Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) profile

Young twin spined cactus is single, and the old plant is easy to cluster. Twin Spined Cactus, scientific name Mammillaria geminispina, spherical is elliptic, the top of the bulb is densely covered with white woolly hairs, the axils are white woolly hairs and spines; Flowers are bell - shaped, red, late spring to summer flowering. Fruit is clavelike, red. 

win spined cactus picture

Twin spined cactus morphological features

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) belongs to the cactus family. Plant height is 15 ~ 30 cm. Young plants are single, the old plant is easy to cluster, pulp plants.

Globose of mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is elliptic, 7-8 cm in diameter, bluish green or grayish green, solitary at first, but easily branched, long granules, growing into dense clusters of 50 or more; White milk flowed out after the puncture, the top of the bulb was covered with white woollen hair, and the axles were covered with white woollen hair and spines. Radiant spines of Twin spined cactus are 16-20 or more, spiny, white, new spines almost flesh-colored on the upper part, brown on the tip, longer spines curved upward, bell-shaped, 1.7-1.9 cm, red, late spring to summer flowering.

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) fruit is rod shaped, red.Large cylindrical ball, group nature. The body has white milk. The body is green and hard. The spines are densely white short spines, each spines have 2 ~ 4 middle spines, 2.5 cm long, white spines, yellow apex is thin needle-like, and 18-20 white spines around. Twin Spined Cactus has long spines, white spines, light brown spines, larger spheres and straight spines. 

Ecological habits of twin spined cactus

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is strong and fast growing. Twin spined cactus is pleasant to sunshine, cultivation requires fertile sandy loam, winter should keep the basin soil dry.

How to grow and care for twin spined cactus

Temperature and light

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) like a sunny environment with large temperature differences between day and night. In summer, you should pay more attention to ventilation, avoid the hot environment, and shade the sun properly. In winter, when the basin soil is dry, Twin spined cactus can withstand the low temperature of about 0 degrees.

Water care

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is drought resistant, avoiding water, the number of summer watering should be increased slowly, but don't spray the ball at noon to avoid sun burns. Limit watering during the rainy season and in winter.

The soil care

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) requires loose, breathable soil and fertile soil. The soil can choose 2 coal cinder, 6 peat soil, plus half of vegetation ash and half of dried rotten pig dung mix preparation.

Maintenance management

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) should be placed in proper shade from direct sunlight. Especially in summer to avoid insolation, otherwise will burn the stem body, so that the plant necrosis. Family place relies on the place with ample sunshine on the window, do not put on the balcony when the place that basks in the west. The Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) will get the right amount of light, cool down and maintain humidity by covering the bottom of a tub with about two inches of wet sawdust and covering it with plastic wrap. Because the balcony is well ventilated, the general sphere clear, white color bright, growth and development is stronger than indoor, but also conducive to the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests (this method is also suitable for other ball plants). Do not water from the top of the Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus), so as to avoid the ball on the bristles and uneven water caused by the ball skin rot. Water to rain water, river water, streams, fish pond water is better, tap water is second. Tap water had better be stored in the pool for a period of time before use. Apply bean juice fertilizer and oil dry, fish fishy fertilizer or compound chemical fertilizer, can phosphorus potassium chemical fertilizer is the main fertilizer, half a month is applied, less should be applied when growing and flourishing. Move Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) into the room in winter, as long as you ensure the room temperature above 5℃, moderate watering, that can safely overwinter.

Twin spined cactus propagation

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) are often propagated by sowing, cutting, and grafting.

Seed propagation

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is planted in spring, and generally 15 to 25℃ is suitable for germination. It takes about 7 days for seeds to germinate. After sprout, manage for a period of time before seedling transplanting. Twin spined cactus can be planted in a number of seedlings in a pot, watering should be appropriate, pot soil not too dry, when seedlings grow to the top of the burr, and then a single pot point planted, a pot of a seedling. Twin spined cactus is best to plant in spring. If you want seedlings to overwinter, the room temperature must be maintained above 10℃.

Cutting propagation

The best time for Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) cutting is from spring to autumn, but it can not be cut in the high temperature and wet season in summer or rainy days. In a greenhouse, cuttings can be made all year round. Cottage from the mother Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) selected elliptical stem body or small ball, with its full and full parts as cuttings, too tender stem, ball should not be cuttings, because it is easy to rot, wilting, low survival rate. The cut cuttings must be smooth, coated with charcoal or sulfur powder after the shade, air for two to three days, until the juice is dry, the cut surface contraction and inserted. Cuttage soil in addition to sandy soil can be mixed with some sawdust (this method is applicable to any cactus and pulpy plants). When inserting, do not insert too deep, it is advisable to insert the incision into the soil slightly, and place the half shade place after inserting. Spray mist to keep the soil moist, about 40 days after the roots will survive.

Grafting propagaion

Choose a measuring foot for the rootstock, first in the rootstock two-thirds of the horizontal cut. Then from the rootstock cut surface edge obliquely cut a knife, which can prevent the rootstock after the evaporation of water, resulting in the edge up. Cutters should be disinfected with alcohol to avoid infection of the cut surface. After the incision is tight, tie it with thread. The grafted Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) are shelved in the shade, and the tube cultivation method is the same as other grafted balls.

Twin spined cactus distribution area

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is found in the central Mexican highlands.

Twin spined cactus landscaping use

Mammillaria geminispina (twin spined cactus) is a fluffy little twin spined Cactus with red and white bell flowers blooming in a sphere. Twin spined cactus is suitable for indoor, a few cases, bookshelf decoration.