While we were back in the State last spring (2006), we got a start of a pencil cactus from Hilary. Even though we didn't plant it for about three weeks and shoved it in our luggage, it eventually grew (and grew well), once we gave it some sun, soil, and water. The only issue was that cacti usually don't like to be left alone on an unheated terrace over the Xmas holidays by themselves, and they announce their displeasure by turning black and dying. A bit dramatic to get someone's attention, but I suppose I don't like to freeze either.
Anyway, with us over at Hillary's for dinner one night, we did get a couple more starts of the pencil cacti. This time I started 4, so that I'll have a couple of years before unintentionally freezing them.
