How to grow a small potted dragon fruit
Are you curious about how to grow a small potted dragon fruit and knowledge about the best planting time for dragon fruit flowers? Please see the detailed introduction below.
Dragon fruit is a cultivated variety of cactaceae, a fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, native to countries such as Guatemala and Colombia in Central America. It tastes sweet, the flesh is rich in various vitamins and other nutrients, and it also has the effects of promoting intestinal peristalsis, lowering cholesterol, and preventing colorectal cancer. Next, I will introduce the cultivation methods for a dragon fruit pot plant.
1. Seed selection
You can directly select the seeds from the dragon fruit flesh, and the number of seeds depends on the size of the potting container. Since the remaining flesh can lead to bacterial growth, it is important to remove the flesh first.
2. Choosing potting soil
Choose a well-draining, sandy soil and a properly sized pot for the dragon fruit. Since dragon fruit has shallow roots, soil drainage is particularly important, and the pot should also have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, preferably a clay pot. Additionally, it is important to disinfect the soil before planting.
3. Cutting propagation
For cutting propagation, you can directly choose cutting seedlings, select a suitable and robust branch, and insert it into the soil. You can place some tiles and stones in the soil to increase the potting soil's aeration and drainage. Also, after inserting the branch into the soil, insert a stick and tie the stick and branch together, which can make the plant form more upright.
4. Watering
Dragon fruit is drought-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, so it is essential to drain the water promptly during the planting process. Increase the watering frequency in spring and summer, and pay attention to timely drainage during rainy seasons.
5. Sunlight
Dragon fruit enjoys sunlight but can tolerate shade. Sufficient sunlight can promote the fruit's photosynthesis, accelerate its growth rate, and increase the sugar content in the flesh. During the summer noon, it is necessary to provide some shade to avoid direct sunlight, as otherwise, it could lead to excessive water evaporation from the plant.
6. Temperature
As a fruit native to tropical and subtropical regions, dragon fruit prefers warmth and can tolerate high temperatures. Moreover, its cold resistance is also noteworthy. The most suitable ambient temperature for dragon fruit growth is between 25-35 degrees. It can still grow when the summer temperature reaches 40 degrees. However, when waiting for newly planted pots to sprout, it is important to keep them warm. If the temperature is too low, you can cover the new pots with plastic film for insulation.
7. Diseases and pests
Sericillium disease is one of the most common diseases and pests affecting dragon fruit, mainly caused by the plant's wounds being exposed to a humid environment for an extended period, leading to bacterial infection. In this case, the affected part should be cut directly, or the ulcerated tissue should be opened and treated with sulfur-phosphorus powder, or the affected area should be left in a dry environment to heal naturally.
The above is an introduction to how to grow a small potted dragon fruit and the best planting time for dragon fruit, which can be used as a reference suggestion.