Pitaya, or dragon fruit, is a tasty treat that most people know about.These fruits can be grown at home with some tender loving care.
Step 1: Choose between dragon fruit seeds or plants that have already developed.
Time is a factor in which one you choose.If you're growing dragon fruit from seeds, it could take two years to bear fruit.It could take less time if you grow from the stems.For the record, growing from seed isn't hard.It takes more time.Dragon fruit plants are ready to be planted in your garden.To make sure you don't damage the seedlings, be careful as you take them out of the pot.
Step 2: Determine if you're going to grow the plant outdoors, indoors or in a container.
dragon fruit can grow in containers.If you do use a container, make sure it's at least 10" deep and fitted with a climbing pole.When the plant grows to a point that it needs a bigger pot, be prepared to transplant it.If your plant is going to be outside, choose a place that is partly sunny.The tips of the plant need to be in the sun to bloom.If you live in a warm area with a long, warm growing season, this plant can survive outside.They can handle a very light frost.Bring it inside if your area has a good winter.
Step 3: It's a good idea to use sandy cactus soil.
This plant is a cactus.The last thing you want to do is wet the soil.They don't need a lot of love.The area of your garden where water doesn't pool is where they should be planted.If your area gets a lot of rain, you should plant the dragon fruit plant on a hill or mound.If you're planting in a container, make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom.If you don't have cactus soil, you can make your own using a mixture of sand, potting soil and compost.It's best to put it a few inches away from the pot.
Step 4: Let them dry before planting.
If you get a fresh cutting, it is best to dry it out in a shady spot for a week.Once it is planted, this will allow the wound to heal.
Step 5: Plant in the sun.
The leaves of the plant should be exposed to the full sun.As it grows, make sure it gets enough sunlight.
Step 6: Place the plant flush with the soil line.
If you're using a plant from a box, replant it flush with its new soil line after taking it from its container.If you're using seeds, cover each container with soil by sprinkling a few seeds into it.You have to wait and see which ones take.In a few weeks, you will have sprout and they will need to be separated.They may not reach their full potential if not.If you mix a small amount of slow time releasefertilizer into the lower level of the soil, it will help your plant grow faster.
Step 7: Fertilize occasionally.
A good root system will take up to four months to get going.Too much can easily kill your plant.Feed them a little slow-time release, low-nitrogen cactusfertilizer once every two months for the best results.It won't help if you do more to see more immediate growth.
Step 8: The dragon fruit plant can be watered the same way as a tropical cactus.
When it's practically dry, only give it a small amount of water.Keep the climbing pole moist if your plant is large by now.There is a need for a dripper in this situation.Plants die due to over watering.They don't need it.Keep in mind how the pot will drain.The water will rot and decay if there are no drain holes.
Step 9: The dragon fruit plant is growing.
Some plants can grow a foot in a week if they hit giant spurts.It might be a good idea to use a climbing pole when it starts developing.This can help it reach its full potential.You should separate your dragon fruit plant from their pots if you planted them from seeds.They need their own turf to grow.Over the course of many weeks, you'll see a bloom start to develop.It will only bloom for one night, so you'll likely miss it in its full glory.The pistil's natural pollen can be brushed down into the inside of the flower if you try hand pollination.The flower wither and the base of the bloom will swell if a fruit develops.
Step 10: Prune the plant.
Some dragon fruit plants can reach upwards of 20 feet.Cut off some branches when it gets too large.Less weight will encourage it to flower.You don't have to throw the branches away.If you want to give them away as a gift, you can either repot them yourself or grow another plant.
Step 11: The fruit should be picked.
Dragon fruit can fruit at almost any time of the year if it gets enough water and warmth.When the dragon fruit's skin turns red or yellow, it is ripe.The skin will feel soft when squeezed.
Step 12: Go and eat up.
You've been waiting for this moment for a long time, so savor it.You can remove the rind with a spoon or cut the fruit into quarters.It has a sweet texture but is a little crunchier.Four to six fruit-bearing cycles per year could be seen once in full production.It takes them a little while to get there.Don't think your first fruit will be your last.Abundance is your reward after waiting patiently.