Pitaya in central Florida

Dragonfruit (Pitaya) are an excellent tropical fruit for areas which rarely reach freezing temperatures in humid Florida. They are an epiphytic tropical cactus, and do well if provided good drainage and something to climb. If placed next to a large tree, they will grow all the way up it, and eventually the fruit will become unreachable, so keep your trellis at harvestable size. They can take regular watering, and foliar fertilization on the epiphytic roots will do it well. There are many named varieties, and unless you've tasted a superior variety, do not judge it yet by taste. The yellow (Selenecerius Megalanthus) is often considered superior for taste (it is also attractive), but it's small fruit size makes it perhaps not as desirable as one which tastes almost as good, but larger. My favorite so far is 'American Beauty', which is a magenta fleshed cultivar. Here is a link to the popular Pine Island Nursery pitaya cultivar viewer: http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm