How to grow dragon fruit at home?

Pitahaya or pitaya is the fruit of several varieties of cactus. Pitahaya usually belongs to the genus Stenocereus, while pitahaya (or dragon fruit) is a fruit from the genus Hylocereus. You can find out how to grow it at home from seeds on this page. It also offers a description of the culture and its requirements for environmental conditions for successful development, flowering and fruiting. Look at the photo of pitahaya - this magnificent plant can decorate any interior

Pitahaya is better known as dragon fruit - this name she takes from Asian countries: Indonesia - buah naga (dragon fruit), khamers in Thailand - sror kaa neak (from dragon scales), Taiwan - kaeo mangkon (dragon crystal), Laos - maak manggohn , Viet Nam - thanh long (green dragon) and China - huǒ lóng guǒ (dragon pearl fruit). There are other colloquial names: strawberry pear, or nanectica fruit, for example (another kind of pear).

Cactus and pitahaya plant: photo and description

The pitahaya cactus was originally native to Mexico, but was later transplanted into Central America and other parts of the world. This plant is grown in East Asia, South and Southeast Asia, in countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia and Bangladesh. More recently, they have also been found in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, Northern Australia, Southern China and Cyprus. The following description will give you a general idea of ​​the culture. You can also see a variety of pitahaya photos that illustrate the appearance of the plant:

For the first time, the fruit was introduced into wide circulation by Europeans, most likely, who brought it from the New World. In the case of Taiwan, the fruit was brought in by the Dutch. Pitahaya grows and blooms only at night: it has large, white, fragrant flowers typical of cactus flowers. It is also grown as an ornamental plant - used in gardens as a flowering vine, and as a houseplant indoors. The plant can bloom three to six times a year, depending on growing conditions. A high air temperature and a sufficient degree of moisture saturation are required. It is advisable in a harsh climate to carry out additional lighting for about 5 hours a day. Phytolamps are used for this.

How is the pitahaya fruit eaten

Sour Pitaya is one of the varieties of this fruit. It is commonly eaten in the arid regions of North and South America. How the pitahaya fruit is eaten - we will tell you a little further, but for now let's dwell on the beneficial properties. The consumption of pitahaya lowers the level of glucose in the body, which makes the fruit one of the few available for people with diabetes. Also, numerous tests have confirmed the beneficial effects of the fruit on the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

The pulp of the fruit is easily digestible, so it can be taken during intestinal and stomach disorders: the intestines return to normal, and the bloating disappears. The seeds of the fruit contain tannin, which is beneficial for people with poor eyesight. It is more sour, but at the same time refreshing, its pulp is juicier with a richer taste. Sour feeding in some deserts is an important source of food for the indigenous population. Dragonfruit bears fruit after 30-50 days of flowering, like other trees, and can produce 5-6 harvests per year. There are several farms in Taiwan that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare annually. Drinking too much of the red dragon fruit pulp can lead to harmless coloration of urine or stool red.

To prepare the pitahaya for consumption, you must first cut the fruit to expose the pulp. The texture of the fruit is sometimes compared to kiwi, due to its black crunchy seeds. The pulp, eaten raw, is slightly sweet and, importantly, low in calories. The seeds are eaten with the pulp - they resemble the taste of nuts and are rich in lipids, but are poorly absorbed by the body if not chewed. The peel is not eaten.

The fruit is often made into wine or juice, or used to flavor other beverages. The flowers can also be eaten or used as tea if allowed to infuse for a while.

How to grow pitahaya from seeds at home

It is quite difficult to purchase cuttings in stores due to the fact that the plant is quite rare. Therefore, other methods of breeding cactus are used. Before growing pitahaya from seeds at home, you should take care of the planting material. After thorough cleaning of the seeds from the pulp of the fruit, they are stored until completely dry. Ideally, the fruit should be clean, immaculate and overripe. The seeds grow well in compost or potting mix. The pitahaya cactus usually germinates after two weeks of shallow planting. Like other cacti, over-watering is a major problem for gardeners. As the plant continues to grow, the climbing plant will need some kind of support to rise. For example, you can put aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. As soon as the plant reaches 4 kilograms of weight, it begins to bloom.

