Mammillaria ALBICANS 'LAU'

Mammillaria ALBICANS 'LAU' - Whitish mammillaria 'Lau', Mammillaria albicans 'Lau'.

Mammillaria is a large genus of low-growing succulent plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising about 170-200 species distributed primarily in Mexico, as well as in the southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean region, and northern South America. In nature, members of the genus occur in deserts, semi-deserts, dry scrub, tropical deciduous forests, on limestone slopes, rocky plains, and in mountainous areas with bright sun and well-drained soils.

The plants typically develop as solitary or clumping spherical, flattened-spherical, cylindrical, or short-columnar cacti. Instead of ribs, they bear separate tubercles, at the tips of which are areoles with radial and central spines. In many species, wool, bristles, buds, flowers, and fruits form in the axils between tubercles.

Flowers typically form in a ring near the top of the stem, and can be white, cream, yellow, pink, red, or purple. After pollination, elongated or club-shaped fruits develop, often red or pink, containing small brown or black seeds with a pitted or reticulate surface.

Mammillaria albicans is a cluster-forming cylindrical cactus covered with short white spines that almost conceal the stem. The plant can produce five to fifteen offsets. The stem is initially spherical, then becomes cylindrical, pale green in color, 10-20 cm (3.9-7.9 in) tall and 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in) in diameter.

The tubercles are broadly conical, light green, without milky sap. Their width at the base is 5-6 mm (0.20-0.24 in), and their length is 4-5 mm (0.16-0.20 in). They are almost completely hidden by numerous spines. The axils are woolly, especially in the flowering zone, and contain several white bristles with dark brown tips. Young areoles are densely covered with white wool.

There are 14-18 radial spines, sometimes up to 21; they are thin, needle-like, straight, stiff, heavily interlaced, white, pinkish, or light brown in color, 5-8 mm (0.2-0.3 in) long. There are 3-4 central spines, sometimes up to 8. Needle-like, straight, stiff, sometimes with one central spine hooked, white or pinkish to brownish with brown tips, 8-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in) long.

Flowers up to 20 mm (0.8 in) in diameter appear at the top of the stem in the form of a corolla, colored from white to light pink with a pinkish midstripe on the petals. The outer perianth parts are pinkish. The pistil stigma is pink or purple, divided into several lobes.

Mammillaria seeds are small, dark brown or black, rounded, or slightly oval. Seed germination under careful greenhouse conditions is usually about 50-80%.

Sowing is carried out in spring or year-round if stable supplemental lighting is available. A sterile fine-grained mineral substrate based on sifted cactus soil, fine sand, perlite, and mineral grit is used. Seeds are distributed on the surface, lightly pressed into the moist soil, and covered with a minimal layer of fine sand or left uncovered. The sowing is moistened with a spray bottle using a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide with the addition of a growth stimulator: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminosol, Epin, or Zircon. The container is covered with a transparent lid or placed in a propagator.

Germination is conducted in bright diffused light and at a temperature of about 22-26 °C (72-79 °F), without direct overheating under the sun. The surface is kept moderately moist but not wet; moistening is performed only by fine spraying. Sowings are ventilated daily and condensation is removed, since stagnant moisture is dangerous for mammillaria seedlings and quickly causes fungal damage.

First sprouts may appear in 7-10 days; the usual germination period is 10-21 days, while the maximum possible period during temperature fluctuations or partial drying of the surface can extend to 4-6 weeks. After seedlings emerge, the cover is gradually opened, and seedlings are kept in bright diffused light and cautious moistening. Pricking out is performed after notable strengthening of the plants and appearance of the first spines, usually not earlier than several months later, with minimal damage to the roots.

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For cultivation, the brightest possible location with several hours of direct sun per day is selected. South, south-east, and south-west windows are best suited, and supplemental lighting is recommended during overcast seasons. After a dark wintering or repotting, the plant is gradually accustomed to direct sun to avoid sunburn on the stem.

During active growth, a temperature of about 20-28 °C (68-82 °F) is maintained with good air circulation. The plant is heat-loving and dislikes cold dampness. Wintering is kept bright, dry, and moderately cool, at about 8-12 °C (46-54 °F), with almost complete cessation of watering. At lower temperatures, a moist substrate is especially dangerous and can cause root rot.

Watering is carried out moderately, only after complete drying of the substrate. In spring and summer, the soil is moistened in small portions, with mandatory drainage of water from the drip tray. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced; in winter, the plant is kept almost dry. Water getting into the axils between tubercles is undesirable, especially under cool conditions and weak ventilation.

A loose mineral cactus substrate is used, with the addition of coarse sand, fine gravel grit, pumice, zeolite, perlite, or other inert aerators. The organic fraction is added moderately. Deep drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot, and the container is chosen to be shallow, stable, and not too spacious.

Fertilizer is applied only during active growth, once every 4-6 weeks with a weak solution of cactus and succulent fertilizer low in nitrogen. Excess nutrition causes loose growth and reduces resistance to rot. Repotting is carried out in spring as the pot fills with roots; after repotting, the plant is kept without watering for several days. Pruning is not required, and separation of lateral offsets is possible only in well-grown specimens.