The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: nullzero on February 02, 2012, 10:58:38 PM

Title: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 02, 2012, 10:58:38 PM
Thought I would start a Dragon Fruit thread. Would love to see dragon fruit setups and talk about what varieties are being grown and how they taste. Will start by saying im growing 3 varieties in containers; Purple Haze, Physical Graffiti, Yellow Dragon. I am also working on rooting a few cuttings of different varieties. Have not gotten fruit yet, but expecting to maybe have it this year.

Physical Graffiti (In 18 gal tote self watering container)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LYNVnwZv5Ac/TxRyzvUfmDI/AAAAAAAAB4o/qjz3UIlxiCA/s640/P1030557.JPG)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NewGen on February 02, 2012, 11:40:39 PM
I have Hylocereus undatus: many flowers and fruits.
Hylocereus polyrhizus: red flesh, 1st time flowers last year, no fruits set.
Hylocereus megalanthus: still very short, hardly growing at all,  supposedly the fruits have yellow skin.
In the photos below, one 1 is of the red-flesh variety (H. polyrhizus). Notice that the flower buds have different coloration and the branches have different thorn pattern than the more popular H. undatus.
I also have a small branch of Physical Graffiti, not sure what its scientific name is.


(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_5664.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_5653-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_2387-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_2240.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/poly1.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 03, 2012, 12:43:47 AM
Physical Graffiti is said to be a Hylocerus Polyrhizus X Hylocereus Undatus hybrid (that is what Mattslandscape.com list it as). Beautiful pictures, how are the fruits?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NewGen on February 03, 2012, 01:58:36 AM
I would classify that over half of the fruits were on the sweet side, the rest kinda bland. I've heard that after the fruits set, you're supposed to reduce watering to get sweet fruits. I honestly don't remember my watering pattern when I had the fruits, it was over last summer, and it was pretty hot and dry here in my area, so more than likely I didn't withhold water. Will try to leave them thirsty this coming summer.  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on February 03, 2012, 10:27:31 AM
I have 7 different kinds of dragonfruit in 3 gallon pots. I don't really have a 'setup' for them yet. I need to build some beds with wooden frames for them to climb and then I could cover them when it gets too cold. I am in a zn 9a (NE Florida) so I have not put them in anything permanent because I move them into the greenhouse during the winter months. I also bought a lot of my dragon fruit from mattslandscape 3 years ago. The plain H. undatus I have had for 5 years.  I really need to do something with them. I'm such a mean dragonfruit mommy!! haha
I also grow orchid cactus (ornamental epiphyllums) but just keep them in clay pots with hangers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on February 03, 2012, 10:34:25 AM
I forgot to post my varieties lol: So far I have: Red Jaina, Costa Rican Sunset, Yellow Dragon, Physical Grafitti, H. undatus ( I think this is the plain white one it is the first one I bought and that is all the tag said), Voodoo Child, American Beauty. Some are much bigger than others. Some seem much slower growing than others.

 Are you guys growing your dragonfruit in full afternoon sun or dappled afternoon sun?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NewGen on February 03, 2012, 11:19:35 AM
sjn: how cold does it get in your area? I'm not sure that your DF need any protection. Mine are in full sun, with several summer days over 100 F (usually 90s) , and in the winter with low temps around the 30s.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on February 03, 2012, 11:41:58 AM
Well it seems to vary. This winter we only had a few days under 32, one in the 20's. The winter of 2009, we had several days down into the teens lol. I think it usually gets into the upper to mid 20's F a few times in the winter and several nights of 32F. It warms up pretty good during the daytime.  I have only been here 3 1/2 years so far so kinda figuring it out as I go. We got up into the 100's F a few times last summer but the direct sun here is not as burning hot as when I lived on the west coast, probably due to the humidity.

Soooo I am thinking, if I built a long wooden raised bed with a tall 2x4 frame around it I could cover it if I needed to and possibly even stick a small heater in there if it gets too cold.

Lenette
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on February 03, 2012, 04:28:14 PM
Has anyone seen a list which definitively distinguishes between the different species?  There is much information available from nurseries and websites that lists characteristics of some species, but the more you look the more that it becomes apparent that most people are simply repeating what they have been told or read somewhere.  Making matters worse is the renaming of dragonfruit cultivars by reputable nurseries such as Pine Island.  I believe that it was Murahilin that discovered that many of their named cultivars formerly had different names when they were grown by the late Jim Thompson of California.  Any chance you've still got that list Murahilin?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 03, 2012, 05:24:23 PM
Great topic nullzero!  I'm currently growing Halley's Comet, American Beauty, Vietnamese White, Yellow DF, Frankies Red and something I call Simon's Red.  The Vietnamese White is the easiest to grow and fruit for me.  I have the most difficult time growing the Yellow DF outdoors but the easiest time growing it indoors under T5 lighting.  My yellow DF grew 3 branches, each that grew about 2 feet in about a month and a half in the winter indoors. 

I just took cuttings from each plant and I'm going to start new with a planned out set up.  Previously, I just stuck them in a pot and let them climb everywhere.  They grew and fruited well this way but it was sloppy looking.  This time, I'm going to try growing them in smart pots and grow them as a DF tree like they do in Vietnam. 

I grow my DF in full sun but they do get burned in the summertime.  This summer, I may throw some shade cloth over them during the hottest part of the summer. 
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NewGen on February 03, 2012, 06:52:29 PM
Great topic nullzero!  I'm currently growing Halley's Comet, American Beauty, Vietnamese White, Yellow DF, Frankies Red and something I call Simon's Red.  The Vietnamese White is the easiest to grow and fruit for me. I have the most difficult time growing the Yellow DF outdoors but the easiest time growing it indoors under T5 lighting.  My yellow DF grew 3 branches, each that grew about 2 feet in about a month and a half in the winter indoors. 

I just took cuttings from each plant and I'm going to start new with a planned out set up.  Previously, I just stuck them in a pot and let them climb everywhere.  They grew and fruited well this way but it was sloppy looking.  This time, I'm going to try growing them in smart pots and grow them as a DF tree like they do in Vietnam. 

I grow my DF in full sun but they do get burned in the summertime.  This summer, I may throw some shade cloth over them during the hottest part of the summer. 
Simon

Simon,
What do you suppose is the reason that the yellow DF is more difficult to grow? I have a yellow DF branch, I stuck it into the ground next to the others, it just withered and died, while the others grew normally. Why does it grow better indoor? Humidity?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NewGen on February 03, 2012, 06:53:47 PM
I have Hylocereus undatus: many flowers and fruits.
Hylocereus polyrhizus: red flesh, 1st time flowers last year, no fruits set.
Hylocereus megalanthus: never could adapt to my area, is now dead,  supposedly the fruits have yellow skin. Maybe I need to grow it indoor?
In the photos below, one 1 is of the red-flesh variety (H. polyrhizus). Notice that the flower buds have different coloration and the branches have different thorn pattern than the more popular H. undatus.
I also have a small branch of Physical Graffiti, not sure what its scientific name is.


(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_5664.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_5653-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_2387-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/DSC_2240.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/poly1.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on February 04, 2012, 03:25:07 PM
I did a little research on the yellow dragonfruit. Its botanical name is Selenicereus Megalanthus. It is not in the same family as the Hylocereus. It
seems to like more shade and a sandier mix and not as much water as the Hylocereus varieties. I found a research paper that said the Selenicereus Megalanthus is a tetraploid whereas the Hylocereus is a diploid. So they are more different than I thought.  I saw another research paper that said the S. Megalanthus reacts more to C02 levels by producing greater growth than the Hylocereus.
Some of this probably explains why mine has hardly grown at all, I have had it in quite a bit of sun and a richer potting mix. I have not watered anything as much as I should have this past year just due to being busy lol so I guess that is a good thing with this plant.
 I have a Selenicereus grandiflorus (night blooming-ornamental climbing cactus) and I have it in dappled light under a huge live oak and potted in a very sandy mixture and don't water it all that often. It grows very long branches and does pretty well. I guess I will move the yellow dragonfruit next to it and repot it in similar media and see what happens.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lycheeluva on February 04, 2012, 04:48:14 PM
awesome setup newgen- and beautiful pics. if i had room, i would grow them just based on how beautiful your pics are
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on February 04, 2012, 06:19:23 PM
I made this 5 weeks ago. It was very simple to construct if anyone is interested in the supply list and instructions. I am growing Physical Grafitti and Haley's Comet. I also have American Beauty rooting in a separate pot. I have had a huge growth spurt in the last week. I am looking forward to fruit!
(http://s8.postimage.org/e2rwfeudt/20120204_180151.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e2rwfeudt/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/6bplracdv/20120204_180231.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6bplracdv/)

(http://s16.postimage.org/nb42n1avl/20120204_175933.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nb42n1avl/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/cglpictv7/20111231_163549.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cglpictv7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on February 04, 2012, 07:04:14 PM
That's a really nice set up marinfla. Does the post go all the way through the pot and into the ground? I like how the trellis is supported with the wire underneath. 
I have all mine in 3 gal pots and really need to do something with them. Some of them have several branches but keep getting broken off because I have nothing supporting them lol.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: amrkhalido on February 04, 2012, 08:06:46 PM
i grow few yellow dragon fruit from seeds ,,, will they bear true to type ,,

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jsvand5 on February 04, 2012, 08:18:23 PM
Has anyone noticed American Beauty being more cold hardy that other varieties? I left my potted dragon fruit out this season to fend for themselves. Due to them being pretty tasteless they did not make the cut for be moved into the greenhouse. I had physical graffiti, American Beauty, Oblong, and Purple haze. All are total mush aside from the American beauty that seems totally unharmed. They were all in the same pot so I am not sure how this is possible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: siafu on February 04, 2012, 08:54:01 PM
i grow few yellow dragon fruit from seeds ,,, will they bear true to type ,,

Very much doubt it, from my experience, yellow dragon fruit seedlings produce decent quality fruit.
Mine were sweet but a little smaller than a selected variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on February 04, 2012, 10:05:16 PM
Yes, the post is through the bottom of the pot and into ground about 18 - 24 inches roughly. I just didn't want the plants growing directly in the ground so this was the next best solution. It is  a very sturdy set up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on February 07, 2012, 03:56:09 PM
Hey I like the idea of this thread! Below is a picture of my progress of growing dragon fruit so far. My brother gave me a tip that there was this rogue dragon fruit vine growing in this public park in Boca Raton FL, so equipped with gloves a trash bag and some hand clippers we went guerrilla and got some cuttings (the first picture) this was back in June of 2011. Next, I built a crazy trellis out of 4x4's 2x4's and pieced it together with dry wall screws. Pretty rugged job as I did it all without a level and tape measure just screwed it all together and buried the 4x4's about 1.5 ft deep. The cuttings were so easy to root just let them dry out for a day and stuck one cutting on each flat side of the base of the 4x4. Also I bought some long zip-ties from home depot and as the cuttings grew larger I would zip tie them to the trellis to promote the roots to latch onto the trellis and after awhile I would cut off the zip-ties. The second picture is probably 5 months after planting and the final picture was taken in mid january of 2012. I can't believe how easy it is to grow dragon fruit and it literally just grows and I never water it a perk of it being a cactus I guess. Really hoping it fruits this year, excited to see which type of dragon fruit this is...
(http://s11.postimage.org/eppw25yjz/1eba9562.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/eppw25yjz/)


(http://s16.postimage.org/sxapfko01/423621f1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/sxapfko01/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/bhh9ur3tx/eb370816.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bhh9ur3tx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 07, 2012, 04:00:26 PM
Joe,

Looking good like the support you made.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 07, 2012, 07:58:28 PM
Not exactly sure about why the Yellow DF is so much more difficult for many of us to grow.  Leo Manuel from the CRFG San Diego has it growing in his backyard in full sun and it fruits pretty well.  My yellow DF grew more in about 1 month under artificial light than it did all year outside.  I read somewhere that the Yellow DF are supposed to be able to withstand more sun but they are less cold hardy and get badly damaged by frost. 

Frankies Red is supposed to be a cross between a Yellow DF and a Red Fleshed variety.  From what I've read online, people are suggesting that the Yellow DF will grow better and produce larger fruit when they are grafted onto a Red fleshed DF variety, they didn't mention grafting onto a white fleshed variety.  My easiest to grow and fruit variety is the Vietnamese White so I will attempt to graft some Yellow DF on my Vietnamese White and also my Halley's Comet.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on February 07, 2012, 08:37:12 PM
Hey I like the idea of this thread! Below is a picture of my progress of growing dragon fruit so far. My brother gave me a tip that there was this rogue dragon fruit vine growing in this public park in Boca Raton FL, so equipped with gloves a trash bag and some hand clippers we went guerrilla and got some cuttings (the first picture) this was back in June of 2011. Next, I built a crazy trellis out of 4x4's 2x4's and pieced it together with dry wall screws. Pretty rugged job as I did it all without a level and tape measure just screwed it all together and buried the 4x4's about 1.5 ft deep. The cuttings were so easy to root just let them dry out for a day and stuck one cutting on each flat side of the base of the 4x4. Also I bought some long zip-ties from home depot and as the cuttings grew larger I would zip tie them to the trellis to promote the roots to latch onto the trellis and after awhile I would cut off the zip-ties. The second picture is probably 5 months after planting and the final picture was taken in mid january of 2012. I can't believe how easy it is to grow dragon fruit and it literally just grows and I never water it a perk of it being a cactus I guess. Really hoping it fruits this year, excited to see which type of dragon fruit this is...
(http://s11.postimage.org/eppw25yjz/1eba9562.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/eppw25yjz/)


Those are really nice healthy looking cuttings. They are growing really nicely too on the trellis you built. Does anyone know what variety they may be? Maybe someone has seen them with fruit on them to ID. What part of Boca Raton is the park? It would be a sight to see them growing wild like that. I would love to see it.  Hopefully for you they are some fantastically sweet tasting variety! Great Job.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on February 08, 2012, 06:08:41 AM
i grow few yellow dragon fruit from seeds ,,, will they bear true to type ,,

Very much doubt it, from my experience, yellow dragon fruit seedlings produce decent quality fruit.
Mine were sweet but a little smaller than a selected variety.

Siafu
Did you grow your's from seeds? I got 9 1 year old seedlings! How long do they take to produce?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SteveP540 on February 09, 2012, 11:19:11 AM
Ayo marinfla, it's off palmetto pkwy next to intercoastal bridge, should be on a pine tree NW corner before bridge.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on March 07, 2012, 01:23:37 AM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

March 2012.

(http://s16.postimage.org/wq0p298wh/dragonfruit_3_12a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wq0p298wh/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/jqq5r4qb7/dragonfruit_3_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jqq5r4qb7/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adiel on March 07, 2012, 02:36:51 PM
Hey I like the idea of this thread! Below is a picture of my progress of growing dragon fruit so far. My brother gave me a tip that there was this rogue dragon fruit vine growing in this public park in Boca Raton FL, so equipped with gloves a trash bag and some hand clippers we went guerrilla and got some cuttings (the first picture) this was back in June of 2011. Next, I built a crazy trellis out of 4x4's 2x4's and pieced it together with dry wall screws. Pretty rugged job as I did it all without a level and tape measure just screwed it all together and buried the 4x4's about 1.5 ft deep. The cuttings were so easy to root just let them dry out for a day and stuck one cutting on each flat side of the base of the 4x4. Also I bought some long zip-ties from home depot and as the cuttings grew larger I would zip tie them to the trellis to promote the roots to latch onto the trellis and after awhile I would cut off the zip-ties. The second picture is probably 5 months after planting and the final picture was taken in mid january of 2012. I can't believe how easy it is to grow dragon fruit and it literally just grows and I never water it a perk of it being a cactus I guess. Really hoping it fruits this year, excited to see which type of dragon fruit this is...
(http://s11.postimage.org/eppw25yjz/1eba9562.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/eppw25yjz/)


(http://s16.postimage.org/sxapfko01/423621f1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/sxapfko01/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/bhh9ur3tx/eb370816.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bhh9ur3tx/)

That is a really cool setup.
Title: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: happyisland on March 19, 2012, 04:07:13 PM
Pine Island's site has a bunch of named types, but their information is a little too booster-ish to be totally trustworthy. Other googling, was inconclusive.

Dragon people, what are your top 5 varietals (by taste)?
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: Patrick on March 19, 2012, 04:17:08 PM
I like American Beauty and Natural Mystic, the white varieties seem to taste like aloe dipped in sugar...
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: nullzero on March 19, 2012, 04:34:35 PM
I talked to Edgar Valdivia briefly at green scene about Dragon Fruit and good varieties. I told him I was growing Physical Graffiti and Purple Haze. Both he said had excellent taste and were great varieties, seemed to have good praise for both those varieties.

I forgot to ask him what his favorite DF variety was, but he told me Purple Haze and Physical Graffiti ranked high in the CRFG taste tests.

Was going to say this thread could just be rolled into the Dragon Fruit thread. We need more talk about varieties, taste, and pictures under that thread.
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: happyisland on March 19, 2012, 04:53:47 PM
Cool - thanks for the varietal recommendations, guys! I needed about four for a project I'm going to do at a friend's house.

Another question: should I just get them from Pine Island, or is there someone else in this community who would be even more deserving of the business?



Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: simon_grow on March 19, 2012, 05:38:01 PM
I went to the dragonfruit festival several years ago and American Beauty and Halley's Comet were two of the favorites.  I have personally tasted many named and unnamed varieties and my favorites are American Beauty, Yellow DF, Halley's comet and Simon's Red.  Simon's Red is just an unnamed variety I got from my wife's parents.  I wanted to give it a name so that it can be tracked for future reference.  Yellow DF is small but extremely sweet, almost too sweet but its still  very good.  It's so sweet that it tastes almost syrupy sweet and if you don't like super sweet, you may not like it as much. 

American Beauty, Halley's Comet and Simon's Red are all about the same in terms of sweetness and flavor.  Halley's Comet is the largest grower in my yard followed by American Beauty(very round and symetrical) and Simon's Red is the smallest being just smaller than American Beauty.  Productions wise, Simon's Red produces earliest and the most fruit while Halley's Comet takes a while to fruit and has much fewer fruit.  American Beauty is intermediate. 

From my experiences, the sweetness and flavor depends a lot on when the fruit was harvested and how and where it was grown.  It seems the longer you keep it on the vine after turning red, the sweeter it is but if you leave it too long, the inside becomes mushy.  I like to leave mine on the vine for 1-2 weeks after the fruit turns almost completely red to get the highest sugar content and still have the fruit kind of firm.  If the weather is hot and sunny, I pick them about 5-7 days after turning completely red on the outside.  If its overcast and cold, I let it sit on the vine about 2 weeks. 

If anyone would like a free cutting of Simon's Red, I have a couple available for local pick up but you have to give a description of the fruit if and when it produces for you.

Simon
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: happyisland on March 19, 2012, 09:42:09 PM
Thanks Simon - good info. I'm going to call Pine Island tomorrow and place an order!
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: Fruitguy on March 19, 2012, 10:04:53 PM
A general rule of thumb is to harvest dragonfruit 35 days after pollination.  Naturally this will vary by a few depending on what variety you are growing, time of year (season), and climate.  Another general rule of thumb method to tell when dragonfruit are ripe is when the scales start to lose their green color.  You can also increase the size of the fruit by cross-pollinating with different varieties.  This will take some trial and error to determine which ones result in the largest increase. 
Title: Re: dragon fruit/pitaya varietals
Post by: Ethan on March 20, 2012, 01:16:06 AM
Ramiro Lobo gave a speech at the Festival of Fruits a few years ago, and brought tons of DF from the field station in San Diego.  Luckily for me, the weekend (or two) before was the DF festival so there were only about 8 of us attending his lecture.  This made for boxes of fruits for everyone, an awesome experience.  To me the darker magenta fleshed fruits (more H. polyrhizus?) tasted the best and surprisingly there was one white DF that was good, had some citrus notes. 

-Ethan
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on March 20, 2012, 11:59:03 PM
Ramiro Lobo gave a speech at the Festival of Fruits a few years ago, and brought tons of DF from the field station in San Diego.  Luckily for me, the weekend (or two) before was the DF festival so there were only about 8 of us attending his lecture.  This made for boxes of fruits for everyone, an awesome experience.  To me the darker magenta fleshed fruits (more H. polyrhizus?) tasted the best and surprisingly there was one white DF that was good, had some citrus notes. 

-Ethan

Your question mark raises an interesting subject - how does one distinguish between the different species?  If any feels they have a good source of information on this topic, please share!  Based on what I have seen communicated, most people tend to call the white-fleshed fruit H. undatus, and the red- or magenta-fleshed fruits anything from H. polyrhizus to H. guatamalensis to H. costaricensis to H. triangularis, and possibly one or two other names.  Surely there must be another "authority" to distinguish between the species.  Also, has anyone even seen the flesh color of fruit being a distinguishing characteristic to divide species?  I can't think of one at the moment, although admittedly it is getting on the late side here on the east coast of the U.S. and it's probably past the time I should be going to sleep.  Nonetheless, I will share a source that I found, not to suggest that it is definitive by any stretch of the imagination, and this is a book titled "The Cactaceae Family" by Edward F. Anderson. published in 2001.  This book breaks down the Hylocereus genus into 18 species:

H. calcaratus
H. costaricensis
H. escuintlensis
H. estebanesis
H. guatamalensis
H. lemairei
H. microcladus
H. minutiflorus
H. monacanthus
H. ocamponis
H. peruvianus
H. polyrhizus
H. purpusii
H. scandens
H. stenopterus
H. triangularis
H. trigonis
H. undatus

None of the descriptions mention fruit flesh color.  Many of the differences have to do with the margins of the tubercles and the number of spines on the areoles.  For several of the species listed above, the book concedes that not much is known about them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ethan on March 21, 2012, 12:47:00 AM
To make it more difficult, did all of Selenicereus get lumped in w/Hylocereus or just S. megalanthus?

-Ethan
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on March 26, 2012, 09:15:21 PM
I am off on Mondays and decided to go for a sightseeing tour to check out the dragon fruit growing wild on Palmetto by the inter-coastal bridge on the way to see my daughter. It was a road trip gone wrong. Took the scenic route up A1A  along the beach.... Big mistake....Some lady pulls out of the Boca Resort's Beach Club and T-Bones me  :'(  I never did get to see the wild dragon fruit, only my pretty baby all smashed up driving off on a flat bed!
Never thought the love of seeing tropical fruit could be dangerous LOL Maybe I should be driving a tank or a tractor!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 26, 2012, 09:18:06 PM
I am off on Mondays and decided to go for a sightseeing tour to check out the dragon fruit growing wild on Palmetto by the inter-coastal bridge on the way to see my daughter. It was a road trip gone wrong. Took the scenic route up A1A  along the beach.... Big mistake....Some lady pulls out of the Boca Resort's Beach Club and T-Bones me  :'(  I never did get to see the wild dragon fruit, only my pretty baby all smashed up driving off on a flat bed!
Never thought the love of seeing tropical fruit could be dangerous LOL Maybe I should be driving a tank or a tractor!

Sorry to hear, I hope you are doing ok. It sucks being in a road accident :(.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on March 26, 2012, 09:26:08 PM
Cars are replaceable... I too hope you're ok, not too much damage.  Did you tell the other person to call Harry?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on March 26, 2012, 10:20:28 PM
Cars are replaceable... I too hope you're ok, not too much damage.  Did you tell the other person to call Harry?

LOL I think she needs him! The police did give her a ticket. I am doing fine thank God, no serious injury just a little sore and mostly bummed that my car is wrecked. The car is made of fiberglass so it got fairly trashed. The whole event was surreal. Someday I will make it by to see the wild dragon fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on March 26, 2012, 10:23:29 PM
I obtained cuttings of Phoenix Red dragonfruit from a friend.  Does anyone have info on this cultivar.  It's already pushing new growth. 

Besides Phoenix Red, I have-

Voodoo Child
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti
Giant Vietnamese
Yellow
Thai Red
American Beauty

The Giant Vietnamese was the only one that has fruited so far.  It bore 2 fruits last year.  It's white flesh but the taste was very nice.  Subtley sweet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 26, 2012, 10:53:31 PM
I obtained cuttings of Phoenix Red dragonfruit from a friend.  Does anyone have info on this cultivar.  It's already pushing new growth. 

Besides Phoenix Red, I have-

Voodoo Child
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti
Giant Vietnamese
Yellow
Thai Red
American Beauty

The Giant Vietnamese was the only one that has fruited so far.  It bore 2 fruits last year.  It's white flesh but the taste was very nice.  Subtley sweet.

Rodney,

Would love to see some pictures of all the dragon fruits you are growing. I heard Phoenix Red was very good DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on March 26, 2012, 10:57:30 PM
I obtained cuttings of Phoenix Red dragonfruit from a friend.  Does anyone have info on this cultivar.  It's already pushing new growth. 

Besides Phoenix Red, I have-

Voodoo Child
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti
Giant Vietnamese
Yellow
Thai Red
American Beauty

The Giant Vietnamese was the only one that has fruited so far.  It bore 2 fruits last year.  It's white flesh but the taste was very nice.  Subtley sweet.

Rodney,

Would love to see some pictures of all the dragon fruits you are growing. I heard Phoenix Red was very good DF.
I would love to see pictures too.
How do you tell which variety the fruit is growing (Of course I am assuming they are growing together)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on March 26, 2012, 11:05:09 PM
I keep them in separate pots with a Redwood picket fence board as the trellis.  They do fine in containers and leaves yard space for other fruits
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on March 27, 2012, 07:59:19 AM
How do you tell which variety the fruit is growing (Of course I am assuming they are growing together)

A few ways to distinguish w/o the fruit are:
(1) The average number of spines on the areoles.  Have seen them range between 0-7.
(2) The appearance of the ridges between the areoles. Some are flat, others more wavy.
(3) Some stems are glaucous, or have a gray/blue appearance.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on March 27, 2012, 10:17:24 AM
I too have a hard time telling them apart without the tags or I just write on the stems with sharpie but have to keep going over it because it fades in the sun. I can't have tags that go into the ground or pots because the chickens favorite thing to do is pull out those tags!
 Some like Costa Rican Sunset, I can tell which it is because the spines are very thick. Some varieties of dragonfruit are more wavy and some straighter. Some have slimmer stems and some are thicker. I guess you get just used to how they look after awhile then you can tell lol.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on March 27, 2012, 12:17:39 PM
Oh Marin I am sorry to hear about the accident!

I agree telling the difference between cultivars is difficult and I honestly have no clue where to start. Speaking of ID-ing DF cultivars my brother recently brought home some cuttings from a friends neighbor without any info about the DF. I have provided pics of the new cuttings next to the currently growing cuttings we gathered from the wild DF in Boca Raton. The noticeable difference is that the new cuttings are dark green, have 7 spines, and are thicker. Any help with cultivar ID is much appreciated.

New cutting on left in dark green.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/05e7c0d7.jpg)

Seven spines on new cutting.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/0a7778dd.jpg)

Only four spines on wild boca raton find.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/ff5567b1.jpg)

_JoeP450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitzilla on March 27, 2012, 09:20:27 PM
Yellow Dragon Fruit --

I have not had the opportunity to taste a yellow dragon fruit yet.
Just curious how those who have would rate them?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on March 28, 2012, 12:18:17 PM
Yellow Dragon Fruit --

I have not had the opportunity to taste a yellow dragon fruit yet.
Just curious how those who have would rate them?

Beautiful flowering habit, very interesting exterior appearance of the fruit,  nice flavor (one of the more flavorful white fleshed dragonfruits), thorns on the fruit are a pain until the fruit is mature....at which time they can be brushed off easily.  But.....these things are so darned small it is almost not worth the effort. Literally, there is maybe 2-3 teaspoons of edible flesh per fruit.  or at least that is how mine have been.  I hear there are some larger ones around....but so far, I haven't seen nor be able to source any.

Ha
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on March 28, 2012, 01:46:10 PM

Beautiful flowering habit, very interesting exterior appearance of the fruit,  nice flavor (one of the more flavorful white fleshed dragonfruits), thorns on the fruit are a pain until the fruit is mature....at which time they can be brushed off easily.  But.....these things are so darned small it is almost not worth the effort. Literally, there is maybe 2-3 teaspoons of edible flesh per fruit.  or at least that is how mine have been.  I hear there are some larger ones around....but so far, I haven't seen nor be able to source any.

Ha

All of the people that I know who grow it here in South Florida have the same problem - very small fruit.  The only place I have seen the "normal" sized fruit is in Colombia.  I'm certain that all of the ones here are not from the same source.  One day someone will discover what is holding us back and then...LOOK OUT!  :) ;)  In my opinion, much sweeter than any of the H. undatus around.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: amrkhalido on March 28, 2012, 07:38:55 PM
i got yellow dragon fruit from taiwan ,, singapore ,, and they were huge and super sweet ,, they are the best ,, red ones with white flesh were soo bland and tasteless ,, i didn't taste the red fleshed ones yet ,, i wish i did have time or remembered to bring cuttings

Amr
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on April 27, 2012, 04:21:50 PM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

March 2012.

(http://s16.postimage.org/wq0p298wh/dragonfruit_3_12a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wq0p298wh/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/jqq5r4qb7/dragonfruit_3_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jqq5r4qb7/)


April 2012
AMAZING GROWTH in just 3 MONTHS
(http://s16.postimage.org/6fe50m329/20120427_150208.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6fe50m329/)


(http://s7.postimage.org/87i350htj/20120427_153158.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/87i350htj/)


(http://s17.postimage.org/dwnsz54dn/20120427_150104.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/dwnsz54dn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on April 27, 2012, 04:32:27 PM
Nice update, I like the side by side photo comparisons in growth rate. Photo journal for me is a great way to keep track of flowering, fruiting, growth rates, etc.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 27, 2012, 05:52:47 PM
The Yellow DF that I have tasted in Hong Kong were very large compared to those grown in the US.  When I did research on the subject, I read that they grafted the Yellow DF onto Red fleshed varieties which is supposed to drastically increase the size of the fruit. 
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on April 27, 2012, 06:02:31 PM
You guys are so lucky to have access to the Mattslandscapes and Pine Island nursery selections.In this parellel universe we make do with lesser entities and almost no hybrids.I have about 10 varieties and my most glamorous type is a giant self fertile columbian red.It is no doubt pretty ordinary compared to physical graffiti.I could plant the seeds and wait 4 years I suppose.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on April 27, 2012, 09:12:30 PM
You guys are so lucky to have access to the Mattslandscapes and Pine Island nursery selections.In this parellel universe we make do with lesser entities and almost no hybrids.I have about 10 varieties and my most glamorous type is a giant self fertile columbian red.It is no doubt pretty ordinary compared to physical graffiti.I could plant the seeds and wait 4 years I suppose.

Or when my trellis grows out to desired dimensions and I have to prune it back I could send you some cuttings. They grow like weeds and root quickly in ordinary potting soil.
Marin
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on April 27, 2012, 09:37:49 PM
Unlike your dazzling smile there are gaps in my collection, more like an alabama grin, due to quarantine preventing live plants coming into this fair land.This morning I was frolicking through my collection of durian,mangosteen,longkong,duku,rambutan and many other fruit trees but my excitement was moderated by my second rate dragon fruit.My sugar apples are also occupying spots where illama and soncoya should be.Even tho I enjoyed a bounty of rambai,matisia and rambutan after dinner last night I will never have much of a meso-american selection as only seeds are allowed in.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on April 27, 2012, 10:24:59 PM
Unlike your dazzling smile there are gaps in my collection, more like an alabama grin, due to quarantine preventing live plants coming into this fair land.This morning I was frolicking through my collection of durian,mangosteen,longkong,duku,rambutan and many other fruit trees but my excitement was moderated by my second rate dragon fruit.My sugar apples are also occupying spots where illama and soncoya should be.Even tho I enjoyed a bounty of rambai,matisia and rambutan after dinner last night I will never have much of a meso-american selection as only seeds are allowed in.

Thanks  ;D
Ok Then I will save some seeds from one the Physical Grafitti fruits when they finally start producing and send some. When you see a post by me showing they are finally fruiting remind me to send you some seeds!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on April 27, 2012, 10:34:28 PM
Marin Fla that is mighty generous of you.When and if the event takes place you'll be handsomely rewarded with a few things I
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on April 27, 2012, 10:36:39 PM
Sorry, premature posting,it has never happened before.As I was saying I have a pretty good selection and we can get down to the nitty griity when the time comes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ggpalms on April 28, 2012, 01:38:30 AM
Okay you guys are growing some fine dragons!

Here is a list of my dragons:

Halleys Comet

Physical Grafitti

American Beauty

Makisupia

Vietnamese Jana (Please be careful when pronouncing this one!)
Say it and think about it. Some here in Florida renamed it Pearl from my understanding. I wonder why?
Hey what the heck it's just a word right?

Delight

Purple Haze

Will post some pics in the days and weeks ahead.

Jason "Pepe" http://www.pepesplants.com (http://www.pepesplants.com)

PS
In California Mr. Edgar Valdivia is one of the top persons to go to on the subject!

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on April 28, 2012, 03:27:08 PM

Vietnamese Jana (Please be careful when pronouncing this one!)
Say it and think about it. Some here in Florida renamed it Pearl from my understanding. I wonder why?
Hey what the heck it's just a word right?

lmao.... yes people are overly sensitive and too politically correct on everything.  I prefer the "Vietnamese Jaina" myself  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicalgrower89 on April 29, 2012, 01:07:09 AM
 ;D ^
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on June 16, 2012, 10:37:40 AM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

March 2012.

(http://s16.postimage.org/wq0p298wh/dragonfruit_3_12a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wq0p298wh/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/jqq5r4qb7/dragonfruit_3_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jqq5r4qb7/)


April 2012
AMAZING GROWTH in just 3 MONTHS
(http://s16.postimage.org/6fe50m329/20120427_150208.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6fe50m329/)


(http://s7.postimage.org/87i350htj/20120427_153158.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/87i350htj/)


(http://s17.postimage.org/dwnsz54dn/20120427_150104.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/dwnsz54dn/)

UPDATE :June 15, 2012
Growing Nicely

(http://s13.postimage.org/l1tx3y24j/DSCN0960.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/l1tx3y24j/)


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 16, 2012, 03:26:46 PM
To make it more difficult, did all of Selenicereus get lumped in w/Hylocereus or just S. megalanthus?

-Ethan

Only megalanthus was reclassified into Hylocereus. Selenicereus normally has more than 3 ribs, so megalanthus is closer to Hylocereus. There may be other factors but this is the most apparent.

I have about a dozen kinds but I lost some interest in these. They don't take much work so I just leave them be.

Guatamalan types:
- Santa Barbara Red (collected wild from Central America)
- Condor
- American Beauty
- G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing, thin compact vines)

Unnamed:
- H. polyrhisus
- H. megalanthus (yellow)

Paul Thomson's hybrids:
- Halley's Comet
- Physical Graffiti (fastest growing)
- Delight
- S8 (Voodoo Child, Arizona Purple)

Whites:
- George (George Emerich the father of cherimoya in CA)
- Quang Ong's white (my name for where it's from)

Others:
- Valdivia Roja (mexican origin from Valdivia ranch, small but numerous fruits, very good tasting, waxy rough texture bluish stem)
- Sin Espina (no spine)
- Purple Haze
- Zamorano
- Tricia (Ed Valdivia's daughter, elongated fruit, deep red flesh, polyrhisus with tendency to alternate between 3 and 4 ribs)


Guatemalan type has clearly lobed ribs with magenta-fleshed fruits and good sweetness. This is the type that was said to be more frost resistant earlier in the thread.
H. costaricansis is interesting and taste can vary from bland to slighly cucumber to very sour. The deep red flesh is very appealing.

I like Valdivia Roja, Halley's Comet, Voodoo Child, and the Guatemalan ones.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 23, 2012, 10:17:15 PM
I am very excited to post my July 2012 update. Not only has my dragon fruit trellis grown like crazy.... but today I went to inspect some  nubs of new growth to discover they were actually the beginnings of some FLOWERS!!!!
This project started January 1st  and  7+ months later and there are flowers. I really didn't expect flowering success this soon. I now am hopeful for a fruit or two.

JAN 1ST, 2012
(http://s18.postimage.org/b9ezj8s5h/dragon_fruit_1_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/b9ezj8s5h/)


JULY 23RD, 2012
(http://s12.postimage.org/bt4vtax95/20120723_113625.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bt4vtax95/)
(http://s16.postimage.org/w06vyxmrl/20120723_113702.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/w06vyxmrl/)

(http://s12.postimage.org/6ljsougnt/20120723_113715.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6ljsougnt/)

(http://s9.postimage.org/3l191cy6j/20120723_113830.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3l191cy6j/)




Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 24, 2012, 04:54:34 PM
I am very excited to post my July 2012 update. Not only has my dragon fruit trellis grown like crazy.... but today I went to inspect some  nubs of new growth to discover they were actually the beginnings of some FLOWERS!!!!
This project started January 1st  and  7+ months later and there are flowers. I really didn't expect flowering success this soon. I now am hopeful for a fruit or two.
I'm kinda running in parallel with you, I finished my trellises and planted my Dragon Fruits back in Feb. Got my very first DF bud ever on my Purple Haze. Developing like crazy, the picture is from this last Sunday, and it has grown about a half inch by today (Tuesday).
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze1.jpg)
I just want to see the flower open on the one night that it does.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 24, 2012, 05:14:14 PM
I have Haley's Comet, PHysical Graffitti and American Beauty in that set up....the flowers are developing on the Physical Graffitti. That fower of yours is a good size. So exciting!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cyclonenat on July 24, 2012, 05:38:43 PM
haha i failed over wintering mine :P
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jag on July 26, 2012, 06:28:29 PM
I bought a ~12 inch cutting of Physical Graffiti online just over 2 years ago. The first year I was uncertain how much sun I should give it, so I gave it too little and it didn't grow very much. Last year I just put it out in the garden until winter and it exploded with growth. Now I finally have my first flower.

This picture is a couple days old. The flower has now grown a few inches past the ring above it in the image. Just gotta hope it pollinates and maybe I'll get to taste my first ever dragon fruit.
(http://s11.postimage.org/eptulvwfj/dragonfruitflowerbud.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/eptulvwfj/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jag on July 28, 2012, 11:01:01 PM
Happened to check my dragon fruit tonight and found this. Didn't realize the blooms would be quite this beautiful in person. Smell reminds me of magnolia flowers.


(http://s14.postimage.org/3p35q0swt/XWfg_V.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3p35q0swt/)


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on July 28, 2012, 11:30:12 PM
A few months ago a friend got a selection of 12 of matts landscapes best hybrids and picked up seeds in china of self fertile giant yellow and sweet vietnamese red.I have about 12 locally available types an my latest acquisition is H.ocamponis and here is a pic of a fruit from the mother plant a few months ago.Forget the camera happy atemoya that horned in on the action.
 
(http://s13.postimage.org/49qghlfxf/DSCF4528.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/49qghlfxf/)

The plant of ocamponis is extra prickly.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 05, 2012, 08:59:54 AM
My Purple Haze flower opened last night (Saturday). ;D
Here is last evening.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze4.jpg)
Here is this morning.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze6.jpg)
If all goes well and it sets fruit, should be ready in early Sept.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on August 06, 2012, 12:31:51 PM
Thought I should join in on the fun  ;D

(http://s10.postimage.org/vun6nk0s5/20120804_192647.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vun6nk0s5/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/4lbt91zp1/20120804_192709.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/4lbt91zp1/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/y1w0p7vg5/20120804_192728.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/y1w0p7vg5/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/iug14v3lh/20120804_192731.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/iug14v3lh/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/p9f21jab9/20120804_192756.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/p9f21jab9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 06, 2012, 12:39:24 PM
Thought I should join in on the fun  ;D

(http://s10.postimage.org/vun6nk0s5/20120804_192647.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vun6nk0s5/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/4lbt91zp1/20120804_192709.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/4lbt91zp1/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/y1w0p7vg5/20120804_192728.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/y1w0p7vg5/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/iug14v3lh/20120804_192731.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/iug14v3lh/)

(http://s10.postimage.org/p9f21jab9/20120804_192756.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/p9f21jab9/)

Nice pictures! I wish I had some flowers :(. The Cereus repandus is starting to push out flower buds though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 06, 2012, 12:49:17 PM
fruit set is not good for me. even hand pollinated flowers feel like 50/50
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on October 01, 2012, 02:27:55 PM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

March 2012.

(http://s16.postimage.org/wq0p298wh/dragonfruit_3_12a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wq0p298wh/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/jqq5r4qb7/dragonfruit_3_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jqq5r4qb7/)

FROM CUTTINGS TO FLOWERING IN 7 MONTHS!! WATCHING FOR FRUIT DEVELOPMENT.
APRIL 2012
(http://s15.postimage.org/wpv53zxzr/20120427_150157.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wpv53zxzr/)

JUNE 2012
(http://s9.postimage.org/duxuh3b63/DSCN0926.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/duxuh3b63/)

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012


(http://s11.postimage.org/4kkr5f5dr/20120929_144449.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/4kkr5f5dr/)

(http://s7.postimage.org/k11taof1z/20120929_004244.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/k11taof1z/)

(http://s18.postimage.org/7pxjwlpz9/DSCN1266.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7pxjwlpz9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 01, 2012, 04:46:06 PM
Hi Marin and Tim,

Those flowers look very gorgeous 8)

I collected a cutting about 2 years ago and it's going to flower for the first time ;D I will post a pic soon, cause it's still a flower bud ;)

THX for sharing :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BMc on October 02, 2012, 01:11:44 AM
Does anyone have any experience with the Red flowered type or the Green skinned, pink fleshed type?
I'm about to add these to my deep purple dwarf as they sound interesting enough to grow out.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 02, 2012, 11:18:12 AM
There's a green skinned variety?  awesome  ;D

On a side note, does anyone recognize these fruits?
The album is found here (http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/cactus,pitaya/Interesting)

(http://farm1.staticflickr.com/47/139206871_d274665534_z.jpg?zz=1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206871/)
Pitayas I (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206871/#) by Sam Blackman (http://www.flickr.com/people/samblackman/), on Flickr
(http://farm1.staticflickr.com/53/139206651_86e633e511.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206651/)
Pitayas II (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206651/#) by Sam Blackman (http://www.flickr.com/people/samblackman/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2012, 05:51:05 PM
There's a green skinned variety?  awesome  ;D

On a side note, does anyone recognize these fruits?
The album is found here (http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/cactus,pitaya/Interesting)

(http://farm1.staticflickr.com/47/139206871_d274665534_z.jpg?zz=1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206871/)
Pitayas I (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206871/#) by Sam Blackman (http://www.flickr.com/people/samblackman/), on Flickr
(http://farm1.staticflickr.com/53/139206651_86e633e511.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206651/)
Pitayas II (http://www.flickr.com/photos/samblackman/139206651/#) by Sam Blackman (http://www.flickr.com/people/samblackman/), on Flickr

Those are Stenocereus fruits... pretty sure Stenocereus queretaroensis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2012, 05:53:09 PM
Yellow Dragon Fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus), is starting to get ready to flower soon! I hope the fruit quality is better then a purple fleshed good variety.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b8gKP2ut7xI/UHN_SxTNlBI/AAAAAAAAD0g/vi6HjQp4uQQ/s640/P1050645.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2Jz9uLeX1Xk/UHN_VD0ildI/AAAAAAAAD0o/TekbrLLto6k/s400/P1050644.JPG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 09, 2012, 06:30:44 PM
Hey null, the yellow dragon fruit is very sweet, almost syrupy. The seeds are also larger but they pop really easily. The fruit is very small except for the ones I tried in Hong Kong.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2012, 06:44:36 PM
Hey null, the yellow dragon fruit is very sweet, almost syrupy. The seeds are also larger but they pop really easily. The fruit is very small except for the ones I tried in Hong Kong.

Thanks for the heads up, sounds like I should enjoy it. Would be fun to cross it with Dragon Fruit varieties like 'Purple Haze'.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 10, 2012, 01:40:45 PM
Hi,

Here's my Dragon ;D


(http://s14.postimage.org/81vd0iifh/IMG_0269.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/81vd0iifh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 10, 2012, 02:23:29 PM
Hi,

Here's my Dragon ;D


(http://s14.postimage.org/81vd0iifh/IMG_0269.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/81vd0iifh/)

Beautiful, keep us updated on the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 10, 2012, 05:17:53 PM
Hi,

Here's my Dragon ;D
(http://s14.postimage.org/81vd0iifh/IMG_0269.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/81vd0iifh/)

Beautiful, keep us updated on the fruit.
Null,
Thanks :) I don't knows if this Dragon is self-fertile...I reckon it needs another non-related Dragon to tango ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 10, 2012, 07:39:23 PM
Hey Null, I believe the "Frankies Red" variety is a Yellow Dragonfruit crossed with either a red/purple fleshed variety.  I got my cutting of Frankies Red from Leo Manuel.  You are welcome to a cutting if you are interested.  I have never tasted the Frankies Red.  My plants should fruit next year.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 10, 2012, 07:55:16 PM
Hey Null, I believe the "Frankies Red" variety is a Yellow Dragonfruit crossed with either a red/purple fleshed variety.  I got my cutting of Frankies Red from Leo Manuel.  You are welcome to a cutting if you are interested.  I have never tasted the Frankies Red.  My plants should fruit next year.

Simon

Simon,

Thanks for the generous offer, I may like to trade sometime with you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 14, 2012, 01:45:09 AM
Hey null, that sounds great. I also have Halleys Comet, American Beauty and Simons Red which is actually purple now that I think of it so now I'll call it Simons Purple. Have you had bad experiences with purple fleshed varieties? Just wondering why you hoped the yellow dragon is better tasting than the purple fleshed. Null have you tasted the S. quaroteneisis? Misspelled. It looks really tasty. I wonder if it has hard seeds?

I recently picked up some cactus pears at the farmers market and thought they were delicious. They were extremely sweet with a very firm texture, perhaps even better texture than dragon fruit but the seeds were extremely large and very very hard.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gtw7983 on October 14, 2012, 10:28:43 AM
In Socal, La Verne Nursery distributes threes kinds of DF. The white flesh, pink flesh and thr red fleshed Voodoo Child. Does anybody happen to know what cultivars are La Verne's white and pink fleshed DF?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Berto on October 21, 2012, 08:47:17 PM
Oooops,
Almost missed this one!  I have no idea the variety name!  I planted several cuttings growing on the same trellis.
Can you guys name this variety?  Is it Natural Mystic, Zamorano, or Costa Rica Sunset???  The fruit weighed  a little over one (1) pound. It was approximately 500 grams.
I ate it nice and cold and it had just a hint of sweetness! 
Thank you!


(http://s8.postimage.org/edhsnjott/PA210018.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/edhsnjott/)


(http://s17.postimage.org/imj5za5rf/PA210017.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/imj5za5rf/)


(http://s7.postimage.org/7gl1ouzzr/PA210022.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7gl1ouzzr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cbss_daviefl on October 21, 2012, 09:13:21 PM
I vote for Costa Rican Sunset but it could be NM.  It looks slightly different from the NMs that I grew.

Oooops,
Almost missed this one!  I have no idea the variety name!  I planted several cuttings growing on the same trellis.
Can you guys name this variety?  Is it Natural Mystic, Zamorano, or Costa Rica Sunset???  The fruit weighted  a little over one (1) pound. It was approximately 500 grams.
I ate it nice and cold and it had just a hint of sweetness! 
Thank you!


(http://s8.postimage.org/edhsnjott/PA210018.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/edhsnjott/)


(http://s17.postimage.org/imj5za5rf/PA210017.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/imj5za5rf/)


(http://s7.postimage.org/7gl1ouzzr/PA210022.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7gl1ouzzr/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dirty Coconuts on October 22, 2012, 08:25:34 PM
I love the planter. What was your supply list?

I see a 4x4
A section of lattice
Two pieces of rebar
Painted with what?
How big is your container?

Thanks for the great idea

I made this 5 weeks ago. It was very simple to construct if anyone is interested in the supply list and instructions. I am growing Physical Grafitti and Haley's Comet. I also have American Beauty rooting in a separate pot. I have had a huge growth spurt in the last week. I am looking forward to fruit!
(http://s8.postimage.org/e2rwfeudt/20120204_180151.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e2rwfeudt/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/6bplracdv/20120204_180231.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6bplracdv/)

(http://s16.postimage.org/nb42n1avl/20120204_175933.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nb42n1avl/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/cglpictv7/20111231_163549.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cglpictv7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on October 22, 2012, 08:34:01 PM
I love the planter. What was your supply list?

I see a 4x4
A section of lattice
Two pieces of rebar
Painted with what?
How big is your container?

Thanks for the great idea

I made this 5 weeks ago. It was very simple to construct if anyone is interested in the supply list and instructions. I am growing Physical Grafitti and Haley's Comet. I also have American Beauty rooting in a separate pot. I have had a huge growth spurt in the last week. I am looking forward to fruit!
(http://s8.postimage.org/e2rwfeudt/20120204_180151.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e2rwfeudt/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/6bplracdv/20120204_180231.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6bplracdv/)

(http://s16.postimage.org/nb42n1avl/20120204_175933.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nb42n1avl/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/cglpictv7/20111231_163549.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cglpictv7/)

I will PM you my number so you can text me a good time to call you. It would be easier to explain than type.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Berto on October 23, 2012, 06:26:27 PM
Wow,
I read about the health benefits of pitaya (dragon fruit), and I plan to pay better attention to my vines.
http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41 (http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41)
Yesterday, I harvested a white flesh variety absolutely delicious.  The day before I picked and ate a nice magenta/red flesh one.
Lately, I also notice that my urine and my body waste had a reddish/purple color.  I guess it was from the lycopene/antioxidants.   
Have you guys experienced the same results after eating magenta/red flesh dragon fruit (pitaya)?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 23, 2012, 06:35:16 PM
Wow,
I read about the health benefits of pitaya (dragon fruit), and I plan to pay better attention to my vines.
http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41 (http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41)
Yesterday, I harvested a white flesh variety absolutely delicious.  The day before I picked and ate a nice magenta/red flesh one.
Lately, I also notice that my urine and my body waste had a reddish/purple color.  I guess it was from the lycopene/antioxidants.   
Have you guys experienced the same results after eating magenta/red flesh dragon fruit (pitaya)?

Unfortunately, I have not had any home grown abundance of Dragon Fruit to experience this. Hoping for a harvest of yellow dragon fruit in 2 months, crossing fingers!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on October 23, 2012, 08:04:32 PM
Wow,
I read about the health benefits of pitaya (dragon fruit), and I plan to pay better attention to my vines.
http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41 (http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41)
Yesterday, I harvested a white flesh variety absolutely delicious.  The day before I picked and ate a nice magenta/red flesh one.
Lately, I also notice that my urine and my body waste had a reddish/purple color.  I guess it was from the lycopene/antioxidants.   
Have you guys experienced the same results after eating magenta/red flesh dragon fruit (pitaya)?

I haven't even enough to test your theory.....but I would slow it down if your tears turn red/purple!  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Berto on October 23, 2012, 10:06:57 PM
My wife and I shared just one large magenta/red fruit.  See my posted photo!
She also noticed a change in her body byproducts.
Go dragon fruit...let's put color in this world!    ;D ;D ;D ;D 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Berto on October 24, 2012, 02:25:00 PM
Do not throw away the skin!!!
Just made some tea from the fresh skin of a dragon fruit!  High levels of antioxidants!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 24, 2012, 02:55:36 PM
Do not throw away the skin!!!
Just made some tea from the fresh skin of a dragon fruit!  High levels of antioxidants!

Great idea! Sounds like it could be utilized nicely in a dry tea mix as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 26, 2012, 03:58:54 PM
Wow,
I read about the health benefits of pitaya (dragon fruit), and I plan to pay better attention to my vines.
http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41 (http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=41)
Yesterday, I harvested a white flesh variety absolutely delicious.  The day before I picked and ate a nice magenta/red flesh one.
Lately, I also notice that my urine and my body waste had a reddish/purple color.  I guess it was from the lycopene/antioxidants.   
Have you guys experienced the same results after eating magenta/red flesh dragon fruit (pitaya)?

Olá Berto,
Beetroot does it for me...ahahahahha ;D
Title: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: Jacob13 on October 27, 2012, 12:32:43 AM
Hello Friends,

Just wanted to share with you all some recent pictures of some Dragon Fruit that are coming along nicely.  Right now, I have approximately 10 various Dragon Fruits, and a whole bunch of flowers coming along.

Physical Graffiti Dragon Fruit
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab222/Choners13/Yuppp/2012-10-21163552.jpg)
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab222/Choners13/Yuppp/2012-10-21163531.jpg)

Arizona Purple Dragon Fruit
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab222/Choners13/Yuppp/2012-10-21163447.jpg)

Vietnamese "Red" Dragon Fruit - These 2 Dragon Fruit are Absolutely Enormous (2 lbs. +).  They are now much bigger than what they are in the pictures.
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab222/Choners13/Yuppp/2012-10-21163520.jpg)
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab222/Choners13/Yuppp/2012-10-21163512.jpg)
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: nullzero on October 27, 2012, 12:56:19 AM
Jacob,

Excellent pictures! I love the Arizona Purple picture.
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: Jacob13 on October 27, 2012, 01:08:04 AM
Hey Steven,

How is your AZ Purple Doing?

 - Jacob
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: marklee on October 27, 2012, 02:25:24 AM
I've been eating quite a few different pitahayas lately, I had a Physical Graffiti yesterday and compared to Houghton,and Voodoo Child it was pretty bland. The Valdivia Roja is pretty good also.

Mark
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: nullzero on October 27, 2012, 02:48:52 AM
Hey Steven,

How is your AZ Purple Doing?

 - Jacob

Its been putting out a few more segments, still on the small side. Though I intend to up pot it soon.
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: Felipe on October 27, 2012, 05:30:39 AM
Jacob, are you growing them in full sun? Did you pollinate them?

I would love to see pictures of the ripe fruit :)
Title: Re: Recent Dragon Fruit
Post by: Berto on October 27, 2012, 09:41:05 AM
There is a dragon fruit thread already!  What is the reason for this duplication? Moderators, please advise! 

*** mod edit: solved ;D ***
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Berto on October 27, 2012, 01:40:40 PM
Thank you!
It is much easier to gather the information in one thread!  Let's keep it simple!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 28, 2012, 07:09:58 PM
I like Valdivia Roja too. It was one of the first dragonfruits I tasted and still ranks high on my list. I started a few cuttings of it last year.

I kind of wish I had grown a white bland variety. I've been having bad luck pollinating this year.
Title: Enter the Dragon
Post by: FloridaGreenMan on October 28, 2012, 08:47:06 PM
Here's my "Alice White" dragon fruit that I am growing on my chain link fence. It's my 2nd crop this year. Have already harvested 12 fruits a few months ago and now I have 8 more. Even though it's a white fleshed one, it's actually fairly sweet and refreshing, a decent fruit, not incredible but good. The real nice thing is that it takes up virtually no room in my yard and produces at a time when there is very little of anything else and is totally self pollinating. No work involved. My Red one must be hand pollinated and still produces only a few. What are the best self-pollinating red dragons?               

(http://s13.postimage.org/4forjh05f/Dragon_Forum_001.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/4forjh05f/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/rifain1mr/Dragon_Forum_002.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rifain1mr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wchoi87 on November 05, 2012, 05:10:13 PM
Hi guys,

My name's William and I'm new to the forums.  I was looking for more knowledge on dragon fruit and came across this thread and decided this was the place to be.  I recently got some dragon fruit cutting from a friend and went ahead and planted the stems.  My friend is Vietnamese and her fruits are the ones with white flesh, not sure of the specific name.  I was wondering if it's true that you need to let the cuttings dry for a week before planting.  I decided to plant 2 stems into one pot and hoping this won't cause a problem.

(http://i.imgur.com/Hv4IEl.jpg)

Please feel free to critique my potting method and any tips are greatly appreciated.  For the soil I decided to use some perlite, organic potting soil, steer manure, and some peat moss.  I'm so interested in the fruit that I recently also purchased the Haley's Comet and Yellow dragon fruit variants.  I was wondering if it would be okay to grow the two in one pot, like how I did my first ones.  Well any help is greatly appreciated and I hope to keep you guys updated with my progress!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on November 05, 2012, 09:45:27 PM
Hi guys,

My name's William and I'm new to the forums.  I was looking for more knowledge on dragon fruit and came across this thread and decided this was the place to be.  I recently got some dragon fruit cutting from a friend and went ahead and planted the stems.  My friend is Vietnamese and her fruits are the ones with white flesh, not sure of the specific name.  I was wondering if it's true that you need to let the cuttings dry for a week before planting.  I decided to plant 2 stems into one pot and hoping this won't cause a problem.

(http://i.imgur.com/Hv4IEl.jpg)

Please feel free to critique my potting method and any tips are greatly appreciated.  For the soil I decided to use some perlite, organic potting soil, steer manure, and some peat moss.  I'm so interested in the fruit that I recently also purchased the Haley's Comet and Yellow dragon fruit variants.  I was wondering if it would be okay to grow the two in one pot, like how I did my first ones.  Well any help is greatly appreciated and I hope to keep you guys updated with my progress!

I am wondering if that pot/set up will be strong and sturdy enough to support your dragon fruit plants once they grow tall and possibly top heavy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BMc on November 05, 2012, 10:22:22 PM
Aerial roots will often rip up pine sleepers in short time. hardwood is the go.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wchoi87 on November 06, 2012, 02:33:53 AM
The pole is actually redwood 4x4.  Should I replace it with something else?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on November 06, 2012, 06:09:04 AM
The pole is actually redwood 4x4.  Should I replace it with something else?

The post is perfectly fine...how big and heavy is the pot? how tall is the post and what is at the top of it?
the height vs base is what I was referring to. Will it be a risk for tipping over or is it sturdy when the cactus grow to the top and fill out? The first time I built my potted dragon fruit set up I noticed that it seemed slightly at risk for tipping. My post is 6ft tall and I was worried that with up to 10 -20 pounds of plant growing on it that it might tipping risk. But my pot is light-weight plastic , yours may be bigger and heavier.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on November 06, 2012, 08:58:33 PM
Kind of cool that this forum shows up so well in searches now.

William, if you don't have a rat problem then 4' is a good height for the top of the pole. It will make it easy to prune the plants each year without cutting yourself and without a ladder. Fruits will hang very close to the ground.

If you're going to add more varieties anytime from now to march is good to take cuttings, but it's better to plant them now and let our winter rains take care of watering for a head start in the root system. Many people grow them in this area.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on November 10, 2012, 11:44:07 PM
BMc, I grow the green-skinned, pink-purple-flowered Hylocereus stenopterus.  They are mostly self-incompatible however I do get a few fruits that are not of my own creation periodically.  They skin does turn peach-colored when mature (about 2 months), however I have found that the fruit has a nice sweet flavor at 35-40 days.  I have not had a H. megalanthus ripe at the same time to compare re which one is "sweeter". 

Someone was asking about crossing the yellow-skinned H. megalanthus with a red fleshed variety.  They had such a cross available in the markets on the Big Island (Hawaii) in May 2012. Orange-skin, pink-flesh.  Nice tasting fruit.

William, 2 cuttings in a pot is not a problem.  Most commercial operations put 3-4 cuttings per post.  Of course, they have many more pots and they are usually connected together for stability.  Keep in mind that a mature plant can weigh in the neighborhood of 100 kg. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dirty Coconuts on December 14, 2012, 01:52:02 PM
I just found out that my dragon is a Halley's Comet and not a p graffiti as I was first told. Anyone have any opinions or tips about Halley's Comet? Is it self compatible? Prolific fruiter? Tasty?

Thanks
Title: dragon fruit in pot
Post by: sharon adams on December 23, 2012, 12:04:45 PM

I plan to bury a square concrete block with a 6 ft pole in center poured concrete in block, then covered as dragon fruits do not like
alkaline soil.    I then intend to construct a tube 4 ft high and attach it to the post.   IN the tube will go another tube of burlap and
inside that old decaying leaves and maybe a bit of fertilizer in the form of blood meal, potassium and potash.     A friend of mine only
got his to fruit this way.   One can then add dilute or rotted manure to the top and the dragon fruits just attach themselves happily
but yes they are very heavy and his in 25 gal pots are tipping .    Not good.   Thorny.   Very hard to handle now without getting prickled
and breaking the  plant.   I also need to figure out how to make a top support  later.    Don;t know about flavors yet.  Tried one white
one I have,   very bland.   halleys comet is supposed to be good.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on January 01, 2013, 01:02:13 PM
Ayo marinfla, it's off palmetto pkwy next to intercoastal bridge, should be on a pine tree NW corner before bridge.

I went looking for this wild patch of dragon fruit growing on Palmetto Park Road and could not find it!
Is it on the lot where the Wildflower was??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dirty Coconuts on January 01, 2013, 08:52:05 PM
I was in Fairchild this weekend an saw an amazing sight.

A 60-70 Spanish oak tree completely covered by dragon fruit!!! It was unbelieveable. I wish I had a camera.

It is actually outside the gardens on old cutler. On the east side near the trellises.

Pretty neat
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: OrganicJim on January 16, 2013, 01:50:17 PM
I set the frame up in August and just now got the winter cover completed and ready to mount. It takes me two days to put up the greenhouse frame now to where I can leave it till spring. Takes just a couple hours to put the plastic on.
I built it so I had space between dragon fruits to store other cold sensitive plants in pots that I keep under seven feet tall.
The posts are 8 feet apart and there is a 2 foot square around each post for the plants to lay over.
I covered the verticals with burlap to help root growth and to help store food from  the foliar sprays I use.

(http://s2.postimage.org/94q2yehzp/Dragon_Fruit_1_10_6_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/94q2yehzp/)

(http://s8.postimage.org/i5al21kep/Dragon_Fruit_2_10_6_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/i5al21kep/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/bdsfhxiab/Dragon_Fruit_Cover_2_1_10_13.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bdsfhxiab/)

(http://s2.postimage.org/m1lsjt385/Dragon_Fruit_Cover_8_1_10_13.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/m1lsjt385/)

I just showed the first section of the frame going up. We send complete unit if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on January 16, 2013, 02:01:56 PM
OrganicJim,

Looks like a great setup, keep us updated when the fruit comes in  ;D.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FlyingFoxFruits on January 17, 2013, 01:56:09 PM
OrganicJim,

Clever set up!!

Great pics, thanks for sharing.

You are definitely going to be ready for the up and coming cold weather.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 18, 2013, 12:38:15 AM
This is a great thread.
I only have one Dragon Fruit variety: David Bowie.
I based my decision solely on the information provided by Pine Island Nursery.
I've planted 5-6 cuttings around an 8' wood pole staked in the ground .
Only one of those cuttings is climbing. But at least it's climbing at a good pace, so far. No fruit yet but, I'll keep y'all updated on the progress.
Does anyone have any info on the variety of Dragon Fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 18, 2013, 12:57:45 AM
This is a great fruit, whose quality deserves to be improved. I can't wait 'till someone improves the sweetness, just like they've done with Jackfruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sami on January 18, 2013, 01:28:02 AM

 Any help with cultivar ID is much appreciated.

New cutting on left in dark green.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/05e7c0d7.jpg)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWORD-PEAR-CACTUS-Acanthocereus-tetragonus-LIVE-CUTTINGS-pitaya-fruit-dragon-/160944857253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25790fa0a5 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWORD-PEAR-CACTUS-Acanthocereus-tetragonus-LIVE-CUTTINGS-pitaya-fruit-dragon-/160944857253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25790fa0a5)

Seven spines on new cutting.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/0a7778dd.jpg)

Only four spines on wild boca raton find.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/ff5567b1.jpg)


it looks like SWORD PEAR CACTUS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWORD-PEAR-CACTUS-Acanthocereus-tetragonus-LIVE-CUTTINGS-pitaya-fruit-dragon-/160944857253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25790fa0a5 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWORD-PEAR-CACTUS-Acanthocereus-tetragonus-LIVE-CUTTINGS-pitaya-fruit-dragon-/160944857253?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25790fa0a5)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 18, 2013, 02:34:34 AM
I have no idea. But, that is one nice looking specimen/section you got there. :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 18, 2013, 10:46:23 PM
If/when it produces fruit, please let us know the quality and production of the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 19, 2013, 03:07:41 AM
Any help with cultivar ID is much appreciated.
Where are these from? If they're wild (not cultivated) then by definition they're not any cultivar.

If you meant general types the yellow-green one is H. undatus and the blue-green one looks closer to H. polyrhizus.

Looking at a few section at this early stage it's hard to recognize more. A healthy strong plant will develop a few other distinguishing features such as flowers. But really, some cultivars are similar enough that people just consider then to be the same, which they may be.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on January 19, 2013, 07:07:59 AM
Did anybody grow dragonfruit from seed or is that not recommendable? I want to have a good species and thought it is much easyier and safer to send seeds instead of a plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: jez251 on January 19, 2013, 08:25:10 AM
Hey Bangkok,

I am currently growing some orange dragon fruit from seed. It's a slow process but it works.

Jaime
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 21, 2013, 04:46:22 AM
Did anybody grow dragonfruit from seed or is that not recommendable? I want to have a good species and thought it is much easyier and safer to send seeds instead of a plant.
Seedlings are usually different from the parents. Not in between. It's somewhat random. Sometimes you get one that doesn't produce pollen or is sterile. Usually people just end up with a fruit they don't like. But there's also a chance it might be good so try it. Better to try 100 if you have the space and select the best.

A breeder in the pitaya mailing list said he makes about 1 selection per 1000 seedling plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on January 21, 2013, 05:43:28 AM
Thanks, then i will grow a cutting because i sure want to have a nice fruiting one if i take all the effort.

My wife sais that the red-flesh ones make stains in cloths so i will go for another color then.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on January 24, 2013, 12:15:38 AM
Anyone growing the dragon fruit varieties; Condor, Maria Rose, Orejona, and Cebra? I just got some cuttings :), wanted to hear more info on growth habit, taste, etc.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 24, 2013, 01:21:42 AM
There aren't that much growth habit variations among dragonfruits.

I have Condor. It's similar to American Beauty. Magenta flesh, sweet. Not thick-stemmed so somewhat heat-tolerant. Filtered sunlight is best.
I tried Cebra and Orejona before. They're not especially memorable. I don't remember what they tasted like.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on January 24, 2013, 01:25:03 AM
There aren't that much growth habit variations among dragonfruits.

I have Condor. It's similar to American Beauty. Magenta flesh, sweet. Not thick-stemmed so somewhat heat-tolerant. Filtered sunlight is best.
I tried Cebra and Orejona before. They're not especially memorable. I don't remember what they tasted like.

Thanks for the quick response. Btw, sometime in the future I am going to save some removed glochid prickly pears for you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marvelz on January 24, 2013, 03:23:16 AM
Some great pictures here, keep them coming. I'm learning new and interesting things about dragonfruits.  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 26, 2013, 09:51:48 PM
Nullzero,

The Opuntia I got from you is doing, "so far so good". It’s just sitting pretty in the full sun.

Hey, if you ever create/produce or find an even better quality, bigger, tastier, seedless, more productive Opuntia, please let me know.
These edible cacti cultivars have a lot of potential and need/deserve to be improved.

I think the same could also be said for Dragon Fruit; This is a great thread you started!
The David Bowie Dragon Fruit cultivar cuttings, that I planted around a pressure treated pole in the ground, I suspect are showing some kind of 'nematode' damage.
I didn't put up any barrier between them and the Dragon Fruit roots.
I've noticed some professionals (i.e. Pine Island Nursery) use pesticides, sand, pots and plastic sheets, as barriers.
I'll keep observing the progress (or lack of) for about a year. I think I'm coming to the conclusion, that I'll have to put up some kind of barrier(s), also.

If nematodes are a problem for some cacti, like Dragon Fruit in South Florida, we may have to apply a similar grafting technique like that used for citrus, mango...
Step 1    Find a nematode proof/resistant Dragon Fruit cultivar, then
Step 2    'Graft' the desired Dragon Fruit cultivar to the variety in Step 1
This seems like a reasonable way to proceed. In this way, you're eliminating the nematode barrier(s) hassle.

Who knows, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, since I'm just learning about edible cacti.
Anyway, I'll see how things progress and make decisions along the way to speed things up.

I just find the idea of eating fruits from a cactus fascinating.
Keep up the good work, it surely is needed.

Best regards,
Leo
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on May 02, 2013, 07:56:48 AM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

March 2012.

(http://s16.postimage.org/wq0p298wh/dragonfruit_3_12a.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wq0p298wh/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/jqq5r4qb7/dragonfruit_3_12.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jqq5r4qb7/)


April 2012
AMAZING GROWTH in just 3 MONTHS
(http://s16.postimage.org/6fe50m329/20120427_150208.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6fe50m329/)


(http://s7.postimage.org/87i350htj/20120427_153158.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/87i350htj/)


(http://s17.postimage.org/dwnsz54dn/20120427_150104.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/dwnsz54dn/)

I started this dragon fruit set up on January 1st 2012 from a few little cuttings, so it is now 16 months from inception. It has been a year since the last picture was posted so I took an update photo.
It is not noticeable in the photo but there are about 20 flowers just forming now.
I am so happy with this set up. It has served well and the shape is great.


(http://s10.postimg.cc/c1daefn3p/2013_05_01_15_33_55.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c1daefn3p/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/lxede2svp/2013_05_01_15_34_17.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/lxede2svp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 02, 2013, 11:17:52 AM
MarinFla,

Nice update, big different in the before and after pictures  ;D.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kay on May 03, 2013, 10:18:41 AM
Some Hylocereus here.




Farm
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus1_zpscc32489f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus1_zpscc32489f.jpg.html)

Cheap/easy mostly eco friendly way to grow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus3_zpsb37b0dff.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus3_zpsb37b0dff.jpg.html)

red fruit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus8_zpscce81888.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus8_zpscce81888.jpg.html)


purple fruit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus9_zps132dca29.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus9_zps132dca29.jpg.html)


H. undatus (white)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus7_zps06926d9e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus7_zps06926d9e.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus6_zps567a07c6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus6_zps567a07c6.jpg.html)


taking cuttings in greenhouse (under 70% shade cloth).  these are after drying 3 days.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus5_zpscbe2c80a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus5_zpscbe2c80a.jpg.html)


Variegated Hylocereus (not at all of interest to fruit growers, but thought i would post it anyway in case there are other cactus enthusiasts as well.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus4_zpsb9f3d308.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus4_zpsb9f3d308.jpg.html)

Grafting rootstock stock plant section.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus2_zps48c9c38f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus2_zps48c9c38f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on May 03, 2013, 12:16:34 PM
Excellent pictures Kay!  I'd be interested in knowing more about the variegated one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kay on May 03, 2013, 01:28:21 PM
it was a gift from an old friend of mine who is a retired orchid grower turned cactus collector.  He is unfortunately very sick so he is slowly losing his collection.  All I can say about the variegated one is its almost certainly a hybrid of unknown origin.  Wish I knew more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on May 03, 2013, 10:08:24 PM
Some Hylocereus here.




Farm
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus1_zpscc32489f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus1_zpscc32489f.jpg.html)

Cheap/easy mostly eco friendly way to grow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus3_zpsb37b0dff.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus3_zpsb37b0dff.jpg.html)

red fruit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus8_zpscce81888.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus8_zpscce81888.jpg.html)


purple fruit
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus9_zps132dca29.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus9_zps132dca29.jpg.html)


H. undatus (white)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus7_zps06926d9e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus7_zps06926d9e.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus6_zps567a07c6.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus6_zps567a07c6.jpg.html)


taking cuttings in greenhouse (under 70% shade cloth).  these are after drying 3 days.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus5_zpscbe2c80a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus5_zpscbe2c80a.jpg.html)


Variegated Hylocereus (not at all of interest to fruit growers, but thought i would post it anyway in case there are other cactus enthusiasts as well.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus4_zpsb9f3d308.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus4_zpsb9f3d308.jpg.html)

Grafting rootstock stock plant section.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/kada/Hylocereus2_zps48c9c38f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/kada/media/Hylocereus2_zps48c9c38f.jpg.html)

Kay, the type of set up they are using on the farm was the inspiration for the structure I built to grow mine on. Great pics Thanks. I really like the color of the purple fruit. All of mine are pink or magenta.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LaddaLove34 on June 02, 2013, 01:21:46 AM
If anybody could give me some cuttings of their dragon fruit,I would greatly appreciate it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: KarenRei on June 02, 2013, 03:30:37 PM
If anybody could give me some cuttings of their dragon fruit,I would greatly appreciate it.

Coming to Iceland any time soon?  I've got surplus  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 16, 2013, 05:06:46 PM
My Dark Star is in full flower mode. Had 5 flowers open last night, 6-7 ready to open tonight, plenty of buds still coming, with 4 fruits that should be ready in a little over a week.
Will also have 2-3 flowers on both the Physical Graffiti and the Purple Haze opening tonight.

Dark Star.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/df2_07-16-13_zps2e5064ad.jpg)

The solo fruit (so far) on the Purple Haze just started to change color today.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/df1_07-16-13_zps47a698cf.jpg)

Here is the trellises I put towards the end of my driveway for a couple of unknown varieties I have. I have trimmed the plants up since the picture was taken.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/df2_07-13-13_zps8317bbd7.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/df1_07-13-13_zps18e02e36.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 16, 2013, 09:32:22 PM
Dangermouse01, I like the trellises at the end of the driveway, very stylish, good job.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sultry_jasmine_nights on July 17, 2013, 10:45:45 AM
Dangermouse01, I like the trellises at the end of the driveway, very stylish, good job.

X2 !! Very nice.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hollywood on July 17, 2013, 11:06:20 AM
I love the pictures on this thread! I am ready to post mine now. I planted 6 posts last year with Zamorano, Physical Graffiti and Alice White. Zamorano is by far the most vigorous, Alice White is by far the least. No flowers or fruits yet. When should I expect to see some?

The wood is untreated so I put in the T-Posts for support as the structure rots. I will probably add 2 more T-Posts for additional support in the Fall. I want to take care of it now, rather than in 5 years when hundreds of pounds of thorny cactus are weighing down on crumbly wood posts!

I have some burlap bag material on the posts, stuffed with sphagnum moss and Excalibur's fruit tree fertilizer. They are decomposing, so I've stuffed some socks and attached those to the rebar on top.

I post a picture taken from the back gate so you can see how I've used a star fruit tree and copper leaf shrubs to obscure the structure from many vantage points. The flower and fruit are beautiful, but the rest of the plant- not so much!

The structure is situated on the West side of my house, so it has a good amount of protection from hurricanes.

(http://s23.postimg.cc/dopqty8dj/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dopqty8dj/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/s6my1xzon/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/s6my1xzon/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/tvw1a0fdz/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/tvw1a0fdz/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/wnfb0mdwn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/wnfb0mdwn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 17, 2013, 10:34:03 PM
Katie that set up looks great!! Nice Job. Mine took a 1-1/2 years to go from the picture on the left to the picture on the right

January 1, 2012
(http://s22.postimg.cc/pab62gqj1/20111231_163005.jpg)  (http://postimg.cc/image/pab62gqj1/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/f5s00qued/DSCN1607.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5s00qued/) May 27, 2013
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hollywood on July 18, 2013, 12:17:10 AM
Katie that set up looks great!! Nice Job. Mine took a 1-1/2 years to go from the picture on the left to the picture on the right

January 1, 2012
(http://s22.postimg.cc/pab62gqj1/20111231_163005.jpg)  (http://postimg.cc/image/pab62gqj1/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/f5s00qued/DSCN1607.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5s00qued/) May 27, 2013

 ;D Do you get fruit now? How many from that structure?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 18, 2013, 04:12:20 PM
Katie that set up looks great!! Nice Job. Mine took a 1-1/2 years to go from the picture on the left to the picture on the right

January 1, 2012
(http://s22.postimg.cc/pab62gqj1/20111231_163005.jpg)  (http://postimg.cc/image/pab62gqj1/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/f5s00qued/DSCN1607.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5s00qued/) May 27, 2013
Yes I am getting lots of fruit now. They are covered with developing fruit and newly blooming flowers.
 ;D Do you get fruit now? How many from that structure?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 22, 2013, 12:41:09 AM
My trellis of dragon fruit explodes with new flowers every night
(http://s21.postimg.cc/jlth64rdf/20130721_211048.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jlth64rdf/)

And my first super big Halley's Comet for this summer. Time to get out the refractometer to test the brix level.
(http://s15.postimg.cc/si4wrkt9j/Haley_s_comet.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/si4wrkt9j/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/dcjammuvr/haley_s_comet_7_21_13.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dcjammuvr/)


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on July 22, 2013, 12:46:18 AM
MarinFla,

Congrats beautiful looking fruit. I bet it taste as good as it looks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 22, 2013, 01:04:46 AM
MarinFla,

Congrats beautiful looking fruit. I bet it taste as good as it looks.
Thanks! I've eaten a few smaller ones already...I am surprised at how sweet they are compared to others I have tried (not mine). I can't wait to rest the brix level to actually quantify it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on July 22, 2013, 01:26:38 AM
Mind sharing a Halley's Comet cutting or two? I've been looking to get some everywhere.

Thanks
thao
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 22, 2013, 01:42:46 AM
Mind sharing a Halley's Comet cutting or two? I've been looking to get some everywhere.

Thanks
thao
If you make it really easy for me I surely will....between work and family obligations I am usually so overwhelmed. So if you could send me a package to put the cutting in already labeled with your mailing address and postage, I will put the cuttings in that package and send it right back to you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on July 22, 2013, 01:47:39 AM
Sure, pm your sending address.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on July 22, 2013, 07:50:17 AM
MarinFla,

Congrats beautiful looking fruit. I bet it taste as good as it looks.
Thanks! I've eaten a few smaller ones already...I am surprised at how sweet they are compared to others I have tried (not mine). I can't wait to rest the brix level to actually quantify it.

But wait.....the larger the fruits get, the better/sweeter they are.  At least that has been my experience.  Nice growing!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 28, 2013, 09:31:05 PM
MarinFla,

Congrats beautiful looking fruit. I bet it taste as good as it looks.
Thanks! I've eaten a few smaller ones already...I am surprised at how sweet they are compared to others I have tried (not mine). I can't wait to rest the brix level to actually quantify it.

But wait.....the larger the fruits get, the better/sweeter they are.  At least that has been my experience.  Nice growing!
Thanks Harry! I tested that dragon fruit with the refractometer and it measured at a brix level of 15.6
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 05, 2013, 12:08:14 PM
Just taste tested an American Beauty, grown by Rodney. The fruit was on the larger side believe it was around 1 lb, was an excellent sweet taste with a nice subtle acidic component. 3 of us all greatly enjoyed it.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-esxlQFoDGPk/Uf_KkN4WNkI/AAAAAAAAGIU/6Q-_F_LeFc8/s640/P1070129.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6BJNHm8j0nw/Uf_K3ViHQNI/AAAAAAAAGIs/ToUG-SqnEUw/s640/P1070132.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vGATFjcyEXg/Uf_K6HvIuEI/AAAAAAAAGI0/z9QmRfqDKa4/s640/P1070133.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H6KuNGUJShU/Uf_LDosvBdI/AAAAAAAAGJE/g99soeMQUJc/s640/P1070136.JPG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on August 05, 2013, 01:51:16 PM
Just taste tested an American Beauty, grown by Rodney. The fruit was on the larger side believe it was around 1 lb, was an excellent sweet taste with a nice subtle acidic component. 3 of us all greatly enjoyed it.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-esxlQFoDGPk/Uf_KkN4WNkI/AAAAAAAAGIU/6Q-_F_LeFc8/s640/P1070129.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6BJNHm8j0nw/Uf_K3ViHQNI/AAAAAAAAGIs/ToUG-SqnEUw/s640/P1070132.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vGATFjcyEXg/Uf_K6HvIuEI/AAAAAAAAGI0/z9QmRfqDKa4/s640/P1070133.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H6KuNGUJShU/Uf_LDosvBdI/AAAAAAAAGJE/g99soeMQUJc/s640/P1070136.JPG)
Nice looking fruit, that is a good tasting variety. I have only had my "houghtons" mature so far. All of the others have a few more weeks, of course while I'll be in Peru.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 05, 2013, 02:18:41 PM
marklee,

How is the houghton fruit? I have one growing atm.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Creynell on August 05, 2013, 08:46:06 PM
Hello I am so glad I found this forum!! Great ideas for the trellis. I just got my first dragon fruit plants :) I would love to have some cuttings of Hailey's comet if you could spare anymore I could send prepaid shipping box
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on August 06, 2013, 03:38:53 AM
marklee,

How is the houghton fruit? I have one growing atm.
The Houghton is smaller than most others, it is dark red and very tasty, I just had my friend try one for the first time the other night and she can't get enough of them. A very prolific bearer, I must have 50 or more on mine right now. One of my favorite.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on August 06, 2013, 07:44:59 AM
MarinFla, love your setup. 

I have a Red Zamorano that is a mess.  It is in its original pot, it needs a repot badly. 
It is running everywhere and I think i want to start from scratch and do a setup similar to what you have.

I do have my first flower about to pop open, hoping for my first fruit set.

So, as I understand it, it is not about how high the plant grows, but more about how far down the plant hangs, correct?

How necessary is it burlap the post?

I was thinking about adding a second culitvar maybe do two plants of two cultivars (4 plants) around a 4x4.

Anyone have a good variety they want to swap for some Red Zamorano (similar growth habit)?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 06, 2013, 02:10:42 PM
MarinFla, love your setup. 

I have a Red Zamorano that is a mess.  It is in its original pot, it needs a repot badly. 
It is running everywhere and I think i want to start from scratch and do a setup similar to what you have.

I do have my first flower about to pop open, hoping for my first fruit set.

So, as I understand it, it is not about how high the plant grows, but more about how far down the plant hangs, correct?

How necessary is it burlap the post?

I was thinking about adding a second culitvar maybe do two plants of two cultivars (4 plants) around a 4x4.

Anyone have a good variety they want to swap for some Red Zamorano (similar growth habit)?



I have a couple of well rooted "physical graffiti" cuttings, that have been branching. I don't have any more room, so I need to get rid of them, so if you are interested in them,  send PM . No need to trade, since I don't have any more room for new plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: OrganicJim on August 12, 2013, 11:34:21 AM
Two of my dragon fruits have been putting out blooms for several mainths now without any fruit set until the other day. The differnce I see is that all of the flower up till now have all been vertical with the Style standing straight up. These last blooms have been horizontal and the style is bent at a 90 degree angle so that it gets the Stigma next to the anther. the first photo was taken in early June and the second one August.
Is this usual?


(http://s14.postimg.cc/7zxb9kusd/Dragon_Fruit_Flower_6_12_13.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7zxb9kusd/)



(http://s9.postimg.cc/rky9951kb/Dragon_Fruit_Flower_8_12_13_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rky9951kb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on August 12, 2013, 04:49:15 PM
Which cultivars are these?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: OrganicJim on August 12, 2013, 09:12:13 PM
The Photos are both from a Physical Graffiti and the other one that did the same thing is a David Bowie.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sfitzy321 on August 25, 2013, 07:55:31 PM
So I'm new to the forum, but every time I google dragonfruit this thread pops up. I just started 3 dragon fruit cacti from cuttings, and I'm pretty excited. I have no idea what cultivar they are other than white, red, and a purple fruit. One if them decided to bless me with a shoot. I thought I'd have to wait to stake the plant (not sure why I had the idea) and the dang thing has shot out almost straight sideways! It grew so fast! Is it too late to stake that one? Or is it ok to bend it? Also, the shoot is producing a clear liquid from the little segments. I tried to get a photo, it looks pretty good on my iPhone. Has anyone else's done this? It is slightly sticky, of course I had to taste it, and it's sweet. Hmmm. Google has no answer for that.
Also the other 2 haven't done anything but send down roots and one made 3 spines on a little knob. I sat them outside in a covered spot thinking maybe it's too cold in my house for those type to shoot out. I'd like to stick them all outside in the sun, but it's been pouring rain off and on for days. Any advise would be awesome. I just want to make sure I'm not killing the little guys. I'm not sure if the moisture in the air outside is enough, or if they should still be watered. Again they are in a covered spot so no direct rain.  Thanks in advance.

(http://s14.postimg.cc/4nylks6el/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4nylks6el/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/98krzpq3x/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/98krzpq3x/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on August 25, 2013, 10:20:41 PM
No problem, they are easy to train, when it gets a bit longer, you can tie it up in the direction you want, the "nodes" have some flexibility.

Also,  Welcome to the forum. :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 25, 2013, 10:21:02 PM
So I'm new to the forum, but every time I google dragonfruit this thread pops up. I just started 3 dragon fruit cacti from cuttings, and I'm pretty excited. I have no idea what cultivar they are other than white, red, and a purple fruit. One if them decided to bless me with a shoot. I thought I'd have to wait to stake the plant (not sure why I had the idea) and the dang thing has shot out almost straight sideways! It grew so fast! Is it too late to stake that one? Or is it ok to bend it? Also, the shoot is producing a clear liquid from the little segments. I tried to get a photo, it looks pretty good on my iPhone. Has anyone else's done this? It is slightly sticky, of course I had to taste it, and it's sweet. Hmmm. Google has no answer for that.
Also the other 2 haven't done anything but send down roots and one made 3 spines on a little knob. I sat them outside in a covered spot thinking maybe it's too cold in my house for those type to shoot out. I'd like to stick them all outside in the sun, but it's been pouring rain off and on for days. Any advise would be awesome. I just want to make sure I'm not killing the little guys. I'm not sure if the moisture in the air outside is enough, or if they should still be watered. Again they are in a covered spot so no direct rain.  Thanks in advance.

(http://s14.postimg.cc/4nylks6el/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4nylks6el/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/98krzpq3x/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/98krzpq3x/)

Welcome to the forum :)

No, it's not to late to stake it. Actually that's a little to small to stake yet. Let it grow a bit longer, then stake it or since they have already rooted, you can just make a large stake now. Then as they grow branches, you can train them to climb up the large stake. The will eventually grow aerial roots(epiphyllum like orchids) and climb the stake by them self as they grow older. You'll only really need to help tie the long branches to the main stake for support, but like I mention, it will eventually grow aerial roots to help it climb by it self. And don't worry, in your climate, where it's almost like it's natural environment(hot and humid), once it start growing, it will grow really fast. Now, would be a good time to build a trellis or stake in a good location in ground or large container. You can use almost any large container from large nursery pots, large square Rubbermaid totes, 18 gallon rope buckets and even half wine barrel or half 55 gallon plastic drums. I don't think rain will be an issue, unless rot start sets in, their natural environment is in rain forest from south America growing in trees. So they never really get any water except for the moisture from the humid air and when it rains. So, if their outside and it rains, don't need to water them, only if the soil gets dry. However, these are not like regular desert cactus, and they do like more water than desert cacti. So water, when it's starting to get dry , but in rain storm, don't water, because root rot can set in and another issue, you Floridians have in the humid ground is nematodes, so maybe in large pots, you can better prevent nematodes.

Good luck and would love to see your set up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on August 28, 2013, 11:50:11 AM
My mystery dragon fruit plant, opened its single flower night before last.   at 11Pm. I whipped out my 28ft extension ladder, and went up onto the second story roof. to get these shots.

 (http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower1_zps3565c550.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower1_zps3565c550.jpg.html)

(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower2_zps695dd404.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower2_zps695dd404.jpg.html)

(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower3_zps1da98d18.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower3_zps1da98d18.jpg.html)

The cutting for this was marked "Makisupa" but not sure.  first flowers were more yellowish, but these look like normal Pitaya flowers. 

I did my best to manually pollinate this single flower, no other Pitaya plants flowering at the moment, so hopefully it takes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 28, 2013, 03:55:58 PM
William,
They do look just like normal DF flowers. Maybe, it was just that first single flower, that was a different shade of color. And what's that protruding little yellow thingy?, in the bottom right of the open flower?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on August 28, 2013, 10:48:28 PM
William,
They do look just like normal DF flowers. Maybe, it was just that first single flower, that was a different shade of color. And what's that protruding little yellow thingy?, in the bottom right of the open flower?

That is just the pistil, i used a dry paper towel, to gather some pollen, then rubbed it all over the pistil, hope that gets it pollinated, I just found out that my other dragon fruit plant which I have on the top of the building I work in,  opened 3 flowers at once last night,  wish I had my camera.   I was hoping those would open first so I could collect the pollen to use it on the one in the photos above, but they were a few days off.   

the ones on the roof of the office building have produced fruit on their own before. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 29, 2013, 12:54:46 PM
Interesting, I didn't know what that was called. Have only seen most online pictures, but don't remember seeing the pistil. Then again, I've never paid close enough attention to the whole flower's pictures online before ::)

Why don't you grow it on a T-stake tree style instead for easier pollinating? Having it climb the side of your house, would be quite a work, just for pollinating a few flowers on the top of the building. I grow mine in 18 gallon Rubbermaid plastic totes and some in 15-20 gallon nursery pots with a stake in the middle. An alternative to using the pricier  nursery pots is to go with the plastic totes or a bit sturdier, is the 18 gallon rope buckets or the 55 gallon plastic drum(cut 1/2) and half wine.

note: they also produce more flowers on hanging branches or cut tip branches
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Carbo on August 29, 2013, 05:08:24 PM
I've had two cacti in my yard for a few years.  One from Puerto Rico; the other a gift from a friend in Georgia.  Don't know much about them, other than my wfe referring to them as putas, alleging to the flowers only coming out at night.  One has been mostly dormant, but the other has produced numerous flowers each summer, putting on quite a show with her white, bright, exotic looking blooms. 
Today I noticed this red bulb on the active plant, and if I didn't know any better I would say that's a dragon fruit.  :o  For those who know about these things, what's growing in my yard?  If it is a dragon fruit, what do I do now?  Sit back and wait for it to ripen?  Feed the plant?  How do I encourage more fruiting?

(http://s7.postimg.cc/t4fw5ld2f/20130829_164904.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/t4fw5ld2f/)


(http://s17.postimg.cc/z39mzxxt7/20130829_164838.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/z39mzxxt7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 29, 2013, 06:25:24 PM
It's a fruit all right, but not a dragon fruit/pitiya. Notice your cacti's leaves are flat and doesn't have a thick triangle shape leaf/stem. If, the flowers only blooms at night, it's most likely a "queen of the night/Dutchman's pipe"(Epiphyllum oxypetalum) But, on closer look the leaves, look different, yours kinda have serrated edges, my mom's plant, have smooth edges. It's probably some other kind of orchid cactus in the epiphyllum(most of these are hybrids and flower in the daytime or at dusk/dawn, but some will flower at night too like the E. oxypetalum) genus/family? All will produce fruit, if the flowers gets pollinated, either by hand or naturally by pollinators. As far as I understand, is that all cacti/us's fruits are edible. Though some are not very tasty, very bland and watery flavors. Like your orchid cactus fruit there. You can try it, to see if you like the flavor, though, I bet it's not very sweet or flavorful.

Since you're in Fl, lots of the members over there could help you out with a few cuttings from their DF. Ask around on the forum in this thread and for a quicker response ask in the wanted/buy/sell section, but if you can't locate some locally, I can ship you a cutting or two for postage fees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on August 29, 2013, 07:40:07 PM
Carbo

I have V-9,Haley comet,  American beauty and 2 Cambodian vnk let me know
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on August 29, 2013, 09:22:04 PM
@Thao

I have em growing up the wall, for lack of room. plus it was kind of an experiment to see how well they held on.

I have a few other in containers, and a couple at work, I was just telling the wife I need to get these organized, I have many started spread out all over the plave in nooks and crannies.

@Carbo

I was laughing over here when I read the part of "Putas" and red bulbs. .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 29, 2013, 10:56:40 PM
@Thao

I have a few other in containers, and a couple at work, I was just telling the wife I need to get these organized, I have many started spread out all over the plave in nooks and crannies.

Looks like they held on and is spreading everywhere.
@Carbo

I was laughing over here when I read the part of "Putas" and red bulbs. .

Willam,
Your experiment is a success and now they are climbing all over your house.

Thanks for the good laugh. I didn't catch that part, the first time I read Carbo's post. That made my night ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Carbo on August 30, 2013, 11:41:58 AM
Thank you all for the info and offers to share.  Much appreciated!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hollywood on August 30, 2013, 03:46:05 PM
My biggest dragonfruit vine is Zamorano and despite my pollination attempts, it is not setting any fruit. I haven't been able to cross-pollinate Zamorano because my other varieties are much smaller and they haven't flowered much yet. What are the best varieties for self-pollinating?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cbss_daviefl on August 30, 2013, 06:31:20 PM
Natural Mystic is one that is self pollinating.  It is red/red and the flavor reminds me a little of watermelon.  Vietnamese Jaina also is self polinating and sweet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hollywood on August 30, 2013, 09:17:06 PM
Natural Mystic is one that is self pollinating.  It is red/red and the flavor reminds me a little of watermelon.  Vietnamese Jaina also is self polinating and sweet.

I have never heard of these varieties. Who sells them and are there any drawbacks (lack of vigor, etc)?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 30, 2013, 11:04:35 PM
I believe, most magenta, red and red hybrids and some white varieties, are self pollinating. Some I know includes: Haley's comet, purple haze, physical graffiti, natural mystic, red Jaina, Zamorano, American beauty, David bowie, Viet giant and some others, I didn't mention. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cbss_daviefl on August 31, 2013, 04:12:56 PM
Natural Mystic is one that is self pollinating.  It is red/red and the flavor reminds me a little of watermelon.  Vietnamese Jaina also is self polinating and sweet.

I have never heard of these varieties. Who sells them and are there any drawbacks (lack of vigor, etc)?

I think I got mine from Bender's Grove. Pine Island and others carry these.  I still have Natural Mystic in the 3G pot I bought it in, 2+ years now.  It is pretty vigorous, attempting to climb over a 6 ft fence, and flowers often for its size.  I just grabbed a fruit and it has three fruit on it.   I bought wood to build a structure for all my DFs but I have not found the motivation yet.

I believe, most magenta, red and red hybrids and some white varieties, are self pollinating. Some I know includes: Haley's comet, purple haze, physical graffiti, natural mystic, red Jaina, Zamorano, American beauty, David bowie, Viet giant and some others, I didn't mention. 

The Haley's Comet and Physical Graffiti that I have are not self pollinating.  Purple haze may be based on reports from others but I have had flowers not set.   
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 31, 2013, 06:04:34 PM
Natural Mystic is one that is self pollinating.  It is red/red and the flavor reminds me a little of watermelon.  Vietnamese Jaina also is self polinating and sweet.

I have never heard of these varieties. Who sells them and are there any drawbacks (lack of vigor, etc)?

I think I got mine from Bender's Grove. Pine Island and others carry these.  I still have Natural Mystic in the 3G pot I bought it in, 2+ years now.  It is pretty vigorous, attempting to climb over a 6 ft fence, and flowers often for its size.  I just grabbed a fruit and it has three fruit on it.   I bought wood to build a structure for all my DFs but I have not found the motivation yet.

I believe, most magenta, red and red hybrids and some white varieties, are self pollinating. Some I know includes: Haley's comet, purple haze, physical graffiti, natural mystic, red Jaina, Zamorano, American beauty, David bowie, Viet giant and some others, I didn't mention. 

The Haley's Comet and Physical Graffiti that I have are not self pollinating.  Purple haze may be based on reports from others but I have had flowers not set.   

I might be confuse, maybe it's self fertile and not self pollinating? Does self fertile mean, it can be pollinated by it's own flower's pollen from another flower on the same plant and self pollinating, means it can set fruits on it's own, w/o any pollinator of sorts present?

I do have PG, PH, AB, guyute, Thai Red, Arizona purple, Phoenix red and Rodger's white, those are said to be self fertile. So, I hope they will set some fruits in the comings years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cbss_daviefl on August 31, 2013, 07:48:22 PM
In my experience, Haley's Comet and Physical Graffiti require the pollen of another DF variety to set fruit.  Maybe what I have was mislabeled.  Self-infertility is easily overcome by having multiple varieties and refrigerating pollen, which would stay good around 5 days.  Last year, I harvested around 60+ fruit from a single large Haley's Comet.  If it flowered and I did not have pollen, it would flower again soon after.  It is recommended that, when possible, varieties should be cross-pollenated to get larger fruit.  Hand pollenating will also result in a very high rate of fruit set. Almost all the flowers that I hand pollenated set fruit. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on September 02, 2013, 11:22:28 PM
My biggest dragonfruit vine is Zamorano and despite my pollination attempts, it is not setting any fruit. I haven't been able to cross-pollinate Zamorano because my other varieties are much smaller and they haven't flowered much yet. What are the best varieties for self-pollinating?

If I remember correctly I think it was  Pepe that told me he had low production problems with Zamorano,  I have one, but its not that big yet.  this one is the easiest to identify, the thorn nodules are closer spaced and longer, on the Zamorano.   my guess here is that this variety probably does better with a pollinator of another variety. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on September 03, 2013, 02:24:04 PM
Ive been looking for cuttings
i have a Physical Graffiti (small cutting) , but we had LOTS of rain here and its not looking to good
I am really interested in the yellow, but would appreciate just about any kind
I have lots of different seeds, and some other stuff for trade.

small list
Seeds I have
    Moringa Olifera seeds and seedling
    several hot and bell pepper seeds
    Papaya
    Guava (soon)
    Mulberry
    Wormwood
    Sweet wormwood
    Chicle Zapote
    Jujube
    sapote
    Syrian Rue
    Intelligence tree - Celastrus paniculatus


 Plants I have to trade:

    trees i can take cuttings from...
    Satsuma cutting
    Guava Cutting
    Mulberry cutting
    dwarf POM
    Aloe Vera
    Jujube
    should have cuttings in a couple of months
    of these
    Calea (dream herb)
    justicia pectoralis var. stenophylla
    Korth
    papaya seedling
    lychee seedling

Brad


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on September 03, 2013, 09:46:02 PM
I love this thread, besides the good commentary and the beautiful dragon fruit pictures, it helps me in my quest to find yearly-reliable and productive, very-sweet, large-sized, dragon fruit variety(ies) of excellent quality(ies).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on September 03, 2013, 10:22:14 PM
My mystery dragon fruit plant, opened its single flower night before last.   at 11Pm. I whipped out my 28ft extension ladder, and went up onto the second story roof. to get these shots.

 (http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower1_zps3565c550.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower1_zps3565c550.jpg.html)

(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower2_zps695dd404.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower2_zps695dd404.jpg.html)

(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/William_Crowley/PitayaFlower3_zps1da98d18.jpg) (http://s1239.photobucket.com/user/William_Crowley/media/PitayaFlower3_zps1da98d18.jpg.html)

The cutting for this was marked "Makisupa" but not sure.  first flowers were more yellowish, but these look like normal Pitaya flowers. 

I did my best to manually pollinate this single flower, no other Pitaya plants flowering at the moment, so hopefully it takes.

UPDATE:

Flower bud just dropped off today just like the previous 3 it has put out,  looks like this variety whatever it is, needs a separate pollinator. :(  I'm not too happy.   may give it another chance, but if continues to fail, I will yank it out, and put in another variety. I have a few more that would be happy to take its place.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 08, 2013, 11:35:33 AM
Does anyone have experience with eating quality of Frankies Red? 
Or better yet, photos to share with us?  This hybrid sounds very intriguing
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 08, 2013, 11:38:18 AM
Does anyone have experience with eating quality of Frankies Red? 
Or better yet, photos to share with us?  This hybrid sounds very intriguing

Does anyone have cuttings of Frankies Red? I tried to find it before, I have about 20 other DF varieties but could never find a source for Frankies Red.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: emegar on October 08, 2013, 12:33:20 PM
nullzy,

I got a cutting of Frankie's Red from mattslandscape.com last year.  It's in a fairly shaded location and is very spindly/narrow, but I have had a couple of pieces break off which I put in pots to root.  If you can't source it elsewhere, I'm sure I could send you one.

James
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 08, 2013, 01:10:36 PM
nullzy,

I got a cutting of Frankie's Red from mattslandscape.com last year.  It's in a fairly shaded location and is very spindly/narrow, but I have had a couple of pieces break off which I put in pots to root.  If you can't source it elsewhere, I'm sure I could send you one.

James

James,

Sent you a PM, thanks for the fast reply.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 08, 2013, 02:52:20 PM
Ooo... You have a Frankie's red... I've heard of it but I think it has the same annoying slow ripening as the megalanthus. I have much trouble fruiting the regular yellow one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 08, 2013, 03:02:31 PM
I wonder if anyone of us outside of Sven or Leo have experienced this variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: eNorm on October 08, 2013, 03:57:08 PM
I wonder if anyone of us outside of Sven or Leo have experienced this variety?

I got mine from Leo a few years ago and had my first bloom this year.  I had a fruit growing and developing, but a last month it just turned yellow and fell off.  :'(  It's a very small fruit and supposed to be delicious.  I hope to have it flower and have better luck next year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 08, 2013, 04:05:09 PM
Thanks for the report Norm.  Very small?  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: eNorm on October 08, 2013, 10:55:54 PM
Tim,

It's personal sized... that way you don't have to share.   ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 09, 2013, 07:20:00 AM
I never did get Frankie's red or the regular S. megalanthus to fruit, but I didn't try very hard.  They both have very similar growth patterns.  Unfortunately I don't have either growing anymore.  Ok I’ve got to ask, how did you know I had that variety Tim?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on October 09, 2013, 08:11:30 AM
S. megalanthus is self-fertile here in S. Florida, but the fruit are considerably smaller (<150 g.) than those found in the markets of Colombia. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 09, 2013, 10:49:46 AM
Cuz I'm Batman

I never did get Frankie's red or the regular S. megalanthus to fruit, but I didn't try very hard.  They both have very similar growth patterns.  Unfortunately I don't have either growing anymore.  Ok I’ve got to ask, how did you know I had that variety Tim?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 09, 2013, 12:57:06 PM
Oh, of course.  That explains everything.  Wait, do I know you?  What’s going on, where am I? And what the hell does this smiley face mean  :blank:?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MMMMommy on October 09, 2013, 02:51:41 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2013, 02:56:43 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Congrats what variety? Also from the picture it looks like its grown in SoCal?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MMMMommy on October 09, 2013, 03:38:30 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Congrats what variety? Also from the picture it looks like its grown in SoCal?

I don't know what variety it is.  All I know is that it has white flesh & the fruits are very big.  I also have the purple and red flesh ones, but their fruits are smaller :).  BTW, how on earth can you tell that it's grown in SoCal just by looking at the pic? (you're right, though)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2013, 03:45:23 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Congrats what variety? Also from the picture it looks like its grown in SoCal?

I don't know what variety it is.  All I know is that it has white flesh & the fruits are very big.  I also have the purple and red flesh ones, but their fruits are smaller :).  BTW, how on earth can you tell that it's grown in SoCal just by looking at the pic? (you're right, though)

If I had to take a guess I would say South Bay area or North OC near the 405. I can tell the area its grown in by the ambient lighting in the picture. Also the plants in the foreground and background being grown like the Ficus sp. (very popular in SoCal, and do not get out of control and big usually). Even the type of concrete block used... for instance that exact wall and type of lighting I would see at my friend's house in Lawndale.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MMMMommy on October 09, 2013, 04:01:44 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Congrats what variety? Also from the picture it looks like its grown in SoCal?

I don't know what variety it is.  All I know is that it has white flesh & the fruits are very big.  I also have the purple and red flesh ones, but their fruits are smaller :).  BTW, how on earth can you tell that it's grown in SoCal just by looking at the pic? (you're right, though)

If I had to take a guess I would say South Bay area or North OC near the 405. I can tell the area its grown in by the ambient lighting in the picture. Also the plants in the foreground and background being grown like the Ficus sp. (very popular in SoCal, and do not get out of control and big usually). Even the type of concrete block used... for instance that exact wall and type of lighting I would see at my friend's house in Lawndale.

Oh boy, you're good!  I gotta be careful posting pictures of my yard now or you can pinpoint my exact location LOL!  The plant in the front is actually a lychee :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2013, 04:05:29 PM
What a beautiful sight to behold :)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/hrmal5qk3/IMG_5299.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hrmal5qk3/)

Congrats what variety? Also from the picture it looks like its grown in SoCal?

I don't know what variety it is.  All I know is that it has white flesh & the fruits are very big.  I also have the purple and red flesh ones, but their fruits are smaller :).  BTW, how on earth can you tell that it's grown in SoCal just by looking at the pic? (you're right, though)

If I had to take a guess I would say South Bay area or North OC near the 405. I can tell the area its grown in by the ambient lighting in the picture. Also the plants in the foreground and background being grown like the Ficus sp. (very popular in SoCal, and do not get out of control and big usually). Even the type of concrete block used... for instance that exact wall and type of lighting I would see at my friend's house in Lawndale.

Oh boy, you're good!  I gotta be careful posting pictures of my yard now or you can pinpoint my exact location LOL!  The plant in the front is actually a lychee :)

Darn got that tree wrong, looks awfully close to a ficus sp. Especially the way the light shines off the leaves. Its kind of funny how much you can get from the picture if your familiar with the area and how pictures taken there should look. I hope I did not screw up your anonymous location to much lol.

Congrats on future dragon fruits :).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 09, 2013, 04:19:36 PM
Weren't you guys supposed to meet up at Behl's place last year as a group for grafting demonstration & brainstorming that ended up at your place with a few members short due to family ER?

Darn got that tree wrong, looks awfully close to a ficus sp. Especially the way the light shines off the leaves. Its kind of funny how much you can get from the picture if your familiar with the area and how pictures taken there should look. I hope I did not screw up your anonymous location to much lol.

Congrats on future dragon fruits :).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 09, 2013, 04:27:39 PM
I'm just playing, it was just a really lucky edumacated guess considering you've been around the scenes and all....but no, seriously, cuz I'm Batman!!!

Oh, of course.  That explains everything.  Wait, do I know you?  What’s going on, where am I? And what the hell does this smiley face mean  :blank:?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 09, 2013, 05:23:57 PM
Weren't you guys supposed to meet up at Behl's place last year as a group for grafting demonstration & brainstorming that ended up at your place with a few members short due to family ER?

Darn got that tree wrong, looks awfully close to a ficus sp. Especially the way the light shines off the leaves. Its kind of funny how much you can get from the picture if your familiar with the area and how pictures taken there should look. I hope I did not screw up your anonymous location to much lol.

Congrats on future dragon fruits :).

Yeah, I think your right, Tim. I totally forgot associating the screen name with that. Not sure if any of the grafts took during that get together, but it was fun anyway. Fang was really informative and a very nice and patient person.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 09, 2013, 10:05:01 PM
I'd like to report on my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit.

This past month it's been growing really fast, I suppose it's gotten established at its location. If I remember correctly, I planted it this year in May.

I'm using the Chemically Pressure Treated Wooden Post Method. I have about seven 'David Bowie' sections planted around the wood pole. This is the method used at Pine Island Nursery, where I got my 'David Bowie' from. Much to my shagrin, I've noticed that the roots of the Dragon Fruit hate the chemically pressure treated wood of the pole, just by looking at it, one can just tell, the roots don't want to cling to it. After a big section of the 'David Bowie' fell off the pole, I had to resource to Plastic Butterfly Ties, to affix the plant back on to the wood pole. And, it worked, the 'David Bowie' has been growing fast this month. Although, it hasn't yet reached the top of the pole yet. But, at the pace it's going, it shouldn't be long.

Right now I'm waiting for flower(s) to appear at the tips of the pole climbing plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MMMMommy on October 10, 2013, 12:25:18 PM
Weren't you guys supposed to meet up at Behl's place last year as a group for grafting demonstration & brainstorming that ended up at your place with a few members short due to family ER?

Darn got that tree wrong, looks awfully close to a ficus sp. Especially the way the light shines off the leaves. Its kind of funny how much you can get from the picture if your familiar with the area and how pictures taken there should look. I hope I did not screw up your anonymous location to much lol.

Congrats on future dragon fruits :).

Yeah, I think your right, Tim. I totally forgot associating the screen name with that. Not sure if any of the grafts took during that get together, but it was fun anyway. Fang was really informative and a very nice and patient person.

Ahh.. now I remember that event, too!  My mother-in-law passed away right around that weekend so I couldn't host the meeting at my house.  I wonder how that meeting and all the grafts went, as I never saw any pictures or any posts about them afterward.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 02:16:18 PM
I finally got to read through this thread and I thought I would clear up a few things if I can.  Paul Thomson (co-founder of CRFG) did a lot of early work in California with dragon fruit.  He crossed a variety called Rixford with a variety name Neitzel and grew several seedlings out to fruiting age.  These he just gave numbers like 1S, 2S, 3S and so on.  He named his favorite delight, which was his number 3S, but the rest were left with numbers.  None of these are self-fertile, ie they need cross pollination.

Years ago I gave Pine Island a selection of varieties in the hope that they could generate a lot more plant material quicker in their more favorable growing conditions.  I was having trouble propagating enough of any one variety to do any kind of significant planting.

It did work and they started selling them but they also named them since they were only numbered or lettered.  I wish they had had someone other than a stoned high school student name them  ;), but at least they finally got names.  Here is a list of the synonyms that I know of.

1S = Physical Graffiti
2S = Cosmic Charlie
5S = Purple Haze
9S = Dark Star
Quang Ong Self Fertile (QOSF) = American Beauty
Ben Poier H. poly. (BPHP) = Bloody Mary

1S (Physical Graffiti) was always my favorite.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 02:17:57 PM
Also, here is an article that might have some useful info in it.  I know the author, he’s an ok guy ;D.

http://www.jpacd.org/downloads/vol5/v5p98-105.pdf (http://www.jpacd.org/downloads/vol5/v5p98-105.pdf)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 10, 2013, 02:44:42 PM
Thanks for the history lesson, Sven.
How come http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs303 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs303) has American Beauty's origin as Guatemala?

Do you have anything on Halley's Comet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on October 10, 2013, 05:42:45 PM
Interesting history lesson. I have 1s,5s and QOSF, so that means my PG and PH will need to be cross pollinated. Well good thing, I have a few other variety as well. Know anything about Phoenix Red, Arizona purple, Thai Red, guyute and Rodger's White?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 10, 2013, 05:46:22 PM
Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti don't need to be

Interesting history lesson. I have 1s,5s and QOSF, so that means my PG and PH will need to be cross pollinated. Well good thing, I have a few other variety as well. Know anything about Phoenix Red, Arizona purple, Thai Red, guyute and Rodger's White?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 06:00:08 PM
The simple answer is because they are wrong  ;).  If you go to the Pine Island site and look at American Beauty  http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/QOSF.htm (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/QOSF.htm) you will notice QOSF at the end of the web address.  I used to give varieties I collected a 3 or 4 letter designation.  In this case it is Quang Ong Self Fertile or QOSF.  I got this from Quang himself and gave it to Pine Island labeled QOSF and they named it American Beauty.  I did give them a sheet with information on each of the varieties, but it probably got lost long before they named them.  I suspect Quang got this variety from Asia somewhere but I’m not sure.

Actually that is how I realized they had named the varieties, because I noticed 1S at the end of their web address: http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/IS.htm (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/IS.htm)  So I wrote them and they gave me the list I posted above.

I don’t know anything about Halley's Comet.  The thing is I gave them 16 varieties (if I recall correctly) so it is possible some of the others they sell are some of Paul’s varieties or others I gave them.  That one sure looks like it could be one of Paul’s, but it might not be.  I need to get some files off my old computer, and when I do I will post all the varieties I gave them so people can compare and see if anything looks to be duplicated.  As an example, the fruit of Voodoo Child sure looks like Paul’s 8S (a different cross than 1-5S and 9S) but I can’t tell for sure without seeing the stem.  8S has a very distinct growth pattern. 

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 06:04:50 PM
Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti don't need to be

Interesting history lesson. I have 1s,5s and QOSF, so that means my PG and PH will need to be cross pollinated. Well good thing, I have a few other variety as well. Know anything about Phoenix Red, Arizona purple, Thai Red, guyute and Rodger's White?

Sorry, I actually meant to qualify that by saying Paul found them not to be self fertile, as did I, but in other areas or under different management that might not be the case.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 06:08:08 PM
Also, even with self-fertile varieties, hand cross-pollination usually gives you a much larger fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 06:11:38 PM
One other thing, try eating the white petals of the flowers.  The ones on the inside of the flower.  They are mildly sweet and I always thought they would be great in a salad.  I bet you could even market them that way.  It doesn’t hurt the fruit set by pulling them off.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 10, 2013, 06:27:05 PM
Thanks for the clarification... Very interesting regarding the petals. Never had fresh but dried out flowers after fruit set could be used in cooking in the same manner as dried bamboo shoots in Vietnamese cooking.

Do flower petals vary in sweetness from different varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on October 10, 2013, 07:10:28 PM
Indeed interesting about the flower petals. So it's like the fejoas' edible flower petals then, mildly sweet. Will have to give it try, next year, if mine mange to fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 10, 2013, 07:25:25 PM
I never noticed a difference in the sweetness of the petals between varieties but I never paid close attention to it. 

They aren’t exactly like fejoas.  They aren’t as sweet as that and they have an earthy sort of flavor.  I actually just had a Cereus peruvianus bloom and the petals taste similar.

There are other mistakes in the list here http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs303 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs303) they list delight as a H. polyrhizus x H. undatus cross which isn’t exactly correct.  Rixford might have H. polyrhizus in its parentage but it definitely isn’t a H. poly as far as I know.  Actually it could be any of the red fleshed species in its heritage, I don’t know for sure.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on October 10, 2013, 09:07:02 PM
 

They aren’t exactly like fejoas.  They aren’t as sweet as that and they have an earthy sort of flavor.  I actually just had a Cereus peruvianus bloom and the petals taste similar.


I actually haven't tasted either fejoa fruit or flower petals, always heard people, say the flower petals are edible. So, thought that they might be similar, but only way for me to find out, is to try some of both next year ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on October 12, 2013, 01:02:46 AM
Thanks for the reminder and history lesson Sven !! Paul Thomson and the CRFG have made great contributions to our hobby.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on October 12, 2013, 05:16:18 AM
A good friend has a clean sweep of the Californian hybrids like rixford,haleys comet,american beauty,physical graffiti,purple haze,dark star,delight,cosmic charlie and about a dozen other top types. He has many Asian bred types, Australian ones and about 8 other Hylocereus species and S.megalanthus. Being an enthusiast he reads everything on the top and laughs at my collection od types and species. I thought I had a pretty crash hot assemblage although they are still young. Anyway he has expressed some strong opinions on dragonfruit that are not obvious in the literature.