As we have already said, the pitahaya begins to bloom at night, and fades in the morning. They rely on nocturnal pollinators such as bats and butterflies for fertilization. Self-fertilization does not produce fruit in all species, while cross-breeding results in self-fertile cross-pollinated varieties. In the second species, as a rule, the fruit set and their quality increase.

Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of stem breaks open, it can take root in the soil and become a bush in its own right. The plant can withstand temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius and very short periods of frost, but will not last long under subzero temperatures. Excessive watering or a large amount of rainfall can cause rotting of fruits and flowers.

3 parts: Choosing the right conditions Planting and caring for your dragon fruit Harvesting

Pitaya is the fruit of several types of cactus. Originally from Mexico, it is also commonly known in English as "dragon fruit". Later, the fruit began to be grown in Central America and other parts of the world. This plant is rather picky; it can take years before it finally bears fruit. But if you're willing to wait, then the reward will be bright, colorful, exotic treats.

Part 1 Choosing the Right Conditions

1. Choose between dragonfruit seeds and mature seedlings.

   Your choice will depend on the desired time. If you choose to grow dragon fruit from seed, it may take two years or so for your plant to bear its first fruits.

   If you grow it from scions, it will take much less time (depending on the size of your seedling).

   • By the way, growing from seeds is more difficult.It just takes longer.
   • You can purchase a dragon fruit plant from professional florists, ready to be transplanted into your garden. Just be careful when removing the plant from the box to avoid damaging the seedlings.
2. Decide if you will grow the plant outdoors or indoors, outdoors or in a pot.

   Believe it or not, dragon fruit grows well in pots. If you are using a pot, it should be 37-60 cm in diameter and at least 25 cm deep with a netting grate. However, the plant may eventually grow to such a size that it will need to be transplanted into a larger pot.

   • If your plant will grow outdoors (in a pot or just in the ground), choose an area with partial shade. The roots can remain in the shade, while the top of the plant should be in the sun for best flowering.
   • If you live in warm climates with long warm seasons, this plant can survive outdoors as well. It is usually resistant to light frost, but nothing more. Bring the plant indoors if the winter is harsh in your area.
3. Use sandy cactus soils with good drainage.

   After all, in fact, this plant is a cactus. Worst of all, if the soil is too wet and oozy. They are picky about bait, so they don't require much attention to feed. Plant them in a part of your garden where water will not collect in puddles. If there is too much rainfall in your area, plant your dragonfruit on hillocks or hills to allow the water to flow down.

   • If you choose to plant it in a pot, use a large container with drainage holes in the bottom. If you do not have special soil for cacti, you can prepare it yourself from sand, substrate and compost. Fill the pot 7 cm from the edges.

Part 2 Planting and Caring for the Dragon Fruit

1. Plant flush with the soil line.

   If you are using cuttings or seedlings from a box, remove them carefully from the container and transplant them into new soil. If using seeds, add a few to each pot and sprinkle lightly with soil.

   • As for planting seeds, you will have to wait and see which ones germinate. After a few weeks, you will have sprouts and will most likely need to be transplanted. Otherwise, they will not be able to grow fully.
   • Before planting, mix a small amount of slow-release fertilizer with the bottom soil; this can speed up the growth of your plant.
2. Fertilize occasionally.

   Even seedlings take up to four months to develop a good, strong root system.

   However, be careful when fertilizing: an oversupply can easily kill your plant. For best results, feed them a slow-release, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer about once every two months. You may be tempted to add more to speed up growth, but it won't help.

   • As it grows, make sure the dragon fruit gets enough sunlight. The top of the plant should be in the sun about 80 percent of the time. If this is not ensured, the plant may hibernate.
3. Water your dragon fruit in the same way as a tropical cactus.

   In other words, water with a small amount of water, and only when the plant is practically dry. If it is large, it is recommended to install a support bar and keep it moist. In this case, it is helpful to use droppers.

