the plant.

Mammillaria compacticaulis is propagated from seeds sown in spring and by separating shoots if the mother plant produces them.