The pitaya is the fruit of several cactus plants. Known more commonly as "dragon fruit", the pitaya is native to Mexico but was later transplanted to Central America and other parts of the world. Caring for the plant is pretty simple; That said, it can take years for it to bear fruit. Are you willing to wait? In that case you will be rewarded with a multitude of delicious exotic fruits with a bright color.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Decide whether to grow the plant from seeds or cuttings
The choice mainly depends on the time you have available. If you want to grow the plant from seeds, it may take a couple of years for it to bear fruit. If you decide to multiply the plant by cuttings, the times will be considerably reduced (depending on the size of the cutting).
- Growing the plant from seed is not difficult, it just takes longer.
- You can turn to professional growers to buy seedlings ready to be transplanted; just be careful when you take them out of the container, so as not to damage them.
Step 2. Decide whether to keep the plants indoors or outdoors by planting them in a pot or in open ground
Dragon fruit can also grow well in a container. If you opt for this variant, use a pot between 30 and 50 cm in diameter, at least 25 cm deep and equipped with a growth support. The plant could grow to a substantial size and in this case it will need to be transplanted into a larger pot.
- If you plan to plant outside (in a pot or not), choose a partially sunny area. The roots can remain in the shade, but the ends of the plant will need to be in the sun for the pitaya to flower.
- If you live in a place with a mild climate, where the growing season lasts a long time, the plant can be placed outside. This type of plant can withstand the cold, as long as it is light. If you live in an area where winter is severe, bring the plant indoors.
Step 3. Use cactus-friendly, sandy and well-draining soil
We're talking about a cactus plant, so don't use damp soil at all. These are plants with rather limited needs. Put them in an area of the garden where the water does not tend to collect; if you live in a rainy region, plant your cacti at the top of a slope so that the water runs out properly.
If you decide to plant in a pot, choose one with drainage holes in the bottom. If you do not have suitable soil for cactus plants, you can use a mixture of sand, potting soil and compost. Fill the pot up to 7cm from the rim
Part 2 of 3: Planting and Caring for Pitaya
Step 1. Let the cuttings dry before planting
If you have a fresh cutting, it's best to let it dry in a cool, shady spot for about a week. This will allow the cut to heal and prevent infections once planted.
Step 2. Plant them in sunlight
The leaves of the plant should be exposed to direct sunlight for best results. Make sure the plant gets adequate light as it grows.
Step 3. Transplant the pitaya flush with the ground
If you are using cuttings or seedlings from a nursery, gently take them out of their container and transplant them flush with the ground. If you are using seeds, scatter some in each container and cover them lightly with potting soil.
- As for the seeds, you will have to wait for them to start sprouting. If this happens, you will need to transplant the sprouts into different containers, otherwise they will not grow properly.
- Before transplanting, consider mixing the soil in the bottom of the pot with some slow release fertilizer, which may help with growth.
Step 4. Fertilize occasionally
Even starting from the cutting, the pitaya could take months to develop a solid root system. As for fertilizing, be cautious - fertilizing too frequently could kill the plant. For best results, use a slow release, low nitrogen fertilizer, no more than once every two months. Contrary to what one might think, fertilizing more frequently will not help growth.
While growing, make sure the pitaya gets a sufficient dose of sunlight. The ends of the plant should be in the sun for 80% of the day. The plant may go back to stasis if it doesn't get enough light
Step 5. Water the pitaya as you would any cactus
In other words, give it some water when the soil is practically dry. If the plant is tall enough to need support, keep it moist (a dripper might be useful in these cases).
Receiving too much water is, in many cases, the first reason for death for this type of plant. Don't be tempted, they just need very little water! If you keep potted pitaya, check the drainage. If there are no drainage holes, the plant needs even less water: if you water it too much, the water will stagnate at the bottom of the pot causing it to rot and die
Part 3 of 3: Collect the Fruits
Step 1. Observe the growth of the pitaya
Although the plant can take a couple of years to start growing at a constant rate, over time it could develop buds as long as 20 cm. When the plant begins to develop, you can use a support to give it structure - this will help it reach its full potential by preventing it from cracking or bending down.
- If you have planted pitaya from seeds, separate the shoots by placing them in different pots. Everyone needs their soil to grow and thrive.
- A flower should appear over the course of a few weeks. To be sure, the pitaya will bloom at night (it is a nocturnal flower), so you might miss the show. Many varieties are self-pollinating, but you can try to encourage pollination by taking pollen from one flower with a brush and then placing it on another. If a fruit is about to grow, you will notice a bulge at the base of the flower, which will wilt.
Step 2. Prune the plant
The pitaya can get quite large, some varieties can reach 6 meters in height. When it gets too big, start pruning it by cutting branches. The lower weight should make it stronger, concentrating the nutrients in the flowering.
You don't have to throw the branches away! You can replant them in a pot and grow another pitaya (they take root very quickly) or give them to someone
Step 3. Reap the rewards in the second half of the year
The fruit usually ripens from July to December, depending on the year. You will understand that the fruit is ripe depending on the external color, which should be pink (or yellow, as is the case with the Selenicereus Megalanthus variety). Press the surface of the fruit with your finger. If it's as soft as a ripe avocado, it's ready.
Step 4. Eat the fruit
You've probably been waiting for this moment for years, so enjoy it! You can cut the fruit into four parts and remove the zest, or scoop out the inside with a teaspoon. The fruit is sweet and has the texture similar to that of kiwifruit, but is slightly crunchy.
When the pitaya reaches its full maturity, it can bear fruit four to six times a year. The production cycles can also be more, but it takes time. Do not think that the first fruit is also the last. You've waited a long time, now it's harvest time
Advice
A quick way to plant a pitaya is to cut off a piece of plant from an existing cactus; separate branches will not wither and easily take root in the ground
Warnings
- These plants can withstand high temperatures (up to 40 degrees) and short periods of frost (they cannot survive a prolonged cold anyway).
- Receiving too much water can cause flowers to fall off and fruit to rot.