He suggested the many of the Hylos need to be lumped and are not genetically or morphologically distinct and are not really separate species. He also said the common yellow S.megalanthus id a natural intergeneric hybrid that will become a Hyloc. soon.He advised me that most of the inferior tastes were due to picking too young and that the Californian glamorous hybrids were only on par in flavour with yellows, common commercial self fertile reds,the best viet whites and some of the wild types like true H.occamponis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 12, 2013, 07:35:10 AM
Mike,

I agree with your friend about the “flavor”.  When properly ripened many of the varieties achieve similar levels of sweetness.  In fact the sweetest fruit I grew was not one of Paul’s varieties but a G2 which is a variety from Guatemala that Steve Spangler at Exotica was propagating and selling.  It had a brix of 31 if I recall correctly.

The biggest problem with them commercially (as I saw it) is that by the time they are sweet enough to taste good they look like crap on the outside and no one would buy them.  So either you sell nice looking fruit that no one will buy again because it is insipid or you sell ugly fruit that no one will even try because of the outward appearance.  1S looked like it got sweet earlier than other varieties.

There are some varieties that produce insipid fruit even when you leave them on the plant long enough.  George Emerich had a dead jacaranda tree in his driveway that was covered in pitaya.  It was from 4 cuttings planted at the base of the tree.  I believe he did get some sweet fruit but some was insipid no matter how long you left it on the vine.  He wasn’t sure if all 4 of the plants were the same or different but I suspect there were at least 2 different clones there.  When the tree fell over I went and got two pickup truck loads of cuttings and rooted a ton of them, but scrapped most of them when I realized it wasn’t a good variety.

Sven

p.s. Rixford isn't one of the hybrids, it's one Paul collected from someone else.  It's one of the parents of Paul's hybrids.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 28, 2013, 07:39:52 PM
How you rated the diferent var. of dragon's in terms of flavour?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on October 28, 2013, 08:24:26 PM
Great ideas for a dragon fruit thread!
I could use some help with mine!
I have Physical Graffiti, and a yellow dragon fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus according to Pine Island Nursery, where I ordered them).  I have had them for over 3 years now, and cannot get them to bloom!  They were fairly large plants in gallon pots when I got them.
They have been in my tropical greenhouse, which never gets below 50F.  I have tried SO many different things to try and get them to bloom - lots of water, little water, fertilizer, no fertilizer, letting them grow until they took over the place with greenery, pruning them down, more light, more shade, and nothing.  I have no problem at all with getting my epiphyllums (orchid cactus) to bloom. I have recently moved the dragon fruit to the dormant house (gets into the high 30's in winter but never freezes), thinking maybe they need vernalization(?). 
They grow like weeds, and seem really happy and healthy, other than no blooms.  Aaarggh!

The only other things I can think of are, maybe, light intensity?  Or do they have a critical photo period and I need to keep them in the light for a longer period each day?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 28, 2013, 11:41:32 PM
My 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit has picked up in growing speed and strength, but I'm still waiting for the first flower. I'm using the Pine Island Nursery single pole method. The cuttings were planted around the pole almost two years ago. I chose this variety because the P.I.N. website said the flavor and productivity is excellent. I have a feeling that it won't be long now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 29, 2013, 06:53:33 AM
My first dragon fruit (yellow Selenicereus megalanthus)!  ;D
(http://s23.postimg.cc/oqq3fttiv/foto0292.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/oqq3fttiv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 29, 2013, 07:22:03 AM
Daintree,

Can you post a picture of your plants?  Lack of flowering in Hylocereus species (in my experience) is usually from too much shade.  They will do fine with high 30’s (even low 30’s is ok) so the move into the dormant house should be no problem.  Maybe even the added stress will help them bloom.  Do you fertilize much?  Sometimes they just take a year or two longer than you would think or want them to. 

Looks good Luisport.  As for flavor of the Hyloceres varieties I’ll leave it up to other people with more experience fruiting them.  I will say they generally don’t really have much flavor, just sweet and juicy.  Also most of the varieties will attain similar sweetness when the fruits are left on the plant to ripen properly.

Sven
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on October 30, 2013, 07:53:22 PM
Here are some pictures of my dragon fruit.  Earlier in the summer, they were quite large, but I got mad at them for not blooming and chopped them down.  Then I felt bad and repotted them and built them the new, smaller trellises. 

This was last spring (sorry, it is hard to see them behind the cacao that is covered with grasskeet "anti-landing devices") -
(http://s24.postimg.cc/6lec7melt/cacao_and_dragon_fruit.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6lec7melt/)

Also, the stems never got thick, they just got VERY long and spindly, like they are now.
More light, you think?  Can I have success with artificial light, if the natural light isn't enough?  I have burned them several times trying to put them in full sun.

These were just taken a few minutes ago -
(http://s24.postimg.cc/ucib3h46p/Physical_Grafitti.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ucib3h46p/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/egth06dm9/Yellow.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/egth06dm9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 30, 2013, 08:48:21 PM
Your dragon fruits are fairly young looking
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on October 30, 2013, 10:24:07 PM
I bought them 3 years avon, and the stems were very thick (2-3 inches).  THey were about 2 feet tall, and seemed really vigorous.  They have grown like crazy, but the stems are always very thin.
Aarrrggh!  I am tired of buying my dragon fruit at the oriental market in Portland!
What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 30, 2013, 10:49:20 PM
I bought them 3 years avon, and the stems were very thick (2-3 inches).  THey were about 2 feet tall, and seemed really vigorous.  They have grown like crazy, but the stems are always very thin.
Aarrrggh!  I am tired of buying my dragon fruit at the oriental market in Portland!
What am I doing wrong?

Its probably the amount of light, like others have commented. From experience when dragon fruit is lacking light it tends to get thin and sprawl out seeking more light.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on October 31, 2013, 12:20:50 AM
Thanks!
Starting tomorrow, they get MORE LIGHT!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 31, 2013, 01:11:36 AM
They absolutely need more light.  When they don’t get enough light the stems get really thin and they grow extra long trying to reach the light (etiolated).  When they get that much shade they rarely bloom.  Those thin stems can’t hold much weight so either tie them really well to your trellis, which looks great by the way, or cut them back so they can re-grow some stout stems.  Look at the pictures below, that’s how thick they should be.  Those were grown under 30% shade cloth.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/l7r89o4qf/P6060019.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/l7r89o4qf/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/c7a324az3/P6060020.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c7a324az3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 31, 2013, 06:21:50 AM
pitaya aka dragon fruit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-10M-fpHI#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on October 31, 2013, 06:34:45 AM
Here in Thailand they are in full sun and huge. Also i read that they have to be at least 5 kg (10 lbs) to be able to fruit.

I also read some variety's don't need full sun but partially shade.

Yesterday i bought a red fleshed one and they taste better then a white fleshed one grown in Thailand.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fruitguy on October 31, 2013, 08:25:29 AM
I also read some variety's don't need full sun but partially shade.

Location, location, location!  Just like in real estate, location is an important factor.  In the deserts of Israel (high light intensity, low humidity) dragonfruit must be grown under shadecloth.  If my memory hasn't totally failed me, most species did best under 30% shade with the exception of Selenicereus megalanthus which fruited best under 60% shade.  Here in South Florida, all of the Hylocereus species/varieties I have growing can handle full-sun in the summer (high light intensity, high humidity).  The only time of the year that I have problems is in October when the dry season starts to kick in and the nearly daily rain dries up to once a week or less, and I can start to get a little burn on some of them.  A little supplemental watering usually takes care of that.  My S. megalanthus is currently growing in a black sapote (think fairly heavy shade) and only the parts that find sun set fruit, albeit relatively small fruit (about 100 g.)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 31, 2013, 10:46:50 AM
2011 Dragon Fruit Festival Fruit Varieties (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzvwt-RV08M#ws)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 31, 2013, 10:50:40 AM
2012 Pitahaya Festival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjrq_vvO62M#ws)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 31, 2013, 11:01:19 AM
Organic Dragon Fruit Harvest & the Perfect Dessert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL3mJssttQo#ws)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on October 31, 2013, 11:37:56 AM
Vietnam Dragon Fruit (www.vktour.com) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz9OsjfYziw#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on October 31, 2013, 02:08:41 PM
They absolutely need more light.  When they don’t get enough light the stems get really thin and they grow extra long trying to reach the light (etiolated).  When they get that much shade they rarely bloom.  Those thin stems can’t hold much weight so either tie them really well to your trellis, which looks great by the way, or cut them back so they can re-grow some stout stems.  Look at the pictures below, that’s how thick they should be.  Those were grown under 30% shade cloth.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/l7r89o4qf/P6060019.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/l7r89o4qf/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/c7a324az3/P6060020.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c7a324az3/)

Sven

Nice photos, are those plants being grown out to be planted someplace or will they be fruited in those containers?  I have a bunch of dragon fruit in 5 gallon pots and I was hoping to be able to get at least a few fruit from them next year (they are about the size of the plants in the photo

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 31, 2013, 02:12:43 PM
At first, my Yellow Dragon didn't like intense sunlight while it was getting established, it grew much faster under artificial light but once it got established, it was growing really well in full sunlight. Under artificial light and growing in 50% shade, the YD was growing really long and the growth rate was pretty fast but the stems were very thin and round or cylindrical, the stems were not wide and flattened out.

Now that it is established and gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight, the stems are wide and strong. The Yellow Dragon and Frankie's Red are my two Dragonfruit that does not get sunburned at 95F+ heat in full sun. Here is a picture of the first fruits from my YD. It has Two larger fruit, one smaller fruit and four flower buds on it so far.
Simon
(http://s14.postimg.cc/jnzcvt5m5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jnzcvt5m5/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/dlrq5bh65/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dlrq5bh65/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 31, 2013, 02:26:54 PM
For getting my Dragonfruit to actually fruit, I do not give my plants much if any Nitrogen fertilizer once they are the size I want them to be at. I give them something like organic 0-10-10 about a month or two Before I expect them to initiate flowering. I also give them very little water several months before I expect them to flower. DF as with all my plants seem to respond extremely well to Seaweed/kelp extract.

How your DF plants are grown can also be a factor, I read somewhere and have definitely experienced that I get most my fruit from branches that are hanging down. I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced this also but I noticed that I got out of season blooms when I severely pruned my DF. I harvested most my DF 2-3 months ago and trimmed my plants back and shortly after that, the plants that I pruned flowered again. One of the vegetative stems actually turned into a flower, very odd.
Simon
(http://s16.postimg.cc/edc8phgm9/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/edc8phgm9/)

(http://s16.postimg.cc/ulsgyypgh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ulsgyypgh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on October 31, 2013, 03:15:50 PM
Simon - Jacob posted the odd behavior of his dragon fruit here as well

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=6705.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=6705.0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on October 31, 2013, 03:38:29 PM
Not DF , but my peach did the same thing too, after heavy pruning. Strange how nature works.

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=7503.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=7503.0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on October 31, 2013, 03:50:02 PM


Sven

Nice photos, are those plants being grown out to be planted someplace or will they be fruited in those containers?  I have a bunch of dragon fruit in 5 gallon pots and I was hoping to be able to get at least a few fruit from them next year (they are about the size of the plants in the photo

Richard
[/quote]

Thanks Richard,

Those are actually old pictures, maybe from 2002.  They were to be fruited in place there.  If yours are a similar size you should get some fruit next year.  I did the year after that photo.  Unfortunately I used those tall 5 gal pots with the bottoms cut out.  They made it hard to get the plants enough water and organic matter once they got larger and they did not root out the bottom as easily as I thought they would.  I would plant them directly in the ground and compost the hell out of them if I had to do it again.  Most of those plants are dead now, but I am heading up to show that property this afternoon and I will be digging up anything that is still alive.

Sven
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 01, 2013, 10:30:48 AM
Yep, only two Joyce Greenlund plants still alive and I think I found one cutting of Punch (Paul's 3.5S) that still has some green on it, hoping it will root.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 01, 2013, 01:35:33 PM
At first, my Yellow Dragon didn't like intense sunlight while it was getting established, it grew much faster under artificial light but once it got established, it was growing really well in full sunlight. Under artificial light and growing in 50% shade, the YD was growing really long and the growth rate was pretty fast but the stems were very thin and round or cylindrical, the stems were not wide and flattened out.

Now that it is established and gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight, the stems are wide and strong. The Yellow Dragon and Frankie's Red are my two Dragonfruit that does not get sunburned at 95F+ heat in full sun. Here is a picture of the first fruits from my YD. It has Two larger fruit, one smaller fruit and four flower buds on it so far.
Simon
(http://s14.postimg.cc/jnzcvt5m5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jnzcvt5m5/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/dlrq5bh65/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dlrq5bh65/)

Simon,

My YD is done,  had it's last flower over a month ago, I have some nice fruit, and they usually size up good. Where did you get your cuttings from? I got mine from seeds of a plant from England that made it's way to a friend in Vista and they get some large yellows. Trying to figure out if there are some different types of S. Megalanthus. I also just got a plant from Steve at Exotica that he says came from Trinidad, it looks like a Megalanthus, just need to wait for it to fruit in a few years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 01, 2013, 01:38:16 PM
Does anyone have any knowledge of PI having what they labeled as "red megalanthus" and "Yellow Undatus"?. While visiting there in 2011 they had these. I don't know if they released them or where they got them. I'm wondering if the "Red Megalanthus" is "Frankie's Red".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on November 01, 2013, 02:05:39 PM
Hey Mark, your reply got cut off. I tried the Yellow Undatus at the dragonfruit festival several years ago and from my recollection, it was nothing special and not very sweet. I'm not sure if the Red Megalanthus is Frankie's red but I have cuttings if you are interested.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 03, 2013, 04:19:24 PM
Pitaya Plus: A Superfruit on a Social Mission on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/33620759)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on November 05, 2013, 12:54:06 PM
I just harvested the last of the 24 Dragon Fruits my trellis produced over the last few months. I was very impressed how sweet they were with highest brix reading at 18.4 The largest one shown on the scale in the photo below weighed 1.21 lbs!!.  I'm going to measure the brix of that one when I cut into it and add a picture of the inside of it. Considering I started this Dragon fruit trellis on Jan 1st 2012 from small cuttings I am very happy with its shape and productivity!!
(http://s22.postimg.cc/qr2l4fa3x/20131105_102747.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qr2l4fa3x/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/j6xyyb581/dragon_fruit_7_21_13.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j6xyyb581/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on November 05, 2013, 12:55:32 PM
I just harvested the last of 24 Dragon Fruits my trellis produced over the last few months. I was very impressed how sweet they were with highest brix reading at 18.4 The largest one shown on the scale in the photo below.  I'm going to measure the brix of that one when I cut into it. And add a picture of the inside of it.
(http://s22.postimg.cc/qr2l4fa3x/20131105_102747.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qr2l4fa3x/)

Congrats on the great harvest. What variety was it again? American Beauty?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 05, 2013, 12:58:23 PM
I just harvested the last of 24 Dragon Fruits my trellis produced over the last few months. I was very impressed how sweet they were with highest brix reading at 18.4 The largest one shown on the scale in the photo below.  I'm going to measure the brix of that one when I cut into it. And add a picture of the inside of it.
(http://s22.postimg.cc/qr2l4fa3x/20131105_102747.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qr2l4fa3x/)
Congratulations!!! They seams great... enjoy! By the way you eat them like that or you make any recipe?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on November 05, 2013, 01:02:39 PM
Nullzero I have Physical Graffiti and Haley's Comet

Luisport... I just eat them fresh like that. I like them a bit better when chilled but I will eat them fresh off the plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 05, 2013, 01:11:15 PM
Nullzero I have Physical Graffiti and Haley's Comet

Luisport... I just eat them fresh like that. I like them a bit better when chilled but I will eat them fresh off the plant.
Thank's Marin, i never try one but i'm shure i will in near time!  :P
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 05, 2013, 01:49:35 PM
Good job, your plant and fruits look great!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 05, 2013, 02:26:19 PM
Yep, only two Joyce Greenlund plants still alive and I think I found one cutting of Punch (Paul's 3.5S) that still has some green on it, hoping it will root.

I just got an e-mail asking for info on these two varieties so I thought I would answer it here in case others are interested as well. 

Paul Thomsom's #3.5S is a seedling he grew out and then distributed quite a while after his other seedlings (1S, 2S, 3S…).  A grower here in California named it Punch, I believe because he thought it tasted like fruit punch.  It is a good quality fruit but I found it was not very productive.  I believe the grower I mentioned planted a good amount but also found its production on the shy side.  I’m not sure the parentage of this one and I’m not sure it is listed in Paul’s book.  Also I’m not sure if it is self-fertile.  It did the best at my old place over the last 10 years with water only and no care.  It's a vigorous grower. 

Joyce Greenlund, sometimes called Joyce and sometimes called Greenlund, is a variety that was reportedly self-fertile.  Early on self-fertile varieties were quite rare.  This one set fruit for Joyce at her place near Santa Barbara without hand pollination.  It is white fleshed and quite pretty on the outside but it wasn’t self-fertile for either Paul or I.  Paul heard about it and got cuttings from Joyce and I paid her a visit later on and she graciously gave me a fair number of cuttings and I planted 1/8 of an acre of them.  By the way Joyce made the best lemon scones I have ever eaten!

These are pictures of the original plant at Joyce's
(http://s18.postimg.cc/6s0672x8l/P9220015.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6s0672x8l/)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/5410sfjd1/P9220016.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5410sfjd1/)

Here are a couple of the fruit

(http://s24.postimg.cc/5vujhlr8x/P112101004.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5vujhlr8x/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/hdfhmswmp/P112101006.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hdfhmswmp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 05, 2013, 02:38:30 PM
I just found this in a old word file.  It's got to be from Paul, it may be from his book or some other source, I'm not sure but I thought I would post it.  I added the newer names.

Paul Thomson’s Hybrid Pitahayas

   The first hybrid seeds were from a cross made of two unknown species ‘Neitzel’ and ‘Rixford’. All seedlings of “Neitzel” X ‘Rixford’ must be cross pollinated to set fruit. The seedlings of “Neitzel” X ‘Rixford’ are:  1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 4-S, 5-S, 6-S, and 9-S. The first seedlings fruited in 1998 and all fruited by 2000.

   Seedlings 7-S and 8-S are from a cross between 'Houghton' and ‘Rixford’, both with red flesh of excellent flavor. `Houghton may not be a Hylocereus but a related genus as the fruit has very small scales each with a sharp spine at its tip, a characteristic not found in fruits of the genus Hylocereus.  Fruit is round and 2” in diameter. It is very frost hardy and has only suffered minor damage by a temperature of 25 degrees F. The 2 seedlings are intermediate in hardiness between the two parents.

   1-S (Physical Graffiti). First fruited in 1998 with two fruits weighing 1 pound 8 ounces and 1 pound 10 ounces. A very attractive fruit, flesh a dark pink, flavor very good.    

   2-S (Cosmic Charlie). First fruited in 2000 with two fruits weighing 1 pound 4 ounces and 1 pound 8 ounces. Flesh a deep red, and flavor very good to excellent.

    3-S.--‘Delight’ -- First fruited in 1998 with two fruits weighing 1 pound 4 ounces and 1 pound 8 ounces. Flesh color was a delicate pink and the flavor was superb. Other people who have eaten it are equally enthusiastic. I can truthfully say the flavor runs a close second to S. megalanthus fruit I have eaten, although they are two different fruits each with its distinctive flavor. I believe flavor wise it is about as good a fruit as we can expect to get from any plant in the genus Hylocereus. The plant bears well, and is a good grower. Two-year-old cuttings have fruited heavily giving it a good bearing potential.

   4-S. Flowered for the first time in 2000 with one fruit. Attractive dark-pink outside with flesh a pale-pink, the most nearly white flesh of any of the hybrids. Weight was 1 pound, flavor very good. The plant appears to be a somewhat dwarf grower, low and spreading with several upright stems in the center..

   5-S (Purple Haze). First flowering in 1999 with 5 fruits weighing from 1 pound to 1 pound 6 ounces. Outside color pinkish-red with flesh a dark-red or magenta. Flavor good to very-good but no improvement over the parent plants. Spines larger than any of the others making it less user friendly and harder to handle.

   6-S. First fruited in 1998 with two fruits weighing 1 pound and 1 pound 8 ounces. Flesh a dark red, flavor good to very good, fruit very attractive in appearance. A very vigorous grower and one of the hardiest. Severely damaged in the 31 Jan 02 freeze and was removed,

   7-S. First fruited in 1999 with 5 fruits weighing 7 to 8 ounces, a dull orange-red outside with very small scales, flesh a dark red, flavor excellent. Severely damaged in the 31 Jan 02 freeze and was removed.

   8-S. First fruited in 1999 with 6 fruits weighing 12 ounces, a deep red outside with very small scales, flesh a very attractive deep, almost fluorescent magenta, flavor excellent.

   9-S (Dark Star). First fruited in 1999 when it produced one beautiful fruit weighing 1 pound 10 ounces, red flesh the same as the ‘Rixford’ parent. with flavor running a close second to ‘Delight’ (3-S). In 2000 it had 8 fruits weighing 14 ounces to 1 pound 4 ounces each. This, too, I believe, has a commercial potential. The flowers of this plant are unique inasmuch as the stigma lobes have split ends or are     bi-fid.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaneatwell on November 05, 2013, 05:52:18 PM
Nice.

Any notes on G-2? I got it from Bonita Creek Nursery a few months back and would like to know if it has another common name. Fairly thin stemmed compared to other varieties I've seen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 05, 2013, 07:48:03 PM
All I have written down is Guatamalan #2, Self fertile, fair quality.  It should be red fleshed.  I got cuttings of it from both Paul Thomson and Exotica nursery back in the day.  There is also a G-1, or there use to be.  I have some pictures of the bloom but none of the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 06, 2013, 10:27:32 AM
I should have mentioned that that evaluation isn’t mine and it was probably based on a single or small number of fruits.  I think I only had the G2 bloom once and I don’t recall the fruit or even if it set.  G1 on the other hand fruited for me and is a very good fruit, in fact it’s fruit had the highest brix I saw, so I’d expect G2 to be good quality as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on November 06, 2013, 05:07:34 PM
Sven,  if you could only grow one, which one would you recommend, for taste. and productivity. ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaneatwell on November 06, 2013, 06:16:55 PM
I should have mentioned that that evaluation isn’t mine and it was probably based on a single or small number of fruits.  I think I only had the G2 bloom once and I don’t recall the fruit or even if it set.  G2 on the other had fruited for me and is a very good fruit, in fact it’s fruit had the highest brix I saw, so I’d expect G1 to be good quality as well.

typo?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 07, 2013, 08:51:33 AM

typo?

Yes, several of them  :o ::).  Thank you for pointing it out, I've corrected them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaneatwell on November 07, 2013, 10:46:03 AM
Thanks. I was told my G2 it was a good tasting and self-fruitful. That much is consistent at least. Will let you know how it works out in a couple years :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on November 07, 2013, 02:02:39 PM
G2 fruit for me is on the large side and sweet with thin skin. I pollinated mine so it might be smaller if not not manually pollinated. The plant itself is also thin compared to the dozen others grown in the same location. I got mine from SD as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on November 08, 2013, 01:54:15 AM

(http://s16.postimg.cc/f5ecu7rqp/DSCF5824.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5ecu7rqp/)
The common commercial yellow is around here in abundance at the moment
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 08, 2013, 01:58:48 AM

(http://s16.postimg.cc/f5ecu7rqp/DSCF5824.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5ecu7rqp/)
The common commercial yellow is around here in abundance at the moment
:P :P :P How lucky!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on November 08, 2013, 04:22:20 AM
That yellow is just a S.megalanthus but a selection that has good characteristics. My giant self fertile red (1kg+) has many flower buds at the moment. While I have had cuttings of physical graffiti, halleys comet, American beauty and most of the well known American hybrids the ones I have planted are mostly more standard types and others of unknown origin.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 07:01:22 AM
Purple Haze
(http://s9.postimg.cc/51tyk9twr/foto0324.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/51tyk9twr/)
 Arizona Purple
(http://s24.postimg.cc/5x3vsxv75/foto0323.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5x3vsxv75/)
 American Beauty
(http://s13.postimg.cc/axkrqynmb/foto0322.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/axkrqynmb/)
 Physical Graffiti
(http://s17.postimg.cc/dog273du3/foto0321.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dog273du3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on November 11, 2013, 11:18:19 AM
Luis - the Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti appear to have been planted upside down?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on November 11, 2013, 11:38:27 AM

(http://s16.postimg.cc/f5ecu7rqp/DSCF5824.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5ecu7rqp/)
The common commercial yellow is around here in abundance at the moment

These dwarf what we have growing here in S. Florida. You say that these are the commercially available yellows.  Where are they grown and by whom? Tough to estimate the weight of these from the picture.  How large do they get? Would love to get my hands on some dragon fruit cuttings for these.  Anyone know where they are obtainable?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 01:04:10 PM
Luis - the Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti appear to have been planted upside down?
Really? They are cut in the two sides... are you shure? It's my first time to plant DF...  :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on November 11, 2013, 01:06:54 PM
Luis - the Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti appear to have been planted upside down?
Looks upside down to me too.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 01:08:55 PM
Luis - the Purple Haze & Physical Graffiti appear to have been planted upside down?
Looks upside down to me too.
Geezzz then i have to replant them... thak you very much!  :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 02:09:35 PM
Just replant them... are they ok now?
(http://s12.postimg.cc/4suv3nosp/foto0325.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4suv3nosp/)
 
(http://s2.postimg.cc/s512eow6t/foto0326.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/s512eow6t/)
 
(http://s15.postimg.cc/xmi54jzlj/foto0327.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xmi54jzlj/)
 
(http://s13.postimg.cc/j0zzmnzf7/foto0328.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j0zzmnzf7/)
 
(http://s12.postimg.cc/uticwixxl/foto0329.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uticwixxl/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tim on November 11, 2013, 02:30:15 PM
Purple Haze is still upside down
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 02:40:22 PM
Purple Haze is still upside down
And now?
(http://s17.postimg.cc/711xejcuj/foto0330.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/711xejcuj/)
 
(http://s11.postimg.cc/pzhk7h54v/foto0331.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/pzhk7h54v/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 02:41:40 PM
I'm very very ashamed...  :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on November 11, 2013, 02:58:17 PM
The purple haze is now planted in the right direction. Also, if you're not sure of any other cuttings, look at the little spine/thorns on the side of the cuttings, they should be pointing upwards and not down.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 11, 2013, 03:02:23 PM
The purple haze is now planted in the right direction. Also, if you're not sure of any other cuttings, look at the little spine/thorns on the side of the cuttings, they should be pointing upwards and not down.
Ho ok, now i get it... sorry!  :-X
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 13, 2013, 08:03:36 AM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit? There are any tip to make them flower sooner? Thank's!  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: From the sea on November 13, 2013, 10:31:36 AM
I read it is 10 pounds of plant weight, have no idea how to get them to flower earlier.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on November 13, 2013, 11:32:43 AM
If the plant grows well you should have your first bloom in the 2nd or 3rd year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on November 13, 2013, 02:37:40 PM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit? There are any tip to make them flower sooner? Thank's!  :)
Could be 1st, 2nd, even 3rd year. Depends on the maturity of the cuttings taken. If the cuttings, a person is getting is already mature and had fruited previously. Most likely it will fruit again the same year it is planted out. Some advice I got from a Vietnamese DF grower, said to use lots of cow manure mix(1/3 of the mix should be cow manure) in with whatever soil your using to plant the DF cutting in. Let the DF branches hang. So make the stake/trellis not to tall (1.5-2 meters tall is a good height), cut the tip of the branches(once they start hanging over the stake/trellis, that is. And  if too many branches are growing over and hanging, cut 1 out 3 branches off, but only the thinnest and smallest one though. So let the 2 fattest and thickest one continue growing over and hang, but also prune the tips back a little too. One more thing he said too, the more mature the cuttings and longer the cuttings, the faster it will fruit as well. One of my purple haze cutting was mature and had fruited before, I got it, so it even develop a flower bud, but stayed small, dried and fell off. This was also, when it first had rooted too(2 months after it had just rooted)

That is what I remember, what he had told me, when I obtain the cuttings from him. But not sure if, those were the exact advice he'd given, just what I remember atm. Though the cow manure is working, they do grow nice, fast, looks healthy. Also stays very green, even when we had that heat wave back in June of this year in the 110F-115F range. Not any sunburn(very arid/dry summer heat in Central Ca), just stayed nice and green.

BTW Luis,
the ones you got from me is kinda young, so is most likely going to be 2nd-3rd year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 13, 2013, 02:41:27 PM
Thank you so much Thao!!!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on November 13, 2013, 02:52:22 PM
Haus, their sweetness rather than their size is notable and they have a lemonade taste.Those yellows are just a selection of Megalanthus and biggest ones are just under 1lb.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on November 13, 2013, 03:18:24 PM
Haus, their sweetness rather than their size is notable and they have a lemonade taste.Those yellows are just a selection of Megalanthus and biggest ones are just under 1lb.

The ones we grow have nice sweetness. However, our's have no acidity.  So, there is no lemonade flavor component. Our's literally have about two teaspoons of edible flesh per half of dragon fruit.  I am not exaggerating.  So, flavor or not, the size is what is impressive to me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on November 13, 2013, 05:49:20 PM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit?

I got my first bunch (7 total) of cuttings in Aug 2011, the all looked pretty much like this in February 2012.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/P2270204.jpg)

Got maybe 2-3 blooms that year, nothing set fruit.
In July 2013, my Dark Star looked like this.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/df2_07-16-13_zps2e5064ad.jpg)
A month later in August 2013, Dark Star looked like this.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_08-23-13_zpsedf2415c.jpg)

I got fruit from all 7 this year. So from cuttings in Aug 2011 to fruit harvesting 2 years later in Aug 2013.
And not all had as much growth as the Dark Star, here is my Vietnamese Jaina with flowers from Sept this year.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ_09-13-13_zps322714c1.jpg)
Last fruit harvested for the year (except for my Yellow), Vietnamese Jaina, 1.25 LBs just this weekend (this fruit was from the flower in the previous picture).
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ-3_13-11-12_zps741f90e8.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ-1_13-11-12_zps1aa19e9a.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on November 13, 2013, 09:00:16 PM
Really nice setup you got there!! nice heavy duty support.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 14, 2013, 12:59:03 PM
Thank you for info and photos! Congratulations!  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on November 14, 2013, 01:04:25 PM
DM,

What type of wood did you use for your Dragon Fruit support?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on November 14, 2013, 04:52:23 PM
What type of wood did you use for your Dragon Fruit support?

Pressure treated pine.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on November 14, 2013, 06:01:16 PM
What type of wood did you use for your Dragon Fruit support?

Pressure treated pine.

DM

I was leaning away toward using Pressure treated wood because of the health effects of the chemicals like Arsenic in the CCA pressure treated wood. I have to do more research on the ACQ and CBA wood, from what I gather the latter two are less toxic because they both exclude Arsenic.

I was thinking of using Ipe wood with a tung oil finish. Was hoping the wood would hold up to 5-10 years of wear as a dragon fruit trellis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on November 14, 2013, 08:30:28 PM
You can still get arsenic treated wood, I thought they did away with CCA for the most part?
The tags from the PT pine I have say they were treated CA-C (4x4 post) or MCA (2x4). And for both those the "A" stands for Azole not arsenic.

I'm not taking a stand either for or against using PT treated wood. There are plenty of options out there for everybody to make their choice.

What ever you choose tho, we want to see pictures when your trellis are built.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on November 14, 2013, 08:34:20 PM
Dangermouse01, thanks for the pics showing your dragon fruit pole setup.

I also have Dragon Fruit up a pressure treated pole. I've noticed that the 'roots' of the dragon fruit hate the chemicals on the pole. I suppose this is why you wrapped your pole with those thread-sacks, very ingenious. I'm cosidering doing the same thing.

Also, thanks to your photos, I'm getting the idea of 'crowning' the top of the pole with the same wood structure that you're using. It looks very aesthetic, very nice.

Finally, I noticed that at the bottom of the pole, between the pole itself and the wood board planks that keep the worms out, I see in the photos something with a black coloration. If you don't mind and shine some light on what that is, I'd appreciate if you'd let us know what that is and its purpose, thanks again for all the wonderful photos.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on November 15, 2013, 08:00:42 AM
Dangermouse01, thanks for the pics showing your dragon fruit pole setup.

I also have Dragon Fruit up a pressure treated pole. I've noticed that the 'roots' of the dragon fruit hate the chemicals on the pole. I suppose this is why you wrapped your pole with those thread-sacks, very ingenious. I'm cosidering doing the same thing.

Also, thanks to your photos, I'm getting the idea of 'crowning' the top of the pole with the same wood structure that you're using. It looks very aesthetic, very nice.

Finally, I noticed that at the bottom of the pole, between the pole itself and the wood board planks that keep the worms out, I see in the photos something with a black coloration. If you don't mind and shine some light on what that is, I'd appreciate if you'd let us know what that is and its purpose, thanks again for all the wonderful photos.
I have not noticed any of my DF not wanting to attach roots to the PT wood, except maybe the yellow, which doesn't seem to send out as many aerial roots as the others. The others all have varying amounts of roots attaching.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Roots4_11-15-2013_zpsb02e324f.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Roots3_11-15-2013_zps750387af.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Roots5_11-15-2013_zpsc8344bd9.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Roots2_11-15-2013_zps422a515e.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Roots1_11-15-2013_zps876d9d73.jpg)

The burlap wrapped around the post provides both a structure for the roots to grab on to, and retains moisture when spraying the DFs with liquid nutritional sprays.

Top of my trellis is loosely based on how I saw them done at the Fruit & Spice park.

Frames around the base of my posts were to re-direct my dogs running path and also was a planting bed for butterfly plants and stuff.

Something with black coloration? If it is in the picture of the held fruit, all that stuff is chopped up banana tree stalks rotting away. Is that the picture you saw it in?

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 15, 2013, 04:24:24 PM
Growing Dragon Fruit - Time Lapse from bud to fruit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2yS7uQ1zw#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on November 15, 2013, 06:33:17 PM

(http://s9.postimg.cc/us43sdlnv/DSCF5827.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/us43sdlnv/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/c6mz6v3jh/DSCF5826.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c6mz6v3jh/)

My Columbian Red has some flowers. A few years ago a giant fruiting (routinely over 1kg) self fertile red with fruit of great flavour of unknown origin was found in a Brisbane backyard.It was dubbed something suitably exotic.....Columbian red and now is the most sought after backyard dragonfruit in Queensland.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on November 15, 2013, 11:30:45 PM
That is some great root attachment to the pressure treated wood.

That is a very ingenious use of burlap attached to the pole. I definitely have to give that technique a try. I think it'll help pick upt the pace of my DF growth.

I definitely have to pass by Fruit & Spice Park to check out how they did the top of their trellis. I must have missed it when I've passed by.

Chopped up banana tree stalks! Great idea, I'm planning on doing the same thing and see how things work out with time. Thanks for clarifying this mystery in one of your pictures.

I'll do just about anything to speed up the production of fruit. Based on what I've learned from your posting(s) the pace of growth of my DF should increase substantially, many thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 22, 2013, 01:41:02 PM
Hi everyone! I just try for the first time a dragonfruit! I buy it as a red vietnamese pitaya (but was white inside). It was very expensive (21,99E/Kg) with a weight of 352g. I like it! Not a great flavour but very fresh and mildly sweet... Just hope to try the really red ones!  ::)
(http://s17.postimg.cc/90uw1h9pn/foto0333.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/90uw1h9pn/)
 
(http://s22.postimg.cc/teuafuvjx/foto0334.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/teuafuvjx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 23, 2013, 01:00:05 PM
After i heat my first dragonfruit i let the outer shell dry for one day and made an excelente tea! I love it, with a nice pink colour and a mild flavour of cactus that we can join other tea or spices...  :P
(http://s11.postimg.cc/4u12yh20v/foto0335.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4u12yh20v/)
 
(http://s18.postimg.cc/8v0j7v1z9/foto0336.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8v0j7v1z9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on November 23, 2013, 01:30:51 PM
Luis,

That's a nice looking store bought one, but if it were home grown, might have been a lot sweeter. The 4 varieties, I sent you are all red/magenta flesh kind and should be a lot better than that white one you got. How are they doing so far, any little roots  forming yet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 23, 2013, 01:55:58 PM
Luis,

That's a nice looking store bought one, but if it were home grown, might have been a lot sweeter. The 4 varieties, I sent you are all red/magenta flesh kind and should be a lot better than that white one you got. How are they doing so far, any little roots  forming yet?
Yes, i imagine that home grown dragonfruits are much better... well cuttings are very well but no new growings yet... i will update if they grow!  ;) Thank you so much!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on November 23, 2013, 02:56:40 PM
I went outside to check my dragon fruit trellis and train/ tie up some new growth and found these babies growing underneath!!!
I have been tossing the decaying flowers and the small fruits that aborted after not developing into the pot so maybe could it be possible that after they rotted the seeds germinated?? Just amazing to me. This trellis is now approaching 2 years old on Dec 31st and it's doing great. I got 2 dozen fruit off it this fall and they were all well over a pound with the highest brix reading at 18.6 (you have to click on pictures of the babies to open it then click on it again to get it to open to full screen...they are tiny!)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/l22h7gon9/20131123_141212.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/l22h7gon9/)
(http://s21.postimg.cc/hnm33i88j/20131123_132913_2560x1440.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hnm33i88j/)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/vv9zfz5xh/20131123_133004_2560x1440.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vv9zfz5xh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 23, 2013, 03:08:57 PM
WOW very interesting... maby this aborted fruits have some seeds allready.  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: msk0072 on November 24, 2013, 04:27:32 AM
Hi everyone! I just try for the first time a dragonfruit! I buy it as a red vietnamese pitaya (but was white inside). It was very expensive (21,99E/Kg) with a weight of 352g. I like it! Not a great flavour but very fresh and mildly sweet... Just hope to try the really red ones!  ::)
(http://s17.postimg.cc/90uw1h9pn/foto0333.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/90uw1h9pn/)
 
(http://s22.postimg.cc/teuafuvjx/foto0334.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/teuafuvjx/)
Luis, the price is huge! I bought one whiteflessed DF last week in the local SM for 7,50€/kg and I thought the price was very high.  It was a big one 600-700g and imported from Cyprus! I didn't know that in Cyprus they produce DF in a commercial scale
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 24, 2013, 09:26:12 AM
Yes Mike the price is really too much! And it's the only place i see selling dragonfruit... i payed 7,50euros for this fruit. That's why i will try to produce it, first for myself and then to sell it 5 euros max. But evem feijoa or mangosteen they sell for more than 20 euros/Kg.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 29, 2013, 11:33:43 AM
My new cutts that Sven gently send me!!!  ;D Neon
(http://s18.postimg.cc/h4z8k6xnp/foto0340.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/h4z8k6xnp/)
 Frankies red
(http://s21.postimg.cc/gsou582qr/foto0341.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gsou582qr/)
 Halley's Comet
(http://s27.postimg.cc/47aan2otr/foto0337.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/47aan2otr/)
 Zamorano
(http://s16.postimg.cc/xjxphiglt/foto0338.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xjxphiglt/)
 Phisical Graffiti
(http://s22.postimg.cc/t1cmaaa8t/foto0339.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/t1cmaaa8t/)
 G1
(http://s9.postimg.cc/524nwfz8r/foto0342.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/524nwfz8r/)
 Nicuragua
(http://s30.postimg.cc/ty9kibarx/foto0343.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ty9kibarx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on November 29, 2013, 04:30:38 PM
Luis,

Nice addition to your growing DF collection. Soon you can start selling the fresh fruits back to the market and the cuttings to nurseries, making your $$$ back 10x ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 30, 2013, 04:40:13 AM
Luis,

Nice addition to your growing DF collection. Soon you can start selling the fresh fruits back to the market and the cuttings to nurseries, making your $$$ back 10x ;)
Thao my friend, this is one of my intentions, to sell dragonfruit on faire/small price to small fruit sellers... very few people know this fruit here because it's very expensive, and it's so good to health...  :) what do you think?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on November 30, 2013, 12:30:59 PM
Luis,

Agree, sell to small fruit vendors, is better than those big chain stores. You'll make more that way, if sold to the big store, they would want whole sale price, then you don't get your money's worth. And when they start selling your fruits, they will charge like that price you had bough that one fruit above. So, thy'll make more than you, unless, you have an abundance of plant's producing, then maybe whole sale would be an option, but for now, going small fruit vendor is a good idea.

Yes, they also have healthy benefits as well, i'm just not aware of which ones exactly. Haven't done much research of their health benefits, but every time, have looked up on DF. They mention some of the benefits.

Good luck and would love a report, once your plants gets going. :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 30, 2013, 01:46:18 PM
The best dragon fruit photo album i know! http://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/)  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 30, 2013, 02:36:17 PM
For first time i see this yellow dragon in a store. Very expensive as usual (17 euros/Kg) this time from Colombia, but the flavour just turn me on!!!  :P :P :P 
(http://s7.postimg.cc/dzb0cywpj/foto0344.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dzb0cywpj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BMc on November 30, 2013, 06:12:20 PM
17E kg? Get those suckers in some horse poop pronto!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 30, 2013, 11:43:32 PM
I'm very very ashamed...  :-[ :-[ :-[

Don't be ashamed....  I got my first Dragon Fruit cutting from a cactus vendor at a "flea market". 
He sold me a big cutting he said had white fruit and explained how to plant (root) the cutting.
6 months later I figured out that he had told me the wrong end to place in the potting soil!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 01, 2013, 12:14:02 AM
I went outside to check my dragon fruit trellis and train/ tie up some new growth and found these babies growing underneath!!!
I have been tossing the decaying flowers and the small fruits that aborted after not developing into the pot so maybe could it be possible that after they rotted the seeds germinated?? Just amazing to me. This trellis is now approaching 2 years old on Dec 31st and it's doing great. I got 2 dozen fruit off it this fall and they were all well over a pound with the highest brix reading at 18.6 (you have to click on pictures of the babies to open it then click on it again to get it to open to full screen...they are tiny!)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/l22h7gon9/20131123_141212.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/l22h7gon9/)

Do you have an idea how long you expect the post on your trellis to last?

I have had to replace some 4 x 4 fence posts after only 8 years.

I decided to make my own concrete posts.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/post_3880_zps24e27c05.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 01, 2013, 07:48:14 AM
Thank you for tips!  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 01, 2013, 09:19:15 AM
Pytaia pitaya pitaia 001 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7s7QJFHFbw#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 01, 2013, 09:44:08 AM
Polinização de pitaya. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCwtDMVgiLs#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adalmoro on December 01, 2013, 01:51:14 PM
Hello to all,

I'm a new member (indicated by Luis Port from Portugal) ...

I hope to learn and share information about pitayas / dragon fruits.

I am a collector of this fruit and hope to find people interested in exchanging quality plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 01, 2013, 03:13:40 PM
Hello to all,

I'm a new member (indicated by Luis Port from Portugal) ...

I hope to learn and share information about pitayas / dragon fruits.

I am a collector of this fruit and hope to find people interested in exchanging quality plants.
It's great to see you here! You will love this fórum!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 01, 2013, 07:24:23 PM
One of the better videos on Dragon Fruit from mattslandscape.com

A 2010 video tour of the UCCE Irvine,Ca. Pitahaya test reseach fields.

pitahaya reseach field tour part 1 la woman.wmv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQs7l5F5Klk#)

There is no part 2.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 01, 2013, 07:45:54 PM
Another "great" video ;)  (I am joking) on 2012 Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Festival fruit tasting and cutting exchange.
This one is by by ricshaw.  ::) 

http://youtu.be/nuoXmGaVaeI (http://youtu.be/nuoXmGaVaeI)

Dragon Fruit Festival participants are lucky to get to taste so many different varieties and take home free cuttings!

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on December 01, 2013, 11:51:58 PM
What a great idea, I wish they had Dragon Fruit tastings around here in S. Florida, USA. In this way, anyone could decide which is the best quality, best tasting, sweetest fruit to grow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 02, 2013, 12:56:50 AM
What a great idea, I wish they had Dragon Fruit tastings around here in S. Florida, USA. In this way, anyone could decide which is the best quality, best tasting, sweetest fruit to grow.

Yes, taste is subjective.  What taste good to me, might not be your favorite. Also the sweetest Dragon Fruit might not taste the best.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 03, 2013, 12:48:42 PM
Peruvian Apple Cactus Fruit aka Columnar Cactus Fruit aka Pitya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfFla78jr6c#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nch on December 10, 2013, 02:54:57 AM
Do DF plants need to be replanted every so often, because they are too old to fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 10, 2013, 08:15:43 AM
Hi nch,

I’ve never heard of them needing replanting.  I know of several plants that have been quite old that still flowered and fruited well.  As long as they are well watered and fertilized they usually produce copious amounts of new growth and flowers

George Emerich in Fallbrook had a plant that was about 20 feet tall and maybe 25 feet across that flowered and fruited well every year.  He had 250 fruit on it one year just from the flowers he could reach from the ground. 

Sven

Here is a picture of George I found on the internet standing next to his plant

(http://s22.postimg.cc/mdnd9u231/Geo_Emerich.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mdnd9u231/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 10, 2013, 08:22:36 AM
I'm very very ashamed...  :-[ :-[ :-[

Don't be ashamed....  I got my first Dragon Fruit cutting from a cactus vendor at a "flea market". 
He sold me a big cutting he said had white fruit and explained how to plant (root) the cutting.
6 months later I figured out that he had told me the wrong end to place in the potting soil!

Many of us have done this.  I've had upside-down cuttings actually send roots out the bottom (which is up in the air) and they will start growing down towards the soil.  When I take cuttings I always try to label them at the bottom of the cutting with a sharpie so I know which end is up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nch on December 10, 2013, 12:14:11 PM
Thank you, Sven. It's comforting to know
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 10, 2013, 04:32:58 PM
Recently found this video which includes Dragon Fruit grower Texas Exotic Fruits.

http://youtu.be/mHxsPfdVdqM (http://youtu.be/mHxsPfdVdqM)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on December 11, 2013, 06:38:11 PM
I'm want to make a set-up like MarinFla has in the pictures. This is the first time planting dragon fruit for me. Does it matter if I mix the type of dragon fruit on each post. I was going to put Halleys Comet and Vietnamese Jaina on the same post.

Thanks,

Mike
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on December 11, 2013, 09:55:27 PM
Has anyone ever used galvanized fence post to build a trellis to grow dragon fruits? I take it that they'll provide sturdier support and it would last much linger but I think they might get too hot during the summer. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on December 12, 2013, 01:02:54 AM
The work great for my muscadine grapes, but I think you're right, they would be too hot for Dragon Fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: maui guy on December 12, 2013, 01:51:10 AM
I have used T bar fence posts  but is too soon to see how long they will last. I attach a cross member @ ~ 5' so as to have a way to drape the shoots over.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nch on December 12, 2013, 09:07:21 AM
I have seen people wrap their posts with burlap.
On another note, we have squirrels in our neighborhood. They eat my guavas, and my neighbors' avocados, apples, persimmons..., but they never touched my dragon fruits. This  is the first fruiting year, so I don't know if it's due to them not having discovered the fruits yet. Do they bother your DF?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on December 12, 2013, 12:14:30 PM
I'm want to make a set-up like MarinFla has in the pictures. This is the first time planting dragon fruit for me. Does it matter if I mix the type of dragon fruit on each post. I was going to put Halleys Comet and Vietnamese Jaina on the same post.

Thanks,

Mike
Mike,
It's okay to mix up the plant into one pot for growing. Look again at MarinFL's post, she does say she has 2 or 3 variety in that one pot. But, if you have the space, then go ahead and do two separate pots, but if trying to save or having limited space, both in the same pot is fine.
Title: maui dragon fruit
Post by: BRUGSCA on December 12, 2013, 04:30:00 PM
I have a wooden 4 x 4 post in concrete in the ground w burlap. They are only (cuttings from Pine Island Nursery) about 3ft tall planted in summer, and others are cuttings of yellow, physical graffiti, and american beauty.

Question:

I have a farm at 886ft on Maui, not too hot usually max summer around 83-5f and winters around 58-62f at coolest. Do you think fruit production will occur in this area that isnt real hot?

Carlo
Giggle Hills Organic Farms, LLC
Maui
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on December 12, 2013, 09:13:19 PM
Ok, thanks Thao.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on December 12, 2013, 11:32:38 PM
Has anyone ever used galvanized fence post to build a trellis to grow dragon fruits? I take it that they'll provide sturdier support and it would last much linger but I think they might get too hot during the summer.
They do fine, but I'd use the thick conduit pipes, they are cheaper and work just as well. Or use one fence post and drill 4 holes and put rebar through making a cross, and then plant a plant on either side.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on December 12, 2013, 11:40:12 PM
I'm want to make a set-up like MarinFla has in the pictures. This is the first time planting dragon fruit for me. Does it matter if I mix the type of dragon fruit on each post. I was going to put Halleys Comet and Vietnamese Jaina on the same post.

Thanks,

Mike
I have Physical Graffiti and Haley's Comet both in mine. You can do as many as you like as long as you are OK with not being sure what variety your harvesting if you can't follow which branch it's growing on back to the originating plant. I can usually follow it  back for ID
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: maui guy on December 13, 2013, 12:21:18 AM
To nch    count your blessing ; rats discovered mine this year!

to brugsca;; not a problem they will do fine [ note above // watch the rats]
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on December 13, 2013, 04:36:13 PM
I have Physical Graffiti and Haley's Comet both in mine. You can do as many as you like as long as you are OK with not being sure what variety your harvesting if you can't follow which branch it's growing on back to the originating plant. I can usually follow it  back for ID

How's permanent marker do on DF, for ID (Plant not the fruit)?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on December 13, 2013, 05:02:03 PM
I have Physical Graffiti and Haley's Comet both in mine. You can do as many as you like as long as you are OK with not being sure what variety your harvesting if you can't follow which branch it's growing on back to the originating plant. I can usually follow it  back for ID

How's permanent marker do on DF, for ID (Plant not the fruit)?
It's fine, but eventually fades out over time. Maybe a metal/aluminum tag, that is commonly used for tagging plants, be hang around the main plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nch on December 13, 2013, 05:41:56 PM
Maui guy, do you have any ways to protect your fruits? BTW, from what I have read on this forum, Hawaii doesn't have squirrels, right?
Title: Re: maui dragon fruit
Post by: Sven on December 14, 2013, 06:57:12 AM
Question:

I have a farm at 886ft on Maui, not too hot usually max summer around 83-5f and winters around 58-62f at coolest. Do you think fruit production will occur in this area that isnt real hot?

Carlo,

They should produce fine in 85 f summers.  They do fine here in California in many areas that don't even get that hot. 

Sven
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: maui guy on December 14, 2013, 11:28:09 AM
We dont have the 4 legged kine. We got worse; mongoose. Mongoose will even climb bananas, just like a rat. I did not believe that till I saw it myself.
Re protection; nature provides it with the spines on the fruit of Selenicereus megalanthus & its hybrids.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Radoslav on December 15, 2013, 04:26:53 AM
Yesterday, I ate the red fleshed pitahaya for the first time, I got the fruit from Indonesia, but I have to say, that it was the same experience like with the white fleshed one, both taste to me more like vegetable than fruit, something like radish, really  not worth to grow as a fruit. But may be it is because of me, who grow up in Middle Europe,  eating  tens of different varieties of plum, apple, apricot, peaches, pear  etc.  :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 15, 2013, 04:47:16 AM
Yesterday, I ate the red fleshed pitahaya for the first time, I got the fruit from Indonesia, but I have to say, that it was the same experience like with the white fleshed one, both taste to me more like vegetable than fruit, something like radish, really  not worth to grow as a fruit. But may be it is because of me, who grow up in Middle Europe,  eating  tens of different varieties of plum, apple, apricot, peaches, pear  etc.  :D
Hi! Do you try the yellow one? It's very very good, at least to me. It's worth to have it at least by all great health beneficts!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on December 15, 2013, 04:50:08 AM
Yesterday, I ate the red fleshed pitahaya for the first time, I got the fruit from Indonesia, but I have to say, that it was the same experience like with the white fleshed one, both taste to me more like vegetable than fruit, something like radish, really  not worth to grow as a fruit. But may be it is because of me, who grow up in Middle Europe,  eating  tens of different varieties of plum, apple, apricot, peaches, pear  etc.  :D

Sounds like you have had horrible watered out fruits, sorry for the bad experience (hope it does not prevent you from seeking out a good dragon fruit).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Radoslav on December 15, 2013, 07:13:58 AM
My table, yesterday
Dragon fruit - more like vegetable than fruit to me
Snake fruit - like to eat unripe banana or what
Mangosteen - realy good

(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/707/m7wg.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/m7wg.jpg/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 15, 2013, 08:30:29 AM
Yesterday, I ate the red fleshed pitahaya for the first time, I got the fruit from Indonesia, but I have to say, that it was the same experience like with the white fleshed one, both taste to me more like vegetable than fruit, something like radish, really  not worth to grow as a fruit. But may be it is because of me, who grow up in Middle Europe,  eating  tens of different varieties of plum, apple, apricot, peaches, pear  etc.  :D

That’s the problem with a lot of store bought fruit.  If you pick them when they look the best they don’t have enough sugar to taste good, but if you let them get sweet enough they don’t look good enough to sell.  Commercially there is a need for varieties that sweeten up while they still look good.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 15, 2013, 10:58:00 PM
Yesterday, I ate the red fleshed pitahaya for the first time, I got the fruit from Indonesia, but I have to say, that it was the same experience like with the white fleshed one, both taste to me more like vegetable than fruit, something like radish, really  not worth to grow as a fruit. But may be it is because of me, who grow up in Middle Europe,  eating  tens of different varieties of plum, apple, apricot, peaches, pear  etc.  :D

That can happen with any fruit.  The taste of a tomato picked too early for shipping and storage may not taste as good as a vine ripened tomato.

I have never tasted a pitahaya that IMO tasted bad.  Most of the pitahaya I have tasted remind me of Kiwi and watermelon like. Never like a radish.

When I was vacationing in Vietnam, I purchased a red fleshed Dragon Fruit at the central market. In this case, the red fleshed fruit I bought did not taste as good as the popular Vietnamese white fleshed Dragon Fruit served every morning at every hotel I stayed at.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/hcmc_0057_zpsc53ddc00.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/hcmc_3351_zpsceb1301a.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 15, 2013, 11:45:21 PM
How's permanent marker do on DF, for ID (Plant not the fruit)?

I use a black medium Sharpie pen to mark cuttings.

(http://www.theofficedealer.com/mm5/graphics/product_images/300/1013028939.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on December 16, 2013, 12:14:44 AM
I just use a razor blade to cut into the leafy stems of my dragonfruit plants to label them. They scar up really good and it will not fade, not sure about long term how long the scars will last but definitely longer than a pen or marker.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on December 16, 2013, 08:09:28 PM
I have an area about 6' from a small canal.  I was thinking of planting several dragon fruit along the canal. Is it a good idea to plant dragon fruit that close to water or would I be better off planting it somewhere else.

Thanks,
Mike
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 16, 2013, 08:47:26 PM
I have an area about 6' from a small canal.  I was thinking of planting several dragon fruit along the canal. Is it a good idea to plant dragon fruit that close to water or would I be better off planting it somewhere else.

Thanks,
Mike

Is the soil always damp.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 17, 2013, 12:00:15 AM
They love water.  They are a cactus, but keep in mind they are an under-story plant from a rainforest environment.  They can survive long periods of drought but they do best with daily watering in most sub-tropical areas.  Also they have a very shallow fibrous roots system, so unless it is constantly muddy along the canal I’d expect them to do fine.  Over watering can cause the green part of the stem to rot but the core survives and I have never seen it kill a plant here in California.  If you have poor draining soil you may want to watch the watering more closely, but in well drained soil they enjoy frequent waterings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 17, 2013, 12:16:14 AM
They love water.  They are a cactus, but keep in mind they are an under-story plant from a rainforest environment.  They can survive long periods of drought but they do best with daily watering in most sub-tropical areas.  Also they have a very shallow fibrous roots system, so unless it is constantly muddy along the canal I’d expect them to do fine.  Over watering can cause the green part of the stem to rot but the core survives and I have never seen it kill a plant here in California.  If you have poor draining soil you may want to watch the watering more closely, but in well drained soil they enjoy frequent waterings.

What about using pots?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 17, 2013, 12:21:05 AM
I water my potted DF every day in the summer.  We don't get any summer rains here.  Winter time maybe twice a week if it hasn't rained.  They respond well to a lot of fertilizer too.

They like way more water than most people realize. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 17, 2013, 01:19:06 AM
What about using pots?

What I meant was, another option for planting Dragon Fruit next to the canal is to grow them in pots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mwaterman07 on December 17, 2013, 02:13:16 AM
Phoenix Red, Voodoo Child, Giant Viet
(http://s16.postimg.cc/sxnwkl24x/IMAG0151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sxnwkl24x/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 17, 2013, 06:57:18 AM
What about using pots?

What I meant was, another option for planting Dragon Fruit next to the canal is to grow them in pots.

I see, sorry.  A raised bed would work too if it is too wet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sven on December 17, 2013, 07:00:51 AM
Phoenix Red, Voodoo Child, Giant Viet
(http://s16.postimg.cc/sxnwkl24x/IMAG0151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sxnwkl24x/)

I like the totem pole!  Is that to scare away the fruit eating varmints?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mwaterman07 on December 17, 2013, 03:12:31 PM
Haha thanks, hopefully it'll help with varmints. I just had a random moment of creativity. It's was a support from a pallet leftover after making raised beds, and had some paint leftover from my daughter's chair that I painted.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NaturalGreenthumb on December 17, 2013, 03:33:31 PM
Phoenix Red, Voodoo Child, Giant Viet
(http://s16.postimg.cc/sxnwkl24x/IMAG0151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sxnwkl24x/)

Hahahah....lol....that's funny
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangoFang on December 17, 2013, 04:03:19 PM
Waterman - that really is quite clever!!!!!

Gary
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 18, 2013, 07:37:14 PM
Phoenix Red, Voodoo Child, Giant Viet
(http://s16.postimg.cc/sxnwkl24x/IMAG0151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sxnwkl24x/)

What is the plan when the three Dragon Fruit get bigger?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling on December 18, 2013, 09:58:27 PM


With dragonfruit it is best not to think of them as a cactus at all, but rather a rainforest plant which particularly dislikes wet feet. Plant in fast draining mounds with good moisture retention, and cover this with a very, very thick layer of uncomposted leaf litter and manure, if you can get it. Water all the time, keep the soil moisture at a good level, and keep adding the leaf litter. This should also be watered to help it break down.

If you have an old aluminum ladder, you can make the best type of trellis. Basically just run this between two massive posts (along the top) and that way you can get a lot more plant before pruning, which means more fruit and more cuttings in the long run. I may still do this if I can find a crappy old ladder whuch has a decent length, somewhere--but I'm not paying for one.

Don't plant them out anywhere they will get baked most of the day. The worst thing you can do is treat them like an opuntia, Totally different, with totally different sun exposure tolerances.

If you want to make them super healthy, give them a drink of mineral water.

The new trellises I am building will all have abandoned motorbike Tyre rims fixed to the top, which will help to spread out the growth and will help with weight distribution. That;s if I can't get a ladder. Remember the plant itself gets incredibly heavy in later years, so you want a very strong post that is very firmly secured in the ground. Struts are recommended also. Otherwise, it WILL fall over, and you probably won't be able to get it back up again without  using something like a block and tackle.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on December 20, 2013, 12:14:10 AM

(http://s27.postimg.cc/5n7fi4n7j/DSCF5910.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5n7fi4n7j/)
My Colombian red is doing pretty well for a year old.I presume it sets fruit better than most as it is self fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling on December 20, 2013, 12:54:09 AM

(http://s27.postimg.cc/5n7fi4n7j/DSCF5910.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5n7fi4n7j/)
My Colombian red is doing pretty well for a year old.I presume it sets fruit better than most as it is self fertile.

A year is rocket fast for a plant that size Mike, especially considering it is fruiting already. I don't think they'd be that quick in Bris, though they are created different that's for sure. I have two which have been sitting there for months and months now and haven't done anything, while others send up new shoots pretty much a few days after being stuck in soil as cuttings. I've noticed that if a cutting has an epiphyte it tends to take longer to send a new shoot. I have read that younger cuttings grow more quickly. The yellows always grow the fastest for me, with the reds being the slowest.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on December 25, 2013, 09:45:39 PM

(http://s29.postimg.cc/86obgr6k3/DSCF5918.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/86obgr6k3/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/mfjcl2vop/DSCF5919.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mfjcl2vop/)
Every flower on the Colombian red sets fruit and I have been tanking up lately.They have a good taste being sweet with a bit of berry and kiwi going on.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on December 26, 2013, 08:19:32 AM

(http://s29.postimg.cc/86obgr6k3/DSCF5918.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/86obgr6k3/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/mfjcl2vop/DSCF5919.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mfjcl2vop/)
Every flower on the Colombian red sets fruit and I have been tanking up lately.They have a good taste being sweet with a bit of berry and kiwi going on.

Nice looking fruit.  Not sure if you mentioned this somewhere.  You're saying this is self fruitful without hand pollination and without another variety close by for cross pollination, right?  And each flower sets a fruit, right?  Do you know more about the history of this variety?  Also the sourcing?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on December 26, 2013, 09:06:01 AM
Haus I showed flowers and discussed it in this thread on Nov 15 reply 318.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on December 26, 2013, 09:44:47 PM
Dangermouse01, thanks for the pics showing your dragon fruit pole setup.

I also have Dragon Fruit up a pressure treated pole. I've noticed that the 'roots' of the dragon fruit hate the chemicals on the pole. I suppose this is why you wrapped your pole with those thread-sacks, very ingenious. I'm cosidering doing the same thing.

Also, thanks to your photos, I'm getting the idea of 'crowning' the top of the pole with the same wood structure that you're using. It looks very aesthetic, very nice.

Finally, I noticed that at the bottom of the pole, between the pole itself and the wood board planks that keep the worms out, I see in the photos something with a black coloration. If you don't mind and shine some light on what that is, I'd appreciate if you'd let us know what that is and its purpose, thanks again for all the wonderful photos.
I have not noticed any of my DF not wanting to attach roots to the PT wood, except maybe the yellow, which doesn't seem to send out as many aerial roots as the others. The others all have varying amounts of roots attaching.

The burlap wrapped around the post provides both a structure for the roots to grab on to, and retains moisture when spraying the DFs with liquid nutritional sprays.

Top of my trellis is loosely based on how I saw them done at the Fruit & Spice park.

Frames around the base of my posts were to re-direct my dogs running path and also was a planting bed for butterfly plants and stuff.

Something with black coloration? If it is in the picture of the held fruit, all that stuff is chopped up banana tree stalks rotting away. Is that the picture you saw it in?

DM

Dangermouse01, I added chopped up banana tree stalks around the base of the dragon fruit pole, and I'm letting them rot away, just as you have. I'm writing to you again to give you an update and to say thanks. Now, I don't know if this is a direct consequence of trying out your method, but the results have been great. The dragon fruit is creeping up that pole really quick. Since my last post to you, it's gone up the pole by a length of 1.5 feet, that's one and a half foot! At that pase, it'll reach the top of the pole sometime next year. Since nothing else has changed, other than a change to cooler weather, I can't help but to think that adding the banana stalks have had something to do with the turn for the better. One thing is for sure, copying your setup sure has not hurt, so thanks again for the inspiration.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on December 28, 2013, 10:03:28 AM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: micah on December 28, 2013, 12:17:14 PM
Yum nice video.  Is that one a selenecereus or hylocereus?   Looks like yellow selenecereus's thorns on the fruit. 

I plant the yellow pitahiya on trees...make sure u can harvest em though...extended pole saw works good i cut off chunks of cactus to harvest fruit(this kinda thins it so it doesn't  engulf the desirable tree..the bummer part is if u don't harvest fruit...thorns from ripe fruits fall off onto ground.
 on an older orange tree works good...monkey pod tree a low spreading one(pole saw harvest) we can climb. Topped Java plum trees. Gliricidia trees.
The happiest one is on a cut ornamental palm stump.  6ft stump...it's the Yellow Uku (head lice) Dreadlock Tiki. Carve a face and its on.  Nowadays his dreads are natty...lots of Uku's(fruit).  Eventually the palm trunk will rot and fall...it's been 6-7 yrs..maybe a few more to go.

 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: maui guy on December 28, 2013, 04:31:17 PM
There has been discussion of  DF & water . I had some extra cuttings of Selenicereus Megalanthus that I tossed aside about 6 month ago into a non draining pan. They have not received any fertilizer just neglect . From time to time I would dump out the water.   I can't post the pic!! but it shows plants w/roots growing ok under drowning conditions. Must remember that we never get to the low 60's; are very humid: & plants under ~ 50% shade. From what I can tell these could be grown hydroponically. Below is what I get on posting the pic // perhaps it will come out? 

(http://s30.postimg.cc/sy1fy9frx/Selenicereus_Megalanthus_in_water_001.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sy1fy9frx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adalmoro on January 01, 2014, 05:57:07 PM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on January 01, 2014, 08:21:04 PM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)

Is this Selenicereus setaceus species self fertile and productive? I was planing to get a rooted cutting maybe soon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adalmoro on January 03, 2014, 10:35:40 AM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)

Is this Selenicereus setaceus species self fertile and productive? I was planing to get a rooted cutting maybe soon.
Yes, it is (self fertile and productive)... The fruit is small, but very sweet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 03, 2014, 10:53:16 AM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)

Is this Selenicereus setaceus species self fertile and productive? I was planing to get a rooted cutting maybe soon.
Yes, it is (self fertile and productive)... The fruit is small, but very sweet.
I Aldomoro, congratulations! It's beautifull!  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on January 03, 2014, 12:37:14 PM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)

Is this Selenicereus setaceus species self fertile and productive? I was planing to get a rooted cutting maybe soon.
Yes, it is (self fertile and productive)... The fruit is small, but very sweet.
Thanks, just the info, I was looking for, but one more question.
 Is it better to grow it in a hangin pot or like regular dragon fruit/pitaya on a trellis/stake?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 08, 2014, 04:07:51 PM
Just get a new one, a Bloody Mary dragon! I have 12 diferent var already!  ;D Tomorrow will post pic.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on January 08, 2014, 05:27:42 PM
Nice, any root development yet, that you have notice on the ones, I sent to your earlier?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 08, 2014, 05:29:52 PM
Nice, any root development yet, that you have notice on the ones, I sent to your earlier?
Hi my friend, they look nice, but no growing yet...  ???
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on January 08, 2014, 05:38:13 PM
It takes them a while, but if it were the summer months, it would be pretty quick, from my experiences.

..........Well, as long as they aren't dry and dead, they should be still be good to go  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 08, 2014, 11:35:52 PM
Pitaia do Cerrado (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFXTNu3T_M#ws)
(http://s24.postimg.cc/qnujkvcf5/Setaceus_Fruto_com_descri_o.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qnujkvcf5/)

Is this Selenicereus setaceus species self fertile and productive? I was planing to get a rooted cutting maybe soon.
Yes, it is (self fertile and productive)... The fruit is small, but very sweet.

I think this may be the best tasting description of a Dragon Fruit variety that I've ever heard.

This probably puts it at the number one spot, at the very top of the best Pitaya fruit variety or near the top.

The next step would be to find the next number one Pitaya fruit variety. That would be a bigger sized fruit variety, with the same very sweet taste and with the other quality characteristics.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 09, 2014, 11:11:04 AM
Just get a new one, a Bloody Mary dragon! I have 12 diferent var already!  ;D Tomorrow will post pic.
Bloody mary cuting...
(http://s23.postimg.cc/x1ae8nnc7/foto0351.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x1ae8nnc7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 09, 2014, 02:14:57 PM
Just get a new one, a Bloody Mary dragon! I have 12 diferent var already!  ;D Tomorrow will post pic.

Why do you have 12 different Dragon Fruit varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 09, 2014, 02:29:32 PM
Just get a new one, a Bloody Mary dragon! I have 12 diferent var already!  ;D Tomorrow will post pic.

Why do you have 12 different Dragon Fruit varieties?
Well i didn't have none, but start to buy or trade, and in few time i have all this diferent ones... but there are any problem?  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 09, 2014, 04:45:22 PM
Why do you have 12 different Dragon Fruit varieties?
Well i didn't have none, but start to buy or trade, and in few time i have all this diferent ones... but there are any problem?  ;)

No problem, just curious.

Do you plan to grow 12 different varieties of Dragon Fruit to maturity?

I am fairly new to growing Dragon Fruit. When I started, I collected every type of cutting I could get my hands on.
Eventually, it was time to repot some plants with trellis and start thinking about getting some fruit.
That is when I decided on which Dragon Fruit varieties I wanted to grow. Which is only 4 - 5 (two varieties with multiple plants, the others are pollinators).

I understand all about collecting. I have a collection of a dozen tropical clumping bamboo planted in my garden.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 09, 2014, 05:32:05 PM
Why do you have 12 different Dragon Fruit varieties?
Well i didn't have none, but start to buy or trade, and in few time i have all this diferent ones... but there are any problem?  ;)

No problem, just curious.

Do you plan to grow 12 different varieties of Dragon Fruit to maturity?

I am fairly new to growing Dragon Fruit. When I started, I collected every type of cutting I could get my hands on.
Eventually, it was time to repot some plants with trellis and start thinking about getting some fruit.
That is when I decided on which Dragon Fruit varieties I wanted to grow. Which is only 4 - 5 (two varieties with multiple plants, the others are pollinators).

I understand all about collecting. I have a collection of a dozen tropical clumping bamboo planted in my garden.
Yes i plan to select the best fruit varieties, but it's too early... only when they fruitify i can decide... my plan is to turn on a producer here... there are no dragonfruit production here in Portugal.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 09, 2014, 07:30:47 PM
Yes i plan to select the best fruit varieties, but it's too early... only when they fruitify i can decide... my plan is to turn on a producer here... there are no dragonfruit production here in Portugal.

Yes, I forgot the good reason to produce more cuttings for production!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: davib on January 09, 2014, 07:42:58 PM
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!

Saw some lovely photos as well! We done guys!

Question I have for you dragon fruit lovers:
Have you are a flower where it just buldges??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: davib on January 09, 2014, 07:45:47 PM
I have a lot more!

But here is the weird one I was referring too


(http://s9.postimg.cc/5h34arc17/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5h34arc17/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 09, 2014, 09:16:11 PM
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!



NICE!!   What do use for support?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on January 09, 2014, 10:03:26 PM
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!



NICE!!   What do use for support?
From the picture, if you look closely, you can see it grown in that grey square container with some kind of trellis/stake support in the middle? Correct me if I'm wrong DaviB  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 09, 2014, 11:02:02 PM
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!



NICE!!   What do use for support?
From the picture, if you look closely, you can see it grown in that grey square container with some kind of trellis/stake support in the middle? Correct me if I'm wrong DaviB  :)


I too saw the container...  Interested in the support trellis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: val on January 10, 2014, 12:16:00 AM
 WOW!
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!

Saw some lovely photos as well! We done guys!

Question I have for you dragon fruit lovers:
Have you are a flower where it just buldges??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gwrace on January 12, 2014, 12:00:46 AM
I have a lot more!

But here is the weird one I was referring too


(http://s9.postimg.cc/5h34arc17/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5h34arc17/)

Davib

I'd love more information on how you grew this awesome dragon fruit. What size container, trellis, soil fertilizer etc.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 26, 2014, 05:39:00 PM
New Dragon Fruit web site:

Growing Dragonfruit
http://www.wowdragonfruit.com/growing-dragonfruit.html (http://www.wowdragonfruit.com/growing-dragonfruit.html)

The California Story
http://www.wowdragonfruit.com/the-california-story.html (http://www.wowdragonfruit.com/the-california-story.html)

Just sharing, Not my web site.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on January 26, 2014, 05:53:03 PM
Hi guys

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yg10b58l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yg10b58l/)

Here is my dragon fruit!!

Saw some lovely photos as well! We done guys!

Question I have for you dragon fruit lovers:
Have you are a flower where it just buldges??

Amazing, just beautiful !  and looks  super productive.  nice job.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on January 27, 2014, 06:01:06 PM
Anyone have info on the Lisa #4 dragon fruit?  The vine seems to be a lot thicker than the rest of the varieties.  I suspect this is more heat and cold tolerant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 27, 2014, 09:32:49 PM
Does Lisa have a sweet or tart fruit?

What I heard was the thicker vines are actually more sensitive. In a hot day, it's more likely to start dying than the normal form. Think less surface area for the same volume, or more volume but the same surface area to dissipate heat.

I'm not sure if it's more cold-tolerant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 27, 2014, 10:55:34 PM
Anyone have info on the Lisa #4 dragon fruit?  The vine seems to be a lot thicker than the rest of the varieties.  I suspect this is more heat and cold tolerant?

Check out and download the 2011 Pitahaya Festival Results:
http://www.edvaldivia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=765 (http://www.edvaldivia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=765)

At the 2011 festival tasting, Lisa was one of the favorites.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lisa_1752_zpscc7e0f47.jpg)

I got a Lisa cutting.

But...  I did not have luck with my first Lisa cutting.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df4_2386.jpg)

It was the only DF cutting I have had die.

I got another Lisa cutting (#4) in 2012 and have found that, compared to others, it is a slow grower for me.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttings_2304.jpg)

I use the same numbering system as the UC Irvine Research Center for labeling cuttings.


2012

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttings_3226.jpg)

Today

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lisa_4083_zpsf43182a6.jpg)

Lisa is from Nicaragua and my guess is H. polyrhizus.





Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on January 28, 2014, 10:54:56 AM
It's good to know that it has high brix and its also heat and cold tolerant.  It's a keeper.

What does the number represent?  Is it a number that represents a seedling from a fruit that was hand pollinated?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 28, 2014, 01:36:10 PM
What does the number represent?  Is it a number that represents a seedling from a fruit that was hand pollinated?

The numbering system is just what the UC Irvine Research Center uses for labeling cuttings.

All the Dragon Fruit varieties grown at the Research Center are cuttings (clones), seedlings are not reliable.

Some of the varieties are hybrids created by CRFG members, the others were imported from the country of origin.

The varieties on the 2011 Pitahaya Festival Results table with "(FL)" after the name were obtained from Pine Island Nursery which many are renamed varieties from Southern California CRFG members. See Sven's post http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 28, 2014, 01:56:35 PM
It's good to know that it has high brix and its also heat and cold tolerant.  It's a keeper.

Glendora is not that far from Ventura.  If interested (or anybody else living near Ventura County), I have a Delight, Physical Graffiti, and Valdivia Roja DF potted plant you can have.

PM if interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 28, 2014, 04:28:00 PM
Valdivia roja is one I really like. Small fruits but very flavorful. One year I went to Irvine and there were no fruits on the plants. So I think it's not self pollinating and probably needs cross pollination. I'm still waiting for mine to shoot out of the pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on January 28, 2014, 04:50:17 PM
Valdivia roja is one I really like. Small fruits but very flavorful. One year I went to Irvine and there were no fruits on the plants. So I think it's not self pollinating and probably needs cross pollination. I'm still waiting for mine to shoot out of the pot.


I really want it now! 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on January 30, 2014, 03:02:05 PM
Here is an update on my yellow DF. This is the first year it fruited for me and these first two fruit are not that large. I'm hoping they will get larger next year. I wonder if they would be larger if the two didn't grow right next to each other? There is another green fruit on another branch that appears to be larger than these and there are another three flowers about to open. These two fruit still have some green on them but are mostly yellow, do you think they are ready to harvest or will they taste better if I leave them until they are completely yellow?
Simon
(http://s28.postimg.cc/x8palj28p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x8palj28p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on January 30, 2014, 03:22:18 PM
Here is an update on my yellow DF. This is the first year it fruited for me and these first two fruit are not that large. I'm hoping they will get larger next year. I wonder if they would be larger if the two didn't grow right next to each other? There is another green fruit on another branch that appears to be larger than these and there are another three flowers about to open. These two fruit still have some green on them but are mostly yellow, do you think they are ready to harvest or will they taste better if I leave them until they are completely yellow?
Simon
(http://s28.postimg.cc/x8palj28p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x8palj28p/)

Hope....but don't start holding your breath on any increase in size, next year or any year.

On picking, I wait until the spines can be removed by just brushing against them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 30, 2014, 04:19:42 PM
Valdivia roja is one I really like. Small fruits but very flavorful. One year I went to Irvine and there were no fruits on the plants. So I think it's not self pollinating and probably needs cross pollination. I'm still waiting for mine to shoot out of the pot.


I really want it now!
You can take one of my potted ones. It will need staking and maybe pruning.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on January 30, 2014, 04:47:10 PM
Those yellows probably won't swell any more and look ready to pick.Some lines produce much larger fruit that are thicker through the middle but taste the same.Perfectly riped ones from the best lines have a nice lemonade overtone and a cheery sweet taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on January 30, 2014, 07:10:22 PM
Valdivia roja is one I really like. Small fruits but very flavorful. One year I went to Irvine and there were no fruits on the plants. So I think it's not self pollinating and probably needs cross pollination. I'm still waiting for mine to shoot out of the pot.


I really want it now!
You can take one of my potted ones. It will need staking and maybe pruning.


Cool. Thank you. I'll come by your parents house Sunday morning to pick up.  Also, can I pick up the El bumpo scion too?

You want any salacca palm or inga seedlings?  Let me know, I can bring some seedlings over if interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on January 31, 2014, 12:58:48 AM
Thanks Harry and Mike T,

I'll probably just harvest them tomorrow do the insides don't get mushy. I believe there Mark may have the larger fruited variety as his fruit were quite wide in the middle and the stems also look slightly different than mine. I wish I kept the seeds of the Giant Yellow DF I ate in Hong Kong. The ones I ate in Hong Kong were almost too sweet, it was like eating spoonfulls of Agave nectar. From my memory, I actually prefer varieties like Halley's Comet, American Beauty and Simons purple. I like having the yellow because they ripen in a different season compared to the other DF varieties.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ryan on February 13, 2014, 04:01:50 AM
(http://s15.postimg.cc/4ec7spcef/Pitaya_06.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4ec7spcef/)

Question, is it advisable to plant out multiple varieties of pitaya/dragon fruit within close proximity? I'm new to dragon fruit and preparing to plant multiple vines of the smaller orange and yellow pitaya. In addition, I anticipate planting many of the larger fruited varieties in the near future.

In general, is close enough proximity for cross pollination between varieties a good thing or not? Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 13, 2014, 06:52:41 PM
Ryan, do you have the natural bat pollinator where you live? If not then you'll have to do it yourself. I heard the yellow doesn't require it. The drawback of high density is can you get to the fruits once they're ripe and will they get enough sunlight to induce flowering. For Hawaii I think sunlight is not a problem. I'd say your main concern might be keeping it from growing too fast and keeping the roots from rotting by planting it in fast draining soil.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 13, 2014, 07:44:57 PM
Question, is it advisable to plant out multiple varieties of pitaya/dragon fruit within close proximity? I'm new to dragon fruit and preparing to plant multiple vines of the smaller orange and yellow pitaya. In addition, I anticipate planting many of the larger fruited varieties in the near future.
In general, is close enough proximity for cross pollination between varieties a good thing or not? Thanks.

IMO it is a good idea to plant more than one variety of Dragon Fruit within close proximity.  Last year I had red flesh Nicaraguan Dragon Fruit that produced dozens of flowers, BUT... I did not have other flowering Dragon Fruit plants to pollinate it.  When I did, I got good tasting fruit. Cross pollination between varieties is a good thing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on February 13, 2014, 08:14:54 PM
Thanks Harry and Mike T,

I'll probably just harvest them tomorrow do the insides don't get mushy. I believe there Mark may have the larger fruited variety as his fruit were quite wide in the middle and the stems also look slightly different than mine. I wish I kept the seeds of the Giant Yellow DF I ate in Hong Kong. The ones I ate in Hong Kong were almost too sweet, it was like eating spoonfulls of Agave nectar. From my memory, I actually prefer varieties like Halley's Comet, American Beauty and Simons purple. I like having the yellow because they ripen in a different season compared to the other DF varieties.
Simon
Simon, I picked my last one over a month ago, since we have the same weather, and my do get a bit larger I wonder if there are slight variations in Colombia also.
Bye the way I still have Voodoo Child and Houghton ripening. Also, all of the cuttings I got from you are rooted nice already.
I also noticed that the Lisa I received in 2011 at the Irvine Festival is a real slow grower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on February 14, 2014, 02:58:12 PM
Why do you have 12 different Dragon Fruit varieties?
Well i didn't have none, but start to buy or trade, and in few time i have all this diferent ones... but there are any problem?  ;)

No problem, just curious.

Do you plan to grow 12 different varieties of Dragon Fruit to maturity?

I am fairly new to growing Dragon Fruit. When I started, I collected every type of cutting I could get my hands on.
Eventually, it was time to repot some plants with trellis and start thinking about getting some fruit.
That is when I decided on which Dragon Fruit varieties I wanted to grow. Which is only 4 - 5 (two varieties with multiple plants, the others are pollinators).

I understand all about collecting. I have a collection of a dozen tropical clumping bamboo planted in my garden.
Yes i plan to select the best fruit varieties, but it's too early... only when they fruitify i can decide... my plan is to turn on a producer here... there are no dragonfruit production here in Portugal.

Hi ricshaw,
We need different varieties of DF for cross pollination.  Most of the colored dragon fruit plants (red, pink, and purple flesh) here in the U.S. are not self-fertile ( not self-fertile means that the plant will not set fruit with it's own pollen). So we need pollen from other varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on February 14, 2014, 03:19:02 PM
I read it is 10 pounds of plant weight, have no idea how to get them to flower earlier.

Hi Luisport,

You need about 3 years if you grow from a 2 ft- cutting, and about 5 years from a shorter cutting (like 10 inches).

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NYC_FruitKing on February 14, 2014, 03:46:49 PM
I've been following this post for quite a while now and I've decided to try my luck with growing DF in my area. I made a post in the yahoo pitaya forum and didn't receive much of any pointers for finding out the quote-on-quote "best" DF varieties in terms of taste and flavor, so I'll just grow 3 in a 15-gal pot with a 4"x4", 5' tall PVC pipe with burlap attached to it. The varieties I've decided on are American Beauty, Delight, and Zamorano. Once I get more space I'll grow more varieties, or end up grafting yellow dragon and others to see if they're worth extra space once I can afford some more space to grow things with.. And as much as I'd like to order these varieties online from mattslandscape, the online reviews complaining about orders taking a while to process and poor customer service in general makes me want to resort to asking avid DF growers for cuttings, so I don't waste my time and money :D Anyone on this thread have fairly big (around 12") cuttings of these 3 varieties they'd be willing to donate to a good cause? I'll happily pay for postage and all that jazz  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 14, 2014, 05:09:55 PM
Zamorano. Can someone describe the taste?

I gave away several cuttings of it last weekend but I don't think I'be tasted the fruit. The FL ebayer I got it from told me that's his favorite out of the 5 types he sold me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 14, 2014, 08:42:28 PM
Hi ricshaw,
We need different varieties of DF for cross pollination.  Most of the colored dragon fruit plants (red, pink, and purple flesh) here in the U.S. are not self-fertile ( not self-fertile means that the plant will not set fruit with it's own pollen). So we need pollen from other varieties.

I think that is what I said.  I agree.  Blame Pine Island for some of the confusion.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on February 15, 2014, 01:07:11 AM
Anyone have info on the Lisa #4 dragon fruit?  The vine seems to be a lot thicker than the rest of the varieties.  I suspect this is more heat and cold tolerant?

Hi Xshen,
Lisa is a good cold hardiness and heat tolerance but not the best.  The best one is Valdivia Roja, next to it are Physical Graffiti and Halley's Comet. 
Please check this link:
http://edvaldivia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=828 (http://edvaldivia.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=828)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on February 15, 2014, 01:55:43 PM
I read it is 10 pounds of plant weight, have no idea how to get them to flower earlier.

Hi Luisport,

You need about 3 years if you grow from a 2 ft- cutting, and about 5 years from a shorter cutting (like 10 inches).

Not true in my sub tropical climate. Mine fruited in just under 1-1/2 yrs from a few 6 -8 inch cuttings planted/started in December
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on February 15, 2014, 02:02:04 PM
I read it is 10 pounds of plant weight, have no idea how to get them to flower earlier.

Hi Luisport,

You need about 3 years if you grow from a 2 ft- cutting, and about 5 years from a shorter cutting (like 10 inches).

Not true in my sub tropical climate. Mine fruited in just under 1-1/2 yrs from a few 6 -8 inch cuttings planted/started in December
Well we will see what i will get this year... i'm hoping to have  some fruit next year, but i will wait with all patience! ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 15, 2014, 02:03:02 PM
Thanks Harry and Mike T,

I'll probably just harvest them tomorrow do the insides don't get mushy. I believe there Mark may have the larger fruited variety as his fruit were quite wide in the middle and the stems also look slightly different than mine. I wish I kept the seeds of the Giant Yellow DF I ate in Hong Kong. The ones I ate in Hong Kong were almost too sweet, it was like eating spoonfulls of Agave nectar. From my memory, I actually prefer varieties like Halley's Comet, American Beauty and Simons purple. I like having the yellow because they ripen in a different season compared to the other DF varieties.
Simon
Simon, I picked my last one over a month ago, since we have the same weather, and my do get a bit larger I wonder if there are slight variations in Colombia also.
Bye the way I still have Voodoo Child and Houghton ripening. Also, all of the cuttings I got from you are rooted nice already.
I also noticed that the Lisa I received in 2011 at the Irvine Festival is a real slow grower.
Hey Mark, I'm glad the cuttings are rooting nicely for you. I just harvested my first two yellow dragons yesterday and they are really small. The larger one was only 7.75 Oz. These first two fruit are going to relatives that have never tasted the yellow before so I won't be able to provide a taste report until I harvest the next one. I would love a cutting of your Yellow Dragon and Lisa if you have any available.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 15, 2014, 02:04:57 PM

(http://s14.postimg.cc/ji53cxf1p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ji53cxf1p/)
Larger fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on February 15, 2014, 02:18:45 PM

(http://s14.postimg.cc/ji53cxf1p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ji53cxf1p/)
Larger fruit
Good one!  :P Maby in 3 years i will get them too...  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on February 16, 2014, 12:58:00 PM
Thanks Harry and Mike T,

I'll probably just harvest them tomorrow do the insides don't get mushy. I believe there Mark may have the larger fruited variety as his fruit were quite wide in the middle and the stems also look slightly different than mine. I wish I kept the seeds of the Giant Yellow DF I ate in Hong Kong. The ones I ate in Hong Kong were almost too sweet, it was like eating spoonfulls of Agave nectar. From my memory, I actually prefer varieties like Halley's Comet, American Beauty and Simons purple. I like having the yellow because they ripen in a different season compared to the other DF varieties.
Simon
Simon, I picked my last one over a month ago, since we have the same weather, and my do get a bit larger I wonder if there are slight variations in Colombia also.
Bye the way I still have Voodoo Child and Houghton ripening. Also, all of the cuttings I got from you are rooted nice already.
I also noticed that the Lisa I received in 2011 at the Irvine Festival is a real slow grower.
Hey Mark, I'm glad the cuttings are rooting nicely for you. I just harvested my first two yellow dragons yesterday and they are really small. The larger one was only 7.75 Oz. These first two fruit are going to relatives that have never tasted the yellow before so I won't be able to provide a taste report until I harvest the next one. I would love a cutting of your Yellow Dragon and Lisa if you have any available.
Simon
Simon, no problem getting you some cuttings. Get ahold of me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on February 17, 2014, 08:35:01 PM
This is the first time i've tried to grow dragon fruit. How do I cut the branches(?) that are growing out horizontally. If I try and force them vertical they will break.

Thanks,
Mike

(http://s27.postimg.cc/eyrlmemgv/dragon_fruit.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eyrlmemgv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on February 17, 2014, 08:39:33 PM
Hello, I new to dragon fruit, and have been reading all the replies to the discussion. I only own, the common, Physical Graffiti. I am interested  in any dragon fruit, especially the 'Yellow (spiky fruit)', and 'Condor'. I am also interested in the most dark fleshed variety, possibly, 'Lisa'. I'm happy to finally join the tread after reading all the previous comments.  ;D

Nice to meet you,
Nate ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on February 17, 2014, 09:17:04 PM
is it possible to fruit DFs in pots without supports?  I know they won't be as productive, but does it have to get to 100s of lbs of weight? I am deterred by the support structure.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 17, 2014, 09:19:58 PM
is it possible to fruit DFs in pots without supports?  I know they won't be as productive, but does it have to get to 100s of lbs of weight? I am deterred by the support structure.

If you don't like the support structure grow Cereus sp. instead. Good selections of Cereus sp. can get very close to DF in taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 17, 2014, 09:25:27 PM
This is the first time i've tried to grow dragon fruit. How do I cut the branches(?) that are growing out horizontally. If I try and force them vertical they will break.

Thanks,
Mike

(http://s27.postimg.cc/eyrlmemgv/dragon_fruit.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eyrlmemgv/)

Mike I would remove the lower horizontal growing branches, which will help the main vertical growing branches.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 17, 2014, 09:29:09 PM
is it possible to fruit DFs in pots without supports?  I know they won't be as productive, but does it have to get to 100s of lbs of weight? I am deterred by the support structure.

Yes.

Maybe elevate the pot and train the cactus as a low bush.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 17, 2014, 09:31:22 PM

If you don't like the support structure grow Cereus sp. instead. Good selections of Cereus sp. can get very close to DF in taste.

I am looking for good tasting Cereus...  And I take it that you have good Cereus.

Where can I find good Cereus in So Cal?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 17, 2014, 09:49:53 PM
Interesting video of Gray Martin's Dragon Fruit farm in So Cal.

5000 plants. Note trellis and pots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs1HrETp8_U& (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs1HrETp8_U&)

Check his web site: http://www.wowdragonfruit.com (http://www.wowdragonfruit.com)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on February 17, 2014, 11:20:58 PM
This is the first time i've tried to grow dragon fruit. How do I cut the branches(?) that are growing out horizontally. If I try and force them vertical they will break.

Thanks,
Mike

(http://s27.postimg.cc/eyrlmemgv/dragon_fruit.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eyrlmemgv/)

Hi Mike,
If you rotate them 90 degree, they will break. But if you rotate them by smaller angles (such as 20 degree), they will be okay. First you just rotate them about 20 degree, and leave them like that for about a week, then next week you rotate them another 20 degree and so on...until they are in vertical position.  I am training my DF plants like this and they are all good.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: hellosf on February 18, 2014, 12:02:29 AM
Mark/Simon (san diego folk) When are most of your fruit ready to be picked?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on February 18, 2014, 01:33:28 AM
Mark/Simon (san diego folk) When are most of your fruit ready to be picked?
I get my regular hybrids (not yellow megalanthus) starting in mid summer and if it's a warm winter then up to February, 2 crops.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on February 18, 2014, 12:19:01 PM
is it possible to fruit DFs in pots without supports?  I know they won't be as productive, but does it have to get to 100s of lbs of weight? I am deterred by the support structure.

Do you know where to acquire these cereus that taste good?

Also, do they have colored flesh like DFs or just white inside?

Very interested but DF has so much more info, namely PIN's website.

How do cereus differ from hylocereus in terms of growth habit, requirements, etc.?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 18, 2014, 12:31:33 PM
Yes there is Cereus sp. out there with red/purple flesh. I have one Cereus sp. that was sold to me stating the fruit was purple flesh. I am not sure how the taste is, but I am sure it will easily cross with other Cereus sp. There is also orange and yellow skinned fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 18, 2014, 12:36:24 PM
Quote

Do you know where to acquire these cereus that taste good?

Also, do they have colored flesh like DFs or just white inside?

Very interested but DF has so much more info, namely PIN's website.

How do cereus differ from hylocereus in terms of growth habit, requirements, etc.?

Thanks!

I am not an expert...

I have not seen Cereus with colored flesh fruit.

I think Cereus is more of a desert columber cactus and Hylocereus is a climbing tropical cactus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 18, 2014, 12:43:43 PM
Yes there is Cereus sp. out there with red/purple flesh. I have one Cereus sp. that was sold to me stating the fruit was purple flesh. I am not sure how the taste is, but I am sure it will easily cross with other Cereus sp. There is also orange and yellow skinned fruit.

Are these Cereus like Cereus peruvianus cactus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 18, 2014, 12:48:02 PM
Quote

Do you know where to acquire these cereus that taste good?

Also, do they have colored flesh like DFs or just white inside?

Very interested but DF has so much more info, namely PIN's website.

How do cereus differ from hylocereus in terms of growth habit, requirements, etc.?

Thanks!

I am not an expert...

I have not seen Cereus with colored flesh fruit.

I think Cereus is more of a desert columber cactus and Hylocereus is a climbing tropical cactus.

There is purple/red flesh I was told. Its from Bolivia, was told it was Cereus comarapanus (It looks similar to Cereus validus from online photos, though comarapanus does not have many photos on the internet). Here is a picture of the cacti I have;
April 2012
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--wRbQ2cyEdQ/T52nJhEy8cI/AAAAAAAACpw/zjvIhKftE9E/s400/P1040162.JPG)

I may plan to do some future crosses with it, think it may be interesting to cross with one of the monstrose cereus hybrids. (fruit 3.6 inches (9 cm) long, purple) http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Cereus_comarapanus.html (http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Cereus_comarapanus.html)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on February 18, 2014, 07:11:46 PM
Is anyone growing Selenicereus megalanthus? I have a very new garden so I would not be able to return with any cuttings.  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 18, 2014, 11:09:15 PM
Mark/Simon (san diego folk) When are most of your fruit ready to be picked?

My plants are still young and only my Simon's purple and Yellow Dragon have fruited at this house so my fruit ripening times may not give you a good idea as to when they will normally ripen. The Simon's purple ripened for me last year around mid Summer with a second round of fruit late summer to early fall. My mother in law that lives down the street from me also has Simon's purple planted but in full sun and she started harvesting fruit about a month earlier than me.

I just harvested my yellows last week and there is one fruit and three flowers that just opened last night.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on February 18, 2014, 11:23:43 PM
Thanks Harry and Mike T,

I'll probably just harvest them tomorrow do the insides don't get mushy. I believe there Mark may have the larger fruited variety as his fruit were quite wide in the middle and the stems also look slightly different than mine. I wish I kept the seeds of the Giant Yellow DF I ate in Hong Kong. The ones I ate in Hong Kong were almost too sweet, it was like eating spoonfulls of Agave nectar. From my memory, I actually prefer varieties like Halley's Comet, American Beauty and Simons purple. I like having the yellow because they ripen in a different season compared to the other DF varieties.
Simon

Thank you for the great news, that large and sweet tasting Dragon Fruit do exist and are out there to be found/discovered, although I sure wish you had kept those seeds and propagated them here in the USA; perhaps on the next trip.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 27, 2014, 02:28:30 PM
Hello, I new to dragon fruit, and have been reading all the replies to the discussion. I only own, the common, Physical Graffiti. I am interested  in any dragon fruit, especially the 'Yellow (spiky fruit)', and 'Condor'. I am also interested in the most dark fleshed variety, possibly, 'Lisa'. I'm happy to finally join the tread after reading all the previous comments.  ;D
Nice to meet you,
Nate ;)

Nate,
F.Y.I.
It was recently reported by Ramiro Lobo (UCCE Small Farms & Agricultural Economics Advisor) that  recent completed DNA work; "Lisa", "Rosa", & "Cebra" could be considered the same.
Lisa, Rosa, & Cebra are Nicaragua clones being field tested at Irvine, CA research center.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Recher on February 27, 2014, 05:21:27 PM
Am I alone in preferring Opuntia ficus-indica fruit to any of the Hylocereus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 27, 2014, 05:39:35 PM
Am I alone in preferring Opuntia ficus-indica fruit to any of the Hylocereus?

I can't comment because I have not tasted Opuntia ficus-indica fruit.

Hopefully in a few years I can comment.  I very recently planted some Opuntia varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 27, 2014, 06:18:17 PM
Am I alone in preferring Opuntia ficus-indica fruit to any of the Hylocereus?

I view them equally as tasty as Dragon Fruit. I think most people shy away from Opuntia sp. fruits, due to the glochids and spines involved. Also the seeds are a major turn off for people.

I have had an excellent Opuntia that had no seeds and had sweet tasty flesh, I ranked it a 9 out of 10.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 27, 2014, 06:21:48 PM
I have had an excellent Opuntia that had no seeds and had sweet tasty flesh, I ranked it a 9 out of 10.

If it does not have a name...  you could name it "Nullzero" and distribute it and become famous!  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 27, 2014, 07:09:10 PM
I have had an excellent Opuntia that had no seeds and had sweet tasty flesh, I ranked it a 9 out of 10.

If it does not have a name...  you could name it "Nullzero" and distribute it and become famous!  ;)

Its a PARL #, I have to check my notes (just checked). However there was no cross pollination of other flowers at the time (it was the only flower and fruit).

PARL 244, Flowering 5/26, Fruit Ripe 9/2 (seedless, only fruit) Excellent tasting, sweet honeydew melon taste."
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 27, 2014, 08:49:09 PM
Its a PARL #, I have to check my notes (just checked). However there was no cross pollination of other flowers at the time (it was the only flower and fruit).
PARL 244, Flowering 5/26, Fruit Ripe 9/2 (seedless, only fruit) Excellent tasting, sweet honeydew melon taste."

Did you get it from the National Arid Land Plant Genetic Resources Unit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 27, 2014, 08:52:03 PM
Its a PARL #, I have to check my notes (just checked). However there was no cross pollination of other flowers at the time (it was the only flower and fruit).
PARL 244, Flowering 5/26, Fruit Ripe 9/2 (seedless, only fruit) Excellent tasting, sweet honeydew melon taste."

Did you get it from the National Arid Land Plant Genetic Resources Unit?

Yes
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on February 28, 2014, 12:49:52 AM
Am I alone in preferring Opuntia ficus-indica fruit to any of the Hylocereus?

I view them equally as tasty as Dragon Fruit. I think most people shy away from Opuntia sp. fruits, due to the glochids and spines involved. Also the seeds are a major turn off for people.

I have had an excellent Opuntia that had no seeds and had sweet tasty flesh, I ranked it a 9 out of 10.

Opuntia are very fine fruits, better than DF in most cases, the downside being the high number of small, hard seeds. Similar to guava.

Anybody who can't successfully  use a chef's torch to deal with glochids and spines has no business growing prickly pear. It isn't rocket science.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Recher on February 28, 2014, 02:41:54 AM
The O. ficus-indica I got is for all practical purposes spine free and glochid-less. Slight glochid but they don't stick in. I bare-hand them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on February 28, 2014, 02:51:30 AM
Am I alone in preferring Opuntia ficus-indica fruit to any of the Hylocereus?

I view them equally as tasty as Dragon Fruit. I think most people shy away from Opuntia sp. fruits, due to the glochids and spines involved. Also the seeds are a major turn off for people.

I have had an excellent Opuntia that had no seeds and had sweet tasty flesh, I ranked it a 9 out of 10.

Opuntia are very fine fruits, better than DF in most cases, the downside being the high number of small, hard seeds. Similar to guava.

Anybody who can't successfully  use a chef's torch to deal with glochids and spines has no business growing prickly pear. It isn't rocket science.

I have a selection I made call Torrance PCH#1, the fruit can be handled bare hand because the limited amount of glochids blows off with rain and wind over time. I harvested one by hand in FL and it had no glochids on it. Seeds are smaller and softer then usual as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on February 28, 2014, 06:40:58 PM
Quote
I have a selection I made call Torrance PCH#1, the fruit can be handled bare hand because the limited amount of glochids blows off with rain and wind over time. I harvested one by hand in FL and it had no glochids on it. Seeds are smaller and softer then usual as well.

Do you think think the glochids would fall off in little rain? I live in AZ, but we do have strong wind. I know that Prickly Pear is a state symbol, but I am interested in a glochid-free or an easy glochid removal variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on March 01, 2014, 01:17:08 AM
After about 3 years from planting, my 'David-Bowie' Dragon Fruit has almost reached the top of the pressure treated pole. The first two years it showed signs of growing pains. The tentacle roots of the plant wouldn't adhere to the pole, perhaps because of chemicals on it. But now, I suppose because the pole has been weatherized, the tentacle roots are adhering to the pole without any support of plastic-tie-wraps.

It's just gone crazy growing and climbing, and of course I'm both surprised and happy about this. I still have to install/build the wood bracket/crown at the top of the pole. I'm eaguerly waiting for it to flower and fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ryan on March 01, 2014, 02:53:27 AM
Question, is it advisable to plant out multiple varieties of pitaya/dragon fruit within close proximity? I'm new to dragon fruit and preparing to plant multiple vines of the smaller orange and yellow pitaya. In addition, I anticipate planting many of the larger fruited varieties in the near future.
In general, is close enough proximity for cross pollination between varieties a good thing or not? Thanks.

IMO it is a good idea to plant more than one variety of Dragon Fruit within close proximity.  Last year I had red flesh Nicaraguan Dragon Fruit that produced dozens of flowers, BUT... I did not have other flowering Dragon Fruit plants to pollinate it.  When I did, I got good tasting fruit. Cross pollination between varieties is a good thing.

Thanks to fyliu, ricshaw and tanguy for the helpful answers to my question. p.s. We do have Hawaiian hoary bats in the area, though I've never seen one. As advised, I'll plan on planting several varieties within close enough proximity for cross pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ekierkla on March 01, 2014, 10:19:12 AM
If you are trying to grow Opuntia ficus-indica, then get the sicilian Orange type. It is the best. WAY better then any store bought one. It has a nice flavor and grows well. Trust me you will love this cactus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 01, 2014, 01:49:18 PM
If you are trying to grow Opuntia ficus-indica, then get the sicilian Orange type. It is the best. WAY better then any store bought one. It has a nice flavor and grows well. Trust me you will love this cactus.

Got a source?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 01, 2014, 03:34:51 PM
Quote
I have a selection I made call Torrance PCH#1, the fruit can be handled bare hand because the limited amount of glochids blows off with rain and wind over time. I harvested one by hand in FL and it had no glochids on it. Seeds are smaller and softer then usual as well.

Do you think think the glochids would fall off in little rain? I live in AZ, but we do have strong wind. I know that Prickly Pear is a state symbol, but I am interested in a glochid-free or an easy glochid removal variety.

I can't confirm that because I have no grow reports in AZ. The mother plants location has a low amount of glochids, but the winds never really go over 20mph and the rain is limited. FL plant experienced heavy rains and winds over 40mph.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 07, 2014, 10:08:57 PM
At the La Verne Nursery tour today, we saw some of the 10,000 unnamed Dragon Fruit being grown for Lowe's, Home Depot, and other West Coast nurseries.

Dragon Fruit cuttings:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4239_zpsa6445e5a.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4240_zps2f974628.jpg)

Parent stock for cuttings:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4244_zps5f50408e.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4245_zps6e10031d.jpg)

Yellow Dragon Fruit (I have not seen for sale in nurseries):

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4246_zps657706ac.jpg)

La Verne is experimenting with growing Dragon Fruit from seeds:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4219_zps1673c3fd.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 07, 2014, 10:24:05 PM
Dragon fruit seedlings look very interesting. Could make some great selections on vigor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 07, 2014, 10:41:56 PM
Got nopal?

La Verne Nursery does.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/la_verne_4241_zps8f5f0961.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on March 07, 2014, 11:52:59 PM
WOW :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on March 07, 2014, 11:59:15 PM

La Verne is experimenting with growing Dragon Fruit from seeds:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4219_zps1673c3fd.jpg)

Wow, La Verne Dragon Fruit Nursery doesn't play around, so far this is the best DF Nursery that I've ever seen. By growing DF from seeds, they are sure to develop new varieties of DF of superb quality and taste, impressive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 08, 2014, 12:21:12 AM

Wow, La Verne Dragon Fruit Nursery doesn't play around, so far this is the best DF Nursery that I've ever seen. By growing DF from seeds, they are sure to develop DF of superb quality and taste, impressive.


You think so?    ???
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 08, 2014, 01:45:38 AM
I asked Daniel Nelson, Director of Operations, about the colorful pot sleeves used on Dragon Fruit and some other plants from La Verne and he said it is up the the retailer... "they cost a lot of money".

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_6.jpg)

IMO they help catch the customer's eye.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: franciscu on March 10, 2014, 09:59:22 AM
"Ice Cream" pitaya?

I found 8 pots of pitaya abandoned and neglected -- obviously for years -- at the back of my lot. Two of them had no labels. The other 6 had labels identifying their varieties as 2 Delights, 1 American Beauty, 1 Halley's Comet, 1 "Red", and 1 "Ice Cream".  I've heard of the first 5, but never heard mention of the "Ice Cream" variety. The plant was in awful shape, with just a couple of half dried out sections with some green left on them. There was some root left and that central woody stalk inside the fleshy part had some green still going.  I've salvaged the last two pieces and stuck them in some moist potting soil and placed them in some mottled shade. If one of them manages to catch hold and produce a new healthy green section I'll try to plant it and see what gives.  I'm intrigued because I've never seen any reference to the Ice Cream variety before. Anybody ever heard of it? Is what I'm doing worth the trouble?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on March 10, 2014, 10:15:02 AM
"Ice Cream" pitaya?

I found 8 pots of pitaya abandoned and neglected -- obviously for years -- at the back of my lot. Two of them had no labels. The other 6 had labels identifying their varieties as 2 Delights, 1 American Beauty, 1 Halley's Comet, 1 "Red", and 1 "Ice Cream".  I've heard of the first 5, but never heard mention of the "Ice Cream" variety. The plant was in awful shape, with just a couple of half dried out sections with some green left on them. There was some root left and that central woody stalk inside the fleshy part had some green still going.  I've salvaged the last two pieces and stuck them in some moist potting soil and placed them in some mottled shade. If one of them manages to catch hold and produce a new healthy green section I'll try to plant it and see what gives.  I'm intrigued because I've never seen any reference to the Ice Cream variety before. Anybody ever heard of it? Is what I'm doing worth the trouble?
Could just be a re name variety? I saw two variety for sale online and they were called "Strawberry Sorbet" and "Raspberry Delight" ??? ::) :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on March 12, 2014, 11:05:18 AM
I really dislike when anything is re-branded for marketing purposes.  It muddies the water as to truth in origin, which I guess is the intent.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NaturalGreenthumb on March 23, 2014, 02:46:59 PM
Wanted to share my dragon fruit trellis.

While driving down a street I saw a wood frame and as luck would have it I was trying to figure out how I was going to do my dragon fruit trellis.

I have this mostly shady spot on the side of my house, so that's where I'm going to stick it.

I stopped an pick it up and come to release it was a twin bed frame.

I took off the springs. And this is what I got.

4 pillars and a twin bed frame.

Imagine a king or a queen


(http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/yellowbrickroad_54/c3e0862eaaff766e4ebedacf2006114a_zps21882acd.jpg)


(http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/yellowbrickroad_54/fad503216e7c4d3fb7ef54b23034a9b2_zps1c13442e.jpg)


(http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae156/yellowbrickroad_54/c37ce3c98620f60a317460bd13766b11_zps7ea60947.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on March 23, 2014, 03:03:32 PM
Nice!  My only additional comment is that mine do better in direct sunlight. Not sure how much bloom you'll get in shade.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mikesid on March 23, 2014, 03:36:16 PM
Cool! a pre-built trellis!

   I've been collecting dragon fruit from various places around the city. Mostly in the older neighborhoods where they are growing up tall trees. I even saw one growing in the scrub along miner rd in the middle of nowhere up a tall pine tree so I pulled over and grabbed some of that. Without a good plan of where to put all these I went and made some t-posts for them. I picked up the three varieties Excalibur sells also though I'm not sure of there names..(maybe Rob knows)…Cristella just told me the color of flesh/skin of each… The other dragon fruit I've been 'wild' collecting I just mark with the name of the street from where I got it…dragon fruit grows like a weed at my house..and yeah, I know, clear the grass from around them…easy,I just built this two days..


(http://s1.postimg.cc/thw38kg2j/IMG_0543.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/thw38kg2j/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NaturalGreenthumb on March 23, 2014, 03:40:17 PM
Nice!  My only additional comment is that mine do better in direct sunlight. Not sure how much bloom you'll get in shade.


Crap!

There is afternoon or early evening sun in that spot, the sun  shines over the top. I hope that's enough.

Not sure what else to put there. It's a north facing wall.

It's Either that or sugarcane and sugar cane needs direct sun too...

I read the forum post about dragon fruit getting sunburn so I figure it would be ok.

I got to test it out unless I find something to put there.

Would monstera deliciosa work?

Any suggestion for a north facing wall?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 23, 2014, 07:11:54 PM
Cool! a pre-built trellis!

   I've been collecting dragon fruit from various places around the city. Mostly in the older neighborhoods where they are growing up tall trees. I even saw one growing in the scrub along miner rd in the middle of nowhere up a tall pine tree so I pulled over and grabbed some of that. Without a good plan of where to put all these I went and made some t-posts for them. I picked up the three varieties Excalibur sells also though I'm not sure of there names..(maybe Rob knows)…Cristella just told me the color of flesh/skin of each… The other dragon fruit I've been 'wild' collecting I just mark with the name of the street from where I got it…dragon fruit grows like a weed at my house..and yeah, I know, clear the grass from around them…easy,I just built this two days..


(http://s1.postimg.cc/thw38kg2j/IMG_0543.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/thw38kg2j/)

Mike,

How is the fruit quality on the Cereus sp. in the background?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mikesid on March 23, 2014, 08:28:21 PM
Cool! a pre-built trellis!

   I've been collecting dragon fruit from various places around the city. Mostly in the older neighborhoods where they are growing up tall trees. I even saw one growing in the scrub along miner rd in the middle of nowhere up a tall pine tree so I pulled over and grabbed some of that. Without a good plan of where to put all these I went and made some t-posts for them. I picked up the three varieties Excalibur sells also though I'm not sure of there names..(maybe Rob knows)…Cristella just told me the color of flesh/skin of each… The other dragon fruit I've been 'wild' collecting I just mark with the name of the street from where I got it…dragon fruit grows like a weed at my house..and yeah, I know, clear the grass from around them…easy,I just built this two days..


(http://s1.postimg.cc/thw38kg2j/IMG_0543.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/thw38kg2j/)

Mike,

How is the fruit quality on the Cereus sp. in the background?
now I'm gonna have to paddle my kayak across and take a look..will report back!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 23, 2014, 09:16:01 PM
Cool! a pre-built trellis!

   I've been collecting dragon fruit from various places around the city. Mostly in the older neighborhoods where they are growing up tall trees. I even saw one growing in the scrub along miner rd in the middle of nowhere up a tall pine tree so I pulled over and grabbed some of that. Without a good plan of where to put all these I went and made some t-posts for them. I picked up the three varieties Excalibur sells also though I'm not sure of there names..(maybe Rob knows)…Cristella just told me the color of flesh/skin of each… The other dragon fruit I've been 'wild' collecting I just mark with the name of the street from where I got it…dragon fruit grows like a weed at my house..and yeah, I know, clear the grass from around them…easy,I just built this two days..


(http://s1.postimg.cc/thw38kg2j/IMG_0543.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/thw38kg2j/)

Mike,

How is the fruit quality on the Cereus sp. in the background?
now I'm gonna have to paddle my kayak across and take a look..will report back!

Should be flowering very soon, ripe fruits possible in June to September.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on March 24, 2014, 12:32:46 AM
Nice!  My only additional comment is that mine do better in direct sunlight. Not sure how much bloom you'll get in shade.


Crap!

There is afternoon or early evening sun in that spot, the sun  shines over the top. I hope that's enough.

Not sure what else to put there. It's a north facing wall.

It's Either that or sugarcane and sugar cane needs direct sun too...

I read the forum post about dragon fruit getting sunburn so I figure it would be ok.

I got to test it out unless I find something to put there.

Would monstera deliciosa work?

Any suggestion for a north facing wall?
10 hours of light a day is the commonly suggested amount for inducing flowering. If your DF doesn't  thicken up or stays dark green instead of getting a little bit yellow, then you need to move it. Or put supplemental lighting if you really want to.

Monstera deliciosa probably works since it's normally grown under trees. eugenia uniflora will fruit just fine in moderate shade.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on March 26, 2014, 10:28:14 PM
I'm very pleased with the progress of my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit growing on a single cylindrical wooden pole that's abouut 7 feet tall.

Although the cuttings that surround the pole at the bottom are all from the same mother tree, one of the cuttings has really take off climbing the pole and it's just one foot away from the top. I still haven't decided what type of trellis I'm going to use to crown the top of the pole with, but I have to make up my mind soon, this 'DB' DF means business, it's about to reach the top and I need the trellis-crown installed before that happens.
Title: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: wslau on April 04, 2014, 11:45:22 PM
I tried dragonfruit for the the first time this week.
It was a Vetnamese dragonfruit bought at 99 Ranch Market for $2.99/lb (1 lb).

(http://s29.postimg.cc/6gj0x490j/vietnamese_dragonfruit.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6gj0x490j/)
The flesh was white.  The texture was like a kiwi, but there was no tartness, little to mild sweetness, and no flavor that I could dinstinctly describe. 
My family was somewhat disappointed with this white-fleshed Vietnamese dragonfruit.  I thought perhaps it could be put in a salad, similar to what some people do with jicama.

I haven't given up on dragonfruit yet.  I hear that some of the other varieties have more flavor, sweetness, and tartness.  I received some cuttings of Halley's Comet and Quang Ong White from fyliu....so we'll see what these are like in a year or two.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: Osito on April 04, 2014, 11:49:12 PM
I've had better luck with home grown. Much sweeter. Picked right before they split. I think it's like cherimoya. Store bought is quite a gamble
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: simon_grow on April 05, 2014, 12:25:49 AM
I'm sorry that your first taste of Dragonfruit was a 99 Ranch white fleshed variety. I would have recommended that you pass on it, it's like the Tommy Atkins of Dragonfruit. You should go to a dragonfruit tasting so that you can try multiple varieties. I really like Halley's Comet and American Beauty. They are both much tastier and sweeter than the common white.
Simon
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: fyliu on April 05, 2014, 01:35:56 AM
There's a white variety called Jamaican Red that's pretty nice. It's available from San Diego CRFG members.

I also went and bought a 99 Ranch fruit after I had been growing it. Very disappointing experience and it might have made me not want to grow it had I not tasted the good ones like Valdivia Roja fruit from the Irvine Field Station. They used to give out free fruits to people that could get to San Marcos when they got fruit. I got bags and boxes of them back then.

