What is the difference between Mammillaria hahniana and Mammillaria bocasana? A quick guide to telling these two cactus species apart

1. Genus and category

Although they belong to the same family, the first plant belongs to the genus Mammillaria (the "south barrel" group), while the second belongs to the genus Mammillaria (the nipple cactus group). So we can see that there really are many differences between different genera.

2. Appearance

(1) First, the shape: the former is spherical or slightly flattened spherical; the latter is solitary, round spherical or oval in shape, and bright green in color.

(2) Next is the diameter of the ball. The first plant's diameter is 6 cm to 10 cm, while the second plant's is relatively longer, around 10 to 12 cm, a size larger than the former.

(3) The third difference is in their flowers. The first plant's flowers are terminal, funnel-shaped, and crimson in color, and its flowers emerge from among some white spines. The second plant's flowers are peach-red and bell-shaped, opening in a ring around the ball. Simply put, in terms of position, the former's flowers open at the top, while the latter's flowers open in a ring around the sides; in terms of color, the former's flowers are crimson, deeper than the latter's peach-red.

3. Propagation methods

The first plant can be propagated by sowing seeds, and also by grafting; the second plant can be propagated not only by sowing seeds and grafting, but also by cuttings.