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why is this cactus falling over?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

About 3 days ago this guy starting bending. A little worse every day now. I'm going to put him outside today and see if that helps but he's been in this window for years and has continued to grow up straight. He seems healthy otherwise and doesn't seem to be soft or rotting anywhere.

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Comments (5)

Andrew Stashek
Original Author
3 years ago
stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
3 years ago
To me it looks like it needs more sun. Euphorbias, in general, will take a lot more sun than the Christmas cactus you have in that window. My guess is the growth is somewhat stretched (etiolated) and the weight of the taller branches are making them bend. It's also stretching toward the light.

If you move it outside, I would move it into more sun gradually, otherwise it could burn.
Andrew Stashek thanked stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
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Some cactus naturally grow long and then travel along the ground. It might clump at this point also. Do you know the species.. Is there an ID fo this cactus? Is there rot at the base. Is it soft down there? If there is rot, one might cut it off and heal over the cut and reroot it. BUT it could be the way it grows naturally as it ages. could it not be getting enough sunlight. I have heard that the twisting of the ribs could mean that it is not getting enough moisture. Someone said that in reference to some twisting large cereus. I am just repeating it. You cactus does look old. If allowed to lean and wander, it would be the kind of cactus our talented member, Caudex would love to stage in one of his incredible pots.As we age we develop character that is appreciated by some and not others. I would just make sure that it is healthy in the section above its roots. This post was edited by wantonamara on Thu, Jun 20, 13 at 8:40
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Andrew Stashek
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you. Kinda what I suspected. He's just never learned this much before. And so quickly too. I'll move him back a little.
stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
3 years ago
You could maybe stake it if you want that bent part to straighten up, then gradually move it into more sun. I think that it was a bit stretched due to too little sun, but it was the added weight from the branches at the top that really made it bend. That's probably why the bending seemed to happen fairly quickly.
robinswfl
3 years ago
I agree with stupidlazydog on the light issue. I only have 2 Euphorbias, but one is a beautiful crested euphorbia lacteals. I live in FL and both are outside on my lanai. They get 3-4 hours of direct FL sun in the summer, and even more in the winter. And they seem to handle it well. Agree too with the suggestion to stake the plant and acclimate it to stronger outdoor sun, if you move him.

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