When we first started growing this plant, back in the late 1960s, we just knew it as the thimble cactus, and then as
Mammillaria fragilis, which then became
M. gracilis var.
fragilis. Then the "fragilis" was dropped and it became the name listed above, only
without the fragilis part. We just leave it on for old time sake...and because it then makes this wonderfully long and impressive botanical name for what is basically a simple little plant. It's easy to grow and if you look at it sideways you'll have ten new plants as each segment breaks off readily.
But just because it's easy doesn't mean it isn't worth having. And look closely. Here it is January and it's supposed to get down to 24F tonight, but right there in the center left of the plant is a new bud beginning to push its way through the spines. (Of course, the plant's in the greenhouse, not outside freezing it's spines off. We're not
that cruel!)
Hey, it's Mammillaria Day! I love this one. Someone at Lowe's knocked one over and it broke into a hundred pieces. They were throwing it away when I asked if I could take a few small offsets home. I did, and it's been growing and offsetting ever since! Very tough little cactus, actually, though "fragilis" when it's knocked over....
ReplyDeleteLove this plant! And I also love "outside freezing it's spines off"...I think I'm going to be quoting you all day.
ReplyDeleteHi. Glad I could assist...:)
DeleteI believe I have a similar plant, although all this name change & synonyms is really confusing. From a distance, they look like cute soft cotton balls... :)
ReplyDeleteThey may look cute and soft, but they're actually quite prickly. Certainly not soft like a cotton ball!
ReplyDelete