I have a small Mammillaria Hahniana which is living on a south facing window in the UK.
I was looking at my cactus plants today and noticed what looks like a flower on the Mammillaria Hahniana (see photo).
I was under the impression they don't flower until spring time.
I was watering frequently until around 3 weeks ago when I stopped watering as we are entering the dormant season. I am planning on giving them no water until the spring. I am a bit worried though as
they have shrunk loads already
My question is why has this plant chucked out a flower at this time of the year?
Mammillaria hahniana is a "winter flowerer". In the UK there is not sufficient light and heat, plus people don't water their plants, so buds are delayed and usually don't flower until spring. I have a mature plant which usually manages to open a few flowers at about this time before going dormant. With a little help it will certainly put on a good display in late autumn or winter.
The fruit will probably have seeds in it. I don't know if they will be viable without a pollinator but its fairly easy to check It doesn't look ripe yet. I'd let it sit until it starts to dry up and then sow the seeds at the end of winter.
I stopped watering my cacti some time ago but they are in an unheated greenhouse. Small plants with more heat will probably need some water at some point over winter. All my more tender species which come inside will get a splash of water at some time before spring, but don't go mad. Do let them shrink as long as you can bear it, its normal, natural and good for the plant.
Thanks for all the advise Iann, you have put my mind at rest about them shrinking.
I will leave them be for now, as they are inside my house I will maybe give them a watering in a few weeks time and another some time in the new year and that will be it until the spring.
Just a couple question if you don't mind, all my plants are on a south facing windowsill, will they be ok to leave there during the winter or should I move them away from the window?, I am worried that they will suffer on the window sill, especially if we get a proper winter like last year
I have the following species and I was just wondering if they all should be treated the same way through out the dormant period. I.e very little water
Thanks for all the advise Iann, you have put my mind at rest about them shrinking.
I will leave them be for now, as they are inside my house I will maybe give them a watering in a few weeks time and another some time in the new year and that will be it until the spring.
Just a couple question if you don't mind, all my plants are on a south facing windowsill, will they be ok to leave there during the winter or should I move them away from the window?, I am worried that they will suffer on the window sill, especially if we get a proper winter like last year
I have the following species and I was just wondering if they all should be treated the same way through out the dormant period. I.e very little water
I don't think you'll have any problems inside a window unless you live in a shed with big gaps round the glass. Maybe the Pilosocereus is really tender? Anyone? The others are totally safe until you get ice on the window and then some more. Not every cactus is the same but the ones you list are happy to be dry for four months.
I haven't watered this for at least a month and won't water it until April or May. It is a fairly large pot and so it can take a few weeks to completely dry out at this time of year but I'm sure its pretty dry now. The main flush of flowers will come in about May.
Your "flower" is a fruit!
It doesn't look ripe yet. I'd let it sit until it starts to dry up and then sow the seeds at the end of winter.
