Mammillaria dehertiana subsp. dodsonii | Sierra Juarez Star
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
Mammillaria diminuta, solitary and slow-growing, with a globose and erect stem, about 3 cm tall and 4 cm in diameter. The axils are bare or slightly woolly. It has 20–21 white, translucent, needle-like radial spines, up to 18 mm long, accompanied by 3–5 reddish-brown central spines, which are more rigid, straight or slightly curved, and 10–20 mm long. The contrast between the white spines and the dark central ones is particularly elegant. The fruit remains partially sunken in the stem and contains black seeds.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico, mainly in the Sierra de Juárez, around San Antonio Cuajimoloyas, between 3000 and 3220 m, with sites studied up to 3344 m. It grows in crevices of volcanic rocks and steep cliffs, among mosses, pine needles, and vegetation of Pinus and Abies forests. It is an authentic high-mountain Mammillaria, subjected to cold, atmospheric humidity, and strong winds. It belongs to the family Cactaceae, subfamily Cactoideae, and tribe Cacteae.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −8 ºC when kept dry and if specimens are well acclimatized. Its origin at over 3000 m and the presence of cold adaptations in its bristles and spines make it one of the most resistant mountain Mammillarias. However, in cultivation, the combination of frost and saturated substrate should be avoided.
☀️ Lighting
It needs plenty of light, although its high-mountain and coniferous forest habitat makes progressive exposure to direct sun advisable. A DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ during active growth is suitable, ensuring ventilation and avoiding overheating of the small stem.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. In winter, it is recommended to keep it practically dry, especially during frosts. In spring, watering is gradually resumed, and during active growth, water should be provided deeply but spaced out, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. Since it comes from a relatively humid mountain environment, it should not be subjected to extreme summer droughts like other desert Mammillarias.
🌸 Flowering
It produces magenta flowers of about 4–5 cm, exceptionally large relative to the tiny body, which can form a crown. In a studied population, anthesis began around 10–11 a.m. and lasted at least seven hours, reaching maximum opening around 3 p.m. Partial protandry and herkogamy were observed; therefore, it has a xenogamous reproduction system and requires cross-pollination. Flowering was observed in the field in February.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
Gourmet 7x7 cm pot
- Shipped today? Order within:
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over €79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
