Care of the cactus Mammillaria discolor or Cactus discolor |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria discolor, Mammillaria longimamma, Mammillaria crinita, Mammillaria compressa, Mammillaria carmenae, Mammillaria candida, Mammillaria bombycina, Mammillaria backebergiana, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria karwinskiana, Mammillaria marksiana, Mammillaria hahniana, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria lenta, Mammillaria laui, Mammillaria magnimamma, Mammillaria pringlei, Mammillaria spinosissima, Mammillaria haageana, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica. Scientific synonyms: Mammillaria ginsaumae, Mammillaria schmollii, Cactus discolor, Chilita discolor, Neomammillaria discolor. This species is native to Hidalgo, Mexico, Oaxaca, Puebla. They are small globose cacti that reach 8 cm (3.14") in height that can form colonies. The tubercles are conical and the areoles are oval, they have 20 yellowish radial spines and 4-8 central spines 2.5 cm (0.98") long and reddish when they sprout. The flowers are 2 cm (0.78") in diameter, white in color and appear forming a crown at the apex of the cactus. The fruits are red and clavate in shape. They are used in pots, in rockeries and in cactus and succulent gardens. Mammillaria discolor grows in full sun or semi-shade exposure. They resist hot summers but in winter the temperature should not be below 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. Water moderately, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. Do not water in winter. Fertilize once in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti and again in early summer. They do not need pruning. Excess moisture can rot the plant. They propagate by division of suckers or by seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria discolor or Cactus discolor |
 Mammillaria discolor  Mammillaria discolor |