Question
I have been given a 25 to 30 years old Zygo cactus, only 50% of the plant blooms at one time, my concern is that the plant has been let go and some pieces are 15+ inches long while others are shorter. The stem is all bark like and very exposed. The plant has spread at the root line and looks like it needs help. It appears to have less that 3 inches of dirt in the 8 inch round  pot, 8 inches deep.. But the flower has over grown the container in height. I purchased a new one today that is thick and full. Is there any thing I should do to help the huge older plant look fuller and remain healthy?

Answer
Jean,

The first thing you must do is fill the pot with soil to within an inch of the rim. The soil should be a mix of potting soil and sand. Then you should put it next to a very sunny window and put the shorter side next to the window so it will grow faster than the longer side. Also fertilize it with a water soluable fertilizer such as Miracle Grow that is labled for blooming plants. Do not leave water in the drain tray and be sure to let it dry out between waterings. I would take cuttings off of the longer side and start a new plant from this very old plant, that way if you lost it you would still have a part of it. Very old plants such as this tend to be rather fragile and it iss good to start new ones from them to keep them going indefinitly. Good luck.

Darlene