Help with leaning cactus

Baltimore, MD

This hybrid cactus is four years old (it only had one little stumpy growth when I first got it). Every day it leans dramatically towards the sun, and I have to keep turning the pot a few times a day to try and keep it upright. I'm worried its going to snap in half as it bends at more than a 90 degree angle towards the floor. Any advice? Due to the layout of my apartment, I can't expose it to equal amounts of sunlight all around. Note that while the cactus looks brown and dead in the photo, in person it is green and healthy, and it's still growing upwards at an alarming rate.

Thumbnail by csacwp
Reno, NV(Zone 6b)

I'm not sure what kind of cactus that is - it looks like an Opuntia (prickly pear) that hasn't grown any new leaves. If it is, its natural tendency will be to lie down.

If not, just keep turning the pot, everyday if need be. I have a cactus that does the same and it will change direction in a day. It you are concerned about the stem breaking, put a couple bamboo stakes on either side of it and tie a piece of string around the stakes to hold the plant more upright.

I think it really needs more light. Can you give it some artificial light? A LED bulb with at least 5000k would help immensely. The bigger the k number, the better for your plant.

Daisy

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