: Mammillaria picta Meinsh.
Wochenschr. Gärtnerei Pflanzenk. [C. Koch & Fint. ] 1: 27. 1858
Neomammillaria picta (Mammillaria picta) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger
: Mammillaria pictaSN|15234]]SN|9365]] is found at many locations throughout north-eastern central Mexico in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains north and south of Cd. Victoria, where it occurs in the states of San Luis Potosi, Coahuila, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon. The species occurs over an area of more than 40,000 km2. This species is relatively common. Its estimated population size is more than 500,000 individuals.
Altitude range: It occurs at elevations around 1,000-1,800 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: This shadow-loving species is found on calcareous rock in semi-desert under the shade of shrubs (matorral xerófilo). Accompanying cactus and succulent species can be: Mammillaria candidaSN|31970]]SN|9015]], Mammillaria roseoalbaSN|9015]]SN|31970]], Mammillaria baumiiSN|9365]]SN|15234]], Echinocereus blanckiiSN|21819]]SN|7478]], Pilosocereus palmeriSN|6732]]SN|6732]] and Echinocereus viereckiiSN|7478]]SN|21819]], Obregonia denegriiSN|2100]]SN|2100]], Ferocactus echidneSN|1690]]SN|1690]] var. victoriensis, Neobuxbaumia euphorbioidesSN|6356]]SN|6356]], Echinocactus platyacanthusSN|10367]]SN|10367]], Myrtillocactus geometrizansSN|8050]]SN|8050]], Opuntia engelmanniiSN|16289]]SN|19920]], Opuntia imbricataSN|8157]]SN|8157]], Opuntia kleiniaeSN|19920]]SN|16289]], Tillandsia usneoidesSN|28167]]SN|28167]], Selaginella lepidophylla, Agave salmianaSN|23013]]SN|27883]], Agave lechuguillaSN|27883]]SN|23013]], Dasylirion longissimumSN|21896]]SN|21896]], Sabal pumos, Nolina strictaSN|22887]]SN|22887]], Dioon eduleSN|11224]]SN|11224]] and Yucca filifera. There is little interest in collecting this species and small consequent threat. Increased agricultural use and housing expansion also pose a small threat.
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: Mammillaria pictaSN|23716]]SN|9365]] is a genuine winter-flowering species with greenish white blooms even in tiny seedlings.
Stem: Usually simple, becoming tuberous at base, globose to ovoid, dull green, 4-5 cm high and in diameter
Roots: Tuberous.
Tubercles: Cylindric-terete, somewhat oblique, obtuse, without latex, their axils with a few twisted hairlike bristles.
Radial spines: (10)11-15(-20), protruding, bristle-like, pubescent yellowish at base, white near middle, above dark purple, brown or amber yellow to 10 mm long, lower (3-)4(-5) much longer, slender, hair-like and white.
Central spines: 1 (rarely 2), to 10 mm long, erect, straight, brownish to dark brown, (not distinguishable in subsp. viereckii).
Flowers: Wide funnelform, pale greenish white to 9-20 mm long and 11-15 mm in
diameter. Stigma-lobes 3.
Fruits: Elongated, red.
Seeds: Black.
Taxonomy: Mammillaria pictaSN|9303]]SN|9365]] is quite variable and intergrades in habitat with Mammillaria carmenaeSN|2259]]SN|20921]] by way of Mammillaria pictaSN|9365]]SN|9365]] subs. viereckii and Mammillaria dumetorumSN|20921]]SN|2259]], and with Mammillaria proliferaSN|9365]]SN|9303]] by way of Mammillaria albicomaSN|9365]]SN|23716]].
Mammillaria picta Meinsh.: (subsp. picta) has 1-2 central spines that can be distinguished from the 10-14 radials. - Mammillaria picta subs. viereckii (Boed.) D.R.Hunt: has 12-20 amber yellow, bristle-like spines not readily distinguishable
as centrals and radials.
: Major references and further lectures
1) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
2) John Pilbeam “Mammillaria The Cactus File Handbook” page 74. 1999
3) John Pilbeam, Mammillaria, 109 .1981
4) Edward F. Anderson (2001) “The Cactus Family” page 412.
5) Hernández, H.M., Gómez-Hinostrosa, C. and Goettsch, B. “Checklist of Chihuahuan Desert Cactaceae.” Harvard Papers in Botany 9(1): 51-68. 2004.
6) Hunt, D., Taylor, N. and Charles, G. (compilers and editors). “The New Cactus Lexicon.” dh Books, Milborne Port, UK. 2006.
7) Fitz Maurice, B & Fitz Maurice, W.A. 2013. Mammillaria picta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T62373A3113600. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T62373A3113600.en. Downloaded on 29 November 2016.
8) 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/August/2011
9) Bradleya: Yearbook of the British Cactus and Succulent Society, The Society, 1997
: Mammillaria pictaSN|9365]]SN|9365]] is an easy to grow species, just as a classic cactus, don't requires any special treatment, that seems to enjoy, in cultivation, good root space, and well drained compost, though it is not a quick grower.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. Needs lots and lots of space to grow, use large shallow container or bowl filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitively). Its roots are easily lost in pots that stay damp for any length of time. Keep dry with ample airflow in winter. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Hardiness: It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (some reports give it hardy to -12°C). However some warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success (minimum 5° to 8°C during rest season).
Exposition: Outside bright sun, filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame.
Traditional uses: The white, hooked spines of this spherical cactus were used as fish hooks in its native Mexico.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: By division, or direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Cuttings: wait until the offsets that appear at the base of old clustered specimens are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.
