David, you are correct to admire the cactus. It is unusual and attractive at the same time. The cactus has developed ways to survive and flourish. I was not a ' fan' of cactus or succulents until I met some enthusiastic ladies who have wonderful specimens of the said plants. Having gardening friends there are many opportunities to learn and be persuaded to see the merits of certain plants and that is how I got my colourful Epiphyllum and Cereus cactus . This lady still introduces me to new succulents and we exchange cuttings. By coincidence she was my nephew's classmate. I posted a photo of a Selenicereus growing up a tree at the end of our road. We also had one growing up a palm tree until the beetle arrived. We replant parts of under our Araucaria heterophylla but is growing rather slow.