Cultivation Method of Mammillaria plumosa (White Star Cactus)
Abstract: This article provides an introduction to the succulent plant Mammillaria plumosa, its cultivation method. Let's delve into the details.
Mammillaria plumosa is a species of the Cactaceae family, native to the northern part of Mexico. The plant has small, spherical stems that grow densely in clusters, with a diameter of 5-7 centimeters, deep green in color, densely covered with white feathery spines; the axils of the tubercles have white, long, fluffy hairs, with 40 radial spines. The spines are 0.3-0.7 centimeters long, grayish-white or white. The white star flowers bloom in winter, small and white, with petals that have brown or red midribs, and brown seeds, cross-pollinated by separate male and female plants.
The soil preparation for white star cacti is relatively simple, using a mixture of perlite and peat at the bottom, adding vermiculite and granular coal slag, with a random ratio, focusing on good aeration, and covering the soil surface with granular pumice. This variety is not very tolerant to direct sunlight and its roots are prone to rot, so the soil should be fast-draining and well-aerated. During the growing season, water should be given only after the soil is completely dry, and for mature plants, less water should be given. Water should only be given when the soil is very dry, preferably by watering thoroughly, and there's no need to worry about overwatering or rotting roots by frequently watering partially or being too cautious with the amount of water.
In the summer, the plants will slightly dormancy and need light shading and good ventilation. From July to September, during the high-temperature period, the plants should be kept in a cool and well-ventilated environment, and from September to December, water should be given only after the soil is completely dry. During the cold winter, when the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius, almost no water is given to the plants. Although winter is the growing season for white star cacti, less water can prevent frostbite and root rot caused by low temperatures. The plants can still tolerate low temperatures if the soil is dry. In a greenhouse with a temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius, the white star cacti show no changes. This temperature is measured inside the greenhouse. Usually, a pot of water is placed inside the greenhouse, and if the water freezes, it needs to be heated. As long as it's not outdoors, such temperatures can be tolerated by the white star cacti. Therefore, it's important not to keep them in too low temperatures for extended periods. During the growing season, water should be given only after the soil is completely dry, and avoid watering from above, as poor ventilation can easily cause积水 at the growing point, leading to rot. In spring, watering must be gradual, and attention should be paid to changes in the weather. White star cacti are relatively easy to care for, but attention must be paid to temperature and the amount of water given.
The propagation of white star cacti is mainly through seeding and grafting, with the seed-grown plants being more cold-tolerant than the grafted ones.
The above information provides some basic knowledge and experience in the cultivation of Mammillaria plumosa. I hope this article can be of some help to you!