Is this ‘baby’ destabilising or harming my cactus?

Becky Rushton, by email

AJAMES SAYS This clumpforming is a sign the plant is happy and healthy. Far from destabilising your tall cactus, it widens the base and lowers its centre of gravity, both of which make it less likely to topple over. If you want to further stabilise your plant, you could remove the light clay pellets I see on the surface of the compost and replace with gravel, which is heavier and will act as an anchor to some degree. Other than that, carry on doing what you’re already doing.