Mammillaria senilis

[Ali Baba]

In full bloom today. This came from seed about 10 years ago. Interesting to note that the flowers do not close once they have opened, and they gradually change colour from red to crimson as they age. The flowers last a long time and are presumably bird pollinated?

[Herts Mike]

Great show but I still struggle to think of it as a Mammillaria.

[Stuart]

I think it was last heard of as a Cochemiea which now seems to have expanded to the genus for all Mammillarias that don't quite fit in to the traditional type of Mammillarias. It makes about as much sense as lumping all the Neochilenias etc in with Eriosyce. Mamm Senilis does seem to need top shelf treatment to bring it in to flower.

Stuart

[Phil_SK]

This one was found to be a Mammillaria rather than a Cochemiea by Breslin, Wojciechowski and Majure.

[Ali Baba]

I think it was last heard of as a Cochemiea which now seems to have expanded to the genus for all Mammillarias that don't quite fit in to the traditional type of Mammillarias. It makes about as much sense as lumping all the Neochilenias etc in with Eriosyce. Mamm Senilis does seem to need top shelf treatment to bring it in to flower.

Stuart

It certainly gets plenty of sunshine but it’s not cold in the greenhouse (the last two winters I have kept my greenhouse at 8C) so temperature doesn’t seem to be a factor. I know some struggle to flower it but mine is very reliable although it only flowers on the south facing side as you can see!

[Mike P]

Interesting and now you mention I checked mine and ditto. Although annoyingly iy only has two flowers this year.

[rcapra]

They are truly special flowers. In my experience, flowering is linked to a period of cold (around 5 degrees Celsius). The years when I didn't have a cold December and January, I didn't have flowers. Another important point in my plants is a decent growth in the previous year (if it struggles, it does not bloom the following spring). In short, it does not seem to me an always complacent plant. Ruggero

[Herts Mike]

Yes, in my cactus growing days mine was temperamental and wouldn’t flower every year.

[el48tel]

They are truly special flowers. In my experience, flowering is linked to a period of cold (around 5 degrees Celsius). The years when I didn't have a cold December and January, I didn't have flowers. Another important point in my plants is a decent growth in the previous year (if it struggles, it does not bloom the following spring). In short, it does not seem to me an always complacent plant. Ruggero

I wish I'd known about the 5C. I'd have put it in a cooler spot in the GH.

[Diane]

I agree that it needs a cool winter, and full sun to initiate bud formation. I have three plants, two are almost ready to open and will post photos when they do, but the third shows no buds this year. They are a bit temperamental with regards to flowering, but very rewarding when they do!