   • Over-watering is usually the most common cause of death of this plant. Resist the temptation; it does not need abundant watering. When using a pot, consider the possibility of draining water from it. If there are no drain holes, even less water is required. Otherwise, water will accumulate at the bottom and cause rotting and decay of the root.

Part 3 Harvesting

1. Learn the specifics of dragon fruit growth.

   It can take a couple of years to grow, but some plants grow in giant strides every week. When it starts to grow, you can use the support to shape it. This will help it open up completely without damaging or weighing it down.

   • If you are planting dragonfruit from seeds and you see young shoots, plant them in separate pots. They need their own patch of soil to grow and flower.
   • You will notice the buds develop over many weeks. However, the bloom only lasts one night (yes, it is nocturnal) so you will most likely miss it in full glory. Many of them are considered self-pollinating (unless you try hand pollination by scraping natural pollen from the pistil into the flower). If the fruit is ripe, you will notice that the flower withers and the base of the flower begins to swell.
2. Prune the plant.

   The dragon fruit plant can grow quite large; some species even reach 6.1 m in height.

   When the plant grows too large, start pruning it by cutting off a few branches at a time. Losing weight strengthens the plant, concentrates nutrients and stimulates flowering.

   • You don't have to throw away the cut branches! You can either transplant them yourself and grow another plant (they take root with little effort) or donate seedlings to someone.
3. Pick the fruit in the second half of the year.

   In most climates, the fruit will ripen between July and December, depending on how warm the year was. You can tell if your fruit is ripe if it turns pink on the outside (or yellow like Selenicereus Magalanthus).

   • Press down on the fruit with your finger. The fruit is fully ripe if it is soft, like a ripe avocado.
4. Eat.

   You've been waiting for this moment for so long, so just enjoy it. You can cut the fruit in quarters and peel it off, or simply spoon it on to the fruit. It is sweet and kiwi-like in texture, but more crunchy.

   • In one fertile year, you can see four to six fertile cycles. They eventually mature, it just takes some time. So don't think that the first fruit will be the last. You have waited patiently, and a bountiful harvest is your reward.

Advice

• The fastest way to plant a dragon fruit (dragon fruit) is to simply break off or rip off an adult plant. The torn branch will quickly take root in search of new soil.

Warnings

• The plant is able to withstand temperatures up to 40 ° C and very short periods of frost, but will not survive prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. • Flowers and fruits can rot due to over-watering or excessive rainfall.

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Pitaya, in other words "pitahaya", "dragon fruit" is one of the exotic plants that grows at home. Its fruit has a white flesh with a sweet and sour taste, in which there are many small edible seeds. The taste of pitaya can be compared to the taste of kiwi, which is better known to the domestic consumer. Growing pitahaya at home is an exciting process for every lover of exotic plants in the house.

Sliced ​​Pitaya

Type and origin

The dragon fruit belongs to the numerous cactus family. In addition to the unusual name, it also has an original appearance - the surface is covered with large scales, with the tips painted in a bright salad (green) color. Pitahaya is about the size of an apple, but with a more elongated shape. Its pulp can be white, red and even purple, inside which there are a large number of small dark-colored seeds.

Red pitahaya native to America

In vivo, pitahaya appeared in America.It was a very popular fruit among the Indians, as it was easy to pick and did not need any additional processing before eating.

Its name - dragon fruit, pitahaya received in accordance with an old legend that describes numerous battles with dragons, which, being unable to release fire from themselves from fatigue, spat these fruits.

With all the variety of species of pitahaya for growing on a windowsill, the most famous are three:

• Costa Rican;
• Red;
• yellow.

For example, in Vietnam, the red species is cultivated. This variety has a reddish-pink skin and white flesh. The taste of red pitahaya is fresh with a subtle herbaceous smell. It is she who is sold in supermarkets.

The yellow variety is characterized by white flesh and yellow skin, and is also the sweetest and most aromatic pitahaya.

Costa Rican - has a red color both inside and outside.

Pitahaya is grown at home quite successfully and even bears fruit.

Landing

Pitahaya is grown at home from freshly harvested seeds, but dried seeds retain the ability to germinate for some time.

