Expert: Greg Simpson - 5/12/2006

Question
i have a cactus which got too big on top and fell over this morning, the break did not go all the way through.
i staked it up, will it heal?
the cactus is straight with short spines and no branches
it is about an inch and half around at base, then narrows to slightly less than an inch for about three inches then expands again to about two inches until the top, which is slightly rounded. it is nicely green all over and bright green at the top.
what can i do to save it?


Answer
Dear Danni,

It won't reconnect itself, however, what you can do is break it the rest of the way off, let the broken area heal for a couple of weeks, then replant it in the soil next to the part it broke off of. The part that is rooted in the ground should sprout some arms, and the newly planted part should root and create a new plant.

Just as a side note, if your cactus is bright green at the top, it sounds like it is growing but may also not be getting enough light. You might consider moving it to a brighter location, but no direct sunlight. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Greg