Mammillaria pringlei 'Tarrina' 30 cm | Lemon ball cactus.
€68,90
🌱 Morphology
Relatively fast-growing cactus, initially solitary, although it can branch through dichotomous division of the apex, eventually forming clusters with age. The stem is globose and subsequently short-cylindrical, up to about 16 cm high and 8–12 cm in diameter, green to grayish-green with semi-milky latex. The tubercles are large, up to 1.4 cm, with axils provided with bristles. It features 15–22 yellow radial spines, fine and rigid, up to 1 cm, and 5–8 central spines that are much more robust, yellow, and up to 4 cm long, generally straight or curved; the lower one is usually the longest. This combination of yellow spines of two sizes and the dichotomous growth is characteristic of the species.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is endemic to Mexico, with a distribution from Querétaro to Veracruz and the State of Mexico, although the populations described in the Flora del Bajío are concentrated in southern Querétaro. It grows mainly in open, rocky areas of Quercus forests, approximately between 2200 and 2500 m altitude. It is an uncommon species and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cacteae
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC for short periods and with the substrate completely dry.
☀️ Lighting
Full sun or very intense lighting is recommended, with an approximate PAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. High radiation promotes a compact habit and intense yellow coloration of the spines.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During active growth, it is recommended to water deeply and allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. From late summer, waterings are progressively reduced until the plant is kept dry during the winter.
🌸 Flowering
It produces pink to deep purplish-pink flowers, approximately 1.2–2 cm, which form a ring around the top of the stem. In its habitat, it has been recorded mainly between August and September, although in cultivation, it can extend through spring and summer. The fruits are red and cylindrical. No sufficiently reliable data on the age of the first flowering has been found.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cacti 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 maintains 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 technological square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
- 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.
