Hi, I have two cacti in our cactus garden that I'm trying to identify so I'm attacting some photos. Also, the very tall cacti I'm wondering if there is any good way to trim? It is now over 10 feet high (just above roof line) and it has grown from one branch to many and most of the new branchs are bigging than what I planted 5 years ago. (I know I should have held onto the little plastic thing that told me what it was. The other is getting more yellow all the time and I'm wondering if something is wrong? Thanks
Number 1 is a Cereus (peruvianus?). Yes, you can cut off the top, but I don't think it will look very good after a while. It will just grow even more branches and look a little untypical. If it is too big it might be better to saw off a branch or two and try to root them. This type of cactus roots easily. The second is not a cactus, it is an Euphorbia. It resembles a E. trigona, but I am not sure, don't know much about Euphorbia. Anyway it looks sick.
i wouldn't cut the cereus!! they're supposed to be that tall (and taller). agree with mandarin that, if you do cut it, it'll branch like crazy and wouldn't look right. taking off existing branches is an option...again, i'd just leave it to do it's thing naturally. at this point, it's far enough away from the house and the roof overhang that it's not going to do any damage. i would just monitor it over the years and just trim off any branches on the house side when they start causing a problem. they euphorbia does look quite sick. how long has it been in that spot? what has changed recently in the immediate area - downspouts redirected, pipes dug up/flowerbed disturbed with removing/planting things? could be a root-rot issue or it could be fungal infection (which may or may not travel to the other plants nearby). does it still feel firm when gently (and carefully, lol) squeezed?
Thanks Mandarin and Joclyn. We will take your advice and just cut back some of the new branches as they become a problem and let the main trunk have its way. As to the euphorbia, it has been in that spot over 7 years (was here when we moved in), is very firm and it feels like it is well rooted. It started turning color sometime ago. The biggest changes are some new smaller plants nearby. Also that whole area is something we don't water often.
what are the new/smaller plants that were put in nearby? how close? how long ago? disturbing the roots may have been an issue - bit of stress and that made it susceptible to a fungus. that would apply only if the discoloration started some time after the new plants were put in. even just an extended rainy period can promote fungus. if it's not dealt with, it does eventually kill the whole thing. could also be sun bleaching - not too much of a problem, generally. i do see one of the branches is browning up at the top and that would indicate that part is probably starting to die off. has there been any new growth at the tips?? if not, how long ago was the last new growth? was there a tree somewhere close by that provided shade that's not there any longer? if so, when was the tree taken down? also, how long ago did the whole thing turn color?
