Of particular interest among a large number of representatives of the Cactus family is the genus Lofofora (or peyote). According to various sources, it combines from two to five to seven species of succulents, which are naturally found in dense thickets of shrubs growing on low mountain slopes located in Mexico and the United States.
The article presents a description, characteristics, and features of the cultivation of Williams (Williams) lophophora - one of the varieties of this genus.
Features of the plant
Of all the representatives of this family, lophophora stands out with a rather unusual and unique composition of juice containing various alkaloids. Due to this, it can have a tonic and therapeutic effect on the human body, but only when used in small doses. Drinking juice in large quantities can cause hallucinations, so the cultivation of this plant is banned in many countries.world, including in Russia.
This cactus is divided into several types, including the chemical composition of the healing liquid. For example, the spreading lophophora has an increased level of pellotin, while the Williams lophophora produces more mescaline, although they are practically the same in appearance.
It should also be noted that many experts have noticed that cacti of one variety may have signs of a completely different kind.
Varieties
Cacti at a young age are very similar to each other, so it is possible to assess the diversity of species only by adult specimens, especially those that are more than 10 years old.
There are several gender classifications. Usually botanists distinguish from two to 4-6 (7) species, for example, such as:
- Lophophora Williams. The length of its stem in height reaches 7 centimeters, and the diameter is about 12 centimeters. Its flowers are pinkish-white (a more detailed description is given later in the article).
- Lophophora vague or diffuse. The cactus has a spherical, matte, light yellow flattened stem (15 cm in diameter). Yellowish or pure white flowers in diameter reach 2 centimeters. In nature, they are most often found in the state of Texas, where they grow in the shade of shrubs.
- Ezhistaya lophophora. This variety has a bluish-green, flattened, globular stem 13 centimeters thick. The flowers of the Lophophora cactus are white and reach 2 cm in diameter.
- Green lophophora. This variety hasdark green spherical stem 20 centimeters wide and white flowers up to 2 cm in diameter. Places of growth - rocky deserts of Mexico.
- Lutea and yellow lophophora. The stem is yellowish-green with a gray or brown tint and grows up to 10 centimeters in thickness. The flowers are light yellow or cream in color and are 3 centimeters in diameter.
- Lophophora mescaline. It is a small, fleshy cactus that grows up to 10 centimeters long and up to 8 cm in diameter.
Description
Lophophora Williams (Williams) has a green-blue stem, smooth fleshy, soft to the touch surface. At first glance, it seems that the plant consists of convex individual segments fused together. Such parts can be from five pieces or more. There are many tubercles on the stem of the plant. Among these cacti there are specimens with bulging pimply scallops.
Areola is located in the center of each individual segment, from where a large number of straw-colored hairs come out and are collected in a dense tuft. An adult specimen has the largest number of hairs located at the top. There are young growing segmental lobes of a cactus. In the spring, flower buds form in these places.
Williams lophophora is distinguished by its turnip-like massive root, which has a large number of thick processes. In width, it is almost equal to the diameter of the stem. Unlike the above-ground part of the plant, the length of the root system is quite decent.
There are several formsof this variety: deceptive, five-ribbed, multi-ribbed, comb and bushy.
Flowering
Cactus bloom in summer. Semi-double, tubular, multi-petalled flowers grow to about two centimeters in diameter. They can be of various shades - from pure white to pale red.
After flowering, the cactus produces red-pink fruits, up to two centimeters in size. Inside are black small seeds.
Growing conditions
Cactus is a plant native to warm and relatively sunny climes. He needs a fairly bright light, but slightly diffused. When direct sunlight hits its surface, the stem may partially change color to red, and the plant itself will slow down its growth and development.
In summer, moderate temperatures are most suitable for lophophora, although it can withstand heat up to 40 degrees. For the winter period, the cactus should be moved to a cooler place (just over 10 degrees), but be sure to take into account that in winter it needs light.
Soil and capacity
The peyote cactus loves soils that are loose, well-permeable to air and water, and also have neutral acidity. When choosing the right soil, it must be taken into account that one part of the earth saturated with nutrient mixtures and two of loosening additives should be present in its composition. To do this, you can combine perlite and brick chips, sod land in proportion. Experiencedflower growers advise adding a small amount of bone meal to the soil.
Since this cactus has quite powerful and long roots, the capacity must be high. Be sure to do drainage. On the surface of the soil it is necessary to distribute a thin layer of fine gravel. They should also cover the basal neck of the plant.
Home care
Williams Lophophora grows well at home, but in order for the cactus to develop properly, it is necessary to provide it with proper care.
Water should be scheduled according to the time of year, room temperature, and soil conditions. In the summer, moisturizing procedures must be carried out two days after the soil in the pot has completely dried. Stop watering at the end of September. Otherwise, in a cold winter, rot may appear on the cactus. The best time to start watering is March.
Lophophora does not need additional moisture, as it feels great even with low air humidity in an ordinary city apartment.
Feeding and transplanting
Feeding for a plant is necessary only during the period of its active growth. It should be done once a month. You can use special ready-made fertilizers for cacti for this.
Young Williams lophophore should be transplanted in the spring, once a year. A mature plant can be subjected to this procedure only as needed, and only after the root system has grown so much that itno longer fit in the container. In the process of transplantation, the lower processes should be cut to ¼ part. After this manipulation, the cut sites must be dried well or treated with charcoal, and then the plant can be moved to a new flower pot.
Reproduction
The easiest way to grow a cactus is with seeds. They are sown all year round.
In addition, children can propagate lophophora. In autumn, they should be carefully separated from the main mother plant and placed on a layer of perlite. In such conditions, they must be kept in the same way as an adult cactus in the winter (do not water). In the spring, the roots form in the children. After that, new sprouts of Williams lophophora must be transplanted into permanent pots.
Diseases and pests
The cactus of this variety practically does not get sick, and it is almost not damaged by insects. A reason for particular concern among flower growers is that it seems that the lophophora stops growing. This is quite a natural phenomenon, since this specimen develops slowly, and its stem growth is approximately 5-10 millimeters in one year.
Cactus of this variety can hardly be considered the most attractive. The stem of the plant has a grayish color. It is flattened and rounded in shape, and instead of spines it is covered with hairs. He has such a loud fame, most likely, because of the intoxicating substances contained in it. However, it should be noted that the hallucinogenic properties of this plant, which grows withinour country is much weaker. This means that the concentration of its active substances directly depends on the climatic conditions in which the cactus is located. The plant at home manifests itself differently, because it is accustomed to a completely different environment - dense thickets of shrubs and calcareous slopes of mountainous terrain.
In conclusion
It is also important to note here that the lophophore of this species has been forbidden to grow in Russia (and not only) since 2004. Criminal liability under Art. 231 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation occurs when more than two copies of the plant are grown. This is due, as noted above, to the fact that the juice of this plant contains a narcotic substance (alkaloid mescaline), which can cause visual and auditory hallucinations. It is for this reason that the cultivation of this cactus is prohibited in many countries of the world at the legislative level.
