Hi,

I have a Cleistocactus which grows fast (up to 12 cm or 4 3/4" per year).

I want to keep the Cleistocactus in this pot, but I would like it to stop growing, and ideally get larger (instead higher).

For this, I was told that it was necessary to cut the head of the cactus!
Is this really the best solution?
If so, I'm not really familiar with this manipulation.
Could you please guide me so that it is effective and that it is the least visible possible?

Thank you for your help and advice :)
Chris

If you cut the tall stem, it will not grow wider. It may sprout a new head at the site of the cut, or it may not survive. The latter is a likely outcome.

If I were you, I'd cut it near the base (where the scar will not be visible down the road), and let the other two cacti down there fill out. You can use scissors if you want. You have 3 different species in that container, and only one of them is growing really tall right now.

But about the question of your cactus getting tall in the first place... it is not getting enough light, and the stems are stretching because of that. If there is any way you can increase the amount of sun these plants receive, you will see benefits in compact growth.

If this is an indoor plant, the more light the better. Find the brightest spot in your house, like right in front of a sunny southerly facing window.