Care of the cactus Mammillaria parkinsonii or Owl-eye cactus |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria parkinsonii, Mammillaria longimamma, 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 spinosissima, Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica. Scientific synonyms: Cactus parkinsonii, Neomammillaria parkinsonii. This species is native to Queretaro, Mexico. They are cacti with a bluish-green body, simple and globose that form large colonies and reach 20 cm (7.87") in height. They have pyramidal tubercles with white woollyness and bristles in the axils of the upper part of the plant. The round areolas have 30-35 white radial spines and 2-5 central spines, one of them thicker and curved. The flowers are small and cream-colored with a reddish streak. The small red berries are quite decorative. They are used in pots as a houseplant, greenhouse, balcony and terrace and in rockery and cactus gardens in frost-free regions. Mammillaria parkinsonii prefers full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They resist cold up to 3 ºC (37.4 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture of coarse siliceous sand and leaf mulch in the same proportions. Transplant in early spring if the pot is too small. Water moderately at the rate of once every two weeks in spring, once a week in summer, once every 20-25 days in fall and do not water in winter. Fertilize in mid-spring with mineral cactus fertilizer. They do not need pruning. They are sensitive plants to excess humidity. They propagate easily from seeds sown in the nursery in spring. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria parkinsonii or Owl-eye cactus |
 Mammillaria parkinsonii |