Warren, I still have a few large cuttings you could have. I'm not sure how good Purple Haze is but I heard it was good.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: wslau on April 05, 2014, 02:36:31 AM
Warren, I still have a few large cuttings you could have. I'm not sure how good Purple Haze is but I heard it was good.
Sure.  I sent you a PM.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: Viking Guy on April 05, 2014, 03:09:08 AM
Definitely try American Beauty.  It's a night and day difference.

Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: gunnar429 on April 05, 2014, 07:59:03 AM
i hear the purple fleshed types are tasty...and the yellow are supposed to be sweet.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: RodneyS on April 05, 2014, 05:06:29 PM
Warren, I'll let you know when my dragonfruit plants have fruits, so you can see what they really taste like. 
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 05, 2014, 10:24:42 PM
Definitely try American Beauty.  It's a night and day difference.

What does it taste like? 

Any one know of a place where I can mail order the fruit in.  Don't want to waste my time on something we might not like.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: fyliu on April 06, 2014, 01:39:22 AM
Maybe someone on the forum can send you a few.
I don't get much fruits or else I would be happy to. We'll see this year.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: wslau on April 06, 2014, 03:48:51 AM
Warren, I'll let you know when my dragonfruit plants have fruits, so you can see what they really taste like.
Thanks Rodney! I'll take you up on your offer.
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: nch on April 06, 2014, 05:40:32 AM
Rodney, may I join Warren for the tasting too? My white DF (probably Vietnamese variety) produces very bland fruits, but they are huge (1 1/2 lb, if I remember correctly).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JeffDM on April 08, 2014, 08:35:43 PM
Just ate my first Dragon Fruit and now I need to put more effort into growing my own because I can't afford to buy them
 :)
The seeds scrape off easily without messing up the fruit so I can sprout some seedlings and they were OK to eat unlike the seeds of some guavas.
I bought them at the Fruit Shop on Convoy St. in San Diego.

(http://s11.postimg.cc/k80ii588v/IMG_2583.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/k80ii588v/)


(http://s7.postimg.cc/aavz1z2mf/IMG_2585.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/aavz1z2mf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on April 08, 2014, 11:07:25 PM
Slap a paper napkin on the flat cut surface and you can pull away several seeds easily. I found that out at a tasting event eating wedges using napkins.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on April 08, 2014, 11:12:22 PM
This Thread is in the cutting with reguard to DF. And, on a different topic, from what I've read on this Thread, 'American Beauty' DF rocks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on April 08, 2014, 11:44:44 PM
Jeff, I have several varieties that I can take cuttings from.  Growing DF from cuttings is a lot faster
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on April 09, 2014, 04:55:38 PM
Well, this is my first post here. I´ve read the entire thread and it has become one of the most helpful site regarding DF.

I`ve planted 8 DF cuttings in January (American Beauty, Halleys Comet, Purple Haze and Physical Graffitti) thanks to RodneyS  :D

I´ve made a few mistakes that i think its important for others to see (or know):
The first one regards water: I put 1 litre (0,2 gallons) every week in winter (temperatures 35-50 F) in a spot with 2 hours of sun. This was a very serious mistake and after a month I could see that some cuttings were losing the green colour. It was a too wet environment. I stop watering them.  You don´t need water if the cutting doesn´t have roots...
American Beauty was the first to be moved to a full sun spot. Here it is a yellowish cutting:


(http://s21.postimg.cc/txistur8j/DSC_0006.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/txistur8j/)

Rooting started after the soil was dry. After one month in full sun (50-77 F):

(http://s17.postimg.cc/q30b8wrwr/DSC_0054.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/q30b8wrwr/)

The other cutting that was almost lost was a Purple Haze one. It developed brown patches and it began to look very skinny, with a perfect "six pack":


(http://s9.postimg.cc/uaxhhvxm3/DSC_0004.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uaxhhvxm3/)

So, the same again, stop watering it, full sun and only water after i check roots. After one month:

(http://s22.postimg.cc/nbhbfz6t9/DSC_0052.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nbhbfz6t9/)

And... since a few days ago, the worst cutting striked back and became the first one with buds:


(http://s10.postimg.cc/pdggvdf5h/DSC_0062.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/pdggvdf5h/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on April 10, 2014, 09:50:10 AM
Olá amigo! It's good to know more Portuguese people here! Congratulations and good luck! ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on April 10, 2014, 10:43:47 AM
what a resilient/forgiving plant that can be so yellow and soggy and then bounce back so nicely! 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Juanita on April 28, 2014, 01:00:26 AM
Hello everyone, just introducing myself.  I will be lurking and learning while waiting for my cuttings to arrive.

I live in the low desert of Mohave, similar climate to Phoenix.  This is a small town and there are no dragon fruit plants at the local nursery, so I am ordering cuttings from a vendor on ebay.  I have lemons, limes, and orange trees in the yard and I assumed that if limes grow here, dragon fruit should grow as well. 

Thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge here, I am learning much.

 
Title: Re: Tried dragonfruit for the first time
Post by: Viking Guy on April 28, 2014, 05:28:36 AM
Definitely try American Beauty.  It's a night and day difference.

What does it taste like? 

Any one know of a place where I can mail order the fruit in.  Don't want to waste my time on something we might not like.

Sorry Mark, I missed your question.

I would suggest contacting tropicalfruitgrowers.com.  They will ship you many varieties of tropical fruit for you to try.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on May 02, 2014, 03:01:50 PM
A few days ago I started noticing what I think it could be a flower bud on a cutting. I planted this in January. Is this possible???

(http://s21.postimg.cc/mqy27l0mr/DSC_0104.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mqy27l0mr/)



(http://s27.postimg.cc/dy9lnkmfj/DSC_0106.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dy9lnkmfj/)




Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on May 02, 2014, 03:09:34 PM
One more


(http://s23.postimg.cc/v2ep4urif/DSC_0107.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/v2ep4urif/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on May 02, 2014, 04:06:44 PM
One more


(http://s23.postimg.cc/v2ep4urif/DSC_0107.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/v2ep4urif/)
How lucky!!! Sortudo!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on May 02, 2014, 06:11:55 PM
A few days ago I started noticing what I think it could be a flower bud on a cutting. I planted this in January. Is this possible???

(http://s21.postimg.cc/mqy27l0mr/DSC_0104.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mqy27l0mr/)



(http://s27.postimg.cc/dy9lnkmfj/DSC_0106.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dy9lnkmfj/)
Yes, very possible for a newly rooted cutting to have a flower bud. Just don't have your hopes too high ;D One of mine Purple Haze cutting, was like that too, but the flower bud never develop and dried/dropped off. I'm guessing, since, not enough root system has develop  to support a fruit/flower yet. As it had just been rooted not too long ago and develop a strong root system for supporting such energy consuming growth yet. Though, I have seen online  pictures of some cuttings with a fully mature fruit developing from it.

The reason for cuttings to develop such as that, is mainly due to being older mature cuttings, it came from. Either your cutting cam from a long branch that had previous fruit on it or is going to develop a flower bud, but was trimmed off.

BTW, that is a flower bud,  congrats, hope it makes it to maturity and not dried and drop off  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on May 02, 2014, 06:39:13 PM
A few days ago I started noticing what I think it could be a flower bud on a cutting. I planted this in January. Is this possible???

(http://s21.postimg.cc/mqy27l0mr/DSC_0104.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mqy27l0mr/)



(http://s27.postimg.cc/dy9lnkmfj/DSC_0106.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dy9lnkmfj/)
Yes, very possible for a newly rooted cutting to have a flower bud. Just don't have your hopes too high ;D One of mine Purple Haze cutting, was like that too, but the flower bud never develop and dried/dropped off. I'm guessing, since, not enough root system has develop  to support a fruit/flower yet. As it had just been rooted not too long ago and develop a strong root system for supporting such energy consuming growth yet. Though, I have seen online  pictures of some cuttings with a fully mature fruit developing from it.

The reason for cuttings to develop such as that, is mainly due to being older mature cuttings, it came from. Either your cutting cam from a long branch that had previous fruit on it or is going to develop a flower bud, but was trimmed off.

BTW, that is a flower bud,  congrats, hope it makes it to maturity and not dried and drop off  :)


Thanks :-)   If it dries off I now know it is normal and there are reasons for doing so.  Thanks once again!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ben mango on May 02, 2014, 06:46:33 PM
Wow didnt know there's so many varieties. Which is encouraging because the big ones I've had here are not that sweet. Except the small yellow and pink/ red ones.  They are juicy and sweet.  Unfortunately people here just call them by their color and not an actual name ...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 02, 2014, 11:24:40 PM
It was on the Big Island Hawaii where I discovered Dragon Fruit at a local farmer's market.

Like thao said, it is not uncommon for cuttings from an older mature stem to produce flowers.

I even got fruit once last Fall.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttingflower_3815_zps49137655.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttingfruit_3893_zpsee232e18.jpg)

And it tasted very good!   ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on May 13, 2014, 12:07:32 AM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit?

I got my first bunch (7 total) of cuttings in Aug 2011, the all looked pretty much like this in February 2012.

A month later in August 2013, Dark Star looked like this.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_08-23-13_zpsedf2415c.jpg)

I got fruit from all 7 this year. So from cuttings in Aug 2011 to fruit harvesting 2 years later in Aug 2013.
And not all had as much growth as the Dark Star, here is my Vietnamese Jaina with flowers from Sept this year.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ_09-13-13_zps322714c1.jpg)
 
DM

OK, great, now I realized where I went wrong. I should have picked a squared width pole for my dragonfruit and not a circular width pole. So, back to square one, I may have to figure out a new 'crown' configuration for the top of my round-width 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit pole. And, I've got no time to waste, the 'Dragon' has climbed the pole and surpassed it by two feet already.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on May 14, 2014, 11:46:19 PM
I think I've figured out how to properly install the wood 'crown,' that appears in the above picture, on top of my round peg post.

At the top of the post, I'll cut out some indentations, about the width of the 2''X4'' wood, perpendicular to and on opposite sides at the top of the pole. The whole thing will then be secured by a standard screw-lug on each side of the top of the pole, just as shown in the pictures above. In this way, after the 'crown' is secured by the two screws, the indentations will hold the crown in place, and prevent the weight of future dragon fruit tentacles, to collapse the 'wood crown' towards one side or the other.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 15, 2014, 12:18:31 AM
I think I've figured out how to properly install the wood 'crown,' that appears in the above picture, on top of my round peg post.
At the top of the post, I'll cut out some indentations, about the width of the 2''X4'' wood, perpendicular to and on opposite sides at the top of the pole. The whole thing will then be secured by a standard screw-lug on each side of the top of the pole, just as shown in the pictures above. In this way, after the 'crown' is secured by the two screws, the indentations will hold the crown in place, and prevent the weight of future dragon fruit tentacles, to collapse the 'wood crown' towards one side or the other.

You could always drill two holes, at right angle, near the top and insert 1/2" rebar making a four-spoke support for 6" x 6" heavy wire mesh like they did at the UC Irvine test field.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/post_1795_zps14531888.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df_post_1799_zps616b0364.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Yorgos on May 15, 2014, 01:50:53 PM
I have an AmericanBeauty in the ground going on three years.  No production yet.  It was hammered this winter and i did not protect it at all. 
Very Darwinian of me, but it has lived.  Its in a raised bed and gets good sun (6 hours/day or so).  I wonder if the Houston humidity affects it?  I have it
on a south facing 7 foot fence. No pictures at this tme since it looks very ragged.  My neighbor keeps wacking at the branches that grow over or through
the fence on her side.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 15, 2014, 02:52:12 PM
I have an AmericanBeauty in the ground going on three years.  No production yet.  It was hammered this winter and i did not protect it at all. 
Very Darwinian of me, but it has lived.  Its in a raised bed and gets good sun (6 hours/day or so).  I wonder if the Houston humidity affects it?  I have it
on a south facing 7 foot fence. No pictures at this tme since it looks very ragged.  My neighbor keeps wacking at the branches that grow over or through
the fence on her side.

I use to tell people to expect fruit in about three years when growing from a cutting.

Recently I have been told that a Dragon Fruit plant needs a certain amount of weight (total foliage) to produce fruit.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 15, 2014, 05:58:28 PM
10 hours of sun is the trigger. Moderately yellow branches with some green is a good thing as long as it doesn't burn. No more nitrogen fertilizer. Maybe add some potassium and just keep waiting. They do like to flower at the end of hanging branches so if that's what your neighbor whacked off, it's not good but at least she didn't whack off the fruits. Maybe you should be the one cutting it back a Few inches from the fence and let it flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on May 15, 2014, 08:59:13 PM
I think I've figured out how to properly install the wood 'crown,' that appears in the above picture, on top of my round peg post.
At the top of the post, I'll cut out some indentations, about the width of the 2''X4'' wood, perpendicular to and on opposite sides at the top of the pole. The whole thing will then be secured by a standard screw-lug on each side of the top of the pole, just as shown in the pictures above. In this way, after the 'crown' is secured by the two screws, the indentations will hold the crown in place, and prevent the weight of future dragon fruit tentacles, to collapse the 'wood crown' towards one side or the other.

You could always drill two holes, at right angle, near the top and insert 1/2" rebar making a four-spoke support for 6" x 6" heavy wire mesh like they did at the UC Irvine test field.

 

Thanks for your suggestion. And, yes, although the wire mesh method is another valid option that I've seen at nurseries, I regard it to be somewhat industrious looking. I prefer the wood 'crown' method because it appears to me as somewhat more domestic. Nevertheless, I'm planning on using pressure treated wood, the same as the pole. Now that everything seems to be planned out, it's time for action. I'll report back when its all said and done.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 15, 2014, 09:10:46 PM
Is the crown attached to the plant post?

I'm doing a different thing where there's a wide wooden frame that stands on it's own. 10ft x 5ft. Then there are lets say 20 plants under the frame that are trained to go up and over it. This way I can remove varieties that aren't tasty and I don't have to make a frame for each plant or set of plants. My frame has good support since there's a lot of weight on it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 15, 2014, 10:53:02 PM
Thanks for your suggestion. And, yes, although the wire mesh method is another valid option that I've seen at nurseries, I regard it to be somewhat industrious looking. I prefer the wood 'crown' method because it appears to me as somewhat more domestic. Nevertheless, I'm planning on using pressure treated wood, the same as the pole. Now that everything seems to be planned out, it's time for action. I'll report back when its all said and done.

I agree that the rebar and wire mesh method is not the best looking method.

For me...  I like the permanence of 'concrete'.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on May 17, 2014, 01:35:29 AM
Hmm ... I used to have a passion for dragonfruit, but now that I just started my yard, there doesn't seem to be enough room. I don't know, but it seems that dragonfruit is nor as popular and received by the public as citrus, mostly because of a bad experience with a store bought one. I'm mostly thinking mangoes, citrus and passionfruit. I seems like dragonfruit is simply just super sweet and 'refreshing', but citrus covers that. The super sweet factor made me change my mind of figs as well. Can someone remind me why dragonfruit is worth growing?  :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on May 17, 2014, 01:36:36 AM
Yes, the wood 'crown' is attached to the DF pole.

I too like the permanence of quality concrete, but what does this have to do with Dragon Fruit? Are you saying that DF can thrive climbing concrete?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 17, 2014, 08:05:27 PM
i think it looks cool when fully grown on the pole.  Plus, some of the purple types are not bland.  Definitely not top tier though.  But who else in your area is growing DF?  I bet lots of ppl are growing citrus. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 18, 2014, 09:58:11 PM
Hmm ... I used to have a passion for dragonfruit, but now that I just started my yard, there doesn't seem to be enough room. I don't know, but it seems that dragonfruit is nor as popular and received by the public as citrus, mostly because of a bad experience with a store bought one. I'm mostly thinking mangoes, citrus and passionfruit. I seems like dragonfruit is simply just super sweet and 'refreshing', but citrus covers that. The super sweet factor made me change my mind of figs as well. Can someone remind me why dragonfruit is worth growing?  :-\

For me, its refreshing, pleasantly, but not overly sweet......has some sub-acidity in most of the ones I grow....the plants grow virtually maintenance free.....the flowers are spectacular.......and the fuschia fleshed ones are so vibrantly colored that the sheer beauty of them makes them interesting.  Other than that.....there's no resaon to bother.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 18, 2014, 10:03:12 PM
Dragonfruit's drought tolerance and a good reason to grow it. DF can produce large excellent tasting fruits, that are visually appealing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 19, 2014, 09:47:56 AM
Is 5 hours of sunlight enough for dragonfruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 19, 2014, 01:03:36 PM
Is 5 hours of sunlight enough for dragonfruit?
It may not be enough to induce flowering. I have always heard 10 hours. You can always try and if not enough, provide supplement lighting for the missing hours.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 19, 2014, 02:10:05 PM
maybe I can let them grow up and over the roof area (15ft) ...then they will get more sun. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 19, 2014, 02:19:36 PM
maybe I can let them grow up and over the roof area (15ft) ...then they will get more sun.

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 19, 2014, 02:42:54 PM
maybe I can let them grow up and over the roof area (15ft) ...then they will get more sun.

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.


So, then I would just need to build a ring/crown around the trunk at a certain height so the limbs can hang over?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 19, 2014, 05:48:59 PM

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.

and climb the palm tree to pollinate the flowers and later to pick the fruit.   ::)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 19, 2014, 05:52:28 PM

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.

and climb the palm tree to pollinate the flowers and later to pick the fruit.   ::)

Self pollinating varieties and a ladder and or a pole fruit picker.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 19, 2014, 06:20:07 PM
maybe I can let them grow up and over the roof area (15ft) ...then they will get more sun.

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.


So, then I would just need to build a ring/crown around the trunk at a certain height so the limbs can hang over?

Buy a bunch of these  ;)


(http://s30.postimg.cc/4twmpi0nx/basketball_hoop.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4twmpi0nx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 19, 2014, 07:04:40 PM
maybe I can let them grow up and over the roof area (15ft) ...then they will get more sun.

If you have some palm trees you can grow them up the trunks.


So, then I would just need to build a ring/crown around the trunk at a certain height so the limbs can hang over?

I am growing dragon fruit up various queen and coconut palm trees. I plan to grow it straight up the trunk. When it has gone up a good 6-10ft, I plan to detach sections and let them hang. Reinforcing the vines with flexible rope/wire.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on May 20, 2014, 10:36:24 PM
I can't wait for the day when one of these organizations/people that are growing hundreds of Dragon Fruits from seed, in the USA, when they announce the good news that they've selected a new DF variety with a sweetness that rivals that of mango or lychee or jackfruit or...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on May 20, 2014, 10:50:23 PM
leooel u got a reference to that?   would like 2 know more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on May 20, 2014, 10:54:58 PM
Maybe I'll grow what I truly want, the yellow dragonfruit, and a 'Condor' dargonfruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: demingcr on May 26, 2014, 09:18:54 PM
First flower! Hand pollinated with a paint brush. Raining tonight so hopefully bugs come out later and finish the job if i didnt do a good enough one. Unknown Var, sold from nursery as a 'Good variety. White flesh'

...forgot picture haha


(http://s24.postimg.cc/y2v4pyqsh/20140526_210131.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/y2v4pyqsh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on May 26, 2014, 09:55:40 PM
Congratulations on your first dragonfruit flower!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on May 27, 2014, 04:57:37 PM

(http://s24.postimg.cc/3xct55y41/001.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3xct55y41/)
I have been having problems with fruit fly maggots. Got these very cheep on ebay [ ~$5.60/50 ] & I am testing but seems like may not be big en ought; was hard to get on but that do to the scale on the fruit.
The pore size of the netting is very small, perhaps spider mites could get in? Also wonder if heat build up will be a problem?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 27, 2014, 05:00:42 PM
(http://s24.postimg.cc/3xct55y41/001.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3xct55y41/)
I have been having problems with fruit fly maggots. Got these very cheep on ebay [ ~$5.60/50 ] & I am testing but seems like may not be big en ought; was hard to get on but that do to the scale on the fruit.
The pore size of the netting is very small, perhaps spider mites could get in? Also wonder if heat build up will be a problem?

How big are the netting?

What are they intended for?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on May 27, 2014, 05:07:28 PM
The bags are 5 X 7 " & the netting very fine/ bags used for gifts
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 27, 2014, 05:37:49 PM
The bags are 5 X 7 " & the netting very fine/ bags used for gifts

For larger size bags you can use 1 gallon paint strainer bags.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LeLbxNpeL._SX300_.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/paintstrainer_1821_zpsbb25e835.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on May 27, 2014, 09:00:02 PM
The problem is the cost. What I am using is about 10 cents/bag delivered.
but may have to bite the bigger bullet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on May 29, 2014, 05:11:14 PM
And so it starts...
Dark Star has 18 flowers opening tonight.
About a week and a half ago, I started counting flower buds on the DS, gave up counting at 52.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_05-29-2014_zps261f41e5.jpg)

Physical Graffiti has 12 flowers opening tonight.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PG_05-29-2014_zps09663c14.jpg)

Purple Haze has 7 flowers opening tonight.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PH_05-29-2014_zpsf589fef2.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 29, 2014, 05:13:20 PM
WOW!!

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/faces/barney-fife_zpsaa68a3eb.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 29, 2014, 08:31:57 PM
when rooting cuttings, does one have to make the cut at the node (small branch like section between "pads") or can the cut just be made as a cross section of the stalk?  In other words, if i have a DF vine that has two sections (sorry i don't know what to call them off hand), but is 3 ft long, can I make several cuttings from it, or only 2 cuttings, one for each section?

Thanks for your help
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 29, 2014, 09:05:21 PM
You can cut anywhere. The size of your pieces will determine how fast they'll grow to maturity. If you make a small enough piece, it will revert to a juvenile state where new growth is thin and fuzzy rather than with thicker thorns.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 29, 2014, 10:41:34 PM
You can cut anywhere. The size of your pieces will determine how fast they'll grow to maturity. If you make a small enough piece, it will revert to a juvenile state where new growth is thin and fuzzy rather than with thicker thorns.

Speaking of "thin and fuzzy"...  all of the DF I grew from seed (in Sept. 2011) is still in the juvenile state.   :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LarryG on May 29, 2014, 11:08:06 PM
I took this photo just before sunset this evening of some flowers getting ready to open for the evening. These are all a white fleshed variety that has overgrown my orchid house. This will be the 3rd night of blooms with more to come tomorrow night. Maybe it has already been mentioned in this very long thread, but my experience has been that most flowering occurs around the full moon. It's interesting to note that last evening was the new moon.

(http://s29.postimg.cc/6u071zkqb/DSCN2900.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6u071zkqb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on May 30, 2014, 12:05:54 AM
I am very amazed at just how fast these plants grow! Below are the pictures comparing  January to March and the growth in just 2 months!


January 2012

(http://s15.postimage.org/isdp9iuyv/20111231_163333.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/isdp9iuyv/)

Would that burlap material work over treated wood?

I've been contemplating using treated posts but then nail rough ceder over it. Termites are ruthless. Dont get me started. I even had them set up on a wooden shelf I built ont eh patio, and I discovered then when they entered a big pile of DF cuttings thru their cut ends and ate out the insides.  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on May 30, 2014, 12:09:44 AM
Oh Marin I am sorry to hear about the accident!

I agree telling the difference between cultivars is difficult and I honestly have no clue where to start. Speaking of ID-ing DF cultivars my brother recently brought home some cuttings from a friends neighbor without any info about the DF. I have provided pics of the new cuttings next to the currently growing cuttings we gathered from the wild DF in Boca Raton. The noticeable difference is that the new cuttings are dark green, have 7 spines, and are thicker. Any help with cultivar ID is much appreciated.

New cutting on left in dark green.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/05e7c0d7.jpg)

Seven spines on new cutting.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/0a7778dd.jpg)

Only four spines on wild boca raton find.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/ff5567b1.jpg)

Looks like Sword Pear. My front yard is like a forest of the stuff. FL native. Stout, freestanding erect 'monstrosity' version of DF. Havent tried growing them on top of each other yet... Fruits can fill one hand, orange-red on inside, red on outside, much larger seeds than even Peruvian Apple Cactus. Really cool landscaping feature. Likes to get twisted all into stands of Palmettos.

I feel this species is way under-recognized / under-utilized. Grows like monsters here in FL. Strikingly similar to dragon fruit in appearance and such. Should be able to make some interesting grafting opportunities probably ideally as DF rootstock, but haven't gotten that far with experimenting with it yet...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on May 30, 2014, 12:13:16 AM
Paul Thomson's hybrids:
- Halley's Comet
- Physical Graffiti (fastest growing)
- Delight
- S8 (Voodoo Child, Arizona Purple)

Does that mean Voodoo & AZ Purple are the same thing (S8)?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on May 30, 2014, 12:28:38 AM
Oh Marin I am sorry to hear about the accident!

I agree telling the difference between cultivars is difficult and I honestly have no clue where to start. Speaking of ID-ing DF cultivars my brother recently brought home some cuttings from a friends neighbor without any info about the DF. I have provided pics of the new cuttings next to the currently growing cuttings we gathered from the wild DF in Boca Raton. The noticeable difference is that the new cuttings are dark green, have 7 spines, and are thicker. Any help with cultivar ID is much appreciated.

New cutting on left in dark green.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/05e7c0d7.jpg)

Seven spines on new cutting.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/0a7778dd.jpg)

Only four spines on wild boca raton find.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n487/joep450/ff5567b1.jpg)

Looks like Sword Pear. My front yard is like a forest of the stuff. FL native. Stout, freestanding erect 'monstrosity' version of DF. Havent tried growing them on top of each other yet... Fruits can fill one hand, orange-red on inside, red on outside, much larger seeds than even Peruvian Apple Cactus. Flowers much smaller but kind of cooler looking. Really cool landscaping feature. Likes to get twisted all into stands of Palmettos.

I feel this species is way under-recognized / under-utilized. Grows like monsters here in FL. Strikingly similar to dragon fruit in appearance and such. Should be able to make some interesting grafting opportunities probably ideally as DF rootstock, but haven't gotten that far with experimenting with it yet...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on May 30, 2014, 07:03:54 AM

Would that burlap material work over treated wood?

All my trellises are made of pressure treated pine with burlap wrapped around the vertical post.

Dark Star this morning.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_05-30-2014_zps9e43c44c.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: rovha on May 31, 2014, 10:48:57 PM
my reaction:
(http://thebigtino.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wow2.gif)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Coconut on May 31, 2014, 11:14:40 PM

Would that burlap material work over treated wood?

All my trellises are made of pressure treated pine with burlap wrapped around the vertical post.

Dark Star this morning.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_05-30-2014_zps9e43c44c.jpg)

DM

Wow those flowers are of beauty & smell so good at night, sometime I cant wait for my fruit to develop & steam the unopened young flower bud with steam pompano in a balsamic demi-glaze, delicious beside the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dante on June 02, 2014, 04:32:00 PM
I am new here and i need some help. I plan to use a 6 feet post and use a big pot. The fear i have is of the post  falling. Which is the best metod to hold the post in place against weight or weather(we got lots of hurricanes here in puerto rico). I dont think the dirt i use will be enough.

Ill am thinking of using a concrete block.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on June 13, 2014, 11:02:50 AM
I am curious about using a tree stump.  I have an almond tree and a coconut tree that were cut off at 5-6 feet tall.  The plan is to run the DF vines up the stumps, but I am concerned that the tree stumps, especially the coconut will rot away and just when the vines get growing, and are heavy.  Should I abandon this notion, and cut down the stumps and just use PT lumber?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on June 13, 2014, 11:05:01 AM
btw, for those who i promised cuttings to, i haven't forgetten about you.  I will mail them out soon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on June 13, 2014, 11:15:44 AM
I am new here and i need some help. I plan to use a 6 feet post and use a big pot. The fear i have is of the post  falling. Which is the best metod to hold the post in place against weight or weather(we got lots of hurricanes here in puerto rico). I dont think the dirt i use will be enough.

Ill am thinking of using a concrete block.

Hey Dante, made this out of 18" 1x4s with a 15 gal pot inside. The uprights are 2x2s:


(http://s30.postimg.cc/rmswryn2l/dragon_fruit_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rmswryn2l/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: savemejebus on June 13, 2014, 01:39:13 PM
Bought a couple fruit from an Asian market in Orlando. Always a gamble cutting them open, and I was disappointed to see white inside. Whatever variety they were, they were completely bland/flavorless. Like a kiwi with no taste. I think we threw away half of the second one this morning as it wasn't't worth the effort.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 13, 2014, 02:12:32 PM
Does your market have red fleshed fruits at all? If they do and dump them in the same pile, then you should look for the orange-skinned ones. The pink ones will be white. The markets near me have only white ones so I don't bother. After weeks of transport from Asia the fruit wouldhave used up what little sugar it had to begin with. Many white varieties do have some sugar when eaten off the vine. Unlike traditional fruits, they sugar down if you leave them for a while.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on June 13, 2014, 03:39:54 PM
I think we threw away half of the second one this morning as it wasn't't worth the effort.

How much effort is there in preparing Dragon fruit, slice it in half & scoop it out with a spoon. ;D
More effort than eating grapes, less than peeling & eating a banana.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: savemejebus on June 13, 2014, 03:54:37 PM
more like... wasn't worth the caloric intake for eating something with no flavor. It was as bland as bland can be and nobody was really interested in eating it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on June 13, 2014, 08:15:30 PM
yeah those vietnamese jaina DFs give the fruit a bad rep
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on June 13, 2014, 09:57:33 PM
My 'Physical Graffiti' stopped growing during the winter and well into the spring. I started watering it everyday, and it has finally pushed for new growth. However, the entire plant looks unhealthy, as it is light green and has light brown spots. What should I do?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 13, 2014, 10:07:21 PM
yeah those vietnamese jaina DFs give the fruit a bad rep

Apparently you have not tasted good white fleshed DF or don't like DF.

When I vacationed in Vietnam, Dragon Fruit was available at every hotel for breakfast. My wife and I ate it every morning and liked it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 15, 2014, 01:23:04 AM
Paul Thomson's hybrids:
- Halley's Comet
- Physical Graffiti (fastest growing)
- Delight
- S8 (Voodoo Child, Arizona Purple)

Does that mean Voodoo & AZ Purple are the same thing (S8)?
There were some confusion about that but forum members with experience said they're different. I only have AZ purple.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on June 15, 2014, 01:54:38 AM
Paul Thomson's hybrids:
- Halley's Comet
- Physical Graffiti (fastest growing)
- Delight
- S8 (Voodoo Child, Arizona Purple)

Does that mean Voodoo & AZ Purple are the same thing (S8)?
There were some confusion about that but forum members with experience said they're different. I only have AZ purple.
Adding to the confusion....Is voodoo child the same as American beauty and is home depot red DFvoodoo child?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on June 15, 2014, 02:10:43 AM
american beauty is much larger than voodoo child
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 15, 2014, 07:26:38 AM
My 'Physical Graffiti' stopped growing during the winter and well into the spring. I started watering it everyday, and it has finally pushed for new growth. However, the entire plant looks unhealthy, as it is light green and has light brown spots. What should I do?

You can apply vigor boosters such as Atonik, Chitosan and/or Brassinolide.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 15, 2014, 10:00:32 AM
Dragonfruit responds well to fertilizers. They grow really well when it warms up and they also like a lot of water. My vines turn slightly yellowish in winter and get their color back when it warms up.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 15, 2014, 12:30:23 PM
Adding to the confusion....Is voodoo child the same as American beauty and is home depot red DFvoodoo child?

La Verne Nursery's "Red" (Home Depot and Lowe's) was one of the first Dragon Fruit I bought.

This year I already have 14 flower buds on my 4 year old plant and 6 flowers have opened in the last couple of days.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_4537_zps66df118c.jpg)

La Verne "Red" is Not self-fertile.

IMO, the plant and fruit resemble the named Dragon Fruit variety "Armando".

At the last Pitahaya Festival, there was talk that the Voodoo Child is close to S-8 "Sugar Dragon", but not the exact same plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on June 15, 2014, 01:13:00 PM
Adding to the confusion....Is voodoo child the same as American beauty and is home depot red DFvoodoo child?

La Verne Nursery's "Red" (Home Depot and Lowe's) was one of the first Dragon Fruit I bought.

This year I already have 14 flower buds on my 4 year old plant and 6 flowers have opened in the last couple of days.

La Verne "Red" is Not self-fertile.

IMO, the plant and fruit resemble the named Dragon Fruit variety "Armando".

At the last Pitahaya Festival, there was talk that the Voodoo Child is close to S-8 "Sugar Dragon", but not the exact same plant.

Hey Rickshaw, I think it was you who talked me into returning the La Verne red, appreciate it :) I ended up buying Haley's Comet and American Beauty. I have a couple cuttings of Haley if you or anyone in LA wants them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 15, 2014, 01:50:47 PM
Wow, the stigma tip is green! I don't think I've seen that before. They're all doer of yellow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 15, 2014, 08:18:15 PM
Haley's (Halley's) Comet is one of my favorite from taste test at Pitahaya Festivals.

I hope to get flowers this year.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/halleys_4528_zps7829eb9d.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 15, 2014, 08:34:54 PM
Nice Halley's Comet.  Is that a flower but I see near the tip of that really long branch at about 2 o clock in the picture, its about the level of the white flowers?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 15, 2014, 08:42:26 PM
Nice Halley's Comet.  Is that a flower but I see near the tip of that really long branch at about 2 o clock in the picture, its about the level of the white flowers?
Simon

No, I wish!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: emegar on June 15, 2014, 11:11:05 PM
My first bloom, from a couple of nights ago. It's American Beauty, which I understand to be self fertile, so I tried hand pollinating it. It hasn't aborted yet, so I'm hopeful.
(http://s30.postimg.cc/pozirtffx/20140613_191731.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/pozirtffx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread. When to pick?
Post by: jc on June 23, 2014, 06:59:48 PM
I have five dragon fruit beginning to color up. I have no idea what variety it is. It's supposed to be red/purple flesh variety. When should they be picked?
(http://s30.postimg.cc/w93oqahrx/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/w93oqahrx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Juanita on June 23, 2014, 08:43:23 PM
I am curious about using a tree stump.  I have an almond tree and a coconut tree that were cut off at 5-6 feet tall.  The plan is to run the DF vines up the stumps, but I am concerned that the tree stumps, especially the coconut will rot away and just when the vines get growing, and are heavy.  Should I abandon this notion, and cut down the stumps and just use PT lumber?

I am faced with the same dilemma here re' planting DF against a cut palm.  I have been waiting for the answers to this question.  I am leaning toward just taking a chainsaw to the 6' palm stump that I had reserved for the exact same concerns you raised.  I don't want to take the risk that the Palm carcass will suddenly give way in 4 years leaving me with a pile of broken DF cuttings instead of a vibrant fruiting Beauty. 

If anyone has used dead palm trunks for DF trellis, please chime in.  I am still on the fence but leaning more and more towards the chainsaw and yet another Hugelkultur.

I decided to plant a couple of DF against the Palo Brea stump.  We left it about 6' tall for this purpose.  Although Palo Brea wood is about as soft as pine wood, at least the girth of the trunk should allow us many years of DF support... I hope...

Your almond wood should be more dense than Palo Brea wood.  Did you decide to use it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 23, 2014, 09:58:12 PM
I think it is better if the tree stump is alive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 23, 2014, 10:06:45 PM
I am curious about using a tree stump.  I have an almond tree and a coconut tree that were cut off at 5-6 feet tall.  The plan is to run the DF vines up the stumps, but I am concerned that the tree stumps, especially the coconut will rot away and just when the vines get growing, and are heavy.  Should I abandon this notion, and cut down the stumps and just use PT lumber?

I am faced with the same dilemma here re' planting DF against a cut palm.  I have been waiting for the answers to this question.  I am leaning toward just taking a chainsaw to the 6' palm stump that I had reserved for the exact same concerns you raised.  I don't want to take the risk that the Palm carcass will suddenly give way in 4 years leaving me with a pile of broken DF cuttings instead of a vibrant fruiting Beauty. 

If anyone has used dead palm trunks for DF trellis, please chime in.  I am still on the fence but leaning more and more towards the chainsaw and yet another Hugelkultur.

I decided to plant a couple of DF against the Palo Brea stump.  We left it about 6' tall for this purpose.  Although Palo Brea wood is about as soft as pine wood, at least the girth of the trunk should allow us many years of DF support... I hope...

Your almond wood should be more dense than Palo Brea wood.  Did you decide to use it?

Unless the tree is hardwood, this is probably not a good idea (or as ricshaw says, if the stump is still alive).


You could get a length of large diameter pipe, fill this with concrete and set this in the ground. If you set the post at a depth of 4 feet with a concrete footing, it isn't going to fall over. Especially if you use the top mounted piece I came up with :D

s
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 24, 2014, 05:04:20 AM
Adding to the confusion....Is voodoo child the same as American beauty and is home depot red DFvoodoo child?

La Verne Nursery's "Red" (Home Depot and Lowe's) was one of the first Dragon Fruit I bought.

This year I already have 14 flower buds on my 4 year old plant and 6 flowers have opened in the last couple of days.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_4537_zps66df118c.jpg)

La Verne "Red" is Not self-fertile.

IMO, the plant and fruit resemble the named Dragon Fruit variety "Armando".

At the last Pitahaya Festival, there was talk that the Voodoo Child is close to S-8 "Sugar Dragon", but not the exact same plant.

[I thought I had already posted this, but now that I'm seeing this post on the topic I also have more to add...]

Here in Central Florida, "Smart Planet" is lasered into the green colored pots, and even though the stick-in tag says "Red Pitaya DF" the tassle tag (often missing) says Halley's Comet.

That photo there is clearly pure Red species genes (cactus itself looks like hard to distinguish from the Bloody Mary I also have), while Central Florida Home Depot "Red" cactus runs looks more white gene than anything.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 24, 2014, 05:29:28 AM
I'm hoping to help amass a quazi-official Dragon Fruit Cultivar Master List. Below is what I've gathered so far. I hope to see modifications showing which cultivars are the same thing, etc. Probably deserves a followup list of yet improperly ID'ed types as discussed just above. I've added a couple Selenicereus types; could probably use (SpeciesxParentages) data also.

Alice
American Beauty
Arizona Purple
Armando
Asunta
Asian Giant
Bien Hoa (red)
Bien Hoa (white)
Bruni
Capistrano Valley
Cebra Dragon
Columbian Giant
Condor
Connie Mayer
Cosmic Charlie
Costa Rican Sunset
Country Roads
Dark Star
David Bowie
Delight
Desert King
DKU (series)
Edgar
Florida Red Sweet
Frankies Red
G 1 (Guatemala)
G 2 (Guatemala)
Giant
Giant Vietnamese
Golden (Israel)
Golden Dragon
Guyute
Halley's Comet
Harpua
Hylocereus Bronxensis
Jala
Kathie Van Arum
L.A. Woman
Lake Atitlan
Makisupa
Mexicana
Natural Mystic
Neitzel
Neon
Nicaraguan Red
Oblong
Orejona
Paul Thomsons 5 S
Paul Thomsons Number 7
Pepino Dulce
Phoenix Red
Physical Graffiti
Pineapple Cactus (Selenicereus setaceus)
Pink Panther
Purple Haze
Rixford
Rosa
San Ignacio
Seoul Kitchen
Simons Purple
Sin Espinas
Sugar Dragon
Thai Dragon
Thompson
Valdivia Rojas
Venus
Vietnamese Jaina (red)
Vietnamese Jaina (white)
Vietnamese Red
Vietnamese White
Voodoo Child
White Sapphire
Yellow (Hylocereus megalanthus)
Zamorano
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 24, 2014, 05:51:25 AM

If you can get me desert king, I can trade you the only variety of opuntia ever developed by Luther Burbanks for fruit quality. Every other variety was developed as cattle fodder.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on June 24, 2014, 05:57:43 AM
Hi everyone! What a huge list! From all of them what's the best flavour ones? Thank's!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 24, 2014, 01:53:25 PM
Hi everyone! What a huge list! From all of them what's the best flavour ones? Thank's!  ;D

The ones YOU think taste the best.

I have tasted dozens of Dragon Fruit and what taste good to me might not be your favorites.

Most people like Paul Thomson's 8-S AKA "Sugar Dragon".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on June 24, 2014, 01:56:37 PM
Hi everyone! What a huge list! From all of them what's the best flavour ones? Thank's!  ;D

The ones YOU think taste the best.

I have tasted dozens of Dragon Fruit and what taste good to me might not be your favorites.

Most people like Paul Thomson's 8-S AKA "Sugar Dragon".
Yes it's true, but some times there are varieties with more fame than others...  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 24, 2014, 02:00:40 PM
I'm hoping to help amass a quazi-official Dragon Fruit Cultivar Master List. Below is what I've gathered so far. I hope to see modifications showing which cultivars are the same thing, etc. Probably deserves a followup list of yet improperly ID'ed types as discussed just above. I've added a couple Selenicereus types; could probably use (SpeciesxParentages) data also.

I did not see "Lisa" and "El Grullo", two varieties grown at the UCCE research field in Irvine, CA.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on June 24, 2014, 02:14:26 PM
Is dragon fruit quality consistent between California and Florida? Meaning, a top tasting variety in FL will perform just as well in CA? Or is weather a factor for some varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 24, 2014, 02:43:13 PM
Is dragon fruit quality consistent between California and Florida? Meaning, a top tasting variety in FL will perform just as well in CA? Or is weather a factor for some varieties?

My guess is maybe not.  I also think Dragon Fruit quality, like any other fruit, depends on when it was picked.  Fruit grown in Florida, picked green, and sold in California, might not taste as good as in Florida.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 24, 2014, 05:50:26 PM
I'm hoping to help amass a quazi-official Dragon Fruit Cultivar Master List. Below is what I've gathered so far. I hope to see modifications showing which cultivars are the same thing, etc. Probably deserves a followup list of yet improperly ID'ed types as discussed just above. I've added a couple Selenicereus types; could probably use (SpeciesxParentages) data also.

I did not see "Lisa" and "El Grullo", two varieties grown at the UCCE research field in Irvine, CA.
Is the list from Mattslandscape website? If not, you can add those. I think you listed most if not all the ones from Matt's site. Some dragonfruit "cultivars" are more like variations. They're not distinct enough to tell apart from another cultivar. It's why I kind of stopped going after more cultivars after 20 or so.

Cultivars to me are the winners out of the bunch. Most current DF cultivars are just so-so and not even self fertile. Not many people (myself included) are willing to put in the hard work of stabilizing good characteristics and breeding in self-fertility. Gray Martin is one that does the hard work.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 24, 2014, 11:30:39 PM
I did all the ones at Matt's, and FLorida Hill, and then scoured around thru the forums etc around the time I joined.

Variations can still be cultivars. Even i was surprised when I realized there are dozens of cultivars of the Jalapeno pepper cultivar (perhaps 'Jalapeno' should be considered now a 'coretivar', its own species, etc?). But the same goes with bell peppers (which to me is bizarre in numerous botanical ways prompting me to still doubt it should be referenced as Capsicum annuum).

If anything I'd call those varieties.

This is all why I have a sort of pet peeve in regards to the word "variety" in this vein (its not a clip its a mag!), especially as often people refer to different species themselves as different "varieties".

This all from a total maniac of having all variants. :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on June 25, 2014, 01:57:39 AM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit?

I got my first bunch (7 total) of cuttings in Aug 2011, the all looked pretty much like this in February 2012.

A month later in August 2013, Dark Star looked like this.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_08-23-13_zpsedf2415c.jpg)

I got fruit from all 7 this year. So from cuttings in Aug 2011 to fruit harvesting 2 years later in Aug 2013.
And not all had as much growth as the Dark Star, here is my Vietnamese Jaina with flowers from Sept this year.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ_09-13-13_zps322714c1.jpg)
 
DM

OK, great, now I realized where I went wrong. I should have picked a squared width pole for my dragonfruit and not a circular width pole. So, back to square one, I may have to figure out a new 'crown' configuration for the top of my round-width 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit pole. And, I've got no time to waste, the 'Dragon' has climbed the pole and surpassed it by two feet already.

Please Help!

What is the length of each piece of wood of the 'wood-crown' at the top of the wooden post?

I have already bought all the material, wood and parts to finally build my 'wood-crown' at the top of my round-peg wood post. But, before I cut the pieces of wood in the appropriate lengths, I need to know what is the appropriate length of each piece of wood. After researching all 25 pages of this Thread, I can't believe that I've never asked about the length of each of the 2" X 4" (inches) pieces of wood. All suggestions & help is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 25, 2014, 02:06:30 AM
Hi everyone! How much time a cutting nead to fruit?

I got my first bunch (7 total) of cuttings in Aug 2011, the all looked pretty much like this in February 2012.

A month later in August 2013, Dark Star looked like this.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_08-23-13_zpsedf2415c.jpg)

I got fruit from all 7 this year. So from cuttings in Aug 2011 to fruit harvesting 2 years later in Aug 2013.
And not all had as much growth as the Dark Star, here is my Vietnamese Jaina with flowers from Sept this year.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/VJ_09-13-13_zps322714c1.jpg)
 
DM

OK, great, now I realized where I went wrong. I should have picked a squared width pole for my dragonfruit and not a circular width pole. So, back to square one, I may have to figure out a new 'crown' configuration for the top of my round-width 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit pole. And, I've got no time to waste, the 'Dragon' has climbed the pole and surpassed it by two feet already.

Please Help!

What is the length of each piece of wood of the 'wood-crown' at the top of the wooden post?

I have already bought all the material, wood and parts to finally build my 'wood-crown' at the top of my round-peg wood post. But, before I cut the pieces of wood in the appropriate lengths, I need to know what is the appropriate length of each piece of wood. After researching all 25 pages of this Thread, I can't believe that I've never asked about the length of each of the 2" X 4" (inches) pieces of wood. All suggestions & help is greatly appreciated.

Leo, it doesn't matter so long as they are all equal lengths. Build it as large or as small as you want. That's for the outside part.

I's a square, Leooel....

For the inside supports, measure how much distance you want between the post and square box, and cut according to that.

I've made this type before, but owing to the heat, rain and humidity we get in QLD found it not really up to scratch. In drier climates it would be ok I guess, but pine, rain and large gauge screws won't get you a trellis that lasts very long.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on June 25, 2014, 02:29:17 AM
Very nice comprehensive list of DF cultivars.  What's the history behind the G2?  I got some cuttings from the OC scion exchange but I cannot find any information on it.  What's the flesh color, brix level, and frost tolerance?

I'm hoping to help amass a quazi-official Dragon Fruit Cultivar Master List. Below is what I've gathered so far. I hope to see modifications showing which cultivars are the same thing, etc. Probably deserves a followup list of yet improperly ID'ed types as discussed just above. I've added a couple Selenicereus types; could probably use (SpeciesxParentages) data also.

Alice
American Beauty
Arizona Purple
Armando
Asunta
Asian Giant
Bien Hoa (red)
Bien Hoa (white)
Bruni
Capistrano Valley
Cebra Dragon
Columbian Giant
Condor
Connie Mayer
Cosmic Charlie
Costa Rican Sunset
Country Roads
Dark Star
David Bowie
Delight
Desert King
DKU (series)
Edgar
Florida Red Sweet
Frankies Red
G 1 (Guatemala)
G 2 (Guatemala)
Giant
Giant Vietnamese
Golden (Israel)
Golden Dragon
Guyute
Halley's Comet
Harpua
Hylocereus Bronxensis
Jala
Kathie Van Arum
L.A. Woman
Lake Atitlan
Makisupa
Mexicana
Natural Mystic
Neitzel
Neon
Nicaraguan Red
Oblong
Orejona
Paul Thomsons 5 S
Paul Thomsons Number 7
Pepino Dulce
Phoenix Red
Physical Graffiti
Pineapple Cactus (Selenicereus setaceus)
Pink Panther
Purple Haze
Rixford
Rosa
San Ignacio
Seoul Kitchen
Simons Purple
Sin Espinas
Sugar Dragon
Thai Dragon
Thompson
Valdivia Rojas
Venus
Vietnamese Jaina (red)
Vietnamese Jaina (white)
Vietnamese Red
Vietnamese White
Voodoo Child
White Sapphire
Yellow (Hylocereus megalanthus)
Zamorano
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 25, 2014, 03:15:39 PM
Here's some details I just got asking about the DF at www.DevonsAustralianCattleDogs.com (http://www.DevonsAustralianCattleDogs.com) 

"Our S-8 and Sugar Dragon are the same.  So you actually would be getting 6 different cuttings. Incidentally, our S-8, (now called Sugar Dragon) which we got directly from Paul Thomson, is not quite the same as the S-8 sold as VooDoo Child by Pine Island.  Ramiro Lobo of the UC Irving Research station as well as many others, have confirmed this.  Hence the name change to Sugar Dragon to stop the confusion.  Our Sugar Dragon blooms earlier, is sweeter, has no thorns on the fruit and most people agree, tastes better than VooDoo Child.  "
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 25, 2014, 04:44:26 PM
Very nice comprehensive list of DF cultivars.  What's the history behind the G2?  I got some cuttings from the OC scion exchange but I cannot find any information on it.  What's the flesh color, brix level, and frost tolerance?

Good luck.  I got a potted cutting from Irvine Pitahaya Festival labeled "D-47".  Don't know anything about it except it came from the UCCE Irvine Pitahaya Research Center.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on June 25, 2014, 05:53:06 PM
Thank you, Starling1, for that, I appreciate it. I'm 'gonna' go with a length of 3 feet for each of the six pieces, to build the square 'wooden-crown' at the top of the round peg wood post. Then, come hell or high water, I'm 'gonna' take a picture of the finished job and post it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 25, 2014, 06:12:21 PM
Thank you, Starling1, for that, I appreciate it. I'm 'gonna' go with a length of 3 feet for each of the six pieces, to build the square 'wooden-crown' at the top of the round peg wood post. Then, come hell or high water, I'm 'gonna' take a picture of the finished job and post it.

Don't use a round post, the screws you use won't sit flush with surface and won't be as stable. Use a square post.

The post in the picture also has countersunk screws. You'll probably need to do this too, make sure you have a countersinking wood drill bill. Because the wood is pine, don't countersink too deep, go 1/3 of the total width only others the wood will break at these points after weight is applied.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JeffDM on June 25, 2014, 06:16:37 PM
Just started growing my first Dragon Fruit a few months ago.
What are the buds growing out of the top of the plant?
Is it just branching or are those the start of flowers?

(http://s11.postimg.cc/mettkiuof/IMG_2707.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mettkiuof/)

(http://s27.postimg.cc/gyfxjongv/IMG_2708.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gyfxjongv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 25, 2014, 06:20:23 PM
Just started growing my first Dragon Fruit a few months ago.
What are the buds growing out of the top of the plant?
Is it just branching or are those the start of flowers?

(http://s11.postimg.cc/mettkiuof/IMG_2707.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mettkiuof/)

(http://s27.postimg.cc/gyfxjongv/IMG_2708.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gyfxjongv/)

That's new growth Jeff.

If you fertilise them with charlie carp/liquid fish fertiliser  mixed strong you can really hurry them along.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 26, 2014, 12:01:40 AM

That's new growth Jeff.

If you fertilise them with charlie carp/liquid fish fertiliser  mixed strong you can really hurry them along.

Is Charlie Carp fertilizer sold in the U.S.?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 26, 2014, 12:46:32 AM


Not sure Ric. If not you can probably just buy it off ebay.

If some company in the US isn't already making it somebody should, I know the US has an even bigger problem with Asian carp then Australia.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 26, 2014, 01:54:27 PM
Very nice comprehensive list of DF cultivars.  What's the history behind the G2?  I got some cuttings from the OC scion exchange but I cannot find any information on it.  What's the flesh color, brix level, and frost tolerance?

Good luck.  I got a potted cutting from Irvine Pitahaya Festival labeled "D-47".  Don't know anything about it except it came from the UCCE Irvine Pitahaya Research Center.
That G2 might have been from me :). I originally got it from Jim Rockoff in SD. It's a wild selection. Medium large size, magenta color, very good sweet flavor and thin skin. Vines are more narrow than other varieties, with 1 spine over each bud, like other "Guatemalan types". It's been used for DF breeding but I don't think the resulting varieties like the ones by Paul Thomson are any better than G2.
I think there were G1 G2 G3 but I haven't heard much about the other ones.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 26, 2014, 03:05:31 PM
My guess is the original G1, G2, & G3 are seedlings from one piece of fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on June 26, 2014, 04:07:47 PM
Thank you, Starling1, for that, I appreciate it. I'm 'gonna' go with a length of 3 feet for each of the six pieces, to build the square 'wooden-crown' at the top of the round peg wood post. Then, come hell or high water, I'm 'gonna' take a picture of the finished job and post it.

Mine are actually a 30" x 27" rectangle rather than a square. They are 30" across the front because it left 42" between the rectangle frame of the next trellis, and 27" front to back so I could have 4 feet from the rectangle and the fence behind the row, so I could walk behind them easy. Also those dimensions probably let me get the most out of  all my 8' long 2x4's with the minimal waste.

Assuming you are using 8 foot lengths, cutting for a 3 foot square frame, only lets you get two 3 foot piece and leaves you a piece right about 2 foot long from each 8 foot length.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on June 26, 2014, 04:21:46 PM
Very nice comprehensive list of DF cultivars.  What's the history behind the G2?  I got some cuttings from the OC scion exchange but I cannot find any information on it.  What's the flesh color, brix level, and frost tolerance?

Good luck.  I got a potted cutting from Irvine Pitahaya Festival labeled "D-47".  Don't know anything about it except it came from the UCCE Irvine Pitahaya Research Center.
That G2 might have been from me :). I originally got it from Jim Rockoff in SD. It's a wild selection. Medium large size, magenta color, very good sweet flavor and thin skin. Vines are more narrow than other varieties, with 1 spine over each bud, like other "Guatemalan types". It's been used for DF breeding but I don't think the resulting varieties like the ones by Paul Thomson are any better than G2.
I think there were G1 G2 G3 but I haven't heard much about the other ones.


Thanks for the explaination Fang.  This sounds like a good variety to keep around. 

The valdivia roja I got from you is blooming and the flower looks viable and I am going to manually pollinate it. 

I'll have to take pic.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 26, 2014, 06:52:25 PM
Blue Dragon Fruit??

This page mention w/ tiny pic a "NEW Blue":
http://botanicalgrowersnetwork.net/znetsol/1-ProductPages/Dragon/default.p.htm (http://botanicalgrowersnetwork.net/znetsol/1-ProductPages/Dragon/default.p.htm)

Puzzled I google'd and found a Vietnamese page mentioning "Blue" but I dont see what they mean:
http://vietnam.vnanet.vn/vnp/en-us/13/36452/economy/blue-dragon-fruits-with-red-flesh-in-hanoi.html (http://vietnam.vnanet.vn/vnp/en-us/13/36452/economy/blue-dragon-fruits-with-red-flesh-in-hanoi.html)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 26, 2014, 06:55:24 PM
Blue Dragon Fruit??

This page mention w/ tiny pic a "NEW Blue":
http://botanicalgrowersnetwork.net/znetsol/1-ProductPages/Dragon/default.p.htm (http://botanicalgrowersnetwork.net/znetsol/1-ProductPages/Dragon/default.p.htm)

Puzzled I google'd and found a Vietnamese page mentioning "Blue" but I dont see what they mean:
http://vietnam.vnanet.vn/vnp/en-us/13/36452/economy/blue-dragon-fruits-with-red-flesh-in-hanoi.html (http://vietnam.vnanet.vn/vnp/en-us/13/36452/economy/blue-dragon-fruits-with-red-flesh-in-hanoi.html)

Although I'm only speculating, I'm guessing they are referring to the colour of the plant itself, the way grey is sometimes referred to as blue in dog breeds.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 26, 2014, 07:03:46 PM
That's what it looks like in the first page, but I dont see it in the second.

Here it is:
Hylocereus Bronxensis Blue
http://w3flora.com/RealFloraDragonFruit.aspx?submenuheader=7&page=2 (http://w3flora.com/RealFloraDragonFruit.aspx?submenuheader=7&page=2)

"Rare and endangered this three sided segmented climbing cactus is like no other. New growth is lime green soon turning to smoky blue. Flowers have never been seen yet."

Wonder what they mean by "In 7" Deep Cone".

Annoying how everything else is named by 'color'. I can see how it got so messy like that with all the sellers on ebay doing that.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on June 26, 2014, 11:01:58 PM
Thank you, Starling1, for that, I appreciate it. I'm 'gonna' go with a length of 3 feet for each of the six pieces, to build the square 'wooden-crown' at the top of the round peg wood post. Then, come hell or high water, I'm 'gonna' take a picture of the finished job and post it.

Mine are actually a 30" x 27" rectangle rather than a square. They are 30" across the front because it left 42" between the rectangle frame of the next trellis, and 27" front to back so I could have 4 feet from the rectangle and the fence behind the row, so I could walk behind them easy. Also those dimensions probably let me get the most out of  all my 8' long 2x4's with the minimal waste.

Assuming you are using 8 foot lengths, cutting for a 3 foot square frame, only lets you get two 3 foot piece and leaves you a piece right about 2 foot long from each 8 foot length.

DM

DM, thanks for the info. Your 'wood crown' is about 6" less on each side than what I had it mind. But, your explanation above is brilliant, thank you so much. I now understand completly. To build the 'wood crown' I need a total of 6 pieces of wood, all of equal lengths. And, the only way to get those 6 wood pieces out of two 8' long 2"X4" long, is if they are each 30" long.

It looks like my 6 pieces of wood to make the 'wood crown' will have the same lengths as yours, 30". And, when my wood crown is finished, I'm sure it will look similar to yours.

I can't wait to have this 'DF Wood Crown' built, installed and posting a picture of it.This is the info. that I was looking for, thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on June 27, 2014, 02:27:14 AM
Here is a valdivia roja that bloomed tonight.  Beautiful flower.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14331075908_8aa54112e4_b.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3889/14494544586_7b41cc75e1_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 27, 2014, 02:37:54 AM
Hey cool the eventual flower looks a lot like my Queen of the Night (selenecereus grandifloris) that bloomed the night before last:


(http://s18.postimg.cc/nqyir745h/Queen_of_the_Night_Cactus_Selenicereus_grandifl.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nqyir745h/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/5zmwcqoqt/Queen_of_the_Night_Cactus_Selenicereus_grandifl.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5zmwcqoqt/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/6nvqvongl/Queen_of_the_Night_Cactus_Selenicereus_grandifl.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6nvqvongl/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/9goyfpnt1/Queen_of_the_Night_Cactus_Selenicereus_grandifl.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9goyfpnt1/)

That bud you have there itself is stunning though. It really lives up to the "dragon" look too!

A friend brought over a 7' long piece, rather thin, a couple months ago, but before I got around to sticking an end of it into soil it was already forming that flower . It had little feeler roots coming out the end, so I planted them and 2 nights later it opened. I've had one in a gallon pot for over a year and it hasn't formed a bud yet...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on June 27, 2014, 08:01:19 AM
DM, thanks for the info. Your 'wood crown' is about 6" less on each side than what I had it mind. But, your explanation above is brilliant, thank you so much. I now understand completly. To build the 'wood crown' I need a total of 6 pieces of wood, all of equal lengths. And, the only way to get those 6 wood pieces out of two 8' long 2"X4" long, is if they are each 30" long.

It looks like my 6 pieces of wood to make the 'wood crown' will have the same lengths as yours, 30". And, when my wood crown is finished, I'm sure it will look similar to yours.

I can't wait to have this 'DF Wood Crown' built, installed and posting a picture of it.This is the info. that I was looking for, thank you so much, I really appreciate it.

If you cut all six pieces equal at 30", you will end up with a rectangle that is 30" x 33". If you want a square, for the 4 pieces that connect the front beam to the back beam, you have to reduce the length by the thickness of two 2x4's (thickness of one 2x4 is 1.50", so reduce by 3.00"). So, to get a 30" square, you would cut two pieces at 30" long and four pieces at 27" long.

Good luck.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 27, 2014, 05:26:41 PM
DM, thanks for the info. Your 'wood crown' is about 6" less on each side than what I had it mind. But, your explanation above is brilliant, thank you so much. I now understand completly. To build the 'wood crown' I need a total of 6 pieces of wood, all of equal lengths. And, the only way to get those 6 wood pieces out of two 8' long 2"X4" long, is if they are each 30" long.

It looks like my 6 pieces of wood to make the 'wood crown' will have the same lengths as yours, 30". And, when my wood crown is finished, I'm sure it will look similar to yours.

I can't wait to have this 'DF Wood Crown' built, installed and posting a picture of it.This is the info. that I was looking for, thank you so much, I really appreciate it.

If you cut all six pieces equal at 30", you will end up with a rectangle that is 30" x 33". If you want a square, for the 4 pieces that connect the front beam to the back beam, you have to reduce the length by the thickness of two 2x4's (thickness of one 2x4 is 1.50", so reduce by 3.00"). So, to get a 30" square, you would cut two pieces at 30" long and four pieces at 27" long.

Good luck.

DM

Also remember that squares are stronger shapes than rectangles.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 28, 2014, 12:48:20 AM
Wow that's a pretty nice flower. I only have a bud on my valdivia roja. It's from the Irvine field station and their fruits are pretty small for this variety. Hopefully your pollination will make it larger.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on June 28, 2014, 12:53:11 AM
Thank you Starling1, I agree that squares are stronger shapes than rectangles. Nonetheless, I'm 'gonna' go with DangerMouse01's approach, I'm gonna keep it simple and go with the rectangle shape because it's just simpler/easier to build.

The crown will consist of 6 pieces of the same length. I've decided to go with a 3' length per piece after all. The 'wood-crown' will be built as follows: two of the wood pieces will be set opposed one another. Between them, will be two pieces set perpendicularly at the ends, and all four corners will be held together by 2 screws per corner. This completes the rectangle part of the 'wood-crown.'

Finally, the last two pieces of wood that will fall into 2 indentations at the top of the round peg pole, will also, of course, be screwed to and thus hold the wood-rectangle in place. And, voila, there you have it.

I hope everything turns out all right. All the material has been purchased and the construction/set-up will take place and be completed tomorrow.
My main worry now is to make sure that the crown is balanced. That is, that it does not tilt to one side or another.

Thank you guys for all the support and encouragement. Hopefully I'll report back tomorrow with the good news of a good installation outcome.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 28, 2014, 12:57:09 AM
I hope everything turns out all right. All the material has been purchased and the construction/set-up will take place and be completed tomorrow.

Takes some pictures!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 28, 2014, 02:49:04 AM
Thank you Starling1, I agree that squares are stronger shapes than rectangles. Nonetheless, I'm 'gonna' go with DangerMouse01's approach, I'm gonna keep it simple and go with the rectangle shape because it's just simpler/easier to build.

The crown will consist of 6 pieces of the same length. I've decided to go with a 3' length per piece after all. The 'wood-crown' will be built as follows: two of the wood pieces will be set opposed one another. Between them, will be two pieces set perpendicularly at the ends, and all four corners will be held together by 2 screws per corner. This completes the rectangle part of the 'wood-crown.'

Finally, the last two pieces of wood that will fall into 2 indentations at the top of the round peg pole, will also, of course, be screwed to and thus hold the wood-rectangle in place. And, voila, there you have it.

I hope everything turns out all right. All the material has been purchased and the construction/set-up will take place and be completed tomorrow.
My main worry now is to make sure that the crown is balanced. That is, that it does not tilt to one side or another.

Thank you guys for all the support and encouragement. Hopefully I'll report back tomorrow with the good news of a good installation outcome.

Before you put the post in, consider a concrete one.

I've been thinking about this today. My solution is simple:

I'm going to get 15 cm plumbing pipe, and enough concrete to fill it, as well as the hole.

Then, I'm going to dig a hole (with a post hole digger) three feet deep. Then, I'm going to get two 8ft star pickets, and hammer these into the bottom of the hole as deep as I can, leaving at least 1ft sticking above the top of the hole.

Then, I'm going to slip the pipe over the star pickets, and fill this with concrete--I will set the star picket inside with concrete.

Then I'm going to fill in the hole with concrete. This will give me an enormous amount of anchorage strength. The post will last 25-30 years at least.

I can't think of a post which will have greater longevity.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on June 29, 2014, 12:08:24 AM
ricshaw, I wasn't able to complete the job today but everything's on track. I definitely plan to post picture(s) when it's all said and done. BTW, if you could E-Mail me on how to post a photo, I'll do it as soon as I get the instructions; not to speak of how appreciative I'll be for your assistance.

Starling1, I already have a pressure treated 'round peg' wooden post with a 'David Bowie' variety Dragon Fruit that has already reached and past the top of the 8' tall pole. The fruit of this variety is said to be medium-ish in size, but very productive and sweet, although I haven't tasted it because it hasn't yet fruited. I'm thinking of wrapping the pole in burlap, I hope this may speed up the time it'll take to fruit. Also, I can't help but wonder if the DF will be happier climbing a wood pole or a concrete pole.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 29, 2014, 02:30:20 AM
ricshaw, I wasn't able to complete the job today but everything's on track. I definitely plan to post picture(s) when it's all said and done. BTW, if you could E-Mail me on how to post a photo, I'll do it as soon as I get the instructions; not to speak of how appreciative I'll be for your assistance.

Starling1, I already have a pressure treated 'round peg' wooden post with a 'David Bowie' variety Dragon Fruit that has already reached and past the top of the 8' tall pole. The fruit of this variety is said to be medium-ish in size, but very productive and sweet, although I haven't tasted it because it hasn't yet fruited. I'm thinking of wrapping the pole in burlap, I hope this may speed up the time it'll take to fruit. Also, I can't help but wonder if the DF will be happier climbing a wood pole or a concrete pole.

The pressure treated wood pole will be treated with a range of nasty chemicals--this is a problem facing my hardwood posts too) but the burlap will help greatly. I actually started building my new post today and will post pics and a detailed walkthrough later this week. I'm REALLY happy with how it is turning out....effectively I've managed to anchor it 7 feet into the ground, it feels rock solid (much more stable than my hardwood posts). The dragonfruit will grow up stormwater piping which is totally inert, and invulnerable to all weather.

This one is going to be the coup de gras. This one really will have absolutely nothing which is vulnerable to the elements, It will last 25 years at least.

Re the David Bowie it's the best of the whites as far as reports go. The burlap will not help to speed up fruiting time (the aerial roots of dragon fruit actually adsorb almost nothing in way of nutrients from what they are growing against, they are not true epihpytes ) but the burlap will definitely be better for grip. I really recommend a fish based liquid fertilizer if you can get any, one with seaweed is perfect. I use powerfeed.

Make sure you post pics of the completed trellis, I love seeing people's builds!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 30, 2014, 12:51:36 AM
The burlap will not help to speed up fruiting time (the aerial roots of dragon fruit actually adsorb almost nothing in way of nutrients from what they are growing against, they are not true epihpytes ) but the burlap will definitely be better for grip. I really recommend a fish based liquid fertilizer if you can get any, one with seaweed is perfect. I use powerfeed.

Are you sure the aerial roots dont absorb? I've read several spots now claiming they do feed from there so I've been stoked figuring out a wicked liquid-spray feed using nut's/biostim's to maximize output in confined spaces.   
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on June 30, 2014, 07:48:02 AM
That's what it looks like in the first page, but I dont see it in the second.

Here it is:
Hylocereus Bronxensis Blue
http://w3flora.com/RealFloraDragonFruit.aspx?submenuheader=7&page=2 (http://w3flora.com/RealFloraDragonFruit.aspx?submenuheader=7&page=2)

"Rare and endangered this three sided segmented climbing cactus is like no other. New growth is lime green soon turning to smoky blue. Flowers have never been seen yet."

Matt's Landscape has it without any photos:
Quote
Species HYLOCEREUS BRONXENSIS- Has an XL white/yellow night blooming flower, the growth is 3-sided and closely resembles Hylocereus Ocamponis in that older growth is greyish-green in color, new growth dark green, but has shorter stem segments, sometimes pendant in growth and more narrow overall. Britton and Rose; originally collected by G. E. Barre in 1902, this variety is rare and endangered in its native habitat. The location collected is offically listed as unknown to protect the few specimens remaining in there native habitat. A rare species,not generally used for fruit production but can be crossed with other varieties. THIS VARIETY WAS GARDEN CULTIVATED FROM AN OLD COLLECTION AND WAS NOT REMOVED FROM ITS NATIVE HABITAT.
http://www.mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Hylocereus%20Bronxensis#full_desc (http://www.mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Hylocereus%20Bronxensis#full_desc)

And there it is, that whole species-relevant usage of the word "variety". lol. If the word were only used for varieties of a single species it wouldn't have become this odd pet-peeve of mine.

UPDATE:
Quote
Original Description: The Cactaceae 2 p.185 - Britton & Rose (1920)
Joints strongly 3-angled, dull grayish green, 3 to 4 cm broad; ribs strongly undulate, the margins horny and brown; areoles 2 to 3 cm apart; spines about 10, acicular, brown in age, about 6 mm long; flowers 25 cm long; outer perianth-segments broad, ovate, obtuse or rounded; inner perianth-segments oblong, rounded at apex, more or less apiculate, but not long-acuminate; scales on the ovary broad; stigma-lobes (perhaps) bifid

Described from specimens which flowered in the New York Botanical Garden (no. 9722) June 28, 1912. The plant was obtained from G. E. Barre in 1902, but its origin is otherwise unknown. It is related to Hylocereus ocamponis but its flowers are quite different from those of that species.
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Hylocereus&species=bronxensis (http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Hylocereus&species=bronxensis)

Matt's cuttings have been out of stock. w3flora rooted price not too bad, but damn they only ship UPS ground and its $13.95. If they switched to Priority Mail it'd be about $6 if they used a regional box and itd be overnight being within the state of FL. I'll have to wait a few days before ordering...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 30, 2014, 08:02:38 PM
Aerial roots... what are they good for?

http://youtu.be/5ziUKAXr8jE (http://youtu.be/5ziUKAXr8jE)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on June 30, 2014, 09:19:26 PM
Aerial roots... what are they good for?

http://youtu.be/5ziUKAXr8jE (http://youtu.be/5ziUKAXr8jE)

The answer is very little.

I trim mine off whenever I see them without incident. While they do absorb a low amount of nutrients, there is no advantage whatsoever to having them when you're growing a dragonfruit plant against a post that is treated wood, concrete or plastic. In fact unless you know what's in the bark of a tree they're growing against, you run the risk of sickening them as there  there might something in this they don't like. They will send aerial roots back down into the soil if you cut them off above ground. Your mix and drainage in the ground is infinitely more important than nourishing aerial roots will ever be.

Also Ric your plants are suffering from fungal rot, hit them with a copper spray and this should fix it temporarily. but because of the amount of shade your plants are getting you're always going to fight it. It probably won't do anything to affect root quality or the abundance of fruit , it is just a cosmetic thing mostly.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 30, 2014, 09:23:03 PM
Aerial roots... what are they good for?

The answer is very little.

I trim mine off whenever I see them without incident. While they do absorb a low amount of nutrients, there is no advantage whatsoever to having them when you're growing a dragonfruit plant against a post that is treated wood, concrete or plastic. In fact unless you know what's in the bark of a tree they're growing against, you run the risk of sickening them as there  there might something in this they don't like. They will send aerial roots back down into the soil if you cut them off above ground. Your mix and drainage in the ground is infinitely more important than nourishing aerial roots will ever be.

So you don't think there is any advantage to aerial roots going down into the ground?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on July 01, 2014, 12:22:42 PM
What does everyone use to fertilize to fasten growth or flowering? Anyone had experience with fish emulsion?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 01, 2014, 03:59:40 PM
What does everyone use to fertilize to fasten growth or flowering? Anyone had experience with fish emulsion?

I had a long conversation with the owner of red fox pitaya yesterday (Australian company) awho told me she uses powerfeed run into her drip lines, which is  what I use also, and is a fish and seaweed liquid fertilizer. She told that it's never a good idea to use citrus fertiliser, and some of her larger plants were killed by an accidental application of this.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 01, 2014, 10:07:40 PM
One of my Sword Pear Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus) has a bloom right now:
(http://s24.postimg.cc/hsns3qfm9/Sword_Pear_in_flower.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hsns3qfm9/)

Last week I had a Queen of the Night (photos above) bloom. I 'fingered' the thing and rubbed the pollen all about the pistil tips, but tonight I found it it finally fell off (fail). Last year I had several dragon fruit blooms, and a lot of sword pear blooms, but no fruits despite trying to finger several of them. Conversely, while the many many Peruvian Apple Cactus blooms I see between my neighbors and mine dont always set fruit, many do without any help.

Does the pollen have to make it all the way down the stigma 'tube', or what? I'm about to go try and break one off and shove it deep in there...
(http://s17.postimg.cc/4rvmy93kb/Sword_Pear_pistil_mechanical_pollination_attem.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4rvmy93kb/)
(http://s17.postimg.cc/mvyniw18r/Sword_Pear_pistil_mechanically_pollinated_and.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mvyniw18r/)

This moth seems to have taken some interest:
(http://s17.postimg.cc/8zqf704zv/Sword_Pear_moth_interested_maybe.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8zqf704zv/)

Any other help with hand pollination would be great.

Also, can it be assumed that most any aforementioned or etc xcereus cacti can make inter-species hybrids?



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 03, 2014, 12:15:18 AM
Aerial roots... what are they good for?

The answer is very little.

I trim mine off whenever I see them without incident. While they do absorb a low amount of nutrients, there is no advantage whatsoever to having them when you're growing a dragonfruit plant against a post that is treated wood, concrete or plastic. In fact unless you know what's in the bark of a tree they're growing against, you run the risk of sickening them as there  there might something in this they don't like. They will send aerial roots back down into the soil if you cut them off above ground. Your mix and drainage in the ground is infinitely more important than nourishing aerial roots will ever be.

So you don't think there is any advantage to aerial roots going down into the ground?

I guess it would depend. On the one hand, roots sent back to the ground will need extra minerals/nutrients into the plant, but at the same time they could causde drowning and dieback in times of heavy rainfall, especially if you have clay or gluggy soil.

Personally I remove mine and have never had a problem with doing this.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 10, 2014, 09:17:23 PM
My 'David Bowie' DF has two big & beautiful flowers for the first time ever, I sure hope that fruit(s) follow(s).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 11, 2014, 04:35:27 AM
Hello everyone,

I bought this dragon fruit plant about a month ago. It was fine until the past 10 days or so when all of a sudden a yellow patch started to appear. Ever since then it has been spreading all over and this is what you see.

It gets about 4 hrs of morning sunlight (8am-12 noon). I have cut down on watering it as I was suspecting it could be due to much water. I only water when the soil is dry, say once in 2-3 days.

What could the probable cause be? And what do you guys recommended?

This is my first pitaya plant and I don't want it to die.  :-[

(http://s28.postimg.cc/4qvvyfhzd/IMG_20140711_122838.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4qvvyfhzd/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/qm8h5dtc9/IMG_20140711_122857.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qm8h5dtc9/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/4035snfm1/IMG_20140711_122905.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4035snfm1/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/s2jzniw95/IMG_20140711_122911.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/s2jzniw95/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 11, 2014, 04:41:55 AM

It's your soil. You've planted it in cactus mix, which is totally wrong for the task of growing dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit are an understory rainforest cactus. They nothing like opuntia or other desert cacti, and require free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Mix compost, very coarse potting mix, and sand and repot it into this mixture. Add some sheep or cow manure also.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nickytwo on July 11, 2014, 07:47:49 AM
So what I read in this post I must take my seedlings and make compost with them......and to get cuttings in south africa next to impossible.....
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: stuartdaly88 on July 11, 2014, 07:58:33 AM
So what I read in this post I must take my seedlings and make compost with them......and to get cuttings in south africa next to impossible.....
Throwing seeds away is maybe for foreigners who have access to named cultivators but for us it's the only option don't give up plant more seeds and select the best ones:) we are pioneers here for most lesser known fruit it's exciting!!!
Also if you get permit from department(not easy) at least DF has a better chance of surviving transit time than other cuttings or scions would.
Iv got alot of young seedling DF different kinds if any taste decent I can easily ship cutting to you.
If we just give up we get nothing but perservere and maybe something good:)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nickytwo on July 11, 2014, 08:50:14 AM
It felt if I am going to commit suicide.......or kill my children.....Stuart how long before they will fruit.. some say up to five year I think it will be more like three years
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: stuartdaly88 on July 11, 2014, 09:31:06 AM
I think that will depend on the species of DF and growing conditions iv read of 3 years from seed but I'm sure these kinds of numbers are very general I'm sure people here would know better than me.
Mine are just over 1 year from seed so still awhile till I know. I have about five each of red,white and golden/yellow from from seed hopefully I get something nice out of 15 but I'm really not that fussy hey, nutritious heavy bearing and home grown is my main priority taste is secondary as I learn to like any taste myself even very bitter I like so blands not to bad long as I have fresh fruit bland can be nice but I won't turn up my nose at sweet one either:)
I will share cutting if I get a nice less bland one if you do the same for me.
And don't stress much better fruit to commit suicide over than DF IMO;)
Just think of it as a genetic roulette you could strike it lucky it's fun! well for me anyway
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2014, 04:00:55 PM
Although I had good luck with sprouting seeds from Dragon Fruit...

I have had BAD luck with getting DF seedlings past the juvenile stage.

I took the following pictures today.

The is an example of a seedling going on 4 YEARS!!

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/seedling_1265_zps58463459.jpg)

At this rate...  I will never see fruit!


This is a picture of some cuttings going on their second year.
The plant in the foreground I got in March this year.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttings_1266_zpsee92ccf2.jpg)

I usually expect to get fruit from plants grown from cuttings in 3 years. Yes, there are exceptions. I have got fruit on a cutting the first year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 11, 2014, 05:20:35 PM
So what I read in this post I must take my seedlings and make compost with them......and to get cuttings in south africa next to impossible.....
Throwing seeds away is maybe for foreigners who have access to named cultivators but for us it's the only option don't give up plant more seeds and select the best ones:) we are pioneers here for most lesser known fruit it's exciting!!!
Also if you get permit from department(not easy) at least DF has a better chance of surviving transit time than other cuttings or scions would.
Iv got alot of young seedling DF different kinds if any taste decent I can easily ship cutting to you.
If we just give up we get nothing but perservere and maybe something good:)

Cuttings will survive two months or more in transit no problem at all. Expecting to wait at least 5 years  for fruit from seed, 3 is overambitious.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2014, 05:57:18 PM
I had some small cuttings that I left out to callus over and never got around to potting them.

Then http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectPitaya (http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectPitaya) told me I could root them with the end setting in a little water.

In less than a week I had roots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 11, 2014, 09:28:06 PM
Too little sunlight on your seedlings Richard.
I too had most seedlings die on me. The lone survivor was one from Edgar but from the looks of the vine it should be a white fleshed fruit. No problem. I can always trash it later or give it to people that like low sugar fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2014, 09:51:41 PM
Too little sunlight on your seedlings Richard.

The ones I gave more sunlight got fried.  :-[
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on July 12, 2014, 02:41:36 AM
Although I had good luck with sprouting seeds from Dragon Fruit...

I have had BAD luck with getting DF seedlings past the juvenile stage.

I took the following pictures today.

The is an example of a seedling going on 4 YEARS!!

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/seedling_1265_zps58463459.jpg)

At this rate...  I will never see fruit!


This is a picture of some cuttings going on their second year.
The plant in the foreground I got in March this year.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/cuttings_1266_zpsee92ccf2.jpg)

I usually expect to get fruit from plants grown from cuttings in 3 years. Yes, there are exceptions. I have got fruit on a cutting the first year.

Ric, your seedling looks awesome!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 12, 2014, 03:28:34 AM
I had some small cuttings that I left out to callus over and never got around to potting them.

Then http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectPitaya (http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectPitaya) told me I could root them with the end setting in a little water.

In less than a week I had roots.

Again, dragonfruit are a rainforest cactus.

This means that they require very little to no light at all while developing.

In the wild, they would occur as an understory tree, then grow up the trunks of extremely tall trees to branch out over the canopy. Only then would they get full sun.

Don't worry about light exposure for juvenile plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 12, 2014, 10:42:54 AM
The is an example of a seedling going on 4 YEARS!!

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/seedling_1265_zps58463459.jpg)

Ric, your seedling looks awesome!

What is awesome about it?   ???
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 12, 2014, 11:29:24 AM
Are you sure they start out from the ground in the wild? I was imagining the fruit being splattered and the seeds germinating on a leaf or any surface in the canopy and then the plants spend their entire lives way above the ground. Rainforest has rain :), and touching the ground is actually a big disadvantage in terms of light availability and chances of rotting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 12, 2014, 01:34:17 PM
Since there is not a lot of info on Frankie's Red, here is a picture of a flower before it opens. I have about 7 flowers on my plant so far and I've never tasted the fruit before. I'll take more pictures when the blooms open and also get a weight, brix and also harvest season here in SoCal if any fruit holds. Frankie's Red is flowering after the normal DF varieties and before the Yellow Dragons. My Yellow Dragons have button sized flowers right now. This variety would seem to fill the gap between the normal and Yellow Dragon so that the season is greatly extended. Internets slow, I'll post pics later!
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 12, 2014, 05:33:35 PM
Here's a pic of Frankies Red flower before it opens.
Simon
(http://s17.postimg.cc/rm7xh2gtn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rm7xh2gtn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 13, 2014, 03:47:40 AM

It's your soil. You've planted it in cactus mix, which is totally wrong for the task of growing dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit are an understory rainforest cactus. They nothing like opuntia or other desert cacti, and require free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Mix compost, very coarse potting mix, and sand and repot it into this mixture. Add some sheep or cow manure also.

I really don't think it is just the soil. Dragons can grow in majority types of soil and this soil although is not the best still can support a dragon to grow well. Anyways, I would be transferring it to the farm soon where it would get all the necessary nutrients.

As of now would you guys advice to cut the part below the rot or do I just leave it to heal by itself? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 13, 2014, 04:05:09 AM

It's your soil. You've planted it in cactus mix, which is totally wrong for the task of growing dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit are an understory rainforest cactus. They nothing like opuntia or other desert cacti, and require free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Mix compost, very coarse potting mix, and sand and repot it into this mixture. Add some sheep or cow manure also.

I really don't think it is just the soil. Dragons can grow in majority types of soil and this soil although is not the best still can support a dragon to grow well. Anyways, I would be transferring it to the farm soon where it would get all the necessary nutrients.

As of now would you guys advice to cut the part below the rot or do I just leave it to heal by itself?

As long as it is in that soil, it will never do well. It's going to die, because they don't like gluggly, or dry, cloying soil. Cutting the rot will do nothing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 14, 2014, 02:08:29 AM

It's your soil. You've planted it in cactus mix, which is totally wrong for the task of growing dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit are an understory rainforest cactus. They nothing like opuntia or other desert cacti, and require free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Mix compost, very coarse potting mix, and sand and repot it into this mixture. Add some sheep or cow manure also.

I really don't think it is just the soil. Dragons can grow in majority types of soil and this soil although is not the best still can support a dragon to grow well. Anyways, I would be transferring it to the farm soon where it would get all the necessary nutrients.

As of now would you guys advice to cut the part below the rot or do I just leave it to heal by itself?
If it doesn't continue to rot, then I would leave it. Soil aeration makes a big difference to root growth. Just make sure the soil particles are coarse enough for the roots to get air.

I'm wondering why you bought such a small plant. How long is the cutting under the soil? It looks like a moon cactus where the top died off. https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+cactus. (https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+cactus.) The bottom is actually a white-fleshed dragonfruit if you care to grow it.
Anyway, you need only bury the bottom inch of it. Some people bury deeper for stability but that's not really necessary.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 14, 2014, 03:40:24 AM
If it doesn't continue to rot, then I would leave it. Soil aeration makes a big difference to root growth. Just make sure the soil particles are coarse enough for the roots to get air.

I'm wondering why you bought such a small plant. How long is the cutting under the soil? It looks like a moon cactus where the top died off. https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+cactus. (https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+cactus.) The bottom is actually a white-fleshed dragonfruit if you care to grow it.
Anyway, you need only bury the bottom inch of it. Some people bury deeper for stability but that's not really necessary.

The rotting seems to have slowed down and the damaged part has become white and soft. I will leave it on as u say.

For better soil aeration, would it matter if it is in a plastic pot or a clay pot?

I got the plant from an online nursery, there was no way to see the plant before purchasing it. It had come in a pot but I'm guessing the cutting may not be more than 2-3 inches deep as the pot itself was about 4 inches tall.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 15, 2014, 03:35:48 AM
Pot probably doesn't matter. I have mine in plastic.
It'll take longer for your plant to reach fruiting size since it's smaller though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 15, 2014, 05:28:28 AM
I grow all of my Dragonfruit in black plastic pots and after earlier problems with the occasional cutting developing rot I changed my tactics. I leave my cuttings high and dry(nowhere near soil) until I see the small root buds start to appear which on some cuttings is 5 months and still waiting. Once the roots start to show, I fill the pot to where I want it, put in a stake and tie the cutting it. The cutting sits on the top of the soil with no green plant below the soil line. Haven't lost 1 yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 15, 2014, 05:46:40 AM
@fyliu, Thanks! I am thinking of adding nutrients once the rot subsidies.

@Rannman, That is an interesting tactic. Shall definitely keep in mind to do it that ways. Thank you for sharing with us.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on July 15, 2014, 08:00:58 PM
Whats happening with my dragon fruit (david bowie). They finally had some flowers bloom. But they are turning yellow and dropping off. I have only four flowers remaining.

Thanks, Mike
(http://s2.postimg.cc/6m6jtvm2t/IMG_3899.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6m6jtvm2t/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/gm1g9rxc5/IMG_3900.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gm1g9rxc5/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/464qg1405/IMG_3901.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/464qg1405/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 15, 2014, 08:12:09 PM
The plant can decide it's not able to support that many flowers and abort the buds. I've had it happen to a 12 inch cutting that formed about 6 buds. Most fell off and rodents ate the last one.
After flowering, if the pollen doesn't reach the ovary in time, the fruit can abort too. It happens to me even after I pollinated the flowers in the morning. Better to do it the night before, when the flowers first open.

Edited for typo.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 16, 2014, 12:47:19 AM
Here's a picture of a Frankie's Red flower when it's starting to open.
Simon
(http://s22.postimg.cc/yyb7qdgyl/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yyb7qdgyl/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/42u0z89i5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/42u0z89i5/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/cjtja5e71/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cjtja5e71/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Treees on July 16, 2014, 05:32:54 PM
My very first DF harvest from a cutting planted a year ago.  This is Natural Mystic and has been very easy to grow.  Mild but pleasant taste and smell.  Much better than one bought in the store for $5/lb.

(http://s27.postimg.cc/t71p32s5b/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/t71p32s5b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on July 16, 2014, 06:01:22 PM
Ok Fyliu, thanks for the info.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 16, 2014, 11:42:43 PM
My 'David Bowie' DF has two big & beautiful flowers for the first time ever, I sure hope that fruit(s) follow(s).

My 'David Bowie' DF is behaving in the same way. The two (first time ever) flowers look dead and are about to fall off. Also, it looks like there may be a fruit coming along behind one of the expired flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 16, 2014, 11:54:45 PM
My 'David Bowie' DF has two big & beautiful flowers for the first time ever, I sure hope that fruit(s) follow(s).

My 'David Bowie' DF is behaving in the same way. The two (first time ever) flowers look dead and are about to fall off. Also, it looks like there may be a fruit coming along behind one of the expired flowers.

It's important to taper of watering when the flowers are forming into fruit. Too much water and they will drop them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 17, 2014, 04:06:49 PM
The last 2 years we have had a tremendous increase in earwigs. They are every where but today I noticed that they were especially heavy on ready to bloom flowers.
In the morning I have always found them along with bees in the open flowers. I assume, since they moving very fast all over the inner flower, that they also aid in pollination. If so at least some good from their presents. 

(http://s12.postimg.cc/eytbb3bm1/001_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eytbb3bm1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 17, 2014, 04:37:55 PM
The last 2 years we have had a tremendous increase in earwigs. They are every where but today I noticed that they were especially heavy on ready to bloom flowers.
In the morning I have always found them along with bees in the open flowers. I assume, since they moving very fast all over the inner flower, that they also aid in pollination. If so at least some good from their presents. 

(http://s12.postimg.cc/eytbb3bm1/001_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eytbb3bm1/)

Healthy looking plants cos.

I'm currently building a new grove with concrete posts, should  be finished in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 17, 2014, 05:09:12 PM
A semi-local guy brought me several lengths of what he said is "yellow" dragon fruit recently. I expected it'd look different but wasnt sure. Later I went online and all the 'yellow' (species) I could find looked more like a red gene DF, where this one the cactus looks like pure white gene. Interesting though is that one has formed a bud and after a couple days its already yellow:

(http://s28.postimg.cc/b1hhe7tih/IMG_0940.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/b1hhe7tih/)
(http://s28.postimg.cc/3k89z03zd/IMG_0941.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3k89z03zd/)

It seems sturdy enough not like its yellowing to fall off I mean.

If this doesnt make a fruit its going to drive me nuts waiting forever to figure out what it even is, as I wont bother trying to sell/trade with it without having a real good idea.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 17, 2014, 05:27:42 PM
A semi-local guy brought me several lengths of what he said is "yellow" dragon fruit recently. I expected it'd look different but wasnt sure. Later I went online and all the 'yellow' (species) I could find looked more like a red gene DF, where this one the cactus looks like pure white gene. Interesting though is that one has formed a bud and after a couple days its already yellow:

(http://s28.postimg.cc/b1hhe7tih/IMG_0940.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/b1hhe7tih/)
(http://s28.postimg.cc/3k89z03zd/IMG_0941.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3k89z03zd/)

It seems sturdy enough not like its yellowing to fall off I mean.

If this doesnt make a fruit its going to drive me nuts waiting forever to figure out what it even is, as I wont bother trying to sell/trade with it without having a real good idea.

Doesn't look like buds from my yellow DF.
Bud forming.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/YEL_05-29-2014_zps5c324ba4.jpg)
In bloom.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/yellow_08-23-13_zps2ed2ff57.jpg)
Fruit.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/yellow_09-20-13_zpsb13196f3.jpg)

I'm thinking your buds will fall off in the next few days.

DM

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 17, 2014, 05:53:34 PM
The true yellow fruit, as I know it , is  Selenicereus megalanthus . Close to Hylocereus  species but it & its hybrids have spines on the fruit. From my experience the yellow buds picture above are aborting .
Please keep us up dated; could be new variety? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 17, 2014, 05:57:05 PM
I figured that.

ASaffron had the idea that maybe its a rare type inter-species hybrid where the dominant gene are Hylocereus undatus but the skin comes out yellow.

Meanwhile, my 'blue' DF (Hylocereus bronxensis) order came the other day:

(http://s30.postimg.cc/5nxuy0uh9/IMG_0879.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5nxuy0uh9/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/rjag4z5u5/IMG_0944_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rjag4z5u5/)

And the Pineapple Cactus (Selenicereus setaceus) Thao sent me is jamming already:

(http://s30.postimg.cc/jbi5uu9n1/IMG_0948_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jbi5uu9n1/)

And my Sword Pear (Acanthocereus tetragonus) hand pollination attempt appears to have worked:

(http://s9.postimg.cc/dts4z8ivf/IMG_0949_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dts4z8ivf/)

Can't wait until next year I'll be doing all kinds of crazy xcereus hybrid attempts...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 17, 2014, 05:59:19 PM
The true yellow fruit, as I know it , is  Selenicereus megalanthus . Close to Hylocereus  species but it & its hybrids have spines on the fruit. From my experience the yellow buds picture above are aborting .
Please keep us up dated; could be new variety?

Dude seemed real cool, real legit. He got it from some lady in Orlando apparently her garage is completely covered over with the stuff. Talked to him since he claims hes going to go back there and get me photos of the flowers/fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 17, 2014, 06:11:25 PM


There is a spineless yellow however it lacks the flavor of the spined kind, and is about the same quality as the standard store-bought whites.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 17, 2014, 06:22:01 PM
Here's what the 'yellow' cactus itself looks like:
(http://s7.postimg.cc/bj5h6k247/IMG_0949_3.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bj5h6k247/)
(http://s7.postimg.cc/bumxjbik7/IMG_0951_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bumxjbik7/)

Here's an example of a undatus dominant gene:
(http://s2.postimg.cc/nmm8ayjet/big_ydragon_p2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nmm8ayjet/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 17, 2014, 07:24:48 PM
Isn't lack of color and albino-ism usually a recessive gene or a genetic defect? Hehe.
The yellow undatus is/was a patented variety from Israel. Supposedly, wild plant do exist that turn that color. I'm not sure the results of that patent challenge.
Anyway, it looks like your yellow fruit is the kind that'll fall off in the coming week. Not sure if I want to be eighties wrong about it, since that yellow undatus fruit is said to be mediocre.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 18, 2014, 06:38:40 AM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 18, 2014, 06:45:11 AM
Here's a picture of a Frankie's Red flower when it's starting to open.
Simon
(http://s22.postimg.cc/yyb7qdgyl/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yyb7qdgyl/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/42u0z89i5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/42u0z89i5/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/cjtja5e71/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cjtja5e71/)
Hi Simon. Looking forward to seeing the results of your flowering Frankies Red. I received a cutting from you last year and it is now 7 feet tall. It has grown really well through our winter and I am hoping it will flower this year or early next year. Keep us posted. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 18, 2014, 01:22:51 PM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on July 18, 2014, 04:16:14 PM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
I think 3S or S3 was named by Paul Thomson. Delight was name by Pine Island Nursery :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 18, 2014, 05:46:40 PM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
I think 3S or S3 was named by Paul Thomson. Delight was name by Pine Island Nursery :)

In Paul Thomson's book, he refers to 3-S as "Delight".  If Pine Island had named it, it would have been more of a psychedelic rock name.   ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on July 18, 2014, 06:03:23 PM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
I think 3S or S3 was named by Paul Thomson. Delight was name by Pine Island Nursery :)

In Paul Thomson's book, he refers to 3-S as "Delight".  If Pine Island had named it, it would have been more of a psychedelic rock name.   ;D
The owner of PIN told me that he renamed all dragon fruit varieties he got from California.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 18, 2014, 11:11:19 PM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
I think 3S or S3 was named by Paul Thomson. Delight was name by Pine Island Nursery :)

In Paul Thomson's book, he refers to 3-S as "Delight".  If Pine Island had named it, it would have been more of a psychedelic rock name.   ;D
The owner of PIN told me that he renamed all dragon fruit varieties he got from California.

I think he is wrong and trust Paul Thomson's book and TFF member Sven.

Have you seen October 10, 2013, Reply #225?  http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on July 19, 2014, 01:08:19 AM
Hi. Maybe a bit off the current topic but I'm chasing a bit of information on a couple of Dragonfruit varieties that I have acquired.  One is labeled 3S and the other is labeled G2.  I think I have read somewhere that 3S is "Delight" but don't quote me on that. Thanks in advance for any info.

Paul Thomson named his "3-S" hybrid "Delight".

fyliu says; "G2 (part of Paul Thomson's original wild selections for crossing)" Reply #66
I think 3S or S3 was named by Paul Thomson. Delight was name by Pine Island Nursery :)

In Paul Thomson's book, he refers to 3-S as "Delight".  If Pine Island had named it, it would have been more of a psychedelic rock name.   ;D
The owner of PIN told me that he renamed all dragon fruit varieties he got from California.

I think he is wrong and trust Paul Thomson's book and TFF member Sven.

Have you seen October 10, 2013, Reply #225?  http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.225)
You are right. Maybe he named most of them but not all. Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nickytwo on July 19, 2014, 01:50:31 AM
Does the amount of thorns tell you anything about cultivar......bought some cuttings..some have single thorns and other have three thorns.....hope it is Dragon fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2014, 02:22:15 AM
Does the amount of thorns tell you anything about cultivar......bought some cuttings..some have single thorns and other have three thorns.....hope it is Dragon fruit.

If you are talking about named varieties, not really.  Many of the named varieties are closely related and the plant can look the same... but the fruit taste different.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 19, 2014, 04:18:27 AM
Here's a picture of a Frankie's Red flower when it's starting to open.
Simon
(http://s22.postimg.cc/yyb7qdgyl/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yyb7qdgyl/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/42u0z89i5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/42u0z89i5/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/cjtja5e71/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cjtja5e71/)
Hi Simon. Looking forward to seeing the results of your flowering Frankies Red. I received a cutting from you last year and it is now 7 feet tall. It has grown really well through our winter and I am hoping it will flower this year or early next year. Keep us posted. Thanks again.

You're welcome Ranman, I'm glad the cutting is doing well for you. I have no other dragonfruit varieties with open flowers right now so Frankie's Red will have to be self pollinating if I am to get fruit. If none of these flowers set fruit, I will have to assume that they require cross pollination. I've never tasted a Red x Yellow dragonfruit so I am very eager to try this Frankie's Red. I may even try to cross this Frankies Red with a Halleys Comet in the hopes of getting larger fruit but removing the male anthers, bagging individual flowers and growing out countless seedlings seems like a lot of work:(
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 19, 2014, 05:06:40 AM
Here's a picture of a Frankie's Red flower when it's starting to open.
Simon
(http://s22.postimg.cc/yyb7qdgyl/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yyb7qdgyl/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/42u0z89i5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/42u0z89i5/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/cjtja5e71/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cjtja5e71/)
Hi Simon. Looking forward to seeing the results of your flowering Frankies Red. I received a cutting from you last year and it is now 7 feet tall. It has grown really well through our winter and I am hoping it will flower this year or early next year. Keep us posted. Thanks again.

You're welcome Ranman, I'm glad the cutting is doing well for you. I have no other dragonfruit varieties with open flowers right now so Frankie's Red will have to be self pollinating if I am to get fruit. If none of these flowers set fruit, I will have to assume that they require cross pollination. I've never tasted a Red x Yellow dragonfruit so I am very eager to try this Frankie's Red. I may even try to cross this Frankies Red with a Halleys Comet in the hopes of getting larger fruit but removing the male anthers, bagging individual flowers and growing out countless seedlings seems like a lot of work:(
Simon
Hi Simon, the growth of the Frankies Red has been impressive and I am looking forward to hopefully getting a few flowers in the coming summer. Like you, I am hoping to cross some of my other varieties with the Frankies in the hope of getting something special. I will hopefully have over 40 different varieties flower this year and I am hoping to cross as many as I can, and after a few emails with a grower in Israel, a cross with the yellow megalanthus and the Frankies Red would be brilliant.  Hopefully good things to come. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing pics of your Frankies fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 21, 2014, 01:14:27 AM
In Paul Thomson's book, he refers to 3-S as "Delight".  If Pine Island had named it, it would have been more of a psychedelic rock name.   ;D

Cool. I have pink "Delight".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on July 22, 2014, 12:24:40 AM
Couple days ago I noticed my small potted Zamorano  has two flowers forming.  I was not expecting any flowers on this plant,  its in a 6-7" container !! and each limb only extends out about 2ft.  or so.  it has been long over due for a transplant into a permanent location,  I have been dragging my feet because Zamorano has some nasty thorns on it, lot longer and closer spaced compared to other varieties I have and have seen. 

I looked online and Zamorano is listed as self pollinating, but that bigger fruit can be obtained by pollinating.

I have always assumed I can just pollinate from the same flower,  but my question is,  can I still get bigger fruit if I hand pollinate using the same flower?  also any experience with the taste of this fruit would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 22, 2014, 12:31:26 AM
Not my experience. I find better fruit set & larger fruit when I use pollen from a different clone.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on July 22, 2014, 01:05:40 AM
Couple days ago I noticed my small potted Zamorano  has two flowers forming.  I was not expecting any flowers on this plant,  its in a 6-7" container !! and each limb only extends out about 2ft.  or so.  it has been long over due for a transplant into a permanent location,  I have been dragging my feet because Zamorano has some nasty thorns on it, lot longer and closer spaced compared to other varieties I have and have seen. 

I looked online and Zamorano is listed as self pollinating, but that bigger fruit can be obtained by pollinating.

I have always assumed I can just pollinate from the same flower,  but my question is,  can I still get bigger fruit if I hand pollinate using the same flower?  also any experience with the taste of this fruit would be appreciated.

Yeah Zamorano is thorny. You need a different flower to get bigger fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicdude on July 22, 2014, 11:34:39 AM
Does pollen store in the fridge?  I have another pitaya that is going to flower, but they will probably miss each other by a few days.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 22, 2014, 11:49:45 AM
Does pollen store in the fridge?  I have another pitaya that is going to flower, but they will probably miss each other by a few days.
a few days is not a problem. Put a lid on the container to keep it moist.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 23, 2014, 01:49:50 AM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

DF Pole Wood Crown Update:

I'm very happy to report that the wood 'crown' on my DF pole has been completed today and boy, it's a doozey!

Originally, I planned to copy the design on previous pictures of this Thread. That was before I realized that my DF pole was round and not squared like the pictures on this Thread. So, I had to improvise and in short, with some help from a friend with carpentry savvy, we made lemonade out of a lemon, so to speak.

Brief description of design: Two opposite wood wedges were removed from the top of the pole so that the inner two pieces of wood that support the 'crown,' would have their weight supported by the pole (these wood pieces were secured to the pole with three galvanized nuts and washers, on both sides at the top of the pole). In turn, these two pieces of wood support the weight of the two pieces of wood that are connected perpendicularly to them. And, finally, these two pieces of wood support the weight of the remaining two pieces of wood, that complete the square shape of the wood DF pole 'crown.'

With this design, the weight of the 'crown' is distributed, using the wood pole as its foundation. IMO, and with all due respect and humility, this design is an improvement over previous designs that I've seen on this Thread. If indeed this is the case, I would love to see a design that also improves on this one.

Finally, I noticed some fruit buds at the top of the DF branch that has passed and grown taller than the pole. So, I went to the store, bought some cactus potting soil and applied it to the base of the DF pole. I'm also thinking of getting some nutritional foliar spray, because the DF roots are not clinging to the pole, due to the pole not being covered with burlap.

I have to admit, these developments are 'kinda' exciting and I can't wait to taste my first 'David Bowie' DF fruit. It's supposed to be quite productive, tasty and of mediumish size. I hope the taste is agreeable.

P.S.   Will post a picture at the earliest chance that I get.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 23, 2014, 11:11:43 AM
What is the best way to save df seeds?

I want to store some for later sowing. Just wondering what could be the best way to store and how long would they survive?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 23, 2014, 12:14:02 PM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

I have never heard that David Bowie was a renamed California variety.
David Bowie may be a Pine Island Nursery original.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 23, 2014, 09:54:27 PM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

I have never heard that David Bowie was a renamed California variety.
David Bowie may be a Pine Island Nursery original.

So far, yours is the only 'info' that I have to go by, and it sounds good to me. An original, huh? Very nice, 'thanx.'
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 23, 2014, 10:48:39 PM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

I have never heard that David Bowie was a renamed California variety.
David Bowie may be a Pine Island Nursery original.

So far, yours is the only 'info' that I have to go by, and it sounds good to me. An original, huh? Very nice, 'thanx.'

If you trust dragonfruitplants.com...   ???  it says California is the origin.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 24, 2014, 12:34:09 AM
How long as any one stored D F pollen & got good fruit set. Did you freeze it? Was anything special done to keep it viable?
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on July 24, 2014, 01:14:09 AM
There was some work published that said if the pollen is dried first it can keep in the refrigerator for a fairly long time, even longer if it is frozen.  I'll look up the reference at work tomorrow.

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 25, 2014, 12:23:49 AM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

I have never heard that David Bowie was a renamed California variety.
David Bowie may be a Pine Island Nursery original.

So far, yours is the only 'info' that I have to go by, and it sounds good to me. An original, huh? Very nice, 'thanx.'

If you trust dragonfruitplants.com...   ???  it says California is the origin.

Thank you for the investigative 'David Bowie' DF geneology. So, my 'David Bowie' DF is from California, was named there, and the name survived the trip from California to PIN in Florida with no name change! As an owner of a 'David Bowie' DF, I did not know this, I find this 'info' impressive and I appreciate your sharing it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2014, 12:37:33 AM
I got my 'David Bowie' Dragon Fruit variety from PIN. I wonder what is the corresponding name for it in California.

I have never heard that David Bowie was a renamed California variety.
David Bowie may be a Pine Island Nursery original.

So far, yours is the only 'info' that I have to go by, and it sounds good to me. An original, huh? Very nice, 'thanx.'

If you trust dragonfruitplants.com...   ???  it says California is the origin.

Thank you for the investigative 'David Bowie' DF geneology. So, my 'David Bowie' DF is from California, was named there, and the name survived the trip from California to PIN in Florida with no name change! As an owner of a 'David Bowie' DF, I did not know this, I find this 'info' impressive and I appreciate your sharing it.

How do you know that PIN did not name it David Bowie?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 25, 2014, 07:34:01 PM
Here are some updates of my DF. The Frankie's Red appears to have set some fruit. My Halley's Comet has some large fruit which appear to be 1-1.5 lbs. The American Beauty has fruit that appear to be from 0.5-1 lbs. The Simons Purple has some very large fruit this year, normally they are about 0.5 lbs but this year, some of them are in the 1lbs range. The Yellow Dragon has many flowers on it this year. Unfortunately, I have a big extended family so my family only gets to eat about 1/5 of the fruit we produce but I'm try to encourage my extended family to plant edible gardens of their own.
Simon
(http://s30.postimg.cc/s5j2vdf71/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/s5j2vdf71/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/sh0j84vn1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sh0j84vn1/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/rc6h2r965/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rc6h2r965/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/an516uckt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/an516uckt/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/n0da00cvh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/n0da00cvh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 26, 2014, 01:17:19 AM
Wow Simon, that's a lot of flowers! One of these days I'll have to come over and see how you train these things.
I think mine are suffocating at the roots. They're producing much fewer fruit than before a foot of clay was dumped on top of the roots. I used to have fairly loose soil with organic matter mixed in.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2014, 05:11:44 AM
Hey Fang,

I have all my dragonfruit in pots and my setup is really poor. They grew so fast and I was so busy with my kids and work that I had very little time to take care of them and train my DF properly. I pretty much let them grow all over the place and nailed some 2x4s into my patio to hold up the vines. I have two layers of DF, one below the shade of the patio and another on top that gets full sun. I started the upper layer this year in an effort to try and maximize production.

The upper layer is all new growth but there is already some fruit and more flowers on the way. Most of the fruit from the first round of blooms is about ready to harvest and the second bloom is just beginning. My Frankie's Red and Yellow Dragon are not even really trellised, I used an old topsy turvy pole and duct tape to bind everything together. Shoot me a pm next time you come down and I can show you my setup.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 26, 2014, 06:36:56 AM
Hi Simon, just out of curiosity, are your Frankies Red self pollinated or crossed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2014, 02:55:43 PM
There were no other DF varieties around with open flowers so I pollinated each flower with pollen from another branch of Frankie's Red. They appear to be developing nicely and all flowers that opened appear to have set fruit .
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MassSpectrum on July 31, 2014, 12:26:56 AM
There was some work published that said if the pollen is dried first it can keep in the refrigerator for a fairly long time, even longer if it is frozen.  I'll look up the reference at work tomorrow.

Richard

That would be some quite valuable datas....
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 31, 2014, 03:50:35 AM
Some of my DF varieties are ripening up now but many of them are splitting this year so I have to harvest them early before they fully color and sweeten up. The largest fruit so far is my Halley's Comet and it weighs 1 lbs 11oz.

My American Beauties are coming in around 1.5 lbs and my larger Simons Purple are also around 1.5 lbs. even though these fruit were picked early due to splitting, there brix was still pretty good. The Americsn a Beauty came in at 18% and the Simons Purple came in at 20%.  I have not tasted the HC yet, it's in the fridge chilling so I'll report back with its brix after I eat it.

So far, my favorite tasting variety is Simons Purple because it tastes very sweet and has the most acidity. There was still a lot of green on all three varieties so i believe the later season fruit will have brix in the low to mid twenties. Thanks for looking!
Simon
(http://s15.postimg.cc/rvsh3hug7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rvsh3hug7/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/4297yjqlj/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4297yjqlj/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/a1wz27bdz/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/a1wz27bdz/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/7jba1ipnr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jba1ipnr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 31, 2014, 12:07:59 PM
Some of my DF varieties are ripening up now but many of them are splitting this year so I have to harvest them early before they fully color and sweeten up. The largest fruit so far is my Halley's Comet and it weighs 1 lbs 11oz.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/rvsh3hug7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rvsh3hug7/)

How old is your Halley's Comet plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on July 31, 2014, 01:16:56 PM
Simon,

Even with the splitting, those are some nice looking Dragon Fruit

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on July 31, 2014, 01:30:59 PM
can anyone tell me if this is ready to pick?
(http://i.imgur.com/b535GA7.jpg)
located in west central florida area and i'm not sure what cultivar it is (first df).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on July 31, 2014, 01:32:25 PM
There was some work published that said if the pollen is dried first it can keep in the refrigerator for a fairly long time, even longer if it is frozen.  I'll look up the reference at work tomorrow.

Richard

That would be some quite valuable datas....

The paper is Metz et al., Hortscience 35(2):199-201, 2000

Their results are that after drying the pollen under vacuum for 1 -2 hours. pollen stored in a freezer still gives 100% fruit set and normal sized fruit after 9 months of storage in a freezer.  Fruit set with dried pollen stored in a refrigerator was 60-70% with smaller fruits, but they still got fruit.

I am trying this myself, using dried stored pollen, and can let you know how it works  in a couple of months (just attempted the pollination on Tuesday)
Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 31, 2014, 02:23:24 PM
Some of my DF varieties are ripening up now but many of them are splitting this year so I have to harvest them early before they fully color and sweeten up. The largest fruit so far is my Halley's Comet and it weighs 1 lbs 11oz.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/rvsh3hug7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rvsh3hug7/)

How old is your Halley's Comet plant?
The Halley's Comet is two years old from a 4 foot rooted cutting. They grow really fast with lots of water and fertilizer.

Thanks Richard, I did get some fruit that didn't split. I'm eat all the split fruit and the perfect fruit will go to friends and family.

Merce3, your fruit is ready to eat, the longer you leave it on the tree, the sweeter it will be but it will also get softer and mushy as it's left on longer. Let us know how it tastes!

I'll update with pics of the Frankie's Red soon. They appear to be developing faster than my Yellow Dragons developed last year.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 31, 2014, 04:12:44 PM

Rtreid  :  How are you producing a vacuum? How will you know what the pressure is?
thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 31, 2014, 05:51:30 PM
Here is a shot of my Yellow Dragon exploding with flowers, it doesn't have a lot of branches but has over 60 flowers.

The other picture is the Frankies Red developing.

Simon
(http://s12.postimg.cc/p490knvk9/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/p490knvk9/)

(http://s12.postimg.cc/f5o1y6m4p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f5o1y6m4p/)

(http://s12.postimg.cc/7oeuiywll/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7oeuiywll/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 31, 2014, 05:57:39 PM
congrats Simon thats the very best I have ever seen megalanthus bloom!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on July 31, 2014, 09:39:08 PM
taste was excellent! glad it was a red, but i have no idea what cultivar.
(http://i.imgur.com/3RSTeoR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QbBbKhR.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 01, 2014, 03:58:55 AM
Thanks cos,

I've learned recently that lots of flowers don't necessarily equate to lots of fruit.

Merce3, that fruit looks really good. I wish more members had refractometers so that we can get a gauge of brix readings from the different varieties and the different locations where the fruit are grown. Thanks for sharing!
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on August 01, 2014, 07:31:43 AM

Rtreid  :  How are you producing a vacuum? How will you know what the pressure is?
thanks
I've used a food sealer and put dessicant beads in with the pollen, and left then in there.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on August 01, 2014, 07:59:41 AM
Thanks Doglips ,   Very clever!!

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 01, 2014, 11:42:42 AM
merce3, it looks like one of the 8s, arizona purple, houghton bunch. They're all similar.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on August 01, 2014, 11:05:52 PM
thanks guys. i'm going to look into a refractometer now. would it work on other fruits?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 01, 2014, 11:48:59 PM
Yes and refractometers are only about $30. Make sure you get one that is in the range you want. Mine reads between 0-30 Brix.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 04, 2014, 01:24:02 AM
hey guys,
What would be the ideal height of a trellis?



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 04, 2014, 01:52:30 AM
hey guys,
What would be the ideal height of a trellis?

How tall are you?   ;)

5 feet is a good height IMO.

You don't want to have to climb a ladder to pick fruit and/or pollinate flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on August 04, 2014, 12:30:45 PM
I've heard 6 feet is better to keep the ground predators away, if that is an issue for you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 04, 2014, 01:15:15 PM
Nope, no ground predators here.

Since it is going in the ground, I am considering 2 feet under ground and 5 feet for the plant to climb on.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on August 04, 2014, 02:15:20 PM
We have mongoose here & after a while have learned to climb & eat dragon fruit.
Also rats have become a problem but it took several years till both figured it out.
A grower on the big island has noted that the spiny varieties { frankies red & Selenicereus megalanthus} dont have this problem.
good luck 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 04, 2014, 05:24:49 PM
Most of the Dragon Fruit growers I know have problems with birds and ants damaging fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on August 05, 2014, 01:20:50 AM
My T style trellis is 3ft high. Much easier to maintain.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on August 05, 2014, 02:16:50 AM
5 feet is a good compromise, I wouldn't go lower than 4.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 05, 2014, 02:50:39 AM
Our dragon fruits are loaded with flowers this year.  I hand pollinated a few dozens of flowers last night and another few dozen tonight.  It looks like there will be another wave tomorrow night.  These are the unknown white variety but the fruit is sweet & flavorful and it could reach to a softball size if they're hand pollinated.


(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/14853750903_0943fd01d3_b.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14647184010_e6a3362090_b.jpg)

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14833546012_83b7bd335d_b.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3881/14833912035_68b17598a1_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on August 05, 2014, 02:54:19 AM
Our dragon fruits are loaded with flowers this year.  I hand pollinated a few dozens of flowers last night and another few dozen tonight.  It looks like there will be another wave tomorrow night.  These are the unknown white variety but the fruit is sweet & flavorful and it could reach to a softball size if they're hand pollinated.


(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/14853750903_0943fd01d3_b.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14647184010_e6a3362090_b.jpg)

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14833546012_83b7bd335d_b.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3881/14833912035_68b17598a1_b.jpg)

xshen what an absolutely stunning edible patch you have there. You truly have a green thumb!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on August 05, 2014, 06:36:16 AM
yea, beautiful.

What is that longans in the background and guavas in the fore?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 05, 2014, 11:44:12 AM
Thank you Starling and Doglips. The longan is kahala and guava is a grafted crystal seedless.  The longans and guavas are also very productive this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 05, 2014, 11:48:00 AM
Our dragon fruits are loaded with flowers this year.  I hand pollinated a few dozens of flowers last night and another few dozen tonight.  It looks like there will be another wave tomorrow night.  These are the unknown white variety but the fruit is sweet & flavorful and it could reach to a softball size if they're hand pollinated.

