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Powder Puff Cactus

Scientific Name: Mammillaria bocasana Poselger
Synonym: Chilita bocasana, Chilita haehneliana, Chilita knebeliana, Chilita kunzeana, Ebnerella bocasana, Ebnerella haehneliana, Ebnerella knebeliana, Ebnerella kunzeana, Mammillaria bocasana var. kunzeana , Mammillaria haehneliana, Mammillaria knebeliana, Mammillaria kunzeana, Mammillaria seideliana, Neomammillaria bocasana, Neomammillaria kunzeana
Family: Cactaceae

Mammillaria bocasana at Holly Gate Nursery, Photo Terry Hewitt

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 13-24, 29, 30
USDA: 8-10

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 10° F (-12°C), some reports give it hardy only to 28° F (-2°C)

Sun Exposure: Light shade in summer in Phoenix, full sun elsewhere

Origin: Central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Queretaro states)

Growth Habits: Clumping, spherical, blue-green cactus with hairy spines, 2.5 inches in diameter (6 cm)

Watering Needs: Regular water in summer, but prone to rot if overwatered.

Propagation: Division, seeds

Mammillaria bocasana is an attractive Mammillaria. The fine hair hides hooked spines. Several cultivars exist with varying quantity of wool, and flower color. The plants sold as 'forma multilanata' are very woolly, with yellow flowers.

Mammillaria bocasana 'roseiflora'

Blooming Habits:
Yellowish pink or yellow flowers are produced in spring and summer.

List of All the Plants | More in the Cactaceae family

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