Care of the cactus Mammillaria magnifica or Biznaga de Chalcatzingo |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, comprises more than 350 species of cacti originating, the vast majority, from Mexico. Some species of this genus are: Mammillaria magnifica, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria petterssonii, 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. Common name (spanish): Biznaga de Chalcatzingo. This species is native to Morelos and Puebla, Mexico. They are cacti with a solitary cylindrical body of yellowish green color that can produce suckers and reach 40 cm (15.74") in height. Tubers 7 mm (0.27") tall with woolly axils and oval areoles. They have 18-24 white or yellowish radial spines and 4-6 central spines, one of which is longer and hooked. The small pink flowers of 1 cm (0.39") in diameter appear forming a crown at the top of the cactus. The pink fruits measure 2 cm (0.78") in length. They are used in rockeries, in cactus and succulent gardens and in pots for patios, terraces, balconies and windows. Mammillaria magnifica grows in full sun and partial shade exposures. They do not resist temperatures below 3 ºC (37.4 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of heather soil or leaf mulch and 1/3 coarse sand. Transplanting is done in early spring. Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to be completely dry; reduce watering in fall and no watering in winter. Fertilize once in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess moisture. They are propagated from spring sown seeds and by sucker separation. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria magnifica or Biznaga de Chalcatzingo |
 Mammillaria magnifica  Mammillaria magnifica |