Dragonfruit Planting and Care

Dragonfruit Planting

#1 Choose a warm location

Dragonfruit plants are at most high risk for critical damage in the winter when temperatures reach nearly freezing. Keep dragonfruit healthy and surviving through the winter by choosing a warm location in your garden where the ground DOES NOT FREEZE.

Urban and suburban environments have lots of "heat sinks" that will help your subtropicals through the winter. Concrete and asphalt store up heat during the day and release it at night, use this to your advantage. Plant next to a building, next to a concrete or brick wall, next to a concrete patio, next to a driveway or any other large mass of stone-like material.

#2 Planting & Support

Dragonfruit plants are climbing cacti and require support as they grow. Install a sturdy trellis or support structure near each plant to provide support for the climbing stems. Train the stems onto the trellis or support structure as they grow, securing them with soft ties or twine.

For in-ground planting: Make a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots, and place it in the hole. Position the plant at the same depth it was in the container and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly after planting. DO NOT ADD COMPOST TO THE PLANTING HOLE.

For in-pot planting: Use a 15 gallon pot or larger.  Put a trellis post in the middle of the pot then fill with soil. Make a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots, and place it in the hole. Position the plant at the same depth it was in the container and backfill with soil.

#3 Amend the Soil

Dragonfruit will prefer highly fertile soil, and soil in most home gardens has been damaged from construction and years of dehydration and sun exposure. Improve soil quality by amending it with organic matter such as compost. Add a 3 inch thick layer of compost in a 5 foot diameter around the trunk of trees, or a 2 foot diameter around the base of smaller plants.

#4 Mulch

Apply a 3 inch thick layer of wood chip mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the plant's stem to prevent rot.

#5 Watering

Water newly planted subtropical plants deeply to establish their roots. Water regularly to maintain soil moisture.

Dragonfruit Care

Watering and Irrigation:

Though dragonfruit is a cactus, it is a TROPICAL plant native to Central and South American rainforests.  Being a cactus, it will survive for long periods without water, but it will not grow or thrive this way.  To have a healthy dragonfruit plant, water regularly and consistently, allowing soil and dry slightly in-between waterings.

Fertilization:

Dragonfruit plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season (spring and summer). Spray Neptune's Harvest onto the stems of the plant throughout the growing season. Avoid fertilizing during the dormant season (fall and winter).

Pruning and Maintenance:

Prune dragonfruit plants as needed to remove dead or damaged stems and promote airflow. Regularly inspect the plants for signs of pests and diseases, such as scale insects or fungal infections, and take appropriate measures to control them. Remove any suckers or offshoots that emerge from the base of the plant to maintain a single, healthy main stem.

Harvesting Dragonfruit:

Dragonfruit typically takes 6-12 months to produce fruit, depending on growing conditions and variety. Harvest ripe dragonfruit when the skin turns bright pink or red and the fruit gives slightly when pressed. Use pruning shears to cut the fruit from the plant, leaving a short stem attached.

Winter Care:

In cooler climates, protect dragonfruit plants from frost and cold temperatures by covering them with frost blankets or moving potted plants indoors. Reduce watering frequency during the dormant season to prevent root rot.