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Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is an exotic, tropical fruit renowned for its vibrant appearance and mildly sweet flavor. Here’s how to grow dragon fruit in your own garden.
Choosing Your Dragon Fruit Variety
Dragon fruit plants come in three types, each bearing a different coloured fruit: Hylocereus undatus (white flesh), Hylocereus costaricensis (red flesh), and Hylocereus megalanthus (yellow skin, white flesh). The choice will depend on your personal flavour preference and climate suitability.
Planting Dragon Fruit
- When to Plant: Dragon fruit cuttings or seedlings can be planted anytime, but spring is generally the best time.
- Where to Plant: Dragon fruit requires full sun, plenty of space, and a sturdy support, like a trellis or fence, to grow on.
- How to Plant: Plant cuttings or seedlings in well-draining soil about 2 feet apart.
Caring for Your Dragon Fruit Plant
- Watering: Dragon fruit needs regular but moderate watering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
- Feeding: Feed your dragon fruit plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer every two months during the growing season.
- Pruning: Regularly trim your dragon fruit plant to encourage productive growth and make harvesting easier.
Harvesting and Storing Dragon Fruit
- When to Harvest: Dragon fruit is ready to harvest approximately 30 days after the fruit changes colour.
- How to Store: Dragon fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Growing dragon fruit at home is an exciting gardening adventure that rewards you with an exotic, nutritious fruit that’s a standout in any fruit salad or smoothie.