I have a catcus that now is about 8 feet tall and looks more like a tree. When any of the limbs are broken there is a very hevy milky solution that comes out. There is about an inch between the arms. I would guess that it grows about a foot per year. And it does not like cold cold weather but doesn't mind cool weather. What I want to do is take off some cutings and have more trees but I don't know how.
the milky sap is the key here. what you have is a euphorbia not a cactus. they are similar plants, though, and you generally treat them as you would a cactus (same soil, sunlight and watering schedule). you can easily root cuttings. use a clean/sterile knife that is sharp and cut the piece off. watch out for the milky sap as it can cause irritation - wear gloves and do not rub your eyes until you've washed your hands!! if any of the sap gets on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water - expect the spot to be irritated for a day or so. okay, so you have this piece of euphorb that's leaking white goo. now what do you do? place the piece in a container so that the sap is collected. once the sap stops running (shouldn't be more than a few minutes), you'll need to set the piece so that the bottom cut area has good air circulation so that it can dry and callous over. either put it on it's side or support it upright so that the bottom bit is not touching anything. let it sit for a week or so and then put it in a good cactus soil mix. don't water it yet, though!! let it get situated in the soil for at least a week to 10 days and then give it some water. it should get rooted fairly quickly. to assist it with rooting, once the cut end has dried out for at least a day, you can dip it in rooting hormone. that should help it start roots more quickly. it's not necessary though.
you're quite welcome!! please post some pics - before 'surgery' and after. i'd love to see what you're plant looks like!
