I have a pencil plant. Can I split the roots to make two plants? It is about 3 feet tall and has two big stems coming out of the dirt.
Yes, you should be able to successfully spit the plants.
Use good quality cactus potting mix and a well draining pot.
Be careful not to use to large of a pot for the new plants.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
Please identify this plant. It is very thin and stick-like and is growing shoots at the tips of the plant. I received it from a friend in Florida. Can it withstand North Carolina winters outdoors?
While I cannot be certain, I believe this is a pencil plant (i.e. pencil cactus) from the Euphorbia genus. In your area, it is best grown as an indoor plant. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
Pencil cactus starts do not appear to be doing very well. A month or two ago I received 2 pencil cactus starts from a larger plant. After all this time, they continually look withered and droopy. New buds form on the ends and they seem to be sprouting fine. I've even switched from potting soil to a cactus blend and I cannot figure it out. Other starts I'd received from the same guy weren't doing too hot either but after switching soil they've taken off. I'd really like to keep these guys alive! They are indoor plants.
Here is a link with growing information and how to grow from cuttings.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
From my study of this plant, it should not be leafy. Mine is a few years old, about 4 foot tall but covered in leaves. Am I doing something wrong? I love my plant, as I started it from a few small cuttings and it has gone crazy. It also has almost like runners growing from the top. Very thin stems and are kind of curly in places.
The tiny leaves grow from the tips of the new plant growth and generally will drop off the plant as it ages.
The leaves are normal.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
My pencil cactus is bent. How do I cut it so it straightens?
Cut the branches back to the desired height. Make the cuts at back to a branch union to hide the cuts.
Use clean garden shears and wear protective gloves. The milky sap is an skin and eye irritant.
Use a spray bottle of water to mist the cut areas, this will stop the sap flow.
Wash the gloves and tools after to avoid a issue with touching the sap.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
My pencil cactus has been going downhill. First, small little end branches were getting brown and then whole larger branches. Now the center branch is getting brown as well. I moved it from the corner to by the window to get more light and after looking online I stopped watering it. I haven't watered it for weeks but it seems to be getting worse. Any help would be appreciated!
A Pencil Cactus needs lots of sunlight and very little water.
Since your cactus is still declining, I would consider repotting it into dry cactus mix soil. You can fine premix planting mediums at most garden centers or even big box stores.
If the soil is very wet, you can even lay the root ball out on some newspaper to dry out for a few hours before repotting.
I would recommend a clay pot, as this will help absorb excess moisture.
If too much of the root system has suffered root rot, you may not be able to save the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm
We planted a pencil cactus with red tips about 10 months ago. Slowly, the red has bleached out of the tips. How can we get the red to come back? It's planted in an area that gets full sun for half the day. It's watered via drip system twice a week. The first foot of our soil is well draining. Under that, it's clay. Thank you! Valerie
The pink tinge or color to the tips of the cactus will disappear as the plant grows and matures.
Here is a link with growing information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/pencil-cactus/care-pencil-cactus.htm