Mammillaria laui?

Here's another of my recent acquisitions. I think that it's a clump of M. laui, but I'm not 100% and I'm not sure what sub-species it is (possibly spp. laui?). The big plant pictured to the left of the Mamm. I'm trying to identify is also a M. laui. But this plant has much bigger individual heads. Possibly because it's older?

I'm afraid that I haven't seen it in flower/fruit yet.

Si

Nice plants, Simon, and again a bit of a challenge from photos.
M. laui ssp laui has stiff spines, M. laui ssp dasyacantha has spines that are more flexible, and M. laui ssp subducta has yellow centrals, so we can rule this last one out.

Between the other two, ssp. dasyacantha is supposed to have smaller heads than ssp lauii.

So I guess its up to the finger test - from the look of the two plants the one you want to identify specifically might therefore be ssp dasyacantha, but it could also just be variation due to cultivation.

Do let us know what they feel like - if there is a difference, or even if there isn't.

Hmmm. The 'finger test' proved inconclusive.

I have a small clump of M. laui ssp. dasyacantha too (one of my favourites). The mystery plant was neither as soft as ssp. dasyacantha, nor as bristly as ssp. laui. This is beginning to sound like Goldilocks isn't it.

Oh well. Growing cacti can be frustrating sometimes. At least I can conclude that it's not ssp. subducta.

I'll enjoy growing the plant all the same.

Si

Simon, ohne Blüthe ohne Frucht! Vieleicht M.baumii /Dolichothele/.
Andrej

Hey, that is an idea...I was fixed on thinking about lauii that I didn't consider baumii as a possibility - which it could be...hope for yellow flowers next year!!
Good thinking Andrej!!

That would be nice. I've been looking out for a baumii. Fantastic yellow flowers.

Si

My 'mystery Mammillaria' has decided to flower. A couple of buds have just poked through the spines. How exciting! Hopefully the mystery will be solved shortly!

... Si

Mammillaria baumii it is. What a nice suprise!

Nice one Andrej.

.... Si