Mammillaria vetula or Thimble Cactus

Care of the cactus Mammillaria vetula or Thimble Cactus

The genus Mammillaria, family Cactaceae, includes more than 350 species of cactus native to Mexico mostly. Some species are: Mammillaria vetula, Mammillaria longimamma, 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, Mammillaria petterssonii, Mammillaria magnifica.

Scientific synonyms: Mammillaria gracilis, Mammillaria magneticola. This species is native to Hidalgo, Guanajuato and Querétaro, Mexico.

They are cacti of cespitose bearing that reach 6 cm (2.36") in height and have dark green conical tubers. The areolas are round, have white wool and up to 50 radial white spines and 1-7 thicker and reddish central spines. The flowers are small and yellow or cream in color.

Due to their small dimensions, they are used in pots as indoor plants, greenhouse plants and for windows, balconies and terraces.

Mammillaria vetula prefers full sun exposure and high temperatures. The winter temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF); a winter rest at 8-10 ºC (46-50 ºF) is advisable.

The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand, leaf mulch and garden substrate or a commercial cactus substrate. The pot transplant is done in early spring.

In summer water every 3 days, in spring once a week, in autumn water every 20 days and in winter water 1 time a month. It's recommended to wait until the substrate has dried.

They do not need pruning or fertilizers.

They are sensitive to excess humidity and to the attack of mites in case of prolonged drought.

They propagate by separating lateral suckers or from seeds sown in spring in a slightly humid sandy substrate.