Care of the cactus Mammillaria compressa or Cactus compressus |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria carmenae, Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria backebergiana, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria karwinskiana, Mammillaria marksiana, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria lenta, Mammillaria discolor, Mammillaria laui, Mammillaria magnimamma, Mammillaria pringlei, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica. Scientific synonyms: Cactus compressus, Neomammillaria compressa. This species is native to Central Mexico. They are relatively fast growing cacti with a globose body that form colonies that reach 20 cm (7.87") in height. The tubers are greyish-green, short and thick, and have woolly armpits when they sprout. They can have 6 radial spines and 4-7 white central spines and quite long (up to 7 cm/2.75"). The small flowers are purple-pink and the fruits are reddish. They are used in Mediterranean gardens in rockery, on dry slopes or in pots. Mammillaria compressa grows in full sun or semi-shade exposures. The winter temperature should not be less than 2 ºC (35.6 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of leaf mulch and coarse sand in the same proportions or a commercial substrate for cacti and succulents. The transplant is done in early spring. Water moderately while waiting for the substrate to be dry during spring and summer. From autumn, reduce watering a lot (once a month) and do not water in winter. Fertilize once with mineral fertilizer in mid spring and again in early summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. They propagate from the suckers produced by the mother plant or from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria compressa or Cactus compressus |
 Mammillaria compressa  Mammillaria compressa  Mammillaria compressa |