Dragon Fruit Plant Care
All of our dragon fruit plants have been greenhouse grown. When you receive your plants, please be patient in acclimating them to their new environment. This means slowly transitioning them from shade to full sun. Please do not place them in a dark place, like a garage, they will shock! We recommend placing them in a partial shady protected area and moving them into full sun over a minimum of a two week period. Moving the plants into full sun too quickly can cause severe sun scald which will damage the overall plant health.
Dragon fruit will not grow in cold climates, so make sure that the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent damage from occurring to the plant. For optimal growth, the temperature needs to be between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dragon fruit can be planted in large containers or in the ground as long as they are protected from frost and are planted in well-drained soil.
Dragon fruit soil should be sandy and slightly acidic, with a pH level between 6 and 7. In the absence of sandy soil, be sure to use a growing medium that is well draining if you are planting your dragon fruit in a container, as its roots dislike being water-logged. If you are using a commercial potting soil, make sure it's designed for growing cactus.
Watering Dragon Fruit Plants
The Dragon fruit must be properly watered to keep it healthy all year round. It should be potted in well-draining soil so it would produce beautiful blooms. The amount of water that the Dragon fruit needs can vary. When you see that about 1/3 of the topsoil is dry, this is the best time to water them. They are thirstier than the other succulents, so watering should take place about 1x every week. Use your fingers to check if the soil is about two inches dry. If you notice that the soil is very dry on the top layer, run the water until it goes through the drainage of the pots. There should be a tray underneath to catch the extra water. After about 10 to 15 minutes, discard everything, including the excess water. The soaking method should work well with the Dragon fruit but don't let it sit on the water-filled pot for a long time. When the species is in its flowering stage, it's highly recommended to water it sparingly. Ideally, the best time to water them is when you notice that the leaves begin to droop. Make sure to fill the saucer of the pots with pebbles. Add water to the pebbles to add humidity to your Dragon fruit. The best way to understand whether it's time to water the Dragon fruit is to check the soil. When it's too dry, simply add water and moisture. However, don't let the pot sit in the water, especially during the winter when the soil takes a long time to dry. This can cause root rot. Know that these species can react to various seasonal changes. Watering it the correct way will mean that you should consider the climate. If you live in a dry and hot climate, the plants will need more watering, which is about twice per week. If you live in a humid area, then watering only 1x a week can work well. You should water this less frequently in the fall and winter if you want the flowers to bloom. When the pots are exposed to too much sunlight, then the moisture will dry out faster. This is when the plant needs more watering. Watering should be less if it is in a cool or humid place.
Dragon fruit require consistent watering during the active growing season but does not require much water during the winter. Avoiding overhead water will help to prevent disease or rot.
Fertilizing Dragon Fruit Plants.
We recommend a balanced fertilizer during the growing season such as an All-Purpose Fertilizer 10-10-10. Plant Fertilizers depict three numbers on the label indicating the ratio of each nutrient, or N-P-K ratio. The first number is for nitrogen (N), which increases leaf production. The second is for phosphorus (P), which promotes fruiting and flowering, and the third is for potassium (K), which promotes hardiness and is essential to the metabolic process. These three elements are critical in supporting any plant's health.
Fertilizing in the early spring is essential to produce quality fruit, additional fertilizing can be applied as needed throughout the growing season. With proper water and fertilizing, these plants can produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting. It is vital to have a minimum of 5-6 feet of growth to ensure proper fruit production.
We recommend that you grow dragon fruit plants in full sun after acclimation, supported by a strong trellis system that can support the weight of the cactus.
Dragon fruit are a tropical fruiting cactus with beautiful green succulent foliage and delicious fruit that range in colors of red, pink, white and yellow depending of the variety.
Self-Fertile- It can use its own pollen to set fruit.
Self-Sterile - It needs cross pollination to set fruit, usually done by hand pollination from another variety.
Most varieties of dragon fruit require pollination to produce fruit, it is recommended to have more than one plant for pollination purposes. The blooms open at night are commonly pollenated by bats, moths and bees but most growers tend to hand pollenate for increase fruit production. Covering the fruit with netting will help to detour birds and other pests.
These plants need to be pruned in the fall/winter to promote an open canopy and to promote new growth in the spring.
The fruit that is produced is packed full of vitamins B, C and omega 3s! Dragon Fruit can be enjoyed fresh, in fruit salads, smoothies, made in to sorbets and even dried!
For more information about dragon fruit production check out this helpful video from the San Diego UC Agriculture Extension.
How to train dragon fruit plants on a trellis:
How to hand pollinate Dragon fruit flowers: