Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft – 5th anniversary

I'm sad to say that I have neglected this plant in more than one respect. First I forgot to post on its 5th “grafting anniversary” (this post is almost 5 months due), secondly I didn't check up on it all summer even though it had recently been under attack by red spider mites.


Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa grafted on Trichocereus stock

As is evident from the pictures I didn't manage to get the mites fully under control before leaving the plant unattended for most of the hot summer months, during which the mites prospered and had a feast on the poor cactus.


Severe spider mite damage

I'm controlling the mites using neem oil, soap, and regular showers – I have considered miticides but am convinced that Darwinistic selection forces will kick in, leaving me with a population of miticide resistant spider mites in the windowsill ;-) I read somewhere that sulfur mixed in with the topsoil repels mites so I might try that (the less aesthetically pleasing solution is to dust the plants with sulfur). Hydrogen peroxide is also said to kill off mites so I still have a couple of options to try out before opting for the harsher chemicals.


Relatively undamaged button

Large areas of the grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa are still relatively unaffected by the mites so I'm sure it will grow back given time. I'm a bit puzzled, though, why this particular plant is so popular with the mites compared to most other plants in my collection.


Top view of grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa

For comparison you can check the posts on the same plant one, two, three, and four years ago.

Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft – 4th anniversary

June 7 my grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa plant could celebrate its 4th anniversary on top of its Trichocereus bridgesii stock. After four years the main head has grown to a width of 6 cm (~2.4'') and the scion is more than 14 cm (>5.5'') wide in total.


Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa grafted on Trichocereus stock

Unfortunately the plant was maimed by spider mites last year. I didn't check my plants for mites before leaving them unattended for several weeks during my summer holiday. When I returned the damage was done and much of the plant ended up severely scarred.


Spider mite damage with new growth

Fortunately the spider mites stayed off most of my other plants, and the scarred epidermis of the grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa will soon be replaced by new growth.

To avoid spider mites I'm now showering my plants as often as the weather and my patience permit ;-) Any remaining mites are sprayed with isopropyl alcohol on sight. So far this treatment has kept my plants safe from mites, but the big test will be the coming hot summer months where the plants are left on their own to a great extent.


Lophophora caespitosa scarred by spider mites

As always I’m fascinated with the explosive growth induced by the Trichocereus stock – for comparison you can check the posts on the same plant one, two, and three years ago.

Rory’s Lophophora collection

Some time ago Rory contacted me to discuss cacti and mycorrhizal associations (an interesting subject that might be brought up in a later post). During our conversations Rory revealed himself as an avid Lophophora grower with an impressive collection of mature and well-grown plants. Rory has kindly allowed me to share some pictures of his plants.


Flowering Lophophora williamsii, close-up


Large pot of Lophophora williamsii

The largest of the L. williamsii plants in this pot are approximately 25 years old. One of the plants in the central group (a bit above and to the left of the center) has been decapitated and set 4 offshoots. One of these has not yet developed a central growing point and appears somewhat cristate, but Rory expects it to develop as normal with time. The removed top was rooted and is also growing in the central group of plants (slightly below center; wool removed from areoles), and is flowering regularly.


Large pot of Lophophora fricii

According to Rory the compost used for the L. fricii plants are not drying fast enough. Consequently the plants are kept on the dry side which accounts for the red coloration shown by some of them. The largest of the plants (with a total of 9 offsets) has only grown 1cm (~0.4'') in the past 9 years so Rory is planning on repotting the plants in a new mix and expects this to speed up growth.


Lophophora diffusa about to flower

The above L. echinata diffusa plant is just about to flower - unfortunately it’s too overcast for the flowers to open properly.


Large pot of Lophophora williamsii v .caespitosa

To top things off (or just to make me completely envious ;-) Rory also threw in a photo of a nice, mature Ariocarpus fissuratus specimen.


Flowering Ariocarpus fissuratus

I hope you enjoyed this “guest appearance” - I for one would like to see more of Rory’s plants. If you have pictures or information you would like to share, you can drop me a mail at “lophophora [dot] blog [at] gmail [dot] com”.

Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft

I’ve been pretty busy lately and completely forgot to post on the 3rd anniversary (June 7) of my Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft. The main head is 5.5 cm (~2.2'') wide and the total width of the scion has increased to approximately 13 cm (~5.1'').


Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft

The Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa scion is grafted on a Trichocereus bridgesii stock and was repotted early this spring (hence the supporting props).


Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft - top view

I’m fascinated by the explosive growth induced by the Trichocereus stock (for comparison you can check the posts on the same plant one and two years ago) but the appearance of the plant tends to become increasingly freakish.

The plant doesn’t bloom with the same vigor as it grows – until now it’s only flowered once.

Lophophora williamsii – autumn flowers

Having passed the autumnal equinox I hadn’t expected any more flowers from my lophs – nevertheless two of them decided to bloom this week, one for the first time.


Lophophora williamsii (SB 854; Starr Co, Tx) flower

My grafted Lophophora williamsii (SB 854; Starr Co, Tx) has been flowering abundantly all summer. Several fruits have already ripened and more are budding; still the plant took the opportunity to squeeze in yet another flower before going dormant. The flowers of this plant are quite large, approximately 2.75cm (~1.1'') in diameter.


Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa flower

The Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa graft has been growing profusely but never felt like flowering before now. The flowers are small, less than 2cm (~0.8'') in diameter, compared to those of L. williamsii (SB 854; Starr Co, Tx), and the midstripes are a slightly darker shade of pink.


Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa

The scion used for this graft was taken from the plant shown in the blog profile. Unfortunately this plant later caught rot and died.

Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft

Two years ago I grafted a 2 cm (~0.8'') wide Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa cutting on a Trichocereus bridgesii stock. The main head has now grown to a width of 5.5 cm (~2.2'') and the total width of the scion exceeds 10.5 cm (~4.1'') – unfortunately the plant hasn’t flowered yet.


Grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa

I’ve given up keeping count of the number of offshoots; the plant is virtually exploding with growth.

Trichocereus bridgesii is an exemplary stock plant; it’s long-lived, fast growing, not offsetting and almost spineless.

Last year I also posted a picture of the – then much smaller – Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft. A photo of the flowering plant can be found in this post.

Variegated and cristate Lophophora

Many Thai nurseries are offering large selections of variegated and crested cacti. Unfortunately the Lophophora plants are quickly sold out so I haven’t obtained any yet. The photos below are courtesy of Deaw Cactus.


Lophophora williamsii crest (own root) – 13cm


Variegated Lophophora williamsii – 3.5cm


Variegated Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa – 6cm

Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa

I’m impressed. I found this photo of a humongous Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa on the British Cactus and Succulent Society discussion forum.


Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa

According to the forum this amazing plant was sown back in 1972, and is just one of a batch. Unfortunately it doesn’t say when the picture was taken.

Exploding Lophophora Inevitable

The main head of my grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa is now 4.5 cm (~1.77’’) wide – the total width of the scion is 7.3 cm (~2.87’’). The plant was grafted one year ago as a 2 cm (~0.78’’) wide cutting taken from the plant shown in my profile photo. Unfortunately the mother plant caught rot in the wound and withered during winter. The scion is grafted on a Trichocereus bridgesii (Echinopsis lageniformis) stock.


Grafted Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa

Maybe the Andy Warhol/Velvet Underground inspired title is a bit corny – but it seemed fitting for a plant exploding with growth ;-)

Follow this link to see the state of the Lophophora williamsii v. caespitosa graft one year later.