Accepted Scientific Name: Mammillaria decipiens subs. camptotricha (Dams) D.R.Hunt
Mammill. Handbook R.T.Craig
Dolichothele camptotricha (Mammillaria decipiens subs. camptotricha) Photo by: Diego Armentano
Origin and Habitat: This subspecies occurs only in the deserts of eastern Queretaro.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Mammillaria decipiens
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Bird's nest cactus, Bird's nest, Golden bird's nest cactus
Description: Mammillaria camptotrichaSN|14441]]SN|14441]] (Dolichothele camptotrichaSN|14447]]SN|14447]]) is a small plant that make a large, flattish clump of stems clustering from the lower part. Not only it has long slender tubercles, which are similar to those of other Dolicothele species, it also has very long twisted spines, which on mature plants, completely envelop the body, and have earned this species the name of "Birds Nest Cactus". The new growth is very attractive, the long, entwining yellowish spines soon form a mat through which the small bell-shaped flowers, white, greenish outside that arrive in late summer or early autumn. This flowers are very insignificant, because they are shorter than the tubercles, and consequently little can be seen of them, merely a pure white splash of "colour" between the tubercles.
Stem: Individual stems bout 4-7 cm in diameter, up to 10 cm tall, broadly globose to club shaped, depressed, pale matt green to deep-green, this colour is very variable because if the plant is grown in strong sunlight, like many other succulents, it takes on a very reddish colour, in order to prevent damage to the chlorophyll plastids, or if it is grown in partial shade, it becomes a very pallid green, and looks very unhealthy.
Roots: Very large, tuberose.
Tubercles: Green, soft, flabby, cylindrical to obtuse about 2 cm long, terete often curved, not at all milky.
Areoles: Small, circular, a little woolly at first; axils of tubercles sparsely hairy with a few bristles.
Radial spines: Usually 4-5, but varying from 2 to 11, thin, needle-like, flexible, (sometime bristly and twisted), spreading, 7 to 30 mm long, yellow, or white, sometime brown tipped, interlacing densely in full light.
Central spines: Usually absent, occasionally 1 or 2, slender needle like straight, golden or brownish about 18-30 mm long almost straight to strongly twisted or bent.
Flowers: Funnel-form, delicately scented, mall, white, deeply set in the tubercles, to about 1-1.8 cm long and c. 1 cm wide. The outer perianth-segments of the flowers are greenish. Inner perianth-segments white, 10 mm long, acute.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Mammillaria decipiens group
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) John Pilbeam “Mammillaria: the cactus file handbook” Cirio Publishing Services Ltd Dec/30,/1999
5) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
6) Haustein, Erik. “Der Kosmos-Kakteenführer.” Kosmos / Gesellschaft der Naturfreunde., Stuttgart, 1983
7) Roger Spencer “Horticultural Flora of South-Eastern Australia: Flowering Plants, Dicotyledons, Parte 1” UNSW Press, 1995
8) Cullmann et al., “Kakteen”, edn 5, 1984
9) The Greenhouse: A Quarterly Review for All Gardeners, Volume 6 P. Langfield & Company, 1961
10) R. Ginns “A guide to cactus and succulent plants” (c/o B. C. F. Hill, 10 Downfield Close, Llandough, Penarth, Glam.)], National Cactus and Succulent Society, 1971
Dolichothele camptotricha (Mammillaria decipiens subs. camptotricha) Photo by: Alexander ArzbergerSend a photo of this plant.The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present.
Read More... Cultivation and Propagation: Mammillaria decipiens subs. camptotrichaSN|14439]]SN|14439]] is a freely clustering species that reproduces easily by cutting. It is a great starter plant for the cactus grower, that readily builds up into a dense cluster of stems. Does better than most species in lower levels of light, but still prefers bright light or morning sun.
Growth rate: Plants will offset readily, and dense clumps can be produced in a very few years.
Soils: It likes very porous mineral substratum and avoid the use of peat or other humus sources in the potting mixture.
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years, or sooner if the roots get crowded. . As it is prone to rot under-pot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (very wet-sensitively, especially in light of its succulent root system). Its roots are easily lost in pots that stay damp for any length of time. Keep dry with ample airflow in winter. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Hardiness: It is quite frost resistant if kept dry, hardy as low as -5° C (some reports give it hardy to -7°C). However some warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success (minimum 5° to 8°C during rest season). A resting period in winter and strong light are necessary so that it can flower properly.
Exposition: Outside filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Does better than most species in lower levels of light, but still prefers bright light or morning sun.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost or (usually) or division . Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Cuttings: wait until the offsets that appear at the base of old clustered specimens are 1/3 the size of the parent and then detach and plant. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.
Mammillaria decipiens Scheidw.: ( ssp. decipiens ) Plants with about 5-11 radial spines that tend to be whitish. Distribution: San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, and Queretaro.
