Question
Hi there. I have had a Cowboy Cactus in my conservatory for the past 6 years probably longer and it has now grown to a staggering 9ft. The problem I have is that the base is considerably smaller than the growth at the top. As a result, it is leaning on the wall. How can I get it back in proportion and not top heavy and keep my pride and joy for longer.
I also have 2 Jade plants around 5ft tall and with a trunk of 13" with slightly smaller of shoot trunks of about 9". They are in large bulbous glazed pots and the compost is solid. They are suffering a bit and don't look their best even with feeding. How can I keep these in good order too. Please help!!
Zoe Tims, Staines, Middlesex


Answer
Hello Zoe, Wow, 9ft tall!  You must feel you are out in the desert in Arizona when you look at it!  You have done well.  As mentioned in my profile cacti are not really my area but I will tell you what I would do if it were my plant.

Obviously there is nothing you can do about the base of the plant - I am assuming that it is in a pot appropriate for its size.  The only way to keep it in proportion is to prune it - oh I know you don't want to lose the height and I know it sounds drastic but if you don't take action it will go on growing and one day just keel over and you don't want that do you?

The good side to this is that you can propagate lots of new plants either for yourself or you could give them as presents to your friends. Or you could plant some of them in the original pot [or a size larger] so that they fill out the base of the plant.
 
Can you possibly send me a photo of the plant or its botanical name and then I can give you the correct information on propagation for its type.

Your jade plants are giants too!  You obviously have the knack of growing cacti and succulents.  When you say the pots are glazed I presume you mean the outside and just an inch or two of the inside of the pot.  Break up the solid compost and put a layer of fresh compost on the surface. Since the compost is very dry the plants must be in need of a good watering.

You say they don't look their best - how exactly DO they look?
Are the leaves wilting, discoloured, dropping off?  Let me know so I can give you the appropriate advice.

Diana