Care of the cactus Mammillaria rhodantha or Rainbow pincushion |
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The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria rhodantha, 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. Common name: Rainbow pincushion. Scientific synonyms: Cactus rhodanthus, Neomammillaria rhodantha. This species is native to Central Mexico. They are cacti with a dark green body and solitary (sometimes they produce suckers) that reach 13 cm (5.11") in height. The tubers are 12 mm (4.72") high and have white wooly in the axils of the upper part of the plant. They have 30 yellow radial spines 1 cm (0.39") in length and 6 longer dark central spines curved towards the apex. The showy fuchsia pink flowers are 1.5 cm (0.59") in diameter. The fruits are whitish. They are used in pots for terraces and patios, as a houseplant, greenhouse, in rockery, and in cactus and succulent gardens. Mammillaria rhodantha prefers direct sun exposure; indoors, place it next to a window that receives several hours of sun. In winter the temperature should not be less than 2 ºC (35.6 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 25% coarse siliceous sand. If the pot is too small, transplant in early spring. Always water moderately at the rate of once every 15 days in spring, every 7 days in summer and every 25-30 days in autumn. In winter do not water. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. They do not need pruning. They are plants quite resistant to pests but sensitive to excess watering. They propagate from seeds sown in spring; it's a fairly simple and fast process. |
Images of the cactus Mammillaria rhodantha or Rainbow pincushion |
 Mammillaria rhodantha  Mammillaria rhodantha  Mammillaria rhodantha |