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Mammillaria prolifera

What is the plant

Mammillaria prolifera is a species of cactus in the subfamily Cactoideae, with the common name Texas nipple cactus. It is a low growing cactus, commonly branching to form colonies often 6 dm in diameter.

Mammillaria (Pincushion or Nipple Cactus) is the genus name of an attractive type of succulent cactus plants native mostly to the southwest United States and Mexico with some having naturalized into the Caribbean. There are around 300 species within the genus Mammillaria. The varieties for sale as houseplants are typically small and grow close to the ground in the wild. To recognize a true Mammillaria cactus, look for its spirally arranged, succulent nipple shaped tubercles. Interestingly, the spines of true cactus Mammillaria are arranged according to the Fibonacci sequence. This means that each row of tubercles is equal in number to the sum of the two rows immediately above it. When you view the pincushion cactus plant from above, you should notice that it has a very organized and orderly appearance.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

10°C - 20°C

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
In the growing season, the plants should be watered at least once a week. When watering, the soil should be given a good soaking, allowing excess water to drain away. Allow the compost to dry out slightly between each watering.
Pruning
Never remove more than a third of the foliage in any one year and to cut just above a node on the stem.
Fertilizer
Cacti fertilizer requirements are pretty simple. Any good houseplant food (diluted to half) that's higher in phosphorus than nitrogen is a good choice. A 5-10-5 solution can work well.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun. In a south-facing window, blinds should be shading it form direct light. An east facing window, where the sun disappears after about 10 AM, is a good choice as is a west facing window where the plant will receive afternoon sun.
Soil
Cacti require a porous, sandy or pebbly potting soil that provides plenty of aeration and excellent drainage. A good cactus potting mixture will also consist of some organic material that makes moisture available to the plant roots when watered but then dries out quickly.
Temperature
Outside, it can be grown in the areas with the lowest temperatures of 25°F (−3.9°C) to 50°F (+10°C). It can survive freezing temperatures for short periods of time. Inside, average room temperatures from 65°F/18.3°C to 75°F/23.8°C.

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Container
Many seasoned gardeners recommend using a container that is about 10% larger in diameter than the cactus plant at its widest point.
Popularity
2,834 people already have this plant 531 people have added this plant to their wishlists