Lophophora williamsii is the botanical name of a very special type of cactus, the peyote. This cactus is not only grown because of its extraordinary flowers. It contains substances that have a similar effect to mescaline, but whose consumption is prohibited. How to Grow Lophophora from Seeds.
How do I grow Lophophora williamsii from seeds?
To grow Lophophora williamsii from seeds, get fresh seeds, place them in the refrigerator for two weeks, let them dry, sow them in sterilized potting soil, cover the tray and keep the substrate moist in a warm, bright place.
Where do you get seeds?
You can get Lophophora williamsii seeds legally from specialized seed dealers. You can also harvest the seeds from the peyote fruits yourself.
To do this you have to get your Lophophora williamsii to bloom and then pollinate the flowers.
- Harvest ripe fruits
- Triggering seeds
- pickling
Pollinate Lophophora williamsii
The cactus can only produce seeds if the peyote flowers are pollinated. The flowers open in the morning and close again in the afternoon. Once they are open, go over the yellow pollen and pistils with a cotton swab. You should repeat this process several times.
Whether fertilization has worked can usually be seen just a few days later. A reddish fruit then forms under the flower. Depending on how late in the year fertilization occurred, it can take several months for a fruit to develop.
The seeds are stored in a dry and dark place until they are sown in spring. The fresher the seed is, the higher the germination capacity. Under no circumstances should he be older than five years.
How to prepare Lophophora williamsii seeds
To increase the germination of the seed, place it in the refrigerator for two weeks before sowing and then let it dry for another two weeks.
Sowing is best done on sterilized potting soil (€6.00 at Amazon). To do this, heat the soil in the oven at around 60 to 80 degrees for several minutes.
Sowing Lophophora williamsii
Fill a bowl with potting soil and scatter the seeds thinly. Do not cover it with substrate as peyote is a light germinator. Cover the bowl with a transparent lid or put cling film over it.
The substrate is kept moderately moist. Place the seed trays in a warm, bright place.
Tip
Lophophora williamsii can also be propagated via cuttings. They are cut off directly above the root.
