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Growers Notes... New Species or Not??

Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii Sierra Zavaleta

Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii from the area of Sierra Zavaleta in the south-western part of Coahuila Mexico, is known for occupying the ravines of the Viesca Basin, and is very similar to others in the fricii group of plants, with the exception that it truly does have a tendency to offset a little more readily forming larger plant clumps. Flower colour will range from the typical soft pink associated with that of the Williamsii family although slightly more colourful, through to a deep magenta tone.

Here again I have segregated specific plants with the brightest and darkest tones of pink and magenta for my personal collection for future seed production.

Plants from this locality are easily germinated and easy to care for with the exception of care in watering... less is always better than more and if not sure just wait for the plant to tell you. Once again, these plants are Incredibly prolific, with pups often flowering along with the original mother plant producing a wonderful living bouquet time and again. Then within two to three weeks of each flower, a wonderfully plump brightly red toned seed pod emerges holding roughly twenty seeds at a time as shown in the photograph at the bottom of the page.

Above: Three year old Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii from the area of Sierra Zavaleta

Above: Fifteen month old Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii from the area of Sierra Zavaleta

Above: Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii from Sierra Zavaleta showing fresh seed pods

Above: Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii variegated specimen from Sierra Zavaleta

Here above is a beautifully and most prized variegated Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii from Sierra Zavaleta. With time I will add photo's with the plant in flower, and with time I hope to collect a few variegated pups from this very plant. None the less it is growing beautifully and is truly a gem and rare having planted about a thousand seeds of this variety alone and only having one grow with this rare presentation.

Above: Year and a half old Lophophora Diffusa var. fricii seedlings ready for transplant from the area of Sierra Zavaleta