Mammillaria spinosissima var. rubispina | Hippie cactus
€15,90
🌱 Morphology
It seems as if the cactus were dressed in a copper cloak: emerging from its bluish-green body are dense central spines of an intense copper-red color that, as they grow, cover a good portion of the plant like a true crown of fire. It is a small Mammillaria but with an enormous visual presence, especially when it forms groups of cylindrical stems.
The stems are cylindrical, dark green to bluish-green, generally up to 30 cm tall and 6–7 cm in diameter. Each areola produces numerous fine white radial spines, almost like small bristles, which contrast with about 12–15 more robust, straight, copper-red central spines, measuring about 10–12 mm. Over the years, it can produce offsets and form attractive clusters.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
It is a horticultural selection of Mammillaria spinosissima, a species native to Mexico, mainly from Guerrero and Morelos, where it grows in arid and semi-arid environments among scrubland and well-drained rocky terrain. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −5 ºC if kept completely dry, is well-acclimated, and the exposure is brief. There are references indicating occasional lower resistance, but it is more prudent to consider −5 ºC as a cultivation benchmark.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs intense lighting, with an approximate target of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. Progressive exposure to direct sun intensifies the coloration of the spines and promotes a more compact and densely spiny plant.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest.
It resumes growth with the rise in temperatures in spring. During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it must be kept practically dry, especially at low temperatures.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small deep pink, purple, or magenta flowers, about 12 mm in size, which appear forming a crown around the top of the stem. Flowering begins in late winter and continues throughout the spring; in Madrid, it can mainly be expected between March and May.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
M-> 14cm x 14 cm
L->16cm x 16 cm
* As 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 it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.
- 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.
