Question
Hello, I have a well established potted Golden Barrel that has 3 arms or baby goldens on it's east side, midway up the body and have been told I can remove and replant them. Is there any truth to this? Will it hurt the parent golden? What are chances for success?
Thanks in advance.

Answer
Yes, there is truth to that. It will not hurt the mother plant and if you are worried do one at a time.  The chances for success are excellent.

  To remove the pups take a sharp knife sterilized with alcohol and cut them off.  They may have some roots of their own and if so, gently separate them from the mother plant. Brush both the cuts on the mother plant and the pup with fungicide to prevent rot. Whether or not there are roots let them dry out and callous over for several days/couple of weeks. Then, for pups without roots, set on top of soil (1/2 perlite 1/2 peat or potting soil) in a pot not much bigger than the pup, put in partial shade and leave them alone till they start growing roots. DO NOT WATER during this process.  You can occasionally mist and make sure there is good air circulation.

If there are roots do all of the above, but you can very gradually start to water once the pup is planted, let the soil dry out in between, and then give a little more water. The baby roots will drown with too much water and need to develop and get strong slowly.

The mother plant will have a minimal scar but it won't make the plant look awful and won't hurt it. Barely noticeable.  Oh, and also don't water the mother until the cuts have calloused over as well.  Eventually all mothers show at least a tiny bit of wear and tear, no?

It can take a long time for the pup to root.  You need to be really patient. the best way to tell it is rooted is that you will start to see some new growth.

Good luck, have fun.