By any chance are you going to the 2014 Pitahaya Festival?  ::)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 05, 2014, 11:55:09 AM
Our dragon fruits are loaded with flowers this year.  I hand pollinated a few dozens of flowers last night and another few dozen tonight.  It looks like there will be another wave tomorrow night.  These are the unknown white variety but the fruit is sweet & flavorful and it could reach to a softball size if they're hand pollinated.

By any chance are you going to the 2014 Pitahaya Festival?  ::)

I will try to make it if I can fnd a sitter.  I brought my son to the mango presentation and had to leave early cuase he got bored.   :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 06, 2014, 11:53:55 PM
Today I was surprised when a dear Mexican friend told me that she has a very delicious variety of Pitaya (Dragon Fruit). And, she is a very good 'Cook!' Immediatly, she had my attention, I mean, she's Mexican, a Cook, and I personally know her quite well. So, I'm hoping that her DF variety does taste as good as she says, which I have no reason to doubt. The way she described the taste was so good, that the next time I see her, I'm 'gonna' ask her to what other fruit is the taste quality similar to. She did ask me how many pieces I wanted, and not to be greedy, I said two. I can't wait to get the two pieces of her delicious variety, so that I can start the process of growing them, and ultimately compare the taste and overall quality to the only variety that I currently have ('David Bowie').

P.S.   My 'David Bowie' earlier this year produced the first 3 flowers ever. Then, they all dropped and no fruit followed. After this happened, I fertilized the plant. And, right now, it has 2 beautiful new flowers. I'm hoping to finally get fruit afterwards.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on August 07, 2014, 12:33:22 PM
Last night I had a flower bloom that I forgot about until I saw it this AM (4:30am , sad right?).  Anyways I tried to hand pollinate it.  What are the the odds of a sucessfull pollination at 4:30AM relative to when the flower opens at about 8:30PM?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on August 07, 2014, 02:22:34 PM
Works for me. The results have been better when night pollinated.  Think will depend on the clone as some are more receptive than others.
Lets us know how it turns out
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 07, 2014, 04:01:15 PM
Today I was surprised when a dear Mexican friend told me that she has a very delicious variety of Pitaya (Dragon Fruit).
I thought dragon fruit is known as pitahaya in Mexico and pitaya is the columnar cactus. Those are good too except they flower near the top.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 11, 2014, 11:43:48 PM
Today I was surprised when a dear Mexican friend told me that she has a very delicious variety of Pitaya (Dragon Fruit).
I thought dragon fruit is known as pitahaya in Mexico and pitaya is the columnar cactus. Those are good too except they flower near the top.

The Dragon Fruit (Pitaya in Spanish) is a beautiful fruit cactus whose populatiry is accelerating. At one point, I expect it to catch on fire when a truly sweet variety is found.

There is an older, more mature cacti industry in Mexico, whereas in the USA, it's only now that it's starting to get some real traction. As a result, I've always wandered whether there already is an unknown, surprisingly sweet variety of Pitaya or Prickly-Pear that is not generally known about. Anyways, things are starting to get interesting, with both growing industries in Mexico and the USA, the conditions are likely to produce a surprisingly sweet variety(ies).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2014, 12:35:17 AM
Is "Pitaya" Dragon Fruit or Prickly Pear?

In Southern California many CRFG call Dragon Fruit Pitahaya.

Wikipedia says; A pitaya or pitahaya is the fruit of several cactus species. "Pitaya" usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while "Pitahaya" or "Dragonfruit" always refers to fruit of the genus Hylocereus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2014, 12:39:26 AM
I thought dragon fruit is known as pitahaya in Mexico and pitaya is the columnar cactus. Those are good too except they flower near the top.

That sounds about right to me.  But...  I don't speak Spanish.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2014, 12:46:43 AM
There is an older, more mature cacti industry in Mexico, whereas in the USA, it's only now that it's starting to get some real traction. As a result, I've always wandered whether there already is an unknown, surprisingly sweet variety of Pitaya or Prickly-Pear that is not generally known about. Anyways, things are starting to get interesting, with both growing industries in Mexico and the USA, the conditions are likely to produce a surprisingly sweet variety(ies).

The UCCE has in their collection in Irvine, CA some tasty varieties from Nicaragua growers.  My favorite is Armando. Lisa is popular with participants at tasting events.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 12, 2014, 01:02:32 AM
Here is an update of my Frankie's Red fruit. They seem to be growing larger than what I expected. Frankie's Red appears like it will fill the void between the regular DF and the Yellow megalanthus. Anyone have pictures showing the final size or perhaps the inside of a Frankie's Red? Any additional information on Frankie's Red is greatly appreciated.

Simon
(http://s3.postimg.cc/ch4z4oda7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ch4z4oda7/)

(http://s3.postimg.cc/rbtkiumv3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rbtkiumv3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2014, 12:15:32 PM
Here is an update of my Frankie's Red fruit. They seem to be growing larger than what I expected. Frankie's Red appears like it will fill the void between the regular DF and the Yellow megalanthus. Anyone have pictures showing the final size or perhaps the inside of a Frankie's Red? Any additional information on Frankie's Red is greatly appreciated.

I did not know that Frankie's Red fruit was so thorny!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 12, 2014, 12:35:19 PM
Here is an update of my Frankie's Red fruit. They seem to be growing larger than what I expected. Frankie's Red appears like it will fill the void between the regular DF and the Yellow megalanthus. Anyone have pictures showing the final size or perhaps the inside of a Frankie's Red? Any additional information on Frankie's Red is greatly appreciated.

I did not know that Frankie's Red fruit was so thorny!

Should keep the critters off :).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 12, 2014, 12:51:34 PM
Here is an update of my Frankie's Red fruit. They seem to be growing larger than what I expected. Frankie's Red appears like it will fill the void between the regular DF and the Yellow megalanthus. Anyone have pictures showing the final size or perhaps the inside of a Frankie's Red? Any additional information on Frankie's Red is greatly appreciated.

I did not know that Frankie's Red fruit was so thorny!

The Frankie's Red is supposed to be a cross of a red fleshed DF and the S Megalanthus and it looks like it retained the spines of the Megalanthus. The spines will hopefully keep the pests away.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on August 12, 2014, 02:11:49 PM
the spines do stop rats!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 13, 2014, 12:54:56 AM
Is "Pitaya" Dragon Fruit or Prickly Pear?

In Southern California many CRFG call Dragon Fruit Pitahaya.

Wikipedia says; A pitaya or pitahaya is the fruit of several cactus species. "Pitaya" usually refers to fruit of the genus Stenocereus, while "Pitahaya" or "Dragonfruit" always refers to fruit of the genus Hylocereus.

The 'Torrance...' Prickly-Pear variety that I got from Nullzero is the sweetest/best tasting fruit cacti that I've ever had, whether DF (Pitaya) or Prickly-Pear. This gives me hope that there are sweeter cacti fruit out there (whether in Mexico ... or the USA) with similar or better quality.

The two flowers that the 'David Bowie' DF had are now gone; waiting to see if fruit follows. For the first time this year, there is flowering action, if no fruit this year, perhaps the next.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 13, 2014, 09:14:08 AM
Hey LEOOEL, did the Torrent prickly pear have hard or soft seeds? I've tasted some excellent and very sweet prickly pear fruit but they always had very hard seeds similar to guava.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 13, 2014, 11:54:15 AM
Hey LEOOEL, did the Torrent prickly pear have hard or soft seeds? I've tasted some excellent and very sweet prickly pear fruit but they always had very hard seeds similar to guava.

Simon

Simon,

Torrance PCH#1 is what I call the selection, it has small soft seeds which can be chewed on or swallowed. The seeds count is also on the lower side per fruit. The selection sets excellent large quality fruit in CA and FL. You can read more about it on the following post:

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 13, 2014, 03:56:43 PM
I had 2 fruits on it last year but they disappeared :( They looked delicious though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 13, 2014, 04:07:18 PM
I had 2 fruits on it last year but they disappeared :( They looked delicious though.

Fang,

Most of had critters that know good fruit  ;), critters don't usually touch prickly pears because of the glochids. However, this selection has a low amount of glochids which drop off over time (due to rain and wind, I was able to pick bare hand in FL with no glochids)

Torrance PCH#1 prickly pears hold ripe fruits on the plant for a good +3 months without decline in fruit quality in CA (I assume this is close to the same even in hot humid FL).

Btw, I have heard that Cereus crosses with Hylocereus and sets viable seeds. Also that some people are already growing some of these crosses out. If you heard any information on this, would love to hear about it. I would love to grow out tasty Dragon Fruits on a columnar cactus in the future (one can dream :) ).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 14, 2014, 12:04:10 AM
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h9moDAirTPw/UPNtLu48lMI/AAAAAAAAEik/5F4I6kgcoag/s640/P1060170.JPG)

Torrance PCH#1 is what I call the selection, it has small soft seeds which can be chewed on or swallowed. The seeds count is also on the lower side per fruit. The selection sets excellent large quality fruit in CA and FL. You can read more about it on the following post:

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0)

The next time I am in Torrance, CA I would like to look for Torrance PCH#1.

Is that Pacific Coast Highway or Calle Mayor in the picture above?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 14, 2014, 12:18:13 AM
I had 2 fruits on it last year but they disappeared :( They looked delicious though.

Fang,

Most of had critters that know good fruit  ;), critters don't usually touch prickly pears because of the glochids. However, this selection has a low amount of glochids which drop off over time (due to rain and wind, I was able to pick bare hand in FL with no glochids)

Torrance PCH#1 prickly pears hold ripe fruits on the plant for a good +3 months without decline in fruit quality in CA (I assume this is close to the same even in hot humid FL).

Btw, I have heard that Cereus crosses with Hylocereus and sets viable seeds. Also that some people are already growing some of these crosses out. If you heard any information on this, would love to hear about it. I would love to grow out tasty Dragon Fruits on a columnar cactus in the future (one can dream :) ).

Great, imaginative idea Nullzy, Cereus crosses with Hylocereus, I love it. You're the expert, but I don't see why it can't be done. Currently, I have both, Cereus and Hylocereus cacti (DF), and I think crossing them is worth considering. Or, how about crossing the DF with a thornless and low glochid count cacti (which I also have)? If it works, the use of a wood pole to support the DF may, as a result, be avoided.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 14, 2014, 12:30:40 AM
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h9moDAirTPw/UPNtLu48lMI/AAAAAAAAEik/5F4I6kgcoag/s640/P1060170.JPG)

Torrance PCH#1 is what I call the selection, it has small soft seeds which can be chewed on or swallowed. The seeds count is also on the lower side per fruit. The selection sets excellent large quality fruit in CA and FL. You can read more about it on the following post:

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0)

The next time I am in Torrance, CA I would like to look for Torrance PCH#1.

Is that Pacific Coast Highway or Calle Mayor in the picture above?

It does not look as glorious today, it was hacked back big time about a year ago or so. Its PCH, near Calle Mayor. There is a taco bell down the street. You have to tread up a small trail that goes on the backside of homes fence line. I went in the middle of the day to collect the pads outside the fence line. The area is general city property as far as I know, btw there is a loud dog that will bark most likely if you go on the thin trail which then leads to no trail on top of iceplant.

I can save you the trouble and get a pad out to you, +10 people have it now most likely. This prickly pear is perfect in every way just about (tasty orange size fruit with low seed count and soft seeds), its only minor downside is moderate/low fruit production (which may be boosted with fertilizer regimen). I want to eventually cross it with another Opuntia sp. selection with higher fruit production. Hopefully retaining most of the qualities of this one. Next time I get fruit, I am going to clean off the seeds and send them out to people as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 15, 2014, 10:57:35 AM
How to identify df varieties?

Is there any way to distinguish one dragon from the other? The ones we get at grocery stores don't mention the variety on it, neither do the online groceries.

I know there are about 2 dozen varieties but is there any way to identify what variety I am buying?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 15, 2014, 11:46:47 AM
How to identify df varieties?

Is there any way to distinguish one dragon from the other? The ones we get at grocery stores don't mention the variety on it, neither do the online groceries.

I know there are about 2 dozen varieties but is there any way to identify what variety I am buying?
You can mostly tell the flesh color. Pink outside is white flesh. Orange outside is pink flesh. Round and thick skinned is deep red flesh. Between the same flesh color it's very difficult. DF hybridize easily and many varieties areally not really that different in looks or taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 15, 2014, 12:57:06 PM
How to identify df varieties?

Is there any way to distinguish one dragon from the other? The ones we get at grocery stores don't mention the variety on it, neither do the online groceries.

I know there are about 2 dozen varieties but is there any way to identify what variety I am buying?

You can't identify 'named' varieties by looking at them.  A true Physical Graffiti clone might look like a Dragon Fruit plant grown from a Physical Graffiti seed...  BUT, they are not the same.

fyliu, Are you going to the Pitahaya Festival Field Day tasting?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 15, 2014, 01:21:56 PM
fyliu, Are you going to the Pitahaya Festival Field Day tasting?
No I'm not going. It's good to learn about the new varieties but most of the information seems to be the same every year.

It's a growers' event so I guess they repeat the information for new growers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 15, 2014, 02:26:29 PM
fyliu, Are you going to the Pitahaya Festival Field Day tasting?
No I'm not going. It's good to learn about the new varieties but most of the information seems to be the same every year.
It's a growers' event so I guess they repeat the information for new growers.

Yes, very true.  It has grown from a "CRFG" growers event to a commercial growers event.

I am going to hang out with friends and to get some cuttings of some 'named' white flesh varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on August 15, 2014, 05:04:51 PM
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h9moDAirTPw/UPNtLu48lMI/AAAAAAAAEik/5F4I6kgcoag/s640/P1060170.JPG)

Torrance PCH#1 is what I call the selection, it has small soft seeds which can be chewed on or swallowed. The seeds count is also on the lower side per fruit. The selection sets excellent large quality fruit in CA and FL. You can read more about it on the following post:

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=3935.0)

The next time I am in Torrance, CA I would like to look for Torrance PCH#1.

Is that Pacific Coast Highway or Calle Mayor in the picture above?


My guess is that this  is a hybrid of opuntia robusta (silver dollar cactus) and some other opuntia. Pretty sure o. robusta has purple/red fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 16, 2014, 02:47:13 AM
@fyliu, @ricshaw
Thanks. So no easy way to know what variety it is either by looks or taste? I guess the flesh color is all that matters, am I right?

Some day I plan to grow df commercially. Hence the research.  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 16, 2014, 11:34:55 AM
Dmk, most good varieties do not pollinate themselves. They also bloom at night which makes it difficult to pollinate commercially. That's why I always see poor-tasting DF in the markets. I heard they have white and red fleshed fruits sold in China. Maybe labor is cheap enough over there.

The yellow megalanthus will set fruit by itself and is sweet. And simon said there's a larger fruited variety sold in Hong Kong. Maybe you can try to find that and find out if it grows well in your climate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 16, 2014, 12:45:10 PM
@fyliu, @ricshaw
Thanks. So no easy way to know what variety it is either by looks or taste? I guess the flesh color is all that matters, am I right?
Some day I plan to grow df commercially. Hence the research.  :)

Not in my opinion. It is "taste" that really matters.

Flesh color is more of an indication of what species it is; White flesh = Hylocereus undatus, Red flesh = Hylocereus polyrhizus, and "pink" or magenta flesh = hybrid cross of H. undatus x H. polyrthizus.  This is only a very simplistic description and does not include other species like the Yellow skin Selenicereus and exceptions.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 16, 2014, 01:03:02 PM
Dmk, most good varieties do not pollinate themselves. They also bloom at night which makes it difficult to pollinate commercially. That's why I always see poor-tasting DF in the markets. I heard they have white and red fleshed fruits sold in China. Maybe labor is cheap enough over there.

The yellow megalanthus will set fruit by itself and is sweet. And simon said there's a larger fruited variety sold in Hong Kong. Maybe you can try to find that and find out if it grows well in your climate.

You have heard that they have white and red flesh Dragon Fruit sold in China? 

Do a Google Image Search with "cây thanh long" to find pictures of serious commercial Dragon Fruit growers in Vietnam.

Not my pictures.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/thanhlongvn_zps8b07510a.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/thanglongriver_zps469027f0.jpg)


Picture I took of red flesh Dragon Fruit being sold in Saigon central market.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/hcmc_3344_zps32924020.jpg)

Vietnam growers supply Dragon Fruit to Asia.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 17, 2014, 12:26:15 AM
I have not seen the red fleshed fruits. My dad went one time and said there were both, and told me to stop growing them here because they're so cheap over there. But that was 3 years ago and I still don't see red fleshed fruits coming from any Asian country. I have purchased and eaten yellow megalanthus from Toronto Chinatown. They're from something like Costa rica. Sweet but the seeds are larger and pop when you bite and has this sticky interior. Stuff like that really slow down my eating. I'm the kind of person that needs to pop every sesame seed before swallowing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 17, 2014, 01:02:56 PM
Vietnam Dragon Fruit production:

http://youtu.be/zz9OsjfYziw (http://youtu.be/zz9OsjfYziw)


Short YouTube slideshow showing Vietnam Red flesh Dragon Fruit farm:

http://youtu.be/zFPNikCrxok?list=UUQYqyXuUMgcuRlBl0kk_vmg (http://youtu.be/zFPNikCrxok?list=UUQYqyXuUMgcuRlBl0kk_vmg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 17, 2014, 01:35:15 PM
Pollination is one of the biggest issues I have stumbled across in my research. Hand pollinating at night brings about an altogether new challenge. Walking acres of land hand pollinating each flower at night not only sounds scary but can prove lethal (snakes, scorpions).

I wonder how farms across the world tackle this? Or do they just don't plant hand pollinating variety commercially?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 17, 2014, 02:55:54 PM
Pollination is one of the biggest issues I have stumbled across in my research. Hand pollinating at night brings about an altogether new challenge. Walking acres of land hand pollinating each flower at night not only sounds scary but can prove lethal (snakes, scorpions).

I wonder how farms across the world tackle this? Or do they just don't plant hand pollinating variety commercially?

It is my understanding that most commercial growers avoid varieties that require hand pollination.

It is also important to understand that planting a field with the same Dragon Fruit species is different than planting a field with the same Dragon Fruit clone which might make a difference.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 17, 2014, 04:36:46 PM
One of the things that I've now gathered from this Thread is that the production of DF has been mastered in places like Vietnam/Asia and is going at full steam in places like Mexico, Southern parts of the USA... I'd be really surprised if there already isn't a knock your socks off sweet tasting DF variety out there, that is just waiting for DF newbies like myself to taste; the hunt continues.

Also, thank you Nullzero for your efforts in improving the fruit yield of your 'Torrence' prickly-pear, by methods of seed propagation and eventually crossing it with another prominent/productive Opuntia variety. To increase the odds of success, you may want to cross it with 2 or 3 prominent/productive Opuntia varieties. Thank you for considering doing this. I can't wait for the news when it's been done and we would just be waiting for time to show the results; very exciting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 17, 2014, 05:17:31 PM
Watermelon, that is not knock your socks off sweet tasting, is still a commercially successful and popular product.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 22, 2014, 02:02:25 AM
My friend over on Project Pitaya on Facebook posted this picture of Dragon Fruit flowers:

(https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10624948_285420128318104_1904621095041254061_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 23, 2014, 10:44:00 PM
Dragon Fruit Noob here...

I tasted my first Southern Ca grown Dragon Fruit....holy cow!!!!! destroyed my original impression of the one I ate form the Asian Markets.....

Anyone care to mention some top 5 Dragon fruits that I can squeeze along the fence line....this is definitely a must have fruit!!!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 23, 2014, 11:17:04 PM
Dragon Fruit Noob here...

I tasted my first Southern Ca grown Dragon Fruit....holy cow!!!!! destroyed my original impression of the one I ate form the Asian Markets.....

Anyone care to mention some top 5 Dragon fruits that I can squeeze along the fence line....this is definitely a must have fruit!!!!!

Do you want my favorites?  Or somebody else?  ;D

Taste depends on the individual.  For example: Today at the 2014 Pitahaya Dragon Fruit Festival, my CRFG friend and I decided that the new El Grullo variety (originally from Mexico) was the worst tasting variety we tasted today. I met two other participants who said it was their favorite.  :-\

To get an idea of a "group's" favorite tasting varieties; scroll down to near the end of the following 2007 Specialty Crops Conference PowerPoint presentation:
http://cesandiego.ucdavis.edu/files/55065.pdf (http://cesandiego.ucdavis.edu/files/55065.pdf)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 23, 2014, 11:43:13 PM
The latest Dragon Fruit Variety Evaluation Chart I picked up at today's University of California Cooperative Extension Pitahaya Dragon Fruit Festival:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 24, 2014, 12:51:53 AM
Informative DF variety list.

Although on the smallish side, the winners, as far as sweet taste goes, is the 'Colombiana' and the 'Yellow Dragon.' Surprisingly, both are of the yellow variety. According to the chart, these varieties unfortunately do not tolerate well extreme temperatures of  heat and cold. Nevertheless, in locations where these temperature extremes are uncommon, they may turn out to be must have varieties for those of us who love to grow this fruit.

These two varieties appear to be great candidates for further development/improvement; either by planting their seeds to arrive at better selections; or crossing them with other varieties like 'American Beauty,' 'Delight,' or 'El Grullo;' or by more scientifically inclined means like improving their characteristics by the noble technique of using bacteria to appropriately and safely change the DF variety's genetic makeup; or by selecting the best candidate from a group of potential candidates, after their genetic makeup has been randomly altered from being bombarded with 'photons' shot from a special type of 'gun.'

It's great to see things moving in the right direction in the DF industry. It appears that as a result of these DF variety comparisons of their characteristics, this will lead to new and improved varieties, bringing us closer to the day when a DF of high quality sweet taste will be available to the general public.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2014, 01:31:33 AM
Informative DF variety list.

Although on the smallish side, the winners, as far as sweet taste goes, is the 'Colombiana' and the 'Yellow Dragon.' Surprisingly, both are of the yellow variety. According to the chart, these varieties unfortunately do not tolerate well extreme temperatures of  heat and cold. Nevertheless, in locations where these temperature extremes are uncommon, they may turn out to be must have varieties for those of us who love to grow this fruit.

These two varieties appear to be great candidates for further development/improvement; either by planting their seeds to arrive at better selections; or crossing them with other varieties like 'American Beauty,' 'Delight,' or 'El Grullo;' or by more scientifically inclined means like improving their characteristics by the noble technique of using bacteria to appropriately and safely change the DF variety's genetic makeup; or by selecting the best candidate from a group of potential candidates, after their genetic makeup has been randomly altered from being bombarded with 'photons' shot from a special type of 'gun.'

It's great to see things moving in the right direction in the DF industry. It appears that as a result of these DF variety comparisons of their characteristics, this will lead to new and improved varieties, bringing us closer to the day when a DF of high quality sweet taste will be available to the general public.

LEOOEL,
I know that you are a big fan of of the Yellow Dragon Fruit from Colombia, but not all the experts agree that it is the best candidate for commercial growers.

At today's Pitahaya Dragon Fruit Festival the experts and the University doing research for commercial growers rate the following order of priority for new commercial varieties:
#1 - self-fertile
#2 - harder skin
#3 - taste

The problems mentioned for the Yellow Dragon Fruit are; thorns, lack of color (red skin & red flesh preferred), small fruit, long time for fruit to ripen (6 months compared to 30 days), in addition to the low tolerance to low & high temperatures.

You also can't assume that a higher BRIX score will always taste sweeter. Yes, the Yellow Dragon fruit is the sweetest tasting, but the red flesh (small fruit) Sugar Dragon (Thomson S-8) in some taste tests has beat the Yellow variety. With some of the other varieties with high BRIX scores, higher acid taste lowers the taste preference for some people.

I have never heard anybody mention using bacteria to change Dragon Fruit's genetic makeup.  The experts doing research on new varieties do it the old fashion way by cross pollination and growing the seeds to maturity and then evaluating the fruit.


F.Y.I.  At today's Pitahaya Dragon Fruit Festival it was mentioned that Florida is the BEST state for growing Dragon Fruit in the U.S.  :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2014, 01:54:05 AM
The latest Dragon Fruit Variety Evaluation Chart I picked up at today's University of California Cooperative Extension Pitahaya Dragon Fruit Festival:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)

The DNA test results are in for the above varieties:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/dnaresults_zpsf08be5a1.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 24, 2014, 02:26:17 AM
Thank you so much for giving me the inside scoop on the different cultivars...I had no idea Dragon Fruit had such a great following.


Are any of the nurseries in Socal selling these top tier varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2014, 11:26:23 AM
Thank you so much for giving me the inside scoop on the different cultivars...I had no idea Dragon Fruit had such a great following.

Are any of the nurseries in Socal selling these top tier varieties?

(http://www.mattslandscape.com/graphics/home_logo.gif)

MattsLandscape.com
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 24, 2014, 04:18:51 PM
I preferred valdivia roja when I first got into DF. I'm still waiting for my own plant to fruit.
The American beauty bunch is pretty sweet at 18 brix. 16-18 brix is the point where tart goes to sweet for DF.
The Halleys comet bunch is good too. But you would want to get a plain Vietnamese white self-fertile for pollen and just to have some fruit to cheer you up if you forget or are too busy to pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 24, 2014, 04:33:56 PM
Seems they only have cuttings available for all the top tier varieties.... Noob here lol...is this something that I must graft? or can this be planted in the ground?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wslau on August 24, 2014, 04:39:03 PM
Seems they only have cuttings available for all the top tier varieties.... Noob here lol...is this something that I must graft? or can this be planted in the ground?

Clay,
Just plant cuttings into the ground (pots are better) with a support stick/trellis...no grafting required!
What you have to watch out for are pitayas grown from seeds, as these will not be truly identical to the parent...from what I recall.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 24, 2014, 06:21:15 PM
Yeah, seeds will be different from the parent.

Be sure to use a porous mix for soil. The roots are not evolved to dig into soil but rather to drape over branches in the top canopy of a rainforest. This may not be absolutely true but it's what I keep in mind when deciding what soil to use.
I tried regular garden soil and the plant just grows very slowly and roots are an inch long after 2 years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2014, 06:39:54 PM
Be sure to use a porous mix for soil. The roots are not evolved to dig into soil but rather to drape over branches in the top canopy of a rainforest. This may not be absolutely true but it's what I keep in mind when deciding what soil to use.
I tried regular garden soil and the plant just grows very slowly and roots are an inch long after 2 years.

It is important to know that Dragon Fruit cactus is not a desert cactus and likes a potting soil with more compost than a "cactus mix". I have rooted cuttings, after they have set for 2 weeks, in a cup with about 1/4 - 1/2 inch of water. Once DF starts growing in soil, it requires more water than desert cactus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2014, 10:51:54 PM
Each seedling is a new Dragon Fruit variety.

The young plants will be grown to maturity and then the fruit evaluated.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/seedlings_4635_zps174ed442.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/seedlings_4636_zps2fc09061.jpg)

Research is being done by Edgar Valdivia.

Note:  The two parent varieties are two of the more popular DF varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 25, 2014, 12:07:21 AM
Are they Frankies Red x Condor seedlings as it says on the jar. Should be a great cross if that's right. I've never seen seedlings grown like that. I chose the strongest 50+ seedlings and put them straight into small pots, then heaps of Sun. Doesn't seem to worry them at all. Just like these ones that are almost 4 months old. These are Pink Diamond cross with a wild,extra sweet white.
(http://s23.postimg.cc/4k4n5wrsn/KINDLE_CAMERA_1406900806000.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4k4n5wrsn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on August 25, 2014, 12:11:08 AM
I preferred valdivia roja when I first got into DF. I'm still waiting for my own plant to fruit.
The American beauty bunch is pretty sweet at 18 brix. 16-18 brix is the point where tart goes to sweet for DF.
The Halleys comet bunch is good too. But you would want to get a plain Vietnamese white self-fertile for pollen and just to have some fruit to cheer you up if you forget or are too busy to pollinate.
Fang, I have had my Valdivia Roja in the ground for about 7 years, I can only get fruit if I use pollen from a different variety, but it is one of the tastiest and prettiest varieties. It is from Mexico and Edgar Valdivia did not develop it if anyone was wondering.
Mark
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2014, 02:04:04 AM
Are they Frankies Red x Condor seedlings as it says on the jar. Should be a great cross if that's right.

Yes    :)


I preferred valdivia roja when I first got into DF. I'm still waiting for my own plant to fruit.
The American beauty bunch is pretty sweet at 18 brix. 16-18 brix is the point where tart goes to sweet for DF.
The Halleys comet bunch is good too. But you would want to get a plain Vietnamese white self-fertile for pollen and just to have some fruit to cheer you up if you forget or are too busy to pollinate.

You are right.  I have both, but I am mainly growing Delight (Thomson 3-S) and Halley's Comet (closely related).

This year my goal was to get some Vietnamese white self-fertile. I got Vietnamese White, Vietnamese Giant, and Mexicana cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 25, 2014, 02:17:29 AM
I preferred valdivia roja when I first got into DF. I'm still waiting for my own plant to fruit.
The American beauty bunch is pretty sweet at 18 brix. 16-18 brix is the point where tart goes to sweet for DF.
The Halleys comet bunch is good too. But you would want to get a plain Vietnamese white self-fertile for pollen and just to have some fruit to cheer you up if you forget or are too busy to pollinate.
Fang, I have had my Valdivia Roja in the ground for about 7 years, I can only get fruit if I use pollen from a different variety, but it is one of the tastiest and prettiest varieties. It is from Mexico and Edgar Valdivia did not develop it if anyone was wondering.
Mark
Thanks for the information. I got the cutting at the last one I attended, maybe 3-4 years ago. It flowered this year but I didn't pollinate and it dropped.
Ramiro doesn't pollinate but some animals (bats?) there do pollinate and he does get fruits.

Richard, I actually didn't get the white self-fertile either and went for the better tasting ones. Good thing the Arizona Purple seems to be self-fruiting when everything else is not. But I personally don't like the taste of it. It tastes a little metallic to me while other people really like it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on August 25, 2014, 03:38:34 AM
Are they Frankies Red x Condor seedlings as it says on the jar. Should be a great cross if that's right.

Yes    :)


I preferred valdivia roja when I first got into DF. I'm still waiting for my own plant to fruit.
The American beauty bunch is pretty sweet at 18 brix. 16-18 brix is the point where tart goes to sweet for DF.
The Halleys comet bunch is good too. But you would want to get a plain Vietnamese white self-fertile for pollen and just to have some fruit to cheer you up if you forget or are too busy to pollinate.

You are right.  I have both, but I am mainly growing Delight (Thomson 3-S) and Halley's Comet (closely related).

This year my goal was to get some Vietnamese white self-fertile. I got Vietnamese White, Vietnamese Giant, and Mexicana cuttings.

I'll register my interest in a cutting or small rooted plant early Ric. Can never get enough dragon CV's.

Make sure you give them a name!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dante on August 25, 2014, 08:53:38 AM
I got a cutting that I recently potted. The cutting seems to keep developing a fruit.... Should i rip it off so it doesnt affect the rooting and development of the cutting? Or there is no problem in leaving it on?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2014, 12:35:32 PM
Thanks for the information. I got the cutting at the last one I attended, maybe 3-4 years ago. It flowered this year but I didn't pollinate and it dropped.
Ramiro doesn't pollinate but some animals (bats?) there do pollinate and he does get fruits.
Richard, I actually didn't get the white self-fertile either and went for the better tasting ones. Good thing the Arizona Purple seems to be self-fruiting when everything else is not. But I personally don't like the taste of it. It tastes a little metallic to me while other people really like it.

I did the same thing... started with a couple of varieties I liked the best.

Here is the dirty little secret that many of us did not know when we started:
At the Irvine Pitahaya research center, the 20 DF varieties are planted 3 of the same variety together in a row, randomly repeated, in every row in the test field.
At any given time, there are flowers opening from several different varieties. Bees do most of the pollinating. Hand pollination would increase the yield, but is not practical for commercial growers, which is what the research center is geared towards.

Hobbyist growers like me plant a couple of varieties we like best (most likely NOT self-fertle). When the flowers open on one variety, we may not have a good compatible pollinator available for pollination. So we have issues with pollination. Another thing I found out is although you can pollinate flowers the next morning, it is better to collect pollen for hand pollination the night before.

The advice for noobs starting out is to FIRST plant a self-fertile Vietnamese variety. That way they will have a good source for pollen when the varieties they like flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 25, 2014, 04:29:57 PM
Thank you so much for giving me the inside scoop on the different cultivars...I had no idea Dragon Fruit had such a great following.

Are any of the nurseries in Socal selling these top tier varieties?

(http://www.mattslandscape.com/graphics/home_logo.gif)

MattsLandscape.com


IM SO EXCITED!!!! Matts Landscape/Epic-Cacti Nursery is located right next door to me in Fallbrook... He has several top tier Dragon Fruit cutting that I'm looking at picking up this weekend.. These are my picks as of now based on color of flesh and flavor reviews.

Rosa
Sin Espina
Cebra
and a toss up between Mexican and Delight...both have the pretty pink n white flesh but Delight is much more higher on the Brix lvl.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2014, 06:58:17 PM
Dirty little secret #2:

"self pollinating" does not mean "self-fertile"

When you see a nursery advertise a Dragon Fruit is "self pollinating", do not assume that you can pollinate its flower with its own pollen (or pollen from its clone).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 25, 2014, 07:03:45 PM
Thank you so much for giving me the inside scoop on the different cultivars...I had no idea Dragon Fruit had such a great following.

Are any of the nurseries in Socal selling these top tier varieties?

(http://www.mattslandscape.com/graphics/home_logo.gif)

MattsLandscape.com


IM SO EXCITED!!!! Matts Landscape/Epic-Cacti Nursery is located right next door to me in Fallbrook... He has several top tier Dragon Fruit cutting that I'm looking at picking up this weekend.. These are my picks as of now based on color of flesh and flavor reviews.

Rosa
Sin Espina
Cebra
and a toss up between Mexican and Delight...both have the pretty pink n white flesh but Delight is much more higher on the Brix lvl.

Clay,

See if he has Condor, I have heard good things about it. Lucky you get to tour his nursery, he has an excellent collection of fruiting and flowering cacti. Should ask him if he has any good tasting Epi cacti for sale :).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2014, 07:06:54 PM
IM SO EXCITED!!!! Matts Landscape/Epic-Cacti Nursery is located right next door to me in Fallbrook... He has several top tier Dragon Fruit cutting that I'm looking at picking up this weekend.. These are my picks as of now based on color of flesh and flavor reviews.

Rosa
Sin Espina
Cebra
and a toss up between Mexican and Delight...both have the pretty pink n white flesh but Delight is much more higher on the Brix lvl.

UC DNA testing has shown that Lisa, Rosa and Cebra could be considered the same.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 25, 2014, 07:51:21 PM
IM SO EXCITED!!!! Matts Landscape/Epic-Cacti Nursery is located right next door to me in Fallbrook... He has several top tier Dragon Fruit cutting that I'm looking at picking up this weekend.. These are my picks as of now based on color of flesh and flavor reviews.

Rosa
Sin Espina
Cebra
and a toss up between Mexican and Delight...both have the pretty pink n white flesh but Delight is much more higher on the Brix lvl.

UC DNA testing has shown that Lisa, Rosa and Cebra could be considered the same.


Oh crap..only  getting Cebra then
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 29, 2014, 01:01:20 AM
ricshaw, thanks for the inundation of refreshing DF information/news.

I agree, that informative List should include a column about which DF varieties are self-fertile and self-pollinating. Perhaps they don't include that information because the DF industry is relatively young and they just don't know. This is a very important characteristic to consider before purchasing a DF variety. I'm now wondering whether this is the reason why none of the flowers that have been produced for the first time ever, this year, by my 'David Bowie' DF, have not produced a fruit after the flowers bloom.

It's too bad, as you say, that the DF's that we like the most are most likely not 'self-fertile.' It would surely be a nice, sweet surprise if the DF variety 'Colombiana/Yellow-Dragon' were self-fertile and self-pollinating. That would be the green light to go out and immediatly purchase it by whatever means necessary. Then, we would just need to work on increasing the fruit size.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 29, 2014, 01:14:58 AM
(http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21064&size=1) (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21064)

It is my opinion, the only future for the Colombian Yellow Dragon fruit is to use it as a pollinator to create better hybrids. Crossing the Yellow DF with the Red flesh DF could produce a winner.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 29, 2014, 04:23:15 AM
A yellow crossed with a red would be a Frankie's Red. Mine is fruiting for the first time this year. The fruit appears like it will be small like the Yellow Dragon. I will report back on how it tastes and also get a brix reading after I harvest the fruit.

It seems my Yellow Dragon is self fertile as it has set fruit before when my other varieties were not flowering but it may have been pollinated by other DF plants in the neighborhood.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 29, 2014, 11:41:23 AM
A yellow crossed with a red would be a Frankie's Red. Mine is fruiting for the first time this year. The fruit appears like it will be small like the Yellow Dragon. I will report back on how it tastes and also get a brix reading after I harvest the fruit.
It seems my Yellow Dragon is self fertile as it has set fruit before when my other varieties were not flowering but it may have been pollinated by other DF plants in the neighborhood.
Simon

The next step might be to cross Frankie's Red with something like Condor to improve size (which I am sure is being done).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 29, 2014, 02:52:59 PM
IM SO EXCITED!!!! Matts Landscape/Epic-Cacti Nursery is located right next door to me in Fallbrook... He has several top tier Dragon Fruit cutting that I'm looking at picking up this weekend.. These are my picks as of now based on color of flesh and flavor reviews.

Rosa
Sin Espina
Cebra
and a toss up between Mexican and Delight...both have the pretty pink n white flesh but Delight is much more higher on the Brix lvl.

UC DNA testing has shown that Lisa, Rosa and Cebra could be considered the same.


Oh crap..only  getting Cebra then
The couple of times I've had them the texture was like watermelon peel, especially the sin espina. Sounds like you like a little sweet but not too much of it. Lisa, Rosa, Cebra have a good amount of acid too, if I remember correctly. Do all the deep red varieties have a lot of acid or are the fruits in Irvine picked too early?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 29, 2014, 02:53:34 PM
With my picks Cebra, mexicana, delight, Sin Espana, and maybe condor cause here good things even though not on the top 10 tier list...will i have any issues with polinization?

Picking up Sat...also should i leave these cuttings potted?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 29, 2014, 03:05:22 PM
Condor definitely needs cross pollination. You can pollinate anything with mexicana I think. That's the white variety with the fast-extending pollen tube? White pollen travels faster than colored ones, so you might get away with pollinating a little later if you use that. There's a paper on it somewhere in the pitayafruit yahoo group.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 29, 2014, 03:39:20 PM
With my picks Cebra, mexicana, delight, Sin Espana, and maybe condor cause here good things even though not on the top 10 tier list...will i have any issues with polinization?

Probably yes at first.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 29, 2014, 03:46:42 PM
The couple of times I've had them the texture was like watermelon peel, especially the sin espina. Sounds like you like a little sweet but not too much of it. Lisa, Rosa, Cebra have a good amount of acid too, if I remember correctly. Do all the deep red varieties have a lot of acid or are the fruits in Irvine picked too early?

I have not experience the "texture like a watermelon peel", you must of got a bad piece of fruit.

I am not a taste expert, but I think you are right that the red flesh varieties have the acid taste, and in 2011, 2012, & 2014 I did not think the Pitahaya fruit at the festival was picked too early.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 29, 2014, 11:02:31 PM
Okay, I'll grow out my sin espina and see what it tastes like. I've been keeping it small in the shade every since I got it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 29, 2014, 11:15:29 PM
Okay, I'll grow out my sin espina and see what it tastes like. I've been keeping it small in the shade every since I got it.

One thing I learned at the last festival was growing Pitahaya in the shade is good for producing cuttings, you need to grow Pitahaya in the sun to get good fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 29, 2014, 11:30:15 PM
Okay, I'll grow out my sin espina and see what it tastes like. I've been keeping it small in the shade every since I got it.

One thing I learned at the last festival was growing Pitahaya in the shade is good for producing cuttings, you need to grow Pitahaya in the sun to get good fruit.
That's very true about sunlight and fruit. I wasn't looking for it but it was a small leftover piece from a plant sale or something and I only wanted it in my collection but not fruit, so I didn't want to let it get big. It's not only in enough shade to not fruit, it's in enough shade to not produce much cuttings. If anyone wants thin cuttings of it I can cut the parts that managed to escape the broken pint pot where the soil washed away some time ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 30, 2014, 10:44:31 AM
Sorry if it's been covered but I just plopped down $7 for a red from Vietnam.  How do you prepare these fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on August 30, 2014, 11:01:33 AM
Sorry if it's been covered but I just plopped down $7 for a red from Vietnam.  How do you prepare these fruit?
Best served chilled, then cut in half and scoop or slice into wedges like oranges with skin on.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 30, 2014, 02:34:02 PM
Thanks! 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 30, 2014, 02:53:31 PM
Sorry if it's been covered but I just plopped down $7 for a red from Vietnam.  How do you prepare these fruit?

Let us know what you think of the taste (plus pictures if possible).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 30, 2014, 08:16:55 PM
Stopped by Matts Landscapes/ Epic Cacti Nursery today....really swell guy... picked up a nice 5g Cebra, 5g Condor, 5g Delight, and a 2 foot cutting taken off his mother Orejona plant....


Mexicana is still out of stock...waiting on it.

Can anyone tell me how Condor stacks against the elite  tier Dragon Fruit? I heard good things mentioned here so I grabbed it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 31, 2014, 03:07:23 AM
A yellow crossed with a red would be a Frankie's Red. Mine is fruiting for the first time this year. The fruit appears like it will be small like the Yellow Dragon. I will report back on how it tastes and also get a brix reading after I harvest the fruit.

It seems my Yellow Dragon is self fertile as it has set fruit before when my other varieties were not flowering but it may have been pollinated by other DF plants in the neighborhood.

Simon

Very interesting, if your 'Frankie's Red' fruit appears to be small like its 'Yellow-Dragon' parent, perhaps it will also be "very very sweet."

I can deal with the small size of the 'Yellow-Dragon' DF, because the fruit is "very very sweet." Putting aside, for the moment, whether the 'Yellow-Dragon' DF is self fertile/pollinated or not, the only thing that I find nasty about it are the thorns.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JeffDM on August 31, 2014, 06:19:54 PM
Would it be possible to start a new dragon fruit thread?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 31, 2014, 06:27:59 PM
Would it be possible to start a new dragon fruit thread?

Jeff,

I already did:  2014 Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit) Festival
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=11655.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=11655.0)


Your turn.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on August 31, 2014, 06:55:20 PM
Stopped by Matts Landscapes/ Epic Cacti Nursery today....really swell guy... picked up a nice 5g Cebra, 5g Condor, 5g Delight, and a 2 foot cutting taken off his mother Orejona plant....


Mexicana is still out of stock...waiting on it.

Can anyone tell me how Condor stacks against the elite  tier Dragon Fruit? I heard good things mentioned here so I grabbed it.

Condor is an elite tier CV, one of the best.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on August 31, 2014, 11:26:49 PM
Are any of the Dragon fruit I purchased that really eye catchy purple/red? I know delight is pink/whiteish, cebre bloodred I think, Orejona not sure, Condor not sure...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 01, 2014, 08:19:21 AM
Sorry if it's been covered but I just plopped down $7 for a red from Vietnam.  How do you prepare these fruit?

Let us know what you think of the taste (plus pictures if possible).

Taste was just OK,  which matches the rating at PIN for a typical Vietnamese DF.  http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/V.%20Jaina-%20VW.htm (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/V.%20Jaina-%20VW.htm)

Gonna try to find some mail order since they're in season now.  Any recommendations for mail order fruit?
(http://s30.postimg.cc/gm0zk1jvh/Pitaya_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gm0zk1jvh/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/bsltsxcrh/Pitaya_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bsltsxcrh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on September 01, 2014, 10:22:01 AM
Mark they're are in season right now in Socal...if you can find a seller who sales and ships the red flesh varieties....I think you will be blown away by the  flavor!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 01, 2014, 11:23:47 AM
Mark they're are in season right now in Socal...if you can find a seller who sales and ships the red flesh varieties....I think you will be blown away by the  flavor!!!

Yeah, not going to give up.  Just finished a bowl of chopped fruit with a lemon/honey dressing - pitaya, bananas and slices of my own tree ripened peaches that I'll put up against the best tropical fruit out there.   8) 

Here's a few I'm going to look at tomorrow:
http://www.tfgsf.com/?page_id=43 (http://www.tfgsf.com/?page_id=43)
http://www.buyexoticfruits.com/dragonfruits.html (http://www.buyexoticfruits.com/dragonfruits.html)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on September 01, 2014, 12:51:57 PM
Just planted my 3 of the dragon fruit along my vegetable wall..i thought these. Grow into a simple vine along a stake...but after seeing pictures of mature plants...seems 2 foot spacing is way too close...shoukd i dig them up now or wait?

(http://s15.postimg.cc/56ky8uypj/20140901_094522.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/56ky8uypj/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/ocy5c1f7b/20140901_094542.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ocy5c1f7b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 01, 2014, 01:59:36 PM
Just planted my 3 of the dragon fruit along my vegetable wall..i thought these. Grow into a simple vine along a stake...but after seeing pictures of mature plants...seems 2 foot spacing is way too close...shoukd i dig them up now or wait?

(http://s15.postimg.cc/56ky8uypj/20140901_094522.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/56ky8uypj/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/ocy5c1f7b/20140901_094542.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ocy5c1f7b/)

You could dig them out pretty much anytime. There's less chance of breakage when the vines are short. The roots are not brittle and will grow back quickly. It's not necessary to move a lot of soil with the plant either.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 02, 2014, 04:33:22 PM
Yeah, not going to give up.  Just finished a bowl of chopped fruit with a lemon/honey dressing - pitaya, bananas and slices of my own tree ripened peaches that I'll put up against the best tropical fruit out there.   8) 


Here is a picture of mixed fruit my wife made for her BUNCO group.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/fruit_1246_zpsecc9bf3c.jpg)

The Dragon Fruit is suppose to look like dice!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 02, 2014, 06:00:30 PM
For those (anybody) that is new to Dragon Fruit.

A good long video by Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida interview of Roger Washington (Red Dragon Fruit Company).

http://youtu.be/JsVbFfS0Ons (http://youtu.be/JsVbFfS0Ons)

enjoy
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on September 08, 2014, 07:29:34 PM
I'm still having problems with my dragon fruit. They flower, then turn yellow and drop to the grown a few days later. They are all about 6 months old. Now I have these growing on them. What are they?
(http://s2.postimg.cc/oyoh0ay3p/securedownload.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/oyoh0ay3p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 08, 2014, 09:47:44 PM
They are flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on September 08, 2014, 10:15:49 PM
I ate some red dragonfruits here in Thailand but they taste the same as the white ones, not bad but also not impressive.

My own cactus gave some white fleshed ones but they are so small, on the markets they are much bigger. I guess they will weigh about 1 lbs or more, 500 grams or more.

Mine grow in pots half filled with soil but now i guess the more soil the better to get huge fruits. And full soil will be the best of all to get huge fruits (i guess).

So do they grow bigger if in full soil or bigger pots?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Doglips on September 12, 2014, 07:03:11 AM
How many plants do you think I could put on a single pole and still get them to produce ok?
I initially had dreams of 4 varieties on 1 pole, but I am thinking that it would be too many.
1, 2, 3?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on September 12, 2014, 08:57:30 AM
On that same note...I'm a little confused? The 5 gal Dragon fruit I purchased looks like they have multiple plants in them or is this all growth at the bottom from one cutting?

Do I kill them all and let just one single vine grow to the top?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on September 12, 2014, 11:49:41 AM
On that same note...I'm a little confused? The 5 gal Dragon fruit I purchased looks like they have multiple plants in them or is this all growth at the bottom from one cutting?

Do I kill them all and let just one single vine grow to the top?

You can plant many of them against a pole. 4-5 is no problem.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: scashaggy on September 28, 2014, 07:42:07 PM
Just picked up my first DF cactus, it said it was the Halley's Comet variety.  I set a pole for it and will top it off with something in the future.

I am also looking for DF cuttings of different varieties in the South FL area.

Here is my setup as it currently stands.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/scashaggy/20140928_154203.jpg)


I also planted some cuttings of the HC that were loose or broken due to transport.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/scashaggy/20140928_154317.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on September 29, 2014, 05:38:45 AM
I also planted some cuttings of the HC that were loose or broken due to transport.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/scashaggy/20140928_154317.jpg)

Could be my bad eyes, but the one in the center appears to be planted upside down. The one on the left is a tip so easy to tell which end should be up, the center one looks backwards to the one on the left.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on September 29, 2014, 12:06:28 PM
I also planted some cuttings of the HC that were loose or broken due to transport.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g208/scashaggy/20140928_154317.jpg)

Could be my bad eyes, but the one in the center appears to be planted upside down. The one on the left is a tip so easy to tell which end should be up, the center one looks backwards to the one on the left.

DM

DM, you are correct! The cutting in the middle pot was planted upside down. I recognized it yesterday when I read this post with my cell phone. Today I was about to post a message to Scashaggy then saw your post.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: scashaggy on September 29, 2014, 06:57:01 PM
Thanks, corrected.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 05, 2014, 02:29:36 AM
Today I was surprised when a dear Mexican friend told me that she has a very delicious variety of Pitaya (Dragon Fruit). And, she is a very good 'Cook!' Immediatly, she had my attention, I mean, she's Mexican, a Cook, and I personally know her quite well. So, I'm hoping that her DF variety does taste as good as she says, which I have no reason to doubt. The way she described the taste was so good, that the next time I see her, I'm 'gonna' ask her to what other fruit is the taste quality similar to. She did ask me how many pieces I wanted, and not to be greedy, I said two. I can't wait to get the two pieces of her delicious variety, so that I can start the process of growing them, and ultimately compare the taste and overall quality to the only variety that I currently have ('David Bowie').

P.S.   My 'David Bowie' earlier this year produced the first 3 flowers ever. Then, they all dropped and no fruit followed. After this happened, I fertilized the plant. And, right now, it has 2 beautiful new flowers. I'm hoping to finally get fruit afterwards.

Update

The Mexican lady, friend of the family, surprised me and finally gave me two, long, cuttings of her sweet tasting, pitaya variety mentioned above. She does not know what is the name of the variety. But, the color of the flesh inside the fruit is white. And, get this, she told me and other of my family members, that the flavor is sweet and is comparable to 'Mamey' fruit!

Now, I know 'Mamey,' and 'Dragon Fruit' is no 'Mamey' (couldn't resist).

What can I say, no disrespect towards the lady, but I am somewhat skeptical.

Regardless whether I'm skeptical or not, she's got me. I now have to see this to the end and grow this DF variety to fruition, in order to evaluate/validate her DF sweetness claims.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 05, 2014, 12:49:50 PM
P.S.   My 'David Bowie' earlier this year produced the first 3 flowers ever. Then, they all dropped and no fruit followed. After this happened, I fertilized the plant. And, right now, it has 2 beautiful new flowers. I'm hoping to finally get fruit afterwards.

Quote
Update

Regardless whether I'm skeptical or not, she's got me. I now have to see this to the end and grow this DF variety to fruition, in order to evaluate/validate her DF sweetness claims.

Even if you don't like the taste of the new white flesh DF variety, it will provide pollen to pollinate your 'David Bowie'.  Unless they are genetically the same.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 05, 2014, 07:50:02 PM


Even if you don't like the taste of the new white flesh DF variety, it will provide pollen to pollinate your 'David Bowie'.  Unless they are genetically the same.

Yes, cross pollination sounds good. And, I hope to some day be able to compare the 'David Bowie' to this variety.

I can't help but be skeptical, just like those caught fish stories. If she's exaggerated the sweetness 'out of the ballpark' as they say, I at least expect it to taste noticeably/pleasingly sweet. So, I really hope that I'm in a win win situation, we'll see.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 05, 2014, 08:30:29 PM
I can't help but be skeptical, just like those caught fish stories. If she's exaggerated the sweetness 'out of the ballpark' as they say, I at least expect it to taste noticeably/pleasingly sweet. So, I really hope that I'm in a win win situation, we'll see.

Last Friday I was at a Dragon Fruit Field Day that included some Dragon Fruit tasting. I was sitting next to Tim Thompson and his daughter.  When Tim's daughter tasted the white flesh Dragon Fruit, she spit it out in her napkin. Tim and I did not think the white flesh DF tasted that bad.  I could have eaten a whole white flesh DF by itself!

Maybe it is like hot sauce...  some people like it, some don't.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on October 05, 2014, 10:24:01 PM
Guys my Dragon Fruit plants has multiple  individual plants running up my wooden poles....However these individual plants running up the [ole now have 1,2, and even 3 new extensions branching out form those....

Do I need to cut these extensions and leave only 1 runner to extend up the pole for each plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 05, 2014, 10:33:22 PM
Guys my Dragon Fruit plants has multiple  individual plants running up my wooden poles....However these individual plants running up the [ole now have 1,2, and even 3 new extensions branching out form those....

Do I need to cut these extensions and leave only 1 runner to extend up the pole for each plant?

I was asked this last Saturday.  Cutting off the lower branches helps with training the plant to grow up the pole.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on October 05, 2014, 10:53:47 PM
Guys my Dragon Fruit plants has multiple  individual plants running up my wooden poles....However these individual plants running up the [ole now have 1,2, and even 3 new extensions branching out form those....

Do I need to cut these extensions and leave only 1 runner to extend up the pole for each plant?

I was asked this last Saturday.  Cutting off the lower branches helps with training the plant to grow up the pole.


Would having multiple branches from each plant going up the pole reduce the quality of fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 05, 2014, 11:05:53 PM
Guys my Dragon Fruit plants has multiple  individual plants running up my wooden poles....However these individual plants running up the [ole now have 1,2, and even 3 new extensions branching out form those....

Do I need to cut these extensions and leave only 1 runner to extend up the pole for each plant?

I was asked this last Saturday.  Cutting off the lower branches helps with training the plant to grow up the pole.


Would having multiple branches from each plant going up the pole reduce the quality of fruit?

No.

I was talking about lower branches not going up the pole.

Of course having fruit on a branch close to the ground can have negative effects (not taste) like making it easier for pests to eat the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 15, 2014, 06:18:39 PM
Hello Everyone,

It's nice to see pictures of everyone's Dragon Fruits.

I would like to share a picture of my setup.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Surprisingly, I had about 5 flowers within 6 months of planting, but only 3 of them going to survive in a fruit form.

Here is a picture when I started planting them from stem cutting on 04/07/2014:

(http://s8.postimg.cc/jagjjsi9d/20140407_103329.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jagjjsi9d/)

Here is a picture of it 2 months later on 06/13/2014:

(http://s8.postimg.cc/6s94up01d/20140613_152230.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6s94up01d/)

Here is a picture of adding the post on 07/13/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/5rhcmlktn/20140713_182151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5rhcmlktn/)

Here is a picture of the posts standing up on 07/16/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/c6gdj9rjf/20140716_123208.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c6gdj9rjf/)

Here is a picture of 90% of it being completed on 07/20/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/uaje3wp7v/20140720_075647.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uaje3wp7v/) (http://s1.postimg.cc/5ijrwo817/20140720_080128.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5ijrwo817/)


And here is a picture of it today with the second layer on top for the shade 6 months later on 10/15/2014:

(http://s29.postimg.cc/5kgye1hbn/20141015_101934.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5kgye1hbn/)



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaneatwell on October 15, 2014, 10:03:52 PM
That's a fantastic looking setup!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 15, 2014, 10:14:20 PM
Thanks for the kind words.  I wanted to give a decent look with making it practical.  Everything was on the fly as I didn't have any idea from the beginning. hehe.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 16, 2014, 02:44:44 AM
Thanks for the kind words.  I wanted to give a decent look with making it practical.  Everything was on the fly as I didn't have any idea from the beginning. hehe.

That was on the fly! Can you come to my house, your handy work is amazing. You should be getting lots of fruit in 1-2 years. What varieties did you plant?
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 16, 2014, 08:36:49 AM
Incredible, very classy!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on October 16, 2014, 10:07:19 AM
I have to copy that.  Wow, great job!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 16, 2014, 12:33:57 PM
Thanks for the kind words.  I wanted to give a decent look with making it practical.  Everything was on the fly as I didn't have any idea from the beginning. hehe.

That was on the fly! Can you come to my house, your handy work is amazing. You should be getting lots of fruit in 1-2 years. What varieties did you plant?
Simon

Hahaha.  Thanks for the compliment.  The brand new miter saw was collecting dust so I decided to put it to use.  At first, I knew I had to create a box around it so that the top stem could hang downward.  And then I started to add additional pieces to help support it and make it a "pergola" like.  It took me about 2 weeks to complete the project since I had to it all by myself. 

I don't know what type of dragon fruit I have because I'm not familiar with the names.  But, I do notice I have about 3 different kinds.  All my cuttings came from my mom in Southern CA.

Here is a picture of my first dragon fruit from 3 years ago on the opposite side of the house.  I put a 30% shade cloth on top to prevent it from yellowing the stems.  It helps a lot...  We were getting 85 - 95 degree temperature last month.  I had the cloth on the new setup as well.  The new stems couldn't handle the direct sun over 85 degrees. 

(http://s17.postimg.cc/bg8mzuw9n/20141015_155921.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bg8mzuw9n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 16, 2014, 12:35:27 PM
Incredible, very classy!

I have to copy that.  Wow, great job!!

Thanks for the compliments.  Let me know if you need to know what items I used or steps I did...  I added concrete to all the leg posts to prevent the water from rotting it overtime.  Also, I applied bee wax around the redwood.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on October 16, 2014, 01:39:19 PM
yes, please send the directions, either pm, email, or post
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on October 16, 2014, 03:23:59 PM
Thanks for the kind words.  I wanted to give a decent look with making it practical.  Everything was on the fly as I didn't have any idea from the beginning. hehe.

That was on the fly! Can you come to my house, your handy work is amazing. You should be getting lots of fruit in 1-2 years. What varieties did you plant?
Simon

Hahaha.  Thanks for the compliment.  The brand new miter saw was collecting dust so I decided to put it to use.  At first, I knew I had to create a box around it so that the top stem could hang downward.  And then I started to add additional pieces to help support it and make it a "pergola" like.  It took me about 2 weeks to complete the project since I had to it all by myself. 

I don't know what type of dragon fruit I have because I'm not familiar with the names.  But, I do notice I have about 3 different kinds.  All my cuttings came from my mom in Southern CA.

Here is a picture of my first dragon fruit from 3 years ago on the opposite side of the house.  I put a 30% shade cloth on top to prevent it from yellowing the stems.  It helps a lot...  We were getting 85 - 95 degree temperature last month.  I had the cloth on the new setup as well.  The new stems couldn't handle the direct sun over 85 degrees. 

(http://s17.postimg.cc/bg8mzuw9n/20141015_155921.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bg8mzuw9n/)


How bad is this yellowing issue? we get up to 105 here in temecula... and the last heat wave turned quite a bit of the dragon fruit i recently planted yellow... is it still ok?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 16, 2014, 03:28:14 PM
How bad is this yellowing issue? we get up to 105 here in temecula... and the last heat wave turned quite a bit of the dragon fruit i recently planted yellow... is it still ok?

I picked fruit today on a Dragon Fruit plant with heavy "yellowing issue".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on October 16, 2014, 03:32:16 PM
How bad is this yellowing issue? we get up to 105 here in temecula... and the last heat wave turned quite a bit of the dragon fruit i recently planted yellow... is it still ok?

I picked fruit today on a Dragon Fruit plant with heavy "yellowing issue".


OK,

Because the area they're are planted in receives full sun...It looks like everything is growing fine...but the yellowing did scare me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 16, 2014, 05:51:38 PM
Thanks for the kind words.  I wanted to give a decent look with making it practical.  Everything was on the fly as I didn't have any idea from the beginning. hehe.

That was on the fly! Can you come to my house, your handy work is amazing. You should be getting lots of fruit in 1-2 years. What varieties did you plant?
Simon

Hahaha.  Thanks for the compliment.  The brand new miter saw was collecting dust so I decided to put it to use.  At first, I knew I had to create a box around it so that the top stem could hang downward.  And then I started to add additional pieces to help support it and make it a "pergola" like.  It took me about 2 weeks to complete the project since I had to it all by myself. 

I don't know what type of dragon fruit I have because I'm not familiar with the names.  But, I do notice I have about 3 different kinds.  All my cuttings came from my mom in Southern CA.

Here is a picture of my first dragon fruit from 3 years ago on the opposite side of the house.  I put a 30% shade cloth on top to prevent it from yellowing the stems.  It helps a lot...  We were getting 85 - 95 degree temperature last month.  I had the cloth on the new setup as well.  The new stems couldn't handle the direct sun over 85 degrees. 

(http://s17.postimg.cc/bg8mzuw9n/20141015_155921.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bg8mzuw9n/)


How bad is this yellowing issue? we get up to 105 here in temecula... and the last heat wave turned quite a bit of the dragon fruit i recently planted yellow... is it still ok?

I put the shade on as soon as I see yellowing on the stem.  Afterward, I added 1 teaspoon of epsom salt with 1 gallon of water.  I did noticed it turning back to green. 

I have relatives in Temucula.  I know it gets 95-100 degree constantly.  They put those big dead leaves from their palm tree on top of the dragon fruit stems to give it shade.  If I were you, then I would shade the recent planted ones from the sun.  It's still young and growing.  Personally me, I just don't like it being yellow in color.  I don't think it will bear any "new" fruit with the yellow stems in the future.  I'm not sure since I tend to throw away the yellow ones.  I have seen fruit in a yellow stem, but the fruit came out before the yellowing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 16, 2014, 06:13:16 PM
yes, please send the directions, either pm, email, or post

I'll try my best to explain it here...  I'm sure you can find better ways of building it...

1.  buy 10 inch pvc pipe, redwood 4x2 size, screws, concrete post mix (fast drying product...like 5 minutes)
2.  cut the 10 inch pvc pipe about 1 ft long.
3.  dig the holes about 1 ft deep
4.  put the pvc pipe in the hole and level the pvc pipe
5.  cover the surrounding with the dirt and pound it down so it doesn't move.
6.  add 1 inch of concrete mix inside the pipe and then add water....and stir it up for 1 minute. 
7.  add the redwood post in the center of the pvc pipe.
8.  add more concrete and water and mix again.  repeat the process.
9.  make sure to level the post with every mix so it doesn't move.
10.  repeat the process above for all the posts.
11.  after all posts are aligned, measure about 5 ft from bottom to top.  mark the measurement on every post.
12.  user the miter saw to cut the square beam for support for each post.  Screw all 4 corners around the post together.  This allow me to put a wood on top of the square by myself.  In some areas, a clamp comes in handy.
13.  now, start measuring and cutting all the woods on top with screws. 
14.  I was picky so I was leveling everything I did to make sure it was straight
15.  at the end, I bought some bee wax from homedepot and applied it to the wood. 
16.  The purpose of the top layer wood is to add a clear poly sheet on top during the winter to help it from the frost.  (very important in my area to protect it from winter frost or else it's dead).

I think that's pretty much it.  The rest is all about cosmetics...depending on how you want it to look.

I hope that gives you an idea to start on your trellis :)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on October 16, 2014, 06:31:57 PM
is it possible to shade the dragon fruit and still get fruit? as in grown under a shade tree with partial sun during the day?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 16, 2014, 06:57:01 PM
is it possible to shade the dragon fruit and still get fruit? as in grown under a shade tree with partial sun during the day?

It's possible, but the fruit is small.  It needs sun.   I have a friend who put them under a shack with very little sun and the stems are thin and the fruits are like 2 inches long.  I think people who live in area with 90+ degree everyday and the dragon fruit gets 8+ hours of direct sun, then expect the stem to turn yellow.   Use the 30% shade depending on your sun condition.  I take mine off when the temperature is 85 and below.   With temperature in the 90-100+, the 30% reduce the direct sunlight a lot.  The plant still get plenty of sun with the 30% shade.

Search on ebay for "30% shade cloth".

I have attended the dragon fruit festival last year in Irvine.  They have no shade at all...only a net on top to prevent the bird from coming in.  They get full sun in the wide open field.  I didn't see too many healthy green stems from their fields.  Most of them were pretty beat up with yellowing and browning, tons of ants, but they did have plenty of fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 16, 2014, 10:48:01 PM
is it possible to shade the dragon fruit and still get fruit? as in grown under a shade tree with partial sun during the day?

At BOTH the last 2014 Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Festival and the MVP Farms Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Field Day we were told to grow Dragon Fruit in sun for fruit and in the shade if you want to sell cuttings. So yes, it is possible to grow DF in the shade and get some fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 16, 2014, 11:10:18 PM
Armando and La Verne nursery H. polyrhizus taste test.

Today my wife and I did a taste comparison of two Dragon Fruit I picked today.

I chilled both fruit in the refrigerator.

The larger and best looking fruit came from a 'no name' variety grown by La Verne nursery.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1_zps98f7a3f3.jpg)

This is the fruit a couple of days ago (note the yellow stem).

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_4726_zpsa5943308.jpg)

The other fruit came from my Armando DF. 

Both need a pollinator. I know, the La Verne label above says does not need a pollinator. I used pollen from a Delight flower.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/armando_4728_zps6b0ac1dd.jpg)

The larger La Verne fruit on the Left weighed almost 1 1/2 pounds (23 oz.)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/armando_4730_zps0be756fe.jpg)

Both tasted very good.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/armando_4733_zps86b97352.jpg)

The La Verne tasted sweet (I have ordered a BRIX meter  :(), the Armando was sweet with a more tart taste.

I liked the taste of the La Verne best, my wife like the taste of Armando best.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on October 17, 2014, 12:42:34 AM
Richsaw, is this the same H. polyrhizus you sent me a few months back along with armando?  Both are doing great and I gave some cuttings away a few months ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 17, 2014, 12:51:59 AM
Richsaw, is this the same H. polyrhizus you sent me a few months back along with armando?  Both are doing great and I gave some cuttings away a few months ago.

Yes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 17, 2014, 01:56:29 AM

The larger and best looking fruit came from a 'no name' variety grown by La Verne nursery.


For those who do not live on the West Coast, this is what the Dragon Fruit plant looked like when I bought it from Lowe's.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_6.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 18, 2014, 01:30:52 PM
My friend Mark recently posted this YouTube video;

Orejona Dragon Fruit

http://youtu.be/ciVy-H0ezw0?list=UUreuhT3_chnyig1iToB0grg (http://youtu.be/ciVy-H0ezw0?list=UUreuhT3_chnyig1iToB0grg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 20, 2014, 01:31:32 PM
Mark has posted another video.

Let's Talk Dragon Fruit with Edgar Valdivia.

http://youtu.be/WPIVbQJvQiw (http://youtu.be/WPIVbQJvQiw)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on October 20, 2014, 01:39:11 PM
Hello Everyone,

It's nice to see pictures of everyone's Dragon Fruits.

I would like to share a picture of my setup.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Surprisingly, I had about 5 flowers within 6 months of planting, but only 3 of them going to survive in a fruit form.

Here is a picture when I started planting them from stem cutting on 04/07/2014:

(http://s8.postimg.cc/jagjjsi9d/20140407_103329.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jagjjsi9d/)

Here is a picture of it 2 months later on 06/13/2014:

(http://s8.postimg.cc/6s94up01d/20140613_152230.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6s94up01d/)

Here is a picture of adding the post on 07/13/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/5rhcmlktn/20140713_182151.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5rhcmlktn/)

Here is a picture of the posts standing up on 07/16/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/c6gdj9rjf/20140716_123208.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c6gdj9rjf/)

Here is a picture of 90% of it being completed on 07/20/2014:

(http://s1.postimg.cc/uaje3wp7v/20140720_075647.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uaje3wp7v/) (http://s1.postimg.cc/5ijrwo817/20140720_080128.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5ijrwo817/)


And here is a picture of it today with the second layer on top for the shade 6 months later on 10/15/2014:

(http://s29.postimg.cc/5kgye1hbn/20141015_101934.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5kgye1hbn/)

I just noticed that the DF are in black trash barrels.  I plan on doing something similar, and filling in the bottom section with fruiting shrubs. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 20, 2014, 01:58:15 PM
ricshaw,

Nice info video.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MayBee on October 20, 2014, 02:14:17 PM


I just noticed that the DF are in black trash barrels.  I plan on doing something similar, and filling in the bottom section with fruiting shrubs.

Yes, I used the 20 gal barrel from Home Depot. It was made from recyclable material that is food safe.  Google on recycle numbers for plastic.  There are certain recycle numbers that you should avoid using.  With any planting pots, you should look at the recycle number before using them. 

Several reasons why I went with the 20 gal barrel because it's long enough to hold the 4 inch pipe in the center and to deter gofer from eating the root.  I have gofer problem because I can see the gofer pushing my soil up in the section where I planted them on the ground.  Also, I have mostly rocks behind the retaining wall.  Make sure you dig holes underneath in the barrel if you plan to use the barrel.

I wouldn't recommend leaving the barrel in a wide open area.  Why?  It gets HOT during the summer, especially black absorbs heat so much.  It can damage the root system :)  I have a relative who use a barrel in a wide open area, exposing it to the sun.  The barrel started cracking, creating holes already.  I think the UV from the sun has damage the barrel. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 20, 2014, 03:00:00 PM

The larger and best looking fruit came from a 'no name' variety grown by La Verne nursery.


For those who do not live on the West Coast, this is what the Dragon Fruit plant looked like when I bought it from Lowe's.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_6.jpg)

Looks a lot like the one I bought from Lowe's yesterday! But yours appears to have three plants in the pot, whereas mine has only two.

Mine has the identical La Verne pot wrap that yours does.

The hanging tag on my plant does _not_ say "does not need a pollinator," but I'm presuming that if it's sold as "grow your own, enjoy your harvest" that it would either be self pollinating _or_ contain a warning of some sort. The sticker on my hanging tag does say "Dragon Fruit Pink #2 $14.98" like yours, except $5 bucks cheaper :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 20, 2014, 03:19:59 PM
Looks a lot like the one I bought from Lowe's yesterday! But yours appears to have three plants in the pot, whereas mine has only two.

Mine has the identical La Verne pot wrap that yours does.

The hanging tag on my plant does _not_ say "does not need a pollinator," but I'm presuming that if it's sold as "grow your own, enjoy your harvest" that it would either be self pollinating _or_ contain a warning of some sort. The sticker on my hanging tag does say "Dragon Fruit Pink #2 $14.98" like yours, except $5 bucks cheaper :D

Look something like one of these?

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_zpsdb4f37f3.jpg)

When we visited La Verne nursery they told us that it depends on the vendor on price, pot wrap, tag, etc. The plant vendor has to pay extra for the pot wrap.

I bought all the above from Lowe's. Prices varied from small size $5.00 - $20.00.

Basically La Verne has three Dragon Fruit plants that they get cuttings from; a white, pink, and red variety.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4244_zps5f50408e.jpg)

They may now have a Yellow Dragon Fruit variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 21, 2014, 12:51:52 AM
I just wanted to update that the late crop of DF seem to be a bit sweeter than the early crop. The crop I'm currently harvesting is approximately 1-2% Brix higher than the same fruit harvested earlier in the year. My Halleys Comet is now averaging about 19% Brix and my American Beauty is getting as high as 20 % Brix. My Simons Purple is now on its third crop now, very few fruit, only 4 fruit left hanging and this variety has stayedthe same in terms of sweetness with Brix topping off at 21%.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Maickel on October 23, 2014, 08:52:04 AM
I heard that the yellow dragon fruit has the beste taste of all them, is that true?
thank you
Mike
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 23, 2014, 12:59:25 PM
I heard that the yellow dragon fruit has the beste taste of all them, is that true?
thank you
Mike

Taste is subjective.  The Yellow DF is one of the sweetest tasting and does win a lot of taste challenges.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Maickel on October 25, 2014, 07:12:30 AM
Ok, that sounds good, i bought some plants and took cuttings from them.
Now my cuestion is:
Is it better to plant the cuttings flat so theres more superficie touching the earth and rooting quicker, or plant it the normal way , sticking one peace in the earth.?

Also i like to know if somebody see dragon fruit growing against a wall, i have several stonewals and want to use them/the space, but what is better, to plant it at the bottom/feet of the wall and let it growing up, against the wall, or planting it on the top of the wall and let it growing down?

The yellow one polynise itself, but can i put red dragon fruit, like  h undatus plant near and will they polynise each other, or are they 2 different families.

thank you

Mike
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 25, 2014, 08:29:56 AM
Ok, that sounds good, i bought some plants and took cuttings from them.
Now my cuestion is:
Is it better to plant the cuttings flat so theres more superficie touching the earth and rooting quicker, or plant it the normal way , sticking one peace in the earth.?

Also i like to know if somebody see dragon fruit growing against a wall, i have several stonewals and want to use them/the space, but what is better, to plant it at the bottom/feet of the wall and let it growing up, against the wall, or planting it on the top of the wall and let it growing down?

The yellow one polynise itself, but can i put red dragon fruit, like  h undatus plant near and will they polynise each other, or are they 2 different families.

thank you

Mike

Mike,  I have just started with the Yellow Dragon Fruit variety.
My advice is to plant the cutting the normal way, I do not know anybody who plants DF cuttings flat.  You might want to start the cutting in a pot.
I think planting the DF plant at the bottom of the wall would be better and planting another DF near by is a good idea.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 26, 2014, 08:16:46 AM
Hi. I just thought I'd share a photo of an Australian grown variety called Jade Red. Quite easy to look at.
(http://s30.postimg.cc/avpz9so59/KINDLE_CAMERA_1412097404000.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/avpz9so59/)

(http://s27.postimg.cc/4ntve872n/KINDLE_CAMERA_1412110084000.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4ntve872n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Maickel on October 26, 2014, 03:02:59 PM
Ok, that sounds good, i bought some plants and took cuttings from them.
Now my cuestion is:
Is it better to plant the cuttings flat so theres more superficie touching the earth and rooting quicker, or plant it the normal way , sticking one peace in the earth.?

Also i like to know if somebody see dragon fruit growing against a wall, i have several stonewals and want to use them/the space, but what is better, to plant it at the bottom/feet of the wall and let it growing up, against the wall, or planting it on the top of the wall and let it growing down?

The yellow one polynise itself, but can i put red dragon fruit, like  h undatus plant near and will they polynise each other, or are they 2 different families.

thank you

Mike

Mike,  I have just started with the Yellow Dragon Fruit variety.
My advice is to plant the cutting the normal way, I do not know anybody who plants DF cuttings flat.  You might want to start the cutting in a pot.
I think planting the DF plant at the bottom of the wall would be better and planting another DF near by is a good idea.

Thank you Ric, i planted them the normal way in pots, later i wil plant them in the ground.
Mike
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 26, 2014, 03:07:09 PM
Flat dragon fruit cutting rooting may be a good idea in slower draining more wet humid environments to prevent rot. If your not rooting in a container with fast draining soil mix, then it may be a good option.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 26, 2014, 04:18:54 PM
Flat dragon fruit cutting rooting may be a good idea in slower draining more wet humid environments to prevent rot. If your not rooting in a container with fast draining soil mix, then it may be a good option.

Does that mean flat on the ground surface or buried flat?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Maickel on October 26, 2014, 05:01:54 PM
with the next cuttings y plant them flat, to see the difference.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on October 26, 2014, 06:24:00 PM
Flat dragon fruit cutting rooting may be a good idea in slower draining more wet humid environments to prevent rot. If your not rooting in a container with fast draining soil mix, then it may be a good option.

Does that mean flat on the ground surface or buried flat?

Flat on the ground with a little soil around the edges.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on November 02, 2014, 09:44:31 PM
Just out of curiosity, does anyone have an opinion on whether an Epiphyllum/Hylocereus cross fruit would have a longer ripening time compared to a Hylocereus fruit?? 
(http://s9.postimg.cc/qi24p3wzv/KINDLE_CAMERA_1414765178000.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qi24p3wzv/)
(http://s17.postimg.cc/yos8i4ie3/KINDLE_CAMERA_1412110077000.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yos8i4ie3/)
This plant was grown from Asunta seed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: emegar on November 04, 2014, 04:09:08 PM
Here is an update of my Frankie's Red fruit. They seem to be growing larger than what I expected. Frankie's Red appears like it will fill the void between the regular DF and the Yellow megalanthus. Anyone have pictures showing the final size or perhaps the inside of a Frankie's Red? Any additional information on Frankie's Red is greatly appreciated.

Simon
(http://s3.postimg.cc/ch4z4oda7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ch4z4oda7/)

(http://s3.postimg.cc/rbtkiumv3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/rbtkiumv3/)

Simon,

Any update on your Frankie's Red fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on November 04, 2014, 04:47:15 PM
Hey emegar, I just updated on the thread Frankies Red. I just harvested a large fruit but I may have over watered because the Brix was only 16%. I still have more on the vine and some are still green so I will have a long DragonFruit season.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: emegar on November 05, 2014, 11:33:25 AM
There was some work published that said if the pollen is dried first it can keep in the refrigerator for a fairly long time, even longer if it is frozen.  I'll look up the reference at work tomorrow.

Richard

That would be some quite valuable datas....

The paper is Metz et al., Hortscience 35(2):199-201, 2000

Their results are that after drying the pollen under vacuum for 1 -2 hours. pollen stored in a freezer still gives 100% fruit set and normal sized fruit after 9 months of storage in a freezer.  Fruit set with dried pollen stored in a refrigerator was 60-70% with smaller fruits, but they still got fruit.

I am trying this myself, using dried stored pollen, and can let you know how it works  in a couple of months (just attempted the pollination on Tuesday)
Richard


Richard,

I don't recall seeing you update with the results of your stored pollen experiment.  Can you fill us in on how well the dessicated pollen worked?

James
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adalmoro on November 05, 2014, 04:47:39 PM
Frankies Red?!
I have some photos on this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/72157629983253795/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/72157629983253795/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 05, 2014, 05:32:59 PM
Look something like one of these?
<picture><picture><picture>

Grrr. I wish I'd kept the tag. I'm pretty sure it was the middle (pink) one.

I'm intrigued by your last photo, too. Did you wrap the horizontal growth up around your support post? The plant I bought I growing outward, and it's only about 2' tall. I'd read that I should prune off some/all of the horizontal growth to promote verticality, but if I can just train it upward, would that accomplish the same thing and preserve a bunch of viable plant material?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 05, 2014, 05:53:23 PM
Frankies Red?!
I have some photos on this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/72157629983253795/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adalmoro/sets/72157629983253795/)
Congratulations my friend!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 05, 2014, 05:54:27 PM
I'm intrigued by your last photo, too. Did you wrap the horizontal growth up around your support post? The plant I bought I growing outward, and it's only about 2' tall. I'd read that I should prune off some/all of the horizontal growth to promote verticality, but if I can just train it upward, would that accomplish the same thing and preserve a bunch of viable plant material?

The second photo (below) I took at La Verne Nursery and is one of the parent DF plants they get their cuttings from.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/CRFG/La%20Verne/df_4244_zps5f50408e.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: savemejebus on November 07, 2014, 01:02:46 PM
I just don't get it. We bought one purple/pink Dragon fruit from somewhere that was delicious and sweet. This was about a year ago. Since then I have bought Dragon fruit from various sources (stores and local nurseries where I know the variety) and it's like eating a sad, flavorless kiwi. I don't know if my taste buds changed, if I'm not eating them at proper ripeness, or what.

Kinda glad at this point that the lawn men butchered my two plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on November 07, 2014, 01:19:23 PM
I have a natural mystic ripening on the counter.  Hopefully that will solve your/our problem.  I love the way they look, but need to taste some elite types.  Hoping NM is the first of many good-tasting DFs
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on November 07, 2014, 03:46:44 PM
There was some work published that said if the pollen is dried first it can keep in the refrigerator for a fairly long time, even longer if it is frozen.  I'll look up the reference at work tomorrow.

Richard

That would be some quite valuable datas....

The paper is Metz et al., Hortscience 35(2):199-201, 2000

Their results are that after drying the pollen under vacuum for 1 -2 hours. pollen stored in a freezer still gives 100% fruit set and normal sized fruit after 9 months of storage in a freezer.  Fruit set with dried pollen stored in a refrigerator was 60-70% with smaller fruits, but they still got fruit.

I am trying this myself, using dried stored pollen, and can let you know how it works  in a couple of months (just attempted the pollination on Tuesday)
Richard


Richard,

I don't recall seeing you update with the results of your stored pollen experiment.  Can you fill us in on how well the dessicated pollen worked?

James

James,

Thanks for the reminder. In a nutshell, the dehydrated and frozen pollen from Arizona Purple (AKA 8-S)  was able to successfully pollenate Zamorano  and Cebra.   I was able to use Zamorano pollen to pollenate Houghton, Purple Haze and Arizona Purple.  Interestingly, when I tried to use dehydrated and frozen pollen from Cereus peruvianus, no dragon fruit were pollenated while using the same pollen fresh, I had about 80% success.

I am going to check some of my frozen pollen to see if they are still viable.

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: savemejebus on November 07, 2014, 04:36:42 PM
I have a natural mystic ripening on the counter.  Hopefully that will solve your/our problem.  I love the way they look, but need to taste some elite types.  Hoping NM is the first of many good-tasting DFs

I assume you got it from the same place I did last Sunday. I ate one right away and waited on the other until yesterday. Both were totally bland.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on November 07, 2014, 05:18:03 PM
Maybe you guys should try some of the top 10 Dragon Fruits from CA's tier list... Cebra ranked number 1 with a brix of about 19 I think.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on November 09, 2014, 08:07:13 AM
Harvested the last 2 Dark Star of the season this morning.
23 and 20.5 ounces.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_11-09-2014_zps506509ba.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cmichael258 on November 09, 2014, 08:54:57 AM
Harvested the last 2 Dark Star of the season this morning.
23 and 20.5 ounces.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/DS_11-09-2014_zps506509ba.jpg)

DM

Wow! Taste report?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on November 10, 2014, 09:51:54 AM
I have a natural mystic ripening on the counter.  Hopefully that will solve your/our problem.  I love the way they look, but need to taste some elite types.  Hoping NM is the first of many good-tasting DFs

I assume you got it from the same place I did last Sunday. I ate one right away and waited on the other until yesterday. Both were totally bland.

I agree.  The color was magnificent, the texture was great, but the flavor just wasn't there.  I will still keep this variety because of teh name (lol) and because of the antioxidants, but it definitely isn't flavorful.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on November 20, 2014, 08:03:40 AM
Hi Richard

In my collection of cuttings of darker red fleshed varieties, I will now have zamorano, cebra/lisa and natural mystic.   I have read that the zamorano vine is a very.vigorous grower.

Can anyone compare the flavor,  vigor of vine growth, and productivity of these varieties?   

I have read that cebra/lisa/rosa  does well in taste tests.  Wondering if natural mystic and Zamorano are of the same caliber. 

Thanks
Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on November 20, 2014, 09:30:52 AM
I had 2 natural mystics a few wks back.  They were beautiful inside and out, and absolutely tasteless.  The least flavorful DF I have ever eaten.  Having said that, it was only one sampling.  I will probably still grow it just for the color/antioxidants and just add it to smoothies, but I would imagine the others taste better.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on November 22, 2014, 09:33:39 PM
I had my first Natural Mystic dragon fruit a month or two ago.  The good news, one bloom, one fruit.....no hand pollination.  The fruit was quite good size and beautifully colored.  The flavor was a bit disappointing.  Mine had some sweetness, but not as much as some of the other non-white fruits that I have had.  There was still more flavor/sweetness than in the white fleshed varieties like Vietnamese Jaina.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cbss_daviefl on November 23, 2014, 12:12:40 PM
The natural mystics that taste the best are the ones that start to split at the end.  Still not my favorite at this point but good to very good.  Hard to beat the productivity. Got 6 fruit still hanging on a relatively small vine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on November 23, 2014, 08:00:39 PM
Which other varieties are the most productive in florida?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on November 24, 2014, 10:23:44 AM
The natural mystics that taste the best are the ones that start to split at the end.  Still not my favorite at this point but good to very good.  Hard to beat the productivity. Got 6 fruit still hanging on a relatively small vine.

You know it's coming:  What are your favorites thus far, Brandon?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on November 29, 2014, 10:35:24 PM
Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between "vietnamese white" and "giant vietnamese" varieties? 

Mattslandscape.com lists them as separate varieties. 

I am wondering which variety would be best for cross pollination and production of the greatest amount of pollen. 

Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 29, 2014, 10:48:59 PM
Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between "vietnamese white" and "giant vietnamese" varieties? 
Mattslandscape.com lists them as separate varieties. 
I am wondering which variety would be best for cross pollination and production of the greatest amount of pollen. 
Brad

They are different 'named' varieties.
Without DNA testing, we do not know if they are different, or the same.
Vietnamese Giant is considered good for cross pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 29, 2014, 11:20:16 PM
Vietnamese Giant is considered good for cross pollination.

After reading mattslandscape.com Full Description, Vietnamese White sounds like a very good pollinator.
http://mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Vietnamese%20White (http://mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Vietnamese%20White)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on November 29, 2014, 11:27:50 PM
Thanks for checking into that Richard.   

Then I will plant one vietnamese giant and one vietnam white. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on December 05, 2014, 01:04:58 AM
The sweetest, best tasting Dragon Fruit has possibly been found.

A recent posting by TT:

"4953 Selenicereus megalanthus var. Sunshine - Golden Pitaya, Dragon Fruit
Super sweet variety of Yellow Pitaya that we brought from Ecuador in 2013. This cactus originates from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Columbia. It's greatly known for it's sweet tasting fruit. Knobbed, yellow cactus fruit sharing some similarities with the Hylocereus dragon fruit (pitaya). Taste is said to be superior to most cactus fruits. The fruits are smaller than the common dragon fruit, and contain prominent spikes until ripening time, upon which the spikes drop off.
See picture of the bushy plants for sale"

As mentioned above and from the posted picture of the fruit and plant on their website, the plant is yellow on the outside and white on the inside. The fruit size is on the smallish side. There is no mention of the productivity.

The plant has plenty of somewhat small-mid sized thorns on it (and on the fruit), which make handling it tedious. This begs the question: For this type of thorny DF, is using a wood pole the best method for growing this DF variety? Or would other methods, like growing it on rocks, yield better results and better means of avoiding the thorns when handling plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bsbullie on December 05, 2014, 01:47:53 AM
First,  you can't  always believe  what you read on TTs website.

Now, as to the golden pitaya, this is available at Excalibur.  Most likely, TT got this from Excalibur,  either  directly or indirectly.  The fruit is sweeter than most or all commonly available dragon fruit however it is by no means SWEET like other commonly available tropical fruit.

The spines on the plant are short and stiff.  It will rip your skin if you aren't careful and rub against it.  It will also stick your hands  or arm id you arent careful when handling the plant or picking fruit.  The  spines on the fruit are longer and more flexible however they are easily removed with a paint brush.   When the fruit is ripe and ready to pick, you can use the paint  brush to literally brush the spines clean from the fruit.  The fruit is then easy to harvest.

The fruit size is small and there is not much t edible  flesh in each fruit.  It does seem to have decent  production.

With that being said, it is my wife's favorite dragon fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 05, 2014, 02:21:06 AM
Maybe you guys should try some of the top 10 Dragon Fruits from CA's tier list... Cebra ranked number 1 with a brix of about 19 I think.

Cebra is the 2nd from left.

I will let you know which one i like the best. :P

(http://s18.postimg.cc/xo30pmool/dragonfruits.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xo30pmool/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 02:34:21 AM
The "Yellow Dragon Fruit" (Selenicereus megalanthus) is well known in Southern California by Dragon Fruit growers.

It has its "pros and cons". The biggest "pro" is its taste and BRIX scores. The biggest "con" IMO, is the thorns on the fruit.

The UCCE Irvine, CA has it in their collection and it is under observation.  BTW: It is the worst performer under their growing conditions.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/RamiroLoboPPT11_zpsb2e7e25b.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/RamiroLoboPPT13_zpsc2bae893.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/RamiroLoboPPT37_zpsa94476d4.jpg)

The above are from Ramiro Lobo's 2013 PowerPoint presentation.

"Cebra" is not number "1" on taste or BRIX scores, it is listed as "1" on the UCCE Irvine Field Results Excel sheet.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)

Edit:  I am sorry, I should have mentioned that the above is from UCCE San Diego County.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 02:51:06 AM
This begs the question: For this type of thorny DF, is using a wood pole the best method for growing this DF variety? Or would other methods, like growing it on rocks, yield better results and better means of avoiding the thorns when handling plant.

The "Yellow Dragon Fruit" (Colombian Pitahaya) is pretty much grown by most people like other DF varieties.

I finally broke down and got a cutting of the Yellow DF and its hybrid Frankie's Red.

I plan to try growing the Yellow DF in a big hanging basket like an epi.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 05, 2014, 03:34:00 AM
Ricshaw how do we read that info?

Heat tolerance for example is that specific for California or Florida? It would be easyier if they just mentioned the recommended temperatures. Same for cold hardiness or how much sun they like to get.

Cebra has heat tolerance of 3.5
I have no idea if i can put this one in full sun or better find another spot.

I think i will first clone them and then use the trial and error way of finding the best spot for each one.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 12:03:45 PM
Ricshaw how do we read that info?

Heat tolerance for example is that specific for California or Florida? It would be easyier if they just mentioned the recommended temperatures. Same for cold hardiness or how much sun they like to get.

Cebra has heat tolerance of 3.5
I have no idea if i can put this one in full sun or better find another spot.

I think i will first clone them and then use the trial and error way of finding the best spot for each one.

The University's Pitahaya crop trail grant is a study for a potential alternative crop for San Diego County California farmers nothing else.

The field results posted above are for the 20 varieties grown (in the ground) in Irvine, California.

The information can be helpful to growers in other parts of the world. I think the recent DNA testing (not in the chart) on the 20 varieties in the UC collection is especially helpful.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 12:20:36 PM
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)

It should be noted that of the 20 Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit) varieties in the UC collection, 10 are varieties obtained by the University from growers outside of the United States.

(SD) = San Diego, California
(FL) = Florida
(Nic) = Nicaragua
(Mex) = Mexico
(Col) = Colombia

Several of the names varieties were first obtained by hobbyist growers from cuttings given away by the University at Pitahaya Festivals.

"El Grullo" is the most recent variety and some growers are waiting patiently for cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on December 05, 2014, 12:39:30 PM
Any idea on what variety this may be? It seems like its a renamed Edgar selection of Condor? http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon (http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 02:32:17 PM
Any idea on what variety this may be? It seems like its a renamed Edgar selection of Condor? http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon (http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon)

No, I think it is the "Edgar" variety, Edgar named after himself.

I had never heard of it until recently when Edgar gave me a cutting.

I found it listed on the "Pitaya Festival 2008 Testing Results".
I also recently was given, by Leo Manuel, a "Neon" cutting which is on the 2008 Pitaya Festval tasting results.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/edgar_zpsbbe2c7df.jpg)

I do not remember where I found the above...  maybe off Edgar's website.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 02:56:06 PM
Cebra has heat tolerance of 3.5
I have no idea if i can put this one in full sun or better find another spot.

I think i will first clone them and then use the trial and error way of finding the best spot for each one.

I can tell you it has been my (limited) experience, in general, most Dragon Fruit grown up vertically prefer shade or some shade on the lower stalk and full sun or more sun on the top branching fruiting canopy. Which makes sense the way it grows in the wild.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on December 05, 2014, 04:49:27 PM
Maybe you guys should try some of the top 10 Dragon Fruits from CA's tier list... Cebra ranked number 1 with a brix of about 19 I think.

Cebra is the 2nd from left.

I will let you know which one i like the best. :P

(http://s18.postimg.cc/xo30pmool/dragonfruits.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xo30pmool/)
Nice cuttings! Good luck with them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on December 05, 2014, 05:02:04 PM
Any idea on what variety this may be? It seems like its a renamed Edgar selection of Condor? http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon (http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon)

I'm with you on this Null.  The green color of the skin sure reminds me of Condor. Are there any others that have that green skin when ripe?

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on December 05, 2014, 05:28:26 PM
Ricshaw how do we read that info?

Heat tolerance for example is that specific for California or Florida? It would be easyier if they just mentioned the recommended temperatures. Same for cold hardiness or how much sun they like to get.

Cebra has heat tolerance of 3.5
I have no idea if i can put this one in full sun or better find another spot.

I think i will first clone them and then use the trial and error way of finding the best spot for each one.

Bangkok,

My 2 cents on this is that with the exception of Purple Haze, all of the plants you have are pretty equal as far as sun tolerance goes.  Most of mine (the oldest) are placed against a south facing fence and get full sun on the tops with variable amounts of shade  (some to none) at their feet. They all do very well where they are, with a bit of sun bleaching (the light green stems) but strong healthy growth.  The exception in Purple Haze which I have found to sunburn VERY easily.  I had mine in a semi shaded location for a few years where it grew spectacularly.  Last spring I moved it to s sunnier location and when summer came around it kept getting sunburn and rot until I lost half the plant. It is a shame and I need to move it since it is one of my favorite  Hylocereus.

That said, I am in coastal Southern CA and have a very mild climate with lots of fog and overcast days to minimize sun exposure.  My recollection of Thailand is hot with very intense sun, so all of your might benefit from some sun protection.

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on December 05, 2014, 06:29:48 PM
Just figured I would add, I picked up a zamorano DF from Mike at trees n more in palm city fl. I picked it up about a month ago then broke it up into pieces to multiply it. Already some new nubs are starting to grow (not pictured). I have sampled one before, blood red flesh and very tasty, not a DF connoisseur but it was way better than the white fleshed ones I have tried from the local grocery stores which even those I enjoyed and they were bland in comparison.

Also, is anyone growing haileys comet and does it live up to the description on PIN DF variety veiwer?  http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm)  I like their description as being large, and also a pretty pink flesh, if I get another DF it might be Halley's Comet.



(http://s8.postimg.cc/k8lz0buoh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/k8lz0buoh/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/731vghbf5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/731vghbf5/)

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 05, 2014, 08:09:15 PM
Also, is anyone growing haileys comet and does it live up to the description on PIN DF variety veiwer?  http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm)  I like their description as being large, and also a pretty pink flesh, if I get another DF it might be Halley's Comet.

-joep450

Halley's Comet and Delight are two of my favorites from tasting.  So much, that back in 2011, I decided that they were the two DF I was going to mainly grow for fruit.

I planted four Halley's Comet cuttings in 2011 and four Delight cuttings in 2012.  Plants look great, but nether are producing fruit yet.

Now I find out that Delight, Halley's Comet, and Physical Graffiti are very closely related (DNA testing) hybrids.

So my point is if you think you might like Halley's Comet...  you can't go wrong with Halley's Comet, or Delight, or Physical Graffiti.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 05, 2014, 09:52:17 PM
Ricshaw how do we read that info?

Heat tolerance for example is that specific for California or Florida? It would be easyier if they just mentioned the recommended temperatures. Same for cold hardiness or how much sun they like to get.

Cebra has heat tolerance of 3.5
I have no idea if i can put this one in full sun or better find another spot.

I think i will first clone them and then use the trial and error way of finding the best spot for each one.

Bangkok,

My 2 cents on this is that with the exception of Purple Haze, all of the plants you have are pretty equal as far as sun tolerance goes.  Most of mine (the oldest) are placed against a south facing fence and get full sun on the tops with variable amounts of shade  (some to none) at their feet. They all do very well where they are, with a bit of sun bleaching (the light green stems) but strong healthy growth.  The exception in Purple Haze which I have found to sunburn VERY easily.  I had mine in a semi shaded location for a few years where it grew spectacularly.  Last spring I moved it to s sunnier location and when summer came around it kept getting sunburn and rot until I lost half the plant. It is a shame and I need to move it since it is one of my favorite  Hylocereus.

That said, I am in coastal Southern CA and have a very mild climate with lots of fog and overcast days to minimize sun exposure.  My recollection of Thailand is hot with very intense sun, so all of your might benefit from some sun protection.

Richard

Thanks Richard, then i soon have a perfect spot for them where they get full sun untill 12-13:00 pm and can grow in full soil (above a drain pipe).
The purple haze will get some extra protection.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on December 05, 2014, 09:54:12 PM
But does closely related with DNA equate to similar taste?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on December 05, 2014, 10:18:08 PM
There has been a lot of discussion about having a White-fleshed variety for pollination of other varieties that are not self-pollinating.  Are there different types to choose from with similar results or does one, say, 'giant vietnamese' perform far better in terms of pollen availability than others?

Or a simpler way to put it may be: what is the best DF selection to grow for this purpose? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BMc on December 06, 2014, 12:40:50 AM
Any idea on what variety this may be? It seems like its a renamed Edgar selection of Condor? http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon (http://www.rareseeds.com/edgar-s-baby-dragon-fruit-pre-order/?F_Keyword=dragon)

I'm with you on this Null.  The green color of the skin sure reminds me of Condor. Are there any others that have that green skin when ripe?

Richard

Yes. Colored flowering varieties will often produce green skinned fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on December 08, 2014, 04:58:09 AM
I have a question for you guys, I was given a cutting from a friend at work about 8 months ago, I plant it in a small pot and maybe one month or two later the pot is full of roots so I go to a bigger size, maybe another month or so and the roots have filled the pot again so I step it up to a bigger pot.

All this time the cutting does not grow, just makes roots. I bought another cutting from a nursery and it doubled in size in one month, meanwhile this other cutting still does nothing. I get mad and cut its head off to try and get it to grow, still nothing....

Now I see it is sending up a sucker I guess you call it, its a bit hard to see in the photo.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/20141208_185831.jpg)

So what should I do with this plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on December 08, 2014, 06:00:16 AM
I have a question for you guys, I was given a cutting from a friend at work about 8 months ago, I plant it in a small pot and maybe one month or two later the pot is full of roots so I go to a bigger size, maybe another month or so and the roots have filled the pot again so I step it up to a bigger pot.

All this time the cutting does not grow, just makes roots. I bought another cutting from a nursery and it doubled in size in one month, meanwhile this other cutting still does nothing. I get mad and cut its head off to try and get it to grow, still nothing....

Now I see it is sending up a sucker I guess you call it, its a bit hard to see in the photo.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/20141208_185831.jpg)

So what should I do with this plant?

you planted it upside down.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on December 08, 2014, 06:10:12 AM
you planted it upside down.

The spikes are meant to point up aren't they?

Here is a close up before I chopped its head off.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/20140413_174815.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on December 09, 2014, 04:08:35 AM
I took another photo today, it looks like there are a few new dragonfruit coming up.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/20141209_190953.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 09, 2014, 11:40:26 AM
you planted it upside down.

I don't think it is upside down.

I think the "sucker growth" is interesting.  Something I have not seen except on one plant which I assumed was a seedling.

I can tell you that it is not uncommon for some cuttings to take off and start growing new growth right away, and other cuttings to do nothing for months.

My advice is to be patient.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 09, 2014, 07:47:21 PM
Also, start with a smaller pot so it'll start top growth sooner. This is not based on facts but on my own twisted logic that if it can't grow down, it must grow up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on December 10, 2014, 11:31:39 PM
Maybe try putting some fertilizer in the pot and see if it kicks it into high gear. I agree, the sucker growth is totally odd/interesting. Also it is not planted upside down because the spines are pointed upward, but this it confusing because the top seems to have scabbed over as if it may have been cut. When your received this cutting were both ends cut?

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on December 11, 2014, 05:09:03 AM
I cut the top off after waiting 8 months for it to do nothing. It looks like the bigger of the 3 suckers is growing very fast now so I might just let it go. I'm only really growing this one to cross pollinate my yellow, red and purple varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 11, 2014, 12:21:42 PM
http://www.abundancetradinggroup.com/jackfruit-harvesting/ (http://www.abundancetradinggroup.com/jackfruit-harvesting/)

If you have a Daiso shop near (from Japan) then they sell solid green gardening poles which are great for garden structures.

I bought all of them and will build a nice dragonfruit trellis from them. They come in all sizes and are cheap like everything in Daiso.

Also they sell plantclips to connect a plant/tree to the stick, very easy to adjust when the tree grows. I like everything easy and longlasting ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 11, 2014, 06:51:41 PM
I use these plants poles.  They are great!

(http://www.abundancetradinggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/IMG-20140221-WA0007.jpg)

I can't imagine them supporting a mature Dragon Fruit plant.

(http://world-crops.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/16-Dragon-fruit.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 11, 2014, 10:10:17 PM
Ricshaw that is not 1 dragonfruitcactus  but many together.

But even that those poles can handle. If you want the shape like on the pic then build a wigwam tent from the poles.

My plan is to build an extended wigwam tent from 4-5 metre long. Add more poles if it isn't strong enough or use double poles. Maybe even connect the whole trellis to a wall or tree or whatever is near.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on December 11, 2014, 11:26:05 PM
This is what I did. I may do something else to make it work. I was thinking to add one more tomato cage but upside down and bend the legs in shape of umbrella. Not sure though.

(http://i.imgur.com/CJkYLYE.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 11, 2014, 11:47:58 PM
Yes i thought of something like that. You have the same poles from Daiso i guess.

I thought of 3 wigwam posts and inbetween horizontal poles on different levels. If it ain't strong enough to carry the weight then i can add extra poles as posts.

I 'm still thinking to cover the poles in coconut-fibre so the cactus has something to root in. But that also might attract mosquito's so i'm not sure about it yet.

How old are your poles now? Do they really last long in full sun? I bought those poles because they can't rot and look good. I 'm planning to support all my tree's with these poles as soon as daiso has new stock.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on December 12, 2014, 11:25:40 AM
This poles are about 8 months old but I also have some that are 2years old now and they are doing ok.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on December 12, 2014, 12:16:53 PM
This is ok temporarily, but you will need something much stronger than those sticks to support mature vines that weigh hundreds of pounds.  Check back in this thread for some good examples/ideas.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 13, 2014, 08:53:05 PM
I shared Simon's S. Megalanthus hybrids pdf link, on his Awesome Yellow Dragonfruit hybrids thread, with a CRFG friend.

My friend sent back an interesting related PowerPoint pdf. Check it out.
http://www.agrimaroc.net/cactus-congress/s22-%20Pitahayas%20introduction%20agrotechniques%20and%20breeding.pdf (http://www.agrimaroc.net/cactus-congress/s22-%20Pitahayas%20introduction%20agrotechniques%20and%20breeding.pdf)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on December 13, 2014, 10:27:55 PM
I shared Simon's S. Megalanthus hybrids pdf link, on his Awesome Yellow Dragonfruit hybrids thread, with a CRFG friend.

My friend sent back an interesting related PowerPoint pdf. Check it out.
http://www.agrimaroc.net/cactus-congress/s22-%20Pitahayas%20introduction%20agrotechniques%20and%20breeding.pdf (http://www.agrimaroc.net/cactus-congress/s22-%20Pitahayas%20introduction%20agrotechniques%20and%20breeding.pdf)

Those people are real knowledgeable about crossing DF varieties.

I was looking for somewhere to say that they were crossing the sweetest and highest quality DF varieties in all possible combinations, a sort of try all possible combinations and see what is the best result. But, I did not see that mentioned anywhere. Perhaps doing something like this will achieve the desired DF fruit sweetness and quality results.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on December 13, 2014, 11:20:27 PM
Thanks for sharing the article ricshaw, it was awesome! I wonder how the fruit of the Haploid plants turned out? Doubling the number of chromosomes decreased the size of the fruit, I wonder if halfing the chromosomes will yield larger fruit?

There appears to be some good work being done by people in the Agriculture industry, I hope some of the nicer plants that they develop will reach our soil and mouths in the near future. In the meantime, we have many CRFG and backyard breeders that are making their own crosses and paving their own road forward.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on December 13, 2014, 11:37:16 PM


some killer looking varieties there. Would love to get my hands on those.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on December 14, 2014, 12:00:39 AM
The Powerpoint Rick shared noted Nematode damage to the plants.  Has anyone grown dragon fruit in the ground in Florida and had issues with nematodes?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jexton on December 14, 2014, 08:24:45 PM
I have 4 in the ground and planning on adding 11 more. I haven't had any nematode issues, neither has a local friend how has 3 in the ground.  :P
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on December 14, 2014, 09:37:49 PM
I had a recent trip to the martin county property appraiser's office -> 1111 Southeast Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34994 and came across this dragon fruit growing over the fence into the parking lot. Since I had my pocket knife on me I nabbed two cuttings, serendipity.


(http://s2.postimg.cc/63ykaw0p1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/63ykaw0p1/)

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on December 14, 2014, 09:39:33 PM
Also ricshaw that pdf is amazing, very excited to see what new varieties the future holds, thanks for sharing.

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 14, 2014, 10:42:24 PM
I know of  a person in Thailand who grew loads of dragonfruit variety's. One day they got infected by a fungus and they all died.

Maybe it was nematodes who killed, i don't know. But has anybody tried woodvinegar against nematodes?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 14, 2014, 11:49:10 PM
I had a recent trip to the martin county property appraiser's office -> 1111 Southeast Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34994 and came across this dragon fruit growing over the fence into the parking lot. Since I had my pocket knife on me I nabbed two cuttings, serendipity.


(http://s2.postimg.cc/63ykaw0p1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/63ykaw0p1/)

-joep450

Looks like this one has some of the good Guatemalan type genes. It may need cross pollination but the fruit should be oval, sweet with magenta flesh. I'm thinking of the kind with single thorns rather than clusters of them.
The owner probably wouldn't have mind too much, especially on the lower branches that they probably wanted to prune anyway. They would be unhappy if someone took fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BMc on December 15, 2014, 04:17:34 PM
I love the look of some of the gnarly black fruited varieties. Would like to see the cockatoos or kurawongs try to pinch one of those!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on December 19, 2014, 05:45:23 PM
I planted some dragon fruit cuttings at the base of this palm tree today. First, I zip tied the cuttings to the base of the tree then piled some soil around the base of the cuttings.
(http://s27.postimg.cc/nph1peshb/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nph1peshb/)
The left and right are zamorano DF while the center is the unknown cuttings I got from a few posts above.


(http://s3.postimg.cc/ilrz44rdr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ilrz44rdr/)
My goal is to have the two types of DF grow up the palm tree then start branching out above the trimmed hedge, I think it will look really nice also keeping the DF trained below the palm canopy. To the left in this picture is a ross sapote and behind tiki torch on the right is a semi dormant seedling sugar apple.

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 25, 2014, 08:48:40 PM
https://www.google.co.th/search?q=dragon+fruit+tree&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=77ycVMf_JZepuwTIsoCICg&ved=0CBsQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A%3BECb6gwbT5S4IWM%3B5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A&imgrc=5cqpYOy3W__64M%253A%3BaLUkTrBJnI5hPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow-29.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow%3B500%3B375 (https://www.google.co.th/search?q=dragon+fruit+tree&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=77ycVMf_JZepuwTIsoCICg&ved=0CBsQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A%3BECb6gwbT5S4IWM%3B5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A&imgrc=5cqpYOy3W__64M%253A%3BaLUkTrBJnI5hPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow-29.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow%3B500%3B375)

I want to grow dragonfruit like on these pics. Short and compact and loads of fruit.

I always thought they have to hang down before they can fruit but thise grower must have some special tricks i guess.

What did they do to get this? Obviously they pruned them a lot but is that small pot also helping to let them fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on December 25, 2014, 09:16:52 PM
I have seen these types of pics before and had the same questions.  I wouldn't rule out some kind of trick to allow them to sell more vines. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 26, 2014, 12:37:35 AM
https://www.google.co.th/search?q=dragon+fruit+tree&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=77ycVMf_JZepuwTIsoCICg&ved=0CBsQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A%3BECb6gwbT5S4IWM%3B5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A&imgrc=5cqpYOy3W__64M%253A%3BaLUkTrBJnI5hPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow-29.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow%3B500%3B375 (https://www.google.co.th/search?q=dragon+fruit+tree&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=77ycVMf_JZepuwTIsoCICg&ved=0CBsQsAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A%3BECb6gwbT5S4IWM%3B5cqpYOy3W__64M%3A&imgrc=5cqpYOy3W__64M%253A%3BaLUkTrBJnI5hPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow-29.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpaulabrown.net%252Fdragon-fruit-plant-turning-yellow%3B500%3B375)

I want to grow dragonfruit like on these pics. Short and compact and loads of fruit.

I always thought they have to hang down before they can fruit but thise grower must have some special tricks i guess.

What did they do to get this? Obviously they pruned them a lot but is that small pot also helping to let them fruit?

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/$T2eC16RHJHYE9nzpdVQHBR!LGuBv!!~~60_12.JPG)

I think what we are seeing is several cut Dragon Fruit branches, with fruit, placed in a pot for sale like a flower arrangement. I think it is a way to give the fruit as a gift.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bangkok on December 26, 2014, 12:51:43 AM
Ricshaw i agree, this looks too good to be true. Nice way to sell the cactus or as a gift.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: adalmoro on December 26, 2014, 07:33:18 PM
Ricshaw i agree, this looks too good to be true. Nice way to sell the cactus or as a gift.

I agree too ...
This image helps to understand:

(http://s28.postimg.cc/ej8c2gmsp/Dragon_fruit_trees.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ej8c2gmsp/)


This text says because these trees are sold:
http://vietnamtoday.net/Print.aspx?Culture=vi-VN&q=120644 (http://vietnamtoday.net/Print.aspx?Culture=vi-VN&q=120644)






Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on December 26, 2014, 08:13:37 PM
anybody with flower buds right now in Socal, if so what varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on December 26, 2014, 09:32:07 PM
anybody with flower buds right now in Socal, if so what varieties?

I have some on my yellow Colombian.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 26, 2014, 11:02:13 PM
Ricshaw i agree, this looks too good to be true. Nice way to sell the cactus or as a gift.

I agree too ...
This image helps to understand:
(http://s28.postimg.cc/ej8c2gmsp/Dragon_fruit_trees.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ej8c2gmsp/)

This text says because these trees are sold:
http://vietnamtoday.net/Print.aspx?Culture=vi-VN&q=120644 (http://vietnamtoday.net/Print.aspx?Culture=vi-VN&q=120644)

Good eye 'adalmoro'!!

Here is another picture for people to test which "cladodes" are upside-down.

(http://saigonnews.vn/contents/001/2013/02/07/33.JPG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on December 27, 2014, 08:23:56 PM
anybody with flower buds right now in Socal, if so what varieties?

I have some on my yellow Colombian.

how long does your yellow season last?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 27, 2014, 08:38:24 PM
According to UCCE field tests, most Dragon Fruit we grow in Southern California takes around 40 - 45 days to harvest. The Colombian Yellow Dragon Fruit takes around 150 - 180 days to harvest.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on December 29, 2014, 03:35:32 PM
Thanks Mark and Ric.

Any tips on how to make a cutting grow super fast and produce fruit within a year period?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 29, 2014, 04:27:12 PM
Thanks Mark and Ric.

Any tips on how to make a cutting grow super fast and produce fruit within a year period?

Yes, replicate a warm environment with long daylight hours. So put it in a heated greenhouse with some holidays lights or flourescent lighting when the sun goes down LED is more efficient but more expensive.
A friend in coastal San Diego once went from seed to fruit in 18 months or so. It's the exception rather than the rule.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: lajolla on December 29, 2014, 08:22:51 PM
Thanks Mark and Ric.

Any tips on how to make a cutting grow super fast and produce fruit within a year period?

Yes, replicate a warm environment with long daylight hours. So put it in a heated greenhouse with some holidays lights or flourescent lighting when the sun goes down LED is more efficient but more expensive.
A friend in coastal San Diego once went from seed to fruit in 18 months or so. It's the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks any recommended fertilizers? how well do worm castings work on DFs?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on December 31, 2014, 01:44:08 AM
Poles without top structure?

So I am in a situation where I have the poles without anything on the top. They are reinforced concrete poles with a flat 3x3 inch top. The cuttings would reach the top in few months. Therefore getting in to panic mode I have looked at various options for the top but nothing constructive seems to fit (on the poles as well as my budget).

I'm now considering to leave the poles without anything on the top, like in these images from the net.
(copyright images, using direct link)
http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg (http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg)
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770 (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770)
http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html (http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html)

How would this work for the plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 31, 2014, 02:45:32 AM
Poles without top structure?

So I am in a situation where I have the poles without anything on the top. They are reinforced concrete poles with a flat 3x3 inch top. The cuttings would reach the top in few months. Therefore getting in to panic mode I have looked at various options for the top but nothing constructive seems to fit (on the poles as well as my budget).

I'm now considering to leave the poles without anything on the top, like in these images from the net.
(copyright images, using direct link)
http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg (http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg)
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770 (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770)
http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html (http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html)

How would this work for the plant?

The DF plants look young.  If your concrete posts do not have anything (rebar) sticking out of the top, I guess you will have to leave the posts without any additional trellis support on top.  Take pictures and report back in a couple of years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on January 09, 2015, 09:45:20 AM
Wow, I must say that this thread is so inspiring! :D I got really interrested in dragonfruit somewhere around November-December, and have then started to grow some from seeds :)

Hopefully in 3-7 years, they will be able to grow fruit if I'm lucky :D

These ones are alittle under 2 weeks old, and right now in Denmark there aint too much sunlight, but some of them shows progress!

(http://s8.postimg.cc/sp5ojvn4h/meh.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sp5ojvn4h/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 09, 2015, 06:45:27 PM
Boshi, I wish you success on the seedlings. They are prone to dying off in the first year. Maybe don't let them have excess water.

You can get seeds from forum members with good tasting varieties when they are in season. I'm not sure if that will result in better seedlings. It couldn't hurt if you're in a place that's difficult to get cuttings into.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on January 10, 2015, 01:53:26 PM
Thanks Fyliu, I also hope I'll get succes with them as it's my first time trying to grow something like this :)

All I know is that the fresher the seeds, the faster germination. But hopefully I can buy a cutting later on, since Denmark is a zone 8 and there cant be found any dragonfruit plants down here.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on January 10, 2015, 05:43:05 PM
Poles without top structure?

So I am in a situation where I have the poles without anything on the top. They are reinforced concrete poles with a flat 3x3 inch top. The cuttings would reach the top in few months. Therefore getting in to panic mode I have looked at various options for the top but nothing constructive seems to fit (on the poles as well as my budget).

I'm now considering to leave the poles without anything on the top, like in these images from the net.
(copyright images, using direct link)
http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg (http://www.my-rainforest-adventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dragon-fruit-plantation.jpg)
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770 (http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-field-young-dragon-fruit-plants-lead-concrete-poles-pitaya-plant-aka-cactus-up-image32472770)
http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html (http://pippikorean.blogspot.in/2012/01/dragon-fruit.html)

How would this work for the plant?

