While established plants can handle brief periods of cold or even light frosts, it's best to avoid exposing them to temperatures below 50°F for extended periods of time. To make a new dragon tree from the parent plant, cut the tip off one of the stems, around 8cm long and pencil thick, and just above a node (where a leaf or stem is attached). These cacti have a climbing and vining growth habit, and can reach impressive heights as they clamber up trees, growing 30 feet tall or more, and attaching themselves with aerial roots. Pitaya stems will hang over the edges of the canopy support, trailing down, where they will produce their fruit. If your Dragon's hunger drops below 50 points, you will get a notification that your Dragon will no longer grow unless it's fed and kept above 50 Hunger Points.

In the landscape, the dragon tree grows tall and develops a thick cylindrical trunk topped with rosettes that have sword-shaped leaves. If you live in a warm area with a long, warm growing season, this plant could sustain being outside.The genus name Selenicereus was given in reference to the species’ night-blooming flowers, inspired by the goddess Selene, the personification of the moon in Greek mythology. You’ll find a two-pack of burlap fabric in 24-by-three-foot rolls available for purchase via The Home Depot. If you are growing them for fruit and not just as a whimsical act of pure fun, then you’re going to need a very sturdy trellis system since they produce masses of heavy foliage and heavy dragon fruit.

Young readers might find some words a challenge – “Although Mr Pottifer looks quite alarming, / carnivorous plants can be awfully charming” – but with only one or two couplets per page, the story never slacks, and the fantastical elements are brought to earth by Steven Lenton’s cosily domestic illustrations.

Many gardeners use plastic ties for this purpose, but I prefer a biodegradable option such as sisal twine – the plant will produce aerial roots after all, so it just needs some temporary help. For gardeners emulating the pros when growing tree-like cacti, canopies must be able to support the weight of the masses of foliage and heavy dragon fruit, which can become a load of several hundred pounds. Be sure to use only aged or composted manure rather than the fresh stuff, as it can contain an overabundance of nitrogen, which can burn plants. Steven Lenton is a multi-award-winning illustrator, originally from Cheshire, now working from his studio in Brighton.

Avoid having your Dragons on low Health, this will give them the "Hurt" status, disallowing them to grow until healed. Self-sterile plants can only cross-pollinate with pitayas of different varieties – they don’t have to be the same species though, and some varieties are considered universal pollinators. However, with proper care and attention, you can successfully grow Dragon Fruit plants in various climates, even in regions with lower humidity levels.

D racaena draco isn't the least expensive plant, so when you do find one, it might cost more than the average houseplant.