My wife currently brought home a Cereus peruvianus monstrose (you will have to forgive me if I'm labeling things incorrectly. This is my first "rodeo" with cacti). While attempting to repot the rather large cactus (two long bodies/trunks, one approximately 1.5/2 feet and the other approximately 1/1.5 feet) the shorter trunk fell straight off the base of the cactus. I assumed it was simply the weight or mishandling. I attempted to read up on replanting the trunk that fell off (the shorter trunk), and many forums suggested letting the piece scab over before repotting.

That said, I was looking at the area that broke from the base of the cactus and noticed it seemed very odd (as in not bright green and fleshy). I don't know what cactus scabbing looks like, but I feel as though this is already scabbed. I thought maybe the person we bought it from already had this issue and perhaps there was some foul play?

Either way, I am uncertain as to 1., what scabbing should look like before repotting. 2., what to do with this severed trunk of the original cactus before repotting, 3., what steps I should begin taking now.

Thank everyone and anyone for any help.

I agree it looks like an old injury. Someone smarter than I will be along to give you advice for what to do next.

The cut surface will be light brown after it has healed. Definitely not green in any way. I think your cactus is headed in the right direction. Leave the plant to heal until you're sure it's complete (find a warm, bright place out of the sun with good air flow). Then pot it up so that it's mostly on top of the soil and not buried very far. You can bury the cut end a bit in order to give it stability but not too much. You might have to lean it against something or maybe tie it to something so it doesn't fall over. Ideally find a location out of the way of traffic where it won't get bumped.

The rooting process should take weeks to months. Use soil with excellent drainage (say 50% pumice, perlite or equivalent). Provide strong light but not a lot of direct overhead sun until the plant is rooted. Water well when the soil is dry at depth, which will take much longer than it takes to dry out at the surface.

Is that the fresh break? Or has it been sitting for awhile?

DaisyI said:Is that the fresh break? Or has it been sitting for awhile?

That photograph was taken about 1 hour after the break. This is why I believe there may have been foul play from the wholesaler. It looks to me as thought the cactus had a previous injury with an attempt to fix it.