You know what, you're right, those DF pole images without (what I like to call) crowns don't look bad at all. I guess they could be called the lazy DF pole. The look is a bit commercial/industrial. Perhaps if the location on your yard is not a trophy/iconic location, it may work just fine.

I too 'sorta' panicked when my DF reached the top of the pole and I had no crown on it. I was fortunate to end up with a great crown with the help of a handyman friend.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on January 11, 2015, 02:57:48 AM
Thanks guys!

Ricshaw, The poles do not have anything sticking out of the top (no rebar). It is a flat surface with not much space either. Which is why it gets me thinking, would it really work without anything at the top? The poles in the images are much thicker and that gives them good surface area on the top.

Leooel, the area is tucked away behind mango trees. Looks is not a concern, just want the plants to be happy.

I have few more ideas in mind that might just work for the top. Will share once I have finalized on it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on February 07, 2015, 12:47:48 PM
After having talked this trough with my family, I got allowed to buy 2 dragonfruit cutting from Mattlandscape all the way here to Denmark.
I was a little stupid and put them in the ground alittle too early, so I took them out again, cut the bad part away and put fungicide rooting powder just for insurance.

So, the big question, are they ready to be planted, or should I wait till they start making roots before putting in soil?
They are both American beauty
(http://s27.postimg.cc/6mrvivvzz/IMG_0077.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6mrvivvzz/)
(http://s27.postimg.cc/g61kccji7/IMG_0076.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/g61kccji7/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 07, 2015, 04:00:02 PM
After having talked this trough with my family, I got allowed to buy 2 dragonfruit cutting from Mattlandscape all the way here to Denmark.
I was a little stupid and put them in the ground alittle too early, so I took them out again, cut the bad part away and put fungicide rooting powder just for insurance.

So, the big question, are they ready to be planted, or should I wait till they start making roots before putting in soil?
They are both American beauty
(http://s27.postimg.cc/6mrvivvzz/IMG_0077.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6mrvivvzz/)
(http://s27.postimg.cc/g61kccji7/IMG_0076.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/g61kccji7/)

Have you watched this YouTube video?

http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo (http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo)

http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo (http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: drummer on February 10, 2015, 10:04:31 PM
Anyone with advice on how to keep these plants fast growing and happy
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 10, 2015, 11:37:24 PM
They grow really fast with warm weather, lots of water and fertilizer.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on February 11, 2015, 01:45:04 PM
Matts Landscapes: EPI-Cacti Nursery is getting "Sugar Dragon" this spring....not sure If I want to by a  cutting from Matt, or get a 5gallon pot from Elks Nursery.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 11, 2015, 03:47:39 PM
Elk creek may provide better after sale advice. Linda nickerson is a pretty opinionated lady and will tell you more than you asked. I've not dealt with either one but I've heard Linda speak at past dragon fruit festivals and events.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on February 11, 2015, 06:19:39 PM
Elk creek may provide better after sale advice. Linda nickerson is a pretty opinionated lady and will tell you more than you asked. I've not dealt with either one but I've heard Linda speak at past dragon fruit festivals and events.


I spoke to Linda last year on her Dragon Fruit selections...I mentioned several of the Dragon Fruit plants i purchased down the road at Matts nursery... LMFAO!!!! she immediately acknoledged  Matt as some Novice Grower who doesn't know much about Dragon Fruit except his Epi Cacti....literally downplayed the guy and made me feel uncomfortable...Maybe because Matt started his buisness much later than she did and he has over 50 plus varities...while she has only  a few.... Matt moves hundreds of plants a week via Amazon and his website, while I'm sure her numbers are much smaller....Seems like there's some turf war going on down there in Fallbrook lol.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 11, 2015, 06:47:21 PM
Oh, haha. Thanks for sharing. Now I can add to my story the next time someone asks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on February 11, 2015, 07:56:50 PM
You cali guys and your turf wars  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on February 11, 2015, 08:01:00 PM
Elk creek may provide better after sale advice. Linda nickerson is a pretty opinionated lady and will tell you more than you asked. I've not dealt with either one but I've heard Linda speak at past dragon fruit festivals and events.


I spoke to Linda last year on her Dragon Fruit selections...I mentioned several of the Dragon Fruit plants i purchased down the road at Matts nursery... LMFAO!!!! she immediately acknoledged  Matt as some Novice Grower who doesn't know much about Dragon Fruit except his Epi Cacti....literally downplayed the guy and made me feel uncomfortable...Maybe because Matt started his buisness much later than she did and he has over 50 plus varities...while she has only  a few.... Matt moves hundreds of plants a week via Amazon and his website, while I'm sure her numbers are much smaller....Seems like there's some turf war going on down there in Fallbrook lol.

I can vouch for mAtt. He's a good guy and is a straight shooter. Has always supplied me good cuttings that have always been true and gives me freebies with every order. Wish all sellers were like him.

And yes-- he knows his shit, believe me. I've had some great conversations with him via email that have really helped me out.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on February 11, 2015, 09:13:18 PM
Yes! Matt is also very informative about his craft... And he does it without the side bashing...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on February 11, 2015, 09:14:32 PM
starling1 good for you!!
yea lots of crap all around.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 11, 2015, 09:26:24 PM
I can vouch for mAtt. He's a good guy and is a straight shooter. Has always supplied me good cuttings that have always been true and gives me freebies with every order. Wish all sellers were like him.

And yes-- he knows his shit, believe me. I've had some great conversations with him via email that have really helped me out.

I too can vouch for Matt.

http://youtu.be/ssqFklhYhI4 (http://youtu.be/ssqFklhYhI4)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: drummer on February 23, 2015, 12:59:58 AM
Need to add some more Dragon fruit to my collection.any good variety that is cold hardy and a fast grower (and good taste of coarse). any suggestions, thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 23, 2015, 01:34:29 PM
Need to add some more Dragon fruit to my collection.any good variety that is cold hardy and a fast grower (and good taste of coarse). any suggestions, thanks.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 23, 2015, 02:00:48 PM
Hmm.. tastes are pretty subjective. If a single variety has all these traits, I don't think we'd have the 20 varieties we do now.

Cold hardy- valdivia roja from Richard's chart
Fast grower - physical graffitti
Good taste - many, but I like G2, sugar dragon,...
Self pollinating - Vietnamese white and yellow dragon are maybe the only consistent ones

Most of us want to grow the best one too and if you ask me I'd say I don't have any bad varieties, just 15-20 nice ones and maybe half of them actually fruit because they are too crowded.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: drummer on March 01, 2015, 09:03:34 PM
Anyone know when the next Dragon fruit festival and field day in Irvine is? I've always wanted to go there but never had the chance.Also do they charge? If they do how much do they usually charge? Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 01, 2015, 09:13:46 PM
Anyone know when the next Dragon fruit festival and field day in Irvine is? I've always wanted to go there but never had the chance.Also do they charge? If they do how much do they usually charge? Thanks

Here is a link to the 2014 festival.  2015 should be about the same.
http://www.uwagec.org/rightrisk/2014_08_22_PitahayaSeminarAndFestival.pdf (http://www.uwagec.org/rightrisk/2014_08_22_PitahayaSeminarAndFestival.pdf)

I went to the Saturday only field day which cost $40.00.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 11:38:18 AM
Has anyone had success using LED light to extend the season (or make them everbearing)? I picked up 2 12v waterproof 10w floods from Amazon, shining from the bottom up into the vines, but they haven't induced any flowers yet. Maybe my vine isn't big enough or it's an issue with heat.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 09, 2015, 11:50:53 AM
Has anyone had success using LED light to extend the season (or make them everbearing)? I picked up 2 12v waterproof 10w floods from Amazon, shining from the bottom up into the vines, but they haven't induced any flowers yet. Maybe my vine isn't big enough or it's an issue with heat.

20W of LED lights in a non reflective area, is going to be very little light to the plant. Your vine needs to gain mass first to spur flowering. I would say around +150 watt of LED grow light would be needed to flower a DF vine indoors. Also an area of 2'x2' with white walls or mylar would help greatly. No idea if you could trick the DF vine into flowering multiple times through out the year, but I assume it would be possible by manipulating the hours of artificial light to the plant (to stimulate hours reducing from summer into fall).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 12:18:59 PM
Has anyone had success using LED light to extend the season (or make them everbearing)? I picked up 2 12v waterproof 10w floods from Amazon, shining from the bottom up into the vines, but they haven't induced any flowers yet. Maybe my vine isn't big enough or it's an issue with heat.

20W of LED lights in a non reflective area, is going to be very little light to the plant. Your vine needs to gain mass first to spur flowering. I would say around +150 watt of LED grow light would be needed to flower a DF vine indoors. Also an area of 2'x2' with white walls or mylar would help greatly. No idea if you could trick the DF vine into flowering multiple times through out the year, but I assume it would be possible by manipulating the hours of artificial light to the plant (to stimulate hours reducing from summer into fall).

Hey Null, thanks for the info. I'm in Los Angeles so this guy lives outside. Given we've had such a lite winter (or a non-existent winter) I want to fool the plant into thinking it's getting summer light hours. In the pic is American Beauty and Halley's Comet in a 15 gal pot. You can see the two black floods attached to the trellis inside shining up, I have them powered by my landscape lighting, set to go on when it gets dark and turn off 8 hours later. To me, the plant looks plenty big, but this is my first DF. With our days in the 80's, it's growing like crazy.

I'm basing the LED light idea off of articles like this and others: https://hathutranslator.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/using-artificial-lighting-system-in-dragon-cactus-off-season/ (https://hathutranslator.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/using-artificial-lighting-system-in-dragon-cactus-off-season/)

They talk about using 6-20w of light. Of course, they're spread out all over and in the tropics. It'd be great if we could grow DF year around :)


(http://s28.postimg.cc/e1u7cd52l/dragon_fruit_march.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on March 09, 2015, 12:40:34 PM
I spoke to Linda yesterday when I picked up 2 of Paul Thompson's S-8 Sugar Dragons, She and her Husband told me they picked their last Sugar Dragon last Month and that the season Starts Spring...... If that's true then it seems you would almost have an everbearing Dragon Fruit with variety losing out on about 3 months of Fruit.

I should have bought 4 plants, but the Wife was with me so I only got 2  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 01:03:27 PM
I spoke to Linda yesterday when I picked up 2 of Paul Thompson's S-8 Sugar Dragons, She and her Husband told me they picked their last Sugar Dragon last Month and that the season Starts Spring...... If that's true then it seems you would almost have an everbearing Dragon Fruit with variety losing out on about 3 months of Fruit.

I should have bought 4 plants, but the Wife was with me so I only got 2  :'(

Interesting. Did you see any artificial lighting at their place? DF is a photo period plant, so it shouldn't flower after oct or so.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 09, 2015, 01:04:00 PM
Has anyone had success using LED light to extend the season (or make them everbearing)? I picked up 2 12v waterproof 10w floods from Amazon, shining from the bottom up into the vines, but they haven't induced any flowers yet. Maybe my vine isn't big enough or it's an issue with heat.

Josh,

How long (days) have the lights been on?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 01:08:02 PM
Has anyone had success using LED light to extend the season (or make them everbearing)? I picked up 2 12v waterproof 10w floods from Amazon, shining from the bottom up into the vines, but they haven't induced any flowers yet. Maybe my vine isn't big enough or it's an issue with heat.

Josh,

How long (days) have the lights been on?

Hey Ricshaw, I've had them going since early Nov last year. One of the lights doesn't have quite the output of the other one (cheap import light) so maybe a total of 15 watts. This is what I purchased: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G3TJ9T0 (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G3TJ9T0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 09, 2015, 01:27:53 PM
I am understanding what you are trying to do better Josh. It may help having a reflective cover around the plant to increase the light exposure. Depending how much light intensity is hitting the plant, the plant could perceive it as bright moon light rather then afternoon sun. I would think light wavelength and spectrum would be important in this case along with light intensity. Getting a bloom type grow light with plenty of red lights may be beneficial for the experiment.

Also consider that the guy in Vietnam has more daylight hours and light intensity during fall, winter, and spring. More photosynthesis is happening in his situation versus what you have. The plant may need a certain amount of energy stored to initiate flowering.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on March 09, 2015, 01:28:34 PM
LED lights are pretty much single or very narrow spectrum. So a whitish LED will not feed your DF at all, unlike a broad spectrum fluorescent bulb. You need a color that's in the absorption range of the plant. Those are the spooky red and blue colors and your neighbors would wonder if you're growing pot when that was illegal. Search for grow LED in eBay to find them. Our member (Kevin? CoPlantNut?) In Colorado has been using them in the basement during winters and has firsthand experience.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 01:39:12 PM
Hey guys, that makes sense. I want to see if there's any more info (or real world experience in CA or FL) before dropping more coin on lights.

Here's an interesting article about the actual light amounts needed. The light isn't used in a traditional sense, more to shock the plant into thinking it's day. My DF already gets plenty of regular light, I just want it to think it's July: http://stfc.org.au/dragon-fruit-by-graham-reindeers (http://stfc.org.au/dragon-fruit-by-graham-reindeers)

And here's a bit where they talk about using 27w CFL vs 6w LED: http://ilarrdec.mmsu.edu.ph/manuals/OffSEASON_DF.pdf (http://ilarrdec.mmsu.edu.ph/manuals/OffSEASON_DF.pdf)

Commercial production:

(https://hathutranslator.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/lighting-system-in-dragon_5.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 09, 2015, 01:41:59 PM
LED lights are pretty much single or very narrow spectrum. So a whitish LED will not feed your DF at all, unlike a broad spectrum fluorescent bulb. You need a color that's in the absorption range of the plant. Those are the spooky red and blue colors and your neighbors would wonder if you're growing pot when that was illegal. Search for grow LED in eBay to find them. Our member (Kevin? CoPlantNut?) In Colorado has been using them in the basement during winters and has firsthand experience.

I don't think that is true, the white LED light will give some usable light to the plant. However it would not be as much as a specialized LED grow light.

This looks like a decent wattage to start at. I would consider getting a tall grow tent 3'x3'x8', or doing it cheaper and getting some white cardboard to place around and a stand to hold the light above the plant.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151374521551?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/151374521551?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 01:50:29 PM
LED lights are pretty much single or very narrow spectrum. So a whitish LED will not feed your DF at all, unlike a broad spectrum fluorescent bulb. You need a color that's in the absorption range of the plant. Those are the spooky red and blue colors and your neighbors would wonder if you're growing pot when that was illegal. Search for grow LED in eBay to find them. Our member (Kevin? CoPlantNut?) In Colorado has been using them in the basement during winters and has firsthand experience.

I don't think that is true, the white LED light will give some usable light to the plant. However it would not be as much as a specialized LED grow light.

This looks like a decent wattage to start at. I would consider getting a tall grow tent 3'x3'x8', or doing it cheaper and getting some white cardboard to place around and a stand to hold the light above the plant.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151374521551?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/151374521551?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true)

Hey Null, cool ideas. Based on what I've read (linked above) commercial growers are using just 6w LEDs in the 2700k spectrum (the red end) to shock the plants into flowering. A 300w grow light with tent would be great for indoors, but, from what I can tell, that's overkill for growing outside. Besides, my plant is already 9ft tall x 6ft wide :) I don't think they're trying to get complete light coverage, more to just let the plants know it's daytime. I could see maybe a 50w red spectrum LED grow light outdoors, as long as it's waterproof.

Then again, the lights I got are 3000-3500k. Pretty red when they're lit up, definitely "warm white" not daylight, but maybe they need something closer to 2700k to trick the DF into flowering.

The commercial growers only turn on the lights from 10-2am using this setup (CFLs in the pic):

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sg-jWbNmOxjUGUjBqLlO-7RvSKuzl_GVED6gA8NpL-fryJ_yjibd1VxHW4GdI9_nnq5noBFYVsSwzsdfGI1fqWKDYsdrq5WX2zl2CHurNNlR7mY87j3CqQIFQ7hZWLdx4w)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 09, 2015, 01:55:31 PM
I was going to post this on a separate thread but since it was mentioned here, I'll discuss it here. By planting Frankies Red and the Yellow Dragon H/S Megalanthus, you can pretty much cover most the year. I didn't do anything special and both varieties are still holding fruit. Both varieties seem to be able to hold fruit for a very very long time. I have to double check but I believe I've had fruit since November. I'll take picture later.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 09, 2015, 01:56:59 PM
I think the trick is to make the plant think it is getting 12 or more hours of light a day.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 09, 2015, 02:01:46 PM
I was going to post this on a separate thread but since it was mentioned here, I'll discuss it here. By planting Frankies Red and the Yellow Dragon H/S Megalanthus, you can pretty much cover most the year. I didn't do anything special and both varieties are still holding fruit. Both varieties seem to be able to hold fruit for a very very long time. I have to double check but I believe I've had fruit since November. I'll take picture later.
Simon

One difference between H. megalanthus and most other Dragon Fruit varieties is the "days to harvest".

In Southern California, most Dragon Fruit varieties take about 45 days. Yellow Dragon Fruit takes about 165 days.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 09, 2015, 02:06:51 PM

The commercial growers only turn on the lights from 10-2am using this setup (CFLs in the pic):

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sg-jWbNmOxjUGUjBqLlO-7RvSKuzl_GVED6gA8NpL-fryJ_yjibd1VxHW4GdI9_nnq5noBFYVsSwzsdfGI1fqWKDYsdrq5WX2zl2CHurNNlR7mY87j3CqQIFQ7hZWLdx4w)

I aslo notice that they are still using incandescent bulbs.

Keep us posted on what you find in LED lighting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 09, 2015, 02:55:41 PM
Josh,

Yeah the 300w LED is over kill. I don't know why I did not think of recommending you the LED Grow light strips before;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7)

They are waterproof and you can string them around the tree. You will just need to hook up the power ends to an adapter, you can use power twists and and a suitable 12V power adapter.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 03:14:38 PM
Josh,

Yeah the 300w LED is over kill. I don't know why I did not think of recommending you the LED Grow light strips before;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7)

They are waterproof and you can string them around the tree. You will just need to hook up the power ends to an adapter, you can use power twists and and a suitable 12V power adapter.

That's pretty cool! Those may work. I feel like I need to do some more research to figure out what the problem is. The potential issues are:

-Wrong light spectrum (2700k needed instead of 3000k). Also, it appears DF needs 660nm wavelength in LED terms, not sure how that translates to kelvin.

-Not enough light

-Not enough coverage

-Plant too young
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 09, 2015, 03:23:08 PM
Josh,

Yeah the 300w LED is over kill. I don't know why I did not think of recommending you the LED Grow light strips before;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7)

They are waterproof and you can string them around the tree. You will just need to hook up the power ends to an adapter, you can use power twists and and a suitable 12V power adapter.

That's pretty cool! Those may work. I feel like I need to do some more research to figure out what the problem is. The potential issues are:

-Wrong light spectrum (2700k needed instead of 3000k). Also, it appears DF needs 660nm wavelength in LED terms, not sure how that translates to kelvin.

-Not enough light

-Not enough coverage

-Plant too young

That strip I listed should have 660nm in it, they just don't list the wavelengths. Other similar strips do such as this listing; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-660nm-Blue-455nm-5-1-LED-5050-Flexible-Strips-Light-for-Plant-Grow-Growth-/261605177804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3ce8e239cc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-660nm-Blue-455nm-5-1-LED-5050-Flexible-Strips-Light-for-Plant-Grow-Growth-/261605177804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3ce8e239cc) . However most strips are made in china by the same companies, so I assume they most likely having the same wavelengths. I would browse through ebay and find the best deal for the strips, if you decide to get them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 09, 2015, 03:42:47 PM
I was going to post this on a separate thread but since it was mentioned here, I'll discuss it here. By planting Frankies Red and the Yellow Dragon H/S Megalanthus, you can pretty much cover most the year. I didn't do anything special and both varieties are still holding fruit. Both varieties seem to be able to hold fruit for a very very long time. I have to double check but I believe I've had fruit since November. I'll take picture later.
Simon

One difference between H. megalanthus and most other Dragon Fruit varieties is the "days to harvest".

In Southern California, most Dragon Fruit varieties take about 45 days. Yellow Dragon Fruit takes about 165 days.

Yes they absolutely take longer to ripen the fruit and the most important aspect is that once the fruit ripens, they can hold on the vine for many months. Some of my Yellow DF have been ripe for several months and they still appear to be good at least looking at the outside of it. I will cut one open later to verify the Brix and texture are still ok.

The regular DF do not hold well on the vine and easily become mushy.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 03:53:44 PM
Josh,

Yeah the 300w LED is over kill. I don't know why I did not think of recommending you the LED Grow light strips before;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-3-4-5-10-25-50m-5050-LED-Strip-Aquarium-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Grow-Light-12V-/381115004615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item58bc3976c7)

They are waterproof and you can string them around the tree. You will just need to hook up the power ends to an adapter, you can use power twists and and a suitable 12V power adapter.

That's pretty cool! Those may work. I feel like I need to do some more research to figure out what the problem is. The potential issues are:

-Wrong light spectrum (2700k needed instead of 3000k). Also, it appears DF needs 660nm wavelength in LED terms, not sure how that translates to kelvin.

-Not enough light

-Not enough coverage

-Plant too young

That strip I listed should have 660nm in it, they just don't list the wavelengths. Other similar strips do such as this listing; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-660nm-Blue-455nm-5-1-LED-5050-Flexible-Strips-Light-for-Plant-Grow-Growth-/261605177804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3ce8e239cc (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-660nm-Blue-455nm-5-1-LED-5050-Flexible-Strips-Light-for-Plant-Grow-Growth-/261605177804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3ce8e239cc) . However most strips are made in china by the same companies, so I assume they most likely having the same wavelengths. I would browse through ebay and find the best deal for the strips, if you decide to get them.

Looks like those are ideal. I did some reading and the 660nm red grow light seems to be what triggers the dragon fruit flowering, which makes sense, that's what the 660nm does for all plants. DF needs 10 watts (in incandescent terms) to shock the plant into thinking it's daytime. At the same time, it's strange the 3000k floods don't produce flowering, maybe it's that the LED 3000k doesn't hit the right spectrums while a 2700k incandescent or CFL does.

Those 12v strips should fit run right off of my automatic landscape lighting and wrap around my trellis nicely.

EDIT: It appears DF needs 10 lumens, not 10 watts. 10 lumens is very little, though it's not clear if that's for every part of the plant. Here's more about it: http://stfc.org.au/dragon-fruit-by-graham-reindeers (http://stfc.org.au/dragon-fruit-by-graham-reindeers)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on March 09, 2015, 04:14:42 PM
He might have meant 10 Lux rather than Lumens? 10 lux is really small so I'm not sure if that's correct either.
Lumen = total light output from a light source. My 1-AAA LED keychain light outputs ~13 lumens.
Lux = amount of light "flow" through a surface area (something like square meter).

Graham Reindeers does know a lot about DF and supplement lighting used in various places. You can read more of his posts in the pitayafruit yahoo group.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 05:19:39 PM
He might have meant 10 Lux rather than Lumens? 10 lux is really small so I'm not sure if that's correct either.
Lumen = total light output from a light source. My 1-AAA LED keychain light outputs ~13 lumens.
Lux = amount of light "flow" through a surface area (something like square meter).

Graham Reindeers does know a lot about DF and supplement lighting used in various places. You can read more of his posts in the pitayafruit yahoo group.

Good point, no idea. It seems there's very little research on the subject. I might just buy some of those 660nm strip lights, but the spring equinox is March 20th so there's really no point now. If my DF fruits in 2 weeks, I'll know it was the lights and buy the lights in Sept.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 09:06:06 PM
Here's a 68 watt 2700k CFL I found in my garage. The thing is a monster. It puts out 4200 lumens, the equivalent of 300 watts of normal light. It's probably more than needed but I'd like to see if I can force flowering right now. This should be similar to what the commercial growers are doing. We'll see.

(http://s2.postimg.cc/vchjz8pd5/dragon_fruit_light_cfl.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 09, 2015, 09:49:07 PM
Here's a picture of my Frankies red and yellow dragon still with fruit on them. I just cut open a yellow dragon and the texture is still perfect, not mushy at all but the Brix has dropped down to 17%. It is still very sweet, a hundred times better than the commercial ones but less sweet than in December and January.
(http://s21.postimg.cc/m1r9uhoj7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/m1r9uhoj7/)

(http://s21.postimg.cc/csp3kdfn7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/csp3kdfn7/)

(http://s21.postimg.cc/jhvn0e0z7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jhvn0e0z7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 09, 2015, 10:51:08 PM
Here's a picture of my Frankies red and yellow dragon still with fruit on them. I just cut open a yellow dragon and the texture is still perfect, not mushy at all but the Brix has dropped down to 17%. It is still very sweet, a hundred times better than the commercial ones but less sweet than in December and January.

Nice! I hope this means growing year around DF in CA is worthwhile, albeit with a drop in brix. And I assume Frankies Red ripens closer to 150 than 30?

Here's the new light at night, it's crazy bright and definitely warmer color temp than the LED lights. I'm hoping the neighbors don't complain:

(http://s17.postimg.cc/uq3o1z1ov/dragon_fruit_light_cfl_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 09, 2015, 11:21:51 PM

Yes they absolutely take longer to ripen the fruit and the most important aspect is that once the fruit ripens, they can hold on the vine for many months. Some of my Yellow DF have been ripe for several months and they still appear to be good at least looking at the outside of it. I will cut one open later to verify the Brix and texture are still ok.

The regular DF do not hold well on the vine and easily become mushy.

Simon

I think I remember hearing at one of the Pitahaya festivals I attended in 2014 that if you want Dragon Fruit in Jan/Feb, grow Yellow Dragon Fruit.

I do not have any experience growing Yellow DF and the time the fruit can be left before picking.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 09, 2015, 11:41:00 PM
Yup, Frankies Red takes about the same amount of time to ripen as the Yellow Dragon. Frankies Red flowers earlier and thus ripens a little earlier but I still do also have two fruits left on Frankies Red. I'll cut one open tomorrow and report back with fruit quality this late into the season.

If you see the pictures on reply #5 of this thread: http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.0)
You can see that my fruit were already ripe in December 15 and if I remember correctly, some were actually ripe in November. I looked at my old picture from the December 15 post and compared them to my fruit today and it sure looks like some of the same ripe fruit from December are the same fruit I harvested today meaning that they held on the vine for about 3 months if not longer because they were actually ripe before I took the picture.

The Yellow Dragons I harvested today look pretty horrible with many small brown and reddish specks all over the fruit but the eating quality is still excellent. I remember that I was still harvesting some straggler Simons Purple, American Beauty and Halkeys Comet when the Frankies red were ripening so if I'm able to somehow stimulate these varieties SP, AB, HC to flower early, I can almost get year round harvest as long as my Yellow can continue to hold on the vine for another month or two.

I will try to leave one of my yellow fruit for as long as possible to see just how long they can hang without going bad. I think April and May will be the months that are most difficult to get ripe Dragon Fruit.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 09, 2015, 11:43:16 PM
Here's a picture of a Frankies Ared still on the vine picture taken today. I also harvested one fruit.

Simon
(http://s1.postimg.cc/q7e0brevv/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/q7e0brevv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jexton on March 10, 2015, 10:40:09 AM
Here's a picture of a Frankies Ared still on the vine picture taken today. I also harvested one fruit.

Simon
(http://s1.postimg.cc/q7e0brevv/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/q7e0brevv/)

Simon your FR are driving me crazy!  ;D I look up and down the internets every week, but no one has them. Does anyone in Florida know where I may get a cutting?  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 10, 2015, 01:13:42 PM
Yup, Frankies Red takes about the same amount of time to ripen as the Yellow Dragon. Frankies Red flowers earlier and thus ripens a little earlier but I still do also have two fruits left on Frankies Red. I'll cut one open tomorrow and report back with fruit quality this late into the season.

If you see the pictures on reply #5 of this thread: http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.0)
You can see that my fruit were already ripe in December 15 and if I remember correctly, some were actually ripe in November. I looked at my old picture from the December 15 post and compared them to my fruit today and it sure looks like some of the same ripe fruit from December are the same fruit I harvested today meaning that they held on the vine for about 3 months if not longer because they were actually ripe before I took the picture.

The Yellow Dragons I harvested today look pretty horrible with many small brown and reddish specks all over the fruit but the eating quality is still excellent. I remember that I was still harvesting some straggler Simons Purple, American Beauty and Halkeys Comet when the Frankies red were ripening so if I'm able to somehow stimulate these varieties SP, AB, HC to flower early, I can almost get year round harvest as long as my Yellow can continue to hold on the vine for another month or two.

I will try to leave one of my yellow fruit for as long as possible to see just how long they can hang without going bad. I think April and May will be the months that are most difficult to get ripe Dragon Fruit.

Simon

It's too bad the frankies take so long to ripen (or yellow DF for that matter). I wonder if anyone is crossing them to see if a yellow can produce on a normal DF schedule.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on March 14, 2015, 10:35:30 AM
Hi,

I`m a bit concerned about two of my DF, both Physical Graffiti variety. As they came out of winter and AFTER I water them two times in one week I began noticing that they were becoming brown in the sun side:

(http://s22.postimg.cc/j1smam0gd/DSC_0691_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j1smam0gd/)

One month ago this one was like this:

(http://s12.postimg.cc/wu0twybzd/DSC_0586_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/wu0twybzd/)

The others (American Beauty, Halleys Comet and Purple Haze) are normal (for now...)

I understand that the spring awakening can cause some problems but this is not normal...

The sides that are not faced to the sun have a perfect green. Temperatures in the last couple of weeks  range between 75ºF and 45ºF. Could this be frost damage for the high temperature range?

P.S. One year plant
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on March 14, 2015, 10:47:51 AM
A close up:


(http://s11.postimg.cc/xzgpmm8fz/DSC_0696_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xzgpmm8fz/)


Any help?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 14, 2015, 12:00:08 PM

Any help?


I can't help, but if they produce new growth they should be okay.

I have a ugly yellow stem DF that produce lots of flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 14, 2015, 02:17:20 PM
As long as the plant is still growing, you should be fine. My DF vines don't like it when it gets too hot, they get burned if sun is too hot and they lack water. I also noticed my plants yellow a little in the Winter.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: drummer on March 15, 2015, 12:36:48 AM
So I just got some frankie's red cuttings a couple days ago and I just noticed they had flower buds. I know the plant can't have fruit since it's just a cutting.So my question is should I just take the bud off or will it just die off? Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on March 15, 2015, 01:57:50 AM
So I just got some frankie's red cuttings a couple days ago and I just noticed they had flower buds. I know the plant can't have fruit since it's just a cutting.So my question is should I just take the bud off or will it just die off? Thanks

Should be god either way man. If you don't remove them they will drop off, but the energy to create them has t come from somewhere so you're better off removing them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on March 22, 2015, 05:18:40 PM
Hi,

I picked up a Hailey's Comet from Home Depot while in Miami and I live in the midwest where the lightning and weather is not suitable.  I didn't have any idea what I was actually picking up until I got home.  Abut 90 days later, it's clear my dragonfruit is not getting the light it needs as its showing very clear signs of etiolation.

I've been searching for what specific lightning I need to grow this plant indoors as if we were considering very minimal, if any, sun.  So far, from reading this forum and other sources, I need to obtain a 300 watt LED light that is in the red/blue spectrum and specifically with Red at 660nm and this light should be on the plant for about 12-15 hours a day.  Does this sound right?  Do I need 300 watts?  Is this the only light needed?  I've read many places that all types of lights will work while others have had mixed results.

The setup in my below pictures is using a 24in draining pot that begins with rocks, Perlite, Peat Moss / Perlite / Vermiculite/ Potting Soil / Compost, Compost, and compost starter containing desired fungus.  This was initially one plant but I cut off several branches and began trying to plant them in a circle with a goal of pruning to be a tree of sorts.  My goal at this stage is to fix the lighting situation and begin setting the root stalks.  Any advice would be really appreciated!

(http://s10.postimg.cc/96p2l5p1h/20150322_141539.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/96p2l5p1h/)(http://s10.postimg.cc/gbbh7xlol/20150322_141552.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gbbh7xlol/)
(http://s14.postimg.cc/f3fksjohp/20150322_142036.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f3fksjohp/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/dm7hqf1fp/20150322_141723.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dm7hqf1fp/)
(http://s14.postimg.cc/5lb8erdfh/20150322_141447.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5lb8erdfh/)
(http://s14.postimg.cc/g4ftho5h9/20150322_141945.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/g4ftho5h9/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/cb4bvov7p/20150322_142242.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cb4bvov7p/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/52o3snt39/20150322_141922.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/52o3snt39/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/ybkocbdvp/20150322_142201.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ybkocbdvp/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/c3goz6k91/20150322_142136.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c3goz6k91/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/51e5z8r9h/20150322_142031.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/51e5z8r9h/)
(http://s10.postimg.cc/dd9x0hon9/20150322_141739.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dd9x0hon9/)










Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NathanC on March 22, 2015, 08:12:11 PM
Leo's Costa Rican Dragon will be available to those that are willing to drive to Leo's home in late summer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on March 23, 2015, 03:42:33 AM
Hi,

I picked up a Hailey's Comet from Home Depot while in Miami and I live in the midwest where the lightning and weather is not suitable.  I didn't have any idea what I was actually picking up until I got home.  Abut 90 days later, it's clear my dragonfruit is not getting the light it needs as its showing very clear signs of etiolation.

I've been searching for what specific lightning I need to grow this plant indoors as if we were considering very minimal, if any, sun.  So far, from reading this forum and other sources, I need to obtain a 300 watt LED light that is in the red/blue spectrum and specifically with Red at 660nm and this light should be on the plant for about 12-15 hours a day.  Does this sound right?  Do I need 300 watts?  Is this the only light needed?  I've read many places that all types of lights will work while others have had mixed results.

The setup in my below pictures is using a 24in draining pot that begins with rocks, Perlite, Peat Moss / Perlite / Vermiculite/ Potting Soil / Compost, Compost, and compost starter containing desired fungus.  This was initially one plant but I cut off several branches and began trying to plant them in a circle with a goal of pruning to be a tree of sorts.  My goal at this stage is to fix the lighting situation and begin setting the root stalks.  Any advice would be really appreciated!
Thanks!

This 300watt LED off ebay looked good; http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsHydro-300W-LED-Grow-Light-Kit-Horticulture-Full-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Plants-/151374521551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233e9fe4cf (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsHydro-300W-LED-Grow-Light-Kit-Horticulture-Full-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Plants-/151374521551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233e9fe4cf)

Your also going to want a grow tent (unless you have grow area setup), so you can increase the reflectivity with the LED grow light. Look for mylar indoor grow tents that are around 6ft tall and maybe a 4'x4' L/W. You may also want to get some side LED lightening . If you face grow tent door opening out toward the window, you can have the plant opened up during the day time and then at night you close it up and run the lights for 8 hours or so.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on March 28, 2015, 03:17:44 AM
Happy to say the df I have in a pot has reached the top. :)

Do I cut the top off? I read this helps in horizontal growth.

And can I repot this cutting? The plant is about 7 months old.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on March 28, 2015, 09:01:24 PM
Unknown purple giant DF with flower buds in march?


(http://s11.postimg.cc/j6iwzyo67/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j6iwzyo67/)



(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yjfvvh1x/image2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yjfvvh1x/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 28, 2015, 10:55:38 PM
Unknown purple giant DF with flower buds in march?


(http://s11.postimg.cc/j6iwzyo67/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j6iwzyo67/)



(http://s10.postimg.cc/5yjfvvh1x/image2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yjfvvh1x/)

Fantastic! How big is your plant? And is it getting any supplemental lighting so it blooms this early?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on March 29, 2015, 11:31:23 AM
Josh,
the plant is only about 3ft tall with a few arms. No supplemental light. It might be the street light and recent heat waves.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 29, 2015, 11:48:30 PM
Leo's Costa Rican Dragon will be available to those that are willing to drive to Leo's home in late summer.

Hello Nathan, do you have any information on Leo's Costan Dragon? Is that the one he crossed with the S Megalanthus.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 29, 2015, 11:59:31 PM
It looks like I will be close to having Dragonfruit year round. My Simons Purple DF is now popping out flower buds all over the place. It's always the first to flower for me followed by American Beauty and then Halley's Comet. It's still going to be a while before I harvest any fruit but at least my Yellow Dragon still has ripe and still good quality fruit on it.

I just harvested my last Frankies Red because it got sunburned on one side and it was still great tasting so late in the season. The Brix was at 17% but it tasted very sweet and the texture was firm and the fruit has more than just a hint of Watermelon flavor. I still have one Frankies Red in the fridge.

I will leave my last couple Yellow Dragonfruit hanging on the vine for as long as possible in order to see if it will hold till my Simons Purple is ready. I Think that if I harvested a fruit and keep it in the fridge, it may very well hold till the Simons Purple is ready.

I did not do anything special to get my Simons Purple to flower, I think they just naturally flower around this time of year.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 30, 2015, 12:04:19 AM
Sorry, here's the pics: Frankies Red
(http://s22.postimg.cc/csvzmvmu5/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/csvzmvmu5/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/sbou695r1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sbou695r1/)
Simons Purple flower buds
(http://s27.postimg.cc/dpobbfggf/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dpobbfggf/)

(http://s27.postimg.cc/8082r4aa7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8082r4aa7/)
Yellow dragons still on the vine
(http://s22.postimg.cc/8iqiirwil/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8iqiirwil/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: darkcoolboo on March 30, 2015, 01:27:01 AM
Leo's Costa Rican Dragon will be available to those that are willing to drive to Leo's home in late summer.

Hello Nathan, do you have any information on Leo's Costan Dragon? Is that the one he crossed with the S Megalanthus.

Simon
Yes, It's Leo's newest selection. It is a H. costaricensis X S. Megalanthus.  It is a top selection made in 2005 that sports fruit that is NOT spiky, unlike Frankie's Red and S. Megalanthus. It doesn't have any H. Undatus in the mix. It appears to have a dark purple-ish flesh that could be interesting. Leo said on the Yahoo! group that it will be ready by the end of the summer. I don't live in California, so could someone shed some light on experience with it?
The fruit is featured in the second half of ricshaw's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtO7J6ZKX0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtO7J6ZKX0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 30, 2015, 02:33:20 AM
Yes, It's Leo's newest selection. It is a H. costaricensis X S. Megalanthus.  It is a top selection made in 2005 that sports fruit that is NOT spiky, unlike Frankie's Red and S. Megalanthus. It doesn't have any H. Undatus in the mix. It appears to have a dark purple-ish flesh that could be interesting. Leo said on the Yahoo! group that it will be ready by the end of the summer. I don't live in California, so could someone shed some light on experience with it?
The fruit is featured in the second half of ricshaw's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtO7J6ZKX0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtO7J6ZKX0)

Pretty much everything has been said about it.

This is the picture Leo posted on his Yahoo Group:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/Leos%20Costa%20Rican%20Dragon_zpsnngp3hxs.jpg)

I don't remember anything about the taste except that it was good.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 30, 2015, 08:19:15 AM
Thanks for the information, it looks to be good size and has the benefit of no spines so sounds like a keeper. I'll try to get a Brix reading from one of Leo's fruit this year.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on March 30, 2015, 12:08:50 PM
It looks like I will be close to having Dragonfruit year round. My Simons Purple DF is now popping out flower buds all over the place. It's always the first to flower for me followed by American Beauty and then Halley's Comet. It's still going to be a while before I harvest any fruit but at least my Yellow Dragon still has ripe and still good quality fruit on it.

I just harvested my last Frankies Red because it got sunburned on one side and it was still great tasting so late in the season. The Brix was at 17% but it tasted very sweet and the texture was firm and the fruit has more than just a hint of Watermelon flavor. I still have one Frankies Red in the fridge.

I will leave my last couple Yellow Dragonfruit hanging on the vine for as long as possible in order to see if it will hold till my Simons Purple is ready. I Think that if I harvested a fruit and keep it in the fridge, it may very well hold till the Simons Purple is ready.

I did not do anything special to get my Simons Purple to flower, I think they just naturally flower around this time of year.

Simon

You're getting blooms too? I haven't gotten anything on my Halley's and American Beauty, other than tons of new growth. The plants are huge and I'm blasting them with 300 watts of light to try to force them into bloom mode. Maybe I've used too much ferts? I'm using standard Osmocote Plus amounts and a little Vigoro Citrus/Avo. Our temps are great, I'm not sure what's wrong...



(http://s27.postimg.cc/3vn2qmtmr/dragon_fruit_trellis_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 30, 2015, 12:13:11 PM
Links to U.C.C.E. videos on Dragon Fruit

New YouTube video by my Dragon Fruit hobbyist friend Mark.

https://youtu.be/7EjoW8EkAAo
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on March 31, 2015, 10:33:01 PM
Anyone have links to videos or good information regarding ways to increase flowering and fruit set for Dragonfruit? I thought I remembered reading that drought stress and or pruning can promote flowering? I might have read it in a DragonFruit book or CRFG article but can't seem to find it.

Anyways, I gave my DF plants some drought stress for about two months starting about two months ago and I fertilized with Hawaiian bud and bloom about two weeks ago. Now that I see small flower buds, I'm going to drench with kelp emulsion and also apply a slow release fertilizer like Vigro from Home Depot. I stopped counting the flowers on my Simons Purple after 60 and I also noticed a few flower buds on my American Beauty. I have not seen any flower buds on my Halleys Comet yet.

Simon
(http://s14.postimg.cc/9zcs6o0zh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9zcs6o0zh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on April 02, 2015, 10:21:27 AM
Anyone have links to videos or good information regarding ways to increase flowering and fruit set for Dragonfruit? I thought I remembered reading that drought stress and or pruning can promote flowering? I might have read it in a DragonFruit book or CRFG article but can't seem to find it.

Anyways, I gave my DF plants some drought stress for about two months starting about two months ago and I fertilized with Hawaiian bud and bloom about two weeks ago. Now that I see small flower buds, I'm going to drench with kelp emulsion and also apply a slow release fertilizer like Vigro from Home Depot. I stopped counting the flowers on my Simons Purple after 60 and I also noticed a few flower buds on my American Beauty. I have not seen any flower buds on my Halleys Comet yet.

Simon
(http://s14.postimg.cc/9zcs6o0zh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9zcs6o0zh/)

Hey Simon, did you find any info? I think I did something that encourages mass growth and not flowering. I have American Beauty and Halleys. I use Osmocote Plus and Vigoro (Vigoro isn't slow release, it has a small amount of coated urea).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dkian on April 03, 2015, 02:04:21 PM
Hey All -

On a recent trip to Home Depot (think I was there for lightbulbs), I took a stroll though their "Garden" on my way out.  As I passed by their display of succulents, a container of dragon fruit caught my attention.  Guess I recognized the catci because of the photos I've seen posted on this forum.  Two containers of "Haley's Comet" sat there mixed in with a dozen or so "succulents".  I don't currently grow any DF at my home, but thought it would be fun to add some dragon fruit to my collection of mangos, passion fruit, guanabana, mulberry, loquat, banana, starfruit, fig, persian lime and coconut.

I only noticed the label stating that these dragon fruit had been treated with Neonicotinoids after I got them home.  Anyhow, I keep my property pesticide-free and although these dragon fruit are good looking specimens, I'll be returning them tomorrow to Home Depot tomorrow.

Based on the Dragon fruit threads I've read, I know a lot of you have many DF beauties of your own and was hoping I could propagate some of the great varieties other forum members have in my garden.  Happy to pay shipping and should also have some good philippine mangos ripening in a month or two as well as yellow passion fruit.

Thanks in advance all.

Cheers
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 03, 2015, 02:45:10 PM
So, are you saying you will have some good tasting Mangos to trade?  :D


Hey All -

On a recent trip to Home Depot (think I was there for lightbulbs), I took a stroll though their "Garden" on my way out.  As I passed by their display of succulents, a container of dragon fruit caught my attention.  Guess I recognized the catci because of the photos I've seen posted on this forum.  Two containers of "Haley's Comet" sat there mixed in with a dozen or so "succulents".  I don't currently grow any DF at my home, but thought it would be fun to add some dragon fruit to my collection of mangos, passion fruit, guanabana, mulberry, loquat, banana, starfruit, fig, persian lime and coconut.

I only noticed the label stating that these dragon fruit had been treated with Neonicotinoids after I got them home.  Anyhow, I keep my property pesticide-free and although these dragon fruit are good looking specimens, I'll be returning them tomorrow to Home Depot tomorrow.

Based on the Dragon fruit threads I've read, I know a lot of you have many DF beauties of your own and was hoping I could propagate some of the great varieties other forum members have in my garden.  Happy to pay shipping and should also have some good philippine mangos ripening in a month or two as well as yellow passion fruit.

Thanks in advance all.

Cheers
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on April 04, 2015, 03:42:23 AM
Hey guys,

My dragonfruit cuttings finally started rooting and has put out many lovely root in their small container <3 Also the gift Epis I got from Mattlandscape rooted and they have both got a flower on their top.

(http://s30.postimg.cc/xxepbdmwd/IMG_0440.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xxepbdmwd/)

Around 3 days earlier, I started seeing something at one of the nodes on the American Beauties, and I got so excited thinking it was the start of a new shoot, but now I'm not so sure.
This is a flower bud, isn't it?

(http://s28.postimg.cc/4nizxu0sp/IMG_0439.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4nizxu0sp/)

I'm pretty sure my plants are happy, since they get around 6-8 hours of sun from my windowsill
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on April 04, 2015, 12:32:20 PM
Nullzero,

Thank you for your advice.  I moved forward with a 300w MarsHydro light you recommended.  It was tricky at first finding out how i could hang thing light in my kitchen but found a wall mount for a TV accessory that seemed to do the trick if placed towards my ceiling and I drilled holes through the ends for the clips.

I don't have a mylar grow tent at this point.  It was a hard sell for the wife.  I don't know how much efficiency I'm losing at this point because I don't have the grow tent or if I can even be successful growing without the tent.  I've added a directional CFL at full spectrum and a T12 (17w) at full spectrum that I move around at different times.  I'm running the lights from about 7am-2am a day.

We were thinking about getting loose mylar and place on the wall/floor surrounding that corner to get better reflection or maybe a sheet to cover that corner while we're at work.  What are your thoughts?

Thanks again, Nullzero!

Hi,

I picked up a Hailey's Comet from Home Depot while in Miami and I live in the midwest where the lightning and weather is not suitable.  I didn't have any idea what I was actually picking up until I got home.  Abut 90 days later, it's clear my dragonfruit is not getting the light it needs as its showing very clear signs of etiolation.

I've been searching for what specific lightning I need to grow this plant indoors as if we were considering very minimal, if any, sun.  So far, from reading this forum and other sources, I need to obtain a 300 watt LED light that is in the red/blue spectrum and specifically with Red at 660nm and this light should be on the plant for about 12-15 hours a day.  Does this sound right?  Do I need 300 watts?  Is this the only light needed?  I've read many places that all types of lights will work while others have had mixed results.

The setup in my below pictures is using a 24in draining pot that begins with rocks, Perlite, Peat Moss / Perlite / Vermiculite/ Potting Soil / Compost, Compost, and compost starter containing desired fungus.  This was initially one plant but I cut off several branches and began trying to plant them in a circle with a goal of pruning to be a tree of sorts.  My goal at this stage is to fix the lighting situation and begin setting the root stalks.  Any advice would be really appreciated!
Thanks!

This 300watt LED off ebay looked good; http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsHydro-300W-LED-Grow-Light-Kit-Horticulture-Full-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Plants-/151374521551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233e9fe4cf (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MarsHydro-300W-LED-Grow-Light-Kit-Horticulture-Full-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Plants-/151374521551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233e9fe4cf)

Your also going to want a grow tent (unless you have grow area setup), so you can increase the reflectivity with the LED grow light. Look for mylar indoor grow tents that are around 6ft tall and maybe a 4'x4' L/W. You may also want to get some side LED lightening . If you face grow tent door opening out toward the window, you can have the plant opened up during the day time and then at night you close it up and run the lights for 8 hours or so.
(http://s13.postimg.cc/x1eyh7dar/20150403_175017.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x1eyh7dar/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/oc9w3w199/20150403_174957.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/oc9w3w199/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RichardN on April 04, 2015, 06:31:26 PM
I harvest my Dragon fruit last year for the first time. It is very sweet and hope to get some more this year.
(http://s27.postimg.cc/bwm8eybxb/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bwm8eybxb/)

(http://s27.postimg.cc/bikwfcrtr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bikwfcrtr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on April 10, 2015, 10:34:23 AM
So far without a grow tent and using 300w LED, two directional CFLs at 6500k Daylight (100w equiv replacement of incandescent), 17w T8 6500k Daylight, I noticed these two little buds pop up.  One doesn't have any spikes and seems to have brown dots while the other is quite green with spikes.  Pretty nice :)   I ordered about 5 of those mylar survival jackets which reflect 90%+ heat so I can begin trying to contain the LED light.  I also picked up one of those LED light strips off ebay that Nullzero recommended several threads back.  Combined, but not contained, I have natural sunlight (from midwest) through a window, 7150 lumens from LED grow light, 2x 1600 lumens from CFLs, and likely a negligible number from the 17w T8.  Seems to be doing the tricks...

(http://s12.postimg.cc/xgz1syyrd/20150410_082406.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xgz1syyrd/)

(http://s12.postimg.cc/clcrhq2k9/20150410_082414.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/clcrhq2k9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on April 10, 2015, 10:38:52 AM
I have a cuttling I recently planted that has new growth at a node looking similar to this.  Not sure if its a shoot or bud.

Hey guys,

My dragonfruit cuttings finally started rooting and has put out many lovely root in their small container <3 Also the gift Epis I got from Mattlandscape rooted and they have both got a flower on their top.

(http://s30.postimg.cc/xxepbdmwd/IMG_0440.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xxepbdmwd/)

Around 3 days earlier, I started seeing something at one of the nodes on the American Beauties, and I got so excited thinking it was the start of a new shoot, but now I'm not so sure.
This is a flower bud, isn't it?

(http://s28.postimg.cc/4nizxu0sp/IMG_0439.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4nizxu0sp/)

I'm pretty sure my plants are happy, since they get around 6-8 hours of sun from my windowsill
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on April 10, 2015, 07:45:37 PM
Hi,

I'm pretty sure one of these is a flower bud and one is a shoot.  I'm surprised I'm getting a flower indoors from a fresh cuttling.  I wonder how big the flower may get in relation to the cuttling size.  Now, I just need to get my other cuttlings to do something...

(http://s23.postimg.cc/cpd3md8s7/20150410_185322.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/cpd3md8s7/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/sc4czqmk7/20150410_185438.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sc4czqmk7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 10, 2015, 08:08:06 PM
Anyone know how to push the growth of Dragonfruit seedlings? I sprouted a few seeds and after its seed leaves appeared, it has not grown at all in about two to three weeks. Can seedlings take full sun, they are currently in partial sun and I was wondering if that is why they are growing so slowly. These seeds are very precious so I want to be extremely careful with them yet I also want to speed up their growth as fast as possible. Thanks in advance!
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on April 11, 2015, 03:28:17 AM
Anyone know how to push the growth of Dragonfruit seedlings? I sprouted a few seeds and after its seed leaves appeared, it has not grown at all in about two to three weeks. Can seedlings take full sun, they are currently in partial sun and I was wondering if that is why they are growing so slowly. These seeds are very precious so I want to be extremely careful with them yet I also want to speed up their growth as fast as possible. Thanks in advance!
Simon

I had good results once I started fertilizing the new growth. Sounds crazy but i was fed up seeing them take ages to grow. They shot up ever since and have been growing well when compared to others I never fertilized in the past.

I have them in full sun but there were days initially when I put them in shade. Like 10 days full sun and 2-3 days shade just to cool them off and it seems to work.

I'm gonna plant them in the ground today. :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on April 11, 2015, 04:00:19 AM
I received some seeds from Oscar of the megalanthus hybrid nearly 2 years ago.My dragonfruit crazy chum has them in big pots and they are flowering.His experience is that seedlings watered and fertilized well in a warm climate fruit in less than e years and sometimes a bit faster.They are not in full sun.
Potash and micronutrients can shorten the juvenile period for some fruit trees and I suspect dragonfruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on April 11, 2015, 06:24:45 AM

it was in the greenhouse all winter
and had only 2 or 3 segments,
then sprouted lots of growth, so , i put it in the ground.
i am in New Orleans (9b) and a freeze killed my other dragonfruit in a container
so, this one will be against the house, pretty well protected.

but, now i got some spots on it... rot or something ?
this pic is a few days old, i just noticed new growth
 from the top of the tall skinny segment today.

will this skinny segment get wider ?
is this a problem ?

supports are temporary till i figure out what i want to do.
i put a pine cone between 2 segments to separate them.

segment on the bottom-left is not planted in the ground
just touching the leaf litter
it does have a few roots on it though
should i plant it in the soil ?
(http://s8.postimg.cc/fmtod4v9t/drago.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/fmtod4v9t/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on April 11, 2015, 06:35:52 AM

it was in the greenhouse all winter
and had only 2 or 3 segments,
then sprouted lots of growth, so , i put it in the ground.
i am in New Orleans (9b) and a freeze killed my other dragonfruit in a container
so, this one will be against the house, pretty well protected.

but, now i got some spots on it... rot or something ?
this pic is a few days old, i just noticed new growth
 from the top of the tall skinny segment today.

will this skinny segment get wider ?
is this a problem ?

supports are temporary till i figure out what i want to do.
i put a pine cone between 2 segments to separate them.

segment on the bottom-left is not planted in the ground
just touching the leaf litter
it does have a few roots on it though
should i plant it in the soil ?
(http://s8.postimg.cc/fmtod4v9t/drago.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/fmtod4v9t/)



At first glance I thought it was a poem about dragon fruit...

The stems are thin because they need more light, and the spots seems to be frost damage
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Monkeyfingers on April 11, 2015, 09:19:23 AM
Hi everyone, first time poster. We are in Jacksonville, FL, and we bought a house about 2 years ago and have since populated the backyard with 2 Murcott Oranges, 2 Yuzus, and a Celeste Fig. I am looking to add 2 dragon fruit to our collection, and I was hoping some more experienced posters could answer a couple questions.

We have a screened lanai on the back porch, south side. I was wondering if I could place dragon fruits in containers on the screened lanai (to avoid the occasional winter frosts we get here), and if I could expect them to produce fruit, and could I hand pollinate? They would get at least 8 hours of sun through the screen. The lanai is big enough that I can get containers as large as necessary.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on April 20, 2015, 01:39:38 PM
My cuttings are doing good, finally got them transplanted in a 50+L pot with a PVC pipe, Still need to fill the pipe halfways up with something and then make a top.

(http://s9.postimg.cc/9nd1ftqzf/IMG_0687.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9nd1ftqzf/)

The shoot is growing along nicely

(http://s21.postimg.cc/wzq1cdmpf/IMG_0685.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/wzq1cdmpf/)

The other cutting is also sending out 2 shoots, I'm going to keep them both, and when the bottom one is big enough, then I'll cut it and use it as a cutting :)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/oiczhlv0d/IMG_0688.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/oiczhlv0d/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/3k6tjiv5p/IMG_0690.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3k6tjiv5p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: officefruit on April 20, 2015, 04:57:46 PM
Will they grow in cold climates like the UK?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on April 20, 2015, 10:11:07 PM
Hi everyone, first time poster. We are in Jacksonville, FL, and we bought a house about 2 years ago and have since populated the backyard with 2 Murcott Oranges, 2 Yuzus, and a Celeste Fig. I am looking to add 2 dragon fruit to our collection, and I was hoping some more experienced posters could answer a couple questions.

We have a screened lanai on the back porch, south side. I was wondering if I could place dragon fruits in containers on the screened lanai (to avoid the occasional winter frosts we get here), and if I could expect them to produce fruit, and could I hand pollinate? They would get at least 8 hours of sun through the screen. The lanai is big enough that I can get containers as large as necessary.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
Not sure about whether they'll fruit under the shade or whatever, but it's definitely possibly to hand-pollinate.  The flowers are only open a few hours though, so you have to be willing to get up early
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on April 21, 2015, 03:54:53 PM
Will they grow in cold climates like the UK?
Yes, Kew garden has them. They can't take a freeze though so if you mean outdoors then no.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on April 23, 2015, 09:52:55 PM
Here are some updates since using the 300w (7172 lumens) LED that Nullzero recommended.  You can see the etiolation without the light and the drastic change when the LED was introduced.  I know I should get rid of the etiolated growth but I decided to let it go for now.  After adding the LED, the four cuttings each have a new shoot that appears to be growing really nicely.  The only one not growing is the one in the picture that looks like its been cut.  It came this way from Home Depot when I picked it up i Miami.  Not sure what I need to do to get this one to produce a shoot.

I didn't buy a grow tent yet but bought about 10 Mylar survival blankets and put one on the wall.  It appears to be growing very well without  completing enclosing the plant but I'm guessing it will grow faster if it were enclosed.  I'm letting the LED run from about 7am-1am each day.

I also have two CFLs shining on the shoots.  One is 6500k (1600 lumens) daylight @ 100w.  The second is 2700k (2300 lumens) @ 150w.  I'm not sure which is most beneficial for the plant.  I notice 2700k CFLs are used often with the idea that brightness is more useful that a daylight.  Any thoughts?

Thanks for everyone's comments!

(http://s18.postimg.cc/wimepluqd/20150415_000340.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/wimepluqd/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/8l9c4eled/20150421_205724.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8l9c4eled/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/yuuen77bp/20150421_205929.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yuuen77bp/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/4371cb5cl/20150421_210012.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4371cb5cl/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/nfxxikuz9/20150421_210101.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nfxxikuz9/) (http://s18.postimg.cc/ai628zc2d/20150421_210433.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ai628zc2d/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on April 23, 2015, 10:39:31 PM
Here are some updates since using the 300w (7172 lumens) LED that Nullzero recommended.  You can see the etiolation without the light and the drastic change when the LED was introduced.  I know I should get rid of the etiolated growth but I decided to let it go for now.  After adding the LED, the four cuttings each have a new shoot that appears to be growing really nicely.  The only one not growing is the one in the picture that looks like its been cut.  It came this way from Home Depot when I picked it up i Miami.  Not sure what I need to do to get this one to produce a shoot.

I didn't buy a grow tent yet but bought about 10 Mylar survival blankets and put one on the wall.  It appears to be growing very well without  completing enclosing the plant but I'm guessing it will grow faster if it were enclosed.  I'm letting the LED run from about 7am-1am each day.

I also have two CFLs shining on the shoots.  One is 6500k (1600 lumens) daylight @ 100w.  The second is 2700k (2300 lumens) @ 150w.  I'm not sure which is most beneficial for the plant.  I notice 2700k CFLs are used often with the idea that brightness is more useful that a daylight.  Any thoughts?

Thanks for everyone's comments!


Hey, really cool setup. Looks like you're getting nice growth! Couple of thoughts:

-More light the better. The red spectrum (2700k) is more for bloom while blue or daylight for growth. When using LEDs, it doesn't quite work out that way, though the "purple" look is made up of both red and blue. When Null and I were talking LEDs before, that was specifically regarding red LEDs in a certain spectrum to force the plant to flower. It seems 660nm (roughly 2700k) is the key, but that's re: outdoor flowering.

-Have you seen Coplantnut's setup? I think he works at or owns Black Dog LED in Colorado. They make really high end LED grow lights with 1000s of watts. His indoor setup is amazing. That said, he mentioned he's never been able to get dragon fruit to flower indoors. It's possible they need that much light. Or he's not giving the plant enough light hours or something. Or I could be remembering everything wrong.

-Also, dragon fruit is a photo-period sensitive plant, it needs a lot of sun hours to know it's time to flower. Mine only just started blooming. I tried to force it with 300w equiv CFL at 2700k and bloom fertilizer. Of course, we're now into the period where it flowers anyway, so I'm not sure if the light and ferts are doing anything.

-Are you planning on wheeling it outside in the summer? That may work for blooming. Also, remember, the thing gets crazy huge. Just one stalk will take over your entire room there. I only have 2 stalks coming out of a 15 gal pot and the top easily takes over a 6ft x 6ft area.

-Also, you can probably leave your LED lights on 23 hours a day. Indoor growers often really push the light hours to just bake the plant as much as possible. Maybe even 24 hours. I'd do some research into indoor cactus propagation to see if anyone has tried it. 300w of LED is a lot of light, but it's still nothing compared to tropical sun, which is roughly the equivalent to a 100,000 lumen grow light. Your LED is probably closer to 20k lumens because of the way it focuses on just red and blue wavelengths.

-Heat. They love heat. Mine grow like crazy the hotter it gets. I'd say close up that little grow room you have started and let the heat build up. Or put a heater next to it. Hot and dry, 100 degrees is their happy place.

-Keep going! You may end up being the first person to successfully get dragon fruit to fruit indoors.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 26, 2015, 01:59:52 PM
At the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club's sale on Saturday (4-25), one of the new things Pine Island brought up was their new variety of DF.
First time it was offered for sale to the public was at the club sale.

Red skinned, red flesh.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega%20Red_04-26-15_zpsg687dtdr.jpg)

Will have first flower of 2015 opening tonight on my Dark Star.
DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 26, 2015, 06:53:41 PM
Hey Dangermouse, there's already red skinned, red fleshed DF varieties out there. Is this one special in some sort of way. The name makes it sound super red unless the the Mega is referring to it being a Megalanthus.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 27, 2015, 04:21:45 PM
Hey Dangermouse, there's already red skinned, red fleshed DF varieties out there. Is this one special in some sort of way. The name makes it sound super red unless the the Mega is referring to it being a Megalanthus.

Simon

Simon, Erik was throwing out alot of info about new stuff they brought up so I was kinda overloaded with words. Didn't get the greatest look at the picture he put up on the overhead when talking about it, but sure looked like a red skinned version of the yellow dragon fruit (with spines on the fruit). I did ask him if it took as long to ripen as the yellow type and he replied that it wasn't one that ripens in 30+ days, but more in the 120+ day range (or longer).

 Still waiting to hear back on whether or not it is megalanthus.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 27, 2015, 05:41:38 PM
Thanks for the information DM. It would be awesome if it were a Red Megalanthus that is different than Frankie's Red. Do you recall if the fruit was large or small?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on April 27, 2015, 11:11:09 PM
Danger mouse,

Did you happen to get a photo of the "Mega Red?" I have a plant that was supposedly from PIN that they were calling "Red Megalanthus" (this is second hand information passed on to me when I was given the cutting) but was not for sale at the time.  I wonder if it is the same plant.

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 28, 2015, 04:50:36 PM
Richard, here are some photos. Let me know what you think it is.

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-1_04-28-15_zps2ntsawak.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-2_04-28-15_zpstlann0hp.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-3_04-28-15_zpsdqg8s3xh.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-4_04-28-15_zpsw4b4nunt.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-5_04-28-15_zps1c0q7ogp.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 28, 2015, 11:41:53 PM
Looks to have Megalanthus blood. I can't wait for someone to fruit it and give a taste report! Thanks for sharing the pic!

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on April 29, 2015, 12:32:17 AM
Danger mouse,

Did you happen to get a photo of the "Mega Red?" I have a plant that was supposedly from PIN that they were calling "Red Megalanthus" (this is second hand information passed on to me when I was given the cutting) but was not for sale at the time.  I wonder if it is the same plant.

Richard
Richard, it looks like the one I had labeled as Yellow Undatus, as the one I had labeled as Red Megalanthus looks like an Undatus. Have you found any additional information on what we have? I'm sure I labeled them correctly as I received them, I think the person had the two varieties backwards, and has now reversed it. I should have flowers this season. My "Houghton just put out it's first flowers last night and tonight. I also talked to Alex Silber about the "Namibia Orange" variety and he says he has never heard of it, but claims Frankies has an orange skinned megalanthus which maybe the one we have.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 29, 2015, 03:49:36 PM
PIN email confirmation "The fruit is S. megalanthus"

DM
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-1_04-28-15_zps2ntsawak.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-2_04-28-15_zpstlann0hp.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-3_04-28-15_zpsdqg8s3xh.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-4_04-28-15_zpsw4b4nunt.jpg)

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Mega%20Red/Mega_Red-5_04-28-15_zps1c0q7ogp.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on April 29, 2015, 06:42:33 PM
DM - That is good, because it does look like a megalanthus.

Mark -  I  am still trying to figure out what this "Red Megalanthus" is.  Based  comparing data from the plant you gave me to the published descriptions, it looks to be most similar to H. peruvianus. unfortunately I cannot find  any photos or drawings of peruvianus to try and confirm this and the plant that I purchased as H. peruvianus was not even close to being the real thing.

I now have two "Yellow Undatus" that look look like S. megalanthus, neither are large enough to bloom this year, so I just have to be patient.  The Tel-Zur group in Israel has published a photo of a yellow skinned undatus that has the megalanthus scalloped edges (70-02-09), so I am holding out hope that it really is the yellow skinned undatus.  Did the megalanthus cutting you got from Art look like a typical S. megalanthus?

Surprising that Alex Silber did not know about "Namibia Orange" since according to Ethan (who got the plant and  info from Huntington Botanic Gardens) it was collected by Alex's father and donated to HBG.  It might be that he does not know the plant by that name. I am hoping mine fruits this year.

Richard







Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on April 29, 2015, 08:03:21 PM
Hi Guys,

I have been making a trellis for my dragonfruit and need some advice on how to space them.

I currently have 4 types to plant into my new trellis system in the photo, 2 of them are already tall enough to hang over the top. There will be a pole down the center of each pot to help guide the plant up to the top of the trellis though.

Shall I just put all 4 plants in one pot so I have space for more varieties later on or is that too crowded? I currently have 2 red flesh, a yellow flesh and a white flesh.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/10433061_10152883729941313_2797137261836542031_n.jpeg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on April 29, 2015, 08:22:39 PM
Waterfall,

If you have not tried the selenicereus megalanthus, then I would hold off planting this out. Many people, myself included, find the taste odd and generally not nice. If yours is the mega x White hylocereus, it will taste exactly the same as the white variety--which is to say, very bland. The yellow mega is also not a very good pollinator--at all.

The purples are the best, followed closely by the reds, which are trailed quite a way by the whites. I have one of the largest collections in Australia now, and can sell you some better varieties if you wish.

Your trellis system will work--but be careful with that treated pine. Because dragonfruit are epiphytes (kinda) they will absorb the nasty chemicals in the wood. I am currently moving into farming them, and have recently learned that you cannot get organic certified if they are grown on treated pine trellises. Those pots are a great size, but I think you should elevate them to stop them pooling water; standing water will absolutely kill your plants. If you don't want to do this, lay down a few inches of gravel at the bottom of each pot. Crossbeams joining the 'roof' will save you a lot pain down the track; young, heavy shoots have a tendency to snap unless supported. This can happen without you noticing--these partially attached limbs will not appear dead, but will not grow.

I recommend planting out both your reds and the white for pollination. Ditch the yellow. There's more than enough space for three plants.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on April 29, 2015, 08:46:21 PM
Here's an update on the self-tensioning crown design. It has started to level off now that it has branched out, and will spread to a good size and nice shape I believe.

Forgive the mess--I had a 40 foot tall blue quandong come down last week. It took out one of my dragons but missed my papaya and bananas. Small mercies. Mostly just happy it didn't smash the fence.



(http://s1.postimg.cc/7ca51alsr/trellis_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7ca51alsr/)

(http://s1.postimg.cc/5lr3zt49n/trellis2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5lr3zt49n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on April 30, 2015, 12:14:44 AM
Thanks Starling,

I assume the tree absorbs the chemicals through those small roots that attach to things? if so I can keep them off the timber which I have also now also stained and added some crossbeams for support. The central climbing pole will be pvc plastic.

I'd still like to try the yellow, maybe I will just plant it against the back fence as its already very large and will most likely give fruit this coming spring.

I was planning to put some sandstone rubble in the base of those pots for drainage, they are very large pots and I would need a lot of soil to fill them otherwise too.

I'll PM you about other varieties.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on May 02, 2015, 12:50:51 AM
How many lateral shoots to keep once we cut the top off?

I am seeing 12 new shoots popping, some are as low as 2 feet from the top where I cut.

Is this normal? Do I keep them all or limit them to only a few on the very top?

Or let them all grow and prune them later and use it as cuttings?

Please advice.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/me5fvkpnb/IMG_20150502_085449.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/me5fvkpnb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 02, 2015, 12:48:20 PM
My first DF flowers of the year are about to open and I still have three yellow DF hding on the vine so there is still a slim possibility I may be able to get year round DF production. It's still going to be a while before I get fruit from these first flowers.

Simon
(http://s15.postimg.cc/h8b5j1qrr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/h8b5j1qrr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on May 02, 2015, 12:50:38 PM
How many lateral shoots to keep once we cut the top off?

I am seeing 12 new shoots popping, some are as low as 2 feet from the top where I cut.

Is this normal? Do I keep them all or limit them to only a few on the very top?

Or let them all grow and prune them later and use it as cuttings?

Please advice.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/me5fvkpnb/IMG_20150502_085449.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/me5fvkpnb/)

It's normal. I prune everything below the trellis top. Every couple months it tries to put out more shoots below the trellis but otherwise the plant will know to only produce from the top. If you want fruit soon, don't wait for them to get big and take cuttings, just prune.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on May 02, 2015, 12:52:29 PM
My first DF flowers of the year are about to open and I still have three yellow DF hding on the vine so there is still a slim possibility I may be able to get year round DF production. It's still going to be a while before I get fruit from these first flowers.

Simon
(http://s15.postimg.cc/h8b5j1qrr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/h8b5j1qrr/)

Nice! You have some serious flowers there -- do I remember correctly that you use some bloom fertilizer? My American Beauties are budding, maybe a dozen at this point, but my Halley's has nothing. I'm still getting a lot more green growth than flowers. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on May 02, 2015, 05:04:08 PM
Here on Maui also getting 1st flowers on Hylocereus types yesterday [ note Halie's Comet also not showing anything] .
The Selenicereus types flowered about 3 weeks ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 02, 2015, 09:46:39 PM
I made sure not to water too much several months ago and i also gave it some Hawaiin bud n bloom.  Its an ultrabloom type fertilizer that I drenched with about 2 months ago.  I also use some kelp emulsion to hold more fruit, not sure if it really works or not but I figure it won't hurt. 

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on May 02, 2015, 11:16:27 PM
How many lateral shoots to keep once we cut the top off?

I am seeing 12 new shoots popping, some are as low as 2 feet from the top where I cut.

Is this normal? Do I keep them all or limit them to only a few on the very top?

Or let them all grow and prune them later and use it as cuttings?

Please advice.

(http://s15.postimg.cc/me5fvkpnb/IMG_20150502_085449.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/me5fvkpnb/)

It's normal. I prune everything below the trellis top. Every couple months it tries to put out more shoots below the trellis but otherwise the plant will know to only produce from the top. If you want fruit soon, don't wait for them to get big and take cuttings, just prune.

Okay, thanks so much.

I'll try to balance it out between cuttings and fruit. May be keep 1 or max 2 shoots below the trellis for future cuttings.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Waterfall on May 03, 2015, 12:42:43 AM
I've just finished building my trellis, I think it came out quiet nice.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/P1010413.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Josh-Los-Angeles on May 03, 2015, 09:51:19 AM
I've just finished building my trellis, I think it came out quiet nice.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/P1010413.jpg)

Looks fantastic! Those red planters really stand out, nice work!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on May 04, 2015, 09:33:11 AM
I've just finished building my trellis, I think it came out quiet nice.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd209/sivadleoj/Garden/P1010413.jpg)

Wow, beautiful trellis, wish you lots of luck with your dragonfruit :)


My dragonfruits are growing nicely :> but I'm wondering if they need more light, since it's pretty thin

(http://s11.postimg.cc/lc7zgy91b/IMG_0843.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/lc7zgy91b/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/64rzwlh6n/IMG_0844.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/64rzwlh6n/)

I also noticed this one is 2-sided, should I remove it and keep the bottom, or let it be? :)


(http://s7.postimg.cc/mqmovvjo7/IMG_0845.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mqmovvjo7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 05, 2015, 01:22:31 AM
Waterfall,

If you have not tried the selenicereus megalanthus, then I would hold off planting this out. Many people, myself included, find the taste odd and generally not nice. If yours is the mega x White hylocereus, it will taste exactly the same as the white variety--which is to say, very bland. The yellow mega is also not a very good pollinator--at all.

The purples are the best, followed closely by the reds, which are trailed quite a way by the whites. I have one of the largest collections in Australia now, and can sell you some better varieties if you wish.

Your trellis system will work--but be careful with that treated pine. Because dragonfruit are epiphytes (kinda) they will absorb the nasty chemicals in the wood. I am currently moving into farming them, and have recently learned that you cannot get organic certified if they are grown on treated pine trellises. Those pots are a great size, but I think you should elevate them to stop them pooling water; standing water will absolutely kill your plants. If you don't want to do this, lay down a few inches of gravel at the bottom of each pot. Crossbeams joining the 'roof' will save you a lot pain down the track; young, heavy shoots have a tendency to snap unless supported. This can happen without you noticing--these partially attached limbs will not appear dead, but will not grow.

I recommend planting out both your reds and the white for pollination. Ditch the yellow. There's more than enough space for three plants.

I am going to assume by purple you mean the pink ones, and red is the blood ones?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on May 05, 2015, 01:40:14 AM
Hi
Do you have any idea about this dragon fruit?roots are ok and other branches are ok but
This one has problem
There is no lack of water in pot
(http://s22.postimg.cc/d7verccj1/20150430_120529.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d7verccj1/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/n180qep9p/20150430_120531.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/n180qep9p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 05, 2015, 01:42:41 AM
Waterfall,

If you have not tried the selenicereus megalanthus, then I would hold off planting this out. Many people, myself included, find the taste odd and generally not nice. If yours is the mega x White hylocereus, it will taste exactly the same as the white variety--which is to say, very bland. The yellow mega is also not a very good pollinator--at all.

The purples are the best, followed closely by the reds, which are trailed quite a way by the whites. I have one of the largest collections in Australia now, and can sell you some better varieties if you wish.

Your trellis system will work--but be careful with that treated pine. Because dragonfruit are epiphytes (kinda) they will absorb the nasty chemicals in the wood. I am currently moving into farming them, and have recently learned that you cannot get organic certified if they are grown on treated pine trellises. Those pots are a great size, but I think you should elevate them to stop them pooling water; standing water will absolutely kill your plants. If you don't want to do this, lay down a few inches of gravel at the bottom of each pot. Crossbeams joining the 'roof' will save you a lot pain down the track; young, heavy shoots have a tendency to snap unless supported. This can happen without you noticing--these partially attached limbs will not appear dead, but will not grow.

I recommend planting out both your reds and the white for pollination. Ditch the yellow. There's more than enough space for three plants.

I am going to assume by purple you mean the pink ones, and red is the blood ones?

Some are kind of magenta (pinkish) and some are truly purple. Both are better than the reds--but not by much.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on May 11, 2015, 02:01:02 AM
Hi,

I wanted to report back that I've been seeing pretty awesome growth on my DF cuttings using the 300w Red/Blue Full spectrum LEDs.  I added two 6500k 100w CFLs, 1 T8 6500k 23w, and 1 meter of 4 red 1 blue LEDs (12w I think) (they are a strip).  I'll post some pics soon.  One cutting has grown at least a foot in the last month with a majority of that growth in the last 10 days or so.

I'm actually thinking that the indoor light is better than the outdoor sun light.  I took rolled and carried the huge setup outside for a couple days of sunshine.  Any thoughts on whether its good to leave the lights on 24/7?   I read somewhere that a certain protein or hormone begins producing when the lights are off or low that is important to the plant.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 11, 2015, 10:56:19 AM
I also noticed much faster growth on my DF plants with artificial light vs sunlight but the new growth was much thinner and my plants were stretching towards the light. No matter what type of light you use, the lumens your plants receive will diminish quickly with each foot away from the light source. You can place your lights vertically but then you will have to rotate your plants for even growth.

I have left my lights on 24/7 for my DF plants in the winter for about 2 months straight and I did not notice any detrimental affects.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on May 13, 2015, 12:52:19 AM
I posted some updated pics below. About a month or so since having the LEDs, five of the small cuttings saw new shoots and the growth is now larger than the original in most cases.  They appear to growing rather fat in comparison to the stock.  Before I had the LEDs, you can see the etoliated growth if you click on the picture.  It nearly goes up the entire post and then at the moment the LEDs arrived, the etoilation stopped immediately.  From the last point of etoilation to current, it's well over 12in of growth in ~month.  Most of that growth seems to be within the last week.

I also noticed the 6th cutting finally got a shoot - two of them!

I think I'm going to get rid of the etoilation and use that plump new growth instead of trying to figure out how to make that tiny wooden core looking thing support a large plant.




(http://s10.postimg.cc/py58vth5h/20150512_021540.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/py58vth5h/) (http://s10.postimg.cc/en2l7gaad/20150512_021610.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/en2l7gaad/) (http://s10.postimg.cc/bz82zzaxh/20150512_024054_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bz82zzaxh/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/xo6z3ud5h/20150512_024121.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xo6z3ud5h/) (http://s10.postimg.cc/6cbq2i8et/20150512_024140.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6cbq2i8et/) (http://s10.postimg.cc/v8a7n41ed/20150512_024153.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/v8a7n41ed/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/isdhtd82d/20150512_024153_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/isdhtd82d/) (http://s10.postimg.cc/aiwkhu80l/20150512_024307.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/aiwkhu80l/)

(http://s16.postimg.cc/5jjpcht41/20150512_024054_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5jjpcht41/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 13, 2015, 01:48:57 AM
cchighman,

Nice setup, thats a 300w LED? Mylar screen around the plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on May 13, 2015, 01:53:32 AM
Thanks!  Yep, it's the same LED you recommended for me about a month ago.  The Mars Hydro on eBay.  I'm using Mylar survival jackets (~80%) on the corner walls and floor where the cactus is setup.  Came close to a complete tent but so far this is working out well.  I plan on improving the reflectivity part soon.  Maybe make a partition or divider where I can isolate during certain periods.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on May 13, 2015, 11:33:31 AM
Thanks!  Yep, it's the same LED you recommended for me about a month ago.  The Mars Hydro on eBay.  I'm using Mylar survival jackets (~80%) on the corner walls and floor where the cactus is setup.  Came close to a complete tent but so far this is working out well.  I plan on improving the reflectivity part soon.  Maybe make a partition or divider where I can isolate during certain periods.

Looking good, yeah the LEDs do a great job for the power they take. The price has really come down especially on those 300watt panels. Once you get the reflectivity on all  sides you will further notice an improvement in efficiency of the LED lights.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thao on May 13, 2015, 09:01:45 PM
X
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 18, 2015, 02:21:43 PM
My dream of Dragonfruit year round may become a reality. I still have three Yellow Dragonfruit holding from last year and this years crop has set fruit. I sampled a Yellow Dragonfruit about two weeks ago and the quality of the fruit has not diminished, yet. My Simons Purple is always my first to ripen so I'll report back when the first one is ripe. Hopefully the Yellow will still be edible.

Simon
(http://s9.postimg.cc/5bp6dpnu3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5bp6dpnu3/)

(http://s9.postimg.cc/pufh51cdn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/pufh51cdn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 18, 2015, 05:19:42 PM
My dream of Dragonfruit year round may become a reality. I still have three Yellow Dragonfruit holding from last year and this years crop has set fruit. I sampled a Yellow Dragonfruit about two weeks ago and the quality of the fruit has not diminished, yet. My Simons Purple is always my first to ripen so I'll report back when the first one is ripe. Hopefully the Yellow will still be edible.

Simon
(http://s9.postimg.cc/5bp6dpnu3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5bp6dpnu3/)

(http://s9.postimg.cc/pufh51cdn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/pufh51cdn/)

That is a very nice sized yellow.  Is that the largest you have been able to grow or are you hoping for others that are larger?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 18, 2015, 06:04:46 PM
Hello Harry, that is not my largest Yellow, they get a little larger than that. This is the normal sized Yellow Dragon, not the large fruited selection. I have multiple seedlings of the large fruiting variety growing out now but it will be a while before they will produce any fruit.

My Yellow Dragon produced a lot of fruit this year and I noticed the fruit that grew singly were much larger than the fruit grown in clusters of two and three in close proximity. I gave my DF vines some drought stress and also gave them a bloom type fertilizer in winter for regular DF and late Summer for the Yellows before blooms formed and I believe this increased my numbers of blooms and ultimately fruit. I also give them kelp emulsion and Azomite to replenish nutrients lost from watering and plant use.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on May 19, 2015, 12:21:02 AM
Hello Harry, that is not my largest Yellow, they get a little larger than that. This is the normal sized Yellow Dragon, not the large fruited selection. I have multiple seedlings of the large fruiting variety growing out now but it will be a while before they will produce any fruit.

My Yellow Dragon produced a lot of fruit this year and I noticed the fruit that grew singly were much larger than the fruit grown in clusters of two and three in close proximity. I gave my DF vines some drought stress and also gave them a bloom type fertilizer in winter for regular DF and late Summer for the Yellows before blooms formed and I believe this increased my numbers of blooms and ultimately fruit. I also give them kelp emulsion and Azomite to replenish nutrients lost from watering and plant use.

Simon
Simon, I just picked up two small cuttings of a Yellow Dragon from Ecuador, the fruit is supposed to be huge. It will be a few years to get fruit also. My first to fruit are the Houghton and am getting flowers on most of the other 10-15 varieties now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 19, 2015, 02:57:22 PM
Hello Harry, that is not my largest Yellow, they get a little larger than that. This is the normal sized Yellow Dragon, not the large fruited selection. I have multiple seedlings of the large fruiting variety growing out now but it will be a while before they will produce any fruit.

Maybe normal for you.  Mine are a fraction of that size.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 19, 2015, 05:05:07 PM
very cool... does anyone have giant yellow cuttings available?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 19, 2015, 11:01:50 PM
Hello Harry, that is not my largest Yellow, they get a little larger than that. This is the normal sized Yellow Dragon, not the large fruited selection. I have multiple seedlings of the large fruiting variety growing out now but it will be a while before they will produce any fruit.

My Yellow Dragon produced a lot of fruit this year and I noticed the fruit that grew singly were much larger than the fruit grown in clusters of two and three in close proximity. I gave my DF vines some drought stress and also gave them a bloom type fertilizer in winter for regular DF and late Summer for the Yellows before blooms formed and I believe this increased my numbers of blooms and ultimately fruit. I also give them kelp emulsion and Azomite to replenish nutrients lost from watering and plant use.

Simon
Simon, I just picked up two small cuttings of a Yellow Dragon from Ecuador, the fruit is supposed to be huge. It will be a few years to get fruit also. My first to fruit are the Houghton and am getting flowers on most of the other 10-15 varieties now.

Hey Mark, let me know if you can spare one of the cuttings. I have a seedling of a large fruited variety if you are interested.

Harry, I wonder if it's the growing condition of your muck soil that is causing the small size of your fruit. My smallest fruit from this same vine was the size of a golfball and the flesh was half of that. My plants are in large fabric pots and I give my plants plenty of water and organic fertilizers along with some chemical fertilizers.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 20, 2015, 12:42:26 PM
Harry, I wonder if it's the growing condition of your muck soil that is causing the small size of your fruit. My smallest fruit from this same vine was the size of a golfball and the flesh was half of that. My plants are in large fabric pots and I give my plants plenty of water and organic fertilizers along with some chemical fertilizers.
Simon

Actually, you may have something there.  My Yellow is growing mainly up in a tamarind tree.  Growing sort of like an epiphyte.  There is a pot at the base of the tree which holds the original plant.  I need to check out the roots to see.  Maybe mine are just a good example of poor growing culture.  Thanks for the suggestion and information.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 21, 2015, 09:41:55 AM
Newby on dragonfruit. I have a handle on the trellis, plenty of good examples on this thread. Do they eat as many nutrients as banana? I know they like to be watered often with a good mulch layer on top. But...
Soil type- I have sandy soil here in Central FL, should I replace the planting area with some HD top soil and black kow or just leave it sandy?

Sun- In the pics I see people's in open sun, but have read they are understory plants. I am in 9b, it gets 100+ in the summer here. Do I plant them in the open or plant them under some oaks. There isn't a lot of middle ground on my property.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 21, 2015, 10:34:41 AM
Newby on dragonfruit. I have a handle on the trellis, plenty of good examples on this thread. Do they eat as many nutrients as banana? I know they like to be watered often with a good mulch layer on top. But...
Soil type- I have sandy soil here in Central FL, should I replace the planting area with some HD top soil and black kow or just leave it sandy?

Sun- In the pics I see people's in open sun, but have read they are understory plants. I am in 9b, it gets 100+ in the summer here. Do I plant them in the open or plant them under some oaks. There isn't a lot of middle ground on my property.

dragon fruit climbs trees in the wild, so it likes shade on it's "trunk"  from the tree's canopy and sun at the top where it will fruit.  I am considering growing some red jaboticaba around the base of the DF posts....then the fruiting will occur above the jabos (in theory)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 21, 2015, 11:33:42 AM
So open field or under oak trees, or maybe the fringes of oak trees? The field would be sun all day. I can plant camellias under the oaks and they should be quite happy if that gives you any indication on the amount of shade. the fringes are a bit more dappled but there will never be direct sunlight except maybe an hour or two in the mornings.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 21, 2015, 01:30:07 PM
sounds good, but you will need a way to keep the fruiting parts from climbing too high up in the oak trees...I am no expert but I would bet that'd make them pretty hard to harvest without issues.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 21, 2015, 01:56:27 PM
LOL no they will still have a trellis. My oak trees have maybe a 60-70' coverage area so there is a lot of real estate that is currently under utilized. I would get rid of them but they are fairly pretty trees, and give me shade at the 150' mark for my shooting range. Maybe I will stick them in the partial shade area farther back on the north side of the trees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on May 21, 2015, 03:54:02 PM
All the mass plantings of dragon fruit I have seen (Merritt Island, Florida & South Florida) all have rows and rows of plants in open fields. No shade.

Seems that if there is anything close enough to provide a little shade to the DF plants, the plants will grow towards that. Not that they are looking for the shade but looking for the structure to climb. Doesn't really even have to provide shade, just something they sense close by (fence, wall, tree, another DF trellis) they will grow towards it. I had papayas planted between some of my DF just to provide over story protection for their first couple years. One sent a branch out towards a papaya and attached to it, before I knew it that branch raced up the papaya and had roots sent down the papaya trunk to the ground. Amazing how fast they will grow when it is somewhere you don't want them to.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 21, 2015, 05:27:28 PM
Well Merrit Island is about 20 miles from my current location so I would make a safe guess the sun is the same there as it is here.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 21, 2015, 06:51:10 PM
Harry, I wonder if it's the growing condition of your muck soil that is causing the small size of your fruit. My smallest fruit from this same vine was the size of a golfball and the flesh was half of that. My plants are in large fabric pots and I give my plants plenty of water and organic fertilizers along with some chemical fertilizers.
Simon

Actually, you may have something there.  My Yellow is growing mainly up in a tamarind tree.  Growing sort of like an epiphyte.  There is a pot at the base of the tree which holds the original plant.  I need to check out the roots to see.  Maybe mine are just a good example of poor growing culture.  Thanks for the suggestion and information.

This will cause you big problems in later years. What is going to happen is that the selenicereus is going to attach to upper limbs, where you can't reach, become extremely heavy and snap them off--especially in periods of high wind. This will mean less tamarind and less dragonfruit. You also won't be able to get rid of it, because even if you cut it off at the base, it will simply send new grow back towards the ground, because it is an epiphyte and can literally draw nutrients from the  bark of the tree.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 21, 2015, 08:10:17 PM
Actually, from my observations, my Yellow seems much less epiphytic than most of my other dragon fruit. The tree is supporting the growing plant but there does not seem to be the amount of root attachment that I see in other dragon fruit. Also, since this tamarind tree was a supposedly sweet fruit bearing tamarind from Lara, it is anything but sweet and if it eventually blows over I will not be unhappy. I have another larger tamarind tree that provides all the sour tamarind fruit a person could possibly need.  Now the tiny yellow dragon fruit......that is making me unhappy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 21, 2015, 08:17:37 PM
Actually, from my observations, my Yellow seems much less epiphytic than most of my other dragon fruit. The tree is supporting the growing plant but there does not seem to be the amount of root attachment that I see in other dragon fruit. Also, since this tamarind tree was a supposedly sweet fruit bearing tamarind from Lara, it is anything but sweet and if it eventually blows over I will not be unhappy. I have another larger tamarind tree that provides all the sour tamarind fruit a person could possibly need.  Now the tiny yellow dragon fruit......that is making me unhappy.

Selenicereus are more like true epihphytes than hylocereus, but the aerial roots are thinner, and penetrate more deeply. You probably won't notice it happening for many years. Honestly I don't think the yellow mega is worth growing. It has a weird taste to me, and is spiky. Frankie's red is a much better choice. The non spiny yellow hybrid with large fruit is bland and tastes like any run-of-the-mill white fleshed variety.

I found this feral hylcoereus in a local abandoned lot. I'd never seen anything like it before and haven't since--I'd wager nobody else has either. Literally sucking and crushing some gigantic old gumtree to death. Some of the roots were thicker than my arm. I've no idea how ancient the thing was, probably very. Obviously not self pollinating, I saw lots of flowers and zero fruit.


(http://s15.postimg.cc/zah9dm8vb/rampant_hylocereus.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/zah9dm8vb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 21, 2015, 08:49:47 PM
To prevent sunburn, should I plant the DF on the north or south facing part of the 4x4 pole I plan on using?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 21, 2015, 10:08:10 PM
To prevent sunburn, should I plant the DF on the north or south facing part of the 4x4 pole I plan on using?

i planted on all 4 sides and they are all growing fine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 21, 2015, 10:56:25 PM
(http://s15.postimg.cc/zah9dm8vb/rampant_hylocereus.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/zah9dm8vb/)

You really think I haven't seen such a sight before?  Well you're right, I haven't.  Quite impressive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 21, 2015, 11:18:20 PM
I took this picture on Maui last January.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/maui/maui_df_4914_zps9e213026.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 21, 2015, 11:54:09 PM
(http://s15.postimg.cc/zah9dm8vb/rampant_hylocereus.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/zah9dm8vb/)

You really think I haven't seen such a sight before?  Well you're right, I haven't.  Quite impressive.

Yeah, pretty scary.

Guy up the road from me has one growing up a huge Bunya nut tree. He must have a deathwish.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HMHausman on May 22, 2015, 08:41:42 AM
Starling.....looks like Ricshaw one upped you.  I have a an over grown dragon fruit planting in one of the original trees on my property.  We call the tree a Silk Oak.  Now that I look it up, its Grevillea robusta and surprisingly, its an Australian native.  See, I learned something new again today.  Anyway, its an interesting tree as a host for dragon fruit.  I'll post some pics later.  Otherwise, the tree makes some nice blooms but also makes a mess and produces nothing edible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 22, 2015, 08:55:44 AM
Starling.....looks like Ricshaw one upped you.  I have a an over grown dragon fruit planting in one of the original trees on my property.  We call the tree a Silk Oak.  Now that I look it up, its Grevillea robusta and surprisingly, its an Australian native.  See, I learned something new again today.  Anyway, its an interesting tree as a host for dragon fruit.  I'll post some pics later.  Otherwise, the tree makes some nice blooms but also makes a mess and produces nothing edible.

Ah yes, silky oak. Messy tree, sheds a lot of foliage.

Very beautiful, strong and lightweight timber. Has a satin-ish sheen when polished that catches the light.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on May 27, 2015, 12:56:49 PM
I took this picture on Maui last January.
Wow! It's like kudzu, except tastier.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropheus76 on May 27, 2015, 01:38:36 PM
Got two arriving tomorrow from PIN. Just removed an oak tree which was located right where I wanted my DFs to go, about 75% sun/ 25% shade, found out as I dug it up and chopped the roots off, it was actually planted by the previous owner. I know this because all he apparently did was take the oak tree home from wherever you buy oak trees from, dig a hole and plopped it in the ground, still in its black cloth bag. Good news was no tap root, it was a flat bottom.

Plans now are to put in 2 treated 4x4s about 5 foot apart. Tie-wrap burlap on around the poles. On the ground I picked up top soil so I will remove the first couple inches of gray sand(that's what my ground consists of here) in a 2 foot circle around the poles replace it with topsoil with a small rim around the outside, and cover it with mulch. Ill plant the DFs on the east side of the tree so they will get hit with the morning til 1ish sun and be protected from the worst of the day's sun. Should get plenty enough light that way and if not they can grow around the pole to get it without much effort. I will tie in an existing irrigation system and have a mushroom bubbler in each circle. Sprinkler runs every Thursday and sunday nights at 3am for 20 minutes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Vernmented on May 27, 2015, 05:04:32 PM
I have had a lot of flowers but no fruit set so far. There are a bunch of different cultivars growing together. It has been raining quite a bit so I was thinking that might be part of the problem. I have also seen small white worms in the spent flowers. I got 2 fruit last year when the vines were quite young and that was without hand pollination. The ones in pollinated with a paintbrush never set. Has anyone seen small white worms in their spent flowers? What is your watering regiment while flowering? There are also diaprepes root weevils around that I smash every day but I don't think they would hinder fruiting. My fingers are crossed here for some fruit with all these flowers everywhere.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on May 28, 2015, 06:34:02 PM
I think my purchased-from-Lowes-from-LaVerne dragonfruit is about ready for trellising, so I built this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonfruitTrellis.jpg)

The bottom of the top crossbar (or the top of the bottom crossbar) is 6' off the ground. Don't look too closely at the diagonal braces; I did a _horrible_, ugly job with those. Should I wrap the main post with burlap to give the aerial roots something to attach to?

Is that pot big enough (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PR-Imports-19-in-Round-Terra-Cotta-Clay-Vase-V20P/202532448)? It's nominally 19" wide by 16" tall. If use an interior top radius of 8.5", an interior bottom radius of 6.5", and an interior height of 15" I calculate 2,666 cu inches, or about 11 gallons (http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/conicalfrustum.php).

There are two plants in the soil; the 6' one is doing fine, but the other one is growing out sideways. If I can successfully bend the existing growth upright it'll be about half the height (from the ground). If it breaks off it'll be much shorter :D

Also, I need to decide on a permanent location for this. How does one move a 6', spindly plant that has sharp spines?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 28, 2015, 07:00:12 PM
I think my purchased-from-Lowes-from-LaVerne dragonfruit is about ready for trellising, so I built this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonfruitTrellis.jpg)

The bottom of the top crossbar (or the top of the bottom crossbar) is 6' off the ground. Don't look too closely at the diagonal braces; I did a _horrible_, ugly job with those. Should I wrap the main post with burlap to give the aerial roots something to attach to?

Is that pot big enough (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PR-Imports-19-in-Round-Terra-Cotta-Clay-Vase-V20P/202532448)? It's nominally 19" wide by 16" tall. If use an interior top radius of 8.5", an interior bottom radius of 6.5", and an interior height of 15" I calculate 2,666 cu inches, or about 11 gallons (http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/conicalfrustum.php).

There are two plants in the soil; the 6' one is doing fine, but the other one is growing out sideways. If I can successfully bend the existing growth upright it'll be about half the height (from the ground). If it breaks off it'll be much shorter :D

Also, I need to decide on a permanent location for this. How does one move a 6', spindly plant that has sharp spines?

You can bend them a little bit, but yeah--they're not like a passionfruit vine or something and will snap if forced too much. The side growth should be pruned off if it isn't pointing directly upwards.

That pot is definitely big enough to allow the plant to produce fruit, but you will need to find a way to anchor it at the base, because it will blow over otherwise--definitely. The roots form in such a way that they spread out to quite a shallow depth at first, then they start moving down towards the bottom of the pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 29, 2015, 08:36:26 PM
pollinated these bad boys last night... excuse the poor quality photos. i took them on my tablet.
(http://i.imgur.com/gT3NAd6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3Bd4GGr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gJcOHsK.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 29, 2015, 08:41:35 PM
pollinated these bad boys last night... excuse the poor quality photos. i took them on my tablet.
(http://i.imgur.com/gT3NAd6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3Bd4GGr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gJcOHsK.jpg)

Beautiful, healthy plants merce. And perfectly pruned.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 30, 2015, 07:40:04 PM

(http://s23.postimg.cc/grdrgzzt3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/grdrgzzt3/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/a86rwjdwt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/a86rwjdwt/)
Breakfast of kings. Pawpaw and Purple Haze. This was my largest Purple Haze of the season, 983gms. Very nice!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 31, 2015, 12:00:08 AM

(http://s23.postimg.cc/grdrgzzt3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/grdrgzzt3/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/a86rwjdwt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/a86rwjdwt/)
Breakfast of kings. Pawpaw and Purple Haze. This was my largest Purple Haze of the season, 983gms. Very nice!

What kind of papaya is that Anthony? Looks too broad to be a solo but is about the same size. Waimalo?

That's a whopper of a P haze, never had one that big. Almost a Kilogram, that's incredible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on May 31, 2015, 12:50:09 AM
It looks a bit like the highly valued skybury red which often has a neck and thicker flesh but not always.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 31, 2015, 01:01:05 AM

 It looks a bit like the highly valued skybury red which often has a neck and thicker flesh but not always.
Quote
Not sure of the exact variety. Picked it up at the local nursery labeled as a Bisexual Red. Great flavour and never a lot of seeds. Makes a great Green Papaya Salad too. As for the Purple Haze, it's probably twice the size of any of the others from the same plant but it was the last for the seasons, so it had the plant to itself.
(http://s15.postimg.cc/t2oyrapuf/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/t2oyrapuf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on May 31, 2015, 01:15:18 AM
It looks like a beauty.My last dragonfruit of the season is in the fridge and it is the reliable colombian red.The best I ate this season was condor, although a few others came close and bigger yellows were at least as good as condor for flavor alone.Hang on I forgot about the H.ocamponis which really good also.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 31, 2015, 01:20:17 AM
It looks like a beauty.My last dragonfruit of the season is in the fridge and it is the reliable colombian red.The best I ate this season was condor, although a few others came close and bigger yellows were at least as good as condor for flavor alone.Hang on I forgot about the H.ocamponis which really good also.

Recently scored a new variety (Edgar's baby) which has a Brix rating of 18. Supposed to be Mr Valdivia's greatest creation. Red type.

Colombian red is underrated. If they haven't seen too much rain while in the fruit development stage they can be incredible with a really pronounced rose flavor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 31, 2015, 01:27:40 AM

 It looks a bit like the highly valued skybury red which often has a neck and thicker flesh but not always.
Quote
Not sure of the exact variety. Picked it up at the local nursery labeled as a Bisexual Red. Great flavour and never a lot of seeds. Makes a great Green Papaya Salad too. As for the Purple Haze, it's probably twice the size of any of the others from the same plant but it was the last for the seasons, so it had the plant to itself.
(http://s15.postimg.cc/t2oyrapuf/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/t2oyrapuf/)

Definitely not the common red bisex, shape is wrong. Looks like a good one whatever it is.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 31, 2015, 01:38:41 AM
The best I've eaten this year came from a cutting that was apparently Thomson S-8. It was a bonus in a package I received but I'm pretty sure it's not an S-8. Super tasty, great colour.
(http://s2.postimg.cc/6nydhao6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6nydhao6d/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/yzjxec82t/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yzjxec82t/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/tmv307k6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/tmv307k6d/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starling1 on May 31, 2015, 01:49:48 AM
The best I've eaten this year came from a cutting that was apparently Thomson S-8. It was a bonus in a package I received but I'm pretty sure it's not an S-8. Super tasty, great colour.
(http://s2.postimg.cc/6nydhao6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6nydhao6d/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/yzjxec82t/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yzjxec82t/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/tmv307k6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/tmv307k6d/)

Yeah, that's not S-8--unless  yours is S-8 and mine is something else. Mine hasn't fruited bu the growth looks different to yours from what I can see in the picture. Mine has skinnier tendrils that do not have that kind of exaggerated serration, almost like natural mystic.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on May 31, 2015, 02:20:15 AM
That maroon on the alleged S8 makes it look like a condor.Colombian red is one of the best I have tried and seems to be the favourite of many people here with good sized collections.I would also describe the taste as having rose quality with rich classic dragonfruit flavors rather than melon,kiwi or grape.They are really productive and self fertile also so have great commercial potential.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 31, 2015, 03:07:56 AM
Colombian Supreme is certainly up there with the best. As for the alleged S-8, I was always under the impression that its growth was more like Voodoo Child/Arizona Purple. Not sure what it is but its damn good. Super fast grower and produced that fruit in under 18 months from cutting, in a pot. I'm pretty happy with it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 31, 2015, 05:02:49 AM
That maroon on the alleged S8 makes it look like a condor.Colombian red is one of the best I have tried and seems to be the favourite of many people here with good sized collections.I would also describe the taste as having rose quality with rich classic dragonfruit flavors rather than melon,kiwi or grape.They are really productive and self fertile also so have great commercial potential.
Very true in relation to the Rose qualities in the Columbian Supreme. The wife isn't crazy about it but it is a great fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 01, 2015, 07:28:31 PM

(http://s3.postimg.cc/urjutky1b/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/urjutky1b/)

(http://s3.postimg.cc/ymn8w5h73/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ymn8w5h73/)
I thought I'd put this up for anyone who was interested, as pictures of this variety are not easily found(imo). This is PT#7, or Paul Thomsons No.7. Solid, medium size fruit, 370gm with flavour similar but not quite as good as the Columbian Supreme. Thick stem growth with grey colouring.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 01, 2015, 08:29:35 PM
I thought I'd put this up for anyone who was interested, as pictures of this variety are not easily found(imo). This is PT#7, or Paul Thomsons No.7. Solid, medium size fruit, 370gm with flavour similar but not quite as good as the Columbian Supreme. Thick stem growth with grey colouring.

That is rare!  Paul Thomson said in his book that he removed it after freeze damage. Like 8-S, 7-S came from his Houghton X Rixford cross.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 02, 2015, 08:29:48 AM
The best I've eaten this year came from a cutting that was apparently Thomson S-8. It was a bonus in a package I received but I'm pretty sure it's not an S-8. Super tasty, great colour.
(http://s2.postimg.cc/6nydhao6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6nydhao6d/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/yzjxec82t/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yzjxec82t/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/tmv307k6d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/tmv307k6d/)

Yup, does not look like S-8. S-8 is smaller and has more abreviated fins. It's highly productive and usually the size of a duck egg. That fruit does have some similarity to American Beauty.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: jakal1545 on June 02, 2015, 10:05:54 PM
Hello, I'm new this forum and was wondering if anyone can help me out. Is there a nursery or someone with a large selection of dragon fruit to buy from here in Socal? Most nurseries here just have one variety. Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 02, 2015, 10:24:09 PM
Hello, I'm new this forum and was wondering if anyone can help me out. Is there a nursery or someone with a large selection of dragon fruit to buy from here in Socal? Most nurseries here just have one variety. Thanks


(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/epicacti_nursery_zpsxfqxgrfr.jpg)

https://youtu.be/ssqFklhYhI4 (https://youtu.be/ssqFklhYhI4)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on June 03, 2015, 10:40:07 AM
Can you cross pollinate Dragon fruit with Dutchman's pipe"(Epiphyllum oxypetalum)?
they are very different species but the flowers and fruits are very similar (in fact they call the Dutchman's pipe "mini-dragonfruits" in Japan).
I think it's worth a try, what do you think?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 03, 2015, 11:26:51 AM
Can you cross pollinate Dragon fruit with Dutchman's pipe"(Epiphyllum oxypetalum)?
they are very different species but the flowers and fruits are very similar (in fact they call the Dutchman's pipe "mini-dragonfruits" in Japan).
I think it's worth a try, what do you think?

The main reason I would pollinate a Dragon Fruit flower with E. oxypetalum is to increase the odds of getting fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on June 03, 2015, 11:31:06 AM
Is that pot big enough (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PR-Imports-19-in-Round-Terra-Cotta-Clay-Vase-V20P/202532448)? It's nominally 19" wide by 16" tall. If use an interior top radius of 8.5", an interior bottom radius of 6.5", and an interior height of 15" I calculate 2,666 cu inches, or about 11 gallons (http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/conicalfrustum.php).
That pot is definitely big enough to allow the plant to produce fruit, but you will need to find a way to anchor it at the base, because it will blow over otherwise--definitely. The roots form in such a way that they spread out to quite a shallow depth at first, then they start moving down towards the bottom of the pot.

So how many plants could I reasonably put in that one pot? I have two established plants in there, now. Could I add two more cuttings? I see many "how to grow" videos putting 4 cuttings around a support post/trellis, but then those are going into the ground, with unlimited root space.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on June 03, 2015, 01:17:47 PM
good work including the scientific name.  What we call dutchman's pipe here in South FL is actually an Aristolochia. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on June 03, 2015, 05:43:07 PM
Quote
The main reason I would pollinate a Dragon Fruit flower with E. oxypetalum is to increase the odds of getting fruit.
so it's possible to cross pollinate those 2 species? I'm asking because a shop here is selling sets of Pink Dragon fruits / E. oxypetalum, and they say the pink dragon needs cross pollination. As I'm interrested in the pink DF I was wondering if that set is a good deal or a dead-end.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 03, 2015, 06:42:07 PM
Quote
The main reason I would pollinate a Dragon Fruit flower with E. oxypetalum is to increase the odds of getting fruit.

so it's possible to cross pollinate those 2 species? I'm asking because a shop here is selling sets of Pink Dragon fruits / E. oxypetalum, and they say the pink dragon needs cross pollination. As I'm interrested in the pink DF I was wondering if that set is a good deal or a dead-end.

My guess is yes.  I have not heard anybody say yes, they successfully pollinated DF with E. oxypetalum, but I know people who have successfully pollinated DF with other Epi hybrids.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on June 06, 2015, 02:13:24 AM
Thank you, I will try when my pink df is big enough
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on June 08, 2015, 05:39:15 PM
(http://s30.postimg.cc/yiigbosb1/1465194_10206812360209035_3596481414643335162_n.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yiigbosb1/)
This is the crimson colored DF I just received on Sunday. It's allready 28 inches (70 cm) and has new growth comming out.
I hope it will bloom in 1 or 2 years
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 09, 2015, 01:40:01 PM
I just want to report back to everyone that the heavy bloom from my Simons Purple has all dropped. The flowers got extremely wet and soggy, turned yellow and they all fell off after about three weeks of weekly rains. Simons Purple is usually my most reliable producer and I have confirmed this with two other growers that have this variety. Not to worry, secondary blooms are now showing up and the rains have stopped for now.

All my other varieties seem to be doing ok but the rains did cause some fruit drop on other varieties as well. The drop may have occurred due to excess water spurring vegetative growth or the humidity may have caused disease of the blooms, not sure which one.

On a side note, I have some American Beauty that is almost ripe and my Yellows are still hanging on so there is a good chance I'll have DF year round.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on June 09, 2015, 11:26:52 PM
Interesting report Simon. I had a similar issue, except every one of my fruit have aborted in the past week. Houghton, Arizona Purple, Rixford and Thai Red. Well over 30 fruits just turned yellow and dropped off at around 3+ weeks after pollination. I attributed it to the early flowering and the May rain, but now many of my plants are starting to bloom again, at what seems to be a more regular time for my DF.  At least I will have  a bunch of epiphyllum fruit to try in the next couple of weeks

Richard
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on June 09, 2015, 11:32:55 PM
I thought I'd put this up for anyone who was interested, as pictures of this variety are not easily found(imo). This is PT#7, or Paul Thomsons No.7. Solid, medium size fruit, 370gm with flavour similar but not quite as good as the Columbian Supreme. Thick stem growth with grey colouring.

That is rare!  Paul Thomson said in his book that he removed it after freeze damage. Like 8-S, 7-S came from his Houghton X Rixford cross.

I think what Rannman has is the plant that Paul called #7.  This is a different plant than 7-S, and the description Rannman gives matches the "#7" that I have but not  7-S.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 10, 2015, 12:04:08 AM
I think what Rannman has is the plant that Paul called #7.  This is a different plant than 7-S, and the description Rannman gives matches the "#7" that I have but not  7-S.

I was thinking that might be the case.

In Paul's book this is the reference I found to "#7":

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/p46_zpslihdsyiy.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/p48_zpshripxgg2.jpg)

Edit: I found that Paul said No. 7 to a exceptionally good pollinator.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on June 10, 2015, 12:38:49 AM
deleted - I was describing "Jala" and not #7
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 10, 2015, 03:21:20 AM
That sounds like the one I have, #7. I will put a pic up of the stem growth tomorrow as its nearly dark here now.
Rtreid, I look forward to some pics of your epi fruit, with names of, if possible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 10, 2015, 06:15:29 PM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/62snd5ocd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/62snd5ocd/)
This is the growth on the PT#7. Thick solid stems with colouring similar to Ocamponis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 11, 2015, 03:28:48 PM
(http://s22.postimg.cc/62snd5ocd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/62snd5ocd/)

This is the growth on the PT#7. Thick solid stems with colouring similar to Ocamponis.

The UCCE Irvine, CA has Valdivia Roja in their collection and has distribute it to participants at the Dragon Fruit Festivals.

#9 on the Right.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/MVP_4693_zpsd2e87095.jpg)

I have it growing in my garden.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/valdivia_4540_zpsee11df88.jpg)

DNA testing suggests that Valdivia Roja could be grouped as Hylocereus ocamponis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 11, 2015, 04:13:28 PM
I was also thinking of valdivia roja when I saw that photo. Very good tasting small fruit but supposedly not self-fruitful.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 11, 2015, 04:17:51 PM
I was also thinking of valdivia roja when I saw that photo. Very good tasting small fruit but supposedly not self-fruitful.

UCCE Ramiro Lobo got Valdivia Roja from Mexico.  It wouldn't surprise me if Paul Thomson's #7 came from Mexico.

Good pollinator does not mean the same thing to me as self-fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on June 11, 2015, 04:28:41 PM
Yes, I agree on the good pollinator point. I remember Ramiro also saying valdivia roja is a good pollen source. I think it makes more flowers. But that year it pretty much had no fruit set.

Mine hasn't produced anything yet due to neglect.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 11, 2015, 05:45:36 PM
Yes, I agree on the good pollinator point. I remember Ramiro also saying valdivia roja is a good pollen source. I think it makes more flowers. But that year it pretty much had no fruit set.

Mine hasn't produced anything yet due to neglect.

I planted mine for a pollen source...  then a year later was told that its flowering cycle did not match my other varieties.

No fruit yet.  I still like it. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on June 11, 2015, 07:30:10 PM
Yes,

I've had a "Valdivia Roja" in the ground for 8 years, and it has always needed pollen from another variety. I think it is one of my top ten in flavor. But you have to keep up on the pollinating for sure.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 11, 2015, 09:53:51 PM
After looking at different pics of the Valdivia Roja and my PT#7, they could be twins.  Very hard to tell them apart.  Not sure about being self fertile as I try to cross pollinate all my varieties when possible to ensure fruit set and possibly larger fruit.
How many thorns on the V. Roja.? My PT#7 has a single small thorn on younger growth and two small thorns on mature growth.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 11, 2015, 10:39:09 PM
After looking at different pics of the Valdivia Roja and my PT#7, they could be twins.  Very hard to tell them apart.  Not sure about being self fertile as I try to cross pollinate all my varieties when possible to ensure fruit set and possibly larger fruit.
How many thorns on the V. Roja.? My PT#7 has a single small thorn on younger growth and two small thorns on mature growth.

I just went out and looked at two Valdivia Roja plants... mostly single small thorns, I did find some two thorns on mature growth.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 13, 2015, 12:52:10 AM
Hi guys (and gals). First post here, but I wanted to jump in on the pollination topic. The best pollinator Ive found is the S-8 Sugar Dragon. Its a universal pollinator, successful on all dragon fruit, even itself, and produces a ton of pollen per flower. It also keeps well in the freezer when properly prepped. When kept in the same environment, it buds and blooms as early as almost every species I own (I had one American Beauty plant jump the gun this year and start early), which here at my house is May when they start opening, and can run as late as blooming in November. Plus the fruit, while small, is very tasty and is great for cooking and making ice cream. Its also fairly disease resistant and grows quickly. Anyone I share cuttings or plants with I try to push at least one S-8 on them for at least the pollen. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on June 15, 2015, 09:24:57 PM
After looking at different pics of the Valdivia Roja and my PT#7, they could be twins.  Very hard to tell them apart.  Not sure about being self fertile as I try to cross pollinate all my varieties when possible to ensure fruit set and possibly larger fruit.
How many thorns on the V. Roja.? My PT#7 has a single small thorn on younger growth and two small thorns on mature growth.

