Late bloomer - Mammillaria Gracilis Snowcap

in Succulent growers4 years ago

She was taking her time. While all the other cacti bloomed in spring and early summer, whit one didn't show any sign of buds. Only today I saw her opening the first flower this season.

Mammillaria Gracilis Snowcap


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I have it for a year or two already and it still not bigger than a grape. I cannot wait for it to grow some offshoots and it will bush a little. Then they look like a pile of snow (thus the name I guess).

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This is not a cactus that you will find in nature. It is a Mammillaria Gracilis and if you google this one, you'll see that it looks different. They do grow the same way though keeping small rather small size.

The fluff on top must be the coolest thing about the cactus. It is super soft and fluffy. Later the little and harmless spines will show up.

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There is another little buy coming up :)

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Now take a look at the bottom of the plant. See the blue? I grew my cactus from a little cutting I received. The mother plant was all painted blue and the person that bought had no idea that it was fake. She would swear that this cactus is blue! So this is a leftover from the paint some moron in the nursery decided to use on the plant.
Yes - moron.
Cause I can't call it any other way. It might look cute to some (though I don't get how someone could think it is cute) to see all the little plants painted bright yellow or pink or blue.
Some succulents get covered in thick layer of glitter spray paint for Christmas. I am guessing those plants die soon if the spray is not removed fast.
Not only it is just dumb to trick people and sell unnatural looking plant, but if you buy one like that it will not keep growing in this colour. Everything new will be white like on my cactus. Surprise!

I keep repeating it and I will keep repeating it! Do not buy painted cacti or succulents!. Not to mention those that have fake flowers stuck to them using needles or hot gun glue.

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Buy the real ones instead!

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Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.

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Congratulations!
I have this cactus but it hasn't bloomed yet :-(
Yes, it grows very slowly ...

I totally agree with you about coloring and attaching dried flowers to cacti and plants !!!
It just outrages me!
I can’t understand why the conservationists haven’t been outraged to ban it !?
After all, such an attitude to the plant is just a mockery !!!!
I think that these morons need to stick a flower on their head with a needle !!!
It will decorate them and hide the lack of brains !!!!

It is slow... but it is super pretty so I don't mind :)

I think that these morons need to stick a flower on their head with a needle !!!
It will decorate them and hide the lack of brains !!!!

Yes!!!

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Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 24 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
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I once made such a mistake. :( But the seller claimed to me it's real!

The things they say to sell it...

Oh how cool is this! Guess the buds are so tiny at first, that they can be easily overlooked. Very cool. Very pretty too! 😍

Thanks! They are super small, like pink dot, and hide between the white fluff.