A look at Dragon Fruit or Pitahaya. The fruit is produced from a tropical vining epiphytic cactus, Hylocereus undatus, or more recently, Selenicereus. The cactus is grown for its fruit throughout the tropics. It originated in the America’s like all true cacti, but its exact origin is unknown. It is typically grown on a large…
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Do you have a place in your yard that gets full sun, no irrigation, very well drained, the grass is always full of weeds, and simply looks bad? May I suggest a small project, such as making a rock garden in this area. South Florida as ample pieces of limestone rock just below the surface…
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This week we continue our survey of interesting tropical fruit species that can be grown in southern Florida. Nopal Cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera) You might ask why Opuntia is included in this series. While it may be hard to envision this genus as a conventional tree, and while its fruit really functions as a vegetable, and…
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Agaves comprise just over 200 species of succulent plants native to the New World, from the south-western U.S. to northern South America. They are characterized by a rosette of fleshy, stiff leaves capable of withstanding severe heat and drought. Over time, the common name Century Plant has been attached to the genus on the claim that flowering occurs just…
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If you’re searching for a plant that’s easy to grow, look no further than Portulaca. Also known as Moss Rose, this genus comprises somewhere between 40 and 100 species native to both Old World and New World locales. Fast-growing on thick reddish stems and featuring fleshy leaves, it literally thrives in the absence of attention. Topping…
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