---
title: "Help! I snagged this silver torch cactus off a bidding wars site not…"
description: "Help! I snagged this silver torch cactus off a bidding wars site not noticing the huge lean going on. Do I a) cut at the bend and propagate top half? Or b)…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/7l8DECzuT-qCz_24BEsUFw"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Allyssa"
published: "2024-07-05T18:51:48.584237Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2yj81Yekrdt6Q5D3PWgWJ33IhrYd8NqA8gKxWVn8hTw/AwNny_dzTfOUiVtTNDTS3A.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md)

# Help! I snagged this silver torch cactus off a bidding wars site not…

_Posted by Allyssa on 2024-07-05_

Help! I snagged this silver torch cactus off a bidding wars site not noticing the huge lean going on. Do I a) cut at the bend and propagate top half? Or b) stick and string to try and pull it back straight. I’ve never taken care of a plant that’s had a lean before I’m so nervous about this one. Also am I right to continue letting it fully dry out before watering? Thanks all 🙌🏼

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2yj81Yekrdt6Q5D3PWgWJ33IhrYd8NqA8gKxWVn8hTw/AwNny_dzTfOUiVtTNDTS3A.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### S.R commented on 2024-07-05

I think you may be able to correct that lean by simply placing the lean part farthest from the sun. Not sure I’m making sense but imagine it like the person who had it before you never rotated the pot and so the cacti grew into a lean to reach the sun … you just need to position it the opposite way and let nature correct itself.

#### Allyssa replied on 2024-07-05

Yes! I learned years ago that sunflowers (amongst other plants) lean towards the sun so when I got this cactus just over a month ago ive been trying to place it like that to correct it. However it’s just growing taller and causing it to lean further. But I love that we had the same thought so I will continue doing that. I don’t get full sun anywhere so I’m constantly moving it around my yard. Thank you 🤗

#### S.R replied on 2024-07-05

I’m so glad it made sense but sad you’re already trying this. Good luck! It’s pretty cool looking as it is!

### GenderFluidFungi commented on 2025-10-29

Maybe try blocking the light completely from the side you don't want it to grow away from? That helped with my leaning torch (admittedly not as diagonal as this one). You want him to start reaching for the light so he has to struggle a bit - it will take him a while but he should get there

#### GenderFluidFungi replied on 2025-10-29

Sorry that should say block the light from the side you don't want it to grow towards - atm bc he is getting light directly on top of him, he doesn't have to reach towards it so he doesn't need to change direction

### GenderFluidFungi commented on 2025-10-29

(And yeah cacti like to be bone dry between watering - you're doing good don't worry)

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_