Introduction to growing Dragon fruit indoors from cuttings and seed
Dragon fruit is also called pitaya or pitahaya, is the vibrant-colored and sweet-tasting fruit of some cactus plants. Dragon fruit is perfectly suited to growing in a house or apartment as the standard household temperature is ideal for this plant. Even though it is a desert plant it doesn’t need excessive amounts of light for it to grow healthy.
To grow Dragon fruit indoors you should use a pot that is 10 to 12 inches deep fill it with a good quality potting soil. Position it somewhere that gets 6 to 8 hours sunlight, a south-facing window or conservatory is ideal. Water it twice per week during the growing season and enjoy watching this beautiful Dragon plant grow. In this article we also discussed below topics;
- Dragon fruit plant care
- Dragon fruit propagation
- Growing Dragon fruit from seed
- Growing Dragon fruit from cuttings
- Causes for Dragon fruit leaves turning yellow
- Conditions for growing Dragon fruit indoors
A step by step guide to growing Dragon fruit plants from cuttings
Variety of Dragon fruit best for growing indoors
There are different varieties of Dragon fruit that are perfect for growing indoors.
Different varieties of Dragon fruit for growing indoors include Edgars Baby, Alice, Seoul Kitchen, Yellow Dragon Fruit, or Zamorano. They are all in different colors and different flavors but they are all beautiful and also make excellent houseplants.
Preparing soil mix for growing Dragon fruit
The Dragon fruit plant can grow in any well-drained soil, but it prefers to grow in the soil which is slightly acidic (pH 6/7). Though, the cactus mix is a recommended soil mix to be used for growing the Dragon fruit. Also, you can prepare the cactus mix at home with sand or perlite, organic manure, and compost in the ratio of 2:3:1:1.
Amount of light does require Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit plants are from the cactus family and produce in desert areas so they do like sunlight and the more the better. If you can get your Dragon fruit plant 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight by positioning it in a south-facing window or conservatory that is ideal, though, the more light you can get it the more Dragon fruit will likely be produced. If you think you will struggle to get your plant enough sunlight or are serious about getting maximum fruit production then use an LED grow lamp on a timer to boost the light hours received.
Potted Dragon fruit
You should not miss the Growing Passion Fruit in Containers.
Dragon fruit plants grown well as potted plants in cooler regions, a greenhouse, Florida room or sun-drenched porch would be just dandy, but a sunny window will suffice. At least 6 to 8 hours of sun is needed. The container will require adequate drainage, several drainage holes. The container should be large enough to accommodate a large plant. There are several popular varieties of Dragon Fruit that vary a tad in size but generally, a 3 to 5-gallon container is suitable to start.
Process of growing Dragon fruit in a container
- Select a container that is at least 10 inches deep and 24 inches wide. This equates to about a 10-gallon pot.
- Dragon fruit is a vining cactus, so you will want to provide sturdy support in your container. Otherwise, the Dragon fruit will grow over the edges of your container and sprawl along the ground until it finds something to climb.
- Make sure to use a sandy, well-draining soil made for Dragon fruit plants. If your container does not have several drain holes, then you will want to add them so the roots of the plant never become soggy.
- Pick a sunny location for a Dragon fruit plant. At least 6 to 8 hours of sun. The plant will tolerate some shade, and even require it in very warm environments. Remember, anything over 100F will damage your Dragon fruit.
- Overwatering will kill Dragon fruit. So give it a light mist or drip when the soil is dry, but the Dragon plant is not wilting. A drip line or mister from above works well for these Dragon plants.
- To accomplish this, install a drip line and attach it to the center support in the container. Put the drip nozzle at the top of the support line and let it run down the pole. This is the most effective method to water your Dragon fruit and will keep it very happy.
Propagation of Dragon fruit plants
Dragon fruit plants grow easily from seed or cuttings. To grow Dragon fruit from seed, squash some flesh onto a paper towel and keep moist in a warm position but away from direct sunlight. Seeds will sprout 2 to 3 weeks later and can be potted up into punnets. Water weekly with eco-seaweed to develop strong seedlings and then pot into individual pots once large enough. Seedlings will take several years to reach a good fruiting size.
Temperature range best for indoor Dragon fruit growing from cuttings
Dragon fruit is tolerant of hot temperatures though if the temperature gets above 37°C the plant will wilt and the fruit will start to die. The ideal temperature for growing Dragon fruit is between 18 to 29°C.
Process of growing Dragon fruit from seed
- Dragon fruit seeds can be purchased and also self-collected. If using seeds you gleaned you they must be thoroughly cleansed of fruit pulp and stored till dry. You should use the best Dragon Fruit specimens for seed saving, free of blemishes and over-ripe. Seeds under the correct conditions will germinate within a week give or take a few days either way.
- By using a knife, divide Dragon fruit in half and scoop out the black seeds from the pulp. Wash the pulp off the fruit seeds. Then, put these seeds on a moist paper towel and leave them overnight.
- Fill the germinating tray or pot with well-draining but poor starting mix. Also, you can make it yourself by mixing one part peat and one part perlite. Sprinkle the seed on the surface of the soil and cover that with a thin layer of growing medium that barely covers the seeds.
- Thoroughly moisten the soil using a sprayer and then cover the pot with plastic wrap. Keep the soil moist until seeds germinate, which will take 15 to 30 days. After the Dragon fruit seeds germinate, uncover the plastic and transplant them to bigger pots when necessary.
Growing Dragon fruit from a cuttings
In case if you miss this: Growing Guava in Pots from Seeds and Cuttings.
