Do you love Dragon fruit and wish to grow it at your home? This article excellently highlights the growing and caring tips for Dragon Fruit Plants. Read the complete article to discover the useful tips.
Dragon Fruit Plant: Introduction
Dragon Fruit Plant is also known as dragon fruit cactus which is found mainly in South America, Central America, and Mexico. Usually, this plant blooms at night only, having huge fragrant flowers, shiny pink and leathery skin, including thorn-like fins. Its flesh is brightly colored having small black seeds which are nutritious and sweet to eat. Moreover, the Dragon Fruit Plant is a fast-developing perennial cacti that is also used for ornamental purposes in outside areas such as your home garden.
These plants grow up to a height of 20 feet and produce airy roots that allow them to clench to surfaces and create their crawls to climb. Some of the varieties of Dragon Fruit Plants are also grown inside the home.
Some Facts about Dragon Fruit Plants
Common Name | Dragon fruit, Pitahaya, Strawberry Pear, Honolulu Queen, Moonlight Cactus |
Botanical Name | Hylocereus undatus |
Family | Cactaceae |
Plant Type | Perennial, fruit |
Mature Size | 8–20 ft. tall, 3–10 ft. wide |
Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial sun |
Soil Type | Sandy, well-drained |
Soil pH | Neutral, acidic |
Bloom Time | Spring, summer, fall, winter |
Native Area | North America, Central America, South America |
Types of Dragon Fruit Tree
There are nearly 15 species of Dragon Fruit Plants, having different fruit colors and numerous hybrid varieties. Some popular varieties are:
- American Beauty
- Dark Star
- David Bowie
- Purple Haze
- Zamorano
How to Plant Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
To Plant a Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant, take the following
- When to Plant:
The best time to plant a Dragon Fruit Plant is in the early spring season usually from March to August.
- Selecting a Planting Site:
For planting dragon fruit, choose a location that has well-drained soil, good sunlight and adequate space. Ensure to plant dragon plants nearly 15 to 25 feet away from your home, other trees or plants, structures, and electrical lines.
- Spacing, Depth, and Support:
Cultivate a hole that approximately is 3 to 4 times in diameter and 3 times as wide as the nursery container.
- Dragon Fruit Plant Care:
In tropical or subtropical conditions that mimic its natural habitat, dragon fruit cactus is a fast and vigorous grower. The most challenging part is to get the plants pollinated for fruit production.
- Light:
Dragon Fruit Plants are warm-weather plants and are mostly planted in full sunlight. On the other side, extreme sun exposure causes stem damage.
- Soil:
Dragon fruits need soil that is moist, well-draining and rich in organic matter.
- Water:
However, the Dragon Fruit Plant has some resistance to drought, for a good fruit crop, it is advised to water the plant regularly from the start of the bloom to harvest.
- Temperature and Humidity:
As Dragon Fruit Plants are related to tropical regions, they require complete sun (recommended temperature – 65 degrees F to 80 degrees F) instead of cold weather.
- Fertilizer:
In the first year plants, are fertilized every two months with a high nutrient content and overall balanced fertilizer.
- Pollination:
For an improved possibility of dragon fruit production, two to three distinct varieties are needed for cross-pollination.
To read more about the Dragon Fruit Plants, you must visit the Yourhomify website once.
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