Glasshouse plants

Mammillaria bombycina

It was rediscovered in 1988 high in the mountains of the Mexican state of Aguascalientes near the border with Jalisco growing on steep slopes in leaf litter among oak trees.

Mammillaria bombycina is a reliable plant of easy cultivation. Starting from a single elongated head, this readily clumping species can easily fill a 30cm (12in) pan. The radial spines are fine and almost cover the body. Plants have two to four central spines with the largest being hooked and normally dark brown in colour. In early summer, rings of deep pink flowers encircle the central portions of the heads.

Plants need a well-drained soil, such as a mixture of three parts John Innes No 3 with one part of sharp grit. Plants should be potted on into the next sized pot when they almost touch the sides. A little spent compost may be removed at this stage taking care not to damage the root system too drastically. After potting on the soil should be left un-watered for about one week to allow the roots to heal.

When plants have been kept in the same pot for some time, they will benefit from a liquid feed such as Phostrogen at half strength every second watering.

They need good light for successful cultivation and would even be suitable for a south-facing windowsill or porch. In greenhouse conditions water weekly in the summer. In winter a minimum of 45ºF (7ºC) is recommended, although it may survive at temperatures below this.

Propagation is normally by offsets, which should be removed as close to the parent plant as possible and dried for a week before inserting in cactus compost.

John Hughes

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