Dragon Fruit Plant: Strange But Delicious

Like most people, you probably think of dragon fruit as that weird, spiky red fruit with strange black seeds on the outside. But did you know that dragon fruit is a member of the cactus family?

To learn more about dragon fruit, read on!

Dragon Fruit

This fruit is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America. It is a member of the cactus family and is also known as pitaya or strawberry pear. It is a strange but delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in various recipes.

The plant is a climbing cactus that can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length. The dragon fruit cactus has long, thin stems and small, fleshy leaves. The dragon fruit flowers are large and beautiful, with white petals and a yellow centre. Dragon fruits are typically red or purple but can also be yellow or white.

3 Types of Dragon Fruit

Did you know that dragon fruit comes in three different types? These are the three types of fruit:

Hylocereus Undatus

Hylocereus Undatus, also known as pitaya, is a cactus species. The fruit of this cactus is edible and has many health benefits. Pitaya is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is also a good source of fibre. The flesh of the fruit is either white or red. The white flesh dragon fruit is sweeter than the red flesh dragon fruit.

Hylocereus Undatus is a cactus that can grow up to 10 m in height. The stem is green with white or red flowers. The fruit is oval-shaped and has either white or red flesh.

Hylocereus Megalanthus

Hylocereus Megalanthus is a type of cactus that produces dragon fruit. The stems are green, and the leaves are small and prickly. The flowers of this fruit plant are white and have an unpleasant smell. The fruit is oval-shaped and has bright pink or red skin with green scales.

Hylocereus Costaricensis

It is a species also called night-blooming cereus or Pitaya Dulce. This cactus is grown in tropical and subtropical regions for its sweet flesh and colourful skin. The fruit typically blooms at night, and the flowers only last for one night, hence its other names.

Best Climate For Growing

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or strawberry pear, is a tropical fruit that thrives in hot, humid weather. It grows best in temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity levels. If you live in an area with cooler weather, you can grow this fruit indoors under artificial lights and heat lamps.

How To Grow Dragon Fruit From A Seed

If you want to try growing dragon fruit, you can do so from a seed. Growing this fruit from a source is not as difficult as it might seem, and it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s what you need to know about how to grow from seed.

• If you live in an area where dragon fruit is not readily available, you can purchase seeds online or from a local nursery. Once you have your sources, you’ll need to plant them in a well-draining potting mix.
• The seeds need to be kept warm and humid to germinate. You can achieve this by placing the pot in a warm, sunny spot or using a heat mat.
• Once the seeds have germinated, you can transplant them into individual pots. Be sure to choose banks that have drainage holes in the bottom.
• It needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. When transplanting your seedlings, plant them at the same depth they were growing in their original pots.
• Water them regularly, but be sure not to overwater them. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings.

Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. They are heavy feeders so they will benefit from regular fertilization.

How To Plant Dragon Fruit From Cuttings

It’s pretty easy. All you need is a sharp knife, some dragon fruit cuttings, and a pot or container filled with potting mix. Once you have your materials, follow these steps:

• Use a sharp knife to take 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) long cuttings from the dragon fruit plant. Make sure to cut just below a leaf node (where the leaves meet the stem).
• Place the cuttings in a pot or container filled with potting mix.
• Water well and place them in a warm, sunny spot.
• Keep them well watered; within a few weeks, they should start growing roots.
• Once they have roots, you can plant them in individual pots or on the ground.

Dragon fruit plants are not only delicious, but they’re also pretty easy to grow.

How To Care

Here’s a guide on caring for a dragon fruit plant so you can enjoy its strange but delicious fruits!

• First, you need to know that plants like to climb, so you will need to provide support for them to cling to. A trellis or other support system will do the trick.
• Second, it needs full sun to partial shade. They prefer a sunny spot but can tolerate some shade.
• Third, it likes well-drained soil. You can grow them in either pot or the ground, as long as the soil drains well.
• Fourth, these plants are not drought tolerant, so you must water them regularly. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.
• Fifth, it needed to be fertilized regularly. Use a well-balanced fertilizer and apply it according to the package directions.

Water

They will need good watering once a week, and during hot weather or if the plant is thriving, you may need to water more frequently. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again.

Overwatering is one of the main reasons the plant fails, so be careful not to let your plant sit in water. This fruit is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions and does best in warm weather. In cooler climates, they can be grown indoors near a sunny window. If you live in a cold environment, it’s best to grow them in containers so you can move them indoors when the weather gets chilly.

Support

To support the dragon fruit plant,

• You should provide a trellis or other support for it to climb.
• Dragon fruit plants can grow up to 6 feet tall, so the support should be sturdy.
• You can also prune dragon fruit plants to encourage them to grow in a specific direction.

Prune

It should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The plant can be pruned to remove dead or damaged branches, promote further development, or control the size and shape of the plant.

It can be pruned using various methods, including hand pruning, shearing, and selective pruning.

• Hand pruning is the most common method of pruning dragon fruit plants.
• Shearing dragon fruit plant is a type of pruning that involves cutting back all of the branches to the same length.
• Selective pruning is a type of pruning that removes specific components or stems from the plant.

Fertilize

This fruit should be fertilized every two to three weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). A well-balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 8-8-8, can be used. A water-soluble fertilizer is recommended if the plant is grown in a pot.

Pollinate

Bees are the most common pollinators of fruit. Other insects that may visit dragon fruit flowers and help pollinate include moths, butterflies, wasps, and ants. It can also be pollinated by wind, but this is not as common.

Keep At temperature

The plant needs to be kept at a temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too hot or too cold, the dragon fruit plant will not be able to thrive. The plant also needs to be kept in an area with high humidity.

How To Harvest

It’s pretty straightforward – dragon fruit is a cactus that grows on trees. The tree produces dragon fruit which can be harvested when they are ripe.

To harvest dragon fruit, you will need to:

• Cut the dragon fruit from the tree using a sharp knife.
• Collect the dragon fruit in a basket or bag.
• Dragon fruit can be eaten fresh or used in recipes.

Dragon fruit is a delicious and healthy fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways. Try dragon fruit today!

Reasons For Dragon Fruit Not Blooming

Here are the reasons for the fruit not blooming:

• The plant is not getting enough sunlight.
• The plant is not getting enough water.
• The plant is not getting enough nutrients.
• The plant is stressful.
• The plant is diseased.

When Does This Fruit Bloom

This is a common question among fruit enthusiasts. The short answer is that the fruit blooms at night and the flowers only last for one night.

Pest And Diseases

• Pests: Aphids, mites, and whiteflies are common pests that can attack dragon fruit plants. These pests can cause leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and reduced fruit production.
• Diseases: The plant is susceptible to several fungal infections such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, and scab. These diseases can cause leaf spotting, fruit rot, and reduced plant vigour.

Frequently Asked Questions