Q&A for How to Plant Dragon Fruit

Yes, dragon fruit trees should survive outdoors in Texas.

The Memphis climate does not suit the dragon fruit plant, but you could grow one inside.

Yes, I have one that covers the trunk of a palm tree at about twenty feet tall. We have used hedge trimmers to cut it back lest it take over the palm. It produces beautiful huge yellow flowers, but in fifteen years it has only produced two fruits.

Yes, unless you live where it snows. Avoid having it outside when it frosts.

Don't remove them, they are roots and will attach to whatever they are growing on. If on a suitable structure, they can add nutrients and moisture to the plant.

All you would need to do is cut that piece off when you next prune the plant.

1.5 - 2 years, depending on how fast it's growing or how big the cutting is.

I've heard that 2 works well. Also, if growing from cuttings, it's best to use a cutting from 2 different plants, as this helps with fruiting.

Yes. Dragon fruit can grown in Kentucky. There are dragon fruit farmers located in Kentucky. It might be helpful to contact one of them.

Yes, you can. The seeds sprout easily if planted as soon as they are removed from the fruit. It only takes a few days for this to happen. A soil mixture of sand and compost seems to be the best for dragon fruit.

It's not that they grow too wide, they will begin to fall over and then create little sprouts on top of the main body of the plant. They grow like a vine, and they are very hearty. It all depends on what stage of growth they are at. if you want to grow multiple plants, you can transfer and separate as needed. They won't be too bothered. If you must, transplant and plant further apart after they grow taller.

Yes. Method one, step two has some additional details. You may eventually need to move it outside since, even in a pot, they get to be pretty hefty plants and may become too large for your house.

If it stops producing fruit, it's time to prune. Also, the branch may stop producing and a newer branch may take it's place.

First, harvest some seeds. Clean them and then using a Tupperware container, take a napkin and dampen it. Line the inside of the container with the napkin and place the seeds inside of it. Transplant it after germination.

It will grow provided that it is not too cold or wet. Warm and dry with sandy soil (but not desert) is best. From the middle of the US to the south at low to medium elevation should be OK.

The pole is purely optional and should be used if you want the plant to grow upwards instead of outwards.

Some are self-pollinating, others need to be pollinated by hand or by moths/bats. The kind you buy at a nursery is usually self-pollinating.

It depends on where you are in Georgia. Along the coast, it is humid and may overwhelm your plant with water. In the west, there is ample heat, but there is also a chance of freezing temperatures.

The cactus only flowers for one night, and by the morning sunlight, the flowers will start to droop and die. They will continue to dry up, get brown and look pretty bad. Leave them alone. If they were fertilized that's where the fruit will start growing.

Yes. If you want a tall plant, you'll have to provide a structure (stake, etc.) for the plant to climb.

Make sure your soil is nutrient rich, using compost or fertilizer. Water the dragon fruit, but make sure there is a way to drain the excess water so the roots don't become waterlogged. (On this note, try to water plants in the morning; it provides plenty of time for the water to evaporate.)

Dragon Fruit plants (Hylocereus undatus) are only hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10a through 11. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and will begin to wilt over 100 F. Dragon fruit is a cactus and temperatures under 32 F will injure it over time. It can bounce back from light injury, but a severe and prolonged freeze could kill the plant.

Yes, you can.

Yes, a greenhouse should suffice.

Yes, dragonfruit will grow well in a climate with not too much, but not too little moisture, and abundant sunlight. If where you live is cold and snowing, plant it indoors.

The tree may block out the sun, which could prevent your dragon fruit from growing properly, so it's better to use a pole or stick.

In the United States they grow best in zones 10 & 11, but will grow in 9 if you can protect from frost. They wilt in temps over 100.

You don't have to get one, but it would be a good idea.

Autumn - September usually. Remove 3-8 buds and apply fertilizer. If your plant does not grow how you want it to, then begin removing 3 inches from the branches that you may later wish to prune.

No, as long as you've propped the plant up with something stable enough to support it. Cacti have a very low wind load factor.