If you have a few years to spare and are willing to take on the challenge of growing your own dragon fruit plant, then this short article will hopefully help you get started.
The “how to grow dragon fruit from seed at home” is a process that requires patience but can be rewarding in the end. The plant will take around 2-3 months to mature, and it is recommended that you start your seeds indoors before planting them outdoors.
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Dragon fruits are a group of fruits that grow on cactus and are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Pitahaya, strawberry pear, Belle of the night, and other names for these luscious pink fruits belong to the Selenicereus genus.
Dragon fruit plants are native to warm, tropical areas and are widely planted both inside and out. The rich, juicy, and sweet fruit of this plant is delicious eaten raw, sliced for salads, or blended into smoothies or ice cream.
These plants also produce the “night-blooming cereus,” one of the world’s largest blooms, which bloom for just one night and fill the air with a peculiar tropical perfume.
As a result, you may grow dragon fruit trees to acquire nutritional fruits while also improving the aesthetic value of your garden or backyard.
Contents
Information about the Dragon Fruit Plant
The dragon fruit plant is low-maintenance, and even a beginner may grow it in the yard or in a container inside. But first, let’s go over some essential information regarding this plant before we get into the growing and maintenance instructions.
| Scientific/Botanical Name | Hylocereus undatus is a kind of Hylocereus. |
| Name in the public domain | Moonlight cactus, dragon fruit, pitahaya, strawberry pear, Honolulu queen |
| Native to | Latin America (Mexico, Central America, and South America) |
| Soil type | Sandy and well-drained soil |
| exposure to the sun | Partial shade, full sun |
| Soil pH | Acidic to neutral |
| It’s bloom time! | The months of July through October |
| Type of plant | Cactus |
| Color of flowers | White |
| Zones of hardiness | ten to twelve (USDA) |
| Typical pests | Aphids and mealybugs |
Fruits Come in a Variety of Shapes and Sizes
Dragon fruit, also known as pitayas, is a plant that comes in three different types.
We do know, however, that when dragon fruits are mature, they appear pink on the exterior. Regardless of the sort you’re growing, they’ll be green until they’re ready. The fruits will then be either brilliant yellow or bright crimson when they are fully mature.
Hylocereus Undatus is the first of the Hylocereus Undatus species. is a kind of Hylocereus.
With red or pink fruits and white meat, this is the most common kind seen in gardens.
Hylocereus Megalanthus (#2)
Fruits with a yellow skin and a white inside make up this variant. The uniqueness of this variant is that it is a little thornier than the others.
Hylocereus Costaricensis (#3)
On the shell and in the flesh, this variant is red or purple. The flesh may have a rich crimson color, almost blood-like, at times.
On the shell and in the flesh, this variant is red or purple. The flesh may have a rich crimson color, almost blood-like, at times.
Health Advantages
Dragon fruits, like other tropical fruits, may be eaten raw in salads or blended into smoothies, among other things. These fruits are not only beautiful and delicious, but they also offer a lot of nutritional value.
Here we have listed some Health Advantages you can get by consuming dragon fruits. We are sure that this list will encourage you even more to plant dragon fruit cactus in our backyard soon.
- This fruit is high in vitamin C as well as anti-oxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acid, and betacyanin.
- Dragon fruits also provide a significant quantity of nutritional fiber.
- Dragon fruits aid in the replacement of injured insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, lowering blood sugar levels in the body.
- It includes prebiotics, which are beneficial to gut health.
- This fruit may also help you get more iron.
What is the best way to cultivate Dragon Fruits?
We’re certain you’ve made up your decision to cultivate this amazing cactus in your house by now. So, without further ado, let’s get started on the process of cultivating dragon fruit cactus.
Dragon fruit plants are claimed to be so productive that just one plant is required to yield fruit. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a whole slew of these plants in your garden in no time.
However, since they are climbing cactus, make sure you have some form of support in place before you start planting.
The following is a list of the actions you’ll need to do to produce your own dragon fruit cactus at home.
The most important thing to understand about dragon fruits is that they are subtropical. This suggests that these plants would need a lot of sunshine as well as a warm, humid atmosphere to thrive. As a result, make sure you plant your tree when the weather is bright and the temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. If the weather isn’t cooperating outside, you may grow it inside by putting your pot in a warm, sunny location.
