Lophophora growth habits based on cultivation technique

Wild plants and cultivated plants, especially in the cactaceae, can have drastically different forms. Light, temperature, water, nutrition, physical soil makeup, propagation methods etc all can result in different growth reactions to a plant. In some, the differences are not noticeable, such as the chemistry of a plant being changed. Others are more obvious such as colour change of the skin or actual growth habit/form change. Here we discuss some of these occurrences as we have seen.

The effects of grafting on stem morphology in Lophophora.

It is true that for most slow growing cacti that are grafted onto fast growing cacti, the resulting scions tend to grow abnormally. Mostly do to the stem not being able to handle such intense power coming from below they tend to swell, grow super fast and also tend to grow new stems far more than a seed grown plant, or seen a rooted cutting. This is the reason for grafting, faster growth.

It is well known and commonly observed that different species acting as te rot stock for Lophohpora cause the scions to grow slightly different. Root stock species such as Pereskiopsis sp. are well known for hugely changing the stem appearance and causing such fast growth that the stem may split. They also tend to offset quite a lot, making collectible characteristics become garbage. Other stocks, such as Hylocereus, which also grow things fast, tend to keep a more natural look to the plants, although any graft will not appear the same as seed grown plants.

Perhaps the greatest advantage to grafting is the faster maturity rate. Lophophora plants that are grafted tend to begin flowering within 1-2 years, whereas seed grown plants may take 3+ years to produce their first flower.

Overall, grafting tends to exaggerate growth patterns already present. A Lophophora that tends to offset more, such as L. diffusa, L. ‘Jourdaniana, L. fricii and certain populations of L. williamsii, will grow many new stems really fast when grafted. More solitary style Lophophora like L. koehresii and some L. williamsii will offset far less, but ultimately almost always still offset relatively rapidly when grafted.

Seed grown vs. Cuttings

Many growers who have grown Lophophora for a while have probably already noticed that seed grown plants are the ones that grow the widest stems. Talking about diameter of a single stem. Plants that are seed grown generally offset less frequently and also grow larger main/central stems. Plants that are grown via cuttings (such as “pups” from an areole) often tend to offset more and grow smaller diameter “crowns”. It is not definitively known why, but it would seem logical to think that when cuttings root and take off, the plant has realized this is a successful means of replication and may wish to promote more of the same activity. Who knows.

Light levels and stem morphology

Cactus are not really much different than most other plants in terms of needing a certain level of light to grow what we all believe is the "proper" growth form (though proper is probably a very “assumptious” term, for lack of a better/real word, and might be better termed average form). When plants get less than ideal levels of the right kind of light, they stretch for more. Probably thinking they can stretch up and reach for more light higher up, which is a very logical assumption. All plants will stretch and become spindly when placed in lower than required light levels. Lophophora, and all cacti, will as well creating an almost columnar appearance. This has many drawbacks in cultivation, mostly relating to weakness in defense against pathogens.

A normal appearing Lophophora growth habit is a depressed/flattened globe. They “should” be wider than tall. Even in the wild a seed that germinates under a dense forest canopy will likely look different than a seed grown plant that grew up in the open sunshine. Plants grown in dark situations often don’t last long as they are quickly made a meal of by all sorts of macro and micro organisms.

Light levels don’t appear to have any real effect of rib formation and pattern, but more to do with the width/height ratios. This is more due to needing mroelight, or getting enough.

Light also plays a role in skin colour. There are many mechanisms at work, but plants that need more light tend to become either white (in very extreme cases) or a dark green to try and absorb more light. Plants that receive too much light often go pale, and eventually red or purple shade if there is too much light (not to be confused with dehydration in some species). Too much light eventually leads to cell damage, although the plant tries to defend itself by changing its pigmentation (ie red colour). When the plant can no longer protect itself, the skin goes brown and hard and this is the result of too much light actually killing cells. These will become scars, and will never become green again.

Light and chemistry

Light colour, photoperiod and intensity have been shown to have noticeable effects on the chemistry of plants. In Lophophora williamsii for example there has been noticeable differences in mescaline production in red, blue and full spectrum lighting. Photoperiod, the day length, has also showed noticeable differences in mescaline production. This area is almost untouched in terms of study with regards to Lophophora. But it is interesting to note that the chemical makeup of these plants do change with different lighting situations. This raises many questions. For example if one chemical is great at preventing pests from eating it, and light levels/colours (think about how the light colour is different in summer and winter) can effect the production of that chemical, it could be very important in deciding how able a plant is at defending itself, It also raises questions that perhaps some chemicals are produced in higher concentrations during certain times to protect against seasonal pests. Temperatures could also play a role. This area is a fascinating one, and deserves more study.