Old biznaga of the Sierra de Jalpan (Mammillaria hahniana)

Mammillaria hahniana is commonly known as Biznaga vieja de la Sierra de Jalpan

Flowering plants are not always accompanied by beautiful green leaves. Some cacti can also offer spectacular blooms in contrast to their thorns. A very popular one to decorate homes is the Mammillaria hahniana, which stands out mainly for its woolly appearance and its beautiful purple flowers. Does it ring a bell? If not, I recommend that you continue reading.

In this article we are going to talk about this succulent with flowers. We will discuss what exactly it is, how it is and what care it requires. Luckily, there are not many of them, which makes it an excellent option for those new to the world of gardening. So do not hesitate to take a look at this post if you are considering acquiring a beautiful and striking cactus, but one that requires little maintenance.

what is the Mammillaria hahniana?

Mammillaria hahniana is native to Mexico.

The Mammillaria hahnianacommonly known as Biznaga vieja de la Sierra de Jalpan, belongs to the family Cactaceae and it is native to Mexico, although it is cultivated all over the world, since it is a highly coveted collection plant. It is a cactus that is usually planted in groups together with other plant species in rockeries or in individual pots. Its natural habitat is arid deserts, where high temperatures and soils with very few nutrients stand out. Therefore it is not surprising that it is an ideal plant to grow in subtropical and tropical climate zones.

Regarding the appearance of the old Biznaga of the Sierra de Jalpan, it should be noted that It is a globose and fleshy perennial plant that has a rather pale green color. It sprouts from its base and forms several groups. The stems of this cactus can measure up to 19 centimeters high and reach a diameter of 20 centimeters. This is equivalent to a soccer ball! It should be noted that their growth is usually slow and erect.

The stems are made up of several conical-shaped tubercles from which the thorns come out from the apex. There are usually about 15 soft, radial, white spines that can exceed a centimeter in length. Besides, the Mammillaria hahniana it is covered by a kind of white wool. It should be noted that each tubercle has between one and four central spines that are usually more rigid and smaller.

Fruits and flowers of the old Biznaga of the Sierra de Jalpan

One of the most notable characteristics of the Biznaga vieja of the Sierra de Jalpan are its beautiful flowers that arise individually in the axils that are on the upper sides. Together, they form a kind of floral crown. Each of them has a diameter of about one and a half centimeters. In addition, they have very striking purple lobes. They really stand out in contrast to the pale color and woolly white appearance of the plant itself.

Regarding the fruits of the Mammillaria hahniana, these tend to be globular and also purple when ripe. Their size is around seven millimeters. On the other hand, the seeds are very small and brown in color. It should be noted that they are usually very numerous.

Care of the Mammillaria hahniana

The Mammillaria hahniana has purple flowers

If you are liking this beautiful and striking succulent, you will like to know that its cultivation is very simple, suitable even for the most novice in gardening. In order for it to grow and develop properly, it is important to take into account their basic care. They are the following:

  • Luz: Since it is a plant that usually grows in deserts, it will do best with plenty of direct sunlight. However, it can also grow well in semi-shade, but will have fewer blooms. It should be noted that if it receives too much shade, it can stop its growth completely.
  • Temperature: As you probably already imagine, this cactus is used to very high temperatures. The ideal for the cultivation of this species is to provide a temperature between 22ºC and 30ºC during most of the year. We must avoid at all costs that temperatures drop below five degrees Celsius for a prolonged period of time.
  • Substratum: When choosing a substrate for the soil, it is best to have 30% organic material and 70% minerals. It is very important that it allows good and fast drainage of the water so that the roots of the plant do not rot due to excess moisture.
  • Irrigation: It will also not be surprising that the Biznaga vieja from the Sierra de Jalpan requires little water, since it is a cactus. Watering it once a week or every ten days during the warmer season will suffice. On the other hand, in winter the best thing we can do is not water it at all if temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius.

Plagues and diseases of the old Biznaga of the Sierra de Jalpan

Usually the Mammillaria hahniana It is not usually affected by pests. Exceptionally, it can be attacked by mealybugs. These are insects that feed on the sap of many plants. In doing so, they weaken the affected plants and can lead to the appearance of various diseases. Also, since they can spread very quickly, it is important to act as soon as possible.

what yes is usually more frequent in cacti is the appearance of fungi. These normally appear when there is high environmental humidity and ventilation is not good. Therefore, to avoid the appearance of fungus in the plants, it is important not to flood the soil, provide good ventilation and keep the plant clean. In the event that it is already too late, I recommend you take a look at the article that deals with how to recover a cactus with fungus, it will surely be useful for you!

What do you think of this spectacular vegetable? Of course, the contrast of the white wool with the purple flowers is very striking and does not go unnoticed. In addition, it does not require much care, so it is ideal for decorating our home.

Old biznaga of the Sierra de Jalpan (Mammillaria hahniana)

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