Propagating a Dragon fruit tree is relatively easy, all you want to do is find a friend with a tree and you’re good to go. Snip off a 30cm section of a Dragon fruit tree and leave it to dry out for 5 to 6 days or until the cut end turns white. Once it has dried out then simply place cut side down into sandy cacti soil and water monthly. Your plant will send out roots and make itself at home within a month and continue to grow. You’ll need to wait between 1 and 3 years for fruit using this method.
Growing Dragon fruit outdoors from cuttings
Growing Dragon fruit outdoors in a garden is a fail-proof way to add color and personality to your garden. To prepare simply clear the area of any weeds and rocks and also make sure that the soil is slightly sandy and acidic, you can always add a bit of extra potting mix to the bed to help make it cacti-proof.
As your Dragon fruit plant grows to invest in a trellis or plant it near a fence something that it can climb on, just be wary they are heavy plants then it wants to be able to support the plant’s weight when it is bearing fruit too.
Fertilizer for Dragon fruit plants
Fertilize Dragon fruit with a balanced fertilizer every month when the plant is actively produced in its growing season. Stop fertilizing in winter if you’re growing plant in a cool climate. Side dressing with aged manure or compost can be done occasionally.
Water requirement for Dragon fruit plant
One of the main ways to kill Dragon fruit plants is by overwatering. And make sure that the soil is never sopping wet if in doubt hold off on watering for a day or two. If you water the Dragon fruit plant too often you could cause the roots to rot.
Dragon fruit plant care
These plants aren’t under thread by too many pests. But when their prized fruit starts to appear you want to protect the plant from bats and birds. Use bird netting to keep your Dragon fruit safe.
If you notice spots on the stems and leaves of the Dragon fruit plant this could be a sign of infection. Dragon fruit is prone to a bacterial infection which mainly causes the stem to rot. If you notice spots don’t worry in most cases the plant will fight it off themselves.
Pick Dragon fruit from a potted plant
The easiest way to tell if the Dragon fruit is ripe is by the appearance of it. Dragon fruits will turn from green to pink or yellow when they are ripe, depending on the plant variety you have chosen to grow.
When fruit is ripe its wings, these are the leafy part that extends from the fruit, will turn brown when it’s under-ripe these wings will be yellow or red. Finally, give your Dragon fruit a squeeze to check if it’s ripe as it must be soft when it’s ripe.
Commonly asked questions about Dragon fruit growing
Is Dragon fruit easy to grow?
Dragon fruit plants surprisingly easy to grow. Dragon fruit plants grow easily from seed or cuttings.
What is the best fertilizer for Dragon fruit?
Fertilize Dragon fruit plants once in early spring and again after the plants finish flowering with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20.
How big do Dragon fruit trees grow?
Dragon fruit plants can get quite large; some varieties can even reach upwards of about 20 feet (6.1 m).
Which is better red or white Dragon fruit?
The white Dragon fruit is higher in acidity than the red one. Usually, the red heart Dragon fruit fructose is 15 degrees, and the white heart Dragon fruit’s sugar is also about 10 degrees, so the red heart Dragon fruit is sweeter than the white heart Dragon fruit.
Why is my Dragon tree droopy?
When leaves are falling off, the primary suspect is not pests or diseases. Plant owners see a Dragon plant’s leaves drooping a little and reach for the watering can. But too much water might have been what caused the droop in the first place.
When should we repot the Dragon tree?
Repotting must be done about once every two years or so. If they become root-bound growth is likely to be slow. You can check the bottom of the pot to see if plant roots are appearing through the drainage holes and if they are the plant is root-bound.
How often does a Dragon fruit flower?
Dragon fruit bears fruits for 5 months every year, usually from early summer through mid-fall. It begins flowering in early summer, normally in June, with fruit formation occurring shortly afterward. Dragon fruit tree flowers are open in the evening and last only one evening.
Why does my Dragon fruit keep dying?
The main cause for Dragon fruit dying is inadequate growing conditions. The Dragon fruit plant is a tropical plant, which means it likes heat. It’s also possible Dragon fruit won’t develop fruit because of a lack of moisture. While it’s a cactus, many gardeners assume the pitaya doesn’t need much water
What are the reasons for brown spots on Dragon tree leaves?
Brown leaf tips – Possible cause could be dry air, cold drafts, or under-watering. Brown soft leaves – The room has become too cold for the plant and the soil can be waterlogged. Provide higher temperatures and then check the soil. Brown spots on leaves – The possible cause is lack of water.
Why is my Dragon plant losing leaves?
As the Dragon fruit plant adjusts to reduce light conditions, it often sheds some of its lower leaves. Too much water could cause leaf loss. The soil must be allowed to dry to the touch between watering. If it stays constantly wet, the roots can begin rotting.
Why are the leaves on the Dragon tree turning yellow?
Dragon trees prefer medium amounts of water. If you have a lot of leaves that are turning yellow and falling off, you are probably not giving the plant enough water. If the plant leaves are starting to turn yellow at the tips, it could be a sign of too much water.
Do Dragon tree leaves grow back?
The Dragon fruit plant will grow new leaves – it will be living off stored energy in the roots and stem until it does. Any green part of a Dragon plant is capable of photosynthesizing.
Conclusion of growing Dragin fruit plants Indoors from cuttings, and seed
Well, it is very easy to grow dragon fruit from cuttings and seed. You can grow dragon fruit in pots/contianers on terrace, balcony, raised beds, indoor, backyards and even in polyhouse. You may also like the Basic Steps of Organic Farming.