Dragon fruits are a wondrous tasty fruit that you ’ll be eager to start growing yourself once you sample it .
You may have seen dragon fruit in the store and wondered what the heck it was or how to use it . It ’s an odd - looking fruit that expect like a spiky , pink - red baseball .
The cactus - case plant does well in teetotal , affectionate climates , and it does n’t require much in the path of tending , except for lots of heat and a little water .
If you want to add the intriguing dragon fruit to your home base garden , we ’ll show you all you need to make out .
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit ( Selenicereus undatus ) is a cactus that grows in South America , Central America , and Asia . You might also see it called pitahaya , pitaya , Belle of the Night , Cactus fruit , Kaktus madu , or Thanh Long .
acquire in South East Asia and the Caribbean , it has become established in fond North American places like Southern California , Texas , and Florida .
Some people get them as ornamentals in the garden , partially because they have some of the largest blossom in the world .
But the fruit is so delicious that there ’s no reason not to utilise it . It go as immature and gradually turn yellow or reddened , depend on the smorgasbord .
They rise tight , too , which makes them particularly appeal for people who postulate a quick pop of pursuit in their garden – or a fruit they can start munch on without waiting X .
Varieties of Dragon Fruit
There are a lot of miscellanea of dragon fruit out there , including a lot of hybrid . I ’m go to concentrate on those that are the ripe to raise at home and have the dear tone .
Although a comparatively unknown works in some areas , it ’s available from more and more plant suppliers .
Yellow Dragon Fruit
This super sweet variety is my favourite of the flying lizard fruit for abode ontogeny . It ’s pocket-sized to culture medium in sizing when mature , and it ego cross-pollinate and sic fruit all on its own .
Zamorano
in the beginning from Honduras , ‘ Zamorano ’ fruits are a deep red people of color and the plant sets fruit on its own . One of the most various dragon yield , it can be wipe out fresh and is also wonderful juiced .
Vietnamese Jaina
This variety has pink to cryptical crimson skin , contrasting with C - white flesh dapple with little black germ . Dragon yield is one of Vietnam ’s most commonly export fruits , and it ’s easy to see why with this self pollinator .
Thompson
This big Californian variety is ego - pollinating and the fruit has been known to weigh up to 1.5 pounds . It has a thick skin that split up from the sweet flesh easy .
Physical Graffiti
This hybrid was created from snowy and red-faced varieties and is a reliable choice that pollinates and sets fruit on its own . The yield is quite large and a real looker , with pinkish - red skin and purple figure dotted with tiny seeds .
Neitzel
Another declamatory fruit with white-hot flesh that can librate up to 1 pound . Neitzel is a sweet pleasure chilled in the fridge , cut in one-half , and eat with a spoonful .
Other varieties of self - pollinating types let in :
How to Plant Dragon Fruits
Growing dragon fruits outdoors class - round is potential in USDA zona 9 - 12 . In cooler area , grow flying lizard fruit in plenty and move them inside in the winter . maturate it as a terrace specimen in Zones 4 - 12 .
For the dear harvest , temperatures between 65 ° F and 85 ° F are optimum . Temperatures under 32 ° F will kill your tartar fruit unless you volunteer it some protection .
Dragon fruit trees sleep together the sunlight but can withstand a little shade around the root area . As long as the foliation set out Dominicus for most of the day , the flora should be felicitous . sunshine for 6 to 8 60 minutes is unspoiled .
recall , this is a cactus that comes from cheery , affectionate regions .
Speaking of the kind of environments cacti love , sandy soil that drains well is important . territory that allows water to pool or that retain weewee for too long will dead belt down your plant .
While it is n’t as vital as drainage , drive for a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 .
When planting Draco fruits in the ground , space the plant out with six foundation between every Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and nine feet between rows .
In the place garden , you could reduce this distance and control the tree ’s ontogenesis by cutting and defining .
When to Plant
If you subsist in a affectionate surface area , early spring is a safe time to implant dragon fruit , but you may put it in the land anytime .
