How to Grow Dragon Fruit

Wait for the branches to dry before planting. If you have a freshly cut dragon fruit branch, it is best to leave it in a shady place for a week to dry. This will help heal the cut and prevent infection when planted in the ground.

Plant the plant in full sun. For best results, dragon fruit leaves should be in full sun. You need to make sure the plant gets enough sunlight while it’s growing. ^[4]

Plant the tree in the ground. If using tree branches or seedlings purchased from a gardener, carefully lift the plant out of its pot and plant it in new soil. If using seeds, you can sprinkle a few seeds in each pot and cover with a thin layer of soil.

• When growing with seeds, you will have to wait and see which seeds germinate. In a few weeks you will see the plants sprout and they will need to be separated; otherwise, the seedlings may not be able to grow to the maximum.
• Consider mixing a small amount of slow-release fertilizer into the soil below before planting; This can help the plant to grow faster. ^[5]

Fertilize only occasionally. Even when planted with cuttings, the branches take 4 months to develop a strong and healthy root system. ^[6] However, you should be careful when fertilizing: too much fertilizer can kill the plant. For best results, you should use a small amount of slow-release low-nitrogen fertilizer specifically designed for cactus plants and apply every two months. You may be tempted to fertilize more in the hope of seeing your plants grow faster, but this is not beneficial. ^[7]

Water your dragon fruit the way you would water a tropical cactus. In other words, you should only water sparingly when the soil is completely dry. If the tree is old enough to climb onto the pole, you’ll also need to keep the stake moist. A drip irrigation hose will come in handy in this case.

• Over-watering can be the most common cause of plant death. Don’t worry, dragon fruit does not need a lot of water. If you grow plants in pots, you should pay attention to the amount of rain. If the pot does not have a drainage hole, the plant will need less watering; otherwise, water may collect on the bottom and lead to rotting.

Watch when the dragon fruit tree grows. Although dragon fruit trees need several years to grow to their full potential, some plants can grow so quickly that they can grow up to 30 cm tall in just a week. When the tree is really starting to grow, you may need to use climbing stakes to build a trellis for the tree. The stakes can help the tree grow to its maximum without breaking because of its weight.

• If the dragon fruit trees are grown from seeds and are growing, you need to separate them and plant them in separate pots. They need their own land to grow well.
• You will notice the dragon fruit flowers begin to develop over the course of several weeks. However, the flower only really blooms for one night (yes, it’s a nocturnal flower), so you may not be able to see it at its fullest in time. Many plants are self-pollinating (if not, you can try artificially pollinating the flowers by dusting pollen on the tips of the stamens so that it falls in the middle of the flower). ^[8] If the fruit begins to form, you will notice that the flower fades and the ovary begins to enlarge. ^[9]

Prune trees. Dragon fruit trees can grow quite large; Some varieties can even grow up to 6 meters tall. ^[10] When a tree grows too large, you need to start pruning it by cutting off a few branches. Reduced weight can help plants become stronger, concentrate nutrients and stimulate plants to flower.

• Cut branches do not have to be thrown away! You can plant them into other plants (they will easily take root) or give them to others as gifts.

Fruit picking in the second half of the year. Dragon fruit usually ripens in late summer or fall, but the plant can produce fruit almost any time if it receives enough water and temperature. You can tell when a dragon fruit is ripe when the skin turns red or yellow, depending on the variety. The pods will also be slightly soft to the touch, but not too soft. ^[11]