when is the cactus producing the most mescaline alkaloids? is it in the growing season spring/summer or the slow grow season fall/ winter? is it when the skin is dry and pale looking or when the skin is a nice bright green livley color? is it when the cactus is producing flowers? when would be the best time to chop it down and skin?
Dark green skined cacti are much more potent than pale yellow/green skin cacti -from my experience. Ive been told that they are more potent during and towards the end of summer, and less potent in winter. But as far as I know that information is just rumor.. unless someone else here can clarify this?
end of summer-fall is the best potency after the long growing season. cuttings should be left to sit for a while to increase potency further.
Most people recommend depriving the cactus of water and light for about a month before harvesting it. So doing this right before the end of the growing season should provide you with the most potent possible cutting. Like omacatl said, leave the cutting in a closet for at least a few weeks to further increase alkaloid production. Of course, these suggestions are all speculative. I have not attempted any of them and can't vouch for their efficacy.
I would think a healthy cactus would be a happy one. You weren't very specific, but since you said "chop it DOWN" I am guessing it wouldn't be peyote. Generally, the longer you let the cactus grow the more alkaloids it will produce(and retain), so patience pays in a literal way. Since it is in their nature to produce these alkaloids, I would think they do so best when given adequate amounts of nutrients, sunlight, and water; I'm guessing they produce more during the summer months. I wonder if this could be offset by the addition of lights during the winter, though, or if winter dormancy plays a role in the plants ability to grow/survive/produce mescaline...
