The Peyote cactus is characterized by its flattened shoots. Unlike many other cactus species, it has no thorns. Breeding peyote is not difficult. But wintering is not that easy. The cactus can be grown from cuttings or seeds.
How to grow a peyote cactus?
Cuttings or seeds can be used to grow peyote. The cuttings are cut smoothly, dried and planted in pumice gravel. Seeds should be cooled and then sown in sterilized potting soil with moderate moisture. Peyote requires a bright, sunny location and cool temperatures during wintering.
Breeding Peyote (Lophophora williamsii)
The Peyote cactus contains active ingredients that are psychoactive and similar to those of mescaline. Consumption is therefore prohibited. However, it is perfectly acceptable to care for a peyote cactus as long as you do not consume it.
You can get plants and seeds from specialist garden shops.
Peyote can be propagated either from cuttings or from seeds.
Propagation from cuttings
Use side shoots as cuttings. Cut them smoothly with a sharp, clean knife. Allow the interfaces to dry. After a few days, plant the cuttings in prepared small pots with pumice gravel.
Growing from seeds
- Keep seeds cool
- Sterilizing potting soil
- Spread seeds thinly
- do not cover
- keep moderately moist
The seed must not be too old. It should be stored dry until sowing. To increase germination, it is placed in the refrigerator a month in advance for two weeks. It is then kept at room temperature for another two weeks.
Prepare seed trays with sterilized potting soil. Spread the seed thinly and leave it uncovered. It is only kept slightly moist.
Cover the pots with cling film or a clear lid. Air the sowing once a day to prevent mold from forming.
Bright location and cool wintering
To grow a peyote, you need a good location. It must be very bright and as sunny as possible. In summer you can also put it outside as long as the place is protected from the rain.
In order for peyote to develop flowers, it needs a longer period of rest in cool temperatures in winter. Ideally they should be at ten degrees. But it can't get much cooler because peyote is not hardy.
Tip
The peyote cactus develops very long taproots. Therefore, plant it in a sufficiently deep pot so that the roots have enough space.