Pitaya pulp contains small seeds that are thoroughly washed before planting.

For planting, you need the pulp taken from the ripe fruit, knead it thoroughly, fill it with plain water and let it stand for some time. Then strain through sieves with very small meshes. This procedure should be repeated several times so that the seeds are completely free of pulp. If at least a little pulp remains on the seeds, later, after planting, they will not germinate, since the process of decay will begin.

Well-washed pitahaya seeds are dried and after a few days planted in soil pretreated with biofungicide to eliminate possible mold formation.

Seeds are planted in soil, which, by its composition, is intended for succulent plants (able to store moisture). A pot with soil for a future plant must necessarily have a drainage layer at the bottom. When sowing, the top layer of the soil is moistened, with the expectation that moisture will penetrate into the soil no more than two-thirds in depth. After planting the seeds, the pot is covered with a transparent material (glass, plastic, polyethylene) to create greenhouse conditions.

Pitaya grown in a seed pot

The first shoots appear after the first week, and plants suitable for transplantation - after 4 weeks. After that, young plants dive into separate pots for further growth and development. In the future, plants can be kept in a cool room with constant soil moisture.

Reproduction of pitahaya can also be done by cuttings, but an adult plant reacts painfully to taking cuttings from it.

Watering and fertilizer

Pitahaya is regularly watered from spring to late summer. In autumn, watering is reduced, and in winter, it is practically stopped altogether. This watering regime promotes better flower formation. Excessive moisture in the soil very often leads to rotting, so overflow should be avoided.

With active growth (in spring, summer and autumn), the pitahaya is regularly fed with a mixture of fertilizers designed for succulent plants. Suitable mixtures that are sold to fertilize cacti.

Pitaya. What is this fruit ?

Temperature and lighting

In the warm season, pitahaya must be kept in a room where the temperature does not exceed 25 degrees. The most comfortable for the plant is the usual room temperature. The plant can normally withstand a short-term cold snap, up to about zero temperature. In this case, you do not need to water it.

After the appearance of needles on pitaya cacti, you need to dive them into pots with moist soil

Pitahaya is not a classic representative of desert flora or dry and warm climates.It grows well in shaded areas or rooms lit by diffused sunlight. In good summer weather, if there is such an opportunity, the pots with the plant can be taken out into the garden, placing them under the crowns of trees, where there is a stable shade and good ventilation. This will have a beneficial effect on the further growth and development of the plant.

Flowering and ovary

Flowers in pitahaya grown at home can appear after 5-7 years, when the plant is already well developed and has sufficient vegetative mass. The presence of good and long-term illumination is one of the fundamental factors in the flowering of pitahaya.

Flowering pitaya

In order for fruits to appear after flowering, the plant must be artificially pollinated. To do this, use a soft brush or an ordinary swab made of cotton wool. Cross-pollination requires a minimum of two separate plants. It should also be remembered that pitahaya flowers bloom only in the dark (at night).

With a successful pollination, after five, six weeks, it will be possible to pluck the already ripe fruits.

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Video: How pitahaya grows

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The heart of the dragon is a fruit, a very unusual, exotic fruit of a liana-like, epiphytic cactus. This fruit has many names: pitaya, pitahaya, prickly pear, dragon fruit, dragon heart and a number of other names, depending on where the cactus grows.

This plant is cultivated in the countries of Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, Israel. And also in Central and South America and in the north of Australia. But Mexico is considered the birthplace of the prickly pear.

Content:

• The legend of the dragon's heart
• Breeding methods, soil preferences, planting
• Requirements for watering, lighting, temperature
• Growing and care

The legend of the dragon's heart

The ancient Aztecs had one unusual legend about the heart of a dragon. And, as everyone knows, the Aztec civilization was located on the territory of modern Mexico, and was famous for its mythology. This legend tells of a long-term brutal war of people with dragons spewing fire.

Time after time, battle after battle, the huge dragons lost battle to the brave Indian warriors.

