Publication: Bluh. Kakteen 6: under pl. 71. 1905
Description
Mammillaria lasiacantha are usually unbranched or slowly clustering, deep-seated in substrate and inconspicuous.
Stems: Depressed-spheric to short cylindric, 1-3.5cm wide × 1,5-7 cm tall. axils bare.
Roots: Diffuse not enlarged.
Spines: 40-80 per areole, in several series but all equally thin, mostly appressed, white or very pale pink, often minutely tipped pinkish brown, innocuous, bristlelike, 0,5-6 mm, glabrous to plumose, all interpreted as radial, innermost spines shortest; No central spines.
Flowers: 1-2,5 cm; white or cream, usually with sharply defined midstripes of green, yellow, tan, pink, pale purple, or reddish, blooming from January to March
Fruits: Scarlet, cylindric or clavate, 10-25 mm long with floral remnant persistent ripening in June August.
“SB500”: Adults of Mammillaria lasiacantha usually have glabrous spines, but in the SB500 population all plants may retain plumose spines at maturity.
Origin and Habitat
Cuatrocienagas, Coahuila, Mexico
Cultivation and Propagation
This plant has not the fame to be easy to cultivate, but in good conditions with excellent ventilation, it grows without difficulty. It is especially sensitive to overwatering. So careful watering and an open mineral potting soil are a must. Avoid the use of peat or other humus sources in the potting mixture. Don’t add limestone to the potting mix which must be moderately acidic. Can be sensitive to frost (but if dry they are resistant to -5° C). Requires maximum sun exposure to reach its full potential and to achieve success in flowering. A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel (perhaps losing up to 25% of its summer height) will encourage flowering and long time survival. Be careful to encourage slow growth. Provide very good ventilation.
Propagation:: Direct sow after last frost. (it usually doesn’t produces offsets).