- Location We’ve already explained that this cactus need a bright, warm location to thrive. As a result, your plant should be placed someplace that gets plenty of sunlight and warmth. Furthermore, since the dragon fruit cactus need assistance to thrive, plant it near a pole or high fence.
- The preparation of the soil is critical to the plant’s development and sustenance. Potting soil that drains well and is high in organic matter would be ideal. Because it is a cactus, it will not accept moist roots on a regular basis. As a result, ensure sure the soil is never wet or clogged with water. However, you should not use cactus soil since this plant requires frequent watering and a soul state that can better absorb moisture.
- Time So, when can you anticipate your dragon fruit plant bearing fruit?
You’ll be relieved to find that this plant doesn’t take an eternity to develop fruit, and you may have fruit in as little as one year. However, depending on the method of planting, this time might vary. Trees grown from seeds need three to five years to yield a robust crop, but trees grown from cuttings take one to three years.
There’s more good news: after the plant grows, four to six fruiting cycles per year are possible.
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Dragon Fruits Can Be Grown From Seeds
As previously stated, dragon fruits are very productive, and they may be grown from seeds or cuttings.
We’ll look at how to cultivate this cactus from seed in this article. This method may start with store-bought dragon fruit, and you’ll only need a few tools to get started.
Cut the dragon fruit in half and use a spoon to scoop out some of the seeds. The seeds should then be washed and dried overnight. If you see any flesh sticking to the seeds, don’t be concerned.
Plant them in a seed-starting dish filled with damp soil. To receive the germinated seeds, wait at least two weeks. In the meanwhile, irrigate the soil moderately to keep it wet. However, never overwater, and always check to see whether the soil has dried out before rewatering.
Take the germinated seeds and place them where you want them. Planting this cactus is a rather simple procedure. However, there is a caveat: don’t anticipate a plentiful harvest of dragon fruit straight immediately. We say this because it takes around five to seven years for a plant to develop and produce fruit when it is started from seed.
Dragon Fruits Can Be Grown From Cuttings
This is the best method of cultivating dragon fruits since you may harvest them in one to three years. Also, there is a simpler procedure that just requires garden shears and someone with a mature dragon fruit tree.
As described in the previous section, prepare the soil. Next, find a friend or a neighbor who has a mature tree and can help you cut a twelve-inch branch using garden shears. Make sure you’re not removing too much from the mature tree.
Allow 5-6 days for the cut branch to dry out, or until the cut end becomes white. Dig a small hole in the ground and plant the stem with the dry end pointing downwards after the end has become white. To keep the soil properly wet, water it on a regular basis.
Within a month, you’ll see that your stem has sprouted roots and begun to develop. Isn’t that simple?
To acquire a good crop of excellent dragon fruits, wait one to three years.
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Container Gardening with Dragon Fruits
Dragon fruits may also be grown inside. They are attractive and add to the aesthetics of the space in which they are installed.
To make indoor potting of this plant simpler for you, we’ve split down the procedures. Simply follow their instructions, and voilà! You’ll have your own personal dragon fruit cactus.
- Choose the sort of potting pot you wish to use. We suggest choosing a pot with a diameter of 15-24 inches and a depth of 10-12 inches. Make sure it has two to three holes for water drainage.
- Mix red soil, cocopeat, compost, and sand together to make the potting soil.
- Place some rocks in the bottom of the container and then cover them with the soil mixture.
- If you are using seeds, follow the steps above mentioned in the “Dragon Fruits Can Be Grown From Seeds.” Follow it till the germination of the seeds and then transfer the seeds to the pot.
- Allow for thorough drying if you have stem cutting. Then, in the dirt, plant the dry section.
- Water the plant on a regular basis without flooding or clogging the soil.
- Place the pot in a location that gets at least 6 hours of daily sunshine and the warmth it provides.
- Because this cactus is a sluggish feeder, fertilize it with slow-release nitrogen fertilizers every two months.
- For enhanced blooming, prune the plant at the right time.
- It will take two years for indoor dragon fruit plants to establish themselves and yield fruit.
Plant Maintenance
Even for inexperienced gardeners, planting a dragon fruit cactus may seem to be a piece of cake. However, you may need to put in a little additional work to care for these plants.
