Care of the cactus Mammillaria carmenae or Carmen pincushion |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria carmenae, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria backebergiana, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria karwinskiana, Mammillaria marksiana, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria lenta, Mammillaria discolor, Mammillaria laui, Mammillaria magnimamma, Mammillaria pringlei, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica, Mammillaria matudae. Common name: Carmen pincushion. Scientific synonyms: Escobariopsis carmenae. This species is native to Northeastern Mexico. They are small cacti with an ovoid or globular body that produce suckers and reach 8 cm (3.14") in height. The axils of the tubercles are woolly and bristled and the circular areolas have abundant radial spines (100 or more) yellowish or reddish. The flowers appear around the trunk of the cactus and are white. They bloom from mid-winter to early spring. Carmen pincushion is used in pots for patios, decks, balconies, windows and well-ventilated interiors. Mammillaria carmenae prefers a semi-shade exposure avoiding direct sun in the central hours of the day. The temperature in winter should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 25% coarse sand and 75% leaf mulch or heather soil. Always water moderately, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. In late fall do not water until spring. Fertilize once with mineral cactus fertilizer in spring. Carmen pincushion does not need pruning. The biggest enemy of Mammillaria carmenae is excess humidity. Escobariopsis carmenae propagates from suckers or seeds sown in spring; it's a pretty quick process. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria carmenae or Carmen pincushion |
 Mammillaria carmenae  Mammillaria carmenae |