Lophophora is a genus of spineless button-like cacti native to the southwestern United States (Texas and New Mexico) through northeast Mexico and south to Querétaro in central Mexico.
The species are slow-growing, sometimes taking up to 30 years to reach flowering age (at a diameter of approximately 1 cm, excluding the root) in the wild. Cultivated specimens grow considerably faster, usually taking three to ten years to grow from seedlings to mature flowering plants. Unfortunately, the slow reproductive rate and overharvesting by collectors put the species in the wild at risk.
Lophophora has been reported to comprise either a single species, Lophophora williamsii, with varieties, or four species: Lophophora diffusa, Lophophora fricii, Lophophora viridescens, and Lophophora williamsii. Most modern authorities recognize Lophophora as a genus comprising two species: Lophophora williamsii and Lophophora diffusa. Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as Peyote, is noted for its psychotropic alkaloids. These alkaloids are absent or only found in extremely small amounts in the other species, Lophophora diffusa.
Growing Conditions
Lophophora species easily adapt to cultivation. Although a cactus, the genus's range is primarily within subtropical climates for some years. In their habitats, plants in this genus are subject to seasonal monsoons. They live in areas where they may be underwater for several weeks during heavy rainfall and can tolerate substantial water when temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C). These plants are heat-adapted and grow rapidly when exposed to temperatures of 110°F to 120°F (43°C to 49°C) and are watered heavily in summer. In their native habitats, plants from regions with seasonal monsoons and high temperatures, such as southern Texas, can reach flowering size in five years. During the fall and winter months, the plants receive almost no water in their habitat and are subjected to temperatures that can drop below 20°F (-7°C). The plants should not be watered during the winter rest or watered sparingly when they begin to shrink and wrinkle, only enough to keep them turgid. Lophophoras must be kept completely dry if temperatures fall below 40°F (4°C), as watering plants and subjecting them to temperatures below freezing typically results in plant death.
General Care
Lophophoras are closely related to the genera Ariocarpus, Aztekium, and Obregonia. Like their relatives, they possess a large taproot system, with most of the plant's mass underground, providing water storage. However, Lophophoras are more tolerant of soil types than their relatives and typically grow in areas with decomposed limestone present. In cultivation, Lophophoras perform best in a fast-draining, mineral-based soil composed of about two-thirds sand. Abundant water is beneficial in summer, when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C), and plants are exposed to full sunlight, for maximum growth. Still, the soil must be allowed to dry out completely between waterings. They should also be fertilized twice a year. Overfertilization typically results in Lophophoras developing cracks and splitting. Some Lophophoras may develop a corky material on the plant body if exposed to pesticides or insecticidal soap. This corky condition typically heals similarly to human skin when plants are exposed to full sunlight.
Lophophoras are free-flowering in cultivation, and although they can withstand low temperatures during winter, they do not require a cold shock to initiate flowering. Plants in their native habitats typically flower after rainstorms, following periods of high temperatures and dry conditions. Plants in cultivation can be induced to bloom by subjecting them to high temperatures, direct sunlight, and withholding water for several weeks, followed by heavy watering, which usually initiates flowering.
Propagation
Seedlings grow most rapidly when enclosed in a sealed terrarium, germinated in trays of shallow sand covered with plastic wrap with several small pin-sized holes. This may seem strange for a cactus, but Lophophora seedlings are adapted to germinate and grow during the seasonal monsoons. Plants grown this way can reach a diameter of 2 inches (5 cm) in just over a year and can be removed from their hyper-humid environment approximately two months after germination. They typically reach flowering size within three years using this method.
Disclaimer
The contents of this article are for educational and gardening information purposes only.
Source: wikipedia.org
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