Description
It is a popular sun-loving succulent that forms large groups. It is readily identified by its long, white, thin, flexible hairs which can densely cloak the plant’s body and increase in thickness, richness and length in age. This cactus flowers prolifically, even when young, making it a good species to have in a collection.
Stem: At first globular, later cylindrical, light green,or greyish-green up to 9 cm high and 10 cm in diameter.
Tubercles: Numerous, small, triangular conical, with latex.
Axils: with 20 or more white hair-like bristles, spreading, curly, which can be, short or, on some plants, up to 5cm long.
Central spines: 1-4, white with reddish tips up to 4 mm long.
Radial spines: 20-30 pectinate, sometimes absent or nearly so, hairlike, white,
5-15 mm long.
Flowers: M. hahniana var. albiflora produces concentric rings of white flowers about 12-15 mm in diameter.
Blooming season: Late winter to spring.
Fruits: Club shaped, red, 5-7 mm long.
Seeds: Brown.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (white flowering form)
Cultivation and Propagation
It is a rapid growing species that will form large clumps rather rapidly when compared to other Mammillaria species. Needs lots and lots of space to grow. Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone) Use pot with good drainage and a very porous potting media, keep dry in winter. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer. It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (some reports give it hardy to -12°C) Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun.
Propagation: Division, direct sow after last frost.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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John Pilbeam “Mammillaria: the cactus file handbook” Cirio Publishing Services Ltd Dec/30,/1999
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