Mammillaria elongata f. rubispina | Ladyfinger cactus. Crimson Lace.
€79,50
🌱 Morphology
A horticultural form of Mammillaria elongata, fast-growing and very caespitose, producing numerous cylindrical stems 6–15 cm long and 1.5–3.5 cm in diameter. The tubercles are small, conical, and arranged in a spiral. The distinguishing characteristic of ‘Rubrispina’ is its reddish, coppery, or brownish-red radial spines, which contrast with the green body and form a particularly ornamental covering. It may have 0–3 central spines.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
The species is endemic to Mexico, mainly in Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and Querétaro, where it grows between approximately 1300 and 2300 m on rocky, calcareous terrain in dry scrubland. Mammillaria elongata is a very variable species in terms of the color and number of its spines, a circumstance that has led to numerous historical names. ‘Rubrispina’ is maintained here as a horticultural name for the red-spined form.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cacteae ·
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −5 ºC for short periods and with the substrate completely dry. Actual resistance depends on the state of hydration and the duration of exposure.
☀️ Lighting
Full sun or very intense lighting is recommended, with an approximate PAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. Abundant lighting promotes compact growth and helps maintain the intense coloration of the spines.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During active growth, it is recommended to water deeply and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In autumn, watering is progressively reduced until the plant is kept dry throughout the winter.
🌸 Flowering
Between February and June, it produces numerous small flowers, approximately 1–1.5 cm, creamy white or pale yellow, frequently with a pink or salmon central line, forming a crown around the tips of the stems. In cultivation, flowering has been documented from very early ages, even around 2 years from seed in precocious specimens. The species can emit a second flowering later in the same year, so it may behave as a re-bloomer.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended once a month along with watering. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
🪴 Pot
Large specimen in a 30 cm bowl pot
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The plant's measurements are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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