I just went out and looked at two Valdivia Roja plants... mostly single small thorns, I did find some two thorns on mature growth.
The new growth has one thorn, then it gets two thorns, and as it gets older one thorn stays and is barely visible.
First year growth
(http://s27.postimg.cc/wfsh1w5kv/Houghton1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/wfsh1w5kv/)
Second year growth
(http://s3.postimg.cc/ej3jk7qnz/Houghton4.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ej3jk7qnz/)
Mature growth fruit bearing age
(http://s11.postimg.cc/vmxf0g9r3/Houghton5.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vmxf0g9r3/)
Ripe Valdivia Roja
(http://s10.postimg.cc/6mdcwuxh1/Valdivia_Roja_Pitahaya.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6mdcwuxh1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on June 17, 2015, 11:53:54 PM
SO considering growing dragon fruit (got a good source for Natural Mystique  ;D)  Question, do you HAVE to let it grow so big?  Can it be pruned and kept a bit more controllable?  I am assuming like others, heavy pruning diminishes fruiting. Tried to find the answer on this thread, but 20 plus pages still have not found exact answer. Have learned a lot of other stuff though lol   Also can it be trained to grow vertically along a fence line?  I figure make a frame from the 4x4s along my wooden fence and let it grow like a T in 2 directions and long to distribute the weight along the fence by attaching treated 3x3 sideways to fence 4x4 if that makes sense.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 18, 2015, 12:08:06 AM
SO considering growing dragon fruit (got a good source for Natural Mystique  ;D)  Question, do you HAVE to let it grow so big?  Can it be pruned and kept a bit more controllable?  I am assuming like others, heavy pruning diminishes fruiting. Tried to find the answer on this thread, but 20 plus pages still have not found exact answer. Have learned a lot of other stuff though lol

You may have answered your question. How big would you like to grow it?
You do not have to let it climb to 5 - 6 feet tall.  You can grow it in a pot like an Epiphyllum...  a big Epiphyllum.  :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on June 18, 2015, 12:09:15 AM
How well will it fruit? And is there anywhere in Broward that sells some of these named varieties to try?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 18, 2015, 10:25:32 PM
You can cut the plant down to a single branch and still have it bear fruit, although you're not going to get much. The fruiting process basically boils down to a few key issues:
1. Fruit bearing flowers are almost exclusively formed on 'hardened' branches, which are last seasons growth, or very early same season, depending on weather conditions. These do tend to be more productive when hanging with tips facing down, but the "plant has to be XX size" is a myth in my opinion. It just needs to be allowed to grow and the branches to harden. I have a American Beauty cutting that I left in a pot and didn't stake it up, and its just growing like a Creeping Charlie plant, branches hanging over the edge of the pot, and in its second year its bearing fruit, without having to be run up a post first, then being allowed to hang. In my experience that is gravity possibly pulling heavier chemical triggers and pooling them at the ends of branches, which is one reason why branch tips, especially cut ones, tend to form fruit.
2. The entire plant is one big chemical reactor, converting nutrients, sunlight and water into the chemistry needed for growth, survival and reproduction. The bigger the plant, the more chemicals it can create, and the more it can spread around to other parts of the plant that might be lagging behind for various reasons, such as shade, disease or damaged structure.
3. Each branch, with its multiple thorn points (areoles), increases the chance of bearing fruit, just through shear number of available points to start new growth.
4. Proper nutrition can make even the smallest of plants (of proper fruiting "age") put out fruit like a champ. However, once you run out of possible new growth points, you basically stunt the plants growth, so make sure you keep a minimum amount of plant mass for continued plant development.
The basic idea is that if you let the plant grow a bit, you can trim it to a reasonable size, but you do need to feed it, water it (opinions vary on this detail) and, if you can, let it grow down in one manner or another, to give it a chance to do what it naturally does.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on June 19, 2015, 02:08:48 AM
I planted my df cuttings in 1 gallon pots, 2-3 pcs per pot... They just started growing slowly but surely, when will be the right time to repot them without damaging the newly formed roots? Should I upgrade them just one size up to 5 gal? Or their permanent 15 gal homes? Thank you so much...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 19, 2015, 02:50:27 AM
If you have a permanent location where you are going to keep them, there is no reason you cant go ahead and put them in the container you plan on leaving them in for the rest of their lives. When transplanting, if you used cheap black plastic containers to start with, I would recommend using a box cutting knife to cut, or at least score, the side of the container you are removing the plants from, so you can 'peel' off the old pot, rather than trying to yank them out by the stalk. Ive had a few plants where I lost large portions of roots because they were very shallow and ripped away when I tried to pull them out of the smaller pots. Also, to minimize risk of damage, prefill the new container with a reasonable amount of your planting medium, then set the transplant in and full around it. Don't try to force deeper roots by putting the root ball deep; Ive had bad luck trying that, personally. If the plant seems like its fragile and the roots might not survive the transfer, pre-cut the old container up the side, and once around the bottom, then place it in the new container, and gently work the old pot out from around the root ball. Also, it helps to have whatever post your are going to lash the plant to in place before the move, so you can secure it in a few places before you take hands off. Some species, like American Beauty, have fragile "knuckles" between the stems, and break easily when manipulated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 19, 2015, 12:46:01 PM
I planted my df cuttings in 1 gallon pots, 2-3 pcs per pot... They just started growing slowly but surely, when will be the right time to repot them without damaging the newly formed roots? Should I upgrade them just one size up to 5 gal? Or their permanent 15 gal homes? Thank you so much...

In the future, unless you plan to keep several cuttings together, I would only start one cutting per pot.

See:  http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo (http://youtu.be/7GmuSTx7IHo)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mucbean on June 20, 2015, 11:02:00 AM
I am having about some my dragon fruit turning yellow and dropping. Maybe around 20% of them are doing this. Is that normal. They are about 2 years old. 
(http://s10.postimg.cc/k16inbl2t/IMG_5080.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/k16inbl2t/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/c5vz8ibg5/IMG_5082.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c5vz8ibg5/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/5tgtyo8dx/IMG_5086.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5tgtyo8dx/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/udst9eelx/IMG_5087.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/udst9eelx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 20, 2015, 12:57:23 PM
Im not sure what the weather is like in Florida right now, but here in CA, bud death like that is usually caused by excessive heat. We're starting to see some very warm temperatures right now and I expect to see a lot of reports next week about peoples buds and flowers aborting in large numbers. Not much you can do about the ambient temperature, but if you can manage some partial shade for the plant it might curb the flower loss a bit. You have to shade as much of the plant as you can, though, as the heat being soaked up by the branches is doing as much damage, if not more, than the direct sunlight on the bud is, basically raising the temperature of the entire plant structure to the ambient air temperature, plus whatever heat the absorbed sunlight generates. The pics you shared seem to be of a white variety, based on the corked edges and lighter green colored branches, and those tend to take less of a hit from sunlight induced heat buildup, due to the lack of dark pigment, but over time it can still play havoc with fruit production.
Of course, you still need to make sure you are watering more regularly now that its summer and that the plant has all necessary nutrients to produce healthy branches and blooms to start with.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 26, 2015, 10:40:36 PM
My attempt at year round Dragonfruit has been accomplished. I found an American Beauty fruit that cracked so I cut away the bad parts and was able to eat the majority of the fruit. The fruit was a little tart but had some sweetness as well. My Yellow Dragonfruit from last year is still holding on, there's three left and there exterior looks horrible but I believe the inside is still good. I'm going to wait for another fully ripe DF variety to fully ripen on the interior and exterior before I cut into the Yellow DF.
Simon
(http://s7.postimg.cc/d3fyoor8n/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d3fyoor8n/)

(http://s7.postimg.cc/718by72sn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/718by72sn/)

(http://s7.postimg.cc/6n6zylip3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6n6zylip3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 01, 2015, 06:18:07 PM
Mark your Calendar!

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2015%20DF%20Festival_zps1puewuxg.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Zarafet on July 01, 2015, 09:50:02 PM
I have had dragon fruit for three years,  they are monsters but have never flowered,  what can I do?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 01, 2015, 11:43:51 PM
I have had dragon fruit for three years,  they are monsters but have never flowered,  what can I do?

Are they getting lots of sun?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Zarafet on July 02, 2015, 08:14:37 AM
Yes,  full desert sun  8+ hours
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 02, 2015, 01:49:35 PM
One by one my df cuttings started to show growth. They will get 15 gal pots.
Will 2-3 df in the same 15 gal pot get too busy?  ;D ;D


Mark your Calendar!

Thank you so much for the info. What is "field day" like?  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 02, 2015, 02:57:47 PM
Mark your Calendar!

Thank you so much for the info. What is "field day" like?  ;D

It is GREAT!!!  I have posted several YouTube videos on my Dragon Fruit Playlist.

A couple of examples:

https://youtu.be/nuoXmGaVaeI (https://youtu.be/nuoXmGaVaeI)

https://youtu.be/KQs7l5F5Klk (https://youtu.be/KQs7l5F5Klk)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 02, 2015, 03:14:11 PM
It is GREAT!!!  I have posted several YouTube videos on my Dragon Fruit Playlist.

Tasting and cuttings? I want to be there!! :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 02, 2015, 08:45:39 PM
I have had dragon fruit for three years,  they are monsters but have never flowered,  what can I do?
Try adding a large dose of Bud and Bloom fertilizer to the plants. I'd get confirmation on this first, but I hear people talking about adding "cups" worth of fertilizer, but Im not sure if that's a cup (8oz) of raw fertilizer mix or one liquid cup of BnB mixed with water according to the recommended mixing proportions. Either way, to shock mature plants into bearing fruit, use a high potassium ratio supplement.
p.s. incase you are not aware, the potassium level is the second number in a fertilizers X/X/X stats, which are N/P/K (nitrogen/potassium/phosphorus)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 03, 2015, 12:10:05 AM
The general consensus is that a DF plant (everything that's connected) needs to reach 15lbs before it's ready to flower and fruit. So 3 plants in a pot would need to reach 45+ lbs before all 3 will set fruit.

11 hours of sunlight is about the lower limit for flowering. If it looks dark green, it's probably not getting enough sun. Supplemental lighting will help. Slightly yellow but not burnt is good.

Go ask the pitayafruit yahoo group for the more accurate numbers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 07, 2015, 01:42:14 AM
its technically not a weight issue, but more of a maturity issue. Just like in most things, plants have to reach a level of maturity before they can reproduce, doubly so in perennial plants (as opposed to annuals). If you trimmed every offshoot from a dragonfruit plant and reduced it to a single branch, after a time, usually a growing season, that branch would have developed the chemical production and physical size to create the chemistry necessary to induce flower budding. You wouldn't get much in the way of fruit though, because you would be forcing the plant into an orientation foreign to its natural design. Remember, Mother Nature is a heck of an engineer, and has a way of making things work according to their environment.
Pitahaya is natively a climbing plant, working its way up the landscape to achieve a reasonable size for propagation, which it does in 2 ways:
1. Chemistry changes in the native soil, which correlate with the additional sun and rainfall of the spring and summer seasons, induce flowering, and then fruiting, in order to spread new seeds across the landscape. Sweet edible fruit encourage the process by getting animals to eat the fruits flesh and then deposit the seeds, along with some natural fertilizer, randomly in new places, through hard to digest seed coatings and spotty droppings. BTW, nature's way of adding flowering indicators to the soil is the return of birds to the area, which produce high amounts of phosphorus in their droppings, which gets washed from trees and leaves and into the soil through seasonal rainfall.
2. Branches of plants in low nutrient areas wilt a bit and break off, creating natural cuttings, which also bring new plants, although usually in a more limited radius, but something is better than nothing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 07, 2015, 10:00:10 PM
Does everyone train the dragon fruit to climb as a single stem until it reach the top then spread? What are the considerations? Thank you so much :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 08, 2015, 12:04:49 AM
The "umbrella" technique, where you have one (or more) main shoots lashed to a post, trimming off side growth everywhere but the top, is the most practical shape for a plant, if you have the space for it. It allows for uniform access to most of the branches in all directions. However, since not everyone has that kind of space, there have been many other techniques used, such as:
Trellising as they do with grape vines, rows of short T posts with pipes or other supports running along them, like wires on telephone poles, to give the branches support, but in a more of a row then single round plants.
Ive seen people grow DF up trees, as they naturally do, and then just letting them hang off like moss
Ive also seen dragonfruit growing down slopes (mostly from pics in Hawai'i).
The basic idea of all these is that the branches need some sort of support for their natural heavy weight, which only increases when they start bearing fruit. Under normal conditions, when an unsupported branch gets too long, it will break off and form a new plant. For us growers, that's bad, as we don't want random cuttings taking over our growing areas. They need to follow the program and make us fruit. At my house, Ive got a bit of a unique situation, where most of my plants are growing in a narrow space between mine and my neighbors yard, and I live in a track home, so limited space makes for desperate measures. Im including a couple pics so you can get an idea of one way to think outside the box. Just remember, your plants need sun, water, room to grow and proper nutrition. To get fruit, they need time to mature and, if possible, a support system that allows them to let their branches hang down, which tends to concentrate the flowering chemistry.
btw, these pics are about 2 years old.
(http://s29.postimg.cc/y7ed89e43/plants_004.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/y7ed89e43/)

(http://s21.postimg.cc/43vr94rlf/plants_005.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/43vr94rlf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 08, 2015, 12:32:57 AM
Does everyone train the dragon fruit to climb as a single stem until it reach the top then spread? What are the considerations? Thank you so much :D

One important consideration for me is I want to be able to reach the flowers for pollination and pick the fruit without climbing a ladder.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on July 08, 2015, 06:12:22 AM
Hello,

I was wondering if this plant can bear fruits also in pot? how much time does it require to give the first flower?
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 08, 2015, 12:34:53 PM
I think my purchased-from-Lowes-from-LaVerne dragonfruit is about ready for trellising, so I built this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonfruitTrellis.jpg). . .
Also, I need to decide on a permanent location for this. How does one move a 6', spindly plant that has sharp spines?
So, 5 weeks later, I still haven't moved it, and now it's growing out its "crown":

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBeyondTrellis.jpg)

The top part beyond the crown has grown another 2'!

Which just makes the moving part harder. Does anyone have advice for moving an 8', spindly plant with sharp spines?

If I don't get moving on this pretty soon I'm going to be asking for advice about a 9' plant.

Or should I chop it off beyond those uppermost side shoots?

I just wish the side shoots had started about a foot higher so I could tie them onto the horizontal supports.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 08, 2015, 02:28:54 PM
Does anyone have advice for moving an 8', spindly plant with sharp spines?

If I don't get moving on this pretty soon I'm going to be asking for advice about a 9' plant.

The problem is you got started off on the wrong foot.  You should have planted it in a large pot on wheels with an attached shorter trellis and only allowed the top to reach 4 - 5 feet tall.

Now, if you only want to move it to a permanent location, I would wrap the spindly plant in a roll of cardboard and carefully move the pot to its new location.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 08, 2015, 02:34:58 PM
Hello,

I was wondering if this plant can bear fruits also in pot? how much time does it require to give the first flower?
Thanks

Yes, DF planted in a pot can bear fruit and the length of time for first flower depends. Sometimes a flower will appear the first year, it is not uncommon to see flowers the second year, most likely you should have flowers the third year, if you are unlucky or did something wrong, may take 4 years.  :-[
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 08, 2015, 11:43:02 PM
Igor Sandler posted this on Facebook:

(https://scontent-lax1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11667517_1101959779833098_1182587731606231317_n.jpg?oh=bcd56f1f6da9e72e53dcbe11dec6c8ae&oe=5628C746)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 09, 2015, 01:08:33 AM
My 'David-Bowie' Dragon Fruit has just gone crazy this past week. I've never seen so many flower/fruit buds on it before. It seems that this is the result of applying cactus potting soil on it for the past two years (about once a year).

This 'David Bowie' DF is the only variety I have. I chose it because Pine Island Nursery said that it's reliably productive and of good taste. The trade off for me was that the fruit size is on the smallish-medium size. But, I'd rather have a lot of smallish-medium fruit, than having just a few large fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 09, 2015, 01:28:50 AM
Here's another follow up on my attempt at year round Dragonfruit. My American Beauty has been red on the vine for about a week and I noticed that one of them was cracking so I harvested it. I also harvested one of my Yellow Dragonfruit that is still hding on from last year. The Yellow Dragonfruit looks pretty bad with lots of dots on it and when I cut it open, it was slightly soft, not a firm texture. I took a bite and the fruit quality definitely declined a lot. The taste was still good but it just doesn't taste as good as one harvested earlier. i tested out the Brix and it only measured 12% which was weird because it still tasted pretty sweet. I took another reading and got the same reading.

The American Beauty weighed a little over 1.5 lbs and I would have left it on the vine for a few more days if it didn't crack on me. The majority of the fruit tasted excellent with sweet flesh balanced with a great acidity. The Brix on the sweeter parts of the fruit near the center was 19% and the Brix closer to the skin was 17%.

All in all, it is nice to know that the Yellow Dragon can hold edible fruit for about 8 months although I would prefer to eat it at its peak harvest time. I still have two more Yellow Dragonfruit on the vine and the plant also has flowers that will be opening up soon.

Simon
(http://s2.postimg.cc/yrgqusa4l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yrgqusa4l/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/w8qggcz0l/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/w8qggcz0l/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/zeb26khmt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/zeb26khmt/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/u1m7sftqd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/u1m7sftqd/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on July 09, 2015, 02:59:48 AM
Wow, the description and the pictures are mouthwateringly beautiful, thanx for the report.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 13, 2015, 05:39:41 PM
Dark Star.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Dark%20Star/DS_07-10-2015_zpsrjenuf4i.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: WaterFowler on July 13, 2015, 06:05:44 PM
I have 10 DF in 15 gallon containers, with trellises. I have a question. I noticed today the one with the largest segment, probably 18" long and almost as thick as my forearm was starting to rot so I cut it off. The rooting segment plus the three sprouting from this big one look perfectly fine. Its the only container I have that's in morning shade only, the rest are in filtered sun all day long(it's  100-120 degrees here during the summer). I never moved it with the others because it was growing so big right where it was. Since it's in the shade I sparsely water it compared to the others.

 Do you think the fact that it spends so much time in the shade has anything to do with it rotting? And why might you guess the other segments look fine, but the biggest and greenest of them all is the one that got sick?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 13, 2015, 07:22:32 PM
Does anyone have advice for moving an 8', spindly plant with sharp spines?
The problem is you got started off on the wrong foot.  You should have planted it in a large pot on wheels with an attached shorter trellis and only allowed the top to reach 4 - 5 feet tall.

Now, if you only want to move it to a permanent location, I would wrap the spindly plant in a roll of cardboard and carefully move the pot to its new location.
Thanks! The cardboard did the trick! I belted the pot onto my hand truck, taped a cardboard triangle around the plant, and successfully got it down the ramp, across the apiary, and to its permanent home:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitPermanentHome.jpg)

The 8' stem is the main one, and the left-most branch that's curving up is a second plant that refuses to grow out of its top, so that side shoot is all I have. I'm trying to slowly train it upward.

I also have two "throw away" cuttings in the dirt from side shoots that I pruned way. If they root, fine. If not, also fine.

I have drip watering going into the pot, but right now it's teed off downstream of a shared emitter, so I don't really know how much is going in. I'll have to reconfigure it so that it has its own emitter.

Anyone have an opinion on how much water a DF needs in a Los Angeles summer? We're running low 80s during the day and mid 60s at night, with no rain, ever.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 14, 2015, 12:01:43 AM
I have 10 DF in 15 gallon containers, with trellises. I have a question. I noticed today the one with the largest segment, probably 18" long and almost as thick as my forearm was starting to rot so I cut it off. The rooting segment plus the three sprouting from this big one look perfectly fine. Its the only container I have that's in morning shade only, the rest are in filtered sun all day long(it's  100-120 degrees here during the summer). I never moved it with the others because it was growing so big right where it was. Since it's in the shade I sparsely water it compared to the others.

 Do you think the fact that it spends so much time in the shade has anything to do with it rotting? And why might you guess the other segments look fine, but the biggest and greenest of them all is the one that got sick?
Was the 'rotting' area turning a sort of honey yellow, and a bit mushy? Possibly centered around a thorn point and spreading out length-wise in both directions? That sort of rot is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the soft tissue of the plant. It can work is way in under a thorn, or through branches banging against each other and piercing their skin with other thorns. I do not know the type of bacteria this is, or its source of spreading from plant to plant, but it somewhat common at my house, on certain species. On newer branches I cut away the entire stem, but on older growth I can successfully remove the infected tissue with a sharp knife and wash the infected area clean with a garden hose on a strong jet setting. As long as you wash away the affected tissue and peel away any remaining loose skin from the area, exposure to the air will dry up and harden the remaining exposed tissue and the plant will keep going strong. Remember, as long as the central, wooden core of the branch remains intact, the plant will have no problem supporting living tissue further up the line.
Now, as a side note, other conditions that can kill the tissue can also bring on this bacterial condition. If you have a branch that gets separated from the main plant or a whole plant that the root system goes into shutdown, the bacteria can start to consume the tissue as it dies, which can radically increase its spread. Its always best to deal with infections as soon as you find them. Even something as simple as poking a finger through a soft area to let the air in can change the course of a bout of this problem. The bacteria seems to be anaerobic, and shuts down and dries up fast when exposed to air. If you want, you can also add a anti-fungal/anti-bacterial treatment to areas once you've cleaned them, but that's a persona choice, with organic and non-organic options available.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: joshuaf383 on July 14, 2015, 11:07:15 PM
I have 10 DF in 15 gallon containers, with trellises. I have a question. I noticed today the one with the largest segment, probably 18" long and almost as thick as my forearm was starting to rot so I cut it off. The rooting segment plus the three sprouting from this big one look perfectly fine. Its the only container I have that's in morning shade only, the rest are in filtered sun all day long(it's  100-120 degrees here during the summer). I never moved it with the others because it was growing so big right where it was. Since it's in the shade I sparsely water it compared to the others.

 Do you think the fact that it spends so much time in the shade has anything to do with it rotting? And why might you guess the other segments look fine, but the biggest and greenest of them all is the one that got sick?
Was the 'rotting' area turning a sort of honey yellow, and a bit mushy? Possibly centered around a thorn point and spreading out length-wise in both directions? That sort of rot is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the soft tissue of the plant. It can work is way in under a thorn, or through branches banging against each other and piercing their skin with other thorns. I do not know the type of bacteria this is, or its source of spreading from plant to plant, but it somewhat common at my house, on certain species. On newer branches I cut away the entire stem, but on older growth I can successfully remove the infected tissue with a sharp knife and wash the infected area clean with a garden hose on a strong jet setting. As long as you wash away the affected tissue and peel away any remaining loose skin from the area, exposure to the air will dry up and harden the remaining exposed tissue and the plant will keep going strong. Remember, as long as the central, wooden core of the branch remains intact, the plant will have no problem supporting living tissue further up the line.
Now, as a side note, other conditions that can kill the tissue can also bring on this bacterial condition. If you have a branch that gets separated from the main plant or a whole plant that the root system goes into shutdown, the bacteria can start to consume the tissue as it dies, which can radically increase its spread. Its always best to deal with infections as soon as you find them. Even something as simple as poking a finger through a soft area to let the air in can change the course of a bout of this problem. The bacteria seems to be anaerobic, and shuts down and dries up fast when exposed to air. If you want, you can also add a anti-fungal/anti-bacterial treatment to areas once you've cleaned them, but that's a persona choice, with organic and non-organic options available.

What if the yellow mushy part is on the base of the plant should i remove it or leave it to rot?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 16, 2015, 02:59:36 AM
Remove as much of the rotten tissue as you can, either manually with your hands or a knife, then aggressively spray the area with a hose jet nozzle. Then clean up as much of whats left as possible to tidy up the area. Doesn't matter where on the plant it is, if you would like to keep the plant further along the stem, just treat the problem area. Think of it as washing out a bad cut or scrape. Sometimes you have to really get in there and dig out the bad stuff so it can heal right. As long as the core remains intact, the plant mass further up will survive.
Now, rotting that starts at ground level might actually be progressing from deeper still. Its a possible sign of root damage/rot. If you can do so, and the plant is large enough, pull up on the main stem and see if it gives way, but do it gently. If it doesn't budge under very light upward stress, you probably don't have a problem. But, when doing so, you might come up wth just a nub if the roots have decayed. Even this is not a complete death sentence for a otherwise healthy plant, btw.
If you have a large plant and the roots die, or the plant somehow becomes detached from the roots due to damage or rodents, etc, the plant will try and reestablish contact with the soil just like a cutting would. I've seen this firsthand where a Haleys Comet plant about 2 years old started sprouting massive ammounts of new roots at the base, enough to make the plant look like it was growing in a pile of angel hair pasta. When I investigated, I found the plant had come completely detached from the ground somehow. So, I piled up soil around the new roots and watered a bit more frequently for a while, and the plant is doing fine a year later, happy as a clam, and starting to bud for the season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 16, 2015, 12:48:09 PM
I've seen this firsthand where a Haleys Comet plant about 2 years old started sprouting massive ammounts of new roots at the base, enough to make the plant look like it was growing in a pile of angel hair pasta.

Did you take a photo of this? That would be neat to see.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 17, 2015, 05:00:05 PM
First ever flower on my Cebra dragon fruit opening tonight.

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Cebra/Cebra_07-17-15_zpsthj3xtzr.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on July 17, 2015, 05:33:51 PM
A friend with a huge collection of varieties including all the Matts Landscapes and PIN nursery types,locally bred and Asian lines, is suddenly hacking out maybe 40 varieties including most of the famous hybrids.He is retaining only those proven to be self fertile in his environment so more than half the varieties are going.He is now focused on productivity and never hand pollinating again but some of the best tasting varieties are self fertile types.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 17, 2015, 06:49:23 PM
First ever flower on my Cebra dragon fruit opening tonight.

Would artificial light interfere with flowering and/or insect pollination? Would a webcam work in this case?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 17, 2015, 10:15:15 PM
A friend with a huge collection of varieties including all the Matts Landscapes and PIN nursery types,locally bred and Asian lines, is suddenly hacking out maybe 40 varieties including most of the famous hybrids. He is retaining only those proven to be self fertile in his environment so more than half the varieties are going.He is now focused on productivity and never hand pollinating again but some of the best tasting varieties are self fertile types.

Any chance that your friend could share the varieties proven to be self fertile in his environment?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on July 17, 2015, 10:31:38 PM
It is on my work email and he was offering cuttings of the varieties and I will list many next week.I think many of the halleys comet,American beauty physical graffiti,purple haze and cosmic charlie style ones were going.I just don't recall about condor and others that did best in his taste tests.Some of the sweetest whites,megalanthus hybrids, best reds like Colombian red,red fox pink and a few hybrids only were being kept from what I recall.I gave him seeds of Oscars orange megalanthus and he had them fruiting in 18 months so he knows what he is doing and his yard is gridlocked with big pots of dragonfruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 18, 2015, 02:01:13 PM
Condor is not self-fertile.
The megalanthus ones are known to be self fertile.

I'm interested to know the other ones too. Maybe we have local sources of them here.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2015, 02:34:18 AM
Artificial lighting should have little effect on pollination due to there being very little activity normally during overnight hours, as most plants that get 'assistance' by pollinators in the US (by bees normally) happens in the early morning when the flowers are still open and the insects are getting to work. The plant is naturally pollinated by moths and bats and other night insects in its native environments, but we don't have much of those types of critters in the US, as our varieties are either day shift workers or carnivores looking for bugs, not nectar. A nighttime camera shoot should be totally doable.
As for varieties, remember, theres a difference between self fertile and self pollinating. Self pollenating generally don't require any outside assistance to create fruit and are ideal for harvest crops, but as of right now most, if not all , of those varieties are not of sufficient quality to make a spash at market, although the work continues to correct that. Self fertile, however, makes up the bulk of the plants we 'hobbiest' growers own, due to the fact that most of us don't want to end up with a pile of dead flowers because we didn't have compatible pollen in time to fertilize what our plants see fit to produce. One important thing to note though is that location and climate can make self fertile plants into self pollinating, given a few things. For example, in a breezy or windy location pollen can work its way down the inside of a flower onto the stamen by being shook loose and basically just trying to fall out. At my house, if I find a flower I managed to forget to pollinate by hand, I always give it a good jiggle in the hopes that there is some pollen left inside.
Personally, Id prefer to have a better quality fruit that took a little bit more effort than a mediocre one that was completely hands off, but that's just me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2015, 09:26:39 AM
Artificial lighting should have little effect on pollination due to there being very little activity normally during overnight hours, as most plants that get 'assistance' by pollinators in the US (by bees normally) happens in the early morning when the flowers are still open and the insects are getting to work. The plant is naturally pollinated by moths and bats and other night insects in its native environments, but we don't have much of those types of critters in the US, as our varieties are either day shift workers or carnivores looking for bugs, not nectar. A nighttime camera shoot should be totally doable.
As for varieties, remember, theres a difference between self fertile and self pollinating. Self pollenating generally don't require any outside assistance to create fruit and are ideal for harvest crops, but as of right now most, if not all , of those varieties are not of sufficient quality to make a spash at market, although the work continues to correct that. Self fertile, however, makes up the bulk of the plants we 'hobbiest' growers own, due to the fact that most of us don't want to end up with a pile of dead flowers because we didn't have compatible pollen in time to fertilize what our plants see fit to produce. One important thing to note though is that location and climate can make self fertile plants into self pollinating, given a few things. For example, in a breezy or windy location pollen can work its way down the inside of a flower onto the stamen by being shook loose and basically just trying to fall out. At my house, if I find a flower I managed to forget to pollinate by hand, I always give it a good jiggle in the hopes that there is some pollen left inside.
Personally, Id prefer to have a better quality fruit that took a little bit more effort than a mediocre one that was completely hands off, but that's just me.

I was under the impression that the majority of the DF varieties we hobbyist growers grow are NOT self fertile.  They require pollen from another (not clone) plant to produce fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2015, 12:43:23 PM
Well, when I say 'hobbyist' I mean the more casual home growers. Those folks tend to seek out self fertile varieties, to make sure they can get fruit out of a few, or even a single plant. Anyone who takes the time to post on these sort of message boards or seek out genuine expert advice would probably fall into an "enthusiast" category. People who understand that to get some of the better fruits requires extra effort.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2015, 08:59:57 PM
Well, when I say 'hobbyist' I mean the more casual home growers. Those folks tend to seek out self fertile varieties, to make sure they can get fruit out of a few, or even a single plant. Anyone who takes the time to post on these sort of message boards or seek out genuine expert advice would probably fall into an "enthusiast" category. People who understand that to get some of the better fruits requires extra effort.

It has been my experience, as a casual home grower, that we 'hobbyist' get the impression from the the more advance 'hobbyists' that getting fruit is not a big problem if you have flowers and hand pollination.  The reality is that most of the better tasting Dragon Fruit varieties require pollen from another variety of Dragon Fruit and casual home growers may only have one or a couple DF plants that don't flower at the the same time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on July 22, 2015, 03:42:05 AM
What are some of the ways to boost growth for a df plant?

It seems my plants take forever to grow. They grow a bit and suddenly become dormant for a while. I fertilize once in two months with organic fertilizer, namely - 'neem cake', 'vermicompost' and something called 'all mix'.




Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 25, 2015, 06:40:19 AM
I made this 5 weeks ago. It was very simple to construct if anyone is interested in the supply list and instructions. I am growing Physical Grafitti and Haley's Comet. I also have American Beauty rooting in a separate pot. I have had a huge growth spurt in the last week. I am looking forward to fruit!
(http://s8.postimage.org/e2rwfeudt/20120204_180151.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e2rwfeudt/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/6bplracdv/20120204_180231.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6bplracdv/)

(http://s16.postimage.org/nb42n1avl/20120204_175933.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nb42n1avl/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/cglpictv7/20111231_163549.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cglpictv7/)
(http://s28.postimg.cc/bkwnc2nsp/20150518_142745.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bkwnc2nsp/)

Amazing to look back at this old post and see what this dragon fruit has done in a bit over 3 years!! Extremely productive with fruits as big as 1.5 lbs and brix scores as high as 18.5! :)

(http://s9.postimg.cc/4k00mdfmz/20150620_155537.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4k00mdfmz/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/odi8dowa9/20150505_185248.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/odi8dowa9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2015, 11:32:24 AM

(http://s28.postimg.cc/bkwnc2nsp/20150518_142745.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bkwnc2nsp/)

Amazing to look back at this old post and see what this dragon fruit has done in a bit over 3 years!! Extremely productive with fruits as big as 1.5 lbs and brix scores as high as 18.5! :)

(http://s9.postimg.cc/4k00mdfmz/20150620_155537.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4k00mdfmz/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/odi8dowa9/20150505_185248.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/odi8dowa9/)

Thank you for the update!! 

Anything you would do different knowing what you know now?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 25, 2015, 04:09:00 PM
What I would do differently:
1. I would have used 3 pieces of rebar to support the top platform instead of 2, one from 12 to 6, another from 9 to 3 like i did...I would add a third to support the corners better and arrange them like spokes

2. I would suggest to anyone if you're going to plant yours in a pot like I did with the post going through it into the ground.....when it gets substantial in size put supports on it to keep it from tipping over
(http://s4.postimg.cc/hz93ev79l/20150401_130057.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hz93ev79l/)
It took 4 big strong men to upright it and we used two pieces of fence post to secure it.

3. ALL metal zip ties. I used some plastic ones as well....they deteriorated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bsbullie on July 25, 2015, 04:52:34 PM
Are you sure about that brix reading?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2015, 05:04:16 PM
What I would do differently:
1. I would have used 3 pieces of rebar to support the top platform instead of 2, one from 12 to 6, another from 9 to 3 like i did...I would add a third to support the corners better and arrange them like spokes

2. I would suggest to anyone if you're going to plant yours in a pot like I did with the post going through it into the ground.....when it gets substantial in size put supports on it to keep it from tipping over
(http://s4.postimg.cc/hz93ev79l/20150401_130057.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hz93ev79l/)
It took 4 big strong men to upright it and we used two pieces of fence post to secure it.

3. ALL metal zip ties. I used some plastic ones as well....they deteriorated.

The top platform height is up to the individual. It does not need to be 5' - 6' high.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2015, 05:07:31 PM
Are you sure about that brix reading?

UCCE Irvine posted 17.93 Brix for Physical Graffiti.  18.5 Brix is not uncommon for Dragon Fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 25, 2015, 06:42:59 PM
Yes I am sure :) especially since I tested some of my mangoes at the same time. I thought it was crazy that the dragon fruit was higher than some of the mangoes. The refractometer had just been calibrated and was in good working order so I am happy. The dragon fruit vary so I am going to guess water content may play a role in it.
 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 25, 2015, 07:49:40 PM
@MarinFla. envy envy envy!
what size pot are you using?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MarinFla on July 25, 2015, 08:34:46 PM
@MarinFla. envy envy envy!
what size pot are you using?
It's a 25 gallon nursery pot, the 4x4 goes through the bottom of the pot into the ground about 1.5ft deep
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 26, 2015, 12:45:16 AM

(http://s7.postimg.cc/7aqj8gbw7/DSCN1002.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7aqj8gbw7/)

(http://s3.postimg.cc/r8o6evgvj/DSCN1003.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/r8o6evgvj/)

Heres some images of the first proper S-8 Sugar Dragon of the season. This is about average size for the fruit, and good color. Brix score varies a little bit between fruit, and the 18.0 is a smidge low but it could be because it's a first flush fruit. Most of the plants make up for the small size by putting out larger numbers of fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 27, 2015, 11:46:44 PM
Are you sure about that brix reading?
If this plant weren't being moved I have a suggestion, and that is to actually bury the pot in the ground. This allows you to have the protection of the pot's armor while keeping out aggressive root seekers, and lowers the chances of annoying tip-overs. If you have a strong back at your disposal, just dig a pot sized hole, but maybe an extra foot or two deep, then line the hole with weed blocker fabric and fill in the extra foot of depth with pure sand or fine gravel. This gives you a 'French drain' layer to help dissipate excess watering or rain. Then just place your pot and backfill.
Also, for long term usage, I tend to use non-toxic treated lumber or Trex composite, with a few layers of burlap wrapped and nailed to it. Keeps the post from rotting and still allows the aerial roots something to grip onto.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 28, 2015, 04:22:30 PM
My American Beauty tested at 19% Brix and it definitely tasted every bit of that 19%. I've been taking Brix readings from many samples of fruit and I give the highest reading taken from that fruit. If I sample multiple fruit of the same variety, I try to give the average of the highest readings I get.

Also, I've noticed the Brix readings can vary greatly in any particular given fruit. For Mango, the highest Brix is around the flesh near the skin. For Dragon Fruit, I've found that the highest Brix is near the center of the fruit.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Artisans on July 28, 2015, 06:12:00 PM
Great looking canopy, here (philippines)they place in a concrete post and branch out some rsb, ugly as hell. I have planted 3 segments (cuttings) and plan a bamboo wall much like your nest in construction as I have iso containers for workshop space and it is a shame to waste the space, so I will be going vertical. A buddy of mine has some 200 mature fruiting plants. Still has not got around to selling the fruit though, so I get the my fill. FYI, frozen is the best way to eat them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on July 31, 2015, 10:14:48 AM
I have a problem with my DF, there are some black spots with lots of little darker spots that looks like aphid bites on the new growth.
it happened during the night. I am sorry for the poor quality pics, anyone has an idea what it is?
(http://s27.postimg.cc/bgpsd1unj/1469988_10207196171604080_883162000847743503_n.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bgpsd1unj/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/qc2omwmv5/11828830_10207196171324073_3051904221699913075_n.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qc2omwmv5/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on July 31, 2015, 06:45:17 PM
Here some better pics
(http://s1.postimg.cc/ws3o45f8r/20150801_071632.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ws3o45f8r/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/bfjg84upx/20150801_071819.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bfjg84upx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on August 02, 2015, 08:05:03 AM
Ok, I'm freaking out. That thing is expanding and the more I look at it, the less it looks like some insect bites.
It looks more like the plant is sick. Could it be the water? It's hot now and I've been watering it everyday.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jake the indian on August 02, 2015, 09:08:55 AM
I got to try Thanh Long Do - a red Vietnamese Dragonfruit variety from the Mekong Delta, recently. The flesh had a uniquely rich flavor, and was very sweet.  It is easily the best dragon fruit i've ever had! Has any one tried this one?? It's a newly developed variety by the southern Fruit research institute, and carrying its planting material outside the country is prohibited.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on August 02, 2015, 10:41:51 AM
I have a problem with my DF, there are some black spots with lots of little darker spots that looks like aphid bites on the new growth.
it happened during the night. I am sorry for the poor quality pics, anyone has an idea what it is?
(http://s27.postimg.cc/bgpsd1unj/1469988_10207196171604080_883162000847743503_n.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bgpsd1unj/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/qc2omwmv5/11828830_10207196171324073_3051904221699913075_n.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qc2omwmv5/)

I`m also interested in an answer to this problem. One of the cuttings is developing this problem in the last 3 weeks.  Any contribution would be much appreciated
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 02, 2015, 11:51:51 AM
Ok, I'm freaking out. That thing is expanding and the more I look at it, the less it looks like some insect bites.
It looks more like the plant is sick. Could it be the water? It's hot now and I've been watering it everyday.

Months ago I had posted a similar damage with my df plant (it should be on this thread within the pages). The only difference was that the damage on my plant was yellowish in color then turned white and kinda translucent. But it spead like mad and before you know the only thing left is the middle thingy. The problem with my plant was over watering. I live in a dry climate and thus thought the plant would need more water like some of my other plants but I was wrong.
I learned it the hard way, to always put your finger in the soil and check, if the soil is dry only then water it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on August 02, 2015, 07:51:31 PM
It's definitely a disease, bacterial or some kind of wills. I found a guy who has the exact same problem on another forum, but nobody was able to give an answer.
http://allthingsplants.com/thread/view/34403/Dragon-fruit-hylocereus-undatus-Halleys-Comet-off-hang-tag-disease/ (http://allthingsplants.com/thread/view/34403/Dragon-fruit-hylocereus-undatus-Halleys-Comet-off-hang-tag-disease/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 03, 2015, 04:52:57 AM
Here some better pics
(http://s1.postimg.cc/ws3o45f8r/20150801_071632.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ws3o45f8r/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/bfjg84upx/20150801_071819.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bfjg84upx/)
I have had this on one of my plants and it does seem to spread rapidly.  All I can say is cut it out with a sterile blade while small or if it takes a whole stem, cut the whole stem off, bin it and let it reshoot.  The good news is(in my case) it doesn't seem to spread to other plants, even those that are very close.  Also, the original infected plant hasn't had the same problem since I cut out all of the infected area. Seems to only affect newer, softer growth.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Majime on August 03, 2015, 08:58:53 AM
thank you so much for your advice. Unfortunately it's too late, I wasn't at home for the we and it spread so fast, even the base has it now.
You are completely right, it starts on the new growth but I didn't want to cut it at first, as it really looked like some insect bites, now I kinda regret it. The new stems (infected) are still growing, I'm going to wait and see, there is not much to do now, maybe stop watering for a few days.
I also noticed the dark area are becoming lighter like some coffee stains.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on August 03, 2015, 11:58:20 AM

purple haze.
i rooted a few cuttings.
im guessing the soil was a bit too rich/heavy.

do i let it dry and re-plant ?
cut it in 1/2 ?
(http://s9.postimg.cc/vzyyukyej/dragonfr.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzyyukyej/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 03, 2015, 02:15:32 PM
Chop off the dark part first until you see all green in the cross section. Don't worry about leaving it to dry for as long as month or so. It'll be fine. Typically, a week is enough. AC will speed up the drying too if you have it on anyway.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on August 03, 2015, 10:07:31 PM
Anyone know if rain impacts pollination of dragon fruit? I cross pollinated about 15 flowers but the rain has been non-stop for the last 20 days. Will the rain wash all of the pollen off? Does anyone have experience with this?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on August 04, 2015, 12:11:11 AM
YES MOST DEFIANTLY
I find bees trapped in wet heavy flowers & weeks later the fruit set is not normal
This could be do to the pollen being wet & not able to " fly"
Also I have LOTS of Earwigs that seem to help in pollination as they are over over all flower parts  but when lots rain they  dont seem to help [ again wet pollen?]
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on August 04, 2015, 06:01:21 AM
Hi guys
dragon fruit flowers in my greenhouse
(http://s7.postimg.cc/svpcyzomf/20150726_201350_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/svpcyzomf/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/3u98ofxw7/20150726_201418_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3u98ofxw7/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/6sigws4f9/20150718_202540_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6sigws4f9/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/5toih02k1/20150729_072528_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5toih02k1/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/yn57twc1d/20150728_195225_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/yn57twc1d/)

(http://s10.postimg.cc/ib8rhnm91/20150725_164453_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ib8rhnm91/)

(http://s17.postimg.cc/gywj8wf4b/20150726_110237_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gywj8wf4b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on August 04, 2015, 06:05:44 AM
Hi! First of all congratulations! The first ones with rose colour what's the variety? Thank you.  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on August 04, 2015, 06:49:34 AM
Thank you . connie mayer varieties
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on August 04, 2015, 06:54:40 AM
Thank you . connie mayer varieties
It's very beautifull! I didn't know it...  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on August 04, 2015, 07:53:05 AM
Thank you
you can send as a gift cutting

Thank you . connie mayer varieties
It's very beautifull! I didn't know it...  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on August 04, 2015, 08:23:08 AM
Thank you
you can send as a gift cutting

Thank you . connie mayer varieties
It's very beautifull! I didn't know it...  :)
PM sent  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 10, 2015, 09:59:20 AM
Could someone please help clarify my doubt. I can't seem to find an answer for it on the net.

What happens if I take pollen from a red flesh variety and use it on a white flesh or vice versa for that matter. Would I get a pink flesh fruit?
Or, is it that the pollen does not matter where it came from and ultimately I get the mother plant fruit always?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 10, 2015, 10:59:34 AM
DMK, see this thread, it has some great pictures of S/H Megalanthus crosses. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.msg171487#msg171487 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13533.msg171487#msg171487)

Article on chromosome doubling. http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/4/329.full.pdf (http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/4/329.full.pdf)

More on Yellow dragon. http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/46/11/1497.full (http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/46/11/1497.full)

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I'm guessing that if you cross a red fleshed with a white fleshed, non megalanthus, you can get red fleshed, white fleshed or pink and possibly other colors depending on the genotype of the parent plants. A fruit can have red flesh but have the genes for white or other color flesh. A fruit can be white but have recessive genes for red or other colors.

When pollination occurs, there is a recombination of the genes and it depends where everything lands that determines the color of the fruit of the resulting offspring. You can hand pollinate and bag a white x red phenotype fruit and plant the seeds and get all different colors.

Certain colors may not necessarily be a dominant/ recessive trait. It can be a multi allelic trait meaning that you will require a genes or chromosomes from several alleles in the correct combination for that trait to express itself. This is probably more useful for determining color of flowers as i believe fruit color is more often a simple dominant/recessive trait.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 10, 2015, 11:35:13 AM
I agree with Simon. To put it simply, you can possibly get anything in the spectrum of red to white. You don't get it immediately in the fruit though, since it's the fruit of the red or white parent plant. You will get seedlings whose fruits will have the spectrum.

Pollen does affect the fruit in some other ways and you'll have to dig up the paper yourself since I don't remember. It just doesn't mean you can grow a white and a red and get multicolored fruits that easily.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 10, 2015, 04:43:11 PM
What happens if I take pollen from a red flesh variety and use it on a white flesh or vice versa for that matter. Would I get a pink flesh fruit?
Or, is it that the pollen does not matter where it came from and ultimately I get the mother plant fruit always?

It is my understanding that you will get fruit with flesh color of mother plant.

If you plant the seed from a white flesh/red flesh cross, then you will get some shade of "pink" flesh fruit.

Interesting, I have been told that cross pollination can increase the "size" of fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 11, 2015, 07:19:48 AM
Thanks simon, fyliu and ricshaw.

Okay, so I have to take the fruit that was cross pollinated and sow its seeds and this plant would then turn out a different colored fruit. It's not certain that the fruit would be pink, it could be anything, as you guys say. And of course plants grown from seeds are not true to their mother plant. So basically I would be creating a new color/flavor fruit.

Sounds interesting and would like to try once my plants start flowering. The long wait for the seeds to grow in to mature plants is the only down side.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 11, 2015, 11:55:56 AM
Thanks simon, fyliu and ricshaw.

Okay, so I have to take the fruit that was cross pollinated and sow its seeds and this plant would then turn out a different colored fruit. It's not certain that the fruit would be pink, it could be anything, as you guys say. And of course plants grown from seeds are not true to their mother plant. So basically I would be creating a new color/flavor fruit.

Sounds interesting and would like to try once my plants start flowering. The long wait for the seeds to grow in to mature plants is the only down side.

Correct.

And every seed from the same piece of fruit can produce a new variety that is different.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 11, 2015, 06:41:30 PM
Its like cross breeding in most other areas. If you take 2 things with differing traits but compatible reproductive systems, what you end up with is a mix of various components of the 2 parents, but to varying degrees. Some traits can be dominant while others are easily suppressed. Often times it takes multiple generations of cross pollinating to get specific attributes like size, color, sugar content, etc. up to where you want them. Even Self fertility and self pollination are genetic traits that may or may not survive a crossing.
Also, regardless of what species you pollinate with, you'll always get a fruit that matches the flowering plants species. Its the seeds that get the new genetic code. You don't change the womb with new pollen.
Also Ric, the thing with cross pollinating creating bigger fruit is not on a genetic level, but on a abundant fertility level. The the only way I can explain it is that using another species' pollen actually makes the flower you put it on generate a bigger fruit, which I think is a result of more successful pollen acceptance, which generates more seeds per individual fruit. Like twins in a single womb. I don't know if this is fact or speculation, and Ive never experimented with this as I normally use a single species type of pollen for all my plants (as long as its available). It wont cause the seeds to generate plants that produce bigger fruit, unless that is one of the specific genetic markers that gets handed down from the chromosome paring.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 11, 2015, 06:58:44 PM
Thanks simon, fyliu and ricshaw.

Okay, so I have to take the fruit that was cross pollinated and sow its seeds and this plant would then turn out a different colored fruit. It's not certain that the fruit would be pink, it could be anything, as you guys say. And of course plants grown from seeds are not true to their mother plant. So basically I would be creating a new color/flavor fruit.

Sounds interesting and would like to try once my plants start flowering. The long wait for the seeds to grow in to mature plants is the only down side.
If you are going to experiment with cross breeding, my suggestion to start out with would be volume, especially if you are going to be crossing radically differing species, like a yellow and red. Cross your fruit, let them mature and then harvest ALL the seeds. Spread them out over large areas, like baking pans or similar large surface areas, and wait for them to grow. Watch how the seedlings mature and keep an eye out for characteristics of the new shoots. After a few weeks to months, you should be able to distinguish between species. For example, if you were trying to grow pink fruit with the sweetness of yellow, you might want to eliminate most yellow shoots once you know which they are, so you don't get caught in the yellow megalanthus's 180 ripening cycle. This will cut your observation crop down quite a bit. THen just keep looking for abnormalities in the maturing plants. A pink branched plant that matures with the thorns from a yellow (as an example) might end up being an entirely new species, and something to consider paying favor to. Of course, the new plants might make entirely new fruit without showing a single variation in structure from the parent species, which just goes to show the importance of experimental breeding and is a testament to the effort and work the people who do this sort of thing put into this.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on August 12, 2015, 11:35:06 AM
If you are going to experiment with cross breeding, my suggestion to start out with would be volume, especially if you are going to be crossing radically differing species, like a yellow and red. Cross your fruit, let them mature and then harvest ALL the seeds. Spread them out over large areas, like baking pans or similar large surface areas, and wait for them to grow. Watch how the seedlings mature and keep an eye out for characteristics of the new shoots. After a few weeks to months, you should be able to distinguish between species. For example, if you were trying to grow pink fruit with the sweetness of yellow, you might want to eliminate most yellow shoots once you know which they are, so you don't get caught in the yellow megalanthus's 180 ripening cycle. This will cut your observation crop down quite a bit. THen just keep looking for abnormalities in the maturing plants. A pink branched plant that matures with the thorns from a yellow (as an example) might end up being an entirely new species, and something to consider paying favor to. Of course, the new plants might make entirely new fruit without showing a single variation in structure from the parent species, which just goes to show the importance of experimental breeding and is a testament to the effort and work the people who do this sort of thing put into this.

For now it would be between unknown red and white. I still don't have a megalanthus and the link Simon gave pretty much shows the cross between others and megalanthus.
About the elimation of shoots solely by looking at the stem, I'm still a novice when it comes to df growing and don't think I could differentiate it. But thank you for all the suggestions. It's always fascinating to learn anything new about this wonderful fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on August 15, 2015, 06:53:09 PM
Although I am pretty new to this dragonfruit stuff, I also did where I planted lots of seeds, and then picked the weak ones away :)
Now I have around 5 dragonfruit from seed which is growing along nicely, these 2 are my biggest after 6 months.
(http://s1.postimg.cc/732se154r/IMG_2152.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/732se154r/)

and my 2 cuttings are growing nice and slow, the one to the right finally started to grow more mass, and have now started on 3 new shoots, should I remove 2 of them, or let them be?  :P

(http://s14.postimg.cc/4a1ournm5/IMG_2153.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4a1ournm5/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/gn9xnxnwt/IMG_2154.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gn9xnxnwt/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 15, 2015, 11:40:47 PM
Don't remove the new shoots. When a plant sends out new shoots from its tip area, that usually means that the existing branch as hit the end of its growing cycle/length, and is pushing out its resources to new shoots to continue its growth expansion. Give them some time and see if they all mature into solid new branches, and then consider cutting back one or two, until the plant reaches its desired height. To be honest, though, its not absolutely necessary to cut back any branches this early, if you can get them to cooperate and train them to grow up your post to your canopy. 3 branches can mean 3x the new shoots when the plant is finally tall enough to start growing it back down for fruit production. It all depends on your growing style and your support system you've provided for the plant to live on. As you can see by the included picture, which is about 2 years old now, Im a big fan of letting the plants have some say in how they decide to grow
(http://s17.postimg.cc/6k6ftsoej/plants_001.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6k6ftsoej/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on August 17, 2015, 03:05:58 PM
Wow, thats one pretty dragonfruit tree/setup  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 18, 2015, 06:50:30 PM
First ever flower on my Cebra dragon fruit opening tonight.

(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Cebra/Cebra_07-17-15_zpsthj3xtzr.jpg)

Today.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Cebra/Cebra_08-18-15_zpsurxpsmhv.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on August 18, 2015, 07:26:14 PM
That is a beautiful flower and a beautiful fruit! I love the red on the edges of the flower scales.

First ever flower on my Cebra dragon fruit opening tonight.
Today.
DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 23, 2015, 03:03:38 PM
Does anyone know if these bugs are detrimental to the plant or fruit? Thanks,

Simon
(http://s18.postimg.cc/mmrkyzuid/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mmrkyzuid/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 23, 2015, 05:16:36 PM
Leaf footed stink bug. They suck juices. Not sure what they do to dragonfruit. They damage my lychee fruits mostly.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 23, 2015, 05:22:12 PM
Thanks Fang! I'll definitely get rid of them.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 26, 2015, 12:58:45 AM

(http://s30.postimg.cc/ovhmavkal/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ovhmavkal/)
I thought that a few of you would find this interesting.  This is the last Purple Haze fruit from last season. It was pollinated with its own pollen on 30/04/15. Only small, maybe 150 gm, and just starting to colour. I've never had a fruit hang on for this long, almost 4 months. Anyone else had this happen?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 27, 2015, 01:01:13 AM
Rannman, I've had some Vietnamese white hold on for several months although I don't recall exactly how long. They were off season flowers and developed during winter. They were stagnant and green for a very long time until the weather warmed up. Was it relatively cold lately?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 27, 2015, 01:09:37 AM
Very rarely gets below 8 degrees C here. I assume the cooler weather slowed down the ripening but I didn't think it would slow it down as much as it has.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on August 27, 2015, 11:39:38 AM
if you look closely,
to the right of the window is my dragonfruit.
when i plante it, i had also planted a papaya in front of it
i mis-calculated how large the papaya would grow,
and the angle of the sun, (which changes in summertime LOL)

anyway, it gets very little light
so, 1 segment has grown to over 6ft tall...
the photo is well over a week old, and its a few inches taller now,
making the turn under the soffit/eve of the house.

I wonder if i can just put some nails on the fascia (no gutters)
and secure it there ?
it would get a lot more light...

(http://s13.postimg.cc/c5qfmcbv7/dragon_long.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/c5qfmcbv7/)

pic from today
(http://s12.postimg.cc/dm1nvjimh/drag_root_wall.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dm1nvjimh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 31, 2015, 12:04:11 AM

(http://s12.postimg.cc/isqi0bcfd/DSCN1103.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/isqi0bcfd/)
Not a bad start to the picking season. First harvest of my first flush of flowers. A lot of the second wave flower buds have been killed off by the heat here in So Cal, though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 31, 2015, 03:17:21 AM

Are the smaller fruit S8? Looks like a great start.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 31, 2015, 11:00:47 PM
Yes, its S8 (Sugar Dragon). They were first out of the gate this year. The others are a few more 'heritage' white variety fruit, one of the plants I started with back in the olden days when I first started growing (4 years ago). It makes nice sized fruit but its the milky fleshed, kinda bland flavor. I have another white, one I got from growers out here in So Cal, that they started from seed by cross-breeding whites. They called it "K-Series", why I don't know, but its almost as sweet as some of the more popular varieties, good size and nice crisp paper white flesh. Those will be the next ones to ripen.
(http://s2.postimg.cc/bxaq2qkj9/DSCN1033.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bxaq2qkj9/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/gj15230j1/DSCN1035.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gj15230j1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 09, 2015, 01:21:45 AM
Second chance for SoCal Dragon Fruit Festival.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Hansen/Hansen_Sept_29_zpsjterhr33.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on September 09, 2015, 05:54:30 AM
Very good....who will go will have to give us a detailed report :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 09, 2015, 07:15:59 AM
Aussie dragonfruit season underway. 18 months from cutting to bud. Seems very early but not sure on how early Frankies Red kicks off.
(http://s23.postimg.cc/un42zcion/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/un42zcion/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 10, 2015, 07:38:18 PM
Here is an update on my yellow DF. This is the first year it fruited for me and these first two fruit are not that large. I'm hoping they will get larger next year. I wonder if they would be larger if the two didn't grow right next to each other? There is another green fruit on another branch that appears to be larger than these and there are another three flowers about to open. These two fruit still have some green on them but are mostly yellow, do you think they are ready to harvest or will they taste better if I leave them until they are completely yellow?
Simon
(http://s28.postimg.cc/x8palj28p/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x8palj28p/)



Hi Simon

I'm new to this forum and have just recently goiton into growing dragon fruit. I too have the yellow dragon. I live in the east bay in CA. I was wondering how long have you had your yellow dragon before it fruited for you? I heard it's really hard to get it fruit and I can't deal with such a disappointment cause I really want to try this amazing variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 10, 2015, 11:54:47 PM
From a personal standpoint, Ive given up on the yellow megalanthus variety of dragonfruit. Its frustrating to grow and often doesn't yield large fruit in any sort of quantity. Its true that it is a VERY sweet variety, but the ones that grow for me are JUST sweet, not really flavorful. It's like comparing orange juice to a glass of sugar water; sure the sugar is sweeter, but the OJ is tastier. Im not pulling out my existing yellows, but Im sure not going to be sad if they peter out. Perhaps its the climate where I live that's lowering their quality, that I really don't know, but I do know Ive got a long list of other plants I'd be willing to trade them out for when the time comes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 11, 2015, 12:18:57 AM
Sandy, I assume you mean SF Bay. How's the weather there? Any really hot or really cold days in the year?

I hear yellow dragon is more sensitive than the more common type. You might want to also get a white self fruiting type and  a red fleshed type so you can decide which ones you like when they start fruiting. Also just in case one doesn't make it.

Give them as much light as you can without them getting burnt. Time to flower will vary from 1 to 5 years, 3 is normal for sunny socal. They grow faster in warm weather and slower in cooler weather. Don't water when they stop growing in the winter or they could rot. Good luck.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 11, 2015, 01:49:58 AM
Sandy, I assume you mean SF Bay. How's the weather there? Any really hot or really cold days in the year?

I hear yellow dragon is more sensitive than the more common type. You might want to also get a white self fruiting type and  a red fleshed type so you can decide which ones you like when they start fruiting. Also just in case one doesn't make it.

Give them as much light as you can without them getting burnt. Time to flower will vary from 1 to 5 years, 3 is normal for sunny socal. They grow faster in warm weather and slower in cooler weather. Don't water when they stop growing in the winter or they could rot. Good luck.


Fyliu,  Yup SF bay. Sorry for the confusion but I live more towards the Oakland, Hayward area where it's not as cold. Our temps are usually in the mid 70s and low 80s. But sometimes during the summer it gets over 90 s like these past few days. Cold days are usually near Dec till end of Jan. No freezing degrees lows during those times are usually low 40s with the occasional mid 30s and very rare we get any lower than that. But this year I heard we might get the el nino. Yikes, hopefully my plants don't drown even though I amended the soil. Hopefully they'll grow new vines so I can save some cuttings as backup.

I have a unamed red type that I bought from Lowes a month ago that already produced several new vines one of which are about a foot tall. I also have purple haze I got a little over a week ago, so no new growth yet. I have these planted in an area where they get sun from noon till 7pm. My neighbor has a white variety planted behind my fence which is about 15 feet away from my plants. I also ordered a s-8 a few days ago. Still waiting for the seller to ship my cutting. Ahh...the wait is killing me.

I hope they all make it. Sad to lose one. Thanks for the tips!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 11, 2015, 04:01:46 PM
Sandy, I assume you mean SF Bay. How's the weather there? Any really hot or really cold days in the year?

I hear yellow dragon is more sensitive than the more common type. You might want to also get a white self fruiting type and  a red fleshed type so you can decide which ones you like when they start fruiting. Also just in case one doesn't make it.

Give them as much light as you can without them getting burnt. Time to flower will vary from 1 to 5 years, 3 is normal for sunny socal. They grow faster in warm weather and slower in cooler weather. Don't water when they stop growing in the winter or they could rot. Good luck.



Are you growing any yellow dragon and how is your climate?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 11, 2015, 04:09:05 PM
From a personal standpoint, Ive given up on the yellow megalanthus variety of dragonfruit. Its frustrating to grow and often doesn't yield large fruit in any sort of quantity. Its true that it is a VERY sweet variety, but the ones that grow for me are JUST sweet, not really flavorful. It's like comparing orange juice to a glass of sugar water; sure the sugar is sweeter, but the OJ is tastier. Im not pulling out my existing yellows, but Im sure not going to be sad if they peter out. Perhaps its the climate where I live that's lowering their quality, that I really don't know, but I do know Ive got a longe]


Rob

It sucks to hear that such a wonderful fruit lack flavor and size for you. I heard you can get bigger size by grafting the yellow onto a red variety. I might try that if my yellow survives the winter and when I prune off the side vines off of my red variety to train it into a single stem. That'll probably take a few years. Hopefully I can take a cutting naext year off my red.

Do you mind telling me what your climate is in your area?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 11, 2015, 11:55:45 PM
I live in City of Ontario. Its right on the edge of the transition from inland valley to low desert. Im 25 miles from the beach, the mountains and the deserts of Palm Springs, so the climate here is usually the most annoying of any of those three. Its hot and dry during the summer, cool and dreary in winter, but reasonable during the fall and spring. Most of my plants do fairly well, even though they aren't in anywhere near appropriate conditions or locations. Due to the size of my yard and proximity to my neighbors house Ive had to do the best with whats available to me, but the yellows specifically have been a constant disappointment.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 12, 2015, 12:05:44 AM
I don't grow the yellow variety and my Frankie's Red is still small. Most of mine are magenta, pink, or red.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 12, 2015, 01:20:21 PM
Do anyone think that my dragon fruit is getting too much sun? They are hit by sun from noon till 7. The reason is that the new growth on one of my dragon fruits is not as green as the older stems. I just planted this a little over a month ago. But the new shoots look healthy and thick. Not skinny or spindly at all. Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 12, 2015, 02:15:20 PM
Do anyone think that my dragon fruit is getting too much sun? They are hit by sun from noon till 7. The reason is that the new growth on one of my dragon fruits is not as green as the older stems. I just planted this a little over a month ago. But the new shoots look healthy and thick. Not skinny or spindly at all. Thanks in advance!

I can't see the picture.  I doubt that it is getting too much sun.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: horseshoe_bayou on September 12, 2015, 05:17:38 PM
I have grown dragon fruit (american beauty) before in ground, trellised like other dragon fruits i saw at Pine Island Nursery down in homestead, Fl; but I had to leave that behind at my old house.
this is my some what "portable"  ::) dragon fruit setup that I started in the spring. I have several varieties now growing including some 2-3 unknown cuttings I got of a white fruiting variety at fruit and spice park and a magenta and red variety I got from rare fruit growers plant sales.

of the known varieties I have : natural mistic (from lotus fruit trees), thai white (lotus fruit trees), american beauty, haley's comet, purple haze.

(http://s14.postimg.cc/gahuumuul/Screen_Shot_2015_09_12_at_4_46_44_PM.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gahuumuul/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/ohefzyab1/Screen_Shot_2015_09_12_at_4_46_59_PM.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ohefzyab1/)

one of them recently flowered. I'm looking forward to its first fruits.

(http://s27.postimg.cc/4c0pn7u73/IMG_1296.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4c0pn7u73/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/khntv3fsf/IMG_0716.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/khntv3fsf/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/gk0k5osz3/IMG_0719.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gk0k5osz3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 12, 2015, 11:08:31 PM
Do anyone think that my dragon fruit is getting too much sun? They are hit by sun from noon till 7. The reason is that the new growth on one of my dragon fruits is not as green as the older stems. I just planted this a little over a month ago. But the new shoots look healthy and thick. Not skinny or spindly at all. Thanks in advance!

I can't see the picture.  I doubt that it is getting too much sun.


Oops..sorry ricshaw I'll try to post it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 12, 2015, 11:13:35 PM
I'm not sure if 7 hours of sun is enough to trigger flowering. The normal number I hear is 10-12 hours.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 12, 2015, 11:50:40 PM
this is my some what "portable"  ::) dragon fruit setup that I started in the spring.

So cute, haha. They flowered so soon too!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 13, 2015, 12:14:03 AM
This is what too much sun looks like on an S-8...
(http://s12.postimg.cc/ymcot8tfd/First_733.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ymcot8tfd/)
The addition of iron supplement to the soil can help alleviate the yellowing a bit, which is basically a bleaching of the chlorophyll in the plants branches. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 03:12:51 PM
Do anyone think that my dragon fruit is getting too much sun? They are hit by sun from noon till 7. The reason is that the new growth on one of my dragon fruits is not as green as the older stems. I just planted this a little over a month ago. But the new shoots look healthy and thick. Not skinny or spindly at all. Thanks in advance!

I can't see the picture.  I doubt that it is getting too much sun.
(http://s17.postimg.cc/nznfe9b4r/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/nznfe9b4r/)

(http://s17.postimg.cc/3r01sjbtn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3r01sjbtn/)

(http://s17.postimg.cc/mtjffgmu3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mtjffgmu3/)



The first and last picture is the plant that I'm worried is getting too much direct sunlight. The third pictures shows my yellow dragon plant I just received last week. Can anyone tell me what that rust colored looking spot it is on the second picture?  I have 3 spots total on that plant, one on each section of the vine if that makes sense. And is it true that dragon fruits need at least 10 hrs of sunlight to flower and fruit? I really don't wanna have to move it again. The other area that I can plant it in gets a couple hrs more sunlight but it's morning sun and a couple hrs less afternoon sun. Should I just leave it where it is? Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 03:14:34 PM
Sorry for the side way view. I took the pictures with my phone and didn't know it would come out sideways.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 13, 2015, 03:24:36 PM
Sorry for the side way view. I took the pictures with my phone and didn't know it would come out sideways.

It is a problem with Postimg.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 13, 2015, 03:33:30 PM
You have your plant in the ground? Some people put them in pots and half bury the pots. It helps with gopher and rotting problems.

You can also subscribe to the pitayafruit yahoo list and ask questions there. Dragon fruit discussion is more active there. The archive section also has interesting information about growing it and supplementing light for growers that don't get enough light hours during the off season but still want to push for fruit.

Also, I'm not seeing the yellow dragonfruit picture. The last picture IS the third picture which is the same plant as the first one. They all look like white fleshed fruit plants, maybe pink.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 03:42:28 PM
You have your plant in the ground? Some people put them in pots and half bury the pots. It helps with gopher and rotting problems.

You can also subscribe to the pitayafruit yahoo list and ask questions there. Dragon fruit discussion is more active there. The archive section also has interesting information about growing it and supplementing light for growers that don't get enough light hours during the off season but still want to push for fruit.

Also, I'm not seeing the yellow dragonfruit picture. The last picture IS the third picture which is the same plant as the first one. They all look like white fleshed fruit plants, maybe pink.



The yellow dragon is the second picture. I'm posting it again but I think it's going to show up upside down.  The other pictures were of a unamed red variety I got from lowes. I have them on a slight mound and I don't have gophers, thank goodness. My neighbor has hers planted in more shade than mine cause it's the other option that I mentioned above where I can replant. And I over heard her say she has already harvested two fruit from hers but I think her's is a white variety. Here's the picture of the yellow....



(http://s29.postimg.cc/adviz74fn/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/adviz74fn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 03:48:06 PM
Sorry for the side way view. I took the pictures with my phone and didn't know it would come out sideways.

It is a problem with Postimg.

Yup, that's what I was using. I guess I'll have to try taking pictures at different angles and see what it does with the picture. I took another of my yellow with my phone sideways and now it's displaying the puctures upside down. 😡
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 03:55:52 PM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/7jbnrykfp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jbnrykfp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/d680pfmyd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d680pfmyd/)



Ok, I finally got the pictures posted in the correct position. First picture is the red variety and second picture is the yellow
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 13, 2015, 04:17:52 PM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/7jbnrykfp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jbnrykfp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/d680pfmyd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d680pfmyd/)


Ok, I finally got the pictures posted in the correct position. First picture is the red variety and second picture is the yellow

Too many thorns IMO!!

(https://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/09/h3/P4250702.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 13, 2015, 04:33:43 PM
Yeah, I was looking at that photo too. Somehow, Sandy's plant doesn't look like the yellow dragonfruit to me. Maybe because it's not fully mature yet. I thought it was some kind of pink skin white flesh one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 04:59:59 PM
Yeah, I was looking at that photo too. Somehow, Sandy's plant doesn't look like the yellow dragonfruit to me. Maybe because it's not fully mature yet. I thought it was some kind of pink skin white flesh one.

Yup, it's not a mature plant. Just got it a little over a week ago fron real flora.com through botanicals growers. I hope they didn't give me the wrong one. But the vines are skinnier than the others I have. Well the only way to know is to wait till it grows to about 6 ft and post more pictures and to wait till it bears fruit if any.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 05:05:19 PM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/7jbnrykfp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jbnrykfp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/d680pfmyd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d680pfmyd/)


Ok, I finally got the pictures posted in the correct position. First picture is the red variety and second picture is the yellow

Too many thorns IMO!!

(https://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/09/h3/P4250702.jpg)

The better to poke me 😜

The top picture is of a red variety I got from lowes

The bottom picture is a yellow I ordered online through botanical growers from real flora.com hopefully they didn't send me the wrong one! And I don't know how old their cuttings are but I assume they are newly rooted cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 05:13:37 PM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/ol3m8rjv1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ol3m8rjv1/)

Here's another view of the yellow dragon. See how skinny the vines are
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 13, 2015, 05:28:15 PM
This is what too much sun looks like on an S-8...
(http://s12.postimg.cc/ymcot8tfd/First_733.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ymcot8tfd/)
The addition of iron supplement to the soil can help alleviate the yellowing a bit, which is basically a bleaching of the chlorophyll in the plants branches.

Thanks for the picture. Mine doesn't quite look like that yet. That helps me a lot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 14, 2015, 12:31:21 AM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/7jbnrykfp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jbnrykfp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/d680pfmyd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d680pfmyd/)



Ok, I finally got the pictures posted in the correct position. First picture is the red variety and second picture is the yellow
Im no so sure that second plant is a yellow, the thorns aren't right and the scalloping isn't deep enough. It might be a yellow producing hybrid, or possibly another red with a Costaricensis parentage. It's a little hard to tell with some species as the thorn pattern can change as they age, but even young yellow branches have that same mostly single woody thorn, similar to a rose. A little more time should tell though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 14, 2015, 02:48:13 AM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/7jbnrykfp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7jbnrykfp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/d680pfmyd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d680pfmyd/)



Ok, I finally got the pictures posted in the correct position. First picture is the red variety and second picture is the yellow
Im no so sure that second plant is a yellow, the thorns aren't right and the scalloping isn't deep enough. It might be a yellow producing hybrid, or possibly another red with a Costaricensis parentage. It's a little hard to tell with some species as the thorn pattern can change as they age, but even young yellow branches have that same mostly single woody thorn, similar to a rose. A little more time should tell though.


I went to take a good look at the thorns and there were three at each point. Hmmm... Funny thing is the site I bought it from labeled specifically as selenicereus magalanthus and even the picture was correct. Hopefully I wasn't jiffed. But your right, time will tell.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 14, 2015, 02:59:21 AM
I'm new to this forum and have just recently goiton into growing dragon fruit. I too have the yellow dragon. I live in the east bay in CA. I was wondering how long have you had your yellow dragon before it fruited for you? I heard it's really hard to get it fruit and I can't deal with such a disappointment cause I really want to try this amazing variety.

Just curious, why do you think it is an amazing variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 14, 2015, 12:08:22 PM
I'm new to this forum and have just recently goiton into growing dragon fruit. I too have the yellow dragon. I live in the east bay in CA. I was wondering how long have you had your yellow dragon before it fruited for you? I heard it's really hard to get it fruit and I can't deal with such a disappointment cause I really want to try this amazing variety.

Just curious, why do you think it is an amazing variety?

I just heard lots of good stuff about this specific variety especially watching those videos on YouTube. I like sweet fruit and since I heard it's the sweetest dragon fruit of all and that other varietys especially the white flesh one isn't as sweet, I just really wanted to give it a try and see for myself. Some people were describing it as sweet with a note of Logan flavor and I love longans. And because not a lot of people grow them. And about every blog or video I've come across, people were raving about the yellow dragon. But now after finding newer varieties like Thompson s8, I might have a change of mind once I get to try the fruits.

Oh and if you don't mind me asking, which variety is your favorite?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 14, 2015, 01:52:20 PM

Just curious, why do you think it is an amazing variety?

I just heard lots of good stuff about this specific variety especially watching those videos on YouTube. I like sweet fruit and since I heard it's the sweetest dragon fruit of all and that other varietys especially the white flesh one isn't as sweet, I just really wanted to give it a try and see for myself. Some people were describing it as sweet with a note of Logan flavor and I love longans. And because not a lot of people grow them. And about every blog or video I've come across, people were raving about the yellow dragon. But now after finding newer varieties like Thompson s8, I might have a change of mind once I get to try the fruits.

Oh and if you don't mind me asking, which variety is your favorite?

It is not yellow Megalanthus.  I like Delight, Physical Graffiti, Armando, S-8 (AKA Sugar Dragon), and Sin Espinas.

You are not alone, because of the high BRIX readings, the demand for Megalanthus cuttings is very high.

I have never tasted Megalanthus … I would like to taste it, but there are reasons I have not tasted it.  Some of the reasons are below:

Besides the thorns, in UCCE studies at the farm in Irvine, California, Megalanthus scores the lowest of 20 varieties in the collection in "cold hardiness", "heat tolerance", "average fruit size", "market weight/plant", plus the longest "Days to Harvest"; 150 - 180 days compared to 38 - 45 days for other Dragon Fruit varieties.

Someday, I hope somebody will have some ripe Megalanthus I can taste.

I am glad that you have Megalanthus and are growing it and can share your experience growing it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 14, 2015, 02:04:28 PM
It is time again to share the UC Small Farm Program/UCCE Irvine, CA Study Results:

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2014Pitahaya-DFChart_zps7417b409.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 14, 2015, 08:05:40 PM

Just curious, why do you think it is an amazing variety?

I just heard lots of good stuff about this specific variety especially watching those videos on YouTube. I like sweet fruit and since I heard it's the sweetest dragon fruit of all and that other varietys especially the white flesh one isn't as sweet, I just really wanted to give it a try and see for myself. Some people were describing it as sweet with a note of Logan flavor and I love longans. And because not a lot of people grow them. And about every blog or video I've come across, people were raving about the yellow dragon. But now after finding newer varieties like Thompson s8, I might have a change of mind once I get to try the fruits.

Oh and if you don't mind me asking, which variety is your favorite?

It is not yellow Megalanthus.  I like Delight, Physical Graffiti, Armando, S-8 (AKA Sugar Dragon), and Sin Espinas.

You are not alone, because of the high BRIX readings, the demand for Megalanthus cuttings is very high.

I have never tasted Megalanthus … I would like to taste it, but there are reasons I have not tasted it.  Some of the reasons are below:

Besides the thorns, in UCCE studies at the farm in Irvine, California, Megalanthus scores the lowest of 20 varieties in the collection in "cold hardiness", "heat tolerance", "average fruit size", "market weight/plant", plus the longest "Days to Harvest"; 150 - 180 days compared to 38 - 45 days for other Dragon Fruit varieties.

Someday, I hope somebody will have some ripe Megalanthus I can taste.

I am glad that you have Megalanthus and are growing it and can share your experience growing it.

I hope I can share tons of pictures of it's growth and hopefully fruit. I just hope it survives the light occasional frosts we have which means I have to do my best in protecting it.
I hopefully someday can taste the yellow dragon too. Maybe if I do travel to haiwaii cause I heard it grows way much better there. And this guy on youtubes grows it and he swears it's his all time favorite dragon fruit.

I also have sugar dragon too! Just received a cutting in the mail today and glad to know this one is heat and cold tolerance. Now I just need to root it.
You have a bigger collection of dragon fruit than I. Wow! If I have room I'm thinking about adding physical graffiti or haileys comet.

I hope we all have a great harvest next year!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 15, 2015, 01:05:20 AM
Its important that we have some sense of perspective when we're talking about units of measure, like the Brix score, which basically measures dissolved solids in a liquid (not just sugar content) Usually in fruit juices, that mostly means sugars, but here is a chart I found to lend some level of comparison:

(http://s2.postimg.cc/j6usouv3p/brix_chart.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/j6usouv3p/)

Now, some of the numbers make sense, but if you look at some, like peaches and watermelon, both have "excellent" scores which scale at or below most commonly grown dragon fruit. I've got white fruit that fairly consistently run 17 brix, higher than a top scoring peach, a fruit I'd consider to be very sweet. Some dragons even top out at 20+, which puts them off the scale of most other fruit shown here. But again, its not all sugar. And as I said previously, sugar isn't always all its cracked up to be.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on September 15, 2015, 12:05:01 PM
great chart.
does anyone know where Purple Haze would fall on it ?
as far as heat and cold tolerance, also brix ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 15, 2015, 12:30:43 PM
great chart.
does anyone know where Purple Haze would fall on it ?
as far as heat and cold tolerance, also brix ?

It is reported that Purple Haze is renamed Paul Thomson 5-S.  Physical Graffiti is Thomson 1-S and Delight is Thomson 3-S.

Thomson 1-S, 3-S, and 5-S were grown from seeds from the same piece of fruit.

Genetic studies done by UC backs this up by showing that Physical Graffiti and Delight are very closely related hybrids.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 15, 2015, 03:28:50 PM
You don't have to go to Hawaii for yellow dragon fruit. Canada imports them from Columbia. I tasted some from Toronto Chinatown in 2008 and it was pretty good despite having been shipped that far. The white fleshed one looked really large and plump too but were bland.

Maybe try Chinatown in other cities?

I'm not sure why we don't import these. Are some of those places considered state sponsors of terror or what-not?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 15, 2015, 03:31:05 PM
I'm not sure why we don't import these. Are some of those places considered state sponsors of terror or what-not?
The fruit itself looks like a dangerous, spiky grenade.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 15, 2015, 03:37:55 PM
Lol. Box full of spiky yellow grenades going through APHIS inspection...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 15, 2015, 03:52:18 PM
You don't have to go to Hawaii for yellow dragon fruit. Canada imports them from Columbia. I tasted some from Toronto Chinatown in 2008 and it was pretty good despite having been shipped that far. The white fleshed one looked really large and plump too but were bland.

Maybe try Chinatown in other cities?

I'm not sure why we don't import these. Are some of those places considered state sponsors of terror or what-not?
Although probably not as sweet, bland tasting, and white fleshed...  I find the Yellow Undatus much more interesting.


(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/yellow_undatus_zpswbhmq5yd.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 15, 2015, 09:45:02 PM
There's a number of confused people starting out wanting to get this yellow H. undatus for the looks and choose to believe that it's the very sweet yellow dragon fruit talked about in other places.

Worst is eBay has seeds of this yellow variety and there's no telling what the resulting fruit will look like.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 15, 2015, 10:11:04 PM
There's a number of confused people starting out wanting to get this yellow H. undatus for the looks and choose to believe that it's the very sweet yellow dragon fruit talked about in other places.

Worst is eBay has seeds of this yellow variety and there's no telling what the resulting fruit will look like.

True.

And when it comes to growing Dragon Fruit...  you do not want "seeds".
DF cuttings is the best (only) way!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on September 15, 2015, 10:47:21 PM
Where can I get some yellow undatus cuttings?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 15, 2015, 11:35:15 PM
The Yellow Dragon S/H Megalanthus is an excellent and sweet tasting fruit. I gave some last year to a friend and he said it reminded him of the taste of Mangosteen. I don't get that correlation but to each his or her own. I suggest more people grow the Megalanthus, at least those living climates that can grow it.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: buddyguygreen on September 15, 2015, 11:44:05 PM
Just received American beauty and purple haze from ebay with good set of roots, There are a lot of great deals on there. Cant wait to try them in a year or 2.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on September 16, 2015, 12:52:36 AM
When picking up some grafted fruit trees for a friend at P.I.N. this past weekend, I got to taste two Dragon-Fruit fruit varieties.

One DF type was medium sized and white inside. The other DF type was small (Kiwi fruit sized) and red inside.

Although I surprise myself in that I find it fun to eat DF, nevertheless the medium sized white DF type fruit was just the regular bland, blah, blah type of flavor.

On the other hand, the small, kiwi-fruit-sized, red on the inside DF, had a slight but definite watermellony sweet taste to it (similar to the taste of a prickly-pear fruit I once got from Null-Zero). To verify this, I had a few more to confirm this. And, well, confirmed! - Unfortunately, no one working there was able to tell me the name of this variety. From the looks and size of the fruit, it closely matches the description of the 'David-Bowie' DF that I bought about 3 years ago from P.I.N. Which, has had consecutive larger and larger yearly flower production, but no fruit yet, perhaps fruit production is just around the corner. If the fruit that I tasted is the same 'David-Bowie,' I'll be a happy camper.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 16, 2015, 01:04:49 AM
Yesterday I picked these two red flesh un-named Dragon Fruit.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_5476_zpsqffchk2w.jpg)


This is another Dragon Fruit from the same plant.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1637_zpsttj0on7b.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1642_zps60f5mawz.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on September 16, 2015, 04:20:38 AM
They are bigger than what i found in Italy market....they seem very tasty too.
How old does the plant take to bear fruit starting from seed?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 16, 2015, 06:05:19 PM
Rickshaw, did it have high acidity? If so maybe it is Lisa?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2015, 06:51:52 PM
So does anyone on this thread live near Vail Ave. and Robinson St. in Redondo Beach? My gf and I took a walk last night and saw two interesting DF plants :-)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2015, 07:01:10 PM
And when it comes to growing Dragon Fruit...  you do not want "seeds".
DF cuttings is the best (only) way!

Is there any part of a purchased fruit that can be propagated vegetatively?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 16, 2015, 07:50:55 PM
Rickshaw, did it have high acidity? If so maybe it is Lisa?
Simon

No, it is not Lisa.  I have Lisa and the fruit taste similar. This is the La Verne Red Flesh variety they grew from a cuttings.

I am not sure what La Verne is producing now under their red flesh label. When we (TFF) visited the La Verne nursery they were growing thousands of Dragon Fruit seedlings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 16, 2015, 10:39:39 PM
And when it comes to growing Dragon Fruit...  you do not want "seeds".
DF cuttings is the best (only) way!

Is there any part of a purchased fruit that can be propagated vegetatively?

No, the only way I know of to get another plant is by cutting or seeds. But seeds don't always grow true.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 16, 2015, 10:41:32 PM
They are bigger than what i found in Italy market....they seem very tasty too.
How old does the plant take to bear fruit starting from seed?

I heard anywhere from 3-5 years but seeds don't always grow true to the parent especially if the fruit you got it from is a hybrid.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 16, 2015, 10:45:15 PM
You don't have to go to Hawaii for yellow dragon fruit. Canada imports them from Columbia. I tasted some from Toronto Chinatown in 2008 and it was pretty good despite having been shipped that far. The white fleshed one looked really large and plump too but were bland.

Maybe try Chinatown in other cities?

I'm not sure why we don't import these. Are some of those places considered state sponsors of terror or what-not?

Ha-ha... I don't know why they don't sell these more than those bland tasting white fleshed ones. My Chinatown unfortunately only sells the bland tasting one. And of all the places, you'd expect to find it sold there, since most exoctic foods are found there. Eh people just too lazy to brush off those "dangerously" looking spines.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 16, 2015, 10:46:54 PM
Yesterday I picked these two red flesh un-named Dragon Fruit.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_5476_zpsqffchk2w.jpg)


This is another Dragon Fruit from the same plant.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1637_zpsttj0on7b.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1642_zps60f5mawz.jpg)

Wow Ric, your fruits look really pretty. From the pictures it looks good enough to sell commercially.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 16, 2015, 11:36:43 PM

I heard anywhere from 3-5 years but seeds don't always grow true to the parent especially if the fruit you got it from is a hybrid.

A seed gets half of its genetics from the plant that produces the flower...  and half of it genetics from the plant that contributed the pollen (another plant flower).

So a seed will never be an exact 'clone' of the fruit it came from.

Corrections and comments welcomed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 17, 2015, 01:23:41 AM
Ric, that might be a slightly overripe Bien Hoa Red variety, which is closely related to, if not the same plant renamed as American Beauty, or a close cousin, depending on its origin
(http://s17.postimg.cc/kq9dgb4rf/dragon_fruit_day_014.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/kq9dgb4rf/)
Does the plant itself look like this:


(http://s12.postimg.cc/aj5prqmcp/dragon_fruit_day_023.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/aj5prqmcp/)

As for growing from seed, yes its a total crapshoot as to what youre going to get when the seeds mature. Like children, the new plants take on the features of their parents, but its not a guarantee of which traits you'll get, and every seed can be a different mix. If you know what you like, best to get a cutting, plus you'll save yourself about a year of growing time. Only people growing from seed should be the good people doing the good work of trying to crossbreed plants into stronger and better varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 17, 2015, 02:43:37 PM

I heard anywhere from 3-5 years but seeds don't always grow true to the parent especially if the fruit you got it from is a hybrid.

A seed gets half of its genetics from the plant that produces the flower...  and half of it genetics from the plant that contributed the pollen (another plant flower).

So a seed will never be an exact 'clone' of the fruit it came from.

Corrections and comments welcomed.

For "normal" plants the ovule and the pollen come from the same species/cultivar, so although the child seeds have a mix of genes, the genes aren't normally different enough to create something very different from either parent. Except for random mutations, etc.

Hybrids, by definition, are crosses between parents that _are_ significantly different from each other--either different species or just very different cultivars of the same species (which might, technically, not make them hybrids in the strictest sense). Hybrids sometimes exhibit "hybrid vigor" where the expression of some desirable trait exceeds that of either parent (http://www.liger-hercules.com/liger-hercules-guinness-book-world-records). Sometimes you get the opposite ("hybrid pallor?" :D).

But seeds from a hybrid can be sterile or deficient in some other way (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12920.msg219639#msg219639). Or you might get some wundercultivar that revolutionizes agriculture as we know it.

Crossing of close cultivars is like mixing barrels of Cabernet and Merlot from Sonoma County. You can pretty much predict what it's going to taste like.

Crossing species or distant cultivars is like mixing Night Train, a Slurpee, cough syrup and coconut milk.

edit: I have very little experience doing this; I'm pretty much just summarizing wikipedia. Except for the cough syrup part.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 17, 2015, 03:01:31 PM

For "normal" plants the ovule and the pollen come from the same species/cultivar, so although the child seeds have a mix of genes, the genes aren't normally different enough to create something very different from either parent. Except for random mutations, etc.


True.

But it is very important for Dragon Fruit hobbyist growers to also understand that for most plants the pollen does not come from the same flower or same plant. Same "species" is not the same as same "plant" or "clone".

The child seed get a random mix of genes which are not exactly the same as ether parent, except for plants that are "self-pollinating" which most Dragon Fruit are not.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 17, 2015, 03:41:45 PM
For those who do not live on the West Coast, this is what the Dragon Fruit plant looked like when I bought it from Lowe's.
<image snipped>
Looks a lot like the one I bought from Lowe's yesterday! But yours appears to have three plants in the pot, whereas mine has only two.

Mine has the identical La Verne pot wrap that yours does.

The hanging tag on my plant does _not_ say "does not need a pollinator," but I'm presuming that if it's sold as "grow your own, enjoy your harvest" that it would either be self pollinating _or_ contain a warning of some sort. The sticker on my hanging tag does say "Dragon Fruit Pink #2 $14.98" like yours, except $5 bucks cheaper :D
So, 11 months later, my DF looks like this!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVerne_DF_11_Months.jpg)
The two largest stems are from the original purchased plant. The two smaller stems peeking around the back of the trellis post are cuttings that I pruned off 2-3 months ago and just stuck into the soil without waiting for them to callous. They're doing great!

There are 2-3 more cuttings that are ~1 month old, and they're doing sorta OK, too, but not as well as the others.

Originally I was worried about how many plants I could support in this one 17" pot, but on Tuesday (see previous page) I saw a fruiting plant in Redondo Beach that had at least a dozen vertical stems and more than 100 horizontal stems in a square pot about 3-4 times the volume of mine. It also was only about 3' tall. All the stems were dark, dark green, and it had several immature fruit and a few blooms on it. I'll take a picture next time I eat at Blue Salt Fish Grill, as it's about a 10 minute walk from there.

So can I reasonably expect to get fruit from mine next season? ricshaw, have you been happy with your La Verne plant(s)? If I'm parsing this thread correctly the beautiful red fruit from last page are from your La Verne "Red." Is that correct?

I also have 4 cuttings that I put into smaller pots by themselves. Two of them were growing really well, and then about 2 weeks ago this happened to two of them:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/Sick_DF_Cuttings.jpg)

Can anyone diagnose based on this photo?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 17, 2015, 10:09:47 PM

Mine has the identical La Verne pot wrap that yours does.

~snip~

So can I reasonably expect to get fruit from mine next season? ricshaw, have you been happy with your La Verne plant(s)? If I'm parsing this thread correctly the beautiful red fruit from last page are from your La Verne "Red." Is that correct?

Correct.

Back in 2011 when I bought my La Verne "Red flesh", La Verne was growing Dragon Fruit from cuttings from three boxed un-named Dragon Fruit plants.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/lowes_1_zps98f7a3f3.jpg)

Note: Tag says "does not need pollinator". In my experience it needs pollen from an unrelated plant, but would not need "hand pollination" if there is plenty of bees.

One of the boxed Dragon Fruit plants at La Verne 2014.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df_4245_zpssskdhta8.jpg)

During the 2014 tour, we saw Dragon Fruit seedlings growing at La Verne Nursery.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df_4219_zpsqmwlnrzu.jpg)


I got plenty of flowers the third year (over 36) from my La Verne red flesh variety, but hardly any fruit (only a couple), because of no unrelated source of pollen.

This year I am having much better luck with getting fruit because I have unrelated flowers at the same time to cross pollenate.

Now that I have plenty of named Dragon Fruit varieties, I was going to get rid of all my La Verne Dragon Fruit plants (white, pink, & red flesh varieties).
I changed my mind and decided to keep my La Verne red flesh variety because I like the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 18, 2015, 12:35:08 AM
Note: Tag says "does not need pollinator". In my experience it needs pollen from an unrelated plant, but would not need "hand pollination" if there is plenty of bees . . .

I got plenty of flowers the third year (over 36) from my La Verne red flesh variety, but hardly any fruit (only a couple), because of no unrelated source of pollen.

This year I am having much better luck with getting fruit because I have unrelated flowers at the same time to cross pollenate.

Now that I have plenty of named Dragon Fruit varieties, I was going to get rid of all my La Verne Dragon Fruit plants (white, pink, & red flesh varieties).
I changed my mind and decided to keep my La Verne red flesh variety because I like the fruit.

Are you hand-pollinating? Or do you have bees? :D

I have bees 15' away from my La Verne Pink, but I only have the one plant and its clones. Actually I had two plants in the pot when I bought it, so there's some slim possibility that I have more than one genetic source, but given what you wrote about La Verne cloning from just 3 plants, they're probably identical.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 18, 2015, 01:14:42 AM

Are you hand-pollinating? Or do you have bees? :

I am hand pollinating. I can't count on bees.


Quote
I have bees 15' away from my La Verne Pink, but I only have the one plant and its clones. Actually I had two plants in the pot when I bought it, so there's some slim possibility that I have more than one genetic source, but given what you wrote about La Verne cloning from just 3 plants, they're probably identical.

It has been my experience that you will need another pollen source to get fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on September 19, 2015, 06:21:20 AM
They are bigger than what i found in Italy market....they seem very tasty too.
How old does the plant take to bear fruit starting from seed?

I heard anywhere from 3-5 years but seeds don't always grow true to the parent especially if the fruit you got it from is a hybrid.

Thanks....my plants are two years old, I hope to have at least flowers the next year.....here we are in 8a or even worse, so I keep them inside home from Nov to Apr... :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 19, 2015, 04:26:48 PM
They are bigger than what i found in Italy market....they seem very tasty too.
How old does the plant take to bear fruit starting from seed?

I heard anywhere from 3-5 years but seeds don't always grow true to the parent especially if the fruit you got it from is a hybrid.

Thanks....my plants are two years old, I hope to have at least flowers the next year.....here we are in 8a or even worse, so I keep them inside home from Nov to Apr... :)

Oh I heard that the plant needs to be at least 10 pounds to bear fruit and it's best to train it as a single stem on a trellis to about 5-6 feet and then let the vines dropp down thus forming the umbrella shape. And if your plant is self sterile, it needs another pollinator also.
I've just started my dragon fruit plants too which I've purchased at lowes and online. Would love to add at least 2 more varieties but due to limited space at the moment, I'll have to do with what I have. Other option is growing in my front yard but there have been people coming around plucking fruits and flowers from my neighbors and my yard. 😤 so until I make room, I have to be satisfied with the ones I have.

Growing from seeds sound fun too! Hopefully both our plants will flower next year. Even if it doesn't fruit, I'm still happy. I know that means that I'll probably get fruit the year after. Good luck to all of us growing dragon fruit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 19, 2015, 07:53:35 PM

Oh I heard that the plant needs to be at least 10 pounds to bear fruit and it's best to train it as a single stem on a trellis to about 5-6 feet and then let the vines dropp down thus forming the umbrella shape. And if your plant is self sterile, it needs another pollinator also.

The train to single stem 5-6 feet tall may be 'best' for commercial Dragon Fruit farm and some home hobbyists, but not best for every grower.

Okay to train a single stem to only 2 ft. high. Also okay to grow Dragon Fuit like grape vine on trellis.
Home hobbyist growing Dragon Fruit in small pot may have problems training stem 6 ft. tall (top heavy).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 20, 2015, 12:00:39 AM
And its not the size of the plant (although size helps), its the age of the plant. Most plants can start to produce buds on growth once it has been through a full growing season and matured, or hardened. You can grow a single branch up a post, over the side and let it hang back down, clipping off all the side growth and just have one long segment, and you'll get fruit once that branch has had time to get to maturity. MOst plants will reach over 10lbs in a season once trimming and training stops, which is why that rule exists, and continues to be used. Its all about chemistry, and in dragon fruit, chemistry is all about  mature plant cells (well, and temperature...and available sunlight, and soil composition, and more things Im forgetting).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 20, 2015, 02:07:53 AM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 20, 2015, 03:39:37 AM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
I have to disagree with the " current seasons growth cannot flower" theory. I am able to get a lot of my early season growth to flower on most plants every season. It's possible to get them to flower by letting the earlier growth reach a decent size and then break the tip off to allow the entire branch to thicken up and harden off. I'm not saying you will get masses of flowers but I'm sure you will get some if your season is long enough.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on September 20, 2015, 05:19:33 AM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
I have to disagree with the " current seasons growth cannot flower" theory. I am able to get a lot of my early season growth to flower on most plants every season. It's possible to get them to flower by letting the earlier growth reach a decent size and then break the tip off to allow the entire branch to thicken up and harden off. I'm not saying you will get masses of flowers but I'm sure you will get some if your season is long enough.

Same here.
I have 8 pots with 21 months old and this season I got 15 flowers. Flower buds were more than 30. Around 80% of them were in this year cuttings. I guess the local conditions are a big factor for the plant "decisions".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 20, 2015, 03:47:34 PM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
I have to disagree with the " current seasons growth cannot flower" theory. I am able to get a lot of my early season growth to flower on most plants every season. It's possible to get them to flower by letting the earlier growth reach a decent size and then break the tip off to allow the entire branch to thicken up and harden off. I'm not saying you will get masses of flowers but I'm sure you will get some if your season is long enough.

Same here.
I have 8 pots with 21 months old and this season I got 15 flowers. Flower buds were more than 30. Around 80% of them were in this year cuttings. I guess the local conditions are a big factor for the plant "decisions".
It's interesting that it flowers for you so soon. How many months old would you estimate the early flowering segments are?
Are they thickened up or still thin?
My plants will grow new shoots to good lengths in the current season, but they don't fill up until the following year. I always thought they had to thicken up to be mature enough to flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 20, 2015, 04:19:56 PM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
I have to disagree with the " current seasons growth cannot flower" theory. I am able to get a lot of my early season growth to flower on most plants every season. It's possible to get them to flower by letting the earlier growth reach a decent size and then break the tip off to allow the entire branch to thicken up and harden off. I'm not saying you will get masses of flowers but I'm sure you will get some if your season is long enough.


I've heard of people cutting the tips off and having flowers on those segments.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on September 20, 2015, 04:24:43 PM
Quote
How many months old would you estimate the early flowering segments are?

3/4 months. I keep a photo record of almost everything for post data analysis and I notice that the early segments are larger than the late ones. At the end of the season they are longer and thinner. In these there is no flowering in the same year.

I was too surprised when I saw the first bud on the new cutting, but as the growing season progressed it became the norm...

Physical Graffiti and Purple Haze are good producers. American Beauty gave me one flower (and the last one of the season). Halleys Comet is the smallest of all and gave me no flower (probably as mentioned it has not developed enough = weight).

The high bud abortion rate, I´m guessing its because the plant is still young and does not have enough energy to have more than 2 flowers at the same time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 20, 2015, 04:26:49 PM

Oh I heard that the plant needs to be at least 10 pounds to bear fruit and it's best to train it as a single stem on a trellis to about 5-6 feet and then let the vines dropp down thus forming the umbrella shape. And if your plant is self sterile, it needs another pollinator also.

The train to single stem 5-6 feet tall may be 'best' for commercial Dragon Fruit farm and some home hobbyists, but not best for every grower.

Okay to train a single stem to only 2 ft. high. Also okay to grow Dragon Fuit like grape vine on trellis.
Home hobbyist growing Dragon Fruit in small pot may have problems training stem 6 ft. tall (top heavy).

Wow.. It's interesting that I'm learning something new about this plant on this forum! I was thinking about having it grow up to 4 ft instead of the 5-6 ft I've been reading online cause it's easier for someone shorter like me to pick and prune. Now I'm definitely gonna have it at shorter height
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 20, 2015, 04:37:39 PM
Dezperado, thanks for the info about the same season flowering. With all these days plants we have, photos help a lot to remember everything. Yesterday, I found out from photos that my pineapple takes less than 5 months from having a flower stalk to ripe fruit. It's shorter than the 6 months I read somewhere.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 20, 2015, 09:39:16 PM
I feel very accomplished around the dragon fruit plants, they are easily the fastest growing and least demanding plants (as long as enough sunshine is given) in the yard!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 21, 2015, 04:40:51 AM
I'm thinking I can claim a dragonfruit first here! As hard as I have searched, I haven't been able to find any picture(and not a lot of info) relating to the elusive Namibia Orange dragonfruit. Happy to say I have 2 buds on my Namibia Orange. Fingers crossed I can get to pick the fruit at the end.
(http://s10.postimg.cc/4jrz7gmp1/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4jrz7gmp1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 21, 2015, 09:05:44 PM
Yes, there's an age factor for a particular segment to flower. Current season's growth cannot flower. It's not hardened and has not built up on nutrients and other stuff(hormones). 2nd to 4th year old growth have the highest chance of flowering. It declines with age as well, which is why growers trim off older segments from the umbrella shape. The shape makes it easier to prune: just cut back to the center.

I have one white fleshed plant in a 1 gal pot for 5 years and it's not flowered, so age is just one of several factors I think. Another 2nd year Arizona Purple segment flowered and fruited right after I cut it and put it in a 1 gal pot. That's what Rob is talking about with the cellular age.
I have to disagree with the " current seasons growth cannot flower" theory. I am able to get a lot of my early season growth to flower on most plants every season. It's possible to get them to flower by letting the earlier growth reach a decent size and then break the tip off to allow the entire branch to thicken up and harden off. I'm not saying you will get masses of flowers but I'm sure you will get some if your season is long enough.


I've heard of people cutting the tips off and having flowers on those segments.

Or you could be careless while tying them to your post and break off the tip unintentionally. That's about 3' shorter than it's supposed to be. Grrrr.:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBrokenTip.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 22, 2015, 02:12:50 PM
Does cutting off the tips really work? I've heard it done also.
I'm wondering if its the act of cutting the apical tip or that the grower waited enough time before losing his patience, and the time of cutting is simply the right time for the plant to flower anyway.

Do you know if someone conducted a trial (or preferably repeated trials) with equal condition for all plants and have groups of plants where they
1. Cut the tips at the start of the season
2. Leave to grow naturally.
3. Cut the tips at mid season
4. Cut the tips at late season.

I'm interested to know if cutting the tips will stimulate the plants to flower either earlier or later in the season than the uncut plants. Or even if it stimulates more flowers during the normal season than uncut plants.

All the sources I've seen are people that already think they know what should happen and just want to confirm it. Productivity can vary between seasons anddifferent flushes. If you cut all the plants and it flowers heavily, it doesn't prove cutting it caused the large crop.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 22, 2015, 05:12:38 PM
It certainly works in relation to flowers on new season growth, even on relatively young plants.  That's not to say that the new growth wouldn't have flowered anyway but the trimmed growth does become heavier and thicker at an earlier stage of the season, possibly encouraging the flowering.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 23, 2015, 12:04:42 AM
I can believe the thickening. That sounds reasonable.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 25, 2015, 02:44:20 PM
Whoa! I just found a monster dragon fruit planting, right near the McDonalds that I frequent in Lomita, CA:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaDragonFruit1.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaDragonFruit2.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaDragonFruit3.jpg)

It's not as big as the one from ricshaw's photo (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13889.msg175814#msg175814), but it's pretty impressive, especially for Los Angeles.

Look at that stem in the 3rd photo! It's as big around as my biceps, and there's a second one around the back.

There are plenty of blooms on it right now (lower right of photo #1) but I saw zero fruit set. They probably need pollinators and/or different pollen.

I removed the geotag from the photos, but if anyone in LA wants to make a pilgrimage, send me a PM.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 25, 2015, 08:45:23 PM
(http://s16.postimg.cc/anke1tz5t/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/anke1tz5t/)


Can someone explain why this is happening. I have planted a purple haze cutting which already had roots when it arrived to me about a month ago. And about 2 weeks ago, I planted a s8 cutting with no roots. The purple haze is showing no signs of new growth except that I do know it's growing new roots because I'm guilty of moving it around a couple times. I have it planted in a mound in the garden. The s8 is planted in a pot and I think it's already showing signs of a new vine coming out. The tiny little nub on the top right of the cutting shown in the picture.
Why is it the s8 with no roots as far as I know is showing new growth where as the purple haze which came already rooted is showing no signs of growth? Should I be worried about the purple haze cutting?
Does is has something to do with the maturity of the cutting? Food that is stored in the cutting itself? I do think the s8 cutting is more mature than the purple haze though, just a guess by the looks.
Or is it because one is potted and one is in the ground? Should I pot up?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 25, 2015, 10:50:27 PM
(http://s16.postimg.cc/anke1tz5t/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/anke1tz5t/)


Can someone explain why this is happening. I have planted a purple haze cutting which already had roots when it arrived to me about a month ago. And about 2 weeks ago, I planted a s8 cutting with no roots. The purple haze is showing no signs of new growth except that I do know it's growing new roots because I'm guilty of moving it around a couple times. I have it planted in a mound in the garden. The s8 is planted in a pot and I think it's already showing signs of a new vine coming out. The tiny little nub on the top right of the cutting shown in the picture.
Why is it the s8 with no roots as far as I know is showing new growth where as the purple haze which came already rooted is showing no signs of growth? Should I be worried about the purple haze cutting?
Does is has something to do with the maturity of the cutting? Food that is stored in the cutting itself? I do think the s8 cutting is more mature than the purple haze though, just a guess by the looks.
Or is it because one is potted and one is in the ground? Should I pot up?

Not all cuttings act the same. Some start new top growth right away, some start only roots right away, and some can take over 6 months to do anything. Cutting maturity is important. Be patient.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 27, 2015, 09:38:01 PM
Not all cuttings act the same. Some start new top growth right away, some start only roots right away, and some can take over 6 months to do anything. Cutting maturity is important. Be patient.

And sometime's it's just random. I potted cuttings from my La Verne pink, giving one to my mom and keeping 4. All 4 of mine started growing immediately, and some of them have tripled in size. My Mom's cutting did nothing at all for 6 months, and I was about to declare it dead and give her one of mine. It had even started rotting near the base. Then I went to visit and throw it away, and voila! It had started a new lobe at the top. We have the same climate (2.5 miles away ATCF) and gave them roughly the same care.

I've also had some very immature cuttings root immediately and push out new growth.

And I obtained two new cuttings this weekend that I'm very hopeful about :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on September 28, 2015, 11:49:52 AM
Thanks ric and thewaterbug! Now I'll just wait and watch for any movement at all and watch carefully for any rotting!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on September 28, 2015, 08:08:34 PM
T.T. Nursery in central Florida, USA, is selling the small but sweet (according to them) Dragon Fruit that's yellow on the outside and translucent-white color on the inside, with thorns that drop off when the fruit ripens.

I'm seriously thinking about getting it, but I have to figure out where to put it in my yard, as it's (aesthetically) maxed out on fruit trees. It sucks to run out of space to plant more fruit trees. I definitely need more land.

I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 28, 2015, 08:45:29 PM
I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Here's a link to their web page on Selenicereus megalanthus (http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/selenicereus_megalanthus.htm).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 28, 2015, 10:53:09 PM

I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!

See the chart I posted September 14 on this thread. It is #8 and #17 on the chart.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Don on September 28, 2015, 11:17:35 PM
Don't know if anybody else has had same drama but I had a new shoot on my dragonfruit cutting and a bloody slug got up the top of the cutting and hoed into the new shoot, you can see the slime trail inbetween the spines on the shoot. Sneaky little bastards.
Don
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 29, 2015, 12:25:00 AM
Yellow Dragonfruit ( H/S Megalanthus) is an excellent fruit that has built in armor. Rats sometimes get to my other varieties of DF but they have never bothered my Yellow Dragons. When the fruit is ripe, the spines have to be brushed off, they do not fall off by themselves but the fruit is well worth the troubles.

Bugs and animals love my new DF growths:(

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 29, 2015, 12:43:50 AM
Don't know if anybody else has had same drama but I had a new shoot on my dragonfruit cutting and a bloody slug got up the top of the cutting and hoed into the new shoot, you can see the slime trail inbetween the spines on the shoot. Sneaky little bastards.

All creatures great and small. Except slugs.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 29, 2015, 11:58:50 PM
Pitahaya Fruit (Dragon Fruit) varieties on display today at UC Hansen Agricultural Research Center in Santa Paula, CA.

Special Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Field Day.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/DF_Panorama_zps4cn1pbwp.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on September 30, 2015, 04:57:05 PM
wish we could make the picture bigger
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 30, 2015, 05:11:03 PM
And sometime's it's just random. I potted cuttings from my La Verne pink, giving one to my mom and keeping 4. All 4 of mine started growing immediately, and some of them have tripled in size.

And sometimes humans are stupid. I have a nice 4' piece that I'd cut from the tip of my main plant a few months ago to encourage lateral branching. I wasn't thinking of keeping it, so I just stuck it in the dirt, in the same pot as the main plant. It was about 18" at the time, and it more than doubled in size. I wanted to put it in its own pot, so I tried digging it out this weekend. And I snapped off all the roots. So it's starting from scratch again.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 30, 2015, 05:28:08 PM
wish we could make the picture bigger

The picture is a "panorama" (20" x 5.75") of three different digital photographs. I feel lucky it turned out as well as it did.

If you want to see the originals, send me a PM with your email address.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 30, 2015, 05:39:09 PM
At yesterday's Pitahaya Festival/Field Day, I "rediscovered" Sin Espinas (a thorn-less variety from Nicaragua). Back in 2011 I made a note that it was one of my favorites in taste. Seeing Sin Espinas growing with fruit on a hedge trellis at the UC trial on MVP Farm made me want to add this to my collection. No thorns, nice looking fruit, that tastes good = winner in my book. There were no Sin Espinas cuttings available.  :'(


(http://s30.postimg.cc/x6jk05e9p/sin_espinas_5513.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/x6jk05e9p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on October 01, 2015, 07:30:19 PM
Yesterday I had the pleasure of sharing with Leo three dragonfruit that were new to me.  I had the first fruit off my Asunta plant, and I wanted to share that with Leo, and at the same time I had a ripe fruit of Connie Meyer.  I brought the Connie Meyer along since the flowers and fruit of Asunta and Connie Meyer are indistinguishable to me and I was unable to use the pollen of one to pollinate the other. Quite by happenstance, Leo had a ripe fruit on his “Bruni” plant which is a sister to Connie Meyer.  The unusual thing about all three of these dragonfruit is that they have red-pink flowers as opposed to the standard white flowers in Hylocereus. 

I also brought along a fruit from my Selenicereus (now Hylocereus) setaceus for us to sample.

The Asunta, Bruni and Connie Meyer were all medium sized, white fleshed fruits with a very pale pink-green exterior, so much so that for my fruits I had a hard time deciding if they were ripe. They started to color up like my other dragon fruit then stopped. After 60 days post flowering and more that two weeks without any further color development I decided that I would take the chance that they were ripe. Fortunately they were.

The Bruni was a nice fruit  slightly bland-sweet  but with a wonderful floral rose-like perfume to it. After tasting cactus apples with that same perfume and thinking that it would be very nice to find it in a dragonfruit, I was pleasantly surprised. Brix reading was 21 for this fruit and I quite enjoyed it. Especially for a white fleshed fruit.

Next was Connie Meyer.  It was tasty, also pleasantly sweet with a bit of tang to it and tasting  much like the Bruni, but without the floral perfume.  I also liked this one, it is a very good white fruit and will definitely stay in the collection. The brix reading was 20 for this fruit

Third tasted was the Asunta. For me, this fruit was clearly a step above the first two, with a well balanced sweet tanginess to it and flavors of green grapes and honeydew.  Easily the best white fleshed dragonfruit I have tasted to date, and kudos to Edgar Valdivia for creating such a fine hybrid. Definitely a keeper, and one that I would suggest adding to your collection. The brix was 20 for this fruit.

Finally, we tried the setaceus. It is a small fruit, about 200 grams (7ounces), smooth skinned with small fins and spines around the bottom half of the fruit that easily brush off when the fruit is ripe. the interior of the fruit is pink, with a texture that is like a cross between a cactus apple and a dragonfruit (not as crisp as the dragonfruit, nor as mucilagenous as a cactus apple. I find them very sweet, although the brix reading was only 18, with a very complex flavor of grapes and kiwi, and my daughter suggested pineapple.  In my opinion, this is a top tier fruit, and can hold its own with any of the red or pink dragonfruit out there.


(http://s12.postimg.cc/4dm4xcibt/IMG_2566.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4dm4xcibt/) Connie Meyer

(http://s12.postimg.cc/66p1lo3ih/IMG_2569.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/66p1lo3ih/) Bruni

(http://s12.postimg.cc/7j6qnk0y1/IMG_2572.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/7j6qnk0y1/) Asunta

(http://s15.postimg.cc/jurzyd28n/IMG_2225.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jurzyd28n/) Asunta flower
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 01, 2015, 09:19:25 PM
Thanks!!!  I have been waiting for a report on Connie Mayer fruit taste.

Big bonus is getting information on Bruni and Asunti!!!   :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pogonsili on October 02, 2015, 04:34:15 AM
Anyone with cuttings of Asunta available? Thank you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on October 02, 2015, 04:58:41 AM
Pitahaya Fruit (Dragon Fruit) varieties on display today at UC Hansen Agricultural Research Center in Santa Paula, CA.

Special Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Field Day.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/DF_Panorama_zps4cn1pbwp.jpg)

The first cultivar is very different from the other...smaller, yellow, very uncommon :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on October 02, 2015, 07:08:29 AM
Wish there were festivals like that in Denmark, but I gotta do with the white DF I can buy here at my local supermarket and my own AB dragonfruit plant. Cant wait till I can hopefully taste a fresh one :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 02, 2015, 05:05:31 PM
Or you could be careless while tying them to your post and break off the tip unintentionally. That's about 3' shorter than it's supposed to be. Grrrr.:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBrokenTip.jpg)

Here's an interesting (at least to me :D) update on this. Here's a "normal" section of DF stem, backlit by the sun:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitVascularTissue.jpg)

I can see some a prominent vein/core running through the middle, and just some ghostly wisps of vascular tissue going to the thorn sites.

But that piece of stem that I broke off 2-3 weeks is pushing new growth out of 3 thorn sites:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitVascularTissueToThorns.jpg)

Now I see thicker/darker veins going to those sites. One of these days (when I have excess plant material) I'm going to dissect a piece and see what it looks like inside.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 02, 2015, 05:18:47 PM
Now I see thicker/darker veins going to those sites. One of these days (when I have excess plant material) I'm going to dissect a piece and see what it looks like inside.

What you are seeing is the plant's main stem.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/stem_5527_zpsgsbzbl4a.jpg)

This is what the inside stem looks like when exposed. No problem.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/stem_5528_zps5xtj6lwu.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 02, 2015, 11:13:54 PM

(http://s17.postimg.cc/9huycmocb/20150119_180313_resized.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9huycmocb/)
Here's what a fresh core looks like
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 03, 2015, 02:20:22 AM
2015 Hansen Pitahaya Research Tour
September 29, 2015, Fillmore, California

YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEIGVRzYcu0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEIGVRzYcu0)

University of California Ventura County Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Research Field.
1/3 acre — trellis support hedge
10 rows — 160 feet long
7 - 8 feet between rows
3 plants same variety per unit
10 different varieties, approx. 160 plants total
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on October 03, 2015, 05:03:44 AM

(http://s17.postimg.cc/9huycmocb/20150119_180313_resized.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9huycmocb/)
Here's what a fresh core looks like

Excellent
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 03, 2015, 08:02:20 PM
I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Here's a link to their web page on Selenicereus megalanthus (http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/selenicereus_megalanthus.htm).

I picked up one of these during the Foothill CRFG's field trip to La Verne Nursery in Fillmore:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LaVerneYellow.jpg)

It had a 14" stem that was growing out horizontally, so I cut it off at the joint and planted it:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LaVerneYellowCutting.jpg)

I know lots of people like to callus them for a few days, but I'm 6/6 on cuttings that I've planted immediately, and they've all been cut at the joints where there's less wet tissue.

ricford, the plant to the left is the Physical Graffiti you gave me last weekend. It looks like it's put on another 1-2 inches already! Thanks again!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 04, 2015, 05:06:37 PM

I picked up one of these during the Foothill CRFG's field trip to La Verne Nursery in Fillmore:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVerneYellow.jpg)


What did you learn about La Verne Dragon Fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 04, 2015, 09:53:33 PM
What did you learn about La Verne Dragon Fruit?

I learned that our host defers most questions about Dragon Fruit to Edgar :D

He also said that, in discussions with Edgar about the varieties, that there really are only about 5 genetically different strains of DF, which one reason why he hasn't bothered to try and figure out the pedigree of his plants. They're just La Verne Red, La Verne White, and La Verne Pink.

Later, when we got to the yellow ones, another guest asked him if they were from Vietnam, and our host said he didn't know the origin, so we all agreed that they were now "La Verne Yellow."

But the unripe fruit on their mother vine (I should have taken a picture :-() looked just like Selenicereus megalanthus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 04, 2015, 11:05:48 PM

He also said that, in discussions with Edgar about the varieties, that there really are only about 5 genetically different strains of DF, which one reason why he hasn't bothered to try and figure out the pedigree of his plants. They're just La Verne Red, La Verne White, and La Verne Pink.


Somebody correct me if I am wrong...  should'nt there be about 5 different "species" and many more hybrid "varieties"?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 04, 2015, 11:08:26 PM
So La Verne is still selling plants grown from cuttings from a couple of mother plants?

Did you see any DF grown from seed?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 05, 2015, 12:32:05 PM

He also said that, in discussions with Edgar about the varieties, that there really are only about 5 genetically different strains of DF, which one reason why he hasn't bothered to try and figure out the pedigree of his plants. They're just La Verne Red, La Verne White, and La Verne Pink.


Somebody correct me if I am wrong...  should'nt there be about 5 different "species" and many more hybrid "varieties"?

