Dragon fruit, a tropical cactus known for its exotic appearance and sweet, juicy fruits, can be a delightful addition to your garden. With its striking pink or yellow skin, it not only offers a visually captivating display but also rewards you with a refreshing treat when the fruits ripen. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or a novice, growing dragon fruit can add a touch of the tropics and a unique flavour experience to your outdoor space.
Planting Calendar
Dragon fruit can be planted from spring through to early autumn.
Harvest In
2-3 years after planting.
Plants need a good 1.5 m of growth to be able to produce good fruit. Depending on the climate, fruit usually ripens about a month after flowering. Harvest fruit by twisting or cutting from the plant with secateurs. Fruit must be picked when it is ripe as once picked it will not continue to ripen. When ripe the fruits colour should be bright and evenly coloured, the small wings on the fruit should have started to wither. Gently press the fruit, when it is ripe it will give a little. Skin is not edible but the seeds and pulp inside are.
Prepare
Dragon fruit is an incredible cactus from Mexico, Central and South America. It produces a strange looking fruit that is hard to describe. Some say it’s a sweet mix of mild kiwi fruit, watermelon, strawberry and pear flavours. Others describe it as only vaguely sweet or even savoury. Their beautiful large flowers are 20cm wide and appear in summer. They are yellowy green on the outside and open to a scented white, lily like bloom. Flowers open in the evening and only last one night.
Position
Dragon fruit like a warm position where there are no frosts. Plant in full sun in soil that has been enriched with organic matter.
Soil
Soil needs to be incredibly free draining as these plants rot easily if the roots are too wet. If planting into a clay soil add gypsum and plant on a raised mounds. Enrich the soil by adding compost and sheep pellets and scoria or pumice for extra drainage.
Pollination
Dragon fruit require pollination to produce fruit, so it is recommended to have more than one variety for pollination purposes. Flowers open at night and are pollinated by moths and bees. It is best to hand pollinate for better fruit production.
Plant
Dragon fruit like to grow upward to the top of a support or frame work, once they reach the top the new growth will spill over and grow downwards. Plant against a thick stake or some other support and tie one or two main stems to the support to encourage vertical straight growth. Standard rose wheels are a great option to grow Dragon fruit on as it makes harvesting easier.
Care
Watering
Dragon fruit need consistent watering over the growing season, avoid overhead watering as this can encourage disease or rot. During winter they will not require watering.
Feeding
For strong healthy roots, apply monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. In spring, side dress with lime.
Protecting
Dragon fruit do not tolerate frosts, so cover with frost cloth. Slugs and snails can be a problem so application of Quash will keep them under control.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk) with Living Earth More than Mulch.
Spraying
Fungal problems, if the arise can be treated by spraying with Free Flo Copper. Prune off any infected stems. Mealy bug, mites and caterpillars can be dealt with by spraying with BioNeem.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to encourage new growth, as flowers form and fruit develop at the end of the new growth. When the growth reaches the top of its support, trim off the tops to encourage new side growth. This will encourage the new stems to spread out and hang downwards. If the top becomes heavily congested remove some larger stems. A more open canopy helps with air flow and result in larger fruit.
Beginner Tip
Split fruit is a result of excessive or a large influx of water/rain as it is developing.
Expert Tip
Good drainage is an absolute must when growing Dragon fruit. Wet conditions and poor drainage can result in stem rot and plant failure.
Tip
They can handle heat, drought, humidity and poor soils but will grow tastier fruit with regular watering and rich soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant Dragonfruit?
Spring or early summer is ideal for planting dragonfruit, as the warmer temperatures and longer days encourage growth
How often should I water Dragonfruit?
Dragon fruit need consistent watering over the growing season, avoid overhead watering as this can encourage disease or rot. During winter they will not require watering.
How do I prune Dragonfruit?
Pruning is essential to encourage new growth, as flowers form and fruit develop at the end of the new growth. When the growth reaches the top of its support, trim off the tops to encourage new side growth. This will encourage the new stems to spread out and hang downwards. If the top becomes heavily congested remove some larger stems. A more open canopy helps with air flow and result in larger fruit.
When can I expect Dragonfruit to fruit?
Dragonfruit typically starts producing fruit 6 to 8 months after planting if conditions are optimal. It usually fruits in summer.
How do I know when Dragonfruit is ripe?
Plants need a good 1.5 m of growth to be able to produce good fruit. Depending on the climate, fruit usually ripens about a month after flowering. Harvest fruit by twisting or cutting from the plant with secateurs. Fruit must be picked when it is ripe as once picked it will not continue to ripen. When ripe the fruits colour should be bright and evenly coloured, the small wings on the fruit should have started to wither. Gently press the fruit, when it is ripe it will give a little. Skin is not edible but the seeds and pulp inside are.