Growing dragon fruit from seeds can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a tropical fruit with a vibrant appearance and a sweet, refreshing taste. While it may take some time and patience, following these steps can help you successfully grow dragon fruit from seeds:
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Obtain fresh seeds: You can buy dragon fruit seeds from reputable nurseries, garden centers, or online retailers. Make sure the seeds are fresh and have not been exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture. A dragon fruit has hundreds of small seeds that each have the chance to become a dragon fruit plant.
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Prepare the planting medium: Dragon fruit seeds need a well-draining and nutrient-rich soil mix. You can create a mix of potting soil, perlite, and sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
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Plant the dragon fruit seeds: Fill a small pot or seed tray with the prepared planting medium. Place the seeds on top of the soil and lightly press them into the surface. Do not bury the seeds too deep, as they need light to germinate.
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Provide the right environment: Dragon fruit seeds require warm temperatures to germinate. Keep the pots in a warm location with temperatures around 21-29°C. You can use a heating mat or place them in a warm spot in your home.
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Keep the soil moist: Dragon fruit seeds need consistent moisture to germinate. Mist the soil surface regularly or use a spray bottle to keep the soil slightly moist but not soaking wet. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to rot.
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Be patient: Dragon fruit seeds can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, or even longer, to germinate. Be patient and keep providing the appropriate conditions. Dragon fruit seedling can also take up to 7 years to fruit.
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Transplanting: Once the seedlings have grown a few inches tall and developed several true leaves, they are ready for transplanting. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil in your garden or a large pot if you're planning to keep them indoors.
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Support structure: Dragon fruit plants are climbing cacti that need support to grow. Install a dragon fruit trellis or provide a sturdy support structure for the plant to climb as it grows.
For hints on how to make a dragon fruit trellis check out - Dragon fruit trellis ideas
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Watering and care: Dragon fruit plants require regular watering, especially during dry periods. However, they are susceptible to root rot, so make sure the soil is well-draining and avoid waterlogged conditions. Fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
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Watch for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for common garden pests and signs of diseases. Treat any issues promptly to ensure healthy plant growth.
Remember, growing dragon fruit from seeds can be a bit challenging, and success may vary. If you want quicker and more predictable results, you can also propagate dragon fruit from cuttings. This method usually yields faster and more reliable results compared to growing from seeds.
Dragon fruit grown from seeds may not be true to type and this is how dragon fruit hybrids have been produced.
The negative side to growing or buying dragon fruit seedlings-
Some nurseries, Bunnings and online stores like diggers club supply dragon fruit that are seed grown. I would not recomend purchasing these dragon fruit seedlings If you want or need particular variety as you will not know what you are getting.
Dragon fruit flower type -You can not tell if the dragon fruit will be self sterile or self fertile dragon fruit flowers.
Poor fruit quality- You don't know what the colour of the fruit will be? Cross pollination of dragon fruit will produce variants.
Price- Bunning sell dragon fruit seedling for $12.90.
Rare dragon fruit cutting prices start at $10.00 so you can get a true to type dragon fruit plant with all the specific dragon fruit flavour, sugar content, flowering and colour information known before planting your dragon fruit plant.
Time- We have had dragon fruit cuttings produce fruit after 9 months. Seed grown dragon fruit can take up to 7 years.
Top 4 beginners dragon fruit verities.
We have lots of dragon fruit blogs and dragon fruit recipes on our website.
