Question
We recently moved. My husband mistakenly knocked over our cactus that we'd been growing for 10 years. When we repotted it we noticed that the root system had basically deteriorated. Also, during the process of repotting, I mistakenly poked it on the lower side with a chop stick! Since then (about 7 days), the Cactus has fallen to one side and have began to break in half. The top three quarters look okay, but the lower part with the root system looks as if it's dying. There is a gooey, sticky substance between the top and lower half in the area that's breaking away. How do we save this cactus? Do we cut the top half off or just let fall off on its on and hopes of self-repair?

Answer
Caro,

It sounds like your plant has rotted at the base. You can cut off the rotted part, make the cut about 2 or 3 inches above where the rot seems to end. Let it heal (dry out) for at least a couple of weeks prior to replanting. once it has healed, plant it about 3 to 4 inches into the soil and water. Don't water again until the soil is dry. If it root, it should take a month or so to root, so be patient.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg