Preperation of Sacred Cacti
Trichocereus ~ "San Pedro"
Trichocereus "San Pedro" Cacti Preparation-
1) Remove all spines with a small knife
2) Peel the waxy outer skin off
3) Remove the green layer just below the waxy outer skin but above the white inner core.
4) Discard the white inner core, spines and waxy skin, chop and dry the green flesh.
Once the green layer is chopped and dried it can be stored in cool dry place for many years.
The green dried "chips" can be eaten as they are, or infused with water (made into a tea).
Harvest and Preparation of Trichocereus "San Pedro" Cacti-
Stress the section of cactus which is going to be harvested for anywhere from 3 months to a year.
Cut off 15 inches or more. Callous the cutting in a dry, shady place for 2 weeks.
Age the cuttings for 7-13 months (plant the tip).
Remove the areoles with a small, thin knife.
Peel away the waxy outer skin.
Cut green outer layer away from waxy inner core.
Air dry green material on drying rack with a fan. Discard remaining cactus parts.
(Often it makes sense to remove the growing tip of the cactus cutting which has been harvested, callous and replant it. It's young and will not be potent at such a young age, it's best to replant it. If the clone turns out to be potent, then means that the top should be grown and propagated.)