Dragon Fruit (Pitaya): climate appropriate, low maintenance, water wise

I recently posted this example on local permie Facebook networks…it related to Dragon Fruit, and the positive feedback was phenomenal –

“In our country (South Africa) it is rare that you’d find exotic fruit at your local grocer. As you see in the pics, it was rather pricy [R79,95 (USD$6,67) per kg; R45,89 (USD$3,83) for just that one fruit].

This fruit is considered a super fruit and is extremely healthy. Yet it costs a fortune. Those of you familiar with Fukuoka's writings will agree with me: Why is it that we have to be rich to afford healthy food?

The irony is this - Most locals have never heard of this fruit. They don't know how nice it tastes or how healthy it is. Very few seem to be aware that this plant is very appropriate for our climate. Even fewer know that maintenance of this plant is virtually zero.

The cuttings I planted a few months back (see pic) have needed no tending at all since I planted them, yet they are growing fine. This single fruit contains thousands of seeds that can be cleaned, stored, distributed, and planted (see pics).

My vision - Education is the key to true freedom. Our people need our help...it'll work if we work at it! I refuse to stand by and watch our people suffer in hunger. We need to share this knowledge...let's empower our Rainbow Nation so they may liberate themselves and bring true freedom about.”


Here’s my question to the folk at Permies.com - What other climate-appropriate, low-maintenance, water-wise perennials could you suggest for warm/dry temperate climates like ours?


Yours sincerely,
Daddy Redbeard.

Wow! I've seen dragon fruits for sale in Asian groceries around here, at very similar "exotic fruit" prices -- but I had no idea it grew on a cactus!

Sadly they are way too cold-sensitive for my climate.