This cactus was included in a dish garden I received probably 15 years ago. I'm in upstate NY so it spends winters inside and summers outside. It seems happy but I'd love to know what kind of container it would prefer. Small pieces fall off once in a while but not often. Thanks for your help.

It prefers a container that does not allow for standing water in the bottom - so with a hole and a removable dish that you can poor the excess water off.

However, if you have had the plant for 15 years, you have been caring for it excellently, so unless you already had the intention of changing pots I would not mess with it.

It's a Mammillaria if that helps at all.

I think its mammillaria prolifera, but not the plain variety. Ive seen this.

Definitely a Mammillaria. And a happy one at that!

Thanks for your replies! This is the first time ever that it has bloomed. I'll leave it in that pot since it's happy there.

spsalmon it really looks nice.I have one that kinda looks like yours but i think mine is also called a lady fingers.A friend gave mine too me about 2 years ago but has not bloomed yet.I.ve got my fingers crossed that it will bloom.