Entirely possible. I don't remember exactly what vocabulary he used; I just remember the general gist of his comment that there were only 5 <insert word here> of DF, and that all the individual names like Physical Graffiti, etc. was just voodoo. He may be correct from a strictly botanical point of view, but that doesn't preclude minor plant-to-plant variations having a major effect on fruit quality.j

My two brothers and I are the same cultivar, but we're three completely different people.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 05, 2015, 12:34:00 PM
So La Verne is still selling plants grown from cuttings from a couple of mother plants?

Did you see any DF grown from seed?

Yes, I believe their plants for sale are all from cuttings. He continued to describe the seedling program as "experimental," and all the seed-grown plants were pretty small. Some were very twisted and gnarled up, like a tangle of serpents rather than a stalk. But they have hundreds of seedlings growing, just as they did in your photos from a previous tour, so they should have many to select from, someday.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 06, 2015, 12:34:58 AM
I don't think the idea of 5 different dragon fruit is even close to correct, unless he is referring to nomenclature of species:
Undatus
Megalanthus
Costaricensis
Polyrhizus
Selenicereus
Now I know for a fact I have 7 or 8 distinct types of plants at my house, at least. A few, like Physical Grafitti, Haleys Comet, American Beauty and G-2 Guatamalan can all pass for each other at first glance. But each has distinct differences in either their base plant, fruit size or fertility. I have (at least) 3 reds (2 costaricensis types and one that might be Cebra), 3 whites (each clearly different fruit) and the S-8 magenta. I have several others that are either unnamed from seeds or something i've yet to identify, plus the standard yellow megalanthus. All are clearly different fruit. BUt like Homo Sapiens, there are many variations to go around, based on diet, origin and lifestyle. So I guess its a matter of how you define "type"
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 07, 2015, 06:05:04 PM

I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!

See the chart I posted September 14 on this thread. It is #8 and #17 on the chart.

ricshaw, thanks for the reference. This special DF takes about 120 days for the fruit to ripen, which seems to me to be an appropriate time for the fruit to sweeten. This is something that I don't mind waiting in order to obtain sweet DF. I wish that there were many other DF varieties like this.

BTW, I tried to resist but I couldn't help it and ended up ordering it from T.T. and it's on its way.

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 07, 2015, 06:20:15 PM
I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Here's a link to their web page on Selenicereus megalanthus (http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/selenicereus_megalanthus.htm).

They have two varieties of the yellow DF. One yellow DF variety is described as "very-sweet". The other yellow DF variety is described as "super-sweet," and it comes with a higher price.

When I called up to order the "super-sweet" DF variety, they were sold out and I ended up ordering the yellow DF variety that was described as "very-sweet."

Full disclosure: Something tells me that they are both the same variety and that there has just been some kind of classification error. But, then again, I wish I was wrong and that there really does exist a second variety with the deserving name of "super-sweet."

Anyhow, just as I told ricshaw, I tried to resist but ended up ordering the yellow "very-sweet" DF variety, along with all the small fruit size and thorns characteristics.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 07, 2015, 06:47:36 PM
They have two varieties of the yellow DF. One yellow DF variety is described as "very-sweet". The other yellow DF variety is described as "super-sweet," and it comes with a higher price.

When I called up to order the "super-sweet" DF variety, they were sold out and I ended up ordering the yellow DF variety that was described as "very-sweet."

Full disclosure: Something tells me that they are both the same variety and that there has just been some kind of classification error. But, then again, I wish I was wrong and that there really does exist a second variety with the deserving name of "super-sweet."

Anyhow, just as I told ricshaw, I tried to resist but ended up ordering the yellow "very-sweet" DF variety, along with all the small fruit size and thorns characteristics.

In all fairness, Top Tropicals calls one Selenicereus megalanthus var. Sunshine - Golden Pitaya.  I have never heard of 'Sunshine' Golden Pitaya, but I am not surprised it exists.
You might be interested in a Selenicereus megalanthus hybrid called 'Frankie's Red'. See: http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12732.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12732.0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 07, 2015, 08:20:42 PM
I thought Frankie's red takes 4 months and yellow megalanthus takes 5-6 months from flower bud to ripe fruit? The number LEOOEL saw seems a little off for the yellow one. Or maybe it's faster in FL weather, I don't have experience.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 07, 2015, 08:48:39 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?


(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 07, 2015, 10:16:59 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?


(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)

I am going to use a picture to help answer your question.

Below is three cuttings from the UC (I selected) of El Grullo.

(http://s24.postimg.cc/5yikmoczl/cuttings_5520p.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yikmoczl/)

If you trust your source...  then yes both cuttings can be American Beauty.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 07, 2015, 10:20:04 PM
I thought Frankie's red takes 4 months and yellow megalanthus takes 5-6 months from flower bud to ripe fruit? The number LEOOEL saw seems a little off for the yellow one. Or maybe it's faster in FL weather, I don't have experience.

Frankie's Red is a hybrid.

The UCCE lists 150 - 180 days to harvest for yellow megalanthus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 07, 2015, 10:38:56 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?

The cross-breeding of plants brings out the occasional anomaly in development. The S-8 variety goes completely flat on occasion, losing one of its edges. It doesn't hurt the plant physically, but If its an unsupported branch, it doesn't have the 'tripod' structure of a normal branch, and can bend or break more easily. Also, if you end up with a flower bud that reverts back to a branch in development, you can end up with a 6-sided segment for a few inches, to a foot. I don't know if that affects fruit production, but I have yet to verify any new flower budding in these plant segments.
but to your original question, if the plants look the same, color, thorns, etc, but theres just one extra side, I would think its safe to assume its probably what you ordered.
(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 07, 2015, 10:42:12 PM

I am going to use a picture to help answer your question.

Below is three cuttings from the UC (I selected) of El Grullo.

(http://s24.postimg.cc/5yikmoczl/cuttings_5520p.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5yikmoczl/)

If you trust your source...  then yes both cuttings can be American Beauty.

Weird. I have had my DF vines (LaVerne Pink and Red) and I can't recall them ever going from 3 to 4. They have always stayed 3. Sometimes they are long and skinny with less pronounced lobes and sometimes they are wide and fat with very pronounced lobes. But always 3.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 07, 2015, 10:44:17 PM
The cross-breeding of plants brings out the occasional anomaly in development. The S-8 variety goes completely flat on occasion, losing one of its edges. It doesn't hurt the plant physically, but If its an unsupported branch, it doesn't have the 'tripod' structure of a normal branch, and can bend or break more easily. Also, if you end up with a flower bud that reverts back to a branch in development, you can end up with a 6-sided segment for a few inches, to a foot. I don't know if that affects fruit production, but I have yet to verify any new flower budding in these plant segments.
but to your original question, if the plants look the same, color, thorns, etc, but theres just one extra side, I would think its safe to assume its probably what you ordered.

Interesting! I did not know that. But with this vine in question, not only is the 3 lobe vs. 4 lobe a difference, but also the thorn spacing is very different on both vines. They really don't seem to be the same cultivar. But there is a lot about DF that I just don't know yet. :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mcclan3 on October 08, 2015, 12:08:11 AM
I've been growing dragon fruit for a little over a year now, and found this thread today. After reading through all 58 pages, I definitely learned a few things I didn't previously know!

I wish I had more varieties, but I love the ones I do have-American Beauty, Dark Star, David Bowie, Delight, Halleys Comet, and Physical Graffiti. PG has been my best grower by far! I haven't had any fruit yet, but reading through everyones posts has given me a lot to look forward to, as well as dreams of acquiring many more varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 08, 2015, 02:46:21 AM
Starch, your cuttings look really small. You should start with larger cuttings if you can. It will fruit faster and it's easier to tell if it's the correct type. You can't really tell a physical graffiti from a delight, but the general types are recognizable.

It's kind of hard to tell what the mature plant looks like from the more juvenile stage cuttings you have. One of them resembles the yellow megalanthus or polyrhizus.

Like others have said, 3-sided growth is a tendency, not a rule. Flat and 4 sides are occasional exceptions and the new growth should be back to normal. I know some varieties like Tricia have more 4-sided growth than other varieties. The thorns on that one are scary though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 08, 2015, 02:51:06 AM
As a side note, and I don't believe it didn't register earlier, I would probably send a message to your supplier about sending you young/immature plant sections as cuttings. A proper cutting should come from a part of the plant that has had at least one season to harden and is a bit more mature that what Im seeing in your pictures. I don't want to talk down the person who sent those to you, but I would personally never hand out first year, first season sections unless I was totally out of whatever plant was requested. It just adds time to the growing process. An 'ideal' cutting should come from a part of the plant that is a year or two old, and is reaching the end of its productive life, so you remove it to allow for a younger section to take its place, and let the removed bit serve as medium for reproductive cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 08, 2015, 03:17:38 PM
I've been sent some immature cuttings from a online nursery too.  😤  Sent them messages about some questions I had and didn't get any response from them. Now I'm weary about the online nurseries I order from. I've gotten better more mature cuttings from etsy. Unfortunately they didn't have the certain variety I wanted that was available on the online nursery I had ordered from.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on October 08, 2015, 05:41:27 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?


(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)

The thorns on my American Beauty are much different than what it looks like in your picture. My AB seems to just have 1 thorn (maybe one larger and a really small one) at each node (?). In your picture, they all look like they have 5+ at each node.
My AB thorn.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-1_15-10-08_zpsq8fz5wve.jpg)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-2_15-10-05_zpsedfourlc.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 08, 2015, 06:01:45 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?


(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)

The thorns on my American Beauty are much different than what it looks like in your picture. My AB seems to just have 1 thorn (maybe one larger and a really small one) at each node (?). In your picture, they all look like they have 5+ at each node.
My AB thorn.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-1_15-10-08_zpsq8fz5wve.jpg)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-2_15-10-05_zpsedfourlc.jpg)

DM

Yeah, mine look very different. The two 'American Beauty' cuttings are the one in the foreground and the one to the right (one in the background is a different variety).

(http://s1.postimg.cc/izj0n1nbv/dragon2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/izj0n1nbv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 08, 2015, 07:03:24 PM
So here is an odd situation. I ordered some dragon fruit cuttings and got them today. One of the ones I ordered was American Beauty. Well I received two cuttings that were labeled American Beauty. The problem is ... they are different from each other!

See the picture below. The top cutting is three-sided/lobed and the bottom cutting is four-sided/lobed.

So is American Beauty the three-lobed cutting (which I think is correct, my other two DF vines are three-lobed)? So what is the other cutting? What DF species have four-lobes?
I think you will find that your small cuttings, are very very immature. As they continue to develop, most of those small prickles will disappear and you will be left with 1 thorn. Any seedling dragonfruit have heaps of tiny thorns while they are young, most of which vanish with maturity.


(http://s22.postimg.cc/5544odnzx/dragon.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5544odnzx/)

The thorns on my American Beauty are much different than what it looks like in your picture. My AB seems to just have 1 thorn (maybe one larger and a really small one) at each node (?). In your picture, they all look like they have 5+ at each node.
My AB thorn.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-1_15-10-08_zpsq8fz5wve.jpg)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/American%20Beauty/AB-2_15-10-05_zpsedfourlc.jpg)

DM

Yeah, mine look very different. The two 'American Beauty' cuttings are the one in the foreground and the one to the right (one in the background is a different variety).

(http://s1.postimg.cc/izj0n1nbv/dragon2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/izj0n1nbv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 08, 2015, 07:11:42 PM
Not sure what happened there!  What I thought I had written was that all very immature dragonfruit have a lot more tiny thorns than their more mature relatives. You have a relatively juvenile plant that will lose most of the small prickles as it ages, ending up with 1 thorn(hopefully) sometime in the future.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 08, 2015, 08:28:45 PM
I have the same experience as Rannman. Juveniles all have a larger number of thinner thorns.
One concern I have is how the grower ended up with these juveniles. I'm aware of 3 explanations:
1. Seedlings, which will grow to be different than the original plant.
2. Grown from very short cuttings, like 4 inches or shorter. This will take longer to bear fruit but is still the same variety.
3. Tissue culture. I can't imagine why would they do this with something as easy to grow as DF?

I've seen LaVerne plants with immature stages at the bottom. They said they grow clones, so it must be that at one point in time they grew them from short cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 08, 2015, 09:42:11 PM
I was just thinking the same thing. Very short cuttings will very often revert back to immature growth with the fine prickles, as opposed to the larger thorn. And as a result, will generally take much longer to reach a flowering stage.  The bigger, the better when it comes to dragonfruit cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 08, 2015, 09:46:12 PM
fyliu and Rannman,

Thank you both for your feedback. It definitely does seem like a case of immature cuttings based on your description. Hopefully given some time, these will prove to be American Beautys after all. I will be patient and see how it grows up. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mcclan3 on October 10, 2015, 05:35:05 PM
I ordered cuttings for megalanthus and Edgars Baby this week. I'm pretty excited to grow both of them out. I also got lucky and found some magenta fleshed DF at the grocery store. No clue what the variety is, but they are extremely juicy and pleasingly grape flavored. If I can snag a photo of the remaining fruit before someone snags it from the fridge, I'll post a photo later.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sildanani on October 10, 2015, 11:40:18 PM
How many years would it take for a short cutting to fruit? I got an average sized one and had to chop off some of it because it rotted the first time I plamted it. it has thin, leggy growth that never thickens like a regular DF plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 11, 2015, 12:09:29 AM
About 5 years from seed I think, so short cutting should be about the same or a little better. Depends on how fast it grows. Thin growth sounds like not enough light.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sildanani on October 11, 2015, 12:21:24 AM
About 5 years from seed I think, so short cutting should be about the same or a little better. Depends on how fast it grows. Thin growth sounds like not enough light.
It gets high lighting, but since The days are getting shorter due to fall, it gets significantly less hours of sun. 3 years to go I guess!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 11, 2015, 11:47:48 AM
A normal mature cutting can give you fruit after one year of growth, if conditions are right and the plant has some luck. Flower production almost always occurs on mature, hardened sections of plant. If your cutting continues to grow, strengthen and mature, theres a chance you could see fruit off it after one good season. Immature cuttings, like the ones pictures, would probably be close to settling in this year, harden over winter, and then restart solid growth once the warmer spring kicks in. To be perfectly honest, though, if you can afford it, I would generally suggest looking into getting additional cuttings, of better quality, to ensure you have proper growing stock. Nothing bothers me more than waiting, not sure how you are about it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 11, 2015, 12:10:14 PM

(http://s13.postimg.cc/63v8wlan7/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/63v8wlan7/)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/qzhj7u6ub/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qzhj7u6ub/)


Help!! Is my dragon fruit cutting rotting??? I went out this morning and noticed this. In the first picture the one side of the cutting turned into this color while the other two sides of the cutting stayed green like shown in the second picture. I'm wondering what's going on. I pulled up the cutting and see little stubs of root starting to form. An aerial root is starting to emerge from the tip of the cutting too. The bottom section of the cutting where it was under the soil is still green on that side but it's the top part above the soil level that has changed color, but just on that one side. Has anyone experienced thus while trying to root a cutting?? I really hope it's not rotting! Can anyone tell me what's happening and how to possibly save the cutting??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 11, 2015, 10:54:20 PM
You cant really do much for adding supplements until you have a solid rooting system in place. Until that happens, I would suggest keeping the cutting in the shade and out of direct sunlight. Your plant is getting bleached out and dehydrated. Warmth is great for starting new cuttings, heat is not. I know this is contrary to what most people here would tell you, but just put the cutting in a glass or jar with about an inch of clean water, then put it on a windowsill inside the house. Let it get indirect sunlight and stay warm for a while, and if its ready to shoot roots, it will. I start most of my cuttings, once they are cut and hardened for about a week, in a 5 gallon bucket with some water. I just toss them all together and check about once a week. Ive even started cuttings in those 99c store gelatin vase marble things, the ones you rehydrate.
Patience and placement are the 2 key things to starting new plants from cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tanguy on October 11, 2015, 11:34:54 PM
I am rooting my DF cuttings exactly as RobPatterson does. This method is much faster than the other ways, but the cuttings should not too young. Sometimes, I put the cuttings in a 5 gallon plastic pot (regular 5 gallon garden pot with holes in it), then I pour some water in it, for every 2 or 3 days I pour water once. I place the pot in my patio, under the shade of a big tree.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 12, 2015, 11:55:17 PM
You cant really do much for adding supplements until you have a solid rooting system in place. Until that happens, I would suggest keeping the cutting in the shade and out of direct sunlight. Your plant is getting bleached out and dehydrated. Warmth is great for starting new cuttings, heat is not. I know this is contrary to what most people here would tell you, but just put the cutting in a glass or jar with about an inch of clean water, then put it on a windowsill inside the house. Let it get indirect sunlight and stay warm for a while, and if its ready to shoot roots, it will. I start most of my cuttings, once they are cut and hardened for about a week, in a 5 gallon bucket with some water. I just toss them all together and check about once a week. Ive even started cuttings in those 99c store gelatin vase marble things, the ones you rehydrate.
Patience and placement are the 2 key things to starting new plants from cuttings.



Very interesting technique. I have to give this a try with future cuttings. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 13, 2015, 01:01:31 PM
What did you learn about La Verne Dragon Fruit?

I learned that our host defers most questions about Dragon Fruit to Edgar :D

Ah, one thing I forgot to mention last week--one of the La Verne mother plants had a big, beautiful flower open at 11:00 AM on a warm, sunny day. So "dragon fruit only flowers at night" is more of a guideline than an actual rule (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl0hMfqNQ-g).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 13, 2015, 01:21:02 PM
Ah, one thing I forgot to mention last week--one of the La Verne mother plants had a big, beautiful flower open at 11:00 AM on a warm, sunny day. So "dragon fruit only flowers at night" is more of a guideline than an actual rule.

True, but I am finding out that pollination is more successful at 11:00 PM than the following morning at 11:00 AM.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 13, 2015, 03:12:16 PM
I think rooting in water is a good suggestion for people that want the confirmation. It's like growing avocado seeds with a glass of water and toothpicks though. You eventually grow out of it and just stick it in a pot and leave it.

I once did this with a very young Asunta cutting at the succulent stage. It was necessary after the cutting went limp like a vegetable leaf and probably would have died without the constant supply of water. It did eventually root after a month or two of changing water and spraying off the cutting each time. I gave that plant away.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 13, 2015, 03:15:18 PM
DF are so vigorous, they are on your side when it comes to rooting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 13, 2015, 03:17:11 PM
Ah, one thing I forgot to mention last week--one of the La Verne mother plants had a big, beautiful flower open at 11:00 AM on a warm, sunny day. So "dragon fruit only flowers at night" is more of a guideline than an actual rule.

True, but I am finding out that pollination is more successful at 11:00 PM than the following morning at 11:00 AM.

I'll probably be a like a new Dad the first time I get a flower. I'll wear a GoPro and hand-pollinate and blog the whole procedure like a fanatical idiot. And then I'll ignore it after the 4th or 5th flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 13, 2015, 03:21:51 PM
I'll probably be a like a new Dad the first time I get a flower. I'll wear a GoPro and hand-pollinate and blog the whole procedure like a fanatical idiot. And then I'll ignore it after the 4th or 5th flower.
Head light is very handy when pollinating at night. Batman costume is a plus if you do it on Halloween.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 13, 2015, 03:30:36 PM
I'll probably be a like a new Dad the first time I get a flower. I'll wear a GoPro and hand-pollinate and blog the whole procedure like a fanatical idiot. And then I'll ignore it after the 4th or 5th flower.
Head light is very handy when pollinating at night. Batman costume is a plus if you do it on Halloween.

nananananananananana DRAGON !!! .... (fruit) :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 16, 2015, 09:13:42 PM

(http://s30.postimg.cc/ovhmavkal/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ovhmavkal/)
I thought that a few of you would find this interesting.  This is the last Purple Haze fruit from last season. It was pollinated with its own pollen on 30/04/15. Only small, maybe 150 gm, and just starting to colour. I've never had a fruit hang on for this long, almost 4 months. Anyone else had this happen?
I've finally picked the last Purple Haze from last season. At almost five and a half months old I figured it should be ready by now. After cutting it I found that most of the seeds were already sprouted.
(http://s12.postimg.cc/f7agm3jzt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/f7agm3jzt/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropicquest on October 16, 2015, 09:58:30 PM
Hi Nullzero,

I got my Purple Haze cutting from you a few years ago.  It's thriving now.  No fruit yet, but it's gotten to the size where it can get fruit now.

A friend of a relative gave us some dragon fruit with white interior.  I almost didn't try it because they have always been insipid.  But this one was actually sweet.  Not super sweet, but good sweet.   He grew it himself, so I guess the white version is better if allowed to ripen.   

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 17, 2015, 10:57:02 AM
Some dragon fruits finally reached the top and are allowed to branch out and drape. hoping for some delicious fruits in the future!

the cuttings I have are physical graffiti, Lisa, s8, g2, Vietnamese white, valdivia roja, thanks to my kind friends!!

(http://s10.postimg.cc/dichm8oed/image_88167.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dichm8oed/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 19, 2015, 11:36:59 AM
Some dragon fruits finally reached the top and are allowed to branch out and drape. hoping for some delicious fruits in the future!
(http://s10.postimg.cc/dichm8oed/image_88167.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dichm8oed/)

LOL! My first thought upon seeing your photo was, "Who is funlul, and why is he posting a photo of my dragonfruit? How did he get into my backyard?"

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/WhoseDragonFruit.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 19, 2015, 12:13:04 PM
LOL! My first thought upon seeing your photo was, "Who is funlul, and why is he posting a photo of my dragonfruit? How did he get into my backyard?"

Hahaha dragon fruit twins. It's my neighbor's house in the background, but still.
Best of luck on lots and lots of delicious fruits!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 20, 2015, 12:20:24 AM
I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Here's a link to their web page on Selenicereus megalanthus (http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/selenicereus_megalanthus.htm).

They have two varieties of the yellow DF. One yellow DF variety is described as "very-sweet". The other yellow DF variety is described as "super-sweet," and it comes with a higher price.

When I called up to order the "super-sweet" DF variety, they were sold out and I ended up ordering the yellow DF variety that was described as "very-sweet."

Full disclosure: Something tells me that they are both the same variety and that there has just been some kind of classification error. But, then again, I wish I was wrong and that there really does exist a second variety with the deserving name of "super-sweet."

Anyhow, just as I told ricshaw, I tried to resist but ended up ordering the yellow "very-sweet" DF variety, along with all the small fruit size and thorns characteristics.

Last week I received the "very sweet" (Megalanthus) Yellow Dragon Fruit (DF) variety from T.T. Nursery, and I was quite impressed. The shipping was perfect. It consisted of a medium-small plastic black pot from which two (2!) DF stalks come up out of the soil to a height of about 2 feet, supported by a thin wood board.

What surprised me about this variety, is that the width of the DF 'stalk' (...?) is about half the width of my 'David-Bowie' variety Red DF. I suppose this has to do as to why the (megalanthus) fruit is smaller than the Red DF; I then can't help but to wish that advanced CRISPR-CAS9 technology were already here, so that the size of the fruit could be made to be the same size as the Red DF, or bigger. I suppose it's something to look forward to.

I'm considering planting the Yellow DF on the same pole where I have my 'David-Bowie' Red DF growing, since I've run out of space in my yard. And, since the fruit from both varieties are of different colors, one is red and the other is yellow, it'll be easy to identify which is which. I just hope that they get along OK on the same pole and that the Red DF doesn't end up killing the Yellow DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 20, 2015, 12:46:49 AM
Last week I received the "very sweet" (Megalanthus) Yellow Dragon Fruit (DF) variety from T.T. Nursery, and I was quite impressed. The shipping was perfect. It consisted of a medium-small plastic black pot from which two (2!) DF stalks come up out of the soil to a height of about 2 feet, supported by a thin wood board.

What surprised me about this variety, is that the width of the DF 'stalk' (...?) is about half the width of my 'David-Bowie' variety Red DF. I suppose this has to do as to why the (megalanthus) fruit is smaller than the Red DF; I then can't help but to wish that advanced CRISPR-CAS9 technology were already here, so that the size of the fruit could be made to be the same size as the Red DF, or bigger. I suppose it's something to look forward to.

I'm considering planting the Yellow DF on the same pole where I have my 'David-Bowie' Red DF growing, since I've run out of space in my yard. And, since the fruit from both varieties are of different colors, one is red and the other is yellow, it'll be easy to identify which is which. I just hope that they get along OK on the same pole and that the Red DF doesn't end up killing the Yellow DF.

Good luck! Take pictures and keep us posted.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 22, 2015, 01:44:38 AM
Or you could be careless while tying them to your post and break off the tip unintentionally. That's about 3' shorter than it's supposed to be. Grrrr.:(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBrokenTip.jpg)

Maybe there's something to this whole pruning thing. Here's that same broken tip, a month later:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitTipRegrowing.jpg)

That's about 6" of growth. I also rubbed off a second part that started growing out of it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 23, 2015, 06:00:16 PM
I never heard of that Dragon Fruit variety behavior before: "the thorns drop off when the fruit ripens;" cool!
Here's a link to their web page on Selenicereus megalanthus (http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/selenicereus_megalanthus.htm).

They have two varieties of the yellow DF. One yellow DF variety is described as "very-sweet". The other yellow DF variety is described as "super-sweet," and it comes with a higher price.

When I called up to order the "super-sweet" DF variety, they were sold out and I ended up ordering the yellow DF variety that was described as "very-sweet."

Full disclosure: Something tells me that they are both the same variety and that there has just been some kind of classification error. But, then again, I wish I was wrong and that there really does exist a second variety with the deserving name of "super-sweet."

Anyhow, just as I told ricshaw, I tried to resist but ended up ordering the yellow "very-sweet" DF variety, along with all the small fruit size and thorns characteristics.

Last week I received the "very sweet" (Megalanthus) Yellow Dragon Fruit (DF) variety from T.T. Nursery, and I was quite impressed. The shipping was perfect. It consisted of a medium-small plastic black pot from which two (2!) DF stalks come up out of the soil to a height of about 2 feet, supported by a thin wood board.

What surprised me about this variety, is that the width of the DF 'stalk' (...?) is about half the width of my 'David-Bowie' variety Red DF. I suppose this has to do as to why the (megalanthus) fruit is smaller than the Red DF; I then can't help but to wish that advanced CRISPR-CAS9 technology were already here, so that the size of the fruit could be made to be the same size as the Red DF, or bigger. I suppose it's something to look forward to.

I'm considering planting the Yellow DF on the same pole where I have my 'David-Bowie' Red DF growing, since I've run out of space in my yard. And, since the fruit from both varieties are of different colors, one is red and the other is yellow, it'll be easy to identify which is which. I just hope that they get along OK on the same pole and that the Red DF doesn't end up killing the Yellow DF.




Pictures!! Pictures!!

My yellow dragon is one inch in width. Is yours about that size?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 23, 2015, 07:08:27 PM

Pictures!! Pictures!!

My yellow dragon is one inch in width. Is yours about that size?

File: Selenicereus megalanthus

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 23, 2015, 10:46:10 PM

Pictures!! Pictures!!

My yellow dragon is one inch in width. Is yours about that size?

File: Selenicereus megalanthus

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG)

Wow! They definity look slimmer than the other dragon fruits! Live the way its growing in the picture
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 24, 2015, 12:29:21 AM

Pictures!! Pictures!!

My yellow dragon is one inch in width. Is yours about that size?

File: Selenicereus megalanthus

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Selenicereus_megalanthus_%28DITSL%29.JPG)

Wow! They definity look slimmer than the other dragon fruits! Live the way its growing in the picture

Not all "Dragon Fruit" looks the same.  The fruit and stems can look quite different on different Pitahaya species and hybrids.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 24, 2015, 06:34:55 AM
Any thoughts?  I've had 3 flowers on three different nights that I've wanted to collect pollen from to store, and none have produced a spec of pollen. Weather is good and warm with good humidity but it's not something I've encountered before. The varieties concerned have always had plenty of pollen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 25, 2015, 12:57:54 AM
Any thoughts?  I've had 3 flowers on three different nights that I've wanted to collect pollen from to store, and none have produced a spec of pollen. Weather is good and warm with good humidity but it's not something I've encountered before. The varieties concerned have always had plenty of pollen.

Weather is a factor. If you waited to collect pollen in the morning, I bet you could have gotten pollen around 10 PM when the flower first opened. That has been my experience.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 28, 2015, 07:09:26 AM
Any thoughts?  I've had 3 flowers on three different nights that I've wanted to collect pollen from to store, and none have produced a spec of pollen. Weather is good and warm with good humidity but it's not something I've encountered before. The varieties concerned have always had plenty of pollen.

Weather is a factor. If you waited to collect pollen in the morning, I bet you could have gotten pollen around 10 PM when the flower first opened. That has been my experience.
Just an update on the no pollen situation. I have 2 varieties flowering tonight, G2 and Jade Red. It's 9pm, hot, humid and ready to storm in a big way. The G2, one flower only, has plump anthers that are loaded with pollen. The Jade Red, two flowers, has shrivelled anthers and not a spec of pollen. Hopefully the G2 can pollinate itself. I'm not sure what is causing the problem as they are 2 metres apart with same growing conditions.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 28, 2015, 09:25:21 AM
I was told g2 needs a pollinator
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on October 29, 2015, 12:51:03 PM
I was told g2 needs a pollinator


That's what I've read too
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pogonsili on November 09, 2015, 12:08:17 AM
Anyone has cuttings for sale of Edgar Valdivia's Asunta 3 and Pink Panther. Thank you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 17, 2015, 01:43:51 AM
dragon fruit in the greenhouse :
(http://s29.postimg.cc/lb7xdxxtv/20151006_174901_2.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/lb7xdxxtv/)

(http://s12.postimg.cc/a7w0x5obt/20151006_174910_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/a7w0x5obt/)

(http://s3.postimg.cc/w3xeis4qn/20151006_175643_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/w3xeis4qn/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/5c2kt0599/20151022_170237_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5c2kt0599/)

(http://s7.postimg.cc/816hskbjb/20151022_170324_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/816hskbjb/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/co64581qp/20151017_111922_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/co64581qp/)

(http://s17.postimg.cc/k76cm1k3f/20151021_173259_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/k76cm1k3f/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/uhrbk8flr/20151021_173547_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uhrbk8flr/)

(http://s29.postimg.cc/iu5thj9mr/20151021_173925_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/iu5thj9mr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 17, 2015, 02:00:31 AM

(http://s4.postimg.cc/gdtd4k62x/20151010_174541_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gdtd4k62x/)

(http://s13.postimg.cc/5ezkleysz/20151024_145859_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/5ezkleysz/)

(http://s28.postimg.cc/d6b079ro9/20151115_152144_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/d6b079ro9/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/frfh5qkhj/20151115_153146_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/frfh5qkhj/)

(http://s1.postimg.cc/h2pia0ucr/20151115_153412_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/h2pia0ucr/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/o1qvyr6hp/20151115_153501_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/o1qvyr6hp/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/6dglnhnrp/20151115_153526_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6dglnhnrp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 17, 2015, 02:08:47 AM

(http://s18.postimg.cc/stmglqdg5/20151115_154309_0_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/stmglqdg5/)

(http://s12.postimg.cc/vzaph0y95/20151115_154346_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzaph0y95/)

(http://s4.postimg.cc/n8ztifweh/20151012_172137_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/n8ztifweh/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/b626zq9fb/20151024_150153_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/b626zq9fb/)

(http://s9.postimg.cc/i3w40nvob/20151115_153657_1.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/i3w40nvob/)

THE AND ..... :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on November 17, 2015, 02:41:26 AM
Selam aleykum :D

Those dragonfruits sure look delicious aaaah, cant wait till summer arrives in Denmark so my df can start putting up good growth instead than the thin and mangly ones ^^'
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 17, 2015, 03:05:55 AM
ve aleyküm selam Boshi :)
thank you
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on November 17, 2015, 03:12:01 AM
I'm guessing the weather is still good in Turkey? Over here in DK it's started to drop down the 10C* and near the frost temperatures a couple of times :)


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 17, 2015, 03:33:31 AM
it's hot like summer high :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on November 17, 2015, 03:59:05 AM
Oh sweet! May you have an awesome harvest :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on November 17, 2015, 10:10:29 AM
Congratulations Turgut! Dragon fruits make all family happy!  ;D :P
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on November 18, 2015, 01:14:46 AM
Thank you :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 18, 2015, 12:50:27 PM
Some dragon fruits finally reached the top and are allowed to branch out and drape. hoping for some delicious fruits in the future!
(http://s10.postimg.cc/dichm8oed/image_88167.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/dichm8oed/)


Mine have draped over the trellis, and about 2 weeks ago I noticed a set of buds forming on a horizontal segment:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitMultiBuds.jpg)


This was when it was still warm in Los Angeles (mid-80s during the day. In November . ::) ). I'll snap another photo this weekend to compare progress, but it's cooled down significantly in the last 2 weeks (mid to low 60s during the day, 50s at night) so I don't expect a lot of growth right now.


But we'll warm right back up in March/April, so maybe I'll get flowers in 2016.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on November 18, 2015, 08:20:23 PM
But we'll warm right back up in March/April, so maybe I'll get flowers in 2016.

Way to go! Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on November 20, 2015, 12:25:36 PM
I bought this beauty at Publix. Does somebody know what variety it is? it's sweet comparing to white flash ones.

(http://i.imgur.com/y0QyTow.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 20, 2015, 12:50:02 PM
I bought this beauty at Publix. Does somebody know what variety it is? it's sweet comparing to white flash ones.

The safe guess is a "red-flesh NoID".  NoID = no identification
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on November 20, 2015, 01:33:27 PM
ricshaw  lol... the flash is almost purple (like beets color).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 20, 2015, 03:17:09 PM
ricshaw  lol... the flash is almost purple (like beets color).

Someone can say; "looks like" or "might be" but no way to positive ID without DNA testing IMO.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 23, 2015, 05:33:09 PM
Mine have draped over the trellis, and about 2 weeks ago I noticed a set of buds forming on a horizontal segment:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitMultiBuds.jpg)
This was when it was still warm in Los Angeles (mid-80s during the day. In November . ::) ). I'll snap another photo this weekend to compare progress, but it's cooled down significantly in the last 2 weeks (mid to low 60s during the day, 50s at night) so I don't expect a lot of growth right now.


So here's 19 days of growth on those stems:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitMultiBuds19Days.jpg)


That's not bad for November! Then again it got back into 80s again this weekend. Crazy Los Angeles weather.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on November 24, 2015, 11:35:23 PM
Mine have draped over the trellis, and about 2 weeks ago I noticed a set of buds forming on a horizontal segment:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitMultiBuds.jpg)
This was when it was still warm in Los Angeles (mid-80s during the day. In November . ::) ). I'll snap another photo this weekend to compare progress, but it's cooled down significantly in the last 2 weeks (mid to low 60s during the day, 50s at night) so I don't expect a lot of growth right now.


So here's 19 days of growth on those stems:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitMultiBuds19Days.jpg)


That's not bad for November! Then again it got back into 80s again this weekend. Crazy Los Angeles weather.


Lucky!! Wish my weather was the same as yours. It's mid 60s where I'm at. 😩   Can't wait till the weather warms up!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: poss on November 25, 2015, 06:38:42 AM
Hello everyone, I am from China.
I am a dragon fruit cultivation who love numbers. I now planted more than twenty varieties of dragon fruit, but also the United States bought some varieties.
Barbed yellow dragon fruit in us is very common, but the fruit is small, so a good little race.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: poss on November 25, 2015, 06:47:29 AM
I harvest



(http://s28.postimg.cc/p8zyxqu2x/QQ_20151125194246.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/xn4zqho31/QQ_20151125193942.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: poss on November 25, 2015, 06:54:50 AM

(http://s30.postimg.cc/68nuag8l9/QQ_20151125193942.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/68nuag8l9/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/m4nz8cpk7/QQ_20151125193942.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/m4nz8cpk7/)

(http://s4.postimg.cc/r22hfdfih/QQ_20151125194038.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/r22hfdfih/)

(http://s11.postimg.cc/6afihq1an/QQ_20151125194133.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6afihq1an/)

(http://s18.postimg.cc/awdu3h5bp/QQ_20151125194200.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/awdu3h5bp/)

(http://s8.postimg.cc/e1m1awj75/QQ_20151125194231.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/e1m1awj75/)

(http://s7.postimg.cc/3p1y89zlz/QQ_20151125194246.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3p1y89zlz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Snookid on November 29, 2015, 03:17:49 AM
They look beautiful . 8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on December 25, 2015, 10:11:14 AM
Merry Christmas!

I've been posting pics of my Red Dragonfruit here for about a year.  I found it on accident really at a Home Depot in Miami, Haleys Comet, and made the mistake of thinking it would grow just fine in my window ceil in Central Indiana.  I had quite a bit of etiolation.  Over the summer, however, it began growing very thick.  Since then, I've trimmed off all the skinny growth and broke down the cactus into about 5 "root stocks" to grow from.

Last year, I was using a 300w full spectrum LED to supplement and it showed some impact to provide non-etiolated growth.  This window, I purchased an additional 900w full spectrum LED, padded a closet ceiling and walls with mylar, and tried to create an indoor environment suitable for good growth.  The temp is staying around 95 degrees in that room with both LEDs, I'm using SmartThings Temp sensor/outlet to regulate light usage and alert me if temps become excessive.  I'm ventilating by keeping door cracked.

I've been noticing some interesting behavior.  After trimming and planting, shortly after each root stock put out a pup but what I'm observing is that pups are putting out pups and its creating a branched-like structure.  I also noticed the tips seemed more darker than usual but it seems to be growing.  I'm thinking I need to lower my light and concentrate it closer to the Dragonfruit to get thicker, green growth.  Other than that, they seem to be healthy pups.  Any thoughts on why this is occurring?  I've cut stock before and didn't see this happen.  Pics are below.  Thanks!

(http://s23.postimg.cc/u7yi97ax3/20151223_181606.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/u7yi97ax3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/gi3z0ent3/20151223_181613.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gi3z0ent3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/6v0gqoutj/20151223_181625.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6v0gqoutj/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/kfr8ptamf/20151223_181713.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/kfr8ptamf/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/asnqg3hmv/20151223_181722.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/asnqg3hmv/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/3lm1k86pz/20151223_181731.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3lm1k86pz/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 25, 2015, 12:58:59 PM
I'm guessing something iis terminating the growth if the tip and the plant has no choice but to grow a new branch near the ti to continue on.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on December 25, 2015, 03:59:50 PM
Im wondering if my light is too much for it.  I'm thinking not since its not growing so thick.  I run it from 6am-2am.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 26, 2015, 12:53:55 AM
Yeah, it grows thinner when it doesn't have enough light, conserving energy so it can reach the top of the rainforest canopy where there's more light. I'm not familiar with how much LED light dragonfruits need.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on December 26, 2015, 08:09:23 AM
Merry Christmas!

I've been posting pics of my Red Dragonfruit here for about a year.  I found it on accident really at a Home Depot in Miami, Haleys Comet, and made the mistake of thinking it would grow just fine in my window ceil in Central Indiana.  I had quite a bit of etiolation.  Over the summer, however, it began growing very thick.  Since then, I've trimmed off all the skinny growth and broke down the cactus into about 5 "root stocks" to grow from.

Last year, I was using a 300w full spectrum LED to supplement and it showed some impact to provide non-etiolated growth.  This window, I purchased an additional 900w full spectrum LED, padded a closet ceiling and walls with mylar, and tried to create an indoor environment suitable for good growth.  The temp is staying around 95 degrees in that room with both LEDs, I'm using SmartThings Temp sensor/outlet to regulate light usage and alert me if temps become excessive.  I'm ventilating by keeping door cracked.

I've been noticing some interesting behavior.  After trimming and planting, shortly after each root stock put out a pup but what I'm observing is that pups are putting out pups and its creating a branched-like structure.  I also noticed the tips seemed more darker than usual but it seems to be growing.  I'm thinking I need to lower my light and concentrate it closer to the Dragonfruit to get thicker, green growth.  Other than that, they seem to be healthy pups.  Any thoughts on why this is occurring?  I've cut stock before and didn't see this happen.  Pics are below.  Thanks!

(http://s23.postimg.cc/u7yi97ax3/20151223_181606.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/u7yi97ax3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/gi3z0ent3/20151223_181613.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gi3z0ent3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/6v0gqoutj/20151223_181625.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6v0gqoutj/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/kfr8ptamf/20151223_181713.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/kfr8ptamf/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/asnqg3hmv/20151223_181722.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/asnqg3hmv/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/3lm1k86pz/20151223_181731.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3lm1k86pz/)


I don´t know much about the light effect in plants, just the basics, but do you keep the red light always on or do you simulate the day/night period?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sparkletts05 on December 29, 2015, 03:08:32 PM
Does anyone know what these are on some of my dragonfruit cuttings? From Google searches, they looks like roots. Do I just need to flip the cutting?

(http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag213/sparkletts05/sparkletts05048/1_zpsri3o9tog.png) (http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/sparkletts05/media/sparkletts05048/1_zpsri3o9tog.png.html)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Grapebush on December 29, 2015, 04:57:35 PM
Does anyone know what these are on some of my dragonfruit cuttings? From Google searches, they looks like roots. Do I just need to flip the cutting?

(http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag213/sparkletts05/sparkletts05048/1_zpsri3o9tog.png) (http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/sparkletts05/media/sparkletts05048/1_zpsri3o9tog.png.html)

Yes, these are roots! The plant is saying, it needs something to put them on... Just give it a pole, a trellis, a tree or something else, for it to climb.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on January 03, 2016, 06:41:57 PM
Lights are on 16 hours a day.  I'm trying to follow the same principles used to trick Dragonfruit into fruiting out of season by growers with a 16-20 hour photo period.  I think the reason they are putting off pups is because my LED was causing sun burn.  I was using the "Growth" and "Bloom" settings on the 900w LED.  I turned off the "Bloom" feature and will see if there is much of an impact.

If I was burning the pups, I wonder what aspect of light I'm missing if they aren't growing super fat yet.


Merry Christmas!

I've been posting pics of my Red Dragonfruit here for about a year.  I found it on accident really at a Home Depot in Miami, Haleys Comet, and made the mistake of thinking it would grow just fine in my window ceil in Central Indiana.  I had quite a bit of etiolation.  Over the summer, however, it began growing very thick.  Since then, I've trimmed off all the skinny growth and broke down the cactus into about 5 "root stocks" to grow from.

Last year, I was using a 300w full spectrum LED to supplement and it showed some impact to provide non-etiolated growth.  This window, I purchased an additional 900w full spectrum LED, padded a closet ceiling and walls with mylar, and tried to create an indoor environment suitable for good growth.  The temp is staying around 95 degrees in that room with both LEDs, I'm using SmartThings Temp sensor/outlet to regulate light usage and alert me if temps become excessive.  I'm ventilating by keeping door cracked.

I've been noticing some interesting behavior.  After trimming and planting, shortly after each root stock put out a pup but what I'm observing is that pups are putting out pups and its creating a branched-like structure.  I also noticed the tips seemed more darker than usual but it seems to be growing.  I'm thinking I need to lower my light and concentrate it closer to the Dragonfruit to get thicker, green growth.  Other than that, they seem to be healthy pups.  Any thoughts on why this is occurring?  I've cut stock before and didn't see this happen.  Pics are below.  Thanks!

(http://s23.postimg.cc/u7yi97ax3/20151223_181606.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/u7yi97ax3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/gi3z0ent3/20151223_181613.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gi3z0ent3/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/6v0gqoutj/20151223_181625.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6v0gqoutj/)

(http://s23.postimg.cc/kfr8ptamf/20151223_181713.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/kfr8ptamf/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/asnqg3hmv/20151223_181722.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/asnqg3hmv/) (http://s23.postimg.cc/3lm1k86pz/20151223_181731.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/3lm1k86pz/)


I don´t know much about the light effect in plants, just the basics, but do you keep the red light always on or do you simulate the day/night period?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cchighman on January 03, 2016, 06:48:30 PM
Googling around as to what would be causing the black, burned looking tips on the pups, I know that grow room tends to get up to 100 degrees and doesn't have the best ventilation or humidity.  I bet that may be tied to the problem.  If I keep the temp down and adjust the climate, I think I'll get better results.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on January 05, 2016, 06:55:38 PM
Interesting trellising ideas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9WDZTxrfeA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9WDZTxrfeA)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on January 07, 2016, 06:27:03 PM
Dragon fruits having new sprouts even in winter. They certainly get the "most vigorous" award.
My concern now is El Nino brought lots of rain, so they maybe feeling wetter than needed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on January 08, 2016, 03:25:03 AM
Today I am very excited.  My dragon fruit is flowering for the very first time.  I tried to hand pollinate it.  Last night only one flower was open, but there are more that still needs to open.  How long will it be before I can see if there will be any fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 08, 2016, 03:37:09 AM
You'll know in 3-4 days if the base of the flower stays green or turns yellow and falls off.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on January 08, 2016, 04:11:33 AM
Thank you. Can't wait!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on January 12, 2016, 03:18:57 PM
I received a few cuttings yesterday that could be yellow dragon fruits...
But we are not sure because the source had multiple varieties.

I know the yellow dragon fruits have a few unique qualities, what about their cuttings?
Is it possible to reasonably conclude if these cuttings are likely yellow or not?
Thank you very much!!


(http://s2.postimg.cc/hojil10mt/20160111_183358.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hojil10mt/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/9yhbtmnp1/20160111_183433.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/9yhbtmnp1/)

(http://s2.postimg.cc/xqqn55ppx/20160111_183448.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/xqqn55ppx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 12, 2016, 04:54:51 PM
I received a few cuttings yesterday that could be yellow dragon fruits...
But we are not sure because the source had multiple varieties.

I know the yellow dragon fruits have a few unique qualities, what about their cuttings?
Is it possible to reasonably conclude if these cuttings are likely yellow or not?
Thank you very much!!

Are you talking about yellow megalanthus or yellow undatus Dragon Fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on January 12, 2016, 05:26:41 PM
Are you talking about yellow megalanthus or yellow undatus Dragon Fruit?

Idk... which is the really good tasting one that takes a long time to ripen?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 12, 2016, 06:00:31 PM
Are you talking about yellow megalanthus or yellow undatus Dragon Fruit?

Idk... which is the really good tasting one that takes a long time to ripen?

H. megalanthus is the one with thorny yellow-skinned fruit with very sweet white flesh that most everybody likes. It also takes 150 - 180 days for fruit in Southern California and has a low tolerance for heat and cold.  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on January 12, 2016, 06:07:14 PM
H. megalanthus is the one with thorny yellow-skinned fruit with very sweet white flesh that most everybody likes. It also takes 150 - 180 days for fruit in Southern California and has a low tolerance for heat and cold.  :)

Thank you!!! Well... does my pictures in Reply #1523 look similar to H. megalanthus?
These are not like anything I currently grow, so I'll try to root them.
Still would be nice to ID them somewhat =D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 12, 2016, 07:02:23 PM
Jane, they look like cuttings of the guatemalan type that produces magenta-fleshed fruits. Could be one of these or something similar. Condor, G2, Santa Barbara Red, American Beauty.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on January 13, 2016, 10:44:38 PM
...guatemalan type that produces magenta-fleshed fruits. Could be one of these or something similar. Condor, G2, Santa Barbara Red, American Beauty.

Thank you so much! I took a closer look at what I currently grow, the shape of these cuttings are indeed more similar to G2 and Vietnamese white.
Running out of room, really just reserving space for condor, frankie's red, and yellow H. megalanthus, sigh.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 14, 2016, 12:39:30 AM
I have a couple of what you want. I'm not sure I'd condor is better than the other ones I listed though. Their fruits are pretty similar.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlumieJ on January 17, 2016, 05:58:55 PM
Hello all,
I'm new to the forum. Been reading through the posts & have learned a lot. Thanks to everyone!

So I ordered some rooted cuttings from a seller on ebay which are supposed to be Guyute, american beauty, & purple haze. I know the dfs are small but I was hoping someone might be able to help confirm that these are accurate.

The 1st is supposed to be AB, 2nd is PH, 3rd Guyute

(http://s14.postimg.cc/si6old5ct/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/si6old5ct/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/tj6xahmcd/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/tj6xahmcd/)

(http://s14.postimg.cc/75z6nolel/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/75z6nolel/)

Also, is this discoloration ok?


(http://s13.postimg.cc/bpe4udpoz/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/bpe4udpoz/)

Thanks & happy growing!  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 17, 2016, 06:47:07 PM
It's difficult to ID. The 3rd one does look like a white-fleshed one. I'm only going on the white edge that white varieties tends to show.

The discoloration is okay as long as it continues to dry and doesn't become soft from rot. Looks like it's already dried and calloused?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on January 18, 2016, 05:01:46 PM

so, i have a purple have that has grown up the side of my house
it is now growing on the eve
i put a couple of nails in the wood
and a wire to hold the weight...
will this work ?


(http://s15.postimg.cc/58333rrs7/dragn.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/58333rrs7/)

(http://s15.postimg.cc/g8y88sk13/drago.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/g8y88sk13/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 18, 2016, 05:46:08 PM

so, i have a purple have that has grown up the side of my house
it is now growing on the eve
i put a couple of nails in the wood
and a wire to hold the weight...
will this work ?

(http://postimg.cc/image/g8y88sk13/)

There could be a problem when the top growth gets bigger and heavier, and the wire cutting into the support stem.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on January 18, 2016, 06:48:42 PM
I absolutely agree with ricshaw, the branches can weigh more than 100 pounds easily. You could damage your roof trying to remove the clinging air roots.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlumieJ on January 18, 2016, 08:28:39 PM
Thanks fyliu,

The one that is supposed to be purple haze has some new growth that seemed to be getting bigger by the hour. You could hardly see it yesterday when I got it.



(http://s22.postimg.cc/fpzxky1dp/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/fpzxky1dp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlumieJ on January 19, 2016, 08:12:01 PM
Hey guys, so I'm wondering if I can grow DF year round in my climate. Average low in January is 39, average high in July is 91. Annual rainfall is 13 in. It does get over 100, &  into the low 30's. I know certain varieties could do better, such as sugar dragon. I also realize I will need some shade cloth when it starts getting into the 90's.

It would be great if I can keep them outside because I have 60+ plumerias in my spare bedroom for winter. It will be challenging to fit DF in with them. :P
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on January 19, 2016, 11:37:42 PM
Weatherwise, he only thing that seems to harm dragon fruit plants is sustained cold. Excessive heat can wilt them, but unless youre talking about 'extreme' heat, like 110 degrees, the plants should cope. Heat can also abort flowers, but it wont kill the plants. Frost and freezes do serious damage to the plants though. THe temperature really plays a bigger role in proper fruit production more than anything else.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 20, 2016, 12:14:01 AM
If your location doesn't get too cold, DF can survive outside year round. It will slow way down in cooler temperatures and resume growing in spring. If leaving outdoors is what you mean, you can probably do that.

As for sugar dragon being better for the bay area, most people on this forum are from warmer climates, so there's not much experience with that. Someone earlier had the idea that Condor was pretty cold tolerant too. I do know that HarveyC is able to get all kind of varieties and the only one that's doing well for him outdoors is Santa Barbara Red. He's north of you in the Sacramento area.

You can try growing all 3 and share your valuable experience here:)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlumieJ on January 20, 2016, 09:27:53 AM
Thanks Rob & Fyliu, appreciate your input. Will definitely share my results.
I guess my main concern is the cold, but luckily it doesn't really frost here.

As far as my setup, since it may need to be mobile, I found these wheelie carts that hold trash cans, they're being thrown away on the job today. They're made of metal so they'll be strong, should work really well to hold my pots due to the strength & low profile of the wheels. This will help with the height of the sliding door when bringing them inside. I just need to find the right pots. I saw a 10g rubbermade can, but I know most folks say it should be 15g so I'm not sure yet.

Thinking about runing 4 posts of HVPE plastic wrapped in burlap (once I find where to buy it) up & connecting with h to a t in the middle. I scored some large circular metal rings from the bottoms of office chaits that should fit to the top of the t that should work nicely for the crown. I saw them & thought it would be perfect. I love getting free stuff & reusing old materials!  :P

Thanks again guys!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on January 20, 2016, 11:55:14 AM
Just moving the plants under a tree helps. My pineapples will get damaged in the winter where the leaves then white and die. But if I put them under a tree's canopy, they do just fine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on January 20, 2016, 07:34:18 PM
If you aren't going to be moving the plants on a regular basis, theres really no need to move them inside unless you are talking about long, sustained cold weather. Where I live it can get down into the high 30's at night for weeks in a row, but that does not hurt the plants. Even the occasional morning frost on the roofs here doesn't seem to bother them. Just actual freezing weather, something that would cause the weathermen to issue a warning or advisory. My plants are fixed, grow outside and are not covered. Ive only had one instance of real damage from cold, when we had an actual 'freeze' warning issued for the area, and it played havoc with all the plants in the city, not just the delicate ones. If you are worried about the cold, though, a simple fix is to add some extra mulch to the container you grow them in and throw a bed sheet or a plastic drop cloth over the plant(s). Like all living things, plants generate their own heat (less so than animals), and if you can keep them in even a small sheltered environment, so the wind doesn't blow on them and their produced heat can collect, you should be just fine leaving the plants outdoors. theres no reason to make things more complicated than they need to be. The plants natural shape lends itself to being draped over too, a big umbrella canopy of branches.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlumieJ on January 21, 2016, 09:38:56 AM
Thanks guys. I'll give em a shot outside in winter. It doesn't get that cold here. More room for plumerias inside for winter....yesssss!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on January 24, 2016, 03:04:26 AM
Thought id graft one of my favourite varieties to one of my many Peruvianus cactus. This one is about 2 weeks old, starting to flower!

(http://s30.postimg.cc/vccba18nx/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vccba18nx/)

(http://s30.postimg.cc/lp8t0bfod/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/lp8t0bfod/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dezperado on January 24, 2016, 02:58:41 PM
wow!!!! awesome!! how much time has the pot behind? the one with the dragon fruit from seed?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on January 24, 2016, 07:06:57 PM
wow!!!! awesome!! how much time has the pot behind? the one with the dragon fruit from seed?
The seedlings in this picture are 7 months old.

(http://s16.postimg.cc/qommvpk8x/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qommvpk8x/)
Title: Yellow DF with thorns?
Post by: gnappi on February 06, 2016, 05:10:19 PM
I may buy one of these, does anyone have them? The thorns are not like glochids are they? Any tips on cleaning?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on February 17, 2016, 07:32:24 PM
Uh oh. I hadn't checked my dragonfruit in many weeks, and this morning I saw this on the largest of my 4 stems:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBrownStem1.jpg)


and closer:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitBrownStem2.jpg)


Is this stem dying? The parts above the brown portion appear to be healthy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 17, 2016, 08:28:59 PM

Is this stem dying? The parts above the brown portion appear to be healthy.

No, the flesh around the stem is.

Try cutting away the soft "brown" part without damaging the stem inside.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on February 18, 2016, 02:52:38 AM
Guys, i can only grow DF in containers using Vietnamese method... How big the container should be? How many cutting I can plant in each one?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on February 18, 2016, 03:11:21 AM
Guys, i can only grow DF in containers using Vietnamese method... How big the container should be? How many cutting I can plant in each one?
You mean the umbrella shape?
Will you allow roots to go into the soil -> 1 gallon pot can be enough, larger if you want.
Will you not allow roots to go into the soil -> 15 gallon pot is good, although it's too deep. Maybe fill it 2/3 full.

1 plant will fill the 15 gallon pot with its roots, more plants means they will have to share the same space. You may want to use a larger container or let the roots go into the soil below.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on February 25, 2016, 05:37:48 AM
I know that I can go through the 63 pages of this thread and find the answer, but it will take ages to do that.

Some fruit on my dragonfruit plant changed colour more than a week ago.  They are bigger than a man's fist.  Bigger than my two fists together.  They are pink, but with a bit of green colour underneath.  It is our first fruit from our own garden.

How do I know when it is the right time to harvest?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 25, 2016, 01:51:56 PM
I know that I can go through the 63 pages of this thread and find the answer, but it will take ages to do that.
Some fruit on my dragonfruit plant changed colour more than a week ago.  They are bigger than a man's fist.  Bigger than my two fists together.  They are pink, but with a bit of green colour underneath. It is our first fruit from our own garden.
How do I know when it is the right time to harvest?

Sounds like they are ready.  Pick a couple, cool in refrigerator, and taste.  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on February 25, 2016, 02:23:41 PM
Thanks.  I will do that in a day or two then.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on February 26, 2016, 08:56:47 PM
does anyone know how to differentiate purple haze from other dragon fruit? i have four in a pot and my labels all rubbed off except for one.
Title: Dragon fruit identification
Post by: RobPatterson on February 28, 2016, 02:04:38 PM
Most of the colored hybrids are very hard to distinguish from each other until the fruit shows up. It might be possible to tell you which ones are NOT Purple Haze if you post pics of the plants and what types you were told you received. Ive got anywhere from 6-12 types of fruit growing at my house, and that number varies from season to season because one year the fruit all comes out basically the same and the next I swear someone's been sneaking in different plants into my garden. Its a simple enough deal (at least right now, with the common varieties) to narrow down some specific types, like Undatus vs Coastaricensis vs Megalanthus, etc., but you almost need a degree in botany to tell close cousins apart, like Sugar Dragon vs Voodoo Child, or Delight vs Physical Graffiti.
Best thing you can do, if you still need the assist, is post a couple picks and see if anyone can pick out your plants. If nothing else, it will give us something to discuss for a few days.
Title: Re: Dragon fruit identification
Post by: funlul on February 29, 2016, 12:28:13 AM
...you almost need a degree in botany to tell close cousins apart, like Sugar Dragon vs Voodoo Child, or Delight vs Physical Graffiti.

Guess for me it does not really matter until I need to ensure cross pollination!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: UniqueFruitCollector on March 12, 2016, 11:44:13 AM
1,120 kg dragonfruit ::) :o

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQEj96HzGE#)
Title: Tools of the trade...
Post by: RobPatterson on March 17, 2016, 07:28:40 PM
I just wanted to show you guys some pictures of one of the things I use for working with my dragon fruit (since theres not much going on right now)
(http://s11.postimg.cc/eqee1j32n/DSCN1404.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/eqee1j32n/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/6a5oklhdp/DSCN1405.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6a5oklhdp/)

(http://s24.postimg.cc/luf80y00x/DSCN1406.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/luf80y00x/)
 This is my pollen dehydrator. I use it to prep my pollen before I freeze it for storage. Its a room temperature unit, as heat is bad for pollen, and it extracts moisture by using silica gel packets (which I'm out of) in the top chamber. Moderate air flow from the fan and good desiccant gives me top notch pollen in about 8 hours, so I usually run it overnight, and I use 149 micron mesh to keep the pollen in place but the air moving through. Its a neat little gizmo and has done me well since I built it.
BTW, that's a sample of last years pollen in the pics. I have yet to see any flowers or buds on my plants this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on March 17, 2016, 08:34:00 PM
Is drying the pollen a good thing? I thought the pollen has its own viability period that's enhanced by refrigeration and retaining the moisture inside a container. I mean, if drying helps, you could just leave it open in the fridge to remove the moisture.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 17, 2016, 08:44:52 PM
You don't want to freeze 'wet' pollen. Ice crystals form and damage the cellular structure. I cant 'flash freeze' the pollen, a commercial process that prevents crystals, so I dry it out as best as I can first. Ive been able to use 6 month old pollen this way.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on March 17, 2016, 09:47:51 PM
Wow. That's very good!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sildanani on April 13, 2016, 10:38:21 AM
Is it better to grow multiple cuttings per container? Would they compete for space?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 13, 2016, 11:12:50 AM
Is it better to grow multiple cuttings per container? Would they compete for space?

I have done it both ways; single rooted cutting per container, 2 - 3 rooted cuttings per container. I have not noticed any difference. I can tell you that I have seen growers successfully grow single rooted cuttings in only 5 gallon nursery containers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on April 13, 2016, 11:59:22 AM
Is it better to grow multiple cuttings per container? Would they compete for space?

I have done it both ways; single rooted cutting per container, 2 - 3 rooted cuttings per container. I have not noticed any difference. I can tell you that I have seen growers successfully grow single rooted cuttings in only 5 gallon nursery containers.

Thanks! That's some relief. I am fighting for space and will keep 2-3 cuttings per 15 gallon pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on April 13, 2016, 12:32:22 PM
1,120 kg dragonfruit ::) :o


Heh. In the U.S. the comma is used as a thousands separator, so I read that as a dragonfruit weighing just over a metric ton :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 14, 2016, 08:48:09 PM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/77sdlgjgt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/77sdlgjgt/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/vzrzsp0nh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzrzsp0nh/)

Ugh... The disappointment in finding rot on your dragonfruit cutting 😢
I planted this in sep of last year and have yet to see any new growth, so I thought it was root bound and decided to repor it. Low and behold the bottom 1 1/2 inch has turned mushy. Why!!?? 😢
So I removed the soft part and so far have it outside in the shade curing the ends.

My question is , should I cut the bottom off? I see so roots but I don't think it's dead. Should I leave it or cut it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 14, 2016, 09:48:32 PM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/77sdlgjgt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/77sdlgjgt/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/vzrzsp0nh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzrzsp0nh/)

Ugh... The disappointment in finding rot on your dragonfruit cutting 😢
I planted this in sep of last year and have yet to see any new growth, so I thought it was root bound and decided to repor it. Low and behold the bottom 1 1/2 inch has turned mushy. Why!!?? 😢
So I removed the soft part and so far have it outside in the shade curing the ends.

My question is , should I cut the bottom off? I see so roots but I don't think it's dead. Should I leave it or cut it?

My pick is to leave it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on April 14, 2016, 09:54:54 PM
Sandy, it looks okay with the bare cane. The bottom tends to away with age anyway. The center cane is the real trunk.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 14, 2016, 10:57:35 PM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/77sdlgjgt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/77sdlgjgt/)

(http://s22.postimg.cc/vzrzsp0nh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzrzsp0nh/)

Ugh... The disappointment in finding rot on your dragonfruit cutting 😢
I planted this in sep of last year and have yet to see any new growth, so I thought it was root bound and decided to repor it. Low and behold the bottom 1 1/2 inch has turned mushy. Why!!?? 😢
So I removed the soft part and so far have it outside in the shade curing the ends.

My question is , should I cut the bottom off? I see so roots but I don't think it's dead. Should I leave it or cut it?

My pick is to leave it.

Thank you Rick! I'll leave and plant it agin once the ends have cured.  😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 14, 2016, 11:07:41 PM
Sandy, it looks okay with the bare cane. The bottom tends to away with age anyway. The center cane is the real trunk.

Thank you! I'm glad I didn't cut it on impulse.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 14, 2016, 11:47:08 PM
Eventually all the soft tissue below soil level rots away. That core should eventually gain girth and put out more and more complex root systems, which will support the plant under natural conditions. Remember, the nicely shaped and organized plants you see in peoples gardens aren't even close to how these plants grow in the wild. In fact, unstable supports and surfaces is key to this plant's survival in the wild. Its why it developed the ability to reproduce from cuttings, being able to propagate from the limbs broken off from damage or poor support.
But, back to your plant. You should be able to put that baby in a starter pot right away and get things going.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 15, 2016, 12:38:40 AM
Eventually all the soft tissue below soil level rots away. That core should eventually gain girth and put out more and more complex root systems, which will support the plant under natural conditions. Remember, the nicely shaped and organized plants you see in peoples gardens aren't even close to how these plants grow in the wild. In fact, unstable supports and surfaces is key to this plant's survival in the wild. Its why it developed the ability to reproduce from cuttings, being able to propagate from the limbs broken off from damage or poor support.
But, back to your plant. You should be able to put that baby in a starter pot right away and get things going.


Thank you!  😊

When I replant it should I have only the middle core in soil or should I also have at least an inch of the flesh in soil?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 15, 2016, 03:06:33 AM
put an inch or 2 in the soil, to help keep it in place. Also, even in a smaller container, youre going to want to put a stick or stake to start tying the cutting to, so you can encourage vertical rowth without worrying about leaning or tipping. I use cheap black plastic pots, the one gallon size, once the plant has roots. Thinner and flimsier the better. That way when I'm ready to upgrade into the large, final growing container (or ground), I can easily cut away the pot with scissors or a sharp knife, and not have to try and pull the root ball out of the pot. Cactus roots can be very soft so you can do a lot of damage if you put too much pressure on them during transplant.
At least you have time to determine how you are going to set up your final support for your plant(s) now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on April 15, 2016, 04:44:35 AM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/77sdlgjgt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/77sdlgjgt/)
(http://s22.postimg.cc/vzrzsp0nh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzrzsp0nh/)
Ugh... The disappointment in finding rot on your dragonfruit cutting 😢

I planted this in sep of last year and have yet to see any new growth, so I thought it was root bound and decided to repor it. Low and behold the bottom 1 1/2 inch has turned mushy. Why!!?? 😢]
So I removed the soft part and so far have it outside in the shade curing the ends.]
Quote

If that was my cutting, I would make a clean cut to remove any rotten stem and flesh, and start again.  The stem that has no flesh around it, just above the roots, doesn't look healthy, or even still alive. You could wait a couple of weeks to see if that bit of stem hardens up. If it's flimsy ands easily bent, it's most probably dead.  I find the best way to avoid rot is to wait for the small roots to emerge from your cutting while the are laying on a bench somewhere, then put a stake in the pot you wish to use and tie the cutting to it with the root lets just touching the soil. Don't bury the cutting at all!
My question is , should I cut the bottom off? I see so roots but I don't think it's dead. Should I leave it or cut it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 15, 2016, 07:52:14 AM
put an inch or 2 in the soil, to help keep it in place. Also, even in a smaller container, youre going to want to put a stick or stake to start tying the cutting to, so you can encourage vertical rowth without worrying about leaning or tipping. I use cheap black plastic pots, the one gallon size, once the plant has roots. Thinner and flimsier the better. That way when I'm ready to upgrade into the large, final growing container (or ground), I can easily cut away the pot with scissors or a sharp knife, and not have to try and pull the root ball out of the pot. Cactus roots can be very soft so you can do a lot of damage if you put too much pressure on them during transplant.
At least you have time to determine how you are going to set up your final support for your plant(s) now.

Thank you so much for the helpful tips! 😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on April 15, 2016, 07:57:59 AM

(http://s22.postimg.cc/77sdlgjgt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/77sdlgjgt/)
(http://s22.postimg.cc/vzrzsp0nh/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/vzrzsp0nh/)
Ugh... The disappointment in finding rot on your dragonfruit cutting

I planted this in sep of last year and have yet to see any new growth, so I thought it was root bound and decided to repor it. Low and behold the bottom 1 1/2 inch has turned mushy. Why!!?? ]
So I removed the soft part and so far have it outside in the shade curing the ends.]
Quote

If that was my cutting, I would make a clean cut to remove any rotten stem and flesh, and start again.  The stem that has no flesh around it, just above the roots, doesn't look healthy, or even still alive. You could wait a couple of weeks to see if that bit of stem hardens up. If it's flimsy ands easily bent, it's most probably dead.  I find the best way to avoid rot is to wait for the small roots to emerge from your cutting while the are laying on a bench somewhere, then put a stake in the pot you wish to use and tie the cutting to it with the root lets just touching the soil. Don't bury the cutting at all!
My question is , should I cut the bottom off? I see so roots but I don't think it's dead. Should I leave it or cut it?


Thank you. I'm definitely going to try your tips on cuttings now!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gnappi on April 15, 2016, 09:00:33 AM
New questions...

I read the wild DF are tree climbers, wanting rich soil and more water than many tropicals. So I would imagine that  a bright northern exposure would be an acceptable location for growth and fruit production?

The largest DF I ever saw was  a wild specimen  at least 50' tall growing up the side of a huge tree with a full dark canopy. I saw it briefly in very early spring and have no idea if it fruited there. 

My experience with the two I have is that they do like a regular watering, and rich soil.

The fruiting in a less bright location is my main concern.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 15, 2016, 01:20:46 PM
You definitely want good sunlight for your plants. Its as important, if not more so, than proper fertilizer mixture, in getting proper flowering. The reason these plants have survived in heavily canopied areas is their ability to 'migrate' via naturally made cuttings, or broken branches, rerooting in new, hopefully move favorable locations. You generally wont see a lot of flowers on plants that grow on leafy trees like this. Also, as Ive found out myself, youre going to want year round sun exposure to speed hasten the fruit production season. Most of my plants grow on the side of my house, where the sun is blocked off for 4 months of the year, during winter, by the next house over. It makes a big difference on how soon in the year my plants over there start to flower, and I can see a very specific trend when they do start to bud of them appearing on the higher branches first, and working their way down in conjunction to the number of days they've been receiving direct sunlight. And the areas of my plants that are on the shady side even when the sun is higher in the sky produce way fewer fruit than the side facing the sun.
So yes, sun is good. Shade is bad.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: darkcoolboo on April 20, 2016, 12:44:53 AM
What is everyone using for their container soil mix?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on April 20, 2016, 08:38:45 PM
I was using permits and peat moss before, but anything that drains well is okay. Definitely not dense clay/mud. It's much healthier when the roots can breathe.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 20, 2016, 11:16:38 PM
I use a 50/50 mix of the native sandy (old riverbed) soil here where I live combined with miracle grow cactus garden soil + bark chips some perlite and peat moss. I like the idea of my plants having actual mineral sources to draw from in their diet when I fill their pots. Plus, its gives a nice semi-solid soil density that isn't to airy when its dry and will not overly expand/contract between waterings. Between seasons I use solid time release fertilizer and top that off with about an inch of neutral bagged topsoil in winter/spring/summer and fortified potting soil in fall, to give the plants a nitrogen boost going into the more dormant seasons.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on April 21, 2016, 01:01:46 AM
New questions...

I read the wild DF are tree climbers, wanting rich soil and more water than many tropicals. So I would imagine that  a bright northern exposure would be an acceptable location for growth and fruit production?

The largest DF I ever saw was  a wild specimen  at least 50' tall growing up the side of a huge tree with a full dark canopy. I saw it briefly in very early spring and have no idea if it fruited there. 

My experience with the two I have is that they do like a regular watering, and rich soil.

The fruiting in a less bright location is my main concern.
Jim Neitzel has one growing up a pecan tree, probably 50 feet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on April 21, 2016, 05:50:52 PM
The seedlings in this picture are 7 months old.

(http://s16.postimg.cc/qommvpk8x/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/qommvpk8x/)
Whew!  Just finished reading all 64 pages!

About 8 weeks ago, I planted some seeds that I removed from a DF that I bought at my local grocery store, nothing special, just a bland white-fleshed variety. Several have sprouted and are coming up nicely.  My question is, when do they lose the two initial leaves that first sprout? The two biggest seedlings that I have are about an inch tall.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on April 21, 2016, 08:04:22 PM
H. megalanthus is the one with thorny yellow-skinned fruit with very sweet white flesh that most everybody likes. It also takes 150 - 180 days for fruit in Southern California and has a low tolerance for heat and cold.  :)

I think I finally managed to get a cutting of it. Yellow variety with thorns on the fruit.
Now the question is where to plant it!  :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 22, 2016, 03:46:56 PM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on May 05, 2016, 12:43:33 AM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.


I wish I lived near by, that's so nice of you. I have one and am waiting for it to root.
I'm wondering have you tried the fruit from this variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 05, 2016, 12:51:16 AM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.


I wish I lived near by, that's so nice of you. I have one and am waiting for it to root.
I'm wondering have you tried the fruit from this variety?

I have and it is a favorite by most people at Dragon Fruit Festival tastings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuoXmGaVaeI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuoXmGaVaeI)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 05, 2016, 02:51:06 AM
does anyone have s-8 cuttings in the states? preferably in florida? willing to trade.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 05, 2016, 08:19:00 AM
does anyone know what type of dragon fruit this is?
(http://i.imgur.com/dX4IOzAl.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 05, 2016, 11:05:22 AM
does anyone have s-8 cuttings in the states? preferably in florida? willing to trade.

Some people suspect that Pine Island Nursery "Voodoo Child" may be S-8.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 05, 2016, 12:14:16 PM
does anyone have s-8 cuttings in the states? preferably in florida? willing to trade.

I have voodoo child available.  PM me if you are interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on May 05, 2016, 01:23:18 PM
Really hoping my oldest DF (planted last spring) will consider to flower... In what months do they flower in SoCal?  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on May 05, 2016, 02:27:22 PM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.


I wish I lived near by, that's so nice of you. I have one and am waiting for it to root.
I'm wondering have you tried the fruit from this variety?

I have and it is a favorite by most people at Dragon Fruit Festival tastings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuoXmGaVaeI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuoXmGaVaeI)


Wow! Watching that video and seeing all those dragon fruit makes my mouth water. I hope I'll be able to get mine to fruit one day and try it myself 😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 06, 2016, 01:25:26 PM
does anyone know what type of dragon fruit this is?
(http://i.imgur.com/dX4IOzAl.jpg)
That appears to be something close to, if not, the S-8 variety based on what I can see from the plants branch. For plant ID, showing the plant itself is usually more helpful than pictures of the flowers. Although, the flower stem does seem to be showing a lighter green than what I'm used to seeing, which might make it a close relative of S-8, or it could just be a slight variance in available lighting or available fertilizer nutrients (i.e. even same species don't always look exactly alike).
Also, as a side note, I believe DNA testing they've done at the research center here in Irvine shows that Voodoo Child and Thompson S-8 "Sugar Dragon" are not the same plant.
BTW, the other plant in the background, without the flower, looks to be something of a pink variety, Haley's Comet or Physical Graffiti possibly.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 06, 2016, 01:30:52 PM
Really hoping my oldest DF (planted last spring) will consider to flower... In what months do they flower in SoCal?  :)
Out here in Ontario (California), my more sunny location plants have been producing flower bud starts for about 2 weeks now, with the shaded ones creating branches. If your plants are producing new stem growth, but not flower buds, then you should probably up the dosage on phosphorus fertilizer to help them kick over to fruit production mode. If they aren't growing in either way, theyre just not up and around yet from the winter season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 06, 2016, 01:50:12 PM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.


I wish I lived near by, that's so nice of you. I have one and am waiting for it to root.
I'm wondering have you tried the fruit from this variety?
Yes, the S-8 is also my favorite variety of dragon fruit, both in taste and its versatility. It has the most "berry" flavor of all the varieties Ive tried, so its the one best suited for showing off to new people who have never tried them before. I like to present them in sets, one solid white and one Sugar Dragon so people can see the contrast in appearance and the wide range of flavor. Also, the S-8 is very good for culinary use, for making jams and jellies, sauces, toppings and also makes a wonderful ice cream. My small yard doesn't allow me to mass produce fruit, but I've tried making dehydrated fruit "chips", but they came out more like jerky or fruit roll-up, but were still tasty.
The only drawback with S-8 is the size, as they are one of the smallest dragon fruit types. The peeled fruit runs the size range from hens eggs to goose eggs, although the plants can produce quite heavily if conditions are right. Once, when I was down in Fallbrook at Linda and Ghery's ranch, they have a plot with dozens of S-8's set up very well, they were bearing 50-100 fruit per plant, per flower flush, with some plants having flowers at every thorn point down a branch. BTW, to give credit where its due, Linda and Ghery (at Elk Creek farm in Fallbrook, CA) are the distribution source of a large percentage of the S-8 you see being talked about, especially in California. They received their plants directly from Paul Thompson, who was a friend of theirs, and they've made a real effort to share this species with others, and have been very helpful with not only spreading the word about dragon fruit, but trying to keep a handle on a continuity of species naming and proper growing techniques. They have always been very generous with their knowledge.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on May 06, 2016, 06:30:57 PM
Really hoping my oldest DF (planted last spring) will consider to flower... In what months do they flower in SoCal?  :)
Out here in Ontario (California), my more sunny location plants have been producing flower bud starts for about 2 weeks now, with the shaded ones creating branches. If your plants are producing new stem growth, but not flower buds, then you should probably up the dosage on phosphorus fertilizer to help them kick over to fruit production mode. If they aren't growing in either way, theyre just not up and around yet from the winter season.

Thank you so much! Lots of new growth. Will look into phosphorus fertilizer :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 06, 2016, 06:39:04 PM
If the plants don't have much old growth, that could be why they're not flowering. Flowers come from hardened growth. Also, it's better if the plant has reached a good size. All the cuttings grown plants have been around for at least decades but each segment has an age that's much younger. Generally, people use the weight to estimate general readiness to hold fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 07, 2016, 03:08:18 AM
If the plants don't have much old growth, that could be why they're not flowering. Flowers come from hardened growth. Also, it's better if the plant has reached a good size. All the cuttings grown plants have been around for at least decades but each segment has an age that's much younger. Generally, people use the weight to estimate general readiness to hold fruit.
And of course weight is a factor of size, and size is a factor of growth. You could, theoretically, trim down a plant to a single long branch and it would produce fruit, once it has reached proper age and hardened(don't do this btw). Like most fruit bearing annuals, you get this years fruit off of last years branches, so once you have a plant of sufficient age, you'll get fruit. Each year you should see more fruit produced as more branches become 'mature' and are capable of supporting the proper chemistry for fruit production. Also, you'll start to get some crowding as branches start to overlap and cover each other. Once you reach this state, its time to start thinking about pruning your canopy.
I tend to 'comb out' plants as they develop, trying to make sure the branches grow in parallel, next to each other, not just randomly like morning hair. This allows for more productive branches per plant, which is very helpful if youre working with limited space, like I am. But, eventually, theres enough overlap that you have to start trimming back excess branches. Generally, not counting the cutting to maintain shape or bad branch locations, I tend to cut out the branches furthest into the plant. A branch needs proper sunlight to produce fruit, and older deeper branches tend to have fewer useable fruiting points remaining, so they are the first to get removed, and they also generally make the best cuttings for new plants, as they are fully matured.
Speaking of maturity, another thing Ive noticed is that most new growth, flowers or branches, takes place on the side of the stem that is facing up. I'm really not sure if this is a sunlight thing or some other mechanism in the plant, but it does seem to be happening
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 07, 2016, 03:35:19 AM
does anyone know what type of dragon fruit this is?
(http://i.imgur.com/dX4IOzAl.jpg)
That appears to be something close to, if not, the S-8 variety based on what I can see from the plants branch. For plant ID, showing the plant itself is usually more helpful than pictures of the flowers. Although, the flower stem does seem to be showing a lighter green than what I'm used to seeing, which might make it a close relative of S-8, or it could just be a slight variance in available lighting or available fertilizer nutrients (i.e. even same species don't always look exactly alike).
Also, as a side note, I believe DNA testing they've done at the research center here in Irvine shows that Voodoo Child and Thompson S-8 "Sugar Dragon" are not the same plant.
BTW, the other plant in the background, without the flower, looks to be something of a pink variety, Haley's Comet or Physical Graffiti possibly.

thanks! i will take pics of the segments for a better idea. i remember that the edges are more rounded than the others that i have growing. also, it appears to need cross-pollination. i actually thought it was houghton, which one of them is supposed to be, but my labels rubbed off. you are right about the physical grafitti though... what led you to that conclusion?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 07, 2016, 12:08:27 PM
I have PG and Haley's Comet growing at my house, and I'm familiar with their shape. Its a 'traditional' pink variety, and they all share the same visual appearance. There might be others that are close as well, such as "Delight", which bears pink fruit, but Ive never seen that plant in the flesh. As for your other plant, the one with the flower, Its possible that it is one of the "parent species" of the S-8, as ive heard that name before. When you crossbreed, you get a mostly random set of the characteristics of both plants, which is why improving the fruit is so difficult; You never know if your experimental plants are going to be better, worse or sideways on the likeability scale. Plus it can take up to 2 years to even get a result to test.
However, after a while, you do start to be able to notice subtle differences in plants. The color of the skin, curvature of what I refer to as the 'scalloping' on the branch edges, the number of thorns and their appearance, even an occasional subtle twist in the development of the branches (which seems to be unique to some pink varieties). For example, I have a variety that I believe is a seed start that looks very similar to S-8, but has slightly shorter scalloping and very pronounced thorns, and if you weren't paying too much attention you'd think they were the same plant. But it fruited for the first time last year and produced a rounder, redder fruit than the S-8. It also has larger flower buds and blooms. I should be able to get more definitive answers this year from a full season, but its just another example of the wide range of plants we're dealing with, and how keeping up on naming can help keeping them straight.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 07, 2016, 02:22:14 PM
Thanks again... here is another picture with newly forming fruit
(http://i.imgur.com/kh4GBGkl.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on May 07, 2016, 05:44:18 PM
BTW, if anyone in the So Cal area (I Live in Ontario, by the airport) is interested in a few Thompson S-8 cuttings, I have some to hand out. Go ahead and contact me directly, via email, so we're not cluttering up the forum.


I wish I lived near by, that's so nice of you. I have one and am waiting for it to root.
I'm wondering have you tried the fruit from this variety?
Yes, the S-8 is also my favorite variety of dragon fruit, both in taste and its versatility. It has the most "berry" flavor of all the varieties Ive tried, so its the one best suited for showing off to new people who have never tried them before. I like to present them in sets, one solid white and one Sugar Dragon so people can see the contrast in appearance and the wide range of flavor. Also, the S-8 is very good for culinary use, for making jams and jellies, sauces, toppings and also makes a wonderful ice cream. My small yard doesn't allow me to mass produce fruit, but I've tried making dehydrated fruit "chips", but they came out more like jerky or fruit roll-up, but were still tasty.
The only drawback with S-8 is the size, as they are one of the smallest dragon fruit types. The peeled fruit runs the size range from hens eggs to goose eggs, although the plants can produce quite heavily if conditions are right. Once, when I was down in Fallbrook at Linda and Ghery's ranch, they have a plot with dozens of S-8's set up very well, they were bearing 50-100 fruit per plant, per flower flush, with some plants having flowers at every thorn point down a branch. BTW, to give credit where its due, Linda and Ghery (at Elk Creek farm in Fallbrook, CA) are the distribution source of a large percentage of the S-8 you see being talked about, especially in California. They received their plants directly from Paul Thompson, who was a friend of theirs, and they've made a real effort to share this species with others, and have been very helpful with not only spreading the word about dragon fruit, but trying to keep a handle on a continuity of species naming and proper growing techniques. They have always been very generous with their knowledge.

Yes! I too hope to share the flavor of different dragon fruit varieties. I have relatives that have tried the ones you get from the store and it was a huge disappointment to them to the point they never touched another from then on. But I told them, there's more than just one variety of dragon fruit each with a slightly different taste. And I hope to one day be able to share the fruit of my work when my dragon fruit plants are mature and healthy enough to set fruit especially the S8. Hopefully then , it'll change their mindset.
And I hope to one day be able to visit Linda's farm and see all those amazing dragon fruit they have growing there.
And now my mouth is watering just thinking that the S8 has a berry taste. I love fruit roll ups... Lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 07, 2016, 09:59:15 PM
Today at a nonfruit activitity, this guy comes up and gives my friend and I two big branches of Dragon Fruit with a dozen short branches hanging off each. Apparently at a previous meeting my friend had mentioned that we grew Dragon Friut and this guy (I still don't know his name) brought some Dragon Fruit plant today from a DF he really liked to share. Someone asked what color was the flesh. He said "white". I thought; all I need, another unnamed DF... until he went on-and-on about how big and how sweet the fruit was. I decided I would have to give the plant a try.  :D I gave some of the cuttings off mine to another guy who was interested. We were near Westminister, CA. I suspect that this will be a large fruit Vietnamese White type variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 08, 2016, 01:33:37 AM
One thing about white fruit varieties. It does seem that the whited the flesh, the sweeter the fruit tends to be. Most of the chain store bought fruit are imported from overseas and are not fully ripe when picked. Also, they are from older farms, which tend to grow fruit on the older plants, some of which predate the recent work done improving the quality of the product. If a white variety has a 'milky' or somewhat translucent flesh, odds are its going to be lower in sugar. If the fruit looks more like black dots on white paper, its going to be a crisper, sweeter taste.
(http://s32.postimg.cc/8foew7ha9/IMG_0945.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/8foew7ha9/)
This is an example of what I mean.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 08, 2016, 01:43:16 AM
Thanks again... here is another picture with newly forming fruit
(http://i.imgur.com/kh4GBGkl.jpg)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/hct3n05dt/20160426_160503.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hct3n05dt/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/mytawaa81/20160426_160413.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mytawaa81/)

Here are a couple images of S-8 and the cousin variety I'm currently calling Kingthorn. You can see the similar plant structure and coloration, but the flower buds have much more red in them, which is what leads me to think you're variety isn't S-8, but another genetic cousin somewhere in the same family tree.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on May 08, 2016, 03:37:28 AM
Thanks again... here is another picture with newly forming fruit
(http://i.imgur.com/kh4GBGkl.jpg)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/hct3n05dt/20160426_160503.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hct3n05dt/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/mytawaa81/20160426_160413.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mytawaa81/)

Here are a couple images of S-8 and the cousin variety I'm currently calling Kingthorn. You can see the similar plant structure and coloration, but the flower buds have much more red in them, which is what leads me to think you're variety isn't S-8, but another genetic cousin somewhere in the same family tree.

Is the first picture S8?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: merce3 on May 08, 2016, 07:47:44 AM
Thanks again... here is another picture with newly forming fruit
(http://i.imgur.com/kh4GBGkl.jpg)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/hct3n05dt/20160426_160503.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/hct3n05dt/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/mytawaa81/20160426_160413.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/mytawaa81/)

Here are a couple images of S-8 and the cousin variety I'm currently calling Kingthorn. You can see the similar plant structure and coloration, but the flower buds have much more red in them, which is what leads me to think you're variety isn't S-8, but another genetic cousin somewhere in the same family tree.

Thanks a lot. I will post more pictures after the fruit develops
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rnguyen on May 08, 2016, 08:00:00 AM
Also, you'll start to get some crowding as branches start to overlap and cover each other. Once you reach this state, its time to start thinking about pruning your canopy.
I tend to 'comb out' plants as they develop, trying to make sure the branches grow in parallel, next to each other, not just randomly like morning hair. This allows for more productive branches per plant, which is very helpful if youre working with limited space, like I am. But, eventually, theres enough overlap that you have to start trimming back excess branches.

Rob, can we see a picture of your setup? I want to prune my DF to make them more manageable since I also have limited space.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 08, 2016, 05:50:40 PM

(http://s32.postimg.cc/67bnj651d/DSCN1524.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/67bnj651d/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/k1idr6r5t/DSCN1525.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/k1idr6r5t/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/ocff5qps1/DSCN1526.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/ocff5qps1/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/jgq12napt/DSCN1529.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jgq12napt/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/jd19jibk1/DSCN1530.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/jd19jibk1/)

Here are some pics of how I have my plants growing. There are 2 main areas, the shorter plants and the tall trellis. The short plants are basic 4x4 by 8ft redwood posts buried 30 inches down and wrapped in burlap. The clinging roots don't like sticking to treated wood or redwood, so if you wrap the posts in burlap fabric (potato sack material, available by the roll at most hardware stores), it gives the air roots something to weave into and hold on. Also, if possible, you should coat the buried section in a waterproofer, like roofing tar or something thick and tough before you bury them, to help prevent any remaining rot chance. The rest of it is just a series of 3ft lumber pieces I built to make a very open ladder-like trellis. I was able to get a good deal on a large quantity of Trex composite material pieces I used for my creations, but anything weather-resistant will work. the basic idea is to support the weight of the branches so the stress of them hanging down doesn't pull them out of their joints at the main plant. Any shape will work, and you can build them to suit your location's needs.
The second area is just a much larger version of the first, except it is mostly free-standing, with cross supports to my house. This is my southern facing area, which is fairly limited in size, so I had to go with tall, narrow planting rather than wide, rounded canopies. The main problem I have with this arrangement is that most of the plants there receive almost no direct sunlight for 3 months of the year due to it being blocked out by my neighbor's house. Later in the season, when the sun gets higher, I tend to get my first fruit higher in the plants, so harvesting off a ladder is necessary. This is by no means an ideal way to grow plants, but it was the best I could do with the situation at hand.
I hope this helps to give you some ideas for your own situation.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 08, 2016, 10:25:53 PM
Need help . My suppose to be self pollenate DF . I hand pollen the DF with its own pollen . Few day later the DF turn yellow and fell off. How can I get that DF to produce fruit . I'm planting more then one varieties in on trellises. I want to try to cross pollenate them but all the bud bloom  different time .
(http://s32.postimg.cc/answlp7up/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/answlp7up/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/6d9ncdddt/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/6d9ncdddt/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/91vpual1d/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/91vpual1d/)

(http://s32.postimg.cc/548g4vy81/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/548g4vy81/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 09, 2016, 12:32:29 AM
Need help . My suppose to be self pollenate DF . I hand pollen the DF with its own pollen . Few day later the DF turn yellow and fell off. How can I get that DF to produce fruit . I'm planting more then one varieties in on trellises. I want to try to cross pollenate them but all the bud bloom  different time .

I had the same problem until I was finally able to cross pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 09, 2016, 01:11:56 AM
Great thank you .now I have to wait for the other varieties to catch up and hope they all bloom at the same time so I can cross pollenate them. I guess all the self Pollenate  that people claim aren't self  pollenate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rnguyen on May 09, 2016, 01:17:58 AM
Here are some pics of how I have my plants growing. There are 2 main areas, the shorter plants and the tall trellis. The short plants are basic 4x4 by 8ft redwood posts buried 30 inches down and wrapped in burlap. The clinging roots don't like sticking to treated wood or redwood, so if you wrap the posts in burlap fabric (potato sack material, available by the roll at most hardware stores), it gives the air roots something to weave into and hold on. Also, if possible, you should coat the buried section in a waterproofer, like roofing tar or something thick and tough before you bury them, to help prevent any remaining rot chance. The rest of it is just a series of 3ft lumber pieces I built to make a very open ladder-like trellis. I was able to get a good deal on a large quantity of Trex composite material pieces I used for my creations, but anything weather-resistant will work. the basic idea is to support the weight of the branches so the stress of them hanging down doesn't pull them out of their joints at the main plant. Any shape will work, and you can build them to suit your location's needs.
The second area is just a much larger version of the first, except it is mostly free-standing, with cross supports to my house. This is my southern facing area, which is fairly limited in size, so I had to go with tall, narrow planting rather than wide, rounded canopies. The main problem I have with this arrangement is that most of the plants there receive almost no direct sunlight for 3 months of the year due to it being blocked out by my neighbor's house. Later in the season, when the sun gets higher, I tend to get my first fruit higher in the plants, so harvesting off a ladder is necessary. This is by no means an ideal way to grow plants, but it was the best I could do with the situation at hand.
I hope this helps to give you some ideas for your own situation.

Thanks Rob! This helps.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 09, 2016, 01:21:28 AM
Great thank you .now I have to wait for the other varieties to catch up and hope they all bloom at the same time so I can cross pollenate them. I guess all the self Pollenate  that people claim aren't self  pollenate.

Part of the problem for us newbies... is there can be some confusion between "hand pollination" and "self pollination".  :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 09, 2016, 04:16:24 PM
Great thank you .now I have to wait for the other varieties to catch up and hope they all bloom at the same time so I can cross pollenate them. I guess all the self Pollenate  that people claim aren't self  pollenate.
I think you might be confusing self pollinating with self fertile. Self fertile varieties can be grown by themselves and do not require a differing species' pollen to produce fruit. A self pollinating plant is self fertile, but also has the ability to pollenate itself without outside help. Humans, bees and other outside influences count towards removing a self pollinating status. Only plants that can produce fruit on their own, with nothing more then maybe a slight breeze count as self pollinating. Your pictures show a yellow Megalanthus variety, and I'm fairly certain that this type is not self fertile to begin with.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on May 10, 2016, 05:17:05 PM
does anyone know what type of dragon fruit this is?
(http://i.imgur.com/dX4IOzAl.jpg)
That appears to be something close to, if not, the S-8 variety based on what I can see from the plants branch. For plant ID, showing the plant itself is usually more helpful than pictures of the flowers. Although, the flower stem does seem to be showing a lighter green than what I'm used to seeing, which might make it a close relative of S-8, or it could just be a slight variance in available lighting or available fertilizer nutrients (i.e. even same species don't always look exactly alike).
Also, as a side note, I believe DNA testing they've done at the research center here in Irvine shows that Voodoo Child and Thompson S-8 "Sugar Dragon" are not the same plant.
BTW, the other plant in the background, without the flower, looks to be something of a pink variety, Haley's Comet or Physical Graffiti possibly.

thanks! i will take pics of the segments for a better idea. i remember that the edges are more rounded than the others that i have growing. also, it appears to need cross-pollination. i actually thought it was houghton, which one of them is supposed to be, but my labels rubbed off. you are right about the physical grafitti though... what led you to that conclusion?
Merce,

If one of your plants is supposed to be Houghton, it is probably the one in the photo.  As Rob said, the photo looks a lot like S-8, and Houghton is pretty much indistinguishable from Houghton (which is a parent of S-8). There is a slight difference in the distance between the aureoles and the spine number/length, but at a glance they are hard to tell apart.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on May 13, 2016, 12:48:03 AM
Here is one of the ways I trellis my Pitahayas, this is a Houghton, then a Voodoo Child, and then a Megalanthus on the two cables. They have been in the ground about 6 years and produce at least 150 fruit each year. The present photo shows what it looks like after a heavy pruning last week. The plants are flowering great. However I failed to secure one pole and with the weight of the plants the cables have really sagged.
(http://s32.postimg.cc/et4f4k2rl/pitaya.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/et4f4k2rl/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 16, 2016, 09:22:06 PM
Can I cross pollenate from one flower to another flower from the same dragonfruit plant?  Or it has to be a different  flower from a different dragonfruit plant.
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 16, 2016, 11:45:38 PM
Can I cross pollenate from one flower to another flower from the same dragonfruit plant?  Or it has to be a different  flower from a different dragonfruit plant.
Thanks

It has been my experience... Cross pollinate from one flower to a flower on a different variety plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 17, 2016, 06:41:25 AM
That suck, I have like 20+ bud on my DF ,so far 2 of the bud bloom and hand pollenate them with it self. They just turn yellow and fall off .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gunnar429 on May 17, 2016, 08:03:27 AM
That suck, I have like 20+ bud on my DF ,so far 2 of the bud bloom and hand pollenate them with it self. They just turn yellow and fall off .

This is why many recommend growing a large white variety as a pollinator
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 17, 2016, 12:48:10 PM
That suck, I have like 20+ bud on my DF ,so far 2 of the bud bloom and hand pollenate them with it self. They just turn yellow and fall off .

Your luck will change when you have pollen from another, unrelated plant.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/faces/cincodemayo_zpse5bfd4b5.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 18, 2016, 12:49:11 AM
Get yourself a self-fertile variety to use as a pollinator, that way you are covered both ways. I use the S-8 as my universal pollen source on my plants. it cross pollinates with everything
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 18, 2016, 08:34:20 AM
Can you sell me a cutting (S8). I brought all my cutting from eBay and they all say self pollenate varieties.
I don't trust what they sell on eBay any more regarding to DF cutting.

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 18, 2016, 02:21:50 PM
Yes. Don't trust eBay sellers for DF. I posted about the mis-ID'd varieties I got before. Maybe get cuttings from mattslandscape. There are probably others but he's an early one that I know of. Also, Linda Nickerson of Fallbrook sells her S8 as sugar dragon, and that's known to be self fruitful. She got it from the original breeder -- Paul Thomson.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 18, 2016, 08:57:24 PM
Wow they are alittle pricey for cutting. I guess you want the best . You have to pay for the best.
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 19, 2016, 10:15:35 PM
You can join the pitayafruit@yahoo.com mailing list and see if anyone there will sell you some or wants to get rid of them. You'll likely need to pick them up locally.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jexton on May 25, 2016, 06:42:09 PM
So a few weeks ago I had my first flowers  ;D. Then the rain finally came and I thought awesome!  Everything started looking great fast. Yesterday I noticed the smallest of the 2 flowers looked dark, today that little flower bud fell and the bigger one looks dark.  :'(. Is it the rain? Too much water ?or the heat? What do you think?[/img]
(http://s33.postimg.cc/z0tfhnp0r/20160525_183241.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/z0tfhnp0r/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 25, 2016, 09:38:22 PM
So a few weeks ago I had my first flowers  ;D. Then the rain finally came and I thought awesome!  Everything started looking great fast. Yesterday I noticed the smallest of the 2 flowers looked dark, today that little flower bud fell and the bigger one looks dark.  :'(. Is it the rain? Too much water ?or the heat? What do you think?[/img]
(http://s33.postimg.cc/z0tfhnp0r/20160525_183241.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/z0tfhnp0r/)

From my own personal experience... lack of pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on May 25, 2016, 11:08:27 PM
is this one real? I want to buy it.

(http://s33.postimg.cc/sueq0ewkr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sueq0ewkr/)
http://m.ebay.com/itm/DWARF-Cosmic-Blue-Dragon-Fruit-Hyrbid-Edible-Fruit-Blue-Blooms-Ships-Fast-/141992019851?nav=SEARCH (http://m.ebay.com/itm/DWARF-Cosmic-Blue-Dragon-Fruit-Hyrbid-Edible-Fruit-Blue-Blooms-Ships-Fast-/141992019851?nav=SEARCH)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 26, 2016, 12:54:43 AM
is this one real? I want to buy it.

(http://s33.postimg.cc/sueq0ewkr/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/sueq0ewkr/)
http://m.ebay.com/itm/DWARF-Cosmic-Blue-Dragon-Fruit-Hyrbid-Edible-Fruit-Blue-Blooms-Ships-Fast-/141992019851?nav=SEARCH (http://m.ebay.com/itm/DWARF-Cosmic-Blue-Dragon-Fruit-Hyrbid-Edible-Fruit-Blue-Blooms-Ships-Fast-/141992019851?nav=SEARCH)

photoshop
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on May 26, 2016, 12:56:43 AM
is this one real? I want to buy it.

That is a weird listing! Seller did not even bother to modify the other pictures?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: msk0072 on May 26, 2016, 01:45:32 AM
Photoshoped for sure. How can the color change so rapidly from the skin of the fruit to the thorns?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jexton on May 26, 2016, 11:07:36 AM
So a few weeks ago I had my first flowers  ;D. Then the rain finally came and I thought awesome!  Everything started looking great fast. Yesterday I noticed the smallest of the 2 flowers looked dark, today that little flower bud fell and the bigger one looks dark.  :'(. Is it the rain? Too much water ?or the heat? What do you think?[/img]
(http://s33.postimg.cc/z0tfhnp0r/20160525_183241.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/z0tfhnp0r/)

From my own personal experience... lack of pollination.

The flower was growing. It wasn't ready to flower and the were both about inches long, so they were pretty small. :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 26, 2016, 05:47:45 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on May 26, 2016, 07:13:11 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
I wasted almost four years growing purple haze and physical graffiti thinking it will set fruit on its own(came from a very reputable source).  I ripped the darn thing out last year. The common Vietnamese white dragon will NOT flower(at least mine) the same time as those colorful flesh ones for me to pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 26, 2016, 08:37:36 PM
Ive found that heat is the biggest problem I have with developing flower buds. Once they get to a certain size they become a little more tolerant to weather. Ive had entire waves of flowers wiped out due to a few days of 100-ish degree weather where I live in So Cal. From pea sized to thumb sized, gone in a flash due to heat. If it gets bad, only thing you can do is shade your plants. The ambient air temperature alone isn't enough to do damage, but when you combine that with direct solar heating of the stems and the flower buds, you can be looking at surface temperatures of 120 degrees or more on bright days. And the darker green your plants are, the worse it gets, as the dark foliage absorbs more combined spectrum light, and with it, more heat. Setting up a shade umbrella or tarp will make a big difference.
BTW, Ive never noticed rain (or watering, for that matter) to bother flower buds. It can interfere with the pollinating process if the flower is open and gets wet, though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 26, 2016, 08:49:02 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
I wasted almost four years growing purple haze and physical graffiti thinking it will set fruit on its own(came from a very reputable source).  I ripped the darn thing out last year. The common Vietnamese white dragon will NOT flower(at least mine) the same time as those colorful flesh ones for me to pollinate.
I believe Physical Graffiti should be self-fertile, but not self pollinating (meaning you have to collect and apply the pollen yourself). The plant I have that's supposed to be PG sets its own fruit, but I cross pollinate everything when pollen is available, just to be sure. Early bloomers like S-8 should be in every growers garden to provide a good pollen source, even if you don't plan on growing a large plant of that type. Just plant it along side another and keep it trimmed down enough to supply pollen for the plants you are focusing on. Also, proper pollen collection and storage can help inbetween flushes of flowers so you don't have to panic is they get out of sync mid season. Just air dry out some pollen overnight (just the pollen, remove all other plant parts, bugs, etc) and store it in the freezer in as small of a container as you can and it will keep for weeks if it is properly prepared.
And if anyone is still looking for plants, I do still have S-8 cuttings for people in the area. I don't ship them much anymore as I got in trouble with the post office once for shipping live plant materials out of California without a permit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 26, 2016, 09:16:05 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
I wasted almost four years growing purple haze and physical graffiti thinking it will set fruit on its own(came from a very reputable source).  I ripped the darn thing out last year. The common Vietnamese white dragon will NOT flower(at least mine) the same time as those colorful flesh ones for me to pollinate.

Can you ship me some S8 cutting . Just don't tell the post office its live plants. I will pay for your cutting and shipping .
I believe Physical Graffiti should be self-fertile, but not self pollinating (meaning you have to collect and apply the pollen yourself). The plant I have that's supposed to be PG sets its own fruit, but I cross pollinate everything when pollen is available, just to be sure. Early bloomers like S-8 should be in every growers garden to provide a good pollen source, even if you don't plan on growing a large plant of that type. Just plant it along side another and keep it trimmed down enough to supply pollen for the plants you are focusing on. Also, proper pollen collection and storage can help inbetween flushes of flowers so you don't have to panic is they get out of sync mid season. Just air dry out some pollen overnight (just the pollen, remove all other plant parts, bugs, etc) and store it in the freezer in as small of a container as you can and it will keep for weeks if it is properly prepared.
And if anyone is still looking for plants, I do still have S-8 cuttings for people in the area. I don't ship them much anymore as I got in trouble with the post office once for shipping live plant materials out of California without a permit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 26, 2016, 09:17:34 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
I wasted almost four years growing purple haze and physical graffiti thinking it will set fruit on its own(came from a very reputable source).  I ripped the darn thing out last year. The common Vietnamese white dragon will NOT flower(at least mine) the same time as those colorful flesh ones for me to pollinate.

Can you ship me some S8 cutting . Just don't tell the post office its live plants. I will pay for your cutting and shipping .
I believe Physical Graffiti should be self-fertile, but not self pollinating (meaning you have to collect and apply the pollen yourself). The plant I have that's supposed to be PG sets its own fruit, but I cross pollinate everything when pollen is available, just to be sure. Early bloomers like S-8 should be in every growers garden to provide a good pollen source, even if you don't plan on growing a large plant of that type. Just plant it along side another and keep it trimmed down enough to supply pollen for the plants you are focusing on. Also, proper pollen collection and storage can help inbetween flushes of flowers so you don't have to panic is they get out of sync mid season. Just air dry out some pollen overnight (just the pollen, remove all other plant parts, bugs, etc) and store it in the freezer in as small of a container as you can and it will keep for weeks if it is properly prepared.
And if anyone is still looking for plants, I do still have S-8 cuttings for people in the area. I don't ship them much anymore as I got in trouble with the post office once for shipping live plant materials out of California without a permit
Can you please sell me some S8 cutting . I will PayPal you for cutting and shipping. Just don't tell the post office that you sending live plants.

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 26, 2016, 09:22:57 PM
Here I go again . Ok I was able to cross pollenate my DF with fresh pollen from another varieties. That bloom the same night . After a few day , I though it was going to set fruit . Looking at it today I went to give a light squeeze and it felt mushy . Seem light it about to fall of the DF plant . I'm about to pull the hold plant out and start over with well know self pollenate varieties or should I just leave it ?
I wasted almost four years growing purple haze and physical graffiti thinking it will set fruit on its own(came from a very reputable source).  I ripped the darn thing out last year. The common Vietnamese white dragon will NOT flower(at least mine) the same time as those colorful flesh ones for me to pollinate.
I just spent another $80 on cutting   American beauty , Delight, physical graffiti, Dark Star,.
My wife say I'm going dragon fruit crazy . All the $ I spent on DF . I could just went to an Asian store and brought some at $4.99 lbs . Then it won't be the same as picking your own growing DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 26, 2016, 09:28:27 PM
Here some of DF . I cross pollenate a few days ago with fresh pollen from other varieties. They fell mush when squeezing them .
(http://s33.postimg.cc/4z9dykrln/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4z9dykrln/)

(http://s33.postimg.cc/4xuurf0e3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4xuurf0e3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jexton on May 27, 2016, 01:56:17 PM
Ive found that heat is the biggest problem I have with developing flower buds. Once they get to a certain size they become a little more tolerant to weather. Ive had entire waves of flowers wiped out due to a few days of 100-ish degree weather where I live in So Cal. From pea sized to thumb sized, gone in a flash due to heat. If it gets bad, only thing you can do is shade your plants. The ambient air temperature alone isn't enough to do damage, but when you combine that with direct solar heating of the stems and the flower buds, you can be looking at surface temperatures of 120 degrees or more on bright days. And the darker green your plants are, the worse it gets, as the dark foliage absorbs more combined spectrum light, and with it, more heat. Setting up a shade umbrella or tarp will make a big difference.
BTW, Ive never noticed rain (or watering, for that matter) to bother flower buds. It can interfere with the pollinating process if the flower is open and gets wet, though.

Thank you for your information on the heat and not the water. I will make little canopies next time I get the smalls buds growing.  :P Fingers crossed it's this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: guozhenbang on May 28, 2016, 01:03:06 AM
It is very sweet, and if you like it
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: guozhenbang on May 28, 2016, 03:08:37 AM

(http://s33.postimg.cc/uyc5yi91n/IMG_20160527_184304.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/uyc5yi91n/)

(http://s33.postimg.cc/b37qtf0az/IMG_20160527_184332.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/b37qtf0az/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 28, 2016, 12:05:47 PM
Here some of DF . I cross pollenate a few days ago with fresh pollen from other varieties. They fell mush when squeezing them .
(http://s33.postimg.cc/4z9dykrln/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4z9dykrln/)

(http://s33.postimg.cc/4xuurf0e3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4xuurf0e3/)
Its a little to early to tell for sure but it appears from the bottom picture that you should get fruit from that flower. The flower stems are supposed to wither and dry up, but the base, where its connected to the plant, appears to be solid and green, and that part is the actual fruit. When you notice the 'scales' at the bottom start to spread out or open up, like that picture shows, its a good sign of fruit set. Those scales widen out and the center of that mass expands. In some varieties, the fruit will keep the lengths of the scales, and in others, as the fruit grows, the scales will shorten, almost like they were being absorbed back into the fruit. Id give your fruit another week before you worry about if its been properly fertilized.
And on a side note, I don't think you should ever cut away the withering flower parts of the fruit once you have a fruit set. They do get mushy, yellow and look bad for a bit, but will eventually dry up and become rather small, at which point you can either leave them be or snap them off by hand. The problem with removing the flower stem prematurely is it opens up a small hollow area at the end of the fruit. Much like the navel in a navel orange, and if the fruit is still young it can be more vulnerable to insects and disease until the skin fully matures.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 28, 2016, 05:28:29 PM
Here some of DF . I cross pollenate a few days ago with fresh pollen from other varieties. They fell mush when squeezing them .
(http://s33.postimg.cc/4z9dykrln/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4z9dykrln/)

(http://s33.postimg.cc/4xuurf0e3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/4xuurf0e3/)
Its a little to early to tell for sure but it appears from the bottom picture that you should get fruit from that flower. The flower stems are supposed to wither and dry up, but the base, where its connected to the plant, appears to be solid and green, and that part is the actual fruit. When you notice the 'scales' at the bottom start to spread out or open up, like that picture shows, its a good sign of fruit set. Those scales widen out and the center of that mass expands. In some varieties, the fruit will keep the lengths of the scales, and in others, as the fruit grows, the scales will shorten, almost like they were being absorbed back into the fruit. Id give your fruit another week before you worry about if its been properly fertilized.
And on a side note, I don't think you should ever cut away the withering flower parts of the fruit once you have a fruit set. They do get mushy, yellow and look bad for a bit, but will eventually dry up and become rather small, at which point you can either leave them be or snap them off by hand. The problem with removing the flower stem prematurely is it opens up a small hollow area at the end of the fruit. Much like the navel in a navel orange, and if the fruit is still young it can be more vulnerable to insects and disease until the skin fully matures.

The DF wasn't solid at the stalk. I was wiggling it and decide to pull it off. So I cut it in half . It was a light brown color inside the DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 30, 2016, 11:13:09 PM
The following is from Flowering Behavior and Pollination Requirements in Climbing Cacti with Fruit Crop Potential

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/flowering_behavior_1_zpsgscu5m1q.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/flowering_behavior_2_zpsseoj3qd2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on June 30, 2016, 09:51:27 PM
(https://s32.postimg.cc/52ih7x0nl/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/52ih7x0nl/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/qdg1c6is1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qdg1c6is1/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/tlkip851t/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tlkip851t/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/y8qkqzsep/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y8qkqzsep/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/vsord5ac1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsord5ac1/)


This so called "yellow dragon" cutting is confusing me. The new growth on it is different compared to the original cutting. It's width is 2xs that of the original and the scallops looks kinda different. Can this even happen!?
I hope I wasn't sent the wrong variety. I would be so disappointed.  =(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 30, 2016, 09:59:36 PM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/vsord5ac1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsord5ac1/)


This so called "yellow dragon" cutting is confusing me. The new growth on it is different compared to the original cutting. It's width is 2xs that of the original and the scallops looks kinda different. Can this even happen!?
I hope I wasn't sent the wrong variety. I would be so disappointed.  =(

Which "yellow dragon" variety did you think you ordered?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 01, 2016, 01:06:20 AM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/vsord5ac1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsord5ac1/)


This so called "yellow dragon" cutting is confusing me. The new growth on it is different compared to the original cutting. It's width is 2xs that of the original and the scallops looks kinda different. Can this even happen!?
I hope I wasn't sent the wrong variety. I would be so disappointed.  =(

Which "yellow dragon" variety did you think you ordered?

The online nursery I ordered it from said it was the selenicereus megalanthus variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 01, 2016, 03:10:54 AM
That's no Megalanthus. Who was the seller?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 01, 2016, 03:31:36 AM
That's no Megalanthus. Who was the seller?

I ordered it from this site www.w3plants.com (http://www.w3plants.com) and it's supposedly under botanicals growers network . I assume that means several nurseries sells under this network. Because when I received my package, it said Bay Floral if I remember correctly. I still have the receipt and it definitely says selenicereus megalanthus.
Now I'm definitely ticked off. 
Cause I emailed them when some questions I had and I have not received any response.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 01, 2016, 03:46:52 AM
Always disappointing when you buy something and you don't receive what you expected. Has happened to me 3 times with dragonfruit cuttings. Waited 2-3 years to find out I'd benn duped. If you want quality cuttings, check out www.mattslandscape.com (http://www.mattslandscape.com) . They will look after you. If you have the space, keep that plant. It may turn out to be something good or you could just use it for pollen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 01, 2016, 04:03:09 AM
Always disappointing when you buy something and you don't receive what you expected. Has happened to me 3 times with dragonfruit cuttings. Waited 2-3 years to find out I'd benn duped. If you want quality cuttings, check out www.mattslandscape.com (http://www.mattslandscape.com) . They will look after you. If you have the space, keep that plant. It may turn out to be something good or you could just use it for pollen.


Yeah it sucks. Now I'll just have to wait and see what it gives me.
They even had the picture of the fruit on their site. But I heard its hard to grow the megalanthus in the Bay Area.
I've tried several times trying to order from mattslandscape but it never lets me check out.
My next stop is to order from etsy. I found a seller from there that has the yellow dragon. Just that they currently don't have it in stock. Now I'm just wondering if it's worth growing since I'm not sure how it grows in the Bay Area cause I heard this variety is really picky and I have limited space.
Ugh... It sucks waiting for 3 years to find out you were sold something totally different .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 01, 2016, 01:40:46 PM

I've tried several times trying to order from mattslandscape but it never lets me check out.
My next stop is to order from etsy. I found a seller from there that has the yellow dragon. Just that they currently don't have it in stock. Now I'm just wondering if it's worth growing since I'm not sure how it grows in the Bay Area cause I heard this variety is really picky and I have limited space.


Try Mattslandscape's  www.epicacti.com (http://www.epicacti.com) for ordering. Matt also sells under different names on eBay and Amazon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: akanonui on July 01, 2016, 01:43:29 PM
I have two pink graffiti dragon fruits that I bought and grew from cuttings. I've had them for at least 2 years now and neither of them have done any vining and only one of them has put out a single branch. What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 01, 2016, 01:46:33 PM
I have two pink graffiti dragon fruits that I bought and grew from cuttings. I've had them for at least 2 years now and neither of them have done any vining and only one of them has put out a single branch. What am I doing wrong?

Maybe it has something to do with where in the World you live... A land that makes difficult growing any manner of edible flora.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 01, 2016, 04:54:02 PM

I've tried several times trying to order from mattslandscape but it never lets me check out.
My next stop is to order from etsy. I found a seller from there that has the yellow dragon. Just that they currently don't have it in stock. Now I'm just wondering if it's worth growing since I'm not sure how it grows in the Bay Area cause I heard this variety is really picky and I have limited space.


Try Mattslandscape's  www.epicacti.com (http://www.epicacti.com) for ordering. Matt also sells under different names on eBay and Amazon.

Thanks Ric! Had no idea   =)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: akanonui on July 01, 2016, 11:32:59 PM
I have two pink graffiti dragon fruits that I bought and grew from cuttings. I've had them for at least 2 years now and neither of them have done any vining and only one of them has put out a single branch. What am I doing wrong?

