Mammillaria elongata plant

About Mammillaria elongata plant

Gold Lady Finger Cactus or Mammillaria elongata plant is native to central New Mexico. it consists of densely packed clusters of elongated oval stems, covered in harmless yellow or brown spines, and in spring producing white or yellow flowers. Perhaps called the Lady Finger Cactus because it resembles somebody flipping a bird. Because their root systems are weak, they are especially prone to root rot, which will eventually kill your plant. Otherwise, they thrive on a program of strong, bright light; slight water; and a steady diet of light fertilizer.

Mammillaria flowers form a ring on new tissue that’s grown during the previous growing season. To get flowers, it is necessary to watch watering and fertilizing schedules during the growing season to assure flowers for the next year. This plant has pale yellow to white blooms. Water and fertilize your cactus regularly throughout the summer, like any other container plant, as this is its growing season.

Propagating Mammillaria elongata plant

It is among the commonest and most variable of its genus in nature and is a popular subject for cultivation. Mammillaria propagation is similar to that of almost any other plant. Usually seedling takes a quite long time to form plants, so many people consider pruning a great way of plant division. They can be easily pulled away and placed in a dry and warm location to form calluses. An offset (or a cutting) from cacti readily forms in clusters around the base. Remove an offset, allowing the cut to dry on a paper towel for a couple of days up to a week. After the formation, place the callous in a pot with a soil mixture and keep it in a warm location until the new roots appear.

Method

Planting the Mammillaria elongata plant into a regular container is essential right after the plant is established. You can also use mammillaria seeds, but the growing period will take much more time. In cultivation, the temperature must be kept between 20°C and 30°C. It is allowed to fall to 15°C at night when it is summer time, and to 18°C during the winter months. One of the optimal ways of keeping the plant during the summer is growing it outside starting from May and through September. Simply place the plant it in a sunny spot, as there it can get strong sunlight. Make sure it avoids the strongest midday sun. Starting from September and up to May cacti must be moved to the cool west or east windowsills.

Watering Mammillaria elongata plant

Water the cactus once per week during summer months. Add as much water as the pot of the plant is allowed to drain. When the temperature is extremely high, you must water the plant once per day. Starting from late September the watering process must be reduced in order to force the plant going into a condition of semi-dormancy. Before November comes, you are to get back to the winter-type watering regime. During winter months you should better keep the plant almost completely dry.

Water it only to prevent the drying of roots (normally, once per month is enough). Starting in March, the growing process is going to start. This is when watering must be increased until late May, as the plant is in its full growth.

Gold Lady Finger Pests

Mammillaria elongata plant is vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids.  The problems require special attention and consideration. The pests are numerous but can be effectively prevented.

Mealy bugs, cochineal insect, nematodes, red spider mite, slugs, snails, rodents, worms, thrips and aphids.

When mealy bug eggs appear on the spines’ tips or these ants appear on the plant themselves, it means they are sucking the plant’s sap and life. The case requires immediate treatment thorough washing or spraying with an effective insecticide. The pests must be removed even in case the plant is dormant. Mealybugs don’t go dormant and keep eating the plant even during winter time.

A much less toxic solution to use is soaking the plant into soapy water overnight (dish detergent works really great for this purpose). If you do not do anything with mealy bugs, these insects start spreading throughout a collection of plants pretty fast and there is nothing you can do to cope with them.

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