Pruning Barbed-Wire Cactus

(Question)

This is an indoor cactus and I think it’s a Barbed-Wire cactus. It had grown almost up the the ceiling when the branches began to bend but did not break. I have pruned the bent branches. Do I need to do anything to protect the areas that have been cut, which are now oozing fluid. Thanks for your help.

(Answer)

There is no need to do anything to protect the areas that you have pruned on your cactus.  The fluid, or sap, oozing at the cut will assist in healing that spot. New growth may be triggered at this spot. Note that as the cuts are a possible entryway for disease, when pruning cactus you should always soak the blades of your clippers, knife, saw or other cutting tool in a  10% bleach solution for about 30 seconds to sterlize them to prevent the transmission of potential disease from other plants.