Methods of cultivating Lophophora williamsii
Compared to the common content about the succulent plant Lophophora williamsii, the methods of cultivating it will be explained in detail by the editor below.
Lophophora williamsii should be planted in deep pots. The growing medium should be loose and well-draining. The growing season is in spring and autumn. The thick, straight roots are averse to waterlogging; apart from keeping the soil moist during the growing period, watering should be controlled during other times. Watering should follow the principle of "not watering unless dry, and watering thoroughly when done," to avoid waterlogging in the pot, which can cause root rot. Prolonged drought can lead to slow or halted plant growth, wrinkled and dull epidermis. During dormancy, watering should be minimized or stopped, and fertilizing should be halted as well. Lophophora williamsii enjoys humid air, and some people use beverage bottles to cover the globular bodies for care. Although this keeps the bodies plump and the epidermis clean and moist, it can lead to poor air circulation and rust disease. It's advisable to regularly spray fungicides like carbendazim or propiconazole for prevention.
During the growing season, apply a dilute organic liquid fertilizer or a "low nitrogen, high phosphorus and potassium" compound fertilizer once a month, making sure not to splash fertilizer on the globular bodies.
In the summer, high temperatures can slow down plant growth, requiring good ventilation to avoid stuffiness and dryness, otherwise susceptible to red spider damage, rust disease, or stem rot; appropriate shading is also necessary to prevent strong direct sunlight from burning the globular bodies.
In winter, place the plant in a sunny indoor location with a minimum night temperature of around 10°C and some day-night temperature difference. Normal watering can continue to promote plant growth. If the temperature cannot be maintained at 10°C, control watering to induce dormancy, and the plant can safely overwinter above 5°C.
Lophophora williamsii has thick, straight roots, and deeper pots are suitable for potting. Repot once a year in April, with the soil needing to be loose and fertile, well-draining and breathable, with some granularity and containing an appropriate amount of lime. A mixture of two parts of decomposed leaf soil or peat soil, three parts of coarse sand, and a small amount of bone meal or shell meal can be used. Some people also add a moderate amount of slow-release compound fertilizer to materials like red jade soil or orchid stones, with good results. Due to its large, fleshy roots, a deeper pot is suitable, with the bottom padded with tiles or coarse gravel to aid drainage.
Do you now understand the detailed methods of cultivating Lophophora williamsii as described above?