Mammillaria matudae
| Light | Bright light with some direct sun; a little shade from the harshest afternoon sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderately in the warm months; let the mix dry fully between waterings, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, mostly mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; roughly USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Offsets and seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Mammillaria matudae is a slender, cylindrical cactus from central Mexico that starts life upright but leans, reclines and clusters as it ages, eventually forming groups of finger-like stems. Its neatly spiralled tubercles and its habit of blooming in bright rings of pink flowers around the stem have earned it the common name thumb cactus. It is a member of the large genus Mammillaria, and one of the easier species to keep and flower on a sunny windowsill.
Description
Mammillaria matudae forms a soft green, cylindrical stem typically a few centimetres thick and, in time, considerably longer than it is wide. Young plants stand upright, but as they lengthen they tend to lean over and grow semi-prostrate, and they branch and offset freely to build up loose clusters of slim stems.
The surface is patterned with small, conical tubercles arranged in tight, elegant spirals. Each areole carries short, fine radial spines pressed close to the body, usually with a single slightly longer central spine, giving the plant a low, tidy texture rather than a fierce one. In spring, small deep-pink to purplish-pink flowers open in a distinctive ring near the top of each stem — an unusually neat display that is much of this species' charm.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to central Mexico, recorded mainly in the State of México near the borders with Michoacán and Guerrero, where it grows in dry scrub on rocky ground at roughly 700–1,250 m elevation. As the stems lengthen with age they lean and sprawl, giving mature plants their characteristic reclining habit — the same growth seen in cultivation. As with the whole cactus family, it is listed under CITES Appendix II; nursery-grown plants are widely available and legal to own and trade, while collecting from the wild is not.
Cultivation
Mammillaria matudae is a rewarding, forgiving grower and a good choice for someone building confidence with the genus. Plant it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it bright light with some direct sun to keep the stems compact and to encourage the ring of flowers. Water thoroughly through the warm months once the mix has dried out, then let it dry again; keep the plant dry and cool over winter, which both prevents rot and helps trigger spring flowering.
Because the stems lengthen and lean, older plants can look their best in a slightly wider or taller pot where the clustering stems have room to spread. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
The easiest method is to remove one of the clustering stems or offsets, let the cut surface callus for several days, and pot it into a gritty mix (see Propagation — offsets and Propagation — cuttings). The species also grows readily from seed, which is the usual route when you want many plants or fresh, single-headed specimens.
Common problems
- Rot — the most common cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a slow-draining mix, especially in winter.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the stems thin, pale and weak, and discourages the tidy ring of flowers.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff among the tubercles and roots) and red spider mites (fine webbing, bronzed skin) are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Mammillaria — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — offsets · Repotting · Pests and diseases