Mammillaria spinosissima

La Mammillaria spinosissima It is one of the most common and most beautiful species that we can find in any nursery and garden of cacti and other succulents. As its surname indicates, it has a well-armed body with thorns, but they are precious thorns, and it could even be said that they are somewhat harmless, especially if we compare them with those of, for example, The giant carnage, much better known as saguaros.

In addition, unlike many other cacti, our protagonist is able to withstand weak frosts without being damaged. So much so that in the Mediterranean region, as well as in warmer places, It is often grown outside, in pots to decorate the balcony or terrace, or planted directly in the garden soil. 

Origin and characteristics of Mammillaria spinosissima

It is a species of cactus endemic to Mexico, specifically from Guerrero and Morelos, called thorny biznaga. It develops a cylindrical body, blue-green in color, with a height of up to 30 centimeters and a thickness or diameter of 6-7 centimeters. As we said at the beginning, it has many spines: from 10 to 30 are radial which measure from 2 to 18 millimeters, and from 2 to 17 central spines that are 1-2 centimeters long and can be white, yellow, ruby, red, brown or whitish.

Flowers they appear at the top of the stem, forming something like a garland, and are about 2 centimeters long. They are pink with a red border, and sprout in spring, sometimes also in autumn. Once they are pollinated, the fruit matures, which will measure about 1 centimeter and will be reddish brown or greenish in color. The seeds are small and brown.

What are the care you need?

If you dare to have a copy of Mammillaria spinosissima, we recommend you take care of it as follows:

Climate

It is very important to know what climate or climates a plant supports before acquiring it, especially when we talk about cacti because unless we have a very bright interior patio it will cost a lot to grow correctly inside the house or on the floor.

With this in mind, this species of Mammillaria, like others of its genus, it is a plant that lives well in hot and dry tropical climates, but it is also capable of withstanding a few degrees below zero as long as it is for a short time.

Location

The ideal is to have it outside, in full sun. But beware: if you are not used to it, that is, if it is a plant that they have had in semi-shade or indoors, you have to get used to it little by little and gradually to be exposed to the rays of the star king, otherwise it will would burn.

Earth

In their habitat the Mammillaria they grow on sandy, and even stony soils. When grown, try to emulate the conditions found in their place of origin, because that is the only way to make it last ... as long as it has to last.

Therefore, we advise the following:

• Flower pot: fill with pumice or quartz sand (the kind used in aquariums). It could also be worth mixing construction gravel (1-3mm thick) mixed with 30-40% peat.
• Garden: as it is a relatively small plant, make a hole of about 50x50cm and fill it with the substrate or substrates mentioned above, and plant it in it. We must ensure that it is not too high or too low. More or less, the level of the surface of what is the root ball must be 1cm below the soil level.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be rather scarce, especially in autumn and winter. In those seasons, you have to water once a month or so, because as it does not grow and the substrate or the soil takes longer to dry out completely, if we water more often, it is most likely that we will run out of cacti.

In spring and summer, especially if it is a very hot and dry summer season, we will water 1-2 times a week, depending on how quickly the soil dries.

By the way, in case of having it in a pot, do not put any plate under it, otherwise the roots would rot. For this same reason, it should not be planted in containers without holes.

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From early spring to late summer It is advisable to pay it with a specific fertilizer for cacti following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Multiplication

La Mammillaria spinosissima multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring-summer:

Seeds

The seeds they are sown for example in pots or in seedling trays, with a mixture of black peat and quartz or pomx sand in equal parts. It is important to avoid crowding them, so that they can germinate better.

They will be covered with a thin layer of substrate, watered, and finally placed outside, in full sun.

They will germinate in about 10 days.

Cuttings

It is the most efficient method of obtaining new copies. To do this, just we have to cut a shoot that has come out, and put it in a bright place but without direct sun for about ten days for the wound to dry.

After that time, we will plant it in a pot with, for example, pumice and leave it outside, in a bright area but without direct sun.

If all goes well, in about 15-20 days it will start to grow.

Plagues and diseases

La Mammillaria spinosissima It is quite resistant, but you have to keep the snails away from her.

Planting or transplanting time

En spring, when the frosts have passed.

If we have it in a pot, we will transfer it to a larger one every 2-3 years.

Rusticity

It resists weak and short-term frosts. From experience, I will tell you that holds well up to -2ºC. If you live in an area where the winters are colder, protect it indoors or in a greenhouse until the good weather returns.

What do you think of this cactus? It is certainly a plant that cannot be missing from any collection of succulents, whether in a garden or on a magnificent terrace  .