shelf life of cuttings

[jhenry]

Hi - does anyone have an idea of the shelf life of cacti cuttings (specifically san pedro and bridgesii)? that is, how long from when SWIM receives cuttings does he have to do an extraction without the cuttings losing potency? should the cuttings be stored in the freezer or any other special way?

thanks for your help.

jh

[jux]

as long as the cutting is alive it wont lose potency (they can live for a while after being cut) in fact some say the alkaloid content increases since the cacti produces them when it is stressed. some people will store a cacti or a cutting in a dark closet for a month or so to encourage alk production...this is, however, based on anecdotal evidence, and i know of no scientific studies that prove that the potency is increased...but it seems to be a sound theory, and it couldn't hurt. long story short, your lab rat doesn't really have to worry about a potency drop...

your lab rat should avoid the freezer until just before the extraction ... before he makes the tea, he should freeze and thaw the cacti several times to break the cell walls to aid in the extraction

[jhenry]

thanks for the prompt and informative reply jux. any idea about longer time periods, say three months, six months, or even longer?

[jux]

honestly, i am not sure....

[acolon_5]

In SWIM's dealings with this particular cactus he has held them up to a year before rooting them without any problems. The cuttings should be stored in a cool, dry place.

[jux]

another option for long term storage is to stick it in a pot and grow it. it will grow up to a foot a year depending on growing conditions plus it will start putting out pups, giving you more cacti....a nice benifit. pedros in particular are very easy to grow...

[jhenry]

thanks for the replies jux and acolon.