Hi, Jim
What you have there is a graft. Two cacti plants where grafted onto the top of a column cacti. I would cut the top off of the column and devide them into two, let the two top cacti callus off and replant in slighty damp cacti soil so they can take root. The top of the column cacti will callus off and will start pups itself. Then you'll have three for the price of one, pardon the pun:)

Hope this helps, farmerted361:)

I don't think its a graft. I think it is a Mammillaria which has grown columnar and then divided dichotomously. Or maybe its a graft! Either way you can chop it up if you want. Many Mammillarias lean over when they get old and grow along the ground or as hanging columns, but it isn't always practical in a pot.

It is definitely not grafted. I've had it for well over 10 years. it split like this a few years ago.

I think I'll cut the top and plant it as one. What time of year is best to do this?

Thank you all for the replys.

Jim

Another possibility: Plant it in a bowl; let it bow over and see what becomes of it in a few years. As Iann said, its quite natural for some Mams to do so. (Google: Mam matudae)greets. Harry

Spring is a good time to re-root plants, but you can do it at any time. It will probably take longer at a time when the plant wouldn't normally be growing but there will be less stress on the plant over winter so nothing lost really.

Or you can sell it on Ebay as a rare specimen and buy another one and start over. Kind of odd how it suddenly got "happy" after all these years and split into two normal diameter stems. Was it an isolated child in a low light condition for many years prior to coming outside? I'd probably try whacking it off next Spring just under the two heads and lay them aside for a few weeks and it should start sending out new roots. Then set it on top of some soil or sand and it should grow over the Summer into a new well rooted specimen. -CJ

I think it's cool and interesting. I'd repot it. Stage it with some rocks to keep it from falling over.

Well, I cut it and it seems to be doing OK. Growing and blooming. I think that two heads are better than one.:-))
Thank you all again for your suggestions.
Jim

Here is a picture, I left it off my last post.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://picasaweb.google.com/whskyfan/Cactus20062/photo#5188758028414783874

I own that cactus but not the amazing shape as yous. Mine is a foot tall and six inches wide and vewry healthy, never complains when it gets too much rain in the winter and blooms and blooms. Mine actually just fell but an accident by me and broke it's clay pot and was so pot bound so I repotted just a small amount larger so it wouldn't get too wet. I love the unique and would just leave it alone because it's not that type of rounded plant and might not develope good roots. But mu luck with cutting cactus isn't all that good just repotting.

try gravel to hold it up..even now you've cut it.