Everything you need to know about the exotic beauty of Mammillaria elongated

Mamillaria is a type of cactus that is grown both in greenhouses and at home. Among all the variety, Mammillaria elongated is very interesting in appearance.

Her creeping stems and bright color of flowers will not leave indifferent any grower. In the article we will tell you in detail about this plant, namely: how this cactus differs from its relatives; what are the rules for caring for him; how to breed. And, of course, let’s tell you what diseases can destroy a flower.

Botanical Description

Elongated Mammillaria (Latin: mammillaria elongata) is a costless cactus that grows in nature from the south of the USA to the center of Latin America. Suitable for home cultivation in any region of Russia, as it is undemanding in care, rarely exposed to disease.

Features and differences from other plant species

Elongated Mammillaria consists of several erect and tall stems, the diameter of which reaches 4 cm. As the bush grows, the stems bend and continue their development lying down. Their surface is densely covered with white, adjacent setae.

During the flowering of the cactus, a crown of small red flowers is created. The main difference between elongated mammals and other species is that when pollinating, fruits can form in the form of berries.

How to care for a cactus?

Lighting

Elongated Mammillaria grows and develops in bright light, but in the daytime on the southern window, pretension or frequent airing will be required. During flowering, it is important to provide the cactus with 16 hours of lighting.using optional bulbs.

Temperature

Elongated Mammillaria tolerates even the most intense heat. But in winter, the plant needs to rest. To do this, it must be placed in a room with a temperature of 10-15 degrees.

Watering

Moistening mammary elongated is rarely necessary, and water is administered in small portions. The soil should dry completely. In the summer, water 2-3 times a month, and in winter - once a month, slightly moisten the top layer of the earth. Dry air is not so scary, but spray can be used for cleanliness.

Top dressing

For active growth and abundant flowering of elongated mammillaria, top dressing is necessarydesigned for cacti. It is better to do this from April to October, introducing portions of fertilizer with water for irrigation according to the instructions for a particular drug.

Transfer

Elongate Mammillaria elongated must be transplanted every 2-3 years. Spend these events in the spring. Before planting, an earthen lump must be watered so that the root system is better separated from the pot.

Procedure:

1. Carefully empty the cactus, rinse the roots with running water and gently split.
2. Plant the overgrown plant in separate containers.
3. The pot should be wide, flat and with large drainage holes.
4. Place drainage of expanded clay or crumb brick at the bottom of the tank.
5. As the soil, a mixture obtained by mixing peat, turf and leafy soil, sand is suitable. Take these components in equal proportions.

Propagation by seed and lateral shoots

Kids

This is the easiest and most effective breeding method.

Procedure:

1. To prepare flat pots for planting, and to obtain soil, combine turf ground and sand.
2. Moisten the soil slightly, gently separate the babies from the mother plant.
3. Place the baby on the surface of the soil, gently push it into the ground, but not deeply.
4. Until the roots form, you need to make a support from small pebbles or twigs.

From seed

Using this method of reproduction, it is possible to prevent the degeneration of the cactus, it makes it possible to obtain many new plants. The only minus of the method is that it is impossible to get a cactus with the exact varietal characteristics of its "parent".

Procedure:

1. Take a bowl with drainage holes, put there a mixture obtained from sand and turf land in equal proportions.
2. Spread seeds on top that do not need to be sprinkled with earth.
3. Cover the container with polyethylene or glass, and inside the mini-greenhouse you need to maintain a temperature of 22-25 degrees.
4. To prevent the seeds from drying out, you need to ventilate them regularly. As soon as the shoots appear, remove the covering material.
5. As soon as the first thorns are formed, this indicates a readiness to dive into individual pots.

Disease

If you properly care for elongated mammillaria, this will prevent the onset of disease. Cacti rarely get sick if they are not filled with water. Rotting can be recognized by signs such as softening, blackening, and brown spotting. It will not be possible to save such a flower, it must be thrown away so as not to infect the rest of the specimens.

You can try to save the plant if you cut out all the affected areas and transplant a cactus in a disinfected pot with fresh soil. Also, treatment with Fitosporin will be required.

Of the pests, mammary elongated is affected by the tick and scale. Immediately after the detection of parasites, you need to treat the plant with an insecticide, and after 7-10 days, repeat the procedure.

Similar flowers

In appearance, the following types of cacti are similar to elongated mammillaria:

• Rebutia pulvinosa.

  This plant has a cylindrical shape, and spines grow on strongly protruding areas. You can distinguish these two types of cactus only after flowering, since in elongated mammillaria flowers form at the apex, and in rebutia near the base of the body.

• A parody of Leninghouse.

  In this species, flowers are located on the top of the head, and spines grow from pronounced tubercles with areoles. Parody, unlike elongated mammillaria, does not form a baby.

• Echinopsis chamecereus.

  This is an undemanding plant care plant that grows quickly and blooms for a long time. This cactus multiplies rapidly, but it is only important to monitor the level of soil moisture.

• Cleistocactus is emerald.

  This cactus species has red flowers with a green border. The plant blooms only when it reaches a height of 25 cm. In winter, the cactus should be kept in a not very cool and not too dry room.

Elongated Mammillaria is a very unusual and interesting plant, which is often decorated not only with window sills, but also with greenhouses. The cactus is picky in its care, except for watering. He will not tolerate waterlogging, will begin to die slowly, and it will be impossible to save him.

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