Q&A for How to Plant Dragon Fruit

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  • Question
    Can a dragon fruit tree grow in Austin TX outside?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Yes, dragon fruit trees should survive outdoors in Texas.
  • Question
    Can dragon fruit grow in Memphis, TN?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    The Memphis climate does not suit the dragon fruit plant, but you could grow one inside.
  • Question
    Can I grow it in coastal areas?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I grow dragon fruit in California?
    Community Answer
    Yes, unless you live where it snows. Avoid having it outside when it frosts.
  • Question
    I have hair-like things growing from my dragon fruit cacti. Are these starts of roots, or something else, and If I remove them, will it harm the cacti?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Part of my plant got a darkened/rotten part, what shall I do?
    Community Answer
    All you would need to do is cut that piece off when you next prune the plant.
  • Question
    After cultivating the plant, how long before a yield?
    Community Answer
    1.5 - 2 years, depending on how fast it's growing or how big the cutting is.
  • Question
    How many plants should be planted on a pole for the best production?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can dragon fruit grow in KY?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Dragon fruit can grown in Kentucky. There are dragon fruit farmers located in Kentucky. It might be helpful to contact one of them.
  • Question
    Can we grow dragon fruit in India?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    If planting multiple cacti, how far apart should I plant? How wide do they get?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I grow a dragon fruit plant indoors?
    Alexis Chamberlain
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    When a branch has gotten flowers and they've turned to fruits, will that particular branch keep on giving fruits or does it need to be pruned?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I plant a dragon fruit I bought from the market?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Will dragon fruit grow outside in the USA?
    Apollo John Pampallis
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    When do I need to add a pole for stability?
    Community Answer
    The pole is purely optional and should be used if you want the plant to grow upwards instead of outwards.
  • Question
    Does this plant self-pollinate to produce fruit, or does it need intervention?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I grow it in Georgia?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    My dragon fruit has several flowers, but they look like they are becoming rotten. Am I watering and fertilizing them too much? What should I do?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    My dragon fruit grows many branches, but does not get much taller. Is this ordinary?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you want a tall plant, you'll have to provide a structure (stake, etc.) for the plant to climb.
  • Question
    How do I nurture dragon fruit cuttings on pot beds in the nursery?
    Community Answer
    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.)
  • Question
    Will the dragon fruit survive the climate in San Antonio, Texas?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I grow dragon fruit using a fruit that I bought from the store?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    Can I grow dragon fruit in a green house?
    Community Answer
    Yes, a greenhouse should suffice.
  • Question
    Can I grow a dragon fruit plant in Greece?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    If I plant my dragon fruit near a large tree so it can climb and get support, will that harm the tree or the dragon fruit?
    mikkel jul
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Where can I grow dragon fruit?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    If I want to grow dragon fruit inside, should I get an LED light?
    Community Answer
    You don't have to get one, but it would be a good idea.
  • Question
    What time of year is best for cutting back dragon fruit?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Is blowing wind harmful for a dragon fruit plant?
    Community Answer
    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.
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