---
title: "Help?? I bought this cute little guy, a Mammillaria haageana I…"
description: "Help?? I bought this cute little guy, a Mammillaria haageana I believe, from Walmart about a week ago and have just learned that the purple bulb-like flower on…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/oUOsQvo71Po7IqdYhetvOq"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Jester :p"
published: "2025-03-29T15:00:33.241183Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/1lGdCG3RGGnJgn0tHCNmyX8PMzswHqSjA41wpqvWrs8/0wJlH4ksQqmpAcrQFqmYyg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help?? I bought this cute little guy, a Mammillaria haageana I…

_Posted by Jester :p on 2025-03-29_

Help?? I bought this cute little guy, a Mammillaria haageana I believe, from Walmart about a week ago and have just learned that the purple bulb-like flower on top is fake! It’s hot glued on pretty well, but I want to remove it. I don’t really wanna stab myself though, or risk hurting my cactus by ripping off the flower. I’ve read that leaving it on isn’t a good idea because it can build up moisture, so it definitely needs to get removed. Any idea how?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/1lGdCG3RGGnJgn0tHCNmyX8PMzswHqSjA41wpqvWrs8/0wJlH4ksQqmpAcrQFqmYyg.webp?size=large)

## 10 comments

### fuey commented on 2025-03-29

You can try cutting it off piece by piece? I’ve never actually bought one of these but I always feel so bad for them :(

#### Jester :p replied on 2025-03-29

Yeah, not only is it sad but it also caused me to have a REALLY annoying time trying to identify it :/

### Amaya Ai commented on 2025-03-29

That’s gonna hurt. Lol you can leave it on and put it in a sunny spot. The sun should eventually weaken the glue to where you might just be able to pluck it off. Otherwise you might just damage the cactus and have a blemish or awkward growth spot till it outgrows the damaged area. Otherwise, pulling it off gently and slowly is the only option.

#### Jester :p replied on 2025-03-29

I’ve heard that using rubbing alcohol on the glue to dissolve it might work too, but I’ll try that first, thanks

### Sunny commented on 2025-03-29

Use a craft knife to cut off everything except the glue. You might be able to get most of the glue off as the plant grows out. I’m sure there will be damage. 🙁

#### Jester :p replied on 2025-03-29

Thanks lol, better than nothing I guess

### Amanda commented on 2025-03-30

Oh, man. I just saw both of your posts. Wish I has seen them before I fully ripped the flower off the top of my Old Man cactus. I held him steady (covered hands) and then yanked it off the top. He definitely did not make it through unscathed, but seems to be okay. Hope yours makes it out as well. The plastic flowers are ridiculous!

#### Jester :p replied on 2025-03-30

Man, that does suck! I hope your old man recovers alright! And thanks, these dumb flowers really are stupid!

### Lauralye commented on 2025-03-30

Try tweezers at the bottom to rub it off carefully do not use rubbing alcohol or anything like that it can kill ur plant

### Lauralye commented on 2025-03-30

Try tweezers at the bottom to rub it off carefully do not use rubbing alcohol or anything like that it can kill ur plant

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