When the mighty beasts could no longer belch flame, they, exhausted, spat out their heart from their mouths and died. According to legend, the Indians won a fierce war and exterminated powerful dragons. In memory of that great victory in the lands of the Aztecs, an unusual plant appeared, the fruit of which, like two drops of water, looked like a red and thorny dragon heart.

Appearance, useful properties, composition, various types of pitaya

The pitahaya plant is a liana-like, climbing, epiphytic cactus with a three-lobed stem. Reaches a height of 10 meters. Depending on the type of cactus, its fruits also differ:

• by the color of the pulp, which can be bright red, yellow or white
• by size (from 150 to 800 g)
• by skin color (from yellow to bright red)

The most common species of this plant are Costa Rican pitahaya, yellow pitahaya and red pitaya. The ripe "dragon heart" contains a number of useful substances:

• phosphorus
• protein
• vitamins C and B
• riboflavin
• iron
• niacin
• calcium
• theanine

Pitaya has beneficial properties that have a beneficial effect on the human body:

• normalization of bowel function
• tonic effect on the cardiovascular system
• elimination of bloating and indigestion
• strengthening of vision
• healing wounds and cuts
• improving memory
• weight loss

The juice from the stalks of the cactus has an anthelmintic effect, but it must be used with caution in order to avoid overdose. Pitaya can cause an allergic reaction, like any tropical fruit, so precautions must be taken when eating this fruit.

Breeding methods, soil preferences, planting

Pitaya flowers and bears fruit all year round if the conditions are right. In Thailand, for example, up to seven crops are harvested per season. Unlike desert cacti, pitahaya does not tolerate heat and prefers a humid subtropical climate. The plant feels well at temperatures from +25 to 30 ° С, withstands heat up to + 40 ° С and cold up to 0 ° С.

Propagated by cuttings, seeds, as well as by grafting. Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than one centimeter, the soil is moistened and covered with transparent glass or film to achieve a greenhouse effect. After germination, the seedlings are planted.

On industrial plantations, pitahaya is grown on strong supports, which over time are closed by a network of airy sucked roots, and a cactus on a support looks like a large green fountain. The plant is not demanding on the quality of the soil. The main thing is that the soil is well drained, since when waterlogged, the pitahaya dies.

The seedlings are planted in the soil in the spring, flush with the soil, the bottom layer of which is mixed with a small amount of slow-acting fertilizer to accelerate plant growth. At home, pitahaya grows well both in pots and in greenhouses. When planting in pots, sandy soil is used with the addition of substrate and compost. The bottom of the pot should have drainage holes and a layer of small stones.

Requirements for watering, lighting, temperature

Almost immediately, this plant must be provided with support, since it is an epiphyte. When watering the plant, you should try to moisten only two-thirds of the root. The bottom layer of the soil must remain dry. The support also needs to be moistened. Watering is carried out when the soil dries out two centimeters in depth about once a week.

Pitahaya is demanding on sunlight: 80% of the daily time, the plant should be under light. If the "dragon heart" is grown at home, then the cactus must be illuminated using a special lamp for indoor flowers. In winter, the plant practically ceases to be watered, the temperature around it can be lowered from 27 to 17 ° C, the light intensity can be reduced.

Growing and care

During the period of formation and growth, the plant needs to be fed, but not overdo it, since the pitahaya dies from overeating. You can feed once every two months with low-nitrogen and slow-acting fertilizers.

If the growing conditions are optimal, then the pitahaya develops very quickly. To avoid overweight and redirect nutrients, the plant needs to be pruned. The dragon heart is easy to cut. With sufficient light, nutrition and temperature, the pitahaya forms buds over several weeks and blooms.

Flowering occurs in the dark and only one night. In nature, flowers are pollinated by bats and insects, and at home, cross-pollination with a brush or cotton pad is necessary, although this may not be necessary, as many species are considered self-pollinating. If the pollination is successful, then the flower withers, and its base begins to swell.

Fruit ripening occurs from July to December.The heart of the dragon is an unpretentious plant, and its cultivation is a fascinating and rewarding activity, since this exotic fruit, along with a wonderful taste, also has a lot of useful properties.

Video about the beautiful tropical fruit pitahaya: