Why and What do we feed dragon fruit plants???

Nutrient Deficiency Prevention:

Supporting Growth and Development: Fertilizers provide the necessary nutrients that promote root development, vegetative growth on dragon fruit (stem and leaf growth), flower formation, and fruit development.
Enhanced Fruit Production: Balanced fertilization can significantly improve fruit yield and quality. Proper nutrient availability during the flowering and fruiting stages is critical for larger, healthier dragon fruits. There is even evidence to show the dragon fruit also taste better.
Increased Resistance to Pests and Diseases: Healthy dragon fruit plants with proper nutrition are better equipped to withstand pest attacks and diseases, making them more resilient and less susceptible to damage.
Replenishing Nutrients: Cultivated Dragon fruit plants might exhaust the available nutrients in the soil due to continuous growth and fruit production. Fertilizers help replenish these nutrients and maintain soil fertility.
Customization of Nutrient Mix: Fertilizers allow growers to tailor the nutrient mix to suit the specific needs of Dragon fruit plants based on soil analysis and plant requirements.

It is essential to apply fertilizers judiciously, as excessive use can lead to nutrient imbalances, environmental pollution, and even harm to the dragon fruit plants.

A balanced approach, guided by soil testing and plant observation, ensures that the Dragon fruit plants receive the right amount of nutrients for optimal growth and fruit production.

Organic and slow-release fertilizers are often preferred as they provide a more sustainable and long-lasting nutrient supply.

Please see below what Rare Dragon Fruit use to fertilize their dragon fruit.

Magnesium sulphate (Epson Salts) helps seeds germinate, makes plants grow bushier, produces more flowers, increases chlorophyll production and deters pests, such as slugs.
If a plant’s leaves turn yellow all over the plant, it can be a sign they need more sulphate.

Feed Dragon fruit Ariel roots with Eco seaweed solution every 2 weeks in the growing season.

We are not organically certified but .....We only put the good stuff on our plants and avoid harsh chemicals as we want to eat our fruit.

I like eco seaweed as it is excellent value for money, organic and easy to use.

https://raredragonfruit.com.au/collections/growing-products/products/eco-seaweed-600g-organic-fertilizer

More Info:
eco-seaweed is a Registered Organic seaweed extract that’s 100% soluble and stimulates a range of beneficial actions including reduced transplant shock, improved health and vigour, reduced incidence of disease, improved drought tolerance and more. So concentrated you only need a teaspoon in a 9-litre watering can!

Features:

100% seaweed extract containing Ascophyllum nodosum – the most researched seaweed in the world
contains over 60 vital nutrients including 12% potassium
100% seaweed extract
no nasty preservatives or dilutants
stimulates strong healthy plant growth
encourages root development and minimises transplant shock
enhances plants' ability to cope with various stresses including drought, salty soils and the cold
extremely concentrated (100gm will treat 1,000 square metres)
the powdered format makes it light and compact
100% soluble – no clogging of spray heads or watering can rosettes
apply as a foliar spray or water into the soil
Registered Organic (Australian Organic)
excellent when partnered with eco-amino grow

Organic Booster - other similar products are dynamic lifter or rooster booster

We use this on all our fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Gives your plants a great boost.

Organic Booster Granular Fertiliser
Organic Booster is aerobically composted, locally sourced poultry manure. It offers all of the benefits & none of the risks of boosting your soil with ‘fresh’ chicken manure – the best natural manure fertiliser to make your garden grow.

Organic Booster is different to most other chicken manure products on the market because it is aerobically composted. Aerobic composting involves actively turning it over, to oxygenate it, before processing it into easy-to-use pellets. Aerobic composting kills pathogens and supports healthy levels of beneficial micro-organisms in your soil.

Organic Booster is quality checked so you can be assured it is:

pathogen-free
low in moisture
low dust
easy to apply
Organic Booster is a pH-neutral organic fertiliser offering the benefits of:

slow release of nutrients that feed plants over many months
increased earthworm activity
increased water retention and aeration
increased micro-organisms and beneficial bacteria
no burnt or damaged plants
Organic Booster is:

dried gently after processing to further support beneficial micro-organisms and help the pellets break down properly after watering
pelleted to uniform size for easy use in fertiliser spreaders
sieved to minimise dust
certified by Biological Farmers of Australia, Australia’s foremost organic certification body

Prolific Blue AN

Prolific Blue AN is a compound fertiliser that provides targeted, balanced nutrition to crops through uniform delivery. The nutrients in Prolific Blue AN are homogeneous in every granule, ensuring there is no nutrient segregation during transport or application.

Nutrient segregation is an inherent problem with granular blended fertiliser which

results in uneven nutrient application and crop growth.

Nitrogen is present both as nitrate-N and ammonium-N. The readily available nitrate-N gives an immediate growth response, while the more slowly available ammonium-N ensures a long-lasting effect.

Phosphorous is in both water and citrate-soluble forms, allowing ready uptake by plant roots and prolonged release for sustained growth.

Potassium is present as potassium sulphate, this is particularly important for crops that are sensitive to chloride which can be present in some potassium fertilisers.

Secondary nutrients sulphur, calcium and magnesium are in soluble forms. They are in balanced amounts that aid and promote healthy crop growth.

Complete nutrition is complemented with trace elements zinc, boron and iron. These elements support crop growth effectively by being distributed evenly in each granule.

This is crucial with trace elements that are applied at small rates per hectare.

Prolific Blue AN has a consistent granule size which is non-dusting and free-flowing that can be applied as a band or broadcast.

A handful per plant every 8 weeks only in the growing season, rotated with organic pallets.

BASS-LIQUID NITROGEN PHOSPHATE POTASH MIXTURE A liquid fertilizer suitable for supplementary feeding of vegetables, horticultural and agricultural crops, cereals, ornamentals, lawns and playing fields

Liquid potash, also known as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate, is a water-soluble form of potassium. When applied to plants, it provides a readily available source of potassium, which is one of the essential macronutrients required for plant growth and development. Here's what liquid potash does to plants:

Promotes Flowering and Fruit Development: Potassium is vital for the formation of flowers and fruits. It plays a crucial role in various enzymatic reactions involved in flower initiation, pollination, and fruit setting.
Enhances Root Growth: Potassium helps in root development, leading to a more extensive and robust root system. This, in turn, improves the plant's ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil.
Strengthens Cell Walls: Potassium contributes to the integrity of plant cell walls, making them stronger and more resistant to diseases and physical stress. This leads to healthier and more resilient plants.
Improves Water Use Efficiency: Plants supplied with sufficient potassium tend to use water more efficiently, reducing water stress and enhancing drought tolerance.
Aids Photosynthesis: Potassium is involved in the opening and closing of stomata, tiny pores on the plant's leaves that regulate gas exchange. Proper stomatal function improves photosynthesis, the process through which plants convert sunlight into energy and food.
Increases Disease Resistance: Potassium has been shown to enhance a plant's natural defense mechanisms against certain diseases and pathogens, making the plant more resistant to infections.
Regulates Internal Processes: Potassium helps in various metabolic functions within the plant, including protein synthesis, enzyme activation, and the transport of sugars and other nutrients throughout the plant.

Overall, potassium is essential for the overall health and vigor of dragon fruit plants. Adequate potassium supply contributes to better growth, higher yields, improved quality of fruits and vegetables, and increased tolerance to environmental stressors.

However, it's essential to maintain a proper balance of nutrients, as excessive potassium can lead to imbalances with other nutrients, affecting plant health. Soil testing and following recommended application rates are essential to ensure the right use of liquid potash or any other potassium-containing fertilizer.