There’s no way to disregard the beauty of this particular cactus. The Mammillaria voburnensis is one of the most widely popular houseplants. It blooms nicely arranged small flowers on the top of the plant which forms a crown.
About this Cactus
Mammillaria voburnensis is one of the most fascinating varieties of the Mammillaria genus. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and is also a succulent plant. Mammillaria voburnensis is native to Mexico. This type of cactus is very small in size and takes a prolonged time to be matured. It grows in a cluster and looks great when blooms. But the chance of blooming decreases when they are potted and kept as houseplants. The most important information is that Mammillaria voburnensis only blooms when it is fully matured. So, it is almost uncertain when you will have the luck to see its beautiful flower. If you are collecting it for flower then it is wise to purchase the one that already started blooming in the nursery.
Tips for the caring of Mammillaria Voburnensis Cactus
It’s a universally proven fact that cacti grow well when they are ignored. They die tragically by getting over attention! Too much caring is bad for them. But neglecting them altogether is not good either. You should at least think about them once a week to keep them happy. Let’s see in detail the things you can do while sparing some time for the cactus:
Water Requirements
This cactus is drought tolerant so you don’t need to water it frequently. During the winter season, it is dormant so cease irrigation but mist occasionally to keep the plant hydrated. But water regularly during the growing seasons, i.e., spring, summer and early fall. But water only when the top one to two-inch soil is completely dry. Keep irrigating until water comes out through the bottom holes. Clean the bottom saucer immediately when filled with water. Do not water if the soil is moist to touch because this will promote root rot plus fungal attack.
Lighting Requirements
This cactus thrives well under full or even partial sunlight. However, it should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. While kept indoors try to place it in a south-facing window that gets bright indirect sunlight. Without light, the plant will become feeble and discolored. In case your room doesn’t get enough sunlight then you may use fluorescent lights to arrange artificial lighting.
Soil Preparation & Potting
Mammillaria voburnensis prefers a well-drained soil mix. The commercial substrate could be used. However, you can easily prepare your own with the available materials around you:
- Coarse sand – 1 Part
- Garden soil – 1 Part
- Crushed stones/bricks – 1 Part (optional)
- Fungicide – ½ Tsp (for small pot)
- Gravels – as required
To prepare the soil mix ingredients 1, 2, 4, & 4 very well and leave it aside in a sunny spot for 3-4 days.
This cactus grows up to only 6-7 inches tall, so you don’t need a much bigger pot. You can use either clay or a plastic pot. But a plastic pot is the best choice as it will reduce the need for frequent watering. Whichever pot you select be sure that it has enough holes to discharge the excess water. To ensure proper drainage, fill the pot with the following three types of materials:
- Bottom layer: fill the bottom ½ inch of the pot with gravels.
- Middle layer: fill this layer with at least 1 to ½ inch of coarse sand.
- Top Layer: Fill this layer with the cactus mix.
Before planting the cactus carefully get rid of the nursery soil to bare the root. Once you are done then soak the plant in hydrogen peroxide (use 5 to 10 ml hydrogen peroxide for every 1 litre water) for at least half an hour. This will help to disinfect the root which will prevent root rot. You can also spray the whole plant with the hydrogen peroxide mix to discourage bacterial attack. Last but not least, don’t throw away the water mix, utilize it to irrigate the plant.
Re-potting
You won’t be needing to re-pot this cactus frequently. Re-potting may be required, however, only if the pot gets too crowded with offsets, or if the root ball gets too root-bound. It is always wise to repot the cactus during its growing season. But yearly re-potting with fresh soil has some benefits as well. Doing so helps to prevent fungus and salt build-up.
This cactus will be fine if re-potted once a year. It wouldn’t even mind being root bounded but will need re-potting if it becomes top-heavy or the pot becomes overcrowded with offsets.
Therefore, you should change the potting soil every couple of years to keep it fresh and salt-free.
Re-potting works fine during the growing seasons. But for easy de-soiling, do not water the cactus before re-potting.
Before re-potting make sure to get rid of any dead or rotten parts of the roots. Treat the cut areas with hydrogen peroxide or fungicide.
Cold Tolerance
Although Mammillarias are heat tolerant, they are not cold-hardy plants. During the winter season, they go to the dormant state. At this phase, they prefer a temperature between 7 and 13 °C. It may also survive in a more colder temperature, however, for a short period. If the temperature drops below -1.1 °C, it’s better to bring the plant indoors.
Propagation
Propagation of Mammillaria Voburnensis is very easy. The propagation could be carried out either by seed or offsets:
Seeds
Unlike many other cacti, Mammillaria Voburnensis is relatively easy to propagate from seeds. Always sow the seeds in a well-drained soil mixture or simply in coarse sand during the late spring or summer. Keep the pot in a sunny location and ensure that the soil is moist until the germination of the seeds. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots in the next spring.
Offsets
Pups or offsets from the mother plant is another source for propagation. The best result could be obtained during spring and summer. Water the mother very well 01 week before offset collection. To proceed take a sharp sterile blade or knife and detach the chosen offsets. Dip the cut ends in fungicide or hydrogen peroxide and lay them on dry coarse sand and store them in a warm shaded place for few days to let the cut ends heal. When the healing process is completed, place the offsets in a pot filled with well-drained soil or just coarse sand. Spray water occasionally. After few weeks the roots will form.
What Are Some Common Pests & Problems Affecting Mammillaria?
Most cacti have a long lifespan as they get less diseases. However, when they are grown as houseplants, they are more prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. These diseases ultimately cause root rot. Cactus diseases are mostly engendered by overwatering. Therefore, a proper irrigation schedule should be maintained to keep the plants healthy and disease-free. Do not forget to inspect your plant occasionally for dark spots or soft parts.
There are also the threat of pests such as mealy bugs, scale insects, spider mites, fungus gnats. Such bugs can seriously damage your plant. In worst cases, the plant can die fatally. Painfully, these bugs have formed a resistance against most commercial pesticides. So, you might have to spot them manually to get rid of them.
Quick Facts
- Common Names: Mammillaria voburnensis, Mammillaria voburnensis Scheer, Neomammillaria voburnensis (Scheer) Britton & Rose
- Category: Cactus/Succulent
- Scientific Name: Mammillaria voburnensis
- Synonyms: Mammillaria felicis, Mammillaria chapinensis, Cactus woburnensis, Neomammillaria woburnensis
- Family: Cactacea
- Genus: Mammillaria
- Origin: North America and Mexico
- Habitat: Sandy and stony soils
- Life Span: Perennial
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Growing Season: Early spring to late winter
- Leaf Color: NA
- Blooming Time: Mid Spring
- Flower Color: Red/Pale Yellow
- Fruits: NA
- Dormant Time: Winter
- Height: 6-7 in
- Diameter: NA
- Exposure: Full sun/partial shade
- Maintenance: Low
- Drought Resistant: Yes
- Water Needs: Low
- Frost Tolerant: Moderate
- Toxicity: Non-toxic
- Humidity: NA
- Temperature: Up to -1.1 °C
- Propagation: Seeds or offsets
- Planting Time: Spring/Summer
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