Question
Dear Sir:

   I inherited from my son a cactus plant several years ago.  It has about six vertical stems from the pot "ground", of a light gray-green furry nature, with circular bands of "no fur" every 4 inches of height, roughly.
It is 45 inches tall now, with 1.5 inch diameter stems.

Lately it has started "smoking"!  At the top of the tallest stem, little bright red shoots appear sticking out like cantilevers, as if it were smoking a red cigarette.  The one "cigarette" darkens, and another one pops up.  Now there are about 8 stubs, with the current one  beautiful bright pinkish red.

We tend to the plant carefully, and it has a great spot at a long tall window facing east, in my study.  Some of the stems have browned and seem to be withering, but very slowly.

I sure would like to know what it is.

Roy Swanson
tel:905 625 7650
Toronto, Ontario Canada

Answer
Dear Roy,

I think I can guess at what your plant is, but I really would like to see a picture if possible. The little red "cigarettes" are flowers and are common to a family of cactus from South America called Stephanocereus or Thrixanthocereus. If you can, email me a picture to [email protected] and I will identify it for you.

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Greg