My seven foot tall pencil bush was severely damaged when it dropped to 26 degrees one night in February. Many of the branches died, dried up, and fell off. But now in May its sprouting new branches and is now about 8 feet high. BTW, how much is an 8 foot tall pencil bush or pencil tree or pencil cactus or whatever it is called worth? It took about three years to grow this high.

The photo link is bad. It shows on the Yahoo page but when double clicking to enlarge it, it gives an error message. Is there any chance of sending it to me to look at? Without a larger image, it is difficult to see what the problem is with the cactus. However, be careful when handling the plant. Euphorbias have a milky latex that can be very irritating to the skin, depending which Euphorbia it is. If you get any on you, rinse it off your hands immediately. Do not rub your eyes, either.......

My intentions are to just take a hammer and bust the current pot. I have done bonsai for two years...I'm not sure if I will be finding roots that need pruned...or needing work. I was told this cactus has NEVER been repotted. It's been in this pot from day one they owned it. Over 20+ years as they discussed what house they lived in when they got it. It is currently in a 12" pot...thinking going to 14" or should maybe it be larger...just something that will fit on the stand it's currently on? Previous us owners said to make cuttings to mix sand and potting soil half and half and stick the cutting into that mix. So...I am assuming that would be the same mix to repot into? Or no? I am not looking for cuttings and finding more area to house a cactus. My currant area has my tropical bonsai and I have allowed for those to grow and develop so I have no space for more cactus. I did send a 14" piece off to Florida to a bonsai aquanitence/friend who has a cactus garden of a piece that got damaged and fell over from its upright place in the pot. It had that lignified look to the lower end as well.

Soil designated for cacti is probably not well enough draining. Pls. get at least some perlite to add to it., and mix at least 50/50. It needs have very good drainage. Many of us grow them in inorganic mixes. If the plant is cut, it should be left out of mix to callus. Bigger the cut, bigger chance of infection if stuck in the soil. And if kept wet, even more so. Plastic pot is ok - I have almost 200 succulents in cheep plastic pots that are recycled. Or get terracotta if you prefer. Once you take it out, all old soil should be taken off the roots. But, if it is rotting, I would really return it. It is not fair to charge money for rotting plant...JMO!