Look waaaay up! That's my euphorbia, just shy of reaching the 8' (2.44 m) ceiling AGAIN.
Here is a view of it, full height, in the corner where it has stood for almost 30 years.
I still remember the day I brought it in and placed it there. In the post about my jade tree, I mentioned it as one of the most stressful days of my life, bringing my 3 largest plants across town in the back of a van, spread eagled on its floor while trying to prevent the pots from rolling around and colliding with every turn. Yikes!
When we arrived, I carried the euphorbia in with one arm around the pot and my other hand, in an oven glove, supporting the trunk -- it has big thorns! Sadly, it had come loose in the pot and I wondered if that was the end of it. There really didn't seem to be much root holding it in place. With so much else to do that day, I placed it in the corner and leaned it against the wall. I'm not sure how tall it was then, probably 5-6' (1.5-1.8 m) and it was a single stem most of the way up.
The next morning, it had stood up on its own!
Yes, behaving like a drunk wasn't helping its cause so it just straightened itself up, and that is where it has remained. The only time I move it is to paint the wall or occasionally clean cob webs from behind it. It has moved on its own a few times too...
This is what you call an "Oh, no!" moment. The first time it happened was when that single stem reached the ceiling and I knew I would need to trim it for the first time, but hadn't yet. And I had watched as it started to bow out in slow motion -- maybe I would do it on the weekend. No, I came home to find it sprawled across my kitchen table! So I got out a cutting board and my carving knife, and lopped off a foot (30 cm). I have since become less timid about hacking it back.
It fell one other time and I blogged about it. Until then, I didn't know what kind of succulent it was. (Thanks
.) Nor did I know the sap could blind me if I got it in my eyes!
It was my own fault. It needed to be repotted and it still does. I have been making do with adding more soil to the pot. Do you blame me? Exactly how do you invite someone to help you repot a plant that could maim them? Do I casually say "and bring safety glasses"?
It's a pretty plant and so striking at that height as long as it stays there!
Images
Photos from the iPad and Canon SX620 HS by 
Enjoy!