How to Support Dragon Fruit Plants. The dragon fruit plant is a sizable climbing cactus with thick, towering branches that resemble succulents and produces bright red or yellow fruit. The dense, juicy, and sweet fruit of the dragon fruit plant—also known as pitahaya, pitaya, strawberry pears, or cactus fruit—is excellent for eating raw, slicing into salads, or blending into smoothies or ice cream.
As if all of that weren’t enough, dragon fruit bushes also yield some of the biggest flowers in the entire world, referred to as “night-blooming cereus,” which only bloom for one night and fill the air with a distinctly tropical aroma.
Types of Dragon Fruit:
Dragon fruit comes in a number of different types, some of which have red or white flesh.
- Hylocereus undatus: Flesh is white with pink or red skin.
- Hylocereus Megalanthus: White skin and yellow flesh
- Hylocereus costaricensis: Pink or red skin with purple or red flesh
Information about the Dragon Fruit Pot:
The pot should have a diameter of 15 to 24 inches and a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Pots ought to have two to three drain holes. You can plant in plastic, clay, terracotta, and other types of pots. However, clay pots should be used to preserve the plants’ healthy growth because they regulate the plants’ temperature.
It is preferable for the growth of dragon fruit if the pot is larger because there is more room for the roots to spread out.
1. Soil Requirements
Sandy and well-drained soil are ideal. Dragon fruits prefer a pH of 7-8 in their soil. Choose a bright spot for your dragon fruit plant. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
2. Watering Requirements
Don’t overwater your dragon fruit plant or it will die. The plant only needs a very slight mist or drop in the soil.
3. Climatic Requirements
Although they thrive in tropical climes, dragon fruits may also be produced in subtropical environments. Accept Dragon fruits can be planted in any season, even during the coldest winters.
4. Fertilization
In general, cacti don’t need a lot of upkeep. They don’t eat a lot and don’t need a lot of fertiliser. An organic, low-nitrogen fertiliser can be used, and it can be applied once a month or less.
How to Grow Dragon Fruit From a Seed:
Purchasing a dragon fruit from the shop and sowing the seeds is a simple way to create your own dragon fruit cactus. However, keep in mind that it could take a while (up to five years) for a dragon fruit plant you start from seed to start bearing fruit.
1. Make the Dirt Bed Ready.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden or a sunny windowsill that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day since dragon fruit needs full sun. Dragon fruits are susceptible to “wet feet,” or constantly moist roots, so pick potting soil that drains well and is high in organic matter. Avoid using cactus soil since dragon fruits are tropical plants and require a soil type that keeps moisture a little bit better. They require more water than other cacti do.
2. Get the Seeds Ready
Scoop off the black seeds from a ripe dragon fruit after cutting it in half. The seeds should be cleaned of the fruit meat and pulp, then spread out on a wet paper towel for at least twelve hours.
3. Plant the Seeds
Cover the soil surface with a thin layer of earth after scattering the dragon fruit seeds there. They don’t need to be planted deeply; it’s fine if it just barely covers the seeds.
4. Water
Consistently watering or misting the soil bed will keep it evenly hydrated. In order to keep moisture in the soil until the seeds germinate, cover the soil bed with plastic wrap if your soil has a tendency to dry up.
5. Thinning and Transplanting
Thin your dragon fruit seedlings as they expand to provide room for each new plant. Transplant them into larger pots if you are growing them indoors. For best health, a ripe dragon fruit eventually requires a pot that is at least twenty gallons (or at least twenty inches wide).
6. Support
Dragon fruit plants are climbing cacti, thus once they are twelve inches tall, they will need a support structure to keep growing. Create a trellis or a wooden pole for your plant to climb.
How are Dragon fruit cuttings Grown?
Although dragon fruit can be cultivated from the fruit’s seeds, cuttings are the more straightforward way to do it. A sharp knife should be used to cut stems. From the plant that produces fruit, the stem should be about 6 to 16 inches long. When planting your cutting, try not to disturb the roots by being gentle with them. It’s sufficient to gently loosen the roots.
Harvesting:
The fruit should be between 10 to 15 cm long and have an oval shape. When the fruit turns pink or crimson, it is preferable to harvest it. After planting, the fruit typically takes 30 to 50 days to mature and be ready for harvest.
Conclusion:
- When watering your plants, exercise extreme caution because it’s so important!
- Pests such as aphids, ants, and other insects can harm dragon fruit. You can use natural insecticides like neem oil.
- Cacti are climbing plants, so you’ll need to provide them with some support or else they’ll sprawl out on the ground until they find something to climb on.
