Dragon fruit is known to be a type of fruit, but it actually belongs to the cactus family. Being consumed 1.45 times more every year, you know how popular this fruit is. That becomes one of the reasons why many people are interested in growing the plant in their house. If you are one of them, here is the planting method to get the benefits of the fruit.
Guide to Plant Dragon Fruit for Best Growth
Use Seeds or Cuttings
There are two ways of growing dragon fruits, from seeds and cuttings. If you are interested in using seeds, it is actually easier to do than using cuttings. The plant might need two years to grow well and bear fruit. However, you can use cuttings of a stem for the tree to take less time to bear fruit.Decide Where to Plant
After deciding seeds or cuttings, it is time to determine if you plant them outdoors or indoors. You can prepare containers if you prefer to grow them indoors. But, you also need to prepare a bigger place to transplant the plant if it grows bigger later. It is also fine if you want to plant dragon fruits openly without containers.Choose the Right Soil
Prefer sandy and slightly acidic but well-drained soil to grow your dragon fruits. The most recommended pH level of soil for this plant is between 6 and 7. Grow the plant on a hill or mound if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall. This way, you will make the water drain away.
Pay Attention to Light and Temperature
Dragon fruit planting method guides you to make sure your plant receives full sun 6-8 hours per day. Keep the plant away from shady areas and let it grow optimally in temperatures 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect your dragon fruits from frost and make sure they stay warm.Pay Attention to Water and Fertilization
Use 1-2 liters of water to water your dragon fruits daily. Even in summer or dry periods, the amount of water would be sufficient. You can also decide to water or not by checking the soil condition. If the soil is always and easily damp, it is better to water your plant once every two weeks.
When it comes to fertilizing, do not do it too much because you might kill the plant. Use a little slow-time, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer such as 16-16-16 or 13-13-13. Fertilize your plant once every two months to make the plant grow better.Harvest and Prune
A month after flowering, usually the fruit is ripe and once you pick it the fruit won’t continue to ripen. Make sure you harvest when the fruit’s color (red or yellow) is already even and bright. Pruning is required after the last fruit harvest which takes place around May to June.
Dragon fruit is pretty easily grown whether you choose using seeds or cuttings. You can see the tree bears 4-6 fruits per year once it is in full production. Be patient and attentive when it comes to this plant so you will get abundant results.