Mammillaria report (2)

The Thelocactus in Class 53, was surprisingly quite poorly supported, with only eight entries. The advantages of this genus have been well documented/publicised previously by the Mammillaria Society amongst others, but perhaps to little avail?

The first prize winner was a ten inch Glandulicactus uncinatus, (pictured above) topped with four inch hooked spines. (T.W) A repotting nightmare!

T. rinconensis (under this name, nidulans, lophothele or phymatothele) was the most popular species, with two plants filling approx 12” pans – allowing for the spines. The two-headed plant on the right was third in the class. There was a 7” pot of T. conothelos var. auriantacus – this plant being about 12” in height, 5” diameter with 4 offsets. Finally a two headed T. hastifer in a 5” pot, the longest head being about 10-12” long, creeping over the side of the pot by about 3”.

Thelocactus rinconensis (lophothele)

There were only 2 classes for the Coryphantha Group: Class 11 (one plant) had only a disappointing 6 entries – why is this such a “Cinderella” genus? Perhaps growers are put off by their relatively slow growth and susceptibility to red spider mite attack?

Escobaria minima

The winner was an 8” pan of Escobaria (Coryphantha) minima (left) followed by a lovely, large (14-15”) pan of C. cornifera, (pictured below) with nine heads. Third went to a 10” pan of E. roseana, the original not the new small form, which is now transferred to E. achemea.

Some other exhibits were the two HC commended Escobaria leei - 10” pan and C. andreae, the final plant being a nice 7” pan of E. tuberculosa.

Class 12 for Two Coryphanthas, (max 130mm), had a bit more interest – but still with only 8 entries. Pat Mills showed a 5” potted pair of C. elephantidens (under the name greenwoodiae) and C. scheeri var. valida, to take first place and J. Cooke scooped second with his C. hesteri (5” pan) and a smaller C. Sp? Of the rest, there were various combinations of Escobaria and Coryphantha including some very fine plants.

There is little to quibble with the quality of the judging. I had no argument with any of the placings, which seemed fine. I do offer my sympathy though, for the poor judge(s) who has only a limited time to make all these finer distinctions.

Coryphantha cornifera

Coryphantha cornifera, second in class 11.

More of my Mammillaria pictures are on the next page. Click 'Six of the best'