Lophophora alberto-vojtechii
| Light | Bright light; light shade from the fiercest afternoon sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Very sparingly; keep bone dry in winter, mind the large taproot |
| Soil | Extremely free-draining, mostly mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; roughly USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); grafting to speed up seedlings |
| Toxicity | Not considered a food plant; see Legal status below |
Lophophora alberto-vojtechii is the smallest and most recently described member of the genus Lophophora, a miniature, spineless, high-desert cactus from the arid plateaus of north-central Mexico. Even as a mature plant its soft, button-like body rarely exceeds the width of a small coin, sitting almost flush with the ground above a disproportionately large taproot, and it opens delicate pale pink flowers from its woolly crown.
Description
Lophophora alberto-vojtechii forms a small, solitary, flattened-globular body that is soft, spineless and usually only a couple of centimetres across — noticeably smaller than its better-known relatives Lophophora williamsii and Lophophora fricii. The blue-green to grey-green skin is divided into low, broad ribs bearing tufts of white or greyish wool at the areoles, in place of spines. As with the rest of the genus, a great deal of the plant is hidden below ground: a stout, carrot-like taproot anchors it and lets the body retract into the soil during drought, leaving little more than the flat top visible among surrounding rock and grit.
Flowers appear from the woolly apex and are small and pale pink, opening for a short time in bright conditions. Because the species was only recognised comparatively recently and remains poorly studied in the wild, growers should treat descriptions of its variability with some caution.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the high, arid plateaus of north-central Mexico, where it grows in exposed, gritty and rocky ground alongside grasses and low scrub. Plants sit low among stones and are easily overlooked, contracting into the substrate in the long dry season. Its habitat is harsh, sun-baked and free-draining — conditions worth remembering when trying to reproduce them in cultivation.
Like all members of the genus, wild populations are vulnerable to over-collection and habitat disturbance, and the whole cactus family is listed under CITES Appendix II. Nursery-propagated, seed-grown plants are the responsible way to keep this species; collecting from habitat is not.
Cultivation
Care follows the general pattern for the genus; see Lophophora for an overview. Grow L. alberto-vojtechii in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in bright light, with just a little protection from the most intense afternoon sun. A deep pot suits the large taproot better than a shallow one.
The cardinal rule is restraint with water. Water thoroughly only once the soil has dried out completely during the growing season, then allow it to dry again; through winter keep the plant essentially dry and cool, which both prevents rot and encourages flowering. Overwatering — especially into that fleshy taproot — is by far the commonest cause of loss. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Seed is the standard and most reliable method. The fine seed is sown on a warm, gritty surface kept humid until germination, after which seedlings are grown on carefully as they are slow and small. Because the species is so diminutive and slow, some growers graft young seedlings onto a vigorous rootstock to build size quickly, later growing them on their own roots. The species does not readily offset, so division is uncommon. See Propagation — seed for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — nearly always from overwatering or a poorly draining mix; softening usually begins at the crown or in the taproot.
- Shrivelling of the taproot — prolonged total drought or root damage can leave the plant unable to plump up; repot gently and resume careful watering.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the small body pale and dome upward, losing its natural flattened form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the woolly areoles, and on the roots) and red spider mites are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
Legal status
Lophophora alberto-vojtechii is a tiny, poorly-studied species. The entire genus Lophophora is listed under CITES Appendix II, and because the genus includes peyote (Lophophora williamsii), plants in this genus are frequently caught up in national and regional controls on peyote and its constituent alkaloids. As a result, the legal position of L. alberto-vojtechii varies considerably between countries and jurisdictions, and it may be restricted at the genus level regardless of the makeup of any individual species.
Growers are responsible for checking the laws that apply where they live before acquiring, propagating or trading plants in this genus. This article is a horticultural reference only and contains no information on consumption, preparation or extraction.
See also
- Lophophora — the genus overview
- Lophophora williamsii · Lophophora fricii
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · CITES