I believe it is a barrell cactus. Its about 2 feet tall, maybe 1 inch + wide. I went to water it today and it was broken off about an inch from the base and lying on the floor. I have had this for years and feel just aweful about it. Is there a way to re-root one of these? The top also broke off in the fall (about the top 2 inches).
This is not a disaster. The cactus can be saved. Let the broken chunks dry out for a couple of days, then re-pot in dry soil and DO NOT WATER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. You can probably save both pieces this way; definitely you can save the topmost part.
Broken barrel cactus? Never saw that movie. Doesn't sound like a barrel cactus you have there, cowboy. A picture would tell for sure.
Oh it's a great movie! You've got to go see it hoss. :) I'm not really sure what the name is, I was just guessing - it's tall and thin. Here are a few pictures of the broken part and remaining "stub" in the pot:
Sorry Bronco Billie, that's not my kind of cowboy movie. How on earth can you confuse that spindly viny thing with a barrel cactus? Looks like a Cereus formerly called a Monvillea. You should have no trouble rerooting the stems and the base should sprout new stems. Just be careful not to over water. Don't get all religious like Lorax about saving it.
I'm assuming to do as Lorax suggested? Wait a couple days then plant in dry soil. No watering for several weeks?
In any event, thanks Cereusly Steve for identifying the cactus my friend gave me 20 years ago when I moved up here from outside Tucson ("to remember her by"). The three tiny baby ones grew and grew. Unfortunately, only one is left and I strongly believe it and its pup have gone to "the great desert in the sky." I actually have killed a good sized, gorgeous fish hook barrel--forgot it was on the enclosed porch in the Midwest one fall night when it got down into the 20s. It was well travelled over 4 or 5 moves and I even transplanted it twice (and lived to tell the tale!). I was sick over that one!
