I've asked a couple of people this, but thought I'd ask in a forum of dedicated cactus enthusiasts.

So, would you pay $750 for a Lophophora williamsii which has 16 heads and is over 30 years old? It is in pretty perfect condition with all of it tufts of wool erect (not matted at all). I don't have any pics of it, but it's pretty big.

I went to have a look at it today, but couldn't bring myself to fork out that much, but I'm still thinking about it.

It's comforting to think that if i didn't get it, in thirty years I would have several of similar size and beauty, but I can't help but think about what this one would then look like in thirty years. It's older than me!

In a word NO, but I don't mean this in a monetary sense.

To me a plant of such awe inspiring proportion is only as good as the time you have spent with it ! You will never really appreciate it if you buy a plant like this, I saw you are growing from seed this is how you will really appreciate the plant. Stick with these seedlings for a few years and they will reward you far more than the mature plant ever could.

HN

Thats a good answer HN. Raising a baby from conception is more rewarding then having a 30 year old man move in to your house. Even if he is awe inspiring to be around.

On the other hand, if you look after it well it could be a prize plant in your collection in 10 - 15 years. You could get it to a size that would be impossible to achieve growing from seed in one lifetime.

My thoughts exactly Kanje.

I do agree with what HN has said and think it's very valid, but in 30+ years, my seed grown cacti may be the same size as the one we're talking about, but then how big would the 60+yo old one be? That plant would always be 30 years in front of everything else.

This decision is not coming easily...

The decisions easy for me, no. I don't have $750! But, i see your's and HN's points, but i couldn't justify spending close to 1k on a plant.

The question is to me what is your passion. addicts spend ALOT of money on there passion, a whiskey drinker could spend 1k on a real old bottle likewise a wine drinker. but in such scenarios there is always the other side you dont have a vineyard and abarrel to keep it in for 30yrs. If it is your serious passion and you dont have the care about money or a loan. then buy it. If your questioning yourself it seems to me you have other priorities, poop if you like cars you'd buy a 30yr car if it was only $750. I have spent the money numerous times on cacti. But you need to be able to accept the loss if they perish!!
Having said my 2 cents I agree with the above statements about appreciation. You are only rewarded by new growth and not what is already done. my half a cm loph excite me more most of the year the few big ones I own are really only fantastic when they flower
$750 for 16heads is way over priced( Need a Photo ). I paid somewhere around $200 for this one and I love it

Yeah, $750 for the Loph above would be overpriced, but it isn't a young caespitosa, it's an old standard williamsii. The one you are holding has only one mature head, this has around 10 or 11 mature heads. You can get caespitosas with 16 heads a quarter of the size of that, so head count isn't really much to go off. The fact it's over 30 years old and it near-perfect condition is a much better measure.

Of course you're right, addicts do spend more money than that on various things. Lophs are by far my favourite cactus and I am very passionate about them, but $750 is still a lot of money. I've spend far more than that in total, but not on a single plant.

Anyway, everyones opinions in this thread have been very much appreciated. I'm leaning towards getting it, but still not decided for sure. If I do get it, I'll post pics for sure.

Well if I had the money and I was in love with it, and thought the price was right, I probably would.
You only live once And I never think amazing plants are a waste of money.

If you want something bad enough ...money is no object,$$$= <3<3<3

Hehe, I spent $2300 on a green house before I got my first car.

my philosophy is...can u live with the loss if it dies? If you can then go for it, if you can't then don't, lol. Have you tried haggling with the person?
Kanje...good to see u had your priorities right, lol.

Vicky, I asked whether he would do it for cheaper, but he said no. He doesn't need to sell it, but has several already and is getting old, so has put a price on it that he sees as fair. He's pretty happy to keep it, but if someone offers him the money, he'll sell it.

As far as your questions whether I could handle it dying...well it depends how soon after I bought it. If some years later it dies, then yes, it would be very sad, but it would have given me much happiness in that time. If weeks later, then no, but that's like anything really. You don't buy things like this with the expectation that a few weeks later they're gone.

Anyway, I think I'll get it. It's just too amazing to pass up,
I'd forever be regretting it otherwise. It's an incredibly beautiful plant and money is just money after all.

Nice Kanje, that's the way!

Nice one. Who says money can't buy companionship.

I expect we'll see some photos when he arrives