Old lady cactus profile

Old Lady cactus, scientific name Mammillaria hahniana, is a perennial herbaceous pulpy plant of the genus Papillomas in the family Cactus. Old Lady cactus are oblate spherical or spherical when young, later become cylindrical, about 10 cm in diameter, light green. The verrucous protuberances are conical, the white woollen hairs of the new spines are very short, and there are 20 white woollen hairs in the axils of the verrucous protuberances.

Old lady cactus picture

Morphological characteristics of old lady cactus

Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) is a perennial herbaceous succulent plant. old lady cactus are oblate spherical or spherical when young, later become cylindrical, about 10 cm in diameter, light green. The verrucous protuberances are conical, the white woollen hairs of the new spines are very short, and there are 20 white woollen hairs in the axils of the verrucous protuberances. The woollen hairs of Old lady cactus are about 4 centimeters long, which are bent and extended to cover the ball, making the whole ball silvery white woollen balls, very beautiful. Each spikelet has 20-30 circumferential spikelets, 0.5-1.5 cm long, white; Old Lady cactus has 2-3 spines, 1.5-2 cm long, brownish tip. Flowers of Old Lady cactus are purplish red, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped. Fruit of Old Lady cactus is purple pink, seeds black brown.

Old lady cactus origin of habitat

Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) is native to the central region of the Mexican plateau, mainly distributed in Guanajuato state, San Luis Potosi state, Queretaro state, Hidalgo state is uncertain. China has introduced species, everywhere cultivation is common.Inland tropical early dry zone plants. Old Lady cactus likes hot summers, warm winters and sunny environments. Dry early, not cold, afraid of waterlogging. Old Lady cactus is suitable to grow in loose, well drained and humus rich sandy loam soil.

How to grow and care for old lady cactus  

1. Soil

For cultivating Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana), fertile soil with good drainage can be used to mix leaf rot soil, garden soil and coarse sand into culture soil. An appropriate amount of decaying organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer can be added as base fertilizer, and a small amount of calcareous material can be added if possible.

2. Light and temperature

Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) liked plenty of sunshine, and when the light was good the ball would grow pleasantly.The light is too weak, which is not conducive to its growth. However, it should be noted that the Old lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) can be preserved indoors in the winter in a warm and well-lit place. The suitable temperature for the growth of Old Lady cactus is between 5℃ and 35℃, and the temperature should not be too high or too low.Winter is generally in the indoor winter, keep the temperature above 5℃.

3. Water and fertilizer management

Old lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) needs plenty of water to keep the soil moist as it grows, and watering is usually done dry and well watered. During the growth of watering every month, watering one to two times, winter is a dormant period, to reduce watering, keep the basin soil dry, should pay attention to when watering as far as possible not to pour onto the ball. Old Lady Cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) likes to apply light fertilizer, and does not need too much fertilizer. Every month, thin liquid fertilizer is enough, and top dressing is mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Apply some bone meal to Old Lady Cactus each spring and stop fertilizing it during winter hibernation.

Old Lady Cactus method of propagation

Sowing: Sowing propagation of Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) is carried out in spring to summer, and the suitable temperature for germination is 15-25℃, and germination can be carried out 7 days after sowing. Seedlings of Old Lady cactus grow for a long time after planting, several seedlings planted in the pot. Watering should be appropriate and the soil should not be overdone. When the seedling top minister gives burr, can divide potted, 1 basin 1 seedling. It is best to plant Old Lady cactus in spring. The overwintering temperature of seedlings is above 10℃.

Cutting propagation of Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana): outdoor cuttings of Old Lady cactus in spring to autumn are appropriate, high temperature and rainy summer can not cut, but in the greenhouse four seasons can be cut. Cuttage substrate with river sand and a small amount of sawdust. With a full and substantial ball for cuttings, if the ball of Old Lady cactus is too young, easy to rot. Cut surface to smooth, cut surface coated with charcoal powder or sulfur powder put in a weak cool place, air 2-3 days, to be dried, cut after the contraction can cuttage. Do not insert too deep, with a small incision into the soil is appropriate. Put Old Lady cactus half shade after inserting, and spray water, to keep the soil moist, about 40 days can take root and survive.

Grafting propagation of Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana): stock with Old Lady cactus or measuring day foot, scion with ball, grafting with flat grafting method. Do not water after grafting. Place Old Lady cactus in a cool place.

The main value of old lady cactus

Papastomere plants such as Old Lady cactus (Mammillaria hahniana) have regular, white spheres, and when they bloom, they open in circles, which are very beautiful. Slow growing, Old Lady cactus is suitable for family potting, cultivated in China is more common, for the popular small bulb varieties. The ball is densely covered with white fume outside. Old Lady cactus has high ornamental value. Old Lady cactus is a common and popular indoor potted small cactus ornamental plant. The fruit is eaten by humans.