How to grow dragon fruit plant at home

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Quick Guide:

• Pitaya are fast-growing, perennial, earthly, vine-like cacti.
• The flowers are hermaphroditic; however, some pitaya species are self-incompatible.
• The fruit is a fleshy berry, which is oblong and about 4.5 inches (11 cm) thick with red or yellow peel with scales and with or without spines.
• To increase the potential for fruit production, plant 2 or 3 different genetic types.
• In countries where pitaya are native, selections from the wild are being used.
• Pitayas grow well in tropical and subtropical climates mostly free of frosts and freezes.
• For propagation, usually entire stem segments of 6–15 inches (12–38 cm) are used.
• Pitaya plants may become quite large and spreading.
• Fertilize a month after planting or until plants begin to grow.
• Pitayas have a fairly high water requirement.
• Harvest only well-colored, mature fruit.

Plant Stem

Pitaya are fast-growing, perennial, earthly, vine-like cacti. They have triangular (3-sided, sometimes 4- or 5-sided), green, fleshy, jointed, many-branched stems. Each stem segment has 3 flat, wavy wings (ribs) with corne­ous margins and may have 1–3 small spines or be spineless. The stem sections of pitaya form aerial roots that adhere to the surface upon which they grow or climb. The stem may reach about 20 ft (6.1 m) long.

Flowers

The flowers are hermaphroditic; however, some pitaya species are self-incompatible. The extremely showy, edible, white (pink in other species) flowers are very large, very fragrant, nighttime, and bell shaped and may be up to 14 inches long (36 cm) and 9 inches wide (23 cm). The stamens and lobed stigmas are cream colored.

Fruit

The fruit is a fleshy berry, which is oblong and about 4.5 inches (11 cm) thick with red or yellow peel with scales and with or without spines. The pulp may be white, red or purple depending on the species. Seeds are very small, numerous and black, embedded within the pulp.

Pollination

To increase the potential for fruit production, plant 2 or 3 different genetic types. Cross-pollination between the dif­ferent types in the planting will assure a better fruit set and size. Flowers open at night when there is no bee activity. Flowers of some cultivars remain open during the early to mid-morning hours and may be visited by bees. Alternately, hand pollination may be done during the night and early morning hours by collecting pollen (or whole stamens) from one flower and applying it to the stigma of other flowers.

Types

In countries where pitaya are native, selections from the wild are being used. Many of these have been introduced into countries that are interested in growing them. Unfor­tunately, information on the self-incompatibility of these cultivars and selections is not well documented. This makes variety recommendations difficult at best and potentially unreliable.

Climate

Pitayas grow well in tropical and subtropical climates mostly free of frosts and freezes. They tolerate cool or warm climates, provided temperatures do not exceed 100°F (38°C). They tolerate some shade and may be injured by extreme sunlight. They are considered a full-sunlight crop in their native countries. Initial estimates from native areas suggest that optimum temperatures for growth are 65°F– 77°F (18°C–25°C).

Propagation

Pitaya may be propagated from seed, but fruit and stem characteristics are variable, and the time from planting to fruit production may be up to 7 years. Usually entire stem segments of 6–15 inches (12–38 cm) are used. A slanted cut is made at the stem base, then the cuttings are treated with a fungicide and left to cure (dry and heal) for 7–8 days in a dry, shady location before they are planted directly in the field or in well-drained media in pots. Cuttings grow very fast (1.2 inches [3 cm] per day) and many produce fruit in 6–9 months after planting. Longer cuttings usually reach the trellis supports faster than shorter ones. 3 to 4-year-old plants may produce about 220 lb (100 kg) of fruit per year. The life of a pitaya planting is estimated to be about 20 years.

Trellis

Pitaya plants may become quite large and spreading, and therefore individual plants should be planted 15–25 ft (4.5–6.1 m) or more away from trees, structures, and electrical lines. A strong trellis should be established that may withstand several hundred pounds of stem weight. A weak trellis may buckle under the weight of a mature pitaya plant. Do not use wires on the trellis because they may cut or damage the stems. If wire is used, it should be covered by plastic hose. For the home landscape, consider a trellis for individual plants, which should consist of a post and a structure at the top of the post to support the plant.

Pruning

Two types of pruning need to be carried out to obtain maximum production of healthy, good-quality fruits. The first one involves training the growing plants until they reach the trellis. This involves eliminating any lateral stems along the main stem until it reaches the trellis, and tying the main stem to the trellis post. Soon after plants reach the top of the trellis, their tips should be cut to induce branching and the new laterals trained and tied to the trellis.

Fertilizer

Wait about a month after planting or until plants begin to grow to start fertilizing. Fertilization in the first year should be frequent (every 2 months) with light applications of  0.25 lb (118 g) per plant. The addition of 4 lb (1.2 kg) of well-decomposed manure or compost around the base of the plant but not touching the stem is recommended during the first year. Apply small amounts of iron sulfate at the base of plants growing in neutral and low-pH soils.

Watering

Although pitayas are members of the cactus family and may withstand dry periods, they have a fairly high water requirement. However, excessive soil moisture will result in the development of bacterial and fungus diseases. A dry period is required for abundant bloom induction, but once plants flower, periods of drought may result in poor produc­tion. Therefore, periodic watering is recommended from flowering through harvest.

Mulch

Mulching pitaya plants in the home landscape helps retain soil moisture, reduces weed problems next to the plant stem, and improves the soil near the surface. Mulch with a 2 to 6 inch (5 to 15 cm) layer of bark, wood chips, or similar mulch material. Keep mulch 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) from the base of the plant stem.

Harvest & Storage

Thorny pitayas are more difficult to harvest. Leather gloves and long-sleeved shirts are recommended for harvesting thorny pitayas. Hand clippers should be used to remove fruits from the plants. Be careful not to damage the fruit, and remove any stub at the stem attachment by cutting the fruit stem flush to the fruit surface. Harvest only well-colored, mature fruit. Fruit will keep 4 to 5 days at room temperature or several weeks in plastic bags in the refrigerator.

Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs303