Dragon fruit trees are vining, and need something to climb. They are also heavy – a mature plant can reach 25 feet (7.5 m.) and several hundred pounds.
How long does it take for dragon fruit to bear fruit?
Plants can begin flowering in as little as six to eight months, although container-grown plants may take up to two years to bear fruit. The good news is that once the plant is mature, you could see four to six fruiting cycles a year from a plant that is capable of bearing fruit for 20 to 30 years.
How much room does a dragon fruit plant need?
It is optimal to grow dragon fruits in the ground if the climate is favorable. Both types grow extremely large and need room to spread, so space them at least 8 feet to meet their full fruiting potential. Hylocereus usually requires trellising when full-grown to support the weight of the fruit.
How tall is a dragon fruit trellis?
I would recommend a maximum trellis height of 6 feet above the ground , as dragon fruit typically grow at least a foot higher than their trellis, making it hard to reach for most people. Further, tall trellises can be more susceptible to wind damage, and can more easily become lopsided due to leverage.
Do dragon fruits grow fast?
Dragon Fruit Growing Season
The growing season of this plant takes place during the hot months of the summer. It will not grow the rest of the year, but when it does grow, it grows rapidly . ... One plant can produce fruit for 20 to 30 years, so if you plant one, be ready for a lot of dragon fruit.
Does dragon fruit need full sun?
Dragon fruit needs full sun—choose a sunny area in your garden or a sunny windowsill that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day—and good drainage to avoid “wet feet.” Trim a cutting from a mature plant.
What month does dragon fruit bloom?
This unique jungle plant typically blooms from early summer through mid-autumn . Dragon fruit cactus is a night blooming plant and the flowers last only one evening.
Can dragon fruit be grown in pots?
Dragon fruit are well suited to growing in pots, provided they are least 500 mm wide . Choose a pot at least 500mm wide and deep. Position in full sun and protect from strong winds. Fill pot with free-draining cacti and succulent mix.
What is the best fertilizer for dragon fruit?
Choose a fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio.
However, most experts agree that some type of balanced fertilizer, like 16-16-16 or 13-13-13 , is a good choice for your dragon fruit. You can use fertilizer granules, or spread fertilizer through your irrigation system. Slow-release fertilizer is also an option.
Can I grow dragon fruit indoors?
Dragon fruits can become large indoor plants if you offer them the best maintenance, so make sure you transfer them to larger pots with more durable and more reliable poles to climb; When you grow dragon fruit from seeds, make sure you separate the plants once they start growing.
How do you induce a dragon fruit flower?
- Move your plant into a greenhouse. ...
- Extend the length of daylight your dragon fruit plant receives. ...
- Train the dragon fruit plant up a trellis. ...
- Prune the tips of the plant's uppermost stems after it climbs up the trellis.
Why does my dragon fruit keep dying?
The most likely cause is inadequate growing conditions . The dragon fruit cactus is a tropical plant, which means it likes heat. ... Since it's a cactus, many gardeners assume the pitaya doesn't need much water. In fact, it likes its soil to be kept consistently moist and should be given about an inch (2.5 cm.)
Is dragon fruit a vine?
A Dragon Fruit Cactus
The Hylocereus is a vine-y cactus native to Central and South America, but is now cultivated extensively throughout Southeast Asia for sweet, bright pink pitaya, commonly referred to as dragon fruit.
How healthy is dragon fruit?
Dragon fruit is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants , which are good for your immune system. It can boost your iron levels. Iron is important for moving oxygen through your body and giving you energy, and dragon fruit has iron. And the vitamin C in dragon fruit helps your body take in and use the iron.
