Care of the cactus Mammillaria brandegeei or Cactus brandegei |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria brandegeei, Mammillaria longimamma, 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, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica. Scientific synonyms: Cactus brandegei, Mammillaria formosa, Neomammillaria brandegeei, Neomammillaria dawsonii. This species is native to Baja California, México. They are cacti with a globose or cylindrical body of dark green color that can produce suckers and reach 9 cm (3.54") in diameter. The tubers are conical and measure up to 1 cm (0.39") in height. The axils have white wool when young and in the circular areolas they have 8-10 yellowish radial spines with dark tips and 2-4 reddish central spines up to 2 cm (0.78") in length. The flowers are small and yellowish in color with a reddish stripe. They are used in pots and planters, in rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents. Mammillaria brandegeei aureas needs full sun and well-ventilated exposure if grown indoors. The winter temperature should not be less than 7 ºC (44.6 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture, in the same proportions, of leaf mulch, coarse siliceous sand and normal garden soil. Water moderately at the rate of once every 12-15 days in spring, every 7 days in summer, every 20-25 in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize once in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. The biggest enemy of these plants is excess humidity. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in a sandy seedbed and by separating suckers if the plant produces them. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria brandegeei or Cactus brandegei |
 Mammillaria brandegeei  Mammillaria brandegeei |