I'd be nervous too but only because of the thorns.

I've learned over the years of rescuing overwatered succulents from 'box stores' (run by ignorant gardening center employees).

Succulents in general are the most forgiving and appreciative plants. I use a drywall saw on larger amputations and find on most that they can lay in open air and callous for a week or more before replanting.

I also found to get them started rooting to use a dry sand and not water for an extended time. When the plant is removed from the sand to check root growth, it is amazing to see the sand is moist around the roots even though not water has been added. Excess water will be wicked from the plant.

I let an Aloe aristata sit in this manner for over a year and its' foliage never dehydrated. It is now fine, recovered from rot and no resemblence of the bloated, overwatered, lush plant that I had purchased.

Whack away!! And please give us a tutorial...

Pod, as I read your description, I had the thought that one of those electric knives we use for carving turkeys, etc, would be the perfect tool for cutting smaller cacti than what you cut with a drywall saw. Zip, it's done.

I know the electric knife is the easy way to cut foam to be used for upholstering.
Also for fileting fish so I am certain it would work for these also.

Well worth a try but I'd need a long, long blade so I could stay far back from those thorns. lol

I use a Feed sack if you got one handy or newspaper...Yep, they will get you...

OK, I have FINALLY done what you all suggested months ago, and the poor decapitated part is lying on the ground upside down. How long should I wait before 'planting' it in order for it to root?

Hi Hetty! Just wait for a good callus to show maybe check after 5 days. I also had to amputate once more one of my cacti..got too soaked recently..looked so pathetic..have just chopped off the offending part. It is fast becoming my amazing dwarfy cacti

- it's been almost a week so I'll give it a look tomorrow.

What happened to GardenGuyAZ, Alan. I tried to c-mail and nothing. Hope all is well.
Stush

Dutchlady1, what's the status on the cactus? Replanted by now I hope.

Replanted, yes, and hanging in there so far.

Water sparingly and it should be ok.

Stush, I've seen Alan on FB, so not to worry.

Thank you Sheryl, I have emailed him and sent a c-mail and no replys. I was worried that maybe a storm or who knows might have gave him some troubel. So why do you think he's not responding?
Stush

LOL - he's out gardening! Or maybe your notes have been getting caught in the spam filter.

Have you heard from him lately?

So, Hetty - you've inspired me (maybe!) I have a barrel cactus in my new yard that someone either overwatered and then let go with none, or moved it and it got sunburnt, badly. So, I'm thinking about chopping off the top 1/4 that is smaller and healthier and seeing if I can get it going. It truly looks awful right now.

Worth a try! You have nothing to lose, right? Keep us posted on the progress!

So far I have used the tong thingies to handle cacti. I have a tuna or what flat thing which was hacked off a plant. I put it into cactus mix and so far it is happy. It lay in a plastic trya for over 24 hours, si I guess it will be ok. he cactus mix is mostly dry. I drribbled a tea spoon of water into the soil and it sat on top for a very long time about a week ago. I'll probably dribble another tea spoon of water today.

The dracaena has no laves now and is still alive, but no new growth. The kalanchoe has about half an inch let of it and so far it is still green.

Stush the plants from you seem to be happy. I'm enjoying my new friends. :-)

I have some leaves from a wondering jew which were sent to me. the plant was severely crushed in the mail and so the leaves are all that's left. I've had then for about 4 months and no new growth.

The rest of my jungle seems to be ok.

I am trying to keep alive a philenopses orchid which was over watered, but I'm not sure if it is going to survive.

I think that's it for now.

Ugh - I doubt this guy is gonna get much better. It appears that whoever stuccoed the house also liberally applied it to this poor cactus. What a mess.

I would just say..don't give up hope..with my cacti, as long as I still something firm and green..it still is a go...just painful though when it goes cold and wet..ah..but I learned my lesson now..come winter, maybe I will just remove it from the main planter and hide it dry!! I observed my cacti, I think this is active growing season for it..after chopping it off, left it to dry for about a week, I saw it sending out roots actively, so it seems much ready to take on its repot. So far, it seems well recovered and happily enjoying our dry weather once more!

I should grab a photo of it and see if you still feel that way, lol....