Mammillaria Voburnensis Cactus Care

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:

1. Coarse sand – 1 Part
2. Garden soil – 1 Part
3. Crushed stones/bricks – 1 Part (optional)
4. Fungicide – ½ Tsp (for small pot)
5. 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:

1. Bottom layer: fill the bottom ½ inch of the pot with gravels.
2. Middle layer: fill this layer with at least 1 to  ½ inch of coarse sand.
3. 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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Jade Plant Care

Although native to desert areas, Jade plant has become one of the most common and trendy houseplants across the globe. With its multi-stemmed spreading structure, this plant looks just like a grownup tree in miniature form.

About this plant

The jade plant is native to South Africa and it grows abundantly amongst other succulent plants. The plant is a very slow grower and has woody stems and oval-shaped thick leaves. Star-shaped clustered pink or white flowers are produced by the jade plant which has a soft sweet fragrance. Jade plant blooms when they are about 5 to 8 years old. But when kept indoors the plant will never bloom. The jade plant is long-lived when maintained in ideal condition. Most possibly your future generations might get the opportunity to gaze its beauty.

Tips for the caring of Jade Plant

Jade plants are very easy to grow and they don’t need regular nursing. However, they are very susceptible to diseases when over or under cared. Consequently, you must have to maintain certain routines to keep them alive. But still, you won’t be needing too much effort. Let’s see how to take care of a jade plant properly:

Water Requirements

Jade plant is a succulent which stores water in its leaves, stems, and roots.  So it does not need frequent watering and a little negligence will not necessarily kill it. However, unlike other succulents, this plant is not altogether drought resistant. The plant may die due to lack of sufficient watering.

It thrives well in moist but not wet soil. If the plant sits in wet soil for a prolonged period then it will show different damaging symptoms. The jade plant will need more irrigation during spring and summer, which is its growing season. If your plant is in a clay pot then water the plant every 10 to 12 days. Contrariwise if you are using a plastic container then water the plant every 02 to 03 weeks. Water the plant thoroughly to soak the soil. The excess water must be drained out through the bottom holes. And don’t forget to empty the bottom saucer as stagnant water might damage the roots.

Water your plant when the soil is nearly dry but do not let the soil completely dry out. It is ideal to water the plant when at least one inch of the soil is dry. Just push your finger down into the soil to feel if it's moist. It is always wise to inspect the soil and the condition of the plant on regular basis to determine the need for water:

• Wrinkled, faded, brown spotted and dropping leaves: needs immediate deep irrigation.
• Flaccid leaves: receiving too much water and needs less irrigation.
• Yellow leaves: overwatering. Do not water until the soil dries out.
• Soft and mushy root: soil contains too much moisture. In such an instance, get rid of the rotting roots and repot the plant with new growing medium.
• Topsoil mold: sometimes overwatering forms a white or grey mold on the topsoil surface.  In such a case, remove the mold and follow a controlled routine for watering.
• Falling branches: If the root rots due to overwatering then the branches start falling off. The solution is to water it less.

During its dormant season, i.e., fall and winter the jade plant rests and will require less moisture in the soil. Hence, during that period your job is to keep it dry as much as it is possible. But as this plant is not very drought resistant you must have to water it under the following conditions:

• If the leaves look little wrinkled, flaccid or develop brown spots.
• If the leaves start dropping abnormally.

The dormant stage is very critical for the jade plant so you can’t just soak the pot thoroughly when experiencing the above conditions. The best way to rehydrate the plant during this period is by watering it lightly or spraying water from a spray bottle.

To conclude, over and under watering exhibit almost the same symptoms. Therefore, you need to learn the behavior of your plant to keep it alive. It’s a dilemma and you have to suffer if you can’t figure it out! Huh! How to know then? Well, most commonly the lower leaves will feel a bit softer when the plant needs a drink. But remember, it’s not even a conclusive criterion!

Lighting Requirements

The jade plant can grow in different lighting conditions ranging from direct sunlight, bright and indirect light. It may also be kept under low light but the plant will start losing leaves and the stems will start to sag. To ensure better growth in indoors keep your jade plant in a bright place, preferably a south-facing window. You may also arrange artificial fluorescent lighting to maintain its health. But in outdoors try to keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid sunburn. Remember, this plant will start dropping old leaves in extreme hot condition.  

Potting & Soil Preparation

As the jade plant falls under the succulent category, it won’t grow well in heavier soil. Light and well-draining potting mix is best for jade plants. You can make your own succulent mix with the help of easily collectable mediums:

• Coarse sand – 1 Part
• White sand – 1 Part
• Garden soil – 1 Part
• Crushed stones – 1 Part

The choice of pot is also important. It must contain adequate holes underneath to drain out the excess water. Pot size isn’t a matter as jade plants are comfortable growing root-bound. In fact, a smaller pot will keep the plant in miniature shape allowing easy maintenance. But try to choose a low depth wide and heavy pot as these plants often becomes heavy and fall over with pot. You can choose either clay or plastic pot. The pot’s material will just determine the frequency of irrigation which we have discussed in the “Water Requirements” section. But personally, I like plastic pots for succulents or cacti. Clay pots soak water from the soil and thus retain lots of moisture. Consequently, the soil might remain damp for a long time, a condition which could rot the plant’s root. Clay pots actually work well in outdoors. On the other hand, plastic pots with good drainage system are much safer because they do not absorb water and the soil dries up easily, however in a low humid atmosphere. They are good for either indoor or outdoor use.

Cold Tolerance

The Jade plant is not very frost hardy. The plant can live outdoors in winter when the temperature is between 45 to 55° Fahrenheit. It must be shifted indoors if the temperature drops below 50° Fahrenheit. The plant will get flaccid if it is exposed to frost or cold weather for a long time.

Propagation

Jade plants are relatively easy to propagate as you can use a single leaf or stem cuttings. To start the propagation process first take a leaf or stem cutting and store it in a warm place for 3-5 days to dry out the cut ends. This would prevent rot and encourage root development. Now cover the cut end in well-drained gritty moist soil. Place the pot in warm place under bright and indirect light. Spray the soil with water moderately when the soil seems dry. After one or two weeks gently pull the leaf or stem cutting to inspect whether root is developing or not. Repeat this procedure until the rooting takes place. After full development of roots water the plant thoroughly. And let the soil dry out completely between watering again. Keep the plant away from direct sunlight until it is well established.

Toxicity

Jade plant is slightly toxic for human beings. You might have vomiting or diarrhea upon ingestion of any parts of the jade plant. But this plant is very poisonous form pets including cats and dogs. So, always keep this plat away from the reach of children and domestic animals.

Quick Facts

• Common Names: Jade Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree
• Category: Succulent
• Scientific Name: Crassula ovata
• Synonyms: NA
• Family: Crassulaceae
• Genus: Crassula
• Origin: South Africa
• Habitat: Dry, rocky hillsides
• Life Span: Perennial
• Growth Rate: Medium
• Growing Season: spring, summer
• Leaf Color: Green
• Blooming Time: Varies, usually late autumn and winter
• Flower Color:  White, pink
• Fruits: NA
• Dormant Time: Fall and winter
• Height: 3 ft - 5 ft
• Width: 2 ft - 3 ft
• Exposure: Full sunlight
• Maintenance: Low
• Drought Resistant: Yes, moderately
• Water Needs: Low
• Frost Tolerant: No
• Toxicity: Yes, slightly
• Humidity: Low (30 to 50%)
• Temperature: 65 to 70 degrees
• Propagation: Stem and leaf cutting
• Planting Time: Spring, summer

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