A vining, terrestrial or epiphytic cactus, with fleshy stems       reaching from a few inches up to 20ft long (in mature       plants). The plant may grow out of, and over the ground or       climb onto trees using aerial roots. Flowers are ornate and       beautiful, and many related species are propagated as       ornamentals. They bloom only at night, and usually last just       one night where pollination is necessary to set fruit. In       full production, pitahaya plants can have up to 4-6 fruiting       cycles per year. This variety has yellow skin and a white       flesh.
     
     Hardiness: Will tolerate temperatures to 104F, and short       periods of frost, but prolonged cold will damage or kill the       plant.
     
     Growing Environment: Dragon Fruit grows best in dry,       tropical or subtropical climates where annual rainfall       ranges from 20-50" per year. In wet, tropical zones, plants       may grow well but sometimes have problems setting fruit       reliably.
     
     The plants aren't usually too fussy as to soil type, but       because of their epiphytic nature, it is recommended to grow       them in soil that is supplemented with high amounts of       organic material. The plant has been grown successfully in       sandy soils. The fruit is popular eaten chilled.
     
     Sow the seeds in a gritty potting mix, water and cover the       container or wrap in a polythene bag. A few weeks later the       seedlings should start to appear. This is a reminder that       all cacti are true dicotyledons as the seedlings come up       with two seed leaves, a bit like germinating beans. At this       stage there is no evidence that they will develop into       cacti, but these are the first and last leaves that will be       produced.
     As the seedlings develop, an angular spiny stem grows in the       central growing point between the two leaves. The stem       thickens and elongates and after several months the       cotyledons shrivel and are shed. The seedlings can be potted       on into individual pots and in principle could be grown on       to a large plant and flowered to produce more fruit.