Share
Dragon Fruit is one of the highly nutritious, healthy, and delicious fruits. In India, it is generally called Pitaya. This dragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus and is known for its exotic and unique appearance.
Dragon fruit grown at home is much healthier than one of those that are bought from the market, as they are free from chemical fertilisers and pesticides and guarantee organic consumption, which will be packed with both sweetness and many other nutrients.
Video Credits: Urban Gardening/ YouTube
To cultivate them at home is an easy and enjoyable task. It requires less care and maintenance, and you can enjoy the freshness of home-grown fruits. Below are the six steps that you can follow to grow dragon fruit at home:
6 Steps To Grow Dragon Fruit At Home
Choose The Right Seeds Or Cutting Of The Plant
Dragon fruit can be grown in two ways, either from dragon fruit seeds or from cutting from the existing plant. Depending upon the size of the fruit, a cutting of the plant takes less time to produce fruits than the seeds. Decide whether you must plant it indoors or outdoors. Use pots of 15 inches to 24 inches in diameter and at least 10 inches deep.
Image Credits: Freepik
Soil Requirement And Planting
Ensure you use well-drained and sandy cactus soil. If you live in a region where there is high rainfall, plant the dragon fruit on a hill or mound for proper drainage. Plant them in areas where water doesn't accumulate. Use a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a mixture of sand, potting soil, and compost. Provide ample sunlight so that they can grow well.
Additionally, before planting the cutting, ensure to allow them to dry the cutting in a shady spot for a week before planting. This technique will help to protect them from infection and other damage. On the other hand, if you are using seeds, just sprinkle them on the soil and cover them lightly. When they are sprouted, separate them in individual pots.
Fertilising And Watering
Fertilise every two months, as overfertilizing can harm and damage the plants. Use low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer. Water the dragonfruit plant only when it remains dry. If using the climbing pole, keep it moist and avoid waterlogging so that the root cannot get damaged.
Image Credits: Freepik
Provide Initial Support
To support their growth, dragon fruits need a climbing pole, which keeps them from breaking under their own weight. As the plant grows, help it to climb the pole so that it can grow stronger and healthier.
Provide Care And Maintenance
Regularly Check the plants and remove the affected leaves, as Dragon Fruit plants can easily get attracted to pests like aphids and mealybugs. Prevent the plant from common diseases like root rot or anthracnose. Use organic insecticides if required. Prune regularly and remove diseased branches to maintain good plant health and size.
Image Credits: Freepik
Harvest And Enjoy
Dragon fruits mature in late summer; when the skin turns red or yellow and feels slightly soft, then they are ready for harvesting. Use a clean knife while cutting the fruit from the stem so that it cannot prevent any damage to the plant. You can consume dragon fruit raw or cooked. Cut the fruit, divide it into four parts, peel off the skin, and enjoy it with a spoon.
See, cultivating the dragon fruit is such an easy and rewarding task. By taking these steps in mind, you can grow dragon fruit at home and enjoy these delectable, healthy, and nutritious foods every year.