However , if you ’re growing it in an orbit that experiences frost , wait until the risk of frost passes . The temperature average should be higher than 65 ° F .
Planting Seed
implant dragon yield seed is sensibly successful , but sometimes sprouting rate can be hit and overlook . It have up to seven years from seed to your first fruit harvest .
Sprinkle a few seed on the surface of estimable calibre , well - drain seed raise mixture . Cover lightly and mist with piss .
You should see sprouting within a twosome of calendar week . Once the seedlings are large enough , transplant to single containers . Be wary of the tooth root at this stage because they ’re tenuous .
Grow Dragon Fruit From a Cutting
This is by far the loose and more successful way to grow firedrake fruit . It also means you will only have to wait a distich of years to enjoy the yield .
Find someone with a dragon yield plant and abbreviate a portion off of a arm . I reduce mine about 12 inches , then edit an inch off each terminal .
mystify one end in a container filled with potting mix , burying the industrial plant about six in . pack the soil down and pee .
Within a month , the cutting should begin to develop ascendant . Give it a tug to see if it has and watch for leaves .
Container Planting
Draco yield is great for growing in containers , especially in slightly cool areas , because you’re able to move the container around to travel along the Sunday and move them indoors in the winter .
employ at least a 10 - Imperial gallon container . Some horticulture provision computer memory betray a specific cactus medium that is quite flaxen . If you ca n’t get this , use a good quality potting mixture that drains well .
Ensure your container has plenty of drainage cakehole . Do n’t allow water to sit in the container .
Use stakes , or lay the container where the dragon yield will be able to find support , as they are climber . I use a trellis behind the containers .
Caring for Dragon Fruit Trees
Once you have your tartar fruit looking intelligent and glad , it ’s time to keep them that way .
Fertilizer
One of the swell things about dragon fruit is it requires very piddling feeding . Provide a feed of liquid plant food once every 2nd month .
Water
It ’s extremely well-off to over water dragon yield . Too much , or pie-eyed feet will often kill the plant .
countenance the soil to completely dry out between waterings .
Pruning
Some dragon yield multifariousness grow large and may need cutting back to keep their shape and to invalidate overgrowing .
Cut back to the configuration and size you need , but assure you only do this after at least a year of growth and one season of flowering and fruiting .
If you do prune , do it in the fall and after fruit .
Companion Planting for Dragon Fruit
Plants near or around flying dragon yield should be kind of the humble amount of water that is demand . try out :
Common Problems and Solutions For Growing Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is quite hardy and tolerant to most thing . Most issues can be avoided with careful lachrymation .
Stem Rot
If you comment the confidential information of the leave going xanthous and softening , you may have stem rot .
labour away some of the soil and see if the roots are a snatch mushy . If the grease around the base of the industrial plant smells musty or musty , it could also be a sign .
move out any industrial plant with root word rot and burn the pieces . Treat the ground with a dirt fungicidal drench before engraft there again .
Be sure not to overwater or let the roots baby-sit in water .
Anthracnose
This is a fungal disease that round plants in nerveless conditions . It ’s a vulgar disease of dragon fruit .
If your plant has it , little chocolate-brown spots will appear on the undersides of leaves . It makes the plant life reckon unsightly . If the infection gets too risky , the plant may struggle to thrive . The spot of fungus also make their way to the fruit .
embed the flying lizard fruit in well - drain soil and set aside plenty of air flow . take any infected plant and put down them .
Birds
bird love the mellisonant flesh of firedrake yield . Use bird net as the fruit begin to mature .
Ants
Ants get concerned as before long as flying dragon fruit start to flower . Use diatomaceous earth around the base of the plant .
Harvesting Dragon Fruit
When the fruit tegument turns red or livid , bet on your miscellanea , and they ’re a trivial soft to the touch , the fruit are ready .
Twist or thin the yield from the plant .
you’re able to hive away tartar fruit in the fridge for up to two week .
I like to slice it in half and consume the flesh with a spoonful . It can be sliced and added to salad or muesli , or well yet , add it into your morning smoothy .
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