Question
I just transplanted a very tall and spindly cactus to a smaller pot. It抯 over five feet tall but about to fall over I have it tied to stakes but was hoping a smaller pot might help. The pot is still huge five to ten gallons but the similar cactus on a table has a very thick base and I assume this is because the base gets sun light where this skinny one was on the floor and I assume 揼rew to reach the light but thus its base got little and is very rickety. It抯 also got few roots how do I know if I planted it too deep. The base is a tan color and is mostly under the soil also to help keep it up right until it gets thicker and or grows more roots. It抯 also outside on a deck getting about three hours of bright direct sunlight a day and shaded light for the rest.
I plan on not watering it (letting the soil completely dry out like the healthy one on the table) much to try to force its roots to grow and to thicken the base like what happens with 搖nder watered orchid?
Any ideas it抯 quite nice and its companion on the table (the healthy one) and it are about thirty years old.
Please help.
Sincerely cactus Beth

Answer
Dear Beth,

I believe you are describing etiolation which is pale, sickly, excessive growth caused by insufficient light, incorrect feeding, or overcrowding.  It is most often caused by insufficient light  and you comment correctly, that the plant was reaching toward light.  Thus you have a rickety base.  The problem with etiolation is that it is permanent.  Most cactus can become healthy again with change in conditions, most importantly giving it more sun by gradually bringing it into direct sunlight.  Hopefully over the summer you will be able to increase those 3 hours of direct sunlight to 6-7.

The brown at the base is most likely corking which is normal in older cacti and can be put beneath the soil if one doesn't like it.

Anyway, since your plant has so few roots I think you have a couple of choices. 1. treat it like a cutting and don't water till you start to see new growth, or 2. since the base will not get thicker so won't be able to support a healthy upper plant you could cut the base off to a point where the cactus is uniform in size, let it callous over and start a new plant.  Then you'll have a good base for a healthy plant.

I would choose the latter because it doesn't sound like your base will ever support the rest of the plant.  With the new cutting you can let it root, give it plenty of light and water (0nce it's rooted) and you'll have a sturdy plant.  If you can't leave your cactus out all year the best thing to do to prevent etiolation is to keep it in a cool room (45-50 degrees) with no water for the winter.  That way it's dormant and can survive with very little light.  It makes for a stronger plant as well if you can do that from Oct. to March when you'd gradually start watering again in putting it in the sun. Cacti will etiolate in the winter because in the north we can't possible give them enough light even with additional artificial light.  They really aren't year round plants.  I keep mine in an unheated bedroom with just the natural light from the windows, feeling very badly that I'm not watering them.  They do just fine and I've actually had many more blooms in the spring since I have cared for them in this way.

You don't have to decide now You can go with option 1 and see what happens.  If the top starts to grow and the base doesn't, than you can cut it.  A 30 year old cactus is certainly worth saving and I hope it's companion is getting some sun as well.

Good luck,

Maureen.