Anybody know about cactus ?

Hey does anyone know about cactus? My mom has this cactus and the thing is so thin at the bottom but it literally can't support itself. She has a stick bracing it on the bottom and the curtains also are holding it up. It's probably over 4 feet now. She never does anything special to it. Any reason it wouldn't be thicker at the bottom? Can she replant it somehow to support it better. Cut it? Any ideas? Figured I'd ask here first as so many different specialists are Out and about here and I know a lot garden here

This is a problem with many indoor plants that don't have any stresses caused by wind gusts, breezes, etc. I remember a technique called super cropping where you strain the stems and it causes them to grow thicker and can support more weight. Look in Google and most references will be CDXX (hope my Roman numerals are correct) related, but it also works for other top heavy or fruit bearing plants. It may work for succulents/cacti too but it usually done early so it may be too late

You could also consult with a local botany club or check http://cssainc.org

I'd suggest taking a cutting (clone) and start fresh with the same plant--and you can obviously keep the old one this way as well. After you get the cutting started, then what Tanner suggested can easily be accomplished indoors with a fan. You should see the plant move a bit from the breeze, if it does not move then it is too far from the plant.

Your plant is technically a succulent not a cactus. You can't get this plant to thrive in bright light, but if its used to living indoors, do so gradually or you'll torch it. It can take extreme heat but not cold. As tanner noted, the plant will not thrive unless its in a natural environment. And as Jim noted, Chop six inches from the top, stick the ends in clean water and rocks and it should sprout roots if left on the counter after a few weeks.

When I lived in Florida there were similar plants like this. They would tie them to palm tree trunks and let them climb the trunks.
If I remember correctly it would get a large white flower that hung down. Think of it more like a vine than a stand alone plant.
Found this youtube [video]https://youtu.be/T8CKYuru5so[/video]

Burl Source said:

When I lived in Florida there were similar plants like this. They would tie them to palm tree trunks and let them climb the trunks.
If I remember correctly it would get a large white flower that hung down. Think of it more like a vine than a stand alone plant.
Found this youtube [video]https://youtu.be/T8CKYuru5so[/video]

Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies guys....I'll pass the info along....ryan

I'm no expert, but thinning and stretching of any plant is leading to the idea that it is not receiving enough light, maybe even nutrient.