A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Cacti and Succulents Indoors Cactus -- Help?

Providing two pictures of the same cactus plant that was brought to my door yesterday by an elder woman here at the apartments.

1. Can anyone identify what kind of cactus it is?
2. These little.. skin shedding spots.. are they normal?
3. Any suggestions on cleaning it up?! Like.. trimming pieces away and propagation?!

I was not a fan of the plant at all when she brought it to me. Even so, I will not kill it off and I did not have the heart to tell her no. She does this a lot as her apartment has many in it. Some of the plants I manage to keep alive.. others croak over. Also, even though I don't want it they do serve as some nice little gifts to new people in the apartment OR family that swings by. Can't tell you how many plants I've lost when my mom comes over.

I don't know what kind of cactus it is,, BUT from telling how spindly it is , it wasn't getting enough sunlight. It looks like it was "reaching for light" You could always cut away the longer spindly "arms" and repot them to start another one or two or three or stick them in the same pot to make a fuller cactus. I also suggest repotting it,, make sure there are drain holes.
As far as the White/grey area's it looks like a sign of aging,, YEP like humans they or a least ones like the one you have gets signs of age,, almost bark like surface( only smooth).
Hopefully someone else will come along and help you id this cactus, and it's care.