Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

• Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae f. prolifera hort.

• Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae Rodr.González
• Escobariopsis sanchez-mejoradae (Rodr.González) Doweld
• Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae f. prolifera hort.
• Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae f. rubra hort.

Description: Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae f. proliferaSN|20653]]SN|20653]] is a selected clonal forms that distinguishes from the standard species for the very free clustering habit and the smallish bodies (less than 1,5 cm in diameter). It forms dense mounds with dozen of heads.
Stem: Globose, bright green to 1,5 cm tall and in diameter.
Tubercles: Conical, without latex, axils naked.
Central spines: None.
Radial soines: 30 to 40 hairlike (or plumose) pectinate, rigid, white, flattened against the tubercles, 1,5-2 mm long (rarely up to 3 mm) long.
Flowers: Campanulate, up to 16 mm long and 20 mm in across variable from white to pink-rose.
Fruits: Club shaped to globose, completely embedded in the plant (cryptocarpic), red, 3-8 mm in diameter.
Seeds: Black.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Pilbeam J., “The Cactus file, Mammillaria” 6: 120, Cirio Pub. Services, 01/Dec/1999
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) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
5) Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B 2013. Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae In: IUCN 2013. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 July 2013

Cultivation and Propagation: Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae f. proliferaSN|20653]]SN|20653]] has not the fame to be easy to cultivate, but in good conditions with very careful application of water and excellent ventilation, it grows without difficulty. Be careful to encourage slow growth, but if you succeed in growing a colony of stems, then the results will repay all the growing efforts.
Growing rate: It is a slow growing species that will make clumps given the best conditions, but rewards the patient grower with a beautiful displays of flowers since from an early age.
Soil: Requires excellent drainage provided by a very permeable open cactus soil (With not less than 50% grit content). Avoid the use of peat or other humus sources in the potting mixture.
Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years. A small pot with fast draining soil will be required, and the plant should be planted high, with gravel top dressing partially supporting it above the potting mix.
Feeding: During the beautiful 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.
Watering: Water should be carefully applied and only when the soil is dry to the touch, as this cliff-dwelling species is very prone to root rot. Allow soil to drain thoroughly before watering again. Additionally, water should not be applied from above, as the feathery spines will retain water and add to rotting problems, but in good conditions with excellent ventilation, in bright light, it usually grows without particular difficulty. Do not water in the winter.
Light: Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Direct sun encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Hardiness: Protect from frost. But it's hardy to -5°C if kept dry. A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel (perhaps losing up to 25% of its summer height) will encourage flowering and long time survival.
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: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the vulnerable plants every day
- Mealy bugs: occasionally 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: 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: Grafting or cuttings. 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. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather).