I have a house plant, a cactus with three "parts". Only the biggest part looks alive now.

The lady in the store where I got the cactus suggested to water the plant every seven weeks. I have 'tried' to follow her advice, but I'm not sure really how good I have been with my timing for watering.

I think she also said that the cactus needs sunlight. That part I have not done well.

Can I save the cactus? Would sunlight do any good now, or will the two "stalks" of it remain as dead as they seem? How about some "plant food" to add to its soil?

Please offer your advice! Any comments are most welcome!

Sincerely,

hopeless2006

It's hard to say what exactly is going on with your cactus.If only one part looks alive and the other parts don't,you can try to eliminate the possibilities of any pest problem or dried out roots.

Before watering your cactus, check to see if the soil is dry first, then water well, especially in the growing months (April through mid-September) spill out excess. In the winter, water more sparingly. Perhaps a little water once a month to keep the cactus from shriveling

A southern or western is good
Be careful when first placing a cactus in direct sun at first so the plant does not get a sunburn.

Give cactus a low nitrogen fertilizer sparingly 1/4 the suggested amount every other watering (April through August) especially if the cactus is healthy and growing.

If the other parts are truly dead and feel like paper, maybe from under-watering, you can cut the top healthy part off, let the cut end callous over for a few day to a week and try rooting it in some well draining cactus soil same amount or a little more "Perlite" added, use a small pot just big enough for the cutting to set in. Set it in a semi sunny window for a week, then water thoroughly, not again until soil is dry. Spring and Summer are probably better times do this this, but you may not have a choice.