Help required splitting a cactus!

[SiD the Turtle]

There's got to be a few green-fingered residents here...

I have a 'Silver Torch' Cactus (Cleistocactus Strausii) which I have had for about 15 years. It's a good couple of feet tall now and has split into about half a dozen similarly sized forks that all meet somewhere under the soil.

The question is, can I safely split it into several chucks without killing it? If so, is there a specific way I should do it?

 

[Hxc]

Sort of the same question here, but my cactus has grown like, other thin small cacti on top of it...can I remove them and replant? someone told me I could!

 

[Ewanb75]

"Cacti can be propagated from branches or offshoots. The offshoot should be removed from the plant and allowed to dry for 2 weeks. After the broken or cut edge has healed or suberized, plant it shallowly in dry medium. When taking a cutting from a stem section, use a clean, sharp knife. If you are taking several sections from one long stem, you must remember which was the top and the bottom of each piece, because a stem piece that is planted upside down will not grow."

More info here

 

[SiD the Turtle]

Ta, just what I was looking for

Now to find some very thick gloves to handle the thing...