Mammillaria plumosa | Feather cactus
€21,20
🌱 Morphology
Globose cactus, deep green, generally cespitose and capable of forming large clumps of numerous heads. Each stem reaches approximately 6–8 cm in diameter and is formed by numerous cylindrical tubercles of about 5 mm, whose axils are densely covered with white wool. Each areole produces around 40–50 white or cream radial spines, very fine, soft, flexible, and curved towards the stem, which intertwine to form a characteristic feathery-looking cover. It has no central spines. IT CAN BE TOUCHED, even by a child.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Species endemic to northeastern Mexico, distributed in Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. It is found at altitudes of approximately 750 to 1500 m, mainly in xerophilous scrubland and on limestone walls, crevices, and outcrops, where the roots remain very well-drained. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. It is considered Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN and is listed as a threatened species under Mexican regulations.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 8b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −7 ºC if kept completely dry and well acclimated. The high exposure of its stems and the density of its spines should not be confused with an adaptation to humid environments: during the winter cold, it is especially important to keep the substrate dry.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs high lighting, with an approximate goal of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates direct sun once acclimated. Intense lighting promotes compact stem formation and maintains the white, feathery appearance of the spines.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water abundantly and let the substrate dry completely before the next watering. In autumn, water supply is gradually reduced, and during winter, it is kept practically dry. With this species, it is especially important to prevent moisture from being trapped between the wool, areoles, and the numerous spines.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small greenish-white to cream flowers, approximately 12–16 mm long, which appear in a ring around the top of the body. The fruits are small, cylindrical, and pinkish or reddish-brown. In Madrid, it can flower mainly between October and November. It is one of the most reluctant cacti to go to sleep in autumn.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 Gourmet xerophyte in an 11x11 cm pot.
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen 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 it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.
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