Mammillaria matudae | Tom Thumb Cactus
€7,95
🌵 Morphology
Small Mammillaria with cylindrical stems, initially erect and later creeping, reaching about 10–20 cm in length and 3–4 cm in diameter. With age, it produces basal offsets and can form clusters. The tubercles are conical and the axils are completely bare. Each areole features about 18–20 white, very short and almost translucent radial spines, along with a central spine directed towards the apex, initially brown and up to 5 mm long. During flowering, the stems can lift, a curious change in habit that makes this species even more unique.
🌎 Distribution and habitat
Endemic to Mexico, with presence in the State of Mexico, Michoacán, and Guerrero, where it grows at approximately 700 to 1,250 m altitude, mainly in dry scrublands. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, and Cacteae tribe.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b
Tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −4 ºC with a completely dry substrate.
☀️ Lighting
Filtered sunlight or bright partial shade is recommended, although intense light encourages compact growth, good spination, and abundant flowering. Indoors, it needs a very bright location.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During active growth, it is recommended to water thoroughly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In autumn, watering should be gradually reduced, and it should be kept dry during winter. It tolerates humidity better than many other Mammillaria, but it should always be grown in a balanced substrate.
🌸 Flowering
It flowers mainly in March and April, forming a spectacular crown of deep pink to magenta flowers, about 12–15 mm in size, around the apex of each stem. It is a generous and regular bloomer when it receives sufficient light and its winter rest is respected.
🌿 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 turgor, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
9x9 cm gourmet black pot
This is an inimitable xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
* Since this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living thing! Each Desert CITY plant has unique characteristics.
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