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Cactus Succulent

Mammillaria petterssonii

Pettersson's pincushion cactus

A clustering cactus with spherical stems to 12cm round, with woolly axils and pointed tubercles bearing long, yellow-brown central spines surrounded by fine white radial spines. Produces pink or white funnel-shaped flowers, with dark pink mid-veins, in a ring around the crown of the stem from spring to summer

Synonyms
Mammillaria apozolensis var. saltensis
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Pink White
Summer Green Pink White
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Mammillaria are spiny cacti with spherical or columnar stems, often in clusters, with many prominent tubercles, and funnel-shaped flowers usually in a ring near the apex of the stem

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a free draining cactus compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely during the growing season and sparingly in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more details

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in late winter or early spring, or by division, removing offsets in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and root mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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