Dragon fruit planting question.

[TheDom]

I was wondering if it would be better to plant this DF as is and train the top two branches up the trellis I'll be using, or would it make more sense to cut it down to just the longest continuous vertical stem and plant the cuttings around the trellis once they're ready?

[simon_grow]

remove all side branches and keep only 1-3 of the longest most vertical branches to grow straight up.  Continue removing all side branches and top your leaders around 6 feet tall to promote side branches up top.  Continue to remove side branches that are below about 4-5 feet.  After about 2 years of production, you can thin 1/3-2/3 of the branches every year to stimulate fresh new growth for continual fruit production.  Please keep us updated.  Btw, what variety are you growing?

Simon

[ricshaw]

American Beauty?

[TheDom]

American Beauty?

You got it Ricshaw!

Thanks Simon! I'll probably root those side branches then and plant them elsewhere or use them for trade. I'll post a pic of the trellis we put together once we get it in.

[simon_grow]

Here's a helpful video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VYRBpaXb6x0

Simon