Expert: Greg Simpson - 9/2/2006

Question
I have a cactus not sure what kind but it is the tall straight kind it has three seperate plants in pot and it just grows straight up not out I was wondering if there is a way to trim it? it seems to be growing up and not out about 2 inches round at bottom but as it grows it just gets thinner still about maybe 1/2 inch to inch on top and gets these little leafs on it I would like to get it to be same size all the way up but not sure how to do that, I have had this for yrs and have transpalnted it a couple times and thinking maybe it pot bound and how big a pot should it be in? it is about3 to 31/2 ft tall.
any info would be appreciateated I can send pic if you tell me where to send
Thanks in advance Jim Townsend

Answer
Dear Jim,

Sounds to me like you have a Euphorbia of some type. The reason it keeps getting thinner is because the plant you bought was from a greenhouse (ideal conditions and very bright filtered light). Indoors, all desert type plants will thin in response to a lack of light. You'll need to provide about 15 hours per day of very bright, not direct sunlight. If practical, use a "grow light" which is available at most nurseries.

If your plant is a Euporbia, you have to be very careful when taking cuttings. Their sap is very toxic. I recently got a drop of Euphorbia sap on my wrist about the 1/2 the size of a pencil eraser. Although I cleaned and washed immediately, I still ended up with a rash the size of a half dollar.

You can send pics to: gregandkat@msn.com

Sincerely,

Greg