- Watering Excessively watering your plant might harm it. These cactus-like plants, like any other sub-tropical fruit plant, need wet soil. As a result, only water your plants when the soil is almost dry. Make sure the soil is never completely saturated, otherwise the roots will rot and die.
- Fertilizing As previously said, these plants are sluggish feeders. You may apply slow-release nitrogen-based fertilizers on occasion to give them a boost. Fertilizers should be utilized throughout the growth season in the summer and then halted in the winter.
- Pruning Pruning your dragon fruit cactus might help it stay in form. Only the overly long, damaged, knotted, or dead stems should be pruned once or twice a year. Pruning may help prevent rotting, fungal disease, and insect infestation on your plant.
- Spots of the dragon Bacterial infection is quite common in dragon fruits, and it may even cause the stem to rot. So, if you find a spot on your plant’s stem or leaves, you may cut it off. In most circumstances, though, your plant will combat the virus on its own.
Pollination
Because dragon fruit blossoms are nocturnal, manual pollination may be necessary. Hand pollination of the plant is a simple process. Look for the female flowers, the ones that have opened or blossomed the most, to manually pollinate. Pollen from the female flowers should be sprinkled on the male flowers, which are smaller and have fewer blossoms.
The severed stem is another approach to pollinate or propagate this plant. A 10-inch section of a healthy stem would be required. Treat the cut-end with a fungicide before planting it in a container with a mix of potting soil and a little sand.
Set the pot in a shady spot for at least a week after watering it. Your plant will begin to develop more quickly, and in many instances, it will yield fruit in less than a year.
Diseases and Pests
Not just humans, but also wild animals, insects, and fungus, find dragon fruits attractive.
A dragon fruit’s main enemies are Aphids and mealybugs. They are sap-sucking pests that live off of the plant’s delicious sap. In addition, aphids can attract ants, who then can also feed on the plant.
You may also need to physically remove caterpillars from your cactus to protect it from them. You may use high barriers or wires to protect your garden from wild animals.
The dragon spots have previously been discussed. Apart from that, if your plant does not get enough sunshine, moisture, open air circulation, or warmth, it may develop fruit and stem canker and rot. If you observe any of these problems, you should cut the affected area to avoid future spread.
Harvesting
It will take around four weeks for the fruits to mature when they emerge on your plant. If you observe a withered look of the flaps on the pink outer skin, your fruit is ready to eat.
Twisting the fruits is another approach to make sure they’re ready to harvest. Twisting a banana can easily rip it. However, if you find it difficult to twist and pluck your dragon fruit, it may not be mature yet.
It’s also worth mentioning that an overripe fruit will naturally fall off the stem. As a result, harvesting at the right time is crucial.
In terms of storage, you may keep your dragon fruit in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The dragon fruit’s skin is not edible, but the white meat and seeds within are.
FAQ’s
Q1. How long does a dragon fruit cactus live?
This cactus is a long-lived and perennial plant. It may also yield fruit till it is between 20 and 30 years old.
Q2. What is the maximum size of a dragon fruit tree?
An adult plant may reach a height of up to 40 feet before reaching the end of its life cycle.
Q3. How long does it take for dragon fruit seeds to germinate?
If you want to start growing your cactus from seeds, you must first germinate them. If you get the seeds from the fruit, make sure they’re clean and dry before planting them in the soil-filled tray. The seeds will germinate in ten to fifteen days.
Q4. How long does a dragon fruit live under normal conditions?
Ans. Dragon fruit may last 3-4 days if not refrigerated. However, if you want to keep it alive for longer than this, you should keep it refrigerated.
Q5. How much water is required by your plant?
Ans. Plants that produce dragon fruit need wet, well-drained soil. To keep the soil from drying up entirely, your cactus will require around an inch of water every week on average.
Summary
So, all you had to do was cultivate and care for your dragon fruit cactus.
It is a decorative plant that will undoubtedly improve the appearance of your garden, and it also produces excellent fruits. This cactus doesn’t need much care; all you have to do is plant it, give it the attention it requires, then sit back and enjoy. So get a buddy, sharpen your garden shears, and begin your dragon fruit growing adventure. And if you have any problems, you can always come back to our blog.
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The “dragon fruit plant growth stages” is a tropical fruit that can be grown in temperate regions. It is known for its sweet taste and unique shape. The dragon fruit plant needs to grow for about six months before it will bear fruit.
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