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Mammillaria bambusiphila v. parva L 761 Coalcoman, Michoacan, Mexico 1000m
Slowly forms cylindrical stems that remain solitary for a long time.
 

Description: Solitary or (rarely) clumping.
Stems: Cylindrical, up to 20 cm tall 4 - 8 cm in diameter.
Central spines: 3 to 5 central spines, straight, (sometimes hooked) , the lower longer, glassy white or pale brown, black at the tips, 5 - 11 mm long.
Radial spine: About 16-20 straight, very thin white with brown at the base and the tips. 3 - 5 mm long, the upper spines the shorter,
Axil: Naked or with a little wool.
Flower: Carmine, 15 - 17 mm in length, 5 - 7 mm in diameter, narrowly opening.
Blooming season (Europe): June.
Fruit: Reddish brown or greenish.
Seed: Brown.

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Mammillaria bambusiphila v. parva Reppenhagen,
Published in: Mitteilungsbl. AfM, cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I. O. S.), 10 (5): 167-171; 37: 4 (1986 publ. 1988), 1986

Accepted Scientific name: Mammillaria xaltianguensis ssp. bambusiphila (W. Reppenhagen) D.R. Hunt,
Published in: Mammillaria Postscripts 6: 8, 1997

Mammillaria bambusiphila v. parva Rep 663, Coalcoman, Mixh, 1100m,
M. bambusiphilla and its variety parva.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

 Synonyms:

• Mammillaria xaltianguensis H. Sánchez-Mejorada
  Published in: R., Anales del Instituto de Biologia de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico 44 (1): 30, 1973
• Mammillaria bambusiphila W. Reppenhagen,
  Published in: Mitteilungsbl. AfM, cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I. O. S.), 10 (5): 161-166; 37: 4 (1986 publ. 1988), 1986

The narrowly opening flowers are carmine and
appear on the crown of the plant in June

Cultivation: It is a  slow growing  species of easy culture, recommended for any collection that needs lots of light with ample airflow.  Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitively, especially in light of its small root system) Water thoroughly only if soil is dry to the touch, let soil dry in between to prevent root rot, keep dry in winter. Use a very porous mineral-based potting mix, with excellent drainage, as can be achieved by the addition of extra perlite or pumice. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer  in summer. Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Sun Exposure: High levels of light are needed to flower and for good spine development.  Can be sunburned if moved from shade/greenhouse into full sun too quickly. During the spring it may be able to take full sun until the heat arrives at the end of spring. In an area that has hot afternoon sun, it may be able to take full morning sun, but requires afternoon shade or afternoon light shade. If grown correctly, it will reward the grower with generous displays of flowers. It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (or less) A resting period in winter and strong light are necessary so that it can flower properly.
Clustering in cultivation after several years and easily flowered. For best results, use a shallow pot, and only use the smallest diameter pot that will accommodate the plant. Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.


Propagation: Direct sow after last frost (usually) or division, wait until the offsets that appear at the base of old clustered specimens are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant.

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.