Description:
Slowly clustering ,
at
about 3 or 5 years old from seed.
Stems: Globose to short, cylindrical, green, 12-13 cm tall, 5-6 cm
thick. Sometimes with latex.
Tubercle: Conical to cylindrical. (Tubercle
arrangement:
8-13 )
Areoles: Woolly, white.
Axil: With short white wool and white bristles.
Radial spine: About 27-30, radiating, finely bristly,
needle-like, white to golden yellow, 4 - 6 mm long.
Central spine: 4-6, much stouter than the radials, yellow,
amber or brown, hooked, sometimes twisted, 15-20(-25) mm long, the lower
one sometimes strongly hooked.
Flower: Diurnal, purple, generally with darker midribs,
up to 15 mm
long. The petals flare back at the ends, rather than opening widely.
Blooming season (Europe): Spring.
Fruit: Red.
Seed: Brown.In the time
Mammillaria rekoi has been variously named. but nowadays there
are only three recognized subspecies:
- The subspecies 'rekoi' grows mostly with
a solitary stem. It only has 4 central spines, with the lower one
hooked, and 20 white radial spines per areole.
- The subspecies 'aureispina' sometimes
grows multiple stems. It has 5-7 central spines
,and 20-23 yellow
golden radial spines per areole.
- The subspecies 'leptacantha' forms
clumps frequently. It has 4-6 central spines that are curved and
hooked, with 27-30 radial spines per areole.
Cultivation: Requires excellent drainage provided by porous
cactus soil. We suggest repotting every 2-3 years. Prefers bright light
and ample airflow. Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside
it needs
bright light, and some direct sun.
Water the soil
abundantly when it is dry to the touch.
Allow soil to drain thoroughly before watering again.
Do not water much
in the winter (rot prone).
Protect from frost.
But it's hardy to -5°C if kept dry.
During the beautiful season enrich the
soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in
nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of
succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Easily clustering,
it's an easy
bloomer. Most plants will offset readily,
and clumps can be produced in a few years.
Propagation: Division, direct sow after last
frost.
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