Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Tropical Garden #112, 1 by dyzzypyxxy

dyzzypyxxy wrote:
Gordon, thanks for the comments about the clero. It's good to know somebody else has problems getting it to bloom; my impression is that the day-length issue is our problem, too. By the time the days are short enough, we've had cold nights that have put paid to any potential flowering. I started rousting them out this spring, and my DH protested because he, too, loves the foliage. Was thinking of interplanting them with the variegated ti - see pic - so there will be some foliage there through the winter if it's cold again this year.

I meant to respond to your query on the dragon fruit cactus, too. I bought one a year ago, and was instructed to - I kid you not - 'leave it in the pot, stick it near a fence and forget it' which I did! It has since gotten lost in the jungle out there in my back yard. It was about 2ft. high with 1in. wide stems when I got it.

I found it again (ouch, thorny!) since your question appeared (well, I always knew approximately where it was) and it is at least 7ft. long with some nice fat 3in. diameter stems and lots of roots reaching for the fence. As soon as I sharpen up my machete and cut all the vines and weeds away from it, I'll post a picture. Don't know if there are any buds, or maybe I've even had a flower by now. (sigh) My garden just gets so out of hand through the hot summer and by the time I catch up and get it tidy again, it's spring. I may never see that dragon fruit bloom!