White bird (scientific name: mammillaria herrerae) is a succulent of the genus Papillae in the family Cactaceae, a species with a very beautiful mastoid bulb that is listed as a "critically endangered" species on the critical list of endangered species. White birds are generally solitary, and over time they will grow in groups, and the spheres are spherical or short cylindrical, with a diameter of 2-5 cm or larger. The arrangement of the spines of the white bird is very distinctive, the thorn seat is strongly radial, it is an excellent flower and thorn variety, the flower of the white bird is bell-shaped, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, pale rose red or magenta, flowers in May and July, cross-pollination.
Chinese scientific name: White Bird
Latin scientific name: mammillaria herrerae
Boundary: The plant kingdom
Phylum: Phylum angiosperm
Order: Dicotyledonous plants
Suborders: Caryophyllum suborder
Order: Caryophyllum
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Bulbophyllum papillae
Species: Whitebird
Distribution area: Mexico (Querétaro)
Spherical, initially solitary and group-grown, the whole body is covered with soft white spines, and the spherical is very soft. Single ball diameter 3.5 cm. The warts are cylindrical and the warts are hairless. Thorn seat is dense, about 100 periphery spines, white and small, all wrapped around the sphere, 0.1-0.5 cm long, no spines, flower diameter 2-3 cm, light red with a little purple, there are also white flowers. The fruit is round and magenta. The white bird is a well-known small species in the genus Papillae, with short and soft spines, white and cute, and is a keen object of collection for enthusiasts.
The appearance is similar to that of the "silver fingers" of the same genus, except that the surface spines of the white bird are more delicate and soft than the silver fingers. The white bird is spherical in shape and the silver fingers are finger-shaped columns. The white bird's surface spines cling to the ball, and the silver fingers are protruding outwards.
Cultivation is difficult, the growth period is very short, and the high temperature and humidity in summer often cause decay. Place in a cool place to water the pot soil when it is dry. Grafting grows well in the early stages of the measuring scale, and is easy to rot if it is not careful over a long period of time. It is best to constantly graft the balls in order to preserve the species.
It is mainly found in the Mexican state of Querétaro.
Whitebirds breed primarily by sowing seeds.
White bird grafting grows faster on the measuring scale, avoid dripping water from the top, and constantly graft the ball to update the mother, because the mother does not last long.
Cultivation points
The growth period is very short, self-root cultivation must save water, the sun should be sufficient, and the ventilation should be maintained in summer.
Watering method
The watering of the white bird is very simple, the general spring and autumn is its growing season, the watering at this time needs to dry the soil and then water, the usual maintenance should be placed in the bright and no direct sunlight place planting, the usual maintenance should also pay more attention to maintaining a ventilated environment, to avoid the hot and humid growth environment, winter can be full of sunshine, in the warm case can be a small amount of water.
Cultivation reference
White bird soil distribution is relatively simple, perlite mixed with peat, added vermiculite and cinder, the proportion is arbitrary, breathable, the surface is paved with clean river sand, 2 to 4 mm thickness, the advantage of laying river sand is to be able to isolate soil and plant contact, reduce the invasion of bacteria. Pure river sand does not easily stay too many bacteria. This species of white bird is not very resistant to sun exposure, and the growth period is dried and fed with water, and the adult plants try to have as little water as possible. Usually, it is to see that the soil is very dry, and then give water, basically watering thoroughly.
Summer is the white bird growth period, the plant also needs shade and ventilation, july to September high temperature period is basically cool ventilation maintenance, September to December water is also dry and thorough water. The whole cold winter, the temperature is below 2 degrees, almost no water, then the plant into the dormant period, less water can also prevent frostbite and rotten roots at low temperatures, the white bird is more resistant to low temperatures in the case of dry pot soil, the sun room is minus 4 degrees, the white bird will not appear any change, this temperature is measured in the sun room Oh, generally in the sun room to put a basin of water, if the water is frozen, it will be heated, as long as it is not open air, such a temperature white bird can still bear.
The water supply during the growth period is basically dry and then fed, not drenched, and the ventilation is not good and easy to rot. Spring water supply must be gradual, paying attention to changes in the weather. White birds are still easier to take care of.
White birds have a radiation protection effect.
The white bird is a famous small species with soft and pure white spines, which is very cute. The difficulty of cultivation and reproduction makes it more rare and suitable for some enthusiasts to collect and cultivate.