Mammillaria plumose, or plumose (Mammillaria plumose), grows in Mexico on rocks. Most cactus lovers consider this type of mammillaria the most luxurious. Previously, it was almost impossible to find it in private collections, today plumosa is freely sold in stores with simple types of cacti.
Spherical stems of mammillaria with a diameter of 5 to 7 cm are covered with dense growth of delicate thorns. If you look at them through a magnifying glass, you will notice that in their structure they resemble the feathers of birds. Growing up, the plumose is covered with "daughters", forming snow-white pads up to 20 cm in diameter. The flowers of the plant are medium-sized, 1.5 cm in diameter and length. Their color is white or pale pink.
For the first time seeing the plumose, the question arises: how do the buds manage to break through the dense veil of "feathers". The fact is that when the plant blooms, the cones of the buds gently push apart individual "feathers", emerging from the thick of thorns. For several days, the flowers rise above the dense cover. Then one gets the impression that they are simply glued to the plant from above. After flowering, the petals roll up inside the flowers and move back under the feather cover, without bending or disturbing a single plate of the most delicate thorns.
At home, plumose must be carefully looked after. It is best to keep it in a sunny place, if possible - on the southern windowsill. The soil for the plant should not contain organic components and be rather loose. The best option is earth from a molehill with sand, taken in equal quantities. Loosening ingredients such as charcoal can be added to the soil. Before planting, the earthen mixture must be steamed for 30 minutes in a water bath. Plants for planting should be shallow and appropriate for the size of the root system. Immediately after transplanting or planting, the plume must be kept in dry mode for at least a week, i.e. do not water during this period, like other cacti.
The plant is propagated by "children" or seeds, which should be carefully separated from the mother - when the "baby" clings to the base very tightly, it is better to let her grow up and not risk it.
