Cactus Mammillaria Dioica

Here is Mammillaria Dioica, commonly known as Bisnaga Llavina, from Mexico, but it can be found in considerable quantities in the Sonoran Desert. When they are small, they have globular shape, but as they grow, they take cylindrical shape. They do not usually form many colonies, rather they are solitary.

The armpits have a white woolliness that when they reach maturity they lose. The spines of half towards the base are pointed, but half towards the summit is rounded (ham-shaped) tips. These may be white, pink or black in color.

The flowers are small, they have a very curious mixture of colors: The flower itself, the bell, is cream-colored, and among the tips of the flower are purple lines that give it a charming appearance, while pistils are usually green and yellow.

The bisnaga likes to have a full sun show. In winter it is best to keep it above four positive degrees. As for irrigation, to provide water once a week in summer, once every fortnight in spring, once a month in autumn and stop giving water completely in winter.

Finally, it presents no problems with pests; rather, its greatest enemy is the excess moisture that causes the tissues to rot, causing death in the plant.