Expert: Greg Simpson - 11/18/2004

Question
I have a regular house cactus (don't know the name of it) six sides with spikes about 9" tall. It was in a very small pot and i was planning to replant it after i moved it to my new apt. It fell out of the pot once but i managed to put it back in and added some pebbles from my other cactus to support it. Well yesturday, I found it on the table beside the pot completely broken off. I am very upset, I've had it for about 2yrs. Is there anything i could do to save it now? The roots and the base are still in the pot with a moist stalk like stem coming out of it? Can i replant it?? Or is it gone?? What did i do wrong?
Please help.
Thank you in advance for your time,
Maria

Answer
Dear Maria,

Bothe the part that broke off and the part in the pot can be saved. As long at the part in the soil is not rotted, it should branch at the break.

As for the part that broke off, let the broken part heal (about two weeks), then repot it in "cactus mix" soil. It should root within a month or so. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Greg