Maybe it has something to do with where in the World you live... A land that makes difficult growing any manner of edible flora.
Yeah, well, I live in southern Michigan sadly. The plants are taken in every winter and kept under intense grow lights and watered not too regularly. I even have applied cacti fertilizer to no avail. I can post pics if needed but I would just like them to grow... I have seen other northern tropical fruit growers like one person from Pennsylvania actually have several large fruiting dragon fruit and I still have these little twerps. I might-as-well buy new cuttings at this stage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 02, 2016, 01:56:29 AM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/v00i3q4pt/20160116_162023.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v00i3q4pt/)
This is what the branch of the Megalanthus should look like. Inverted scalloping on the branches, thinner stalks and woody, almost rose-like thorns. What you have almost looks like Physical Graffiti or another pink variety. BTW, just as a side note, Ive all but given up on growing Megalanthus at my house. Its a fussy plant, disease prone (at least here) and doesn't seem to want to flower for me. And while ive found the fruit to be very sweet, I wouldn't call it flavorful. Like comparing sugar water to lemonade. I prefer to the fruit to have more texture to the flavor, and theres a wide range of that available. Besides, I'm also not really sold on the visual aspect of Megallanthus either; something about the translucent meat of the fruit weirds me out a bit.
If you were in the area Id gladly give you some cuttings for free, as I'm cutting out what I have left of the yellows anyways. Perhaps I can even ship you some if you'd like. Send me a personal message here on the board and we can discuss it, if you're interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 02, 2016, 10:57:32 AM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/v00i3q4pt/20160116_162023.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v00i3q4pt/)
This is what the branch of the Megalanthus should look like. Inverted scalloping on the branches, thinner stalks and woody, almost rose-like thorns. What you have almost looks like Physical Graffiti or another pink variety. BTW, just as a side note, Ive all but given up on growing Megalanthus at my house. Its a fussy plant, disease prone (at least here) and doesn't seem to want to flower for me. And while ive found the fruit to be very sweet, I wouldn't call it flavorful. Like comparing sugar water to lemonade. I prefer to the fruit to have more texture to the flavor, and theres a wide range of that available. Besides, I'm also not really sold on the visual aspect of Megallanthus either; something about the translucent meat of the fruit weirds me out a bit.
If you were in the area Id gladly give you some cuttings for free, as I'm cutting out what I have left of the yellows anyways. Perhaps I can even ship you some if you'd like. Send me a personal message here on the board and we can discuss it, if you're interested.


I had thought I was sent a immature cutting.   ={   Why can't some nurseries get their act together. Oh well, if it's physical graffiti that they "accidently " sent me, I'll take it cause that was on my list too. Just due to space issue , I was holding off on it.
I wish I live close to you but I live north of you. Thank you for the very generous offer.   =)   
I think from what I've googled after unfortunately finding out I was sent the wrong variety and after reading what you've mentioned, I think I'll hold off in getting another s. Megalanthus for now. Looking at your weather and comparing it to mine, I don't think it'll do well in my area either. I heard someone growing it in concord in a greenhouse and it has never fruited for him and he has a friend who grows them in Hawaii. And I live pretty close to concord. If it's not even doing well for him , I don't think I'll have any luck with it.
And I've also read that it's been said that it tastes really sweet with the first bite and then your taste buds get accustomed to the sugar and you'll just finally end up tasting sugar water like you said. I was hoping for more flavor in a dragon fruit which I thought this one had with all the hype I've heard about this one tasting the best.
Oh well, I think I'll stick to the ones I think will grow better for me like the purple haze which I heard has a hint of grape flavor. And also the Thompson S8 which I think is much easier to grow than the yellow.
By the way, which one do you prefer ?
And once again , thanks for the generous offer!
I'll hold off on getting it for now.  Wanna see how the others do for me first after hearing that it's fussy     =).    And having a small garden with limited space    =(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 02, 2016, 11:54:59 AM
I just went back to the site I had ordered it from. Looks like they probably sent me a unknown pink or purple variety cause I don't see them having any named variety on their site for sale besides the s. Megalanthus.  That should've been a enough warning sign for me not to order from there. Lesson learned.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on July 02, 2016, 07:06:44 PM
So my DF has  root was rotted . Thanks to a forum member for letting me know what wrong with my DF. I decided to yank it up and the tip of the root are rotted. Can I take a scissors and trim the rotted root part off and replanted ?

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 02, 2016, 10:57:06 PM
So my DF has  root was rotted . Thanks to a forum member for letting me know what wrong with my DF. I decided to yank it up and the tip of the root are rotted. Can I take a scissors and trim the rotted root part off and replanted ?

Thanks

Yes trim it off and let the cut part callus over before replanting
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on July 02, 2016, 11:34:20 PM
So my DF has  root was rotted . Thanks to a forum member for letting me know what wrong with my DF. I decided to yank it up and the tip of the root are rotted. Can I take a scissors and trim the rotted root part off and replanted ?

Thanks

Yes trim it off and let the cut part callus over before replanting
Yes, let it callus over, only wet the soil once, put the cutting a few inches in, then stake it. I put a plastic bag over the top with a few more stakes to hold the plastic above the cutting and place in the shade. Just don't water it until the roots take.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 02, 2016, 11:48:36 PM

I had thought I was sent a immature cutting.   ={   Why can't some nurseries get their act together. Oh well, if it's physical graffiti that they "accidently " sent me, I'll take it cause that was on my list too. Just due to space issue , I was holding off on it.


There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 03, 2016, 12:17:35 AM

I had thought I was sent a immature cutting.   ={   Why can't some nurseries get their act together. Oh well, if it's physical graffiti that they "accidently " sent me, I'll take it cause that was on my list too. Just due to space issue , I was holding off on it.


There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(


That's why it sucks   =(
I wish there were a easier way to identify different varieties but I know that's Impossible and the only way to be sure is if you get it to fruit.   :(
But I've looked back onto their site and they only sell unnamed pink, purple, red and white varieties and the yellow Meg. So I guess I got either one of those sent to me beside the one I had ordered..... Hahaha
Now I got a guessing game for myself and only time will tell what I've been sent    =)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 03, 2016, 01:10:02 AM
S-8 is by far the easiest to grow for me, and the most hearty, and has, what I consider to be the best tasting fruit. I only wish the fruits were larger, which is the plant's only real downside. you can get 100 fruit or more per plant a season once its a mature size, but in weight, its the same as getting 30-40 on a plant that produces 1lb size fruits. But the flavor is amazing, not just the sweetness. I use it for making ice cream, sauces of cooking, smoothies, etc. and I'm going to be experimenting this year with jams, jellies and syrups. Plus, the plant has the more woody thorns, like the megalanthus does, and that makes it easier to grow because you don't have to worry about constant pin-pricks from needle-like thorns.
I also have a red variety which is either Orejona or Cebra (seen the same plant with both names, and ones wrong), Physical Graffiti, Haleys Comet, a bunch of American Beauty, an experimental red variety which I think is a Costaricensis, a white seed grown that the folks at Elk Creek created, and a bunch of other random plants, either unknown names or started from seed, one of which is mature this year, and I can finally nail down some characteristics about it, hopefully. Since all my plants are bunched together, its getting hard to keep track of what I have, and what fruit came from what plant.
I can probably send you S-8 cuttings also, if you don't mind covering the cost of a USPS flat rate box. Again, you can contact me directly if youre interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 03, 2016, 01:11:56 AM
There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(

That's why it sucks   =(
I wish there were a easier way to identify different varieties but I know that's Impossible and the only way to be sure is if you get it to fruit.   :(
But I've looked back onto their site and they only sell unnamed pink, purple, red and white varieties and the yellow Meg. So I guess I got either one of those sent to me beside the one I had ordered..... Hahaha
Now I got a guessing game for myself and only time will tell what I've been sent    =)

You can't positively identify that it is Physical Graffiti by looking at or tasting the fruit. There are several DF fruit "looks like" Physical Graffiti.

The only way to positively identify a Physical Graffiti plant/cutting is with DNA sequencing.  :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 03, 2016, 02:11:16 AM
S-8 is by far the easiest to grow for me, and the most hearty, and has, what I consider to be the best tasting fruit. I only wish the fruits were larger, which is the plant's only real downside. you can get 100 fruit or more per plant a season once its a mature size, but in weight, its the same as getting 30-40 on a plant that produces 1lb size fruits. But the flavor is amazing, not just the sweetness. I use it for making ice cream, sauces of cooking, smoothies, etc. and I'm going to be experimenting this year with jams, jellies and syrups. Plus, the plant has the more woody thorns, like the megalanthus does, and that makes it easier to grow because you don't have to worry about constant pin-pricks from needle-like thorns.
I also have a red variety which is either Orejona or Cebra (seen the same plant with both names, and ones wrong), Physical Graffiti, Haleys Comet, a bunch of American Beauty, an experimental red variety which I think is a Costaricensis, a white seed grown that the folks at Elk Creek created, and a bunch of other random plants, either unknown names or started from seed, one of which is mature this year, and I can finally nail down some characteristics about it, hopefully. Since all my plants are bunched together, its getting hard to keep track of what I have, and what fruit came from what plant.
I can probably send you S-8 cuttings also, if you don't mind covering the cost of a USPS flat rate box. Again, you can contact me directly if youre interested.



Yes, that's what I've heard about s 8 is the size. But if it tastes and grows as good as you've said, it's well worth it.
And wow! You have a huge collection of different varieties. Wish my garden was as big so I'm not stuck with limited space and be able to add to my collection like you have.
Smoothies sounds yummy. I love making smoothies. Adding the s 8 would make the smoothies tastes much better and give it an extra level of flavor. Jellies and syrup sounds really nice too! Maybe syrup drizzled on some vanilla ice cream or crepe.
Thank you for your offer :)
I've already been able to obtain a s 8 cutting. Hopefully I'm not sent the wrong one again.  😖
But the seller has confirmed with me it's the correct one and the cutting was also labeled.
Can I ask if you can possibly post a picture of your s 8 vines?
I just want to assure myself that hopefully I got the correct one this time around.
Thanks a bunch!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 03, 2016, 02:14:59 AM
There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(

That's why it sucks   =(
I wish there were a easier way to identify different varieties but I know that's Impossible and the only way to be sure is if you get it to fruit.   :(
But I've looked back onto their site and they only sell unnamed pink, purple, red and white varieties and the yellow Meg. So I guess I got either one of those sent to me beside the one I had ordered..... Hahaha
Now I got a guessing game for myself and only time will tell what I've been sent    =)

You can't positively identify that it is Physical Graffiti by looking at or tasting the fruit. There are several DF fruit "looks like" Physical Graffiti.

The only way to positively identify a Physical Graffiti plant/cutting is with DNA sequencing.  :-\


That is such a hassle for a small grower like me.  😖
I guess if someone's a avid collector, that would be feasible.
I guess I'll just be happy as long as it tastes good instead of having a bland flavor. 😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 03, 2016, 12:49:33 PM
There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(

That's why it sucks   =(
I wish there were a easier way to identify different varieties but I know that's Impossible and the only way to be sure is if you get it to fruit.   :(
But I've looked back onto their site and they only sell unnamed pink, purple, red and white varieties and the yellow Meg. So I guess I got either one of those sent to me beside the one I had ordered..... Hahaha
Now I got a guessing game for myself and only time will tell what I've been sent    =)

You can't positively identify that it is Physical Graffiti by looking at or tasting the fruit. There are several DF fruit "looks like" Physical Graffiti.

The only way to positively identify a Physical Graffiti plant/cutting is with DNA sequencing.  :-\

That is such a hassle for a small grower like me.  😖
I guess if someone's a avid collector, that would be feasible.
I guess I'll just be happy as long as it tastes good instead of having a bland flavor. 😊

You do what you need to do, but my advice to other small growers, new to Dragon Fruit, is to not waste years on seedlings or cuttings to see if the fruit tastes good. IMO better to obtain cuttings of known good tasting varieties from a reliable source. Also make sure you start with at least two varieties that can cross pollinate. Physical Graffiti is a good choice for one variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 03, 2016, 01:24:59 PM
There are lots of Dragon Fruit whose cuttings "looks like" Physical Graffiti.
You cannot assume that you have a real Physical Graffiti clone cutting.
:-(

That's why it sucks   =(
I wish there were a easier way to identify different varieties but I know that's Impossible and the only way to be sure is if you get it to fruit.   :(
But I've looked back onto their site and they only sell unnamed pink, purple, red and white varieties and the yellow Meg. So I guess I got either one of those sent to me beside the one I had ordered..... Hahaha
Now I got a guessing game for myself and only time will tell what I've been sent    =)

You can't positively identify that it is Physical Graffiti by looking at or tasting the fruit. There are several DF fruit "looks like" Physical Graffiti.

The only way to positively identify a Physical Graffiti plant/cutting is with DNA sequencing.  :-\

That is such a hassle for a small grower like me.  😖
I guess if someone's a avid collector, that would be feasible.
I guess I'll just be happy as long as it tastes good instead of having a bland flavor. 😊

You do what you need to do, but my advice to other small growers, new to Dragon Fruit, is to not waste years on seedlings or cuttings to see if the fruit tastes good. IMO better to obtain cuttings of known good tasting varieties from reliable source. Also make sure you start with at least two varieties that can cross pollinate. Physical Graffiti is a good choice for one variety.


Totally agree with your advice 😊
I wish I had know found a reputable source earlier and this wonderful forum where everyone here is so helpful with their advice.
But since I already wasted money and time on it already might as well wait. But I'm glad I have the Thompson variety which I've been told is a great one for pollination and purple haze to keep me busy for a while.
In the meanwhile , I might slowly weed out this unknown variety as soon as I can make more space and see how the others are growing for me cause I know not all climates are suitable for growing this fruit.
So new growers , please heed Ric's advice. 😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 03, 2016, 01:29:42 PM
Totally agree with your advice 😊
I wish I had know found a reputable source earlier and this wonderful forum where everyone here is so helpful with their advice.
But since I already wasted money and time on it already might as well wait. But I'm glad I have the Thompson variety which I've been told is a great one for pollination and purple haze to keep me busy for a while.
In the meanwhile , I might slowly weed out this unknown variety as soon as I can make more space and see how the others are growing for me cause I know not all climates are suitable for growing this fruit.
So new growers , please heed Ric's advice. 😊

If you have a Thompson variety and Purple Haze and an unknown variety, then you are on your way to success getting good fruit in a couple of years.  :)

Keep the unknown variety for pollen source... "Purple Haze" is reported to be Thomson 5-S.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 03, 2016, 01:45:51 PM
Totally agree with your advice
I wish I had know found a reputable source earlier and this wonderful forum where everyone here is so helpful with their advice.
But since I already wasted money and time on it already might as well wait. But I'm glad I have the Thompson variety which I've been told is a great one for pollination and purple haze to keep me busy for a while.
In the meanwhile , I might slowly weed out this unknown variety as soon as I can make more space and see how the others are growing for me cause I know not all climates are suitable for growing this fruit.
So new growers , please heed Ric's advice.

If you have a Thompson variety and Purple Haze and an unknown variety, then you are on your way to success getting good fruit in a couple of years.  :)

Keep the unknown variety for pollen source... "Purple Haze" is reported to be Thomson 5-S.


I had no idea purple haze was a Thompson variety too! I learn something new everytime on this forum.
I can't wait to see the fruit of those two variety.
Never thought about using the unknown for pollen, great idea!   :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on July 04, 2016, 06:00:46 AM
Been having lots of progress on both cuttings and on my seedlings, both old and new, now that I have acquired a greenhouse :) Sadly last year my mom ended up knocking one of my DF so it broke. Made a cutting out of the broken stem, and they have both given out new growth. I am definetly happy how my seedlings are turning out, and I will by the end of the season cut them off and root them for better rootbase.
My cuttings are American Beauty, older seedlings are from an unknown white variety, and new seedlings are from a yellowskinned variety named Golden Dragon I think
(https://s32.postimg.cc/deyhl37i9/IMG_4434.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/deyhl37i9/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/qkdzr71dt/IMG_4435.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qkdzr71dt/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/w9ytp8wxt/IMG_4436.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/w9ytp8wxt/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/k9ddoipj5/IMG_4437.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k9ddoipj5/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/vmzwzq01t/IMG_4440.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vmzwzq01t/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/77royo14x/IMG_4441.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/77royo14x/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/9dlzt64ld/IMG_4442.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9dlzt64ld/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 04, 2016, 08:50:09 PM
This is what my garden looked like at the beginning of the season:

(https://s31.postimg.cc/hgvnld3xj/DSCN1525.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hgvnld3xj/)
This is S-8 on the left, Haley's Comet on the right


(https://s32.postimg.cc/6kyr90nvl/DSCN1524.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6kyr90nvl/)
G-2 Guatemalan variety on the right, more S-8 to the left

 
(https://s31.postimg.cc/3x4nxqg7b/DSCN1526.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3x4nxqg7b/)
The jungle of random dragon fruit


(https://s32.postimg.cc/3pugseaz5/DSCN1529.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pugseaz5/)
And from the other end

(https://s31.postimg.cc/tde3dz19j/20160426_160503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tde3dz19j/)
And this is hopefully what your S-8 cutting looks like, dark green with the rosy thorns.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sandy.L on July 05, 2016, 12:09:11 AM
Wow Rob! You have an amazing jungle! Can't wait for mine to grow as big as yours. I can tell you've put a lot of work into this and it's definitely paid off. You must harvest a lot of fruits!
And thank you for posting the S 8!  :)
And I'm glad the seller that sold me the S 8 didn't send me a different cutting like the nursery did!
My s 8 definitely looks like yours!
Can't wait for mine to get bigger and bear fruit !  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 10, 2016, 11:43:20 PM
[snipped quote and photo]
Looks a lot like the one I bought from Lowe's yesterday! But yours appears to have three plants in the pot, whereas mine has only two.


So, 22 months after buying this plant from Lowe's/La Verne, I finally have my first flower buds!


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkFirstFlowerBuds.jpg)


There are two here, on a descending branch, and then one on top of my trellis, on a horizontal segment.


Did I read somewhere that they like to flower primarily on descending branches?


The plant hasn't grown much in the last year; you can see it behind my latest trellis:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePink22Months.jpg)


I built three of these, and today I up-potted my La Verne Yellow (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg223852#new), my Lomita White (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg223148#msg223148), and my Physical Graffiti (thanks, Ric!).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2016, 12:07:24 AM
Congrats on being a proud papa!
Yes, dragon fruit buds tend to show up more frequently on hanging branches; I believe it has something to do with chemicals being pushed further and further in the plants structure, then building up as it has nowhere further to go. Plus, the hanging branches tend to get better sunlight, which is also a factor.
BTW, is that plant with the buds on it your 'white' fruit variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 11, 2016, 01:12:59 AM
BTW, is that plant with the buds on it your 'white' fruit variety?


This is La Verne Pink.


The other 3 varieties are about a year behind this one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 11, 2016, 03:12:39 AM
I'm not familiar with that pink variety but given that a lot of varieties need to be cross pollinated for successful fruit set, you should keep an eye out for other dragonfruit flowering in your neighbourhood just in case you want some pollen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on July 11, 2016, 07:34:20 AM
This is what my garden looked like at the beginning of the season:

(https://s31.postimg.cc/hgvnld3xj/DSCN1525.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hgvnld3xj/)
This is S-8 on the left, Haley's Comet on the right


(https://s32.postimg.cc/6kyr90nvl/DSCN1524.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6kyr90nvl/)
G-2 Guatemalan variety on the right, more S-8 to the left

 
(https://s31.postimg.cc/3x4nxqg7b/DSCN1526.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3x4nxqg7b/)
The jungle of random dragon fruit


(https://s32.postimg.cc/3pugseaz5/DSCN1529.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pugseaz5/)
And from the other end

(https://s31.postimg.cc/tde3dz19j/20160426_160503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tde3dz19j/)
And this is hopefully what your S-8 cutting looks like, dark green with the rosy thorns.

Wow are your DF planted in a container or in ground.

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 11, 2016, 05:23:31 PM
I'm not familiar with that pink variety but given that a lot of varieties need to be cross pollinated for successful fruit set, you should keep an eye out for other dragonfruit flowering in your neighbourhood just in case you want some pollen.


Good advice; thanks!


The parents and grandparent of my Lomita White are about 15 minutes away, on my drive to work. I'll have to check with the residents of both houses to see if I can trespass at midnight during pollination season.


The good news is that I drove by this morning, and both plants have buds on them that are about the same size as those on my La Verne Pink, so these two varieties are calendar-compatible.


I also checked my plant more carefully this morning, and I have 11 buds at various stages all over the plant. These are all from a single vertical stem, which has probably 75%-80% of the plant mass you see here:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePink22Months2.jpg)


There are 3 other stems, but they're way behind.


Is that too many flowers for one relatively small plant? Should I cull? Or am I getting way ahead of myself?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2016, 05:41:45 PM

The parents and grandparent of my Lomita White are about 15 minutes away, on my drive to work. I'll have to check with the residents of both houses to see if I can trespass at midnight during pollination season.


The good news is that I drove by this morning, and both plants have buds on them that are about the same size as those on my La Verne Pink, so these two varieties are calendar-compatible.


By "parents and grandparent" of your Lomita White, does that mean grown from a seed?

If grown from a "cutting" then the "parent" flower pollen will genetically the same as your Lomita White flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 11, 2016, 06:21:39 PM

The parents and grandparent of my Lomita White are about 15 minutes away, on my drive to work. I'll have to check with the residents of both houses to see if I can trespass at midnight during pollination season.

The good news is that I drove by this morning, and both plants have buds on them that are about the same size as those on my La Verne Pink, so these two varieties are calendar-compatible.

By "parents and grandparent" of your Lomita White, does that mean grown from a seed?

If grown from a "cutting" then the "parent" flower pollen will genetically the same as your Lomita White flower.
They're all cuttings, so they're all genetically identical. But my Lomita White is probably at least a year from flowering, so I need to find a mature plant elsewhere from which to pollinate my La Verne Pink this year.


In future years I should be OK, at least for these two.


When does Physical Graffiti flower, typically?


What about Megalanthus?


I just remembered that there's one two more dragon fruit plants that I know of, in Manhattan Beach. I'll have to do a drive-by during lunch tomorrow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2016, 10:28:37 PM
My physical graffiti are just starting to get the first buds of the season, but my location and sun exposure makes my flowering cycle non-typical for similar plants.
As for my planting methods, in the first 2 pics, all are in the ground except for the G-2, which is in a container. Given the chance to start over, I would have container grown them all, but these were some of my first plants. In ground hasn't been too bad, as gophers are uncommon here and the neighborhood has a nighttime patrol of many many (MANY) cats, so they don't last long when they do show up.
.
.
Also, I wanted to mention that UC Irvine has just announced the scheduling for its annual pitahaya festival and site tour. Its a good day out for anyone who wants to take their growing a little more seriously. Ill see if I can find some more specifics to pass along.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2016, 11:16:07 PM
I have several DF varieties with small flower buds on them. My Armando has already flowered twice, has a couple more buds that should open this week, and a dozen small buds hopefully will flower around the same time as my other varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2016, 11:18:30 PM

The parents and grandparent of my Lomita White are about 15 minutes away, on my drive to work. I'll have to check with the residents of both houses to see if I can trespass at midnight during pollination season.

The good news is that I drove by this morning, and both plants have buds on them that are about the same size as those on my La Verne Pink, so these two varieties are calendar-compatible.

By "parents and grandparent" of your Lomita White, does that mean grown from a seed?

If grown from a "cutting" then the "parent" flower pollen will genetically the same as your Lomita White flower.
They're all cuttings, so they're all genetically identical. But my Lomita White is probably at least a year from flowering, so I need to find a mature plant elsewhere from which to pollinate my La Verne Pink this year.

In future years I should be OK, at least for these two.

When does Physical Graffiti flower, typically?

What about Megalanthus?

I just remembered that there's one two more dragon fruit plants that I know of, in Manhattan Beach. I'll have to do a drive-by during lunch tomorrow.

Gotsha! I misread you original post.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 02:25:50 AM
So here are my 4 DFs and my 5 beehives behind them:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitAndHives.jpg)


From nearest to farthest I have La Verne Pink, Physical Graffiti, La Verne Yellow, and Lomita White. Not shown is a La Verne Red cutting that has just started to grow, so I'll need to find a place for it at the end of summer.


In a year or so the bees might take care of pollinating (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb6lgt30IWY) for me, but until then I'm going to have to drive around town and beg for pollen  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 12, 2016, 03:13:01 AM
If you do happen to need pollen from someone else's dragonfruit, it's always worth offering to pollinate their flowers at the same time. Return the favour so to keep everyone happy and I'm sure they would be stoked to see dragonfruit on their own plant. Especially if it hadn't produced before.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 12, 2016, 01:04:57 PM
So here are my 4 DFs and my 5 beehives behind them:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitAndHives.jpg)


Very nice and sturdy wooden supports.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/faces/flo_zps18dee8b2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 01:12:36 PM
Thanks! They're probably ridiculously over-built, but that's better than ridiculously under-built. I have some ideas (inspired by others on this thread) for my next one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 01:16:13 PM
If you do happen to need pollen from someone else's dragonfruit, it's always worth offering to pollinate their flowers at the same time. Return the favour so to keep everyone happy and I'm sure they would be stoked to see dragonfruit on their own plant. Especially if it hadn't produced before.


Yes! That's my plan. I'm going to write some letters and leave them in mailboxes if they don't answer their doors.


For my La Verne Pink, the pot wrap did say, "Grow your own fruit!" with no warning about pollination, so I'm hoping mine is self-fertile. But I'm a belt-and-suspenders kind of guy, and also a bit of an experimenter, so I plan to:
and compare the difference.


How much time do I have? If my oldest buds are about an inch long today, how long until they are likely to bloom? Do I have days or weeks? This photo sequence (https://apartmentfarmer.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/dragonfruit-timeline-flower-to-fruit/) suggests that it takes off very quickly once it reaches some critical stage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 01:27:45 PM
What about Megalanthus?


Ok, now I'm confused. Is my La Verne Yellow a Hylocereus Megalanthus or Selenicereus megalanthus? I see it referred to both ways. Or is there more than one "yellow dragon fruit" species?


Will it cross-pollinate with my other Hylocereus plants?


Here's what the plant looks like:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVerneYellowCloseUp.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 12, 2016, 04:29:03 PM
How much time do I have? If my oldest buds are about an inch long today, how long until they are likely to bloom? Do I have days or weeks? This photo sequence (https://apartmentfarmer.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/dragonfruit-timeline-flower-to-fruit/) suggests that it takes off very quickly once it reaches some critical stage.

You probably have about 2 weeks before a 1 inch long bud opens as a flower (at least in Florida you would).
My Purple Haze.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze1.jpg)
One week later.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze2.jpg)
Probably about another week has passed. Opening that night.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/PurpleHaze4.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 04:53:31 PM
You probably have about 2 weeks before a 1 inch long bud opens as a flower (at least in Florida you would).

Perfect! Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for.


I was also looking for pollen sources, so I drove out to visit the two DFs in Redondo Beach that I saw last September.


This first one is a great example of DFs not needing much space:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF1_1.jpg)


There are probably 6-8 vertical stems in the box:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF1_4.jpg)


and the owner keeps the rest pruned into a tight umbrella. Except for the back branches that are climbing up the fence:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF1_3.jpg)


I only saw one fruit on it today:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF1_2.jpg)


but that may be because it's too early in the season. Here's what it looked like on September 15, 2015:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF1_5.jpg)


So this is not going to be a good pollen source for me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 05:05:54 PM
But this one looks promising. It's 50 yards from the first one, and it grows out over the top of a brick wall, with branches and leaves exposed to the public sidewalk:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF2_1.jpg)


It's been pruned so as not to kill passersby, but there's still a lot of plant hanging over, including at least 7 flowers. One of the biggest was this size:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/RedondoBeachDF2_2.jpg)


Based on the DM's photos and my previous link, it looks like that's just over 1 week from blooming. Does that sound about right?


I'll be 1.1 miles from there at 10:00 PM in 8 days, so that could be perfect. I'll be the nut case walking around Redondo Beach with a headlamp, a paint brush, and a little plastic tub.


The Infallible Internet says that pollen can stay in the refrigerator for two weeks or in the freezer for a month. What says the TFF?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 12, 2016, 05:10:18 PM
You probably have about 2 weeks before a 1 inch long bud opens as a flower (at least in Florida you would).


Uh oh. This could be a close one. If today is Day 0 I'm out of town on Days 10 - 13. I'm home the evening of Day 14, and then I leave town on Day 15 for 10 days, returning Day 25.


So I have exactly one evening to pollinate my flowers. :o


I'll talk to them tonight, and tell them how critical it is that they all bloom exactly on the night of the 26th. ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on July 12, 2016, 05:27:29 PM

OK
so i mis-calculated a bit... LOL


i planted it in fall, thinking it would get more sun than this  on the side of the house
in summer however, the sun comes almost straight down
the eve off the house shading it.
in morning and evening the face of the house gets a bit

but, the plant figured out a way to grab some sun
and i helped it a bit.
it grew up to the eves
and i used some nails and nylon string to help it a bit.
its pretty secure
but, now it has another climber as company


(https://s31.postimg.cc/8ddyqgvaf/dragon_front_hou.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8ddyqgvaf/)



(https://s31.postimg.cc/dahfhauw7/front_dragon_windo.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dahfhauw7/)


older pics
(https://s31.postimg.cc/iuojy9hpz/drag.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iuojy9hpz/)


(https://s31.postimg.cc/m1owujag7/drag.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m1owujag7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 12, 2016, 10:51:01 PM
My oldest df cutting was received and potted last April, and today I saw the first flower buds, whopping four of them!! OK it looks like they came relatively late. And I totally forgot to feed them. What fertilizers should I give df at this stage? Fingers crossed that I'll be in town when they flower...

Physical graffiti is listed as self-pollinating by online sources, hopefully it means I do not need to hunt for other sources of pollen for this later bloomer!! The rest of my baby df will likely wait until next summer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 13, 2016, 12:33:14 AM
If youre ever in the area of city of Ontario (where the Interstate 15 meets Hwy 60) Id be more than happy to pass along some pollen to you. I harvest from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of pure pollen each night and dry, then freeze it for long term storage. You can probably pollinate 100 flowers with what I harvest each night and it'll stay viable for months if kept frozen. Sadly, I cant ship it though, because it requires special handling for the ice/cooling materials and you don't want the whole thing to warm back up in a box.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 13, 2016, 12:46:52 AM
Thanks for the offer! I don't get out that way very much, but if I ever do, I'll give you a ring.

I just watched Edgar Valdivia's excellent video on pollination (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqrOkUAxYCE). He notes that his plants take 30 days from "button" to blooming flower, and then another 30 days from bloom to fruit. He also recommends _not_ freezing pollen, but I've seen enough references from people like you using frozen pollen that I'll assume it works just fine.

I did find Edgar's accent a bit hard to parse at times, so I turned on YouTube's automatically generated closed-captions.  :o :o :o

"because you have to do cross-pollination from one party deployments from Longford to know if it okay for civil deflower"

and

"you have a kid Dolce you have here this statement that dissimilar Park you have here the I'm dish that Indian food and dishes where the pollen is"

My first thought was, "I can do better than YouTube." So I did. I edited the caption file, put it in my dropbox (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/Pitahaya_Pollination_Valdivia.flv.srt), and sent a link to Edgar. I don't know whether he'll upload it over the video or not, but you can open it in any text editor if you want to see what I think he said  ;D .


edit: added link
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 13, 2016, 07:07:30 PM
One of the reasons Edgar doesn't recommend freezing pollen is his collection method, which is to cut out the anthers of the flowers as he goes along, mix them in a jar and brush pollinate out of the mixture. He's got ALOT of work to do to maintain his plants so he uses this method to speed things up. And if you try and freeze the pollen with the various plant parts it makes a bit of a mess when you try and thaw it for use. When I collect my pollen, its JUST the pollen. I shake it loose from the flowers and harvest it that way. Then I air dry it out a bit to minimize the damage caused by ice crystals forming, then into the freezer it goes. Its the drying part that makes freezing much more successful.

(https://s31.postimg.cc/8wnp0lw5z/20160713_065351.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8wnp0lw5z/)

This is one nights collection, from about a dozen S-8 flowers, after I did my rounds pollinating the other species that happened to be in bloom that night.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 13, 2016, 07:36:02 PM
Ahh! Thanks! I was just going to ask about that.


Do you defrost it before use? Or just brush it on cold?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 13, 2016, 11:30:31 PM
I let it sit for about 5 minutes. I'm sure it thaws nearly instantly, but that gives any additional moisture that forms from the cold a chance to disperse too.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 14, 2016, 01:00:22 PM
Thank you for sharing, Rob!

I've been wondering if there is a reputable source that lists each variety's pollination needs: cross pollination, self-pollinating, self-fertile... Some online sources are self-conflicting  :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 14, 2016, 01:09:33 PM
Thank you for sharing, Rob!

I've been wondering if there is a reputable source that lists each variety's pollination needs: cross pollination, self-pollinating, self-fertile... Some online sources are self-conflicting  :'(


^^ I think part of the problem is that cultivar identification is so unreliable. As we've seen, repeatedly, in this thread, people are sold X, but 2.5 years later they end up with Y. And that's when the difference is obvious, like flesh color. If two varieties have similar colored flesh, how is anyone to know what variety they actually have without an expensive DNA test?


So if someone reports that X is self-pollinating, how do we know they actually have X, unless they can confirm their plant came from a reputable seller?


I'm calling my plant "La Verne Pink" because the pot overwrap is consistent with La Verne Nursery's packaging, and the hang tag said "Pink flesh." But I bought it from Lowe's, so I can't actually confirm that it's from La Verne.


My yellow plant definitely came from La Verne, because I physically visited La Verne and picked it up myself. La Verne says they propagate all their yellow plants from the same mother plant. But even La Verne doesn't know the name of the cultivar; just that it's yellow. So I'm calling it "La Verne Yellow."
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 14, 2016, 01:13:18 PM
If youre ever in the area of city of Ontario (where the Interstate 15 meets Hwy 60) Id be more than happy to pass along some pollen to you. . . .

(https://s31.postimg.cc/8wnp0lw5z/20160713_065351.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8wnp0lw5z/)


I can just imagine getting pulled over on Hwy 60 my home from Rob's.


"Yes, Officer?"


"What's in the ziploc baggie, sir."


"What? Oh, the powder? It's pollen, officer. I swear! Just pollen! Dragon fruit pollen!"


"Sir, step out of the vehicle and put your hands on the hood!"
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: behlgarden on July 14, 2016, 03:04:09 PM
Talk about dragon fruit orchard. there is a home in West Minister, CA by 22 Freeway/Magnolia that has a wrap around yard of dragon fruit plants all over.

(https://s32.postimg.cc/5g4z6xqqp/20160713_162644.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5g4z6xqqp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 15, 2016, 11:22:47 AM
Yeah, that guy went all out with it. Someone here talked to him before and he has different varieties, not just the plain white one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 15, 2016, 01:41:45 PM
OK so i mis-calculated a bit...  but, the plant figured out a way to grab some sun and i helped it a bit.

Hmmmm will there be enough support for the plant for it to get fruiting weight / size?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 15, 2016, 04:01:17 PM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/q4b0v4f69/Swag1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/q4b0v4f69/)
Sorry if this photo is a bit primitive, IM not one of those photoshop kinda guys. If you want to support those shoots, easiest thing you can do is get a few sturdy 'Eye' bolts and screw them into the eve and run a loose loop of THICK burlap rope between them to act as a sling. You could also use wire rope, if your handy with hardware, for strength, but you'll need to make sure to sheath it in some sort of hose or tube, both for heat and thin wire cutting into the plants.
Or, if you want to go a little more advanced, you can add a rose trellis on that side, against the wall, to give you something to tie to. Either way, youre going to want your new shoots brought more out into the sunlight.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: greenman62 on July 16, 2016, 12:58:03 PM

(https://s32.postimg.cc/q4b0v4f69/Swag1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/q4b0v4f69/)
Sorry if this photo is a bit primitive, IM not one of those photoshop kinda guys. If you want to support those shoots, easiest thing you can do is get a few sturdy 'Eye' bolts and screw them into the eve and run a loose loop of THICK burlap rope between them to act as a sling. You could also use wire rope, if your handy with hardware, for strength, but you'll need to make sure to sheath it in some sort of hose or tube, both for heat and thin wire cutting into the plants.
Or, if you want to go a little more advanced, you can add a rose trellis on that side, against the wall, to give you something to tie to. Either way, youre going to want your new shoots brought more out into the sunlight.

that photo is actually an earlier pic.
its grown a bit since then
this is more recent. a couple of weeks old

http://postimg.cc/image/8ddyqgvaf/ (http://postimg.cc/image/8ddyqgvaf/)
(https://s31.postimg.cc/7nv6e3uqz/dragon_front_hou.jpg)

what i had already used were staples. not the kind for paper, but industrial size i had to hammer in
i take the point about it growing and cutting into the sections/flesh though.
a tube gave me an idea to use maybe a rubber strap
something that will give a bit
i wonder if i could get a bungee cord to work ?


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 16, 2016, 07:05:09 PM
2 things you want to consider: Weight distribution and longevity
As you allow the plant to grow further out from what is now the 'crown', the parts that have grown out from the house to seek sunlight, you have to have enough support for whats there, and whats to come. A single point support, like a staple, is both ridged and thin. As the plant gets bigger, more and more weight is going to be pulling on that one point of the plant, and could eventually cause it to snap the branch at that spot. Think of holding an empty bucket handle with a single finger. Its no problem until you start filling that bucket with water, Eventually its going to be too much and youre either going ot have to adjust your grip or risk dropping the bucket. Supporting these plants works the same way. Ideally, you don't want all the weight on a single stress point, or youre going to be limited in the size your plant can grow to. A wider, slightly giving support like a rope helps to distribute weight. But that's just one idea. You could even just secure another board or stick further out and just tie the plant back to it as it grows back down to support it.
As for longevity, just make sure whatever you use will last years, not months. Ive seen a lot of horror stories of people losing years of progress because their support system failed after 2 years and their plants snapped into pieces. Treated lumber or redwood, sunlight resistant plastics, metal, Trex synthetic wood, etc. are all good materials. A bungee cord, for example, would hold it up for a short while, but it wont take the increasing weight and deteriorate in prolonged sunlight.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 18, 2016, 04:47:50 PM
When I collect my pollen, its JUST the pollen. I shake it loose from the flowers and harvest it that way. Then I air dry it out a bit to minimize the damage caused by ice crystals forming, then into the freezer it goes. Its the drying part that makes freezing much more successful.

This is one nights collection, from about a dozen S-8 flowers, after I did my rounds pollinating the other species that happened to be in bloom that night.


I'm going to visit that flower again tomorrow, to see the odds of it blooming before I leave on my trip.


When you collect, do you brush the plant at all? Or just shake into a container? In your previous post you wrote:

Quote
You can probably pollinate 100 flowers with what I harvest each night

Can I interpret that to mean the pollen collected from one flower can pollinate ~5-10 other flowers?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 18, 2016, 07:45:54 PM
Here are my pollinating tools:

(https://s32.postimg.cc/fmafafzs1/DSCN1562.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fmafafzs1/)

The first, and most important, is the collector. Its just a cheap scoop, like you would use for ice or rice (etc) that Ive cut down a little to match the shape of the inside of the average flower, although ive used many other things in the past. A small, clear or darkly colored plate, like a tea cup plate, works well too and is a good size. I like glass or dark colors because it helps to see the pollen on the surface once you have it. I just stick my collector into the flower, under all the anthers but inside the pedals, as far as I can get without harming the flower, and literally just shake or tap on the flower. As long as you get to the flower before the bees and bugs strip it clean, the pollen will sprinkle right off and onto your collector, and you'll have pure pollen to use, without any extra flower parts to sort out. On my self fertile plants, like the S-8, when I collect the pollen I also take hold of the female stamen and dip it down into the pollen Ive collected, just to make sure theres good pollen contact. You wont hurt the flower or fruit production by doing this, but avoid touching the pollen itself, as the oil on your fingers can make it unviable.
p.s. as a side note to this, if you have more than one species of plant, and have time, I recommend collecting all the pollen from one type first, hold off on the stamen, then use what you've collected to fertilize your other species(s), set aside that pollen, then go back and collect the pollen from species B, fertilize species A, and then deal with that pollen. Cross pollinating ALWAYS produces stronger fruit, so even if you have self fertile fruit, its a good idea to cross pollinate to get better results.
Next item on the table is my pollen dryer, which is basically a miniature food dehydrator. It allows me to put the pollen in trays, which have small, micron level mesh on them, and pass air over it for a few hours before storage. You can actually do this with a real dehydrator, if you can get the fine screen to place over a tray, but DO NOT use heat. Just regular air is fine. I have some Silica Gel in one try of my dehydrator to remove moisture more efficiently, since its a closed box.
The rest is just fancy versions of things you can use from around the house. A plate to dump the pollen in to do final inspection, so you can check to make sure theres no stowaway plant parts or ants (damn you pollen covered ants!!), a scoop (or spoon) to manipulate the pollen and some small tubes for storage. I'm a really big fan of the small plastic tubes I found on Ebay, they are called mini (or small) centrifuge tubes, and are cheap, sturdy and reusable. Just fill em up and pop the top shut. Then into the freezer it goes. Colder the better.
Now, for your particular situation, if youre going to have to travel to get your pollen, Id suggest using the plate to collect the pollen, but bring along a Ziploc bag large enough to fit the entire plate inside. Gather your pollen then just seal the whole thing up in the bag, that way you don't have to worry about it blowing away or getting contaminated once you have it.
Oh, and the paintbrush. As I said before, its really hard to hurt the flowers if youre even the slightest bit careful, but sometimes there are flowers that you just cant get at. That's when I break out the pollen brush, use the wooden end to expose the stamen and then brush on a little pollen with the fluffy end. Its embarrassing to admit, but sometimes even I have to cheat.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: apiosiscool on July 19, 2016, 10:01:32 AM
I just bought an Edgar's Baby dragonfruit from wellspring, but i can't find too much info on it online. Does anyone know if it's self-pollinating or other aspects of its culture? Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2016, 12:07:45 PM
Here are my pollinating tools:

(https://s32.postimg.cc/fmafafzs1/DSCN1562.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fmafafzs1/)


Interesting.

Some day I may take my pollen collecting to a new level.

I now use a large soft watercolor brush and a small jelly canning jar.

I use the soft brush to collect pollen and pollinating.

I use the jar for pollen storage in the refrigerator.

(https://s31.postimg.cc/pfapd4ht3/brush_jar.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pfapd4ht3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2016, 12:53:30 PM
I just bought an Edgar's Baby dragonfruit from wellspring, but i can't find too much info on it online. Does anyone know if it's self-pollinating or other aspects of its culture? Thanks.

It came from a cutting given to your source. Named after the person who gave your source the cutting. Not much information on it. Most likely not self-pollinating.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: apiosiscool on July 19, 2016, 01:38:17 PM
I just bought an Edgar's Baby dragonfruit from wellspring, but i can't find too much info on it online. Does anyone know if it's self-pollinating or other aspects of its culture? Thanks.

It came from a cutting given to your source. Named after the person who gave your source the cutting. Not much information on it. Most likely not self-pollinating.

I purchased the plant from wellspring, and Edgar's Baby seems to be a legitimate variety selected by Edgar Valdiva from what I found online, it seems a lot of places sell the plant. I was wondering if anyone else has had the opportunity to grow the plant and what their experience has been?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 19, 2016, 01:52:20 PM
The first, and most important, is the collector. Its just a cheap scoop, like you would use for ice or rice (etc) that Ive cut down a little to match the shape of the inside of the average flower, although ive used many other things in the past. A small, clear or darkly colored plate, like a tea cup plate, works well too and is a good size. I like glass or dark colors because it helps to see the pollen on the surface once you have it. I just stick my collector into the flower, under all the anthers but inside the pedals, as far as I can get without harming the flower, and literally just shake or tap on the flower. As long as you get to the flower before the bees and bugs strip it clean, the pollen will sprinkle right off and onto your collector, and you'll have pure pollen to use, without any extra flower parts to sort out. On my self fertile plants, like the S-8, when I collect the pollen I also take hold of the female stamen and dip it down into the pollen Ive collected, just to make sure theres good pollen contact. You wont hurt the flower or fruit production by doing this, but avoid touching the pollen itself, as the oil on your fingers can make it unviable.


Thanks! I cut up a plastic Perrier bottle and ended up with this:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PerrierPollenCollector.jpg)


I hope I get a chance to try it. Here was the Manhattan Beach flower on Monday night:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/ManhattanBeachFlower071816.jpg)


It's about 8" or 9" long. Does this have a chance of blooming Wed or Thu night? Based on the photos Page 68 of this thread it looks more like a Friday night bloom, but I hope not!


If not by Thursday, I'm going to miss it, because I'm out of town Fri through Mon nights, returning late Tuesday. It sure does not look like it has a full week to go.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 19, 2016, 02:36:32 PM
What about taking a neighborhood friend out for breakfast / lunch / dinner and sweet-talk him / her to do it hahahah.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on July 19, 2016, 02:40:02 PM
I got Yellow Dragon fruit (S. Megalanthus) seeds from Trade Winds Fruit. I put them in my seed starting system and I saw a dicot pop up! I thought the first one might be an anomaly (wrong seed in the package), but then the next ones popped up as dicots. So then I thought I got mis-labeled seeds. Then I forgot about it for a week, and today I checked back and I do indeed see dragon fruit thorns starting to pop out. (see below)

I am really surprised! Are all dragon fruit seedlings dicots?

I started some apple cactus seeds and there were not any 'leaves' at all. It just started forming like a lump with thorns and then got bigger. I would have expected dragon fruit seedlings to behave the same way.

(https://s31.postimg.cc/6f5a0gqdz/df3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6f5a0gqdz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: apiosiscool on July 19, 2016, 03:04:59 PM
I got Yellow Dragon fruit (S. Megalanthus) seeds from Trade Winds Fruit. I put them in my seed starting system and I saw a dicot pop up! I thought the first one might be an anomaly (wrong seed in the package), but then the next ones popped up as dicots. So then I thought I got mis-labeled seeds. Then I forgot about it for a week, and today I checked back and I do indeed see dragon fruit thorns starting to pop out. (see below)

I am really surprised! Are all dragon fruit seedlings dicots?

I started some apple cactus seeds and there were not any 'leaves' at all. It just started forming like a lump with thorns and then got bigger. I would have expected dragon fruit seedlings to behave the same way.

(https://s31.postimg.cc/6f5a0gqdz/df3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6f5a0gqdz/)

The ones I've started are all like that., leaves then the dragonfruit stem growing from it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on July 19, 2016, 03:20:35 PM
Thanks for the confirmation! That is a really interesting that it is a succulent vine, yet it puts out leaves as a dicot, but then never forms leaves again
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2016, 03:27:52 PM
Edgar Valdivia is one of the most known 'breeders' of dragon fruit in the community. He's been working on cross breeding and general plant knowledge since long before I gained interest in the hobby. He gives 'lectures' regularly at the Southern California dragon fruit festival on care and development of the plants, and fruit. Edgar's Baby is one of his better known plants he has created (Valdivia Roja being another) and is quite well received as I understand it.

on another point:

(https://s32.postimg.cc/8w3mgm4yp/Perrier_Pollen_Collector2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8w3mgm4yp/)

The ideal shape for inserting into a flower is an open hand, palm up. If you remove the rest of the area I marked that should do just fine. The stamen vary in length sometimes and you want to have as much open area to capture as possible. BTW, the plastic bottle is a great idea for a collector. I will be sure to use that as an example for people in the future when they bring it up.
Title: 2016 Dragon Fruit Festival and Field Day
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2016, 03:32:37 PM
 This is a quote I pulled off another dragon fruit board, for anyone who'd be interested in getting some real 'hands on' information about growing dragon fruit in both the home and the farm.
"I want to let you know that our wonderful annual Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Festival hosted by the University will be held in August. The 19th of August there will be lectures taking place in Escondido,CA , the meeting on the 20th  will be held at the Southcoast Field Station in Irvine-the program will include field trips, fruit tasting etc . More information will be posted by Ramiro Lobo at a later date.

SAVE THESE DATES!  AUGUST 19th & AUGUST 20th"
This is all the info ive seen posted so far. as I get more I will try to update you. Been to one of these before, and if you have more than a casual interest in these plants, it's worth going at least once to get some real insight on how things are done on a more "professional" level. Plus theres fruit tastings and people hand out and swap cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2016, 03:38:51 PM
I just bought an Edgar's Baby dragonfruit from wellspring, but i can't find too much info on it online. Does anyone know if it's self-pollinating or other aspects of its culture? Thanks.

It came from a cutting given to your source. Named after the person who gave your source the cutting. Not much information on it. Most likely not self-pollinating.

I purchased the plant from wellspring, and Edgar's Baby seems to be a legitimate variety selected by Edgar Valdiva from what I found online, it seems a lot of places sell the plant. I was wondering if anyone else has had the opportunity to grow the plant and what their experience has been?

I don't think Edgar named it.

Do not confuse Edgar's Baby with DF named Edgar.  :-)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 19, 2016, 03:41:30 PM
What about taking a neighborhood friend out for breakfast / lunch / dinner and sweet-talk him / her to do it hahahah.
Unfortunately for me the only people I know in the area are my ex-wife and ex-girlfriend, neither of whom are inclined to provide me any botanical help. At least I don't think so. Maybe if I offer her a cutting…
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2016, 03:48:10 PM
Edgar Valdivia is one of the most known 'breeders' of dragon fruit in the community. He's been working on cross breeding and general plant knowledge since long before I gained interest in the hobby. He gives 'lectures' regularly at the Southern California dragon fruit festival on care and development of the plants, and fruit. Edgar's Baby is one of his better known plants he has created (Valdivia Roja being another) and is quite well received as I understand it.

Are you sure? My understanding is Valdivia Roja was acquired by the Universty of California from Mexico and has the same name as Edgar, but not an Edgar creation.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 19, 2016, 05:38:28 PM
(https://s32.postimg.cc/8w3mgm4yp/Perrier_Pollen_Collector2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8w3mgm4yp/)

The ideal shape for inserting into a flower is an open hand, palm up. If you remove the rest of the area I marked that should do just fine. The stamen vary in length sometimes and you want to have as much open area to capture as possible. BTW, the plastic bottle is a great idea for a collector. I will be sure to use that as an example for people in the future when they bring it up.


Trimmed:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PerrierPollenCollector2.jpg)


I might reconsider the use of a Perrier bottle. It's a 3 layers of laminated plastic (http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20040517/NEWS/305179956/perrier-in-plastic), and once you start cutting it it delaminates. But you can't just remove the inner layers because they're tightly joined at the neck. Maybe I'll buy a bottle of Sprite tonight and try that.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 21, 2016, 02:42:06 AM
Here was the Manhattan Beach flower on Monday night:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/ManhattanBeachFlower071816.jpg)


And here it was tonight, Wednesday, at 9:45 PM (e.g. it's not blooming tonight):


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/ManhattanBeachFlower072016.jpg)


From everything else I've seen online, she's going to pop tomorrow! And the flower to the left should pop 3 days hence.


So I'll get to collect pollen tomorrow and put it in the freezer.


Unfortunately my own flower is still 7-8 days away as of tonight:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkFlower1_072016.jpg)


I'll try to get a friend to pollinate this when it blooms.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bbudd on July 21, 2016, 07:37:45 AM
Heres what happened with my dragonfruit
Started on posts and wire-they didn't like that
Headed up the roof and climed the lamyai tree behind
Makes it a chalange harvesting-and were getting lots of fruit this season
(https://s32.postimg.cc/81xfmh1nl/Dragonfruit.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/81xfmh1nl/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 21, 2016, 01:02:56 PM
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2016%20Pitahaya%20Festival_zpsfkgp3btc.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 22, 2016, 02:07:21 AM
From everything else I've seen online, she's going to pop tomorrow! And the flower to the left should pop 3 days hence.
It popped tonight, as planned!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/ManhattanBeachFlower072116.jpg)

But, as you can see, it wasn't completely open, and the anthers hadn't released their pollen yet. I shook the flower a bit and brushed the anthers with my brush, but nothing came off. This was at around 9:45. I went to McDonald's for a vanilla cone and came back at 10:30 PM, but there was still no pollen. I took the photo at 10:30.

I had my kid with me, and he was falling asleep, so I had to get him home, and it's a bit too far away to go back out tonight.

But before I went to Manhattan Beach I stopped by Lomita, and I did get some pollen from a wide-open Lomita White flower. I put a little bit on the Manhattan Beach flower, even though it gave me nothing in return. >:(  It's too late for me, but there are two other flowers on this plant that I think will pop tomorrow. If anyone's interested, PM me for the address.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 22, 2016, 02:10:54 AM
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/PerrierPollenCollector2.jpg)
I might reconsider the use of a Perrier bottle. It's a 3 layers of laminated plastic (http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20040517/NEWS/305179956/perrier-in-plastic), and once you start cutting it it delaminates. But you can't just remove the inner layers because they're tightly joined at the neck. Maybe I'll buy a bottle of Sprite tonight and try that.

The Perrier bottle worked very well! It's just about the right shape and size. On the Lomita flower I could have used just a little more width, so if I can remember where I put it I'll drink that 1 liter bottle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale and cut that into a scoop.

I did buy a bottle of Sprite, but the bottle has a strange shape (somewhat "Coke bottle"-ish), and it has these weird embossed bumps in it, so I didn't even use it.

When I get back from my trip in about 3 weeks I should have my own flowers blooming, and a GoPro with a charged battery ::) , so I can take a video of the Perrier bottle in action.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sparkletts05 on July 22, 2016, 02:12:21 AM
Possible to cross pollinate dragonfruit and apple cactus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 22, 2016, 01:53:44 PM
@TheWaterbug  omg what a journey. best of luck
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 22, 2016, 04:48:15 PM
I'm not positive, but I think you can cross pollinate dragon fruit (pitahaya) and apple cactus (pitaya) and get fruit. The seeds might produce a wonky hybrid but the fruit flesh itself should match the flower producing plant species.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 22, 2016, 06:48:03 PM
Will H. Undatus cross with Megalanthus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2016, 02:38:33 AM
When you get serious about commercial growing...

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6JWiaKQZJk&#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 25, 2016, 10:08:31 PM
Saw that video a while back and the funny thing is, since then, Ive figured out that if you really want to maximize production on a large scale like that, the individual 'canopied' plants is not the ideal way to grow dragon fruit. On very large scale, they should be grown like grapes are, long continuous rows on trellis like supports, with the rows running North to South, not East to West or some other random direction. These plants need direct sunlight to produce fruit and the canopy shape means that for about 8 months of the year, one side is in perpetual shade and the other is in sun all year. As the summer approaches, and the sun gets higher, it hits more of the plant, but as winter gets near, and the sun lowers, a good portion of the plant loses any direct sun, which lowers fruit production in those areas. If you watch the video, as the camera pans across the orchard, almost every plant has fruit or flowers on the same parts of the plants.
Now, for us home growers, this is mostly a moot point, unless you have a big yard and you plan on dedicating a lot of space to this fruit, but for larger scale growers, its something to consider.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cos on July 25, 2016, 10:12:53 PM
have used long rows [ old field fencing] for many years & has worked well  BUT seems i always seem something needs doing on other side!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 27, 2016, 01:39:45 AM
Trimmed:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/PerrierPollenCollector2.jpg)

I might reconsider the use of a Perrier bottle. It's a 3 layers of laminated plastic (http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20040517/NEWS/305179956/perrier-in-plastic), and once you start cutting it it delaminates. But you can't just remove the inner layers because they're tightly joined at the neck. Maybe I'll buy a bottle of Sprite tonight and try that.

Thank you TheWaterbug for this idea.

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-uTOEVutGY#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 27, 2016, 10:06:39 AM
I have been watching this thread and have seen that a lot of member have gained a lot of experience in the last 4-5 years, Now I need some advise.
I'm exploring dragon fruit as a plan B for my avocado grove may be only partially.  2-3 acres out of the 20.

I want to star experimenting in the cultivation of dragon fruit.  I'm removing some citrus I have with a length of 100' and will have at least 15" on each side.
What kind of set up would you do, how high and what materials to use.
What varieties would be better for Homestead.
Planted on the ground or in containers?

Also I have two concrete container in the corners of my patio at home. They get a lot of sun. Seem like a 20 gal capacity, they weight a ton. Pictures attached.
What type of support would you use on these pots? What varieties would you plant?  Soil to use?
Any help would be appreciated, including rooted cuttings I can buy.

(https://s32.postimg.cc/xyrr4f5b5/IMG_1488.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xyrr4f5b5/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/4g5wlw0jr/IMG_1487.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4g5wlw0jr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ScottR on July 27, 2016, 11:02:19 AM
I'm not positive, but I think you can cross pollinate dragon fruit (pitahaya) and apple cactus (pitaya) and get fruit. The seeds might produce a wonky hybrid but the fruit flesh itself should match the flower producing plant species.
Actually, Edger V. did just that he has used epi& columnar cactus flowers to hand pollinate DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 27, 2016, 11:05:26 AM
I have been watching this thread and have seen that a lot of member have gained a lot of experience in the last 4-5 years, Now I need some advise.
I'm exploring dragon fruit as a plan B for my avocado grove may be only partially.  2-3 acres out of the 20.

I want to star experimenting in the cultivation of dragon fruit.  I'm removing some citrus I have with a length of 100' and will have at least 15" on each side.
What kind of set up would you do, how high and what materials to use.
What varieties would be better for Homestead.
Planted on the ground or in containers?

Also I have two concrete container in the corners of my patio at home. They get a lot of sun. Seem like a 20 gal capacity, they weight a ton. Pictures attached.
What type of support would you use on these pots? What varieties would you plant?  Soil to use?

Any help would be appreciated, including rooted cuttings I can buy.

(https://s32.postimg.cc/xyrr4f5b5/IMG_1488.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xyrr4f5b5/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/4g5wlw0jr/IMG_1487.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4g5wlw0jr/)

There is not one answer. I have experimented with several different varieties and supports.

For support you might try something like this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePink22Months.jpg)

For varieties, UC like Lisa and  Physical Graffiti.

For potting soil mix, I use:

2 parts potting soil
2 parts coco coir
2 parts redwood pathway bark
1 part pumice
1 part perlite
2 parts GreenAll Soil Booster
2 parts garden soil
1 heaping scoop Azomite + time-release fertilizer
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 27, 2016, 05:20:29 PM
HELP!! Due to my inexperience I was not aware that one of my DF flower is dangerously close to blooming... possibly blooming tonight?!!!!

Is physical graffiti self pollinating or not? (some say yes some say no)  Does anyone in San Gabriel Valley (SoCal) have extra pollens?  :'(

(https://s32.postimg.cc/yonb8900h/3663961256758153828_account_id_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yonb8900h/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/60ad50xu9/7365096089416126108_account_id_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/60ad50xu9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 27, 2016, 05:38:18 PM
Thanks ricshaw  good info
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 27, 2016, 06:41:36 PM
Richard, you have a serious amount of wood for that last trellis design.

I'm always concerned about the central wood rotting from water, so mine is more of a scaffold for the tops of a row of plants to drape over. The supports are at the ends of the row and I don't water there. Termites etc. could still get them I suppose.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 27, 2016, 08:17:13 PM
HELP!! Due to my inexperience I was not aware that one of my DF flower is dangerously close to blooming... possibly blooming tonight?!!!!

Is physical graffiti self pollinating or not? (some say yes some say no)  Does anyone in San Gabriel Valley (SoCal) have extra pollens?  :'(


Very interesting that this link lists many DF as "set fruits on its own without cross or hand pollination". Maybe too may?
http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/ (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 27, 2016, 11:17:02 PM
Physical Graffiti is one of the species that is supposed to be self fertile, but does benefit from cross pollinating to get stronger fruit. Its a good idea to try it to see if it works anyways, so you will know in the future if you can self pollinate your flowers when one blooms out of sync with the others.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 27, 2016, 11:47:39 PM
I have been watching this thread and have seen that a lot of member have gained a lot of experience in the last 4-5 years, Now I need some advise.
I'm exploring dragon fruit as a plan B for my avocado grove may be only partially.  2-3 acres out of the 20.

I want to star experimenting in the cultivation of dragon fruit.  I'm removing some citrus I have with a length of 100' and will have at least 15" on each side.
What kind of set up would you do, how high and what materials to use.
What varieties would be better for Homestead.
Planted on the ground or in containers?

Also I have two concrete container in the corners of my patio at home. They get a lot of sun. Seem like a 20 gal capacity, they weight a ton. Pictures attached.
What type of support would you use on these pots? What varieties would you plant?  Soil to use?
Any help would be appreciated, including rooted cuttings I can buy.

IMO, containers are always the best way to go. 15 gallon minimum, 20-25 if you can get them cheap. You don't want to fill them more than 75% capacity, and you want tp make sure they have proper drainage. Larger containers will allow for multiple plant starts per: 15 gal for one, 25 for 2, more for more, etc. Soil should be loose, sandy or gravely, and have something mixed in to help retain moisture without getting soggy. You don't want wet soil, but you don't really want extended periods of totally dry soil either. I try and use 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand, one part bark nuggets (as small as you can find) and whatever else you can afford to toss in after that (peat moss, perlite, moisture control crystals, etc)., depending on your budget.
As for what type to recommend, lets start with why you are growing them. Are they for you or do you plan on distributing them? Some look better than they taste, and some taste better than they look. If you're going to fruit stand them, Id suggest something flashy like a bright white Vietnamese Giant or a fuchsia American Beauty (or both). If they are for you, then you should plant to taste and not worry so much about glamorous looking fruit. Either way, youre going to want to make sure youre growing more then one type to help with pollination.
Structure-wise, the standard post and cap is the simple solution. My version of that is to take a 4x4 post of (non-toxic) treated lumber, wrap it in a couple layers of burlap (potato sack material), tack the wrap in place and then bury the post 2ft to 3 ft in the ground. To make it double water resistant, you can paint a layer of roofing tar over the area that's going to be in the ground before you plant it. Once your post is in place, you need to add supports to carry the weight of the branches. Ric has one example of a solid support setup in his pics. Another is to just attach heavy steel mesh, the type they use in concrete slabs, onto the top of the post. You can also drill a few holes through the center of the post and run rebar through so it sticks out 3ft on each side (cover the rebar in plastic pipe pieces if you do it that way). Or you can do a combination of any of this. ive seen people attach bicycle rims on top of posts. Some people don't use posts at all, and go with trellises or full rows. There are a lot of ways of growing the actual plant. I would suggest going on YouTube and look up Dragon Fruit and Pitahaya, and see how other orchards are doing theirs, and get inspiration that way.
Hope this gives you someplace to start. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 28, 2016, 01:31:50 AM
Richard, you have a serious amount of wood for that last trellis design.

I'm always concerned about the central wood rotting from water, so mine is more of a scaffold for the tops of a row of plants to drape over. The supports are at the ends of the row and I don't water there. Termites etc. could still get them I suppose.

Not my trellis design.

See Reply #1682 on July 10th, 2016.

I figured using redwood to build and setting on concrete patio it would last a reasonable time.

Because I have the same concerns as you, I have been building my trellis out of concrete or steel, but not as easy to build. I have also used live avocado trees for support.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 28, 2016, 02:00:50 AM
Yeah 2.5 flowers in bloom right now and my generous friend gave me pollen! Double YEAH!!

IMO, containers are always the best way to go. 15 gallon minimum, 20-25 if you can get them cheap. You don't want to fill them more than 75% capacity, and you want to make sure they have proper drainage. Larger containers will allow for multiple plant starts per: 15 gal for one, 25 for 2, more for more, etc.

This is what I've always wanted to find out. But I've already squeezed 2 or 3 plants into each 15 gallon pot so too late!
Why not fill the pot for more than 75%? It's not the first time I heard this and been curious about it!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 28, 2016, 02:41:01 AM
And here it was tonight, Wednesday, at 9:45 PM

Unfortunately my own flower is still 7-8 days away as of tonight:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkFlower1_072016.jpg)


It popped on Tuesday night! The only night that I was able to pollinate it! I brushed on the pollen I gathered from the Lomita White last week. Fingers crossed!

(https://s32.postimg.cc/uixm3bt8h/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uixm3bt8h/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/i5krwf3k1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i5krwf3k1/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/8mb32yg1t/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8mb32yg1t/)

(https://s32.postimg.cc/tkh911fwh/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tkh911fwh/)

It was still open this morning, and quite fragrant. I didn't see any bees inside, which surprised me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 28, 2016, 03:18:28 AM
It popped on Tuesday night! The only night that I was able to pollinate it! I brushed on the pollen I gathered from the Lomita White last week. Fingers crossed!

Congratulations!! Our flowers are just one day apart. Mine definitely surprised me, did not expect them to open until next week.
Now our part is done, let's hope for the best.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ScottR on July 28, 2016, 10:58:00 AM
Richard, you have a serious amount of wood for that last trellis design.

I'm always concerned about the central wood rotting from water, so mine is more of a scaffold for the tops of a row of plants to drape over. The supports are at the ends of the row and I don't water there. Termites etc. could still get them I suppose.

Not my trellis design.

See Reply #1682 on July 10th, 2016.

I figured using redwood to build and setting on concrete patio it would last a reasonable time.

Because I have the same concerns as you, I have been building my trellis out of concrete or steel, but not as easy to build. I have also used live avocado trees for support.
Rick, on one local tour with CRFG chapter we went to avocado farm inland up on hill from Morro bay he is advised by Jay Rusky and he had DF planted beneath some of his avocado's which were pruned heavily and training DF to grow into lower tree branches ( lower branches were trimmed out) very interesting indeed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 28, 2016, 11:35:51 AM
Interesting I heard that yesterday but here in Homestead. Someone cut a bunch of avocado trees at 6" and used the branches to plant DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 28, 2016, 05:06:46 PM
Rick, on one local tour with CRFG chapter we went to avocado farm inland up on hill from Morro bay he is advised by Jay Rusky and he had DF planted beneath some of his avocado's which were pruned heavily and training DF to grow into lower tree branches ( lower branches were trimmed out) very interesting indeed.

That is what I did. Pruned heavily two avocado trees that were not doing well. Not a problem because we are getting more fruit than we can use from our other avocado trees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 28, 2016, 09:11:08 PM
The part I don't understand is that unless you kill the tree in about 3 months you are going to have a lot of water shoots covering the pitaya. Unless you continually remove water shoots. Can be a lot of work or kill the tree.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on July 28, 2016, 09:52:46 PM
The part I don't understand is that unless you kill the tree in about 3 months you are going to have a lot of water shoots covering the pitaya. Unless you continually remove water shoots. Can be a lot of work or kill the tree.

I guess "not doing well" means the avocado tree was struggling a lot anyways?
I have a topped avocado tree used as support of my lopsided orange tree. It's barely ever doing anything.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: HIfarm on July 28, 2016, 09:54:37 PM
Geez, I notice this thread is up to 71 pages now!  Maybe we should check w/ the moderators about establishing a separate section for dragonfruit (or maybe cacti)?  Then we could have threads on individual d.f. topics & make it a lot easier to keep track of them.

John
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 28, 2016, 10:47:25 PM
Yeah 2.5 flowers in bloom right now and my generous friend gave me pollen! Double YEAH!!

IMO, containers are always the best way to go. 15 gallon minimum, 20-25 if you can get them cheap. You don't want to fill them more than 75% capacity, and you want to make sure they have proper drainage. Larger containers will allow for multiple plant starts per: 15 gal for one, 25 for 2, more for more, etc.

This is what I've always wanted to find out. But I've already squeezed 2 or 3 plants into each 15 gallon pot so too late!
Why not fill the pot for more than 75%? It's not the first time I heard this and been curious about it!
There are a few reasons not to fill a pot all the way to the top. First, is watering. When I water I tend to mix in fertilizers in the water, especially when its time to add phosphorus for blooming. When I mix water soluble fertilizers, I do it a gallon at a time, then poor that gallon right into the pot. The extra space keeps all the water in the pot and allows for it to be absorbed evenly across the entire surface, rather than trickling it in to a single spot in the soil. Also, when it rains it will allow for more rain water to be captured, which is healthier for plants than tap water. The other main reason, for me anyways, is I also use time release fertilizers, especially in fall/winter for between fruiting season health of the plant, and what I do is sprinkle a layer of the fertilizer in the pot, then cover it with mulch or topsoil, so I don't have to 'scratch' the fertilizer into the soil. Dragon fruit tends to have VERY shallow roots and you risk damaging them if you try to use garden tools to loosen the top inch of existing soil in the container. Its easier to just add a bit more 'dirt' each year, but you need room to do it. Once your pot has reached the top lip, it makes all manner of things more complicated, trust me, I'm speaking from experience.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 28, 2016, 11:20:55 PM
The part I don't understand is that unless you kill the tree in about 3 months you are going to have a lot of water shoots covering the pitaya. Unless you continually remove water shoots. Can be a lot of work or kill the tree.

I guess "not doing well" means the avocado tree was struggling a lot anyways?
I have a topped avocado tree used as support of my lopsided orange tree. It's barely ever doing anything.

Not doing well from 5 years of drought.   :(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 29, 2016, 01:40:07 AM
For support you might try something like this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePink22Months.jpg)
I'm pretty happy with how the bottom part turned out, and with the overall strength. I'm 220#, and I can hang from the top supports without any scary creaky sounds. It should be able to handle whatever grows through it.


But I wasn't really thinking very clearly when I made the top a mirror of the bottom. As it is I have to thread the vertical stems through the gaps between the 2 x 4s, and there really isn't much in the way of lateral supports for the horizontal branches. I might nail some 2 x 4s diagonally across the corners of the top supports, but that makes for a funky miter angle.


Due to the way I've nailed these together, disassembly is pretty much impossible.


If I were to do these over again I'd probably do something like what Tim did at the top of his trellises (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=1592.msg21914#msg21914):


(http://s16.postimage.org/6z3wi50td/IMAG0061.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6z3wi50td/)


except bigger. Come to think of it, I could use Tim's design both top and bottom. From what I can see it uses less wood and labor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 29, 2016, 01:50:18 AM
Yeah 2.5 flowers in bloom right now and my generous friend gave me pollen! Double YEAH!!
IMO, containers are always the best way to go. 15 gallon minimum, 20-25 if you can get them cheap. You don't want to fill them more than 75% capacity, and you want to make sure they have proper drainage. Larger containers will allow for multiple plant starts per: 15 gal for one, 25 for 2, more for more, etc.
This is what I've always wanted to find out. But I've already squeezed 2 or 3 plants into each 15 gallon pot so too late!
Why not fill the pot for more than 75%? It's not the first time I heard this and been curious about it!
I'm probably under-potted as well. I'm using these approximately 11 gallon (http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/conicalfrustum.php) terra cotta pots from Home Depot because they're cheap (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PR-Imports-19-in-Round-Terra-Cotta-Clay-Vase-V20P/202532448). My La Verne Pink has 4 stems in that pot, of which 1 is currently fruiting. The other stems were pruning from the main stem so they're a year or more behind the main stem. I planted them more for insurance purposes than for yield.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on July 29, 2016, 01:56:44 AM
The extra space keeps all the water in the pot and allows for it to be absorbed evenly across the entire surface, rather than trickling it in to a single spot in the soil.
I'm having this exact problem in all my potted plants right now. I'm have a timered drip system in place, and the drippers just . . . drip . . . in one place. In fact I can see that the soil is a different color in the one place that gets dripped on.


I should probably switch to a sprayer/sprinkler/mister that wets about a 1' diameter circle for all my DFs and pineapples. Any recommendations that don't cost several dollars apiece? I need about 50. The 1/4" tubing is already in place.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ScottR on July 29, 2016, 10:37:29 AM
Carlos, yes I understand the regrowth issue on trimmed back avocado's. Tree i saw were maybe ten foot tall toped with thinned out smaller bottom branches leaving big older branches for D.F. to climb on! I see your point of re-growth but these trees were recently pruned when we saw them so don't know how much work it would be to remove sucker growth! But seems to me that regrowth would mostly be up higher and only minimal re-growth of established old branches. But seems to me you would have to manage top canopy growth or D.F. would not get enough light! Looked interesting but most likely added work to establish D.F.

Waterbug, sounds like smaller controlled ( volume) sprayers would be the way for you to get complete coverage in pot! ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 29, 2016, 10:44:44 AM
I will do one tree in my grove and fallow the process.
I think the DF needs to be spread in a classification of its own.  With Subs like, Deseace control, cultivation, irrigation, fertilization etc.This is getting too big
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bush2Beach on July 29, 2016, 10:53:17 AM
Describe "cheap", you can go to CPS and get 15's for $3 and change. The way those pots taper at the bottom seem's no bueno with less area for soil where the roots really need it.
I love your set up overall, dedication to the pollination and descriptiveness in this thread.



Yeah 2.5 flowers in bloom right now and my generous friend gave me pollen! Double YEAH!!
IMO, containers are always the best way to go. 15 gallon minimum, 20-25 if you can get them cheap. You don't want to fill them more than 75% capacity, and you want to make sure they have proper drainage. Larger containers will allow for multiple plant starts per: 15 gal for one, 25 for 2, more for more, etc.
This is what I've always wanted to find out. But I've already squeezed 2 or 3 plants into each 15 gallon pot so too late!
Why not fill the pot for more than 75%? It's not the first time I heard this and been curious about it!
I'm probably under-potted as well. I'm using these approximately 11 gallon (http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/conicalfrustum.php) terra cotta pots from Home Depot because they're cheap (http://www.homedepot.com/p/PR-Imports-19-in-Round-Terra-Cotta-Clay-Vase-V20P/202532448). My La Verne Pink has 4 stems in that pot, of which 1 is currently fruiting. The other stems were pruning from the main stem so they're a year or more behind the main stem. I planted them more for insurance purposes than for yield.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 29, 2016, 11:27:44 AM
Does anyone know where these brown decaying spots come from? I get them on a certain percentage of my fruit and it makes them look really ugly. I personally don't care if the fruit looks perfect if I were going to eat them myself but I usually give the premium fruit to friends and family and I don't want to give these fruit with a rotting hole in them.

I assume it's from fungal damage but it can also be stink bug damage, I'm just guessing at this point. I thought it could be damage from the dried up flowers absorbing moisture creating a good moist environment for fungus so I started removing all the dried up blooms and I still get them. Thanks for any help.

Simon
(https://s32.postimg.cc/svlw4fmtt/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/svlw4fmtt/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 29, 2016, 02:04:13 PM
Describe "cheap", you can go to CPS and get 15's for $3 and change.

What is "CPS"?  :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 29, 2016, 07:43:50 PM
Does anyone know where these brown decaying spots come from? I get them on a certain percentage of my fruit and it makes them look really ugly. I personally don't care if the fruit looks perfect if I were going to eat them myself but I usually give the premium fruit to friends and family and I don't want to give these fruit with a rotting hole in them.

I assume it's from fungal damage but it can also be stink bug damage, I'm just guessing at this point. I thought it could be damage from the dried up flowers absorbing moisture creating a good moist environment for fungus so I started removing all the dried up blooms and I still get them. Thanks for any help.

Simon
(https://s32.postimg.cc/svlw4fmtt/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/svlw4fmtt/)
To be honest that looks like one of the fins, or scales, on the fruit withered down to hit the main body. The other scales have some withering also, but not as progressed. Its either bacterial/ fungal or heat damage, or a combination of the two. The same mechanic that allows dead stem flesh to progress down (or up) a branch, consuming the stem as it goes might be at work there. I have a lot of fruit that look like they've been grazed with a torch here, with shriveled tips on the fins, but the damage hasn't progressed down onto the actual fruit. I do use the occasional anti-fungal here, from time to time, so that might be what's keeping further damage from happening.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 29, 2016, 07:52:54 PM
A friend, an agronomist, familiar with DF made this statement;
"Every fruit tree to achieve maximum production needs to have a certain mass of roots.(so far I agree, he added)  I'm not sure the DF has it when they are planted in the field in pots, not in the soil."
Implying that more production can be achieved when planted in the ground.
I wonder if anyone has any experience on this.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 29, 2016, 07:54:52 PM
For support you might try something like this:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePink22Months.jpg)
I'm pretty happy with how the bottom part turned out, and with the overall strength. I'm 220#, and I can hang from the top supports without any scary creaky sounds. It should be able to handle whatever grows through it.


But I wasn't really thinking very clearly when I made the top a mirror of the bottom. As it is I have to thread the vertical stems through the gaps between the 2 x 4s, and there really isn't much in the way of lateral supports for the horizontal branches. I might nail some 2 x 4s diagonally across the corners of the top supports, but that makes for a funky miter angle.


Due to the way I've nailed these together, disassembly is pretty much impossible.


If I were to do these over again I'd probably do something like what Tim did at the top of his trellises (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=1592.msg21914#msg21914):


(http://s16.postimage.org/6z3wi50td/IMAG0061.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6z3wi50td/)


except bigger. Come to think of it, I could use Tim's design both top and bottom. From what I can see it uses less wood and labor.
Just get some heavy steel construction mesh from a hardware store and tack it to the top of your trellis. You should have plenty of support.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Nucoar-42-in-x-84-in-Remesh-Sheet-361682/202090219 (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Nucoar-42-in-x-84-in-Remesh-Sheet-361682/202090219)
This would work just fine to support branches if its properly nailed onto the top of your tower.
And if you think the pots youre using are a bit too small, theres a solution to that if your plant is too big to move. Just build a small raised flower bed frame around the plant, say 2x12" construction lumber in 2ft long pieces, nailed into a box, and destroy the original pot and secure that box around the root ball, then fill in the empty space with new soil. Its not ideal but it will work to save plants you cant wrangle from becoming root bound.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 29, 2016, 08:05:04 PM
A friend, an agronomist, familiar with DF made this statement;
"Every fruit tree to achieve maximum production needs to have a certain mass of roots.(so far I agree, he added)  I'm not sure the DF has it when they are planted in the field in pats, not in the soil."
Implying that more production can be achieved when planted in the ground.
I wonder if anyone has any experience on this.
To be perfectly honest, I don't know if anyone has the experience yet with these plants to discuss what 'maximum production' would be. I do know that I have plants in both containers and in the ground, but with so many other variables like species, amount of sun a water provided, soil conditions from one side of the yard to the other, its hard to make what you could call scientific observations. Besides, maximum production is also a loaded description. Are we talking number of fruit, size of fruit, etc. Do we care about the health of the plant itself, or just the end result of the production. Soil is, of course, the natural habitat for these plants, and left to themselves, they produce very spread out root networks, very close to the surface, because they root to where the water is provided. In pots, the roots dip down further because the water soaks down further.
For now, I think having the ability to better manage soil conditions in containers outweighs letting plants roam au natural, especially if you can provide them with large enough pots to start out with. Oh, and gophers......
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 29, 2016, 08:09:42 PM
I 'm ready to plant 10 in my grove and I tend to agree with you. Specially their susceptibility to fungal diseases. In our 3 times a day rain summer I can control what happens in the pot better.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 29, 2016, 10:09:13 PM
A friend, an agronomist, familiar with DF made this statement;
"Every fruit tree to achieve maximum production needs to have a certain mass of roots.(so far I agree, he added)  I'm not sure the DF has it when they are planted in the field in pots, not in the soil."
Implying that more production can be achieved when planted in the ground.
I wonder if anyone has any experience on this.

The UC Dragon Fruit research trials have all their Dragon Fruit planted in the ground.

Many CRFG Dragon Fruit growers have their Dragon Fruit growing in pots.

Dragon Fruit commercial grower Gray Martin WOWdragonfruit.com I think uses pots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on July 30, 2016, 04:55:04 PM
I got this fruit yesterday close to lb, good looks, but not too sweet I was expecting more flavor from a red. i checked the brix and it was 12. Any of our more experience member can id this cultivar?
(https://s31.postimg.cc/hv1hzfhmv/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hv1hzfhmv/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/z9lq7perr/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z9lq7perr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 30, 2016, 05:12:40 PM
I got this fruit yesterday close to lb, good looks, but not too sweet I was expecting more flavor from a red. i checked the brix and it was 12. Any of our more experience member can id this cultivar?
(https://s31.postimg.cc/hv1hzfhmv/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hv1hzfhmv/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/z9lq7perr/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z9lq7perr/)

Like Avocados, impossible to positively ID cultivar. Can only say "looks like".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 30, 2016, 07:57:16 PM
I got this fruit yesterday close to lb, good looks, but not too sweet I was expecting more flavor from a red. i checked the brix and it was 12. Any of our more experience member can id this cultivar?
(https://s31.postimg.cc/hv1hzfhmv/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hv1hzfhmv/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/z9lq7perr/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z9lq7perr/)
Add a picture of the plant it came from, close up showing the thorns and shape of the 'branch'. It will help narrow it down.
Also, brix score is an average, not necessarily a single fruit score. If this is the first of the season, it might not have a high sugar content due to being early season germination and lower sun maturation.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 31, 2016, 12:18:56 AM
Thanks for the information Rob! It is extremely moist in the mornings where I live and I feel that moisture retained in the dieing back fins is causing this issue. It seems these spots occur around the area where the dried flower was laying before I removed it. I will try removing the dried flowers sooner.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 31, 2016, 07:10:34 PM
Just don't remove them before they have completely dried out at least once. The area behind the flower, if cut too early, can expose the center of the fruit to mold and bacteria. In fact, often when you remove the flower from mature fruit theres a puff of black spores in that cavity. Its not harmful on its own, but you should shake or blow that out so you don't create a mess where you store or prepare your fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 01, 2016, 12:10:18 AM
Ive noticed the puff of spores, thanks for the advice! I'll make sure to let it dry out at least once before removing.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SocalKoop on August 02, 2016, 02:18:39 PM

(https://s31.postimg.cc/b4l2dl4ev/20160801_135815.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b4l2dl4ev/)
This is a "Fullerton Purple", which just flowered for the first time, last Thusday. Bought at the Green Scene in 2015 as a foot long cutting. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rnguyen on August 02, 2016, 08:10:30 PM

(https://s31.postimg.cc/b4l2dl4ev/20160801_135815.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b4l2dl4ev/)
This is a "Fullerton Purple", which just flowered for the first time, last Thusday. Bought at the Green Scene in 2015 as a foot long cutting. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.

Nice! What pollen did you use to pollinate? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 02, 2016, 08:40:28 PM
This is a "Fullerton Purple", which just flowered for the first time, last Thusday. Bought at the Green Scene in 2015 as a foot long cutting. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.

more random "local" variety names?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: joaave on August 02, 2016, 08:43:41 PM
Hi friends I show you my first dragon fruits graft...look the small sprout at apex.


(https://s31.postimg.cc/k09kvxel3/IMG_4238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k09kvxel3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SocalKoop on August 03, 2016, 10:19:33 AM

[/quote]

Nice! What pollen did you use to pollinate?
[/quote]
I don't hand pollinate a few neighbor's have unnamed white types, and I have one of those and a Tanzania orange. Figure the bugs are doing an OK job. 3 of 5 flowers look to have been pollinated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SocalKoop on August 03, 2016, 10:25:10 AM
This is a "Fullerton Purple", which just flowered for the first time, last Thusday. Bought at the Green Scene in 2015 as a foot long cutting. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.

more random "local" variety names?

Yup, some hybrid of who knows what from the Fullerton arboretum supposidly.  But hey, can you go wrong with anything named "purple"? :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 03, 2016, 03:47:06 PM
Hi friends I show you my first dragon fruits graft...look the small sprout at apex.


(https://s31.postimg.cc/k09kvxel3/IMG_4238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k09kvxel3/)

That is really interesting. Can you elaborate in the process. In most fruits you graft mainly for root stock benefits like disease control. Is there such thing on dragon fruit?
Felicidades!!!!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: joaave on August 03, 2016, 04:07:57 PM
Hi carlos the dragonfruit graft like a cacti...this acelerate the flowering and growth faster....its the same grafting mode like a san pedro cacti...In 10 days the graft you know the results.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 03, 2016, 04:55:52 PM
Faster than planting a cutting on the ground? Not likely, right?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 03, 2016, 05:39:30 PM
First time grower's curiosity (anxiety)...
What is usually the pollination rate with hand pollination?
IF the fruits do set, just water as normal or +/-?
Fertilizer?
 ;D ;D :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 03, 2016, 11:57:21 PM
Hi carlos the dragonfruit graft like a cacti...this acelerate the flowering and growth faster....its the same grafting mode like a san pedro cacti...In 10 days the graft you know the results.
I think what he means is that by grafting a species you want to grow onto an already established root system you skip the time taken to root a new cutting. This would also be beneficial in larger plants to add a second species onto a larger plant, for both variety and cross pollinating.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 04, 2016, 06:22:40 AM
Hi carlos the dragonfruit graft like a cacti...this acelerate the flowering and growth faster....its the same grafting mode like a san pedro cacti...In 10 days the graft you know the results.
I think what he means is that by grafting a species you want to grow onto an already established root system you skip the time taken to root a new cutting. This would also be beneficial in larger plants to add a second species onto a larger plant, for both variety and cross pollinating.
That make sense is like top working a tree. I wonder how is done and materials used
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: joaave on August 04, 2016, 06:07:42 PM
Hi friends in this video teach the technique i applied on dragon fruit :

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIjTG6EN760#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 04, 2016, 06:42:40 PM
Hi carlos the dragonfruit graft like a cacti...this acelerate the flowering and growth faster....its the same grafting mode like a san pedro cacti...In 10 days the graft you know the results.
I think what he means is that by grafting a species you want to grow onto an already established root system you skip the time taken to root a new cutting. This would also be beneficial in larger plants to add a second species onto a larger plant, for both variety and cross pollinating.
That make sense is like top working a tree. I wonder how is done and materials used
Hello CTMIAMI, there is a bit more information on grafting cactus on this thread. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18773.msg242375#msg242375 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18773.msg242375#msg242375)
You can actually graft Dragonfruit onto Opuntias.
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 04, 2016, 06:54:31 PM
I think I posted this once before but I'll put it up again since it's being talked about. This is one of my favourite pinks grafted onto Cereus Peruvianus. Very easy to do, as both cactus have identical centre cores. Just match up the centres to roughly the same size and hold together with large rubber bands or tie down with string.
(https://s32.postimg.cc/mpise8g8h/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mpise8g8h/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on August 05, 2016, 08:44:21 AM
Hi! I'm very happy, yesterday i see my first button on my pitayas, on purple haze var!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 05, 2016, 01:44:10 PM
I think I have 3 baby dragons to look forward to, 2 of them are on two sides of the same stem extremely close to each other + pointing upward, hoping there will be enough support!!


It popped on Tuesday night! The only night that I was able to pollinate it! I brushed on the pollen I gathered from the Lomita White last week. Fingers crossed!

Have you had a chance to check the results?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 06, 2016, 07:35:03 PM
I think I have 3 baby dragons to look forward to, 2 of them are on two sides of the same stem extremely close to each other + pointing upward, hoping there will be enough support!!

Oops, one clearly aborted already from the dual flower, 9 days into pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 07, 2016, 10:39:55 AM
Is anyone growing Thompson DF in South Florida?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 07, 2016, 11:14:58 AM
It popped on Tuesday night! The only night that I was able to pollinate it! I brushed on the pollen I gathered from the Lomita White last week. Fingers crossed!
Have you had a chance to check the results?
Yes, and it's not good. 😭

My hand-cross-pollinated flower aborted, as did 6 other flowers that bloomed while I was gone.

Several other smaller flowers never even got to the blooming stage.

I had one flower left, and it bloomed the night I came home, so I pollinated it with the last of my collected pollen. So this is it for this batch of flowers.

One the other hand the flower in Manhattan Beach that I pollinated for them when I attempted to collect it's pollen has set a fruit! So at least someone is benefitting from all of my night time driving!
(https://s7.postimg.cc/7ru4wcj87/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7ru4wcj87/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 08, 2016, 12:27:54 AM
I had one flower left, and it bloomed the night I came home, so I pollinated it with the last of my collected pollen. So this is it for this batch of flowers.
And apparently I have another batch coming!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkSecondBatch.jpg)
I have a 15 buds scattered around the plant. If the same pattern holds about half of them will bloom.

Curiously, my Lomita White appears to have buds as well, which is surprising given the size of the plant:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteLessThanOneYear.jpg)


That's 2 cuttings planted less than a year ago. Neither looks nearly the critical mass that's been suggested as minimum size for fruiting. But the cuttings were thick and mature-looking, so they've got some years on them. These do look like flower buds, don't they?

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteAreTheseBuds.jpg)


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteIsThisABud.jpg)


If I'm really lucky they'll all bloom at the same time so I can cross pollinate everyone.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 08, 2016, 01:48:59 AM
I had one flower left, and it bloomed the night I came home, so I pollinated it with the last of my collected pollen. So this is it for this batch of flowers.
And apparently I have another batch coming!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkSecondBatch.jpg)
I have a 15 buds scattered around the plant. If the same pattern holds about half of them will bloom.

Curiously, my Lomita White appears to have buds as well, which is surprising given the size of the plant:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteLessThanOneYear.jpg)


That's 2 cuttings planted less than a year ago. Neither looks nearly the critical mass that's been suggested as minimum size for fruiting. But the cuttings were thick and mature-looking, so they've got some years on them. These do look like flower buds, don't they?

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteAreTheseBuds.jpg)


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteIsThisABud.jpg)


If I'm really lucky they'll all bloom at the same time so I can cross pollinate everyone.
I might be wrong, but if I had to make an educated guess, that Df in the first picture is a white variety as well. Almost all whites (and a very few pinks) have that brown stripe on the edges of the branch "blades". Its uncommon in most other varieties. Do you know what type of pollen you used on your first attempt, where none of the flowers set fruit? What is that one supposed to be?
As for the other plant showing flower buds, that is common in cuttings. It just means it was a good strong section of the plant, fully mature, and would have set fruit if it were still attached to its mother plant. If you have a solid root system on that one, you should be able to bring them to maturity, weather and other factors permitting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 08, 2016, 07:14:11 PM
I might be wrong, but if I had to make an educated guess, that Df in the first picture is a white variety as well. Almost all whites (and a very few pinks) have that brown stripe on the edges of the branch "blades". Its uncommon in most other varieties. Do you know what type of pollen you used on your first attempt, where none of the flowers set fruit? What is that one supposed to be?
That first photo is from a plant I bought at Lowes, almost 2 years ago (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.900). It's supposedly a Pink, grown by La Verne, though it hasn't borne fruit yet, so the jury's out.


The pollen I collected a few weeks ago is from a good-sized vine in Lomita, which itself is from a cutting from a very large vine also in Lomita (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg223148;topicseen#msg223148). The donor says the fruit is white-fleshed, which is why I'm calling it Lomita White. I don't have any other info on its pedigree.


The fruit that set is on a vine in Manhattan Beach that's climbing over its wall (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg254331#msg254331) so that I can get to it from the public sidewalk. I haven't made any contact with the owner yet. I knocked one night, but they didn't answer. Maybe they got freaked out by the large man holding a stepladder, a flashlight, and a cut-up Perrier bottle  ;D .
Quote
As for the other plant showing flower buds, that is common in cuttings. It just means it was a good strong section of the plant, fully mature, and would have set fruit if it were still attached to its mother plant. If you have a solid root system on that one, you should be able to bring them to maturity, weather and other factors permitting.

Interesting. So mature cuttings are definitely preferred to juvenile cuttings then?

This is also Lomita White. I probably won't let it set fruit this year, so as to encourage vine growth. But I'll let it flower so I can use it as a pollen donor.

I've never inspected the root system of a DF. I have some extra La Verne pink plants that I currently have no use for. If no one wants them I might shake them out to inspect the roots. I'll put them back in the dirt, so I'm not planning on sacrificing them, but I don't really need them, so the risk is acceptable. Or maybe I'll turn them into bare root plants for donation to someone.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 08, 2016, 08:12:07 PM
I still don't know if that one flower aborted b/c of the pollination (flower was not quite open at that time but I was sleepy already) OR because the stem was unable to support both flowers.

@TheWaterbug  Wow you have quite some flowers!! Last time I planted some yellow cutttings and the first thing they did was to put out some flower buds. Both aborted as there was barely any root system. Your plants look in really good shape. Yes healthy mature cuttings are always better than juvenile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 09, 2016, 11:45:02 AM
Dragonfruit roots are pretty tough. They don't break like other plants when you handle them. They actually stick to soil like ivy sticking to walls. I think you're pretty safe if you wanted to inspect the roots without causing much damage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bush2Beach on August 09, 2016, 11:58:33 AM
Describe "cheap", you can go to CPS and get 15's for $3 and change.

What is "CPS"?  :-\

Crop Production Services, used to be called Western Farm Supply. Big commercial supply center for Farmers, I know there's on in Fallbrook and all over I think if you look it up. They also have 3.5 cu. Ft bales of Sunshine #4 mix which is peat & perlite low PH soil mix ingredient as well as all size pots up to 100 Gallon for the right price.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 09, 2016, 01:33:23 PM
Crop Production Services, used to be called Western Farm Supply. Big commercial supply center for Farmers, I know there's on in Fallbrook and all over I think if you look it up. They also have 3.5 cu. Ft bales of Sunshine #4 mix which is peat & perlite low PH soil mix ingredient as well as all size pots up to 100 Gallon for the right price.

Do they sell retail? or only wholesale?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 09, 2016, 03:53:19 PM
Describe "cheap", you can go to CPS and get 15's for $3 and change.

What is "CPS"?  :-\

Crop Production Services, used to be called Western Farm Supply.


There's one 22 miles from my work. If they sell retail, I'll make a visit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 09, 2016, 04:12:01 PM
I've got a couple of these just about ready to pick.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Cebra/Cebra-1_08-09-16_zpsnzevzob4.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SocalKoop on August 09, 2016, 08:47:36 PM
Looks really great DM! What variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 10, 2016, 02:19:31 PM
I manage to miss the first bloom of my juvenile G2 plant!! How could that be sigh. Anyways hoping it will send more flower buds since this one will definitely abort.

And S8 is showing 4 flower buds!!!

These 2 cuttings were planted June 2015.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 10, 2016, 03:52:00 PM
I've got a couple of these just about ready to pick.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Cebra/Cebra-1_08-09-16_zpsnzevzob4.jpg)

Looks really great DM! What variety?

Cebra.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 10, 2016, 07:21:08 PM
If those are Cebra, and its your first time with them, be aware that they are amongst the deepest red of the dragonfruit varieties. The color is so strong that it can sometimes pass through your digestive tract and bladder intact, if you eat a large enough quantity of it,  and might lead to a bit of a colorful surprise the next morning in the bathroom. Its not harmful, but it is can be a bit of a shock if you're unaware. My goddaughter called me up the morning after eating 2 whole fruit from my house thinking she was having some sort of allergic reaction. Was a lot funnier to me than it was to her.
I just wanted to point this out, in the event you didn't know. Also, as a side note, Cebra does make a very nice natural food coloring for things like cookies or cakes, and could even possibly be distilled into a purer form for log term storage for that use. It's SUPER red
8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 11, 2016, 11:34:52 AM
Anyone have cebra cuttings to spare? I want some now!

I can swap with Lisa.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 11, 2016, 02:10:40 PM
The cebra photo reminded me about this picture from ebay? listing says "you will receive 1 plant! This variety is Cosmic Blue with Big Blue Blooms!"

(https://s10.postimg.cc/p86k0jd2d/s_l400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p86k0jd2d/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on August 11, 2016, 02:23:24 PM
Anyone have cebra cuttings to spare? I want some now!

I can swap with Lisa.
I thought Lisa is the same as cebra?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on August 11, 2016, 02:29:00 PM
My 4 years+ seedling from Vietnam first time with flower buds.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/9xzwumxl1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9xzwumxl1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 11, 2016, 04:10:39 PM
If those are Cebra, and its your first time with them, be aware that they are amongst the deepest red of the dragonfruit varieties. The color is so strong that it can sometimes pass through your digestive tract and bladder intact, if you eat a large enough quantity of it,  and might lead to a bit of a colorful surprise the next morning in the bathroom. Its not harmful, but it is can be a bit of a shock if you're unaware. My goddaughter called me up the morning after eating 2 whole fruit from my house thinking she was having some sort of allergic reaction. Was a lot funnier to me than it was to her.
I just wanted to point this out, in the event you didn't know. Also, as a side note, Cebra does make a very nice natural food coloring for things like cookies or cakes, and could even possibly be distilled into a purer form for log term storage for that use. It's SUPER red
8)
The person I got the cutting from said it was Cebra, and Rob your description is dead on about the "effects".
We got 2 fruit last year (first time) and other than the fact that it looks cool with the fins curling back, when we cut it open both kind of amazed at how red it was. I remarked that of all the purple/magenta ones this was the only one to stain fingers and such. The grand baby was just over a year old at the time, and she loves DF (actually loves almost every type of fruit). She would eat as much as you would give her. She probably got a little less than a quarter of one and I got the call from Nana the next morning at work saying that I needed to go online and see if DF has any effect on urine color. Guess the diaper was colorful that morning. Good thing Nana is a nurse and figured out what was going on, if mom saw it it would have been an event, probably involving calls to 911, poison control, a trip to the ER and general freaking out on her part. As it is, certain fruits (DF, cherries, kiwi and a few others) seem to cause the grand baby to have a reaction and she gets a rash from the wet diaper. So until she gets potty trained no more DF for her.

The cebra photo reminded me about this picture from ebay? listing says "you will receive 1 plant! This variety is Cosmic Blue with Big Blue Blooms!"

(https://s10.postimg.cc/p86k0jd2d/s_l400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p86k0jd2d/)

Nothing photo shopped in my photo. The fruit is neater looking earlier while the tips of the fins are still bright green. To me it is almost like it sparkles or something, much different than any others that I have.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on August 11, 2016, 04:23:53 PM
Does any member know what varieties my dragonfruit are . I got them from eBay and they are red flesh kind. The stem are kinda purplish color .
(https://s10.postimg.cc/59dr7b6et/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/59dr7b6et/)

(https://s10.postimg.cc/5nf36wqid/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5nf36wqid/)

(https://s10.postimg.cc/sditdmz3p/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sditdmz3p/)

(https://s10.postimg.cc/h2g5p9s8l/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/h2g5p9s8l/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/rp1m7aiqz/image.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/rp1m7aiqz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 11, 2016, 05:26:48 PM
Anyone have cebra cuttings to spare? I want some now!

I can swap with Lisa.
I thought Lisa is the same as cebra?

Do you remember where you heard this from? The description of the fruit does sound like Lisa.

Matt's landscape sells both Lisa and Cebra so I am confused.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 11, 2016, 06:33:34 PM
Nothing photo shopped in my photo. The fruit is neater looking earlier while the tips of the fins are still bright green. To me it is almost like it sparkles or something, much different than any others that I have.
DM

@DM  your photo was captivating and all natural looking.
The ebay picture is just.... worst photoshop I've seen on DF lol.

By the way the ebay seller of cosmic blue replied
Quote
As with many new hybrid species, until presented with proper recognition with the government, a hybrid is just a hybrid. The photo is a stock photo and the actual fruit is much more vibrant, yes it is blue on the inside and does have hot pink tips. My Dragon Fruit just bloomed, so the fruit will come soon and I will be posting new pictures from my tree!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on August 11, 2016, 07:19:59 PM
Anyone have cebra cuttings to spare? I want some now!

I can swap with Lisa.
I thought Lisa is the same as cebra?

Do you remember where you heard this from? The description of the fruit does sound like Lisa.

Matt's landscape sells both Lisa and Cebra so I am confused.
http://ucanr.edu/sites/sdsmallfarms/files/197430.pdf (http://ucanr.edu/sites/sdsmallfarms/files/197430.pdf)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 11, 2016, 08:41:07 PM
My 4 years+ seedling from Vietnam first time with flower buds.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/9xzwumxl1/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9xzwumxl1/)
Was the fruit the seeds came from purpleish-red and round shaped? The shape of the branches looks like Bien Hoa Red, or American Beauty or another gutamalean variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on August 11, 2016, 09:40:05 PM
Rob,
The horizontal branch is American beauty planted right next to it(look the same). The seedling came from a red flesh variety. I can't rememberfruit shape. It is a commercial variety in VN.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2016, 02:31:39 AM
I thought Lisa is the same as cebra?

Close, but not exactly the same.

From Dr. Douhan, UC Riverside, DNA Research on UC accessions;
"All red-fleshed accessions originating from Nicaragua are very closely related. However, two clusters were found with Lisa, Rosa an Cebra in one cluster and Armando and San Ignacio in another. These accessions could be grouped under Hylocereus costaricensis or Hylocereus polyrhizus."
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: turgut on August 13, 2016, 06:34:24 AM
My greenhouse dragon fruit

(https://s10.postimg.cc/7ldhs2as5/20160813_112315.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7ldhs2as5/)


(https://s10.postimg.cc/s4632k7r9/20160813_112345.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/s4632k7r9/)

(https://s10.postimg.cc/j4e2tdodx/20160813_112408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j4e2tdodx/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/nd0ueymhn/20160813_112439.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nd0ueymhn/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/cc524kjy3/20160813_102237.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cc524kjy3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 13, 2016, 01:05:25 PM
So cool @turgut

Fingers crossed for my 2 developing fruits on the same plant, one seems to be growing slower than the other, but all green = good news right? :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 15, 2016, 04:34:51 AM
Saw these plants today while cruising around my local area. Very healthy dragonfruit plants(considering it's still winter here), growing in a front yard. The support being used looked to me like 4 metal star pickets, with a plastic milk crate on top. Not sure if the whole thing is concreted into the ground, but very interesting idea. Will keep an eye on them over summer to see how big they get.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 15, 2016, 04:44:11 AM
(https://s4.postimg.cc/vopujbnx5/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vopujbnx5/)

(https://s3.postimg.cc/tkmlv278v/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tkmlv278v/)

Sorry about that. Here they are.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 17, 2016, 09:32:51 AM
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/2016%20Pitahaya%20Festival_zpsfkgp3btc.jpg)

Who will be attending?  I will be there, would love to say hi to members
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 17, 2016, 02:06:10 PM
Carlos, which one will you attend? The seminar and/or field trip?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 17, 2016, 02:31:59 PM
I'm registered for both
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Eirlis on August 17, 2016, 05:05:43 PM
I registered for just the field day as I live 2 miles from SCREC. I haven't received any specific information about it though. Any idea  what time it starts??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 17, 2016, 05:36:27 PM
I registered for just the field day as I live 2 miles from SCREC. I haven't received any specific information about it though. Any idea  what time it starts??

Be there before 8. You want to register and get on the first tram to the field IMO. Wear a good shade hat... it will be hot!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on August 18, 2016, 02:48:43 PM
I will be at both events.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 20, 2016, 08:11:47 AM
From the pitaya workshop in Escondido. Ca
(https://s4.postimg.cc/6jkvplu6x/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6jkvplu6x/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 20, 2016, 01:38:47 PM
From the pitaya workshop in Escondido. Ca
(https://s4.postimg.cc/6jkvplu6x/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6jkvplu6x/)

I am sorry that I did not suggest to Escondido Pitahaya seminar participants that http://www.epicacti.com (http://www.epicacti.com) would have been a neat place to visit.

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssqFklhYhI4&index=29&#)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 25, 2016, 11:48:45 AM
My dad bought some red flesh dragon fruit from a local Asian supermarket (99 Ranch on Culver) in Irvine and the fruits were labeled as “Corona SA”, product of Mexico. Anyone tried this? It was about 4-5 bucks a lb with each fruit weighing about 1.5lbs. The flesh is very very firm and sweet with some tartness – It’s one of the best I have had so far. The color of the fruit is very dark magenta. It made my son look like an extra from the Walking Dead after consuming the fruit. I will take photos on the last fruit later. 

If you know what variety this is and you have cuttings, I would like to buy some. If I can’t find anyone who has cuttings to share, I am inclined to grow a few dz of seeds out and name one of them “El Monte”.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 25, 2016, 09:03:11 PM
I got a taste of it at 168 market. It's pretty decent. I'm too cheap to buy it after several past bad experiences with white fleshed fruits. That could really ruin people's perception of the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 26, 2016, 05:47:15 PM
If I can’t find anyone who has cuttings to share, I am inclined to grow a few dz of seeds out and name one of them “El Monte”.

How would you know if they grow true to parents?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 26, 2016, 06:29:12 PM
I did not realized Dragon Fruit was allowd from Mexico. i wonder if it is irradiated fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on August 26, 2016, 07:00:04 PM
The seedlings are more than likely not going to be clones of the parents but they will probably retain traits of their parents. That's why I am growing more than a few seedlings out.

If the seeds don't germinate, they're probably irradiated. I have nothing to loose if they don't germinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 26, 2016, 10:05:03 PM
If I can’t find anyone who has cuttings to share, I am inclined to grow a few dz of seeds out and name one of them “El Monte”.

Anybody living in Southern California should be able to find cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 27, 2016, 06:18:20 PM
Anybody living in Southern California should be able to find cuttings.

xshen has an extensive df collection haha. so anyone heard of corona SA? all the new localized names such as corona, fullerton, etc. drive me nuts lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 28, 2016, 03:10:12 PM
47 dragon fruits harvested today.
14 Physical Graffiti
13 Dark Star
10 Vietnamese Jaina
10 Unknown types
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Harvest_08-28-2016_zpsa8xnivxm.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 28, 2016, 05:39:24 PM
Anybody living in Southern California should be able to find cuttings.

xshen has an extensive df collection haha. so anyone heard of corona SA? all the new localized names such as corona, fullerton, etc. drive me nuts lol
Corona SA is the name of the packer or grower, not necessarily the name of the cultivar. Typical packing house strategy of not letting the consumer know what it is and packing several varieties under the same label
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 28, 2016, 05:40:20 PM
47 dragon fruits harvested today.
14 Physical Graffiti
13 Dark Star
10 Vietnamese Jaina
10 Unknown types
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Harvest_08-28-2016_zpsa8xnivxm.jpg)

DM
DM How do you keep them so clean? Do you have a spray program?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: yitsfrank on August 29, 2016, 08:39:13 AM
Hello Fellow TFF! I recently moved to Dunedin Florida and in love with DF. Came from good ole Carolina. I would love to grown some of this Beauty. Anyone around the ST. Pete Clearwater area got any cutting he/she would like to donate???? ::) ::)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: raimeiken on August 29, 2016, 06:01:42 PM
Newbie here. I planted a red type in ground last spring that I got from Homedepot. Not exactly sure what variety it is but it's from La Verne nursery.

Anyway, planning to expand my collection here. Where do you guys get cuttings from? I'm looking to get these.

American beauty
Cebra
Dark star
Purple haze
David bowie
Halley's comet
Yellow dragon
Thompson S-8 or Sugar Dragon

or if you guys have some to spare, would love to get started on rooting some while we have the heat here still  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 29, 2016, 07:14:55 PM

DM How do you keep them so clean? Do you have a spray program?

Actually I don't spray them with anything, didn't do much (if any) fertilizing this year either. Can't say I have had a problem with them looking bad, other than some splitting after days of rain.

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 29, 2016, 08:50:58 PM
Anyway, planning to expand my collection here. Where do you guys get cuttings from? I'm looking to get these.

S8 is the all around pollen that pollinates everything including itself.

I was lucky to have generous friends who grow DF. Local CRFG meetings also had some cuttings.
My collection currently: physical graffiti, G2, S8, Vietnamese giant, lisa, valdivia roja, condor, yellow megalanthus, and another unknown "yellow". Out of all these, lisa and yellow megalanthus look significantly different, and everyone else seem to be pretty close relatives.

I think I only have room for another 1-2 varieties that are tasty yet different. Recommendations much much appreciated!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on August 30, 2016, 01:21:15 PM
Hello Fellow TFF! I recently moved to Dunedin Florida and in love with DF. Came from good ole Carolina. I would love to grown some of this Beauty. Anyone around the ST. Pete Clearwater area got any cutting he/she would like to donate???? ::) ::)

I will have some soon that I can give to you. I'm located in Pinellas Park not to far from you. I will let you know when I trim some of my DF.

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 30, 2016, 02:42:43 PM
Currently flowering are physical graffiti, s8, g2... Amazing how the flower buds all look very different!
S2 flower buds (top left) were very complex with red tint from the beginning,
G2 (bottom left) are like a green mini lotus bud,
physical graffiti (bottom right) green Brussels sprouts :P

(https://s22.postimg.cc/waf7rtunx/pt2016_08_29_21_34_42.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/waf7rtunx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 01, 2016, 05:08:55 PM
Is "morning after" pollen still viable? I didn't check my Lomita White before turning in last night, but this morning at 9:00 AM I saw this!


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteFirstBloom.jpg)


I used my Perrier pollen collector and got ~1/4 teaspoon of pollen, which is now in the freezer awaiting flowering of my La Verne Pink, which should happen in the next 3-4 days. But I'm going to check every night, just to be sure!


I also brushed some pollen on its own stigma, since it sticks out too far to be close to the pollen. I don't know if this variety is self-fertile, but I suppose we'll found out soon!


Curiously, this flower had zero bees in it or on it, despite being about 5' from 5 beehives. The bees were flying, but none showed any interest in this flower. There was a bunch of ants on it, so someone could smell it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 01, 2016, 05:23:59 PM
47 dragon fruits harvested today.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/Harvest_08-28-2016_zpsa8xnivxm.jpg)


That's a box of gold at today's retail prices!


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/DragonFruitRetail.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on September 02, 2016, 05:42:57 PM

DM How do you keep them so clean? Do you have a spray program?

Actually I don't spray them with anything, didn't do much (if any) fertilizing this year either. Can't say I have had a problem with them looking bad, other than some splitting after days of rain.

DM

Interesting. I wonder if there are others with DF in your immediate area.   Is you are growing isolated could be a reason why you don,t have a problem.  I see some large operations with a lot of disease.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 02, 2016, 10:44:14 PM
My first actual harvest of the year. Had a few sporatic ripeners now and then but this is the first time Ive been able to collect a bunch at one time.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/np2t1cx79/DSCN1572.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/np2t1cx79/)

(https://s13.postimg.cc/cgtgolllv/DSCN1573.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cgtgolllv/)

(https://s21.postimg.cc/8zu2iqtsz/DSCN1574.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8zu2iqtsz/)

The ones on the left are a mixed bag of various pink varieties, with a couple white ones mixed in. On the left is my precious, the S8. Made some dragonfruit jam this year (pro tip: if you try this at home, be VERY careful about the amount of sugar you add. Used the strawberry jam recipe, and cut the sugar in half, still came out WAY too sweet). Friends and family are eagerly awaiting the next harvest.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on September 02, 2016, 11:00:10 PM
My first actual harvest of the year. Had a few sporatic ripeners now and then but this is the first time Ive been able to collect a bunch at one time.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/np2t1cx79/DSCN1572.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/np2t1cx79/)

(https://s13.postimg.cc/cgtgolllv/DSCN1573.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cgtgolllv/)

(https://s21.postimg.cc/8zu2iqtsz/DSCN1574.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8zu2iqtsz/)

The ones on the left are a mixed bag of various pink varieties, with a couple white ones mixed in. On the left is my precious, the S8. Made some dragonfruit jam this year (pro tip: if you try this at home, be VERY careful about the amount of sugar you add. Used the strawberry jam recipe, and cut the sugar in half, still came out WAY too sweet). Friends and family are eagerly awaiting the next harvest.
Nice.  Is that S8 harvest from one tree? can you post a picture to see the size?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on September 10, 2016, 02:45:38 PM
That's a box of gold at today's retail prices!
Or a 2.5 gallon zip-loc bag of dried dragon fruit.
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/P1010420_zpsrbcckxs8.jpg)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Dragon%20Fruit/P1010421_zps2uay1dkg.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: yitsfrank on September 10, 2016, 04:53:28 PM
Hello Fellow TFF! I recently moved to Dunedin Florida and in love with DF. Came from good ole Carolina. I would love to grown some of this Beauty. Anyone around the ST. Pete Clearwater area got any cutting he/she would like to donate???? ::) ::)

I will have some soon that I can give to you. I'm located in Pinellas Park not to far from you. I will let you know when I trim some of my DF.

Thanks
Thanks a lot my fellow Vietnamese brother Khoi. Will be looking forward to it!
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 12, 2016, 09:41:36 PM
When is the best time to harvest dragon fruits? My first harvest ever (yeah!!) bloomed on 7/27 but the skin was still a little hard when I ate it on 9/9. I am trying to have it ripen on the plant as long as possible yet don't want to risk wasting it.

Tips please!! Thank you so much =D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 12, 2016, 09:48:22 PM
When is the best time to harvest dragon fruits? My first harvest ever (yeah!!) bloomed on 7/27 but the skin was still a little hard when I ate it on 9/9. I am trying to have it ripen on the plant as long as possible yet don't want to risk wasting it.

Tips please!! Thank you so much =D

Like you, I try to leave the fruit on the plant as long as possible. I just picked another fruit with a giant split in it. No problem...  I will cut the bad part away after it chills in the refrigerator.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on September 13, 2016, 01:21:57 AM
Anyone worked with this seller? If it is legit, I want to buy it.

Dragon Fruit "Gold Yellow Rooted Cutting" Tree Plant
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragon-Fruit-Gold-Yellow-Rooted-Cutting-Tree-Plant-/112128028665?hash=item1a1b59eff9:g:pMgAAOSwgmJX0kQ0 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragon-Fruit-Gold-Yellow-Rooted-Cutting-Tree-Plant-/112128028665?hash=item1a1b59eff9:g:pMgAAOSwgmJX0kQ0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 13, 2016, 04:49:11 AM
Personally, I would never buy a dragonfruit cutting/plant from an eBay seller that is selling a generic made up name plant. Chances are you will be very disappointed in 18 months when the fruit is not what you expected it to be. Another thing to consider, the flesh is white. Generally not even close to being as tasty as a pink, purple or red variety. Stick with reputable sellers, usually recommended by growers on this forum. This variety might be genuine. I'm sceptical, and I certainly wouldn't pay that much for it without seeing the fruit on the plant, and picking it myself. Just to be clear, I've been burnt a couple of times. Be careful.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 13, 2016, 10:18:07 AM
The ebay image's color looks heavily photoshoped.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 13, 2016, 02:53:39 PM
Anyone worked with this seller? If it is legit, I want to buy it.

Dragon Fruit "Gold Yellow Rooted Cutting" Tree Plant
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragon-Fruit-Gold-Yellow-Rooted-Cutting-Tree-Plant-/112128028665?hash=item1a1b59eff9:g:pMgAAOSwgmJX0kQ0 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragon-Fruit-Gold-Yellow-Rooted-Cutting-Tree-Plant-/112128028665?hash=item1a1b59eff9:g:pMgAAOSwgmJX0kQ0)

Be very careful with some eBay sellers.

I am currently growing (testing) a "Yellow Dragon Fruit" purchased by a friend on eBay.

A couple years ago my friend bought a "Yellow Dragon Fruit" cutting on eBay. He wanted and thought that he was buying a yellow megalanthus.

After getting, growing, and learning more about DF, he realized that the cutting was NOT a yellow megalanthus.

Knowing that I was looking for a "Yellow Hylocereus undatus" he offered the plant to me, thinking maybe he bought (slim odds) a Yellow Undatus.

I agreed and last month I got two flowers which I successfully pollinated.  I am waiting for the fruit to ripen.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/yellow_2101_zps51oynzia.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/yellow_2102_zpsow0clvwx.jpg)

Judgement Day will be soon.  ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: xshen on September 13, 2016, 10:09:37 PM
Looks promising Rick. If this is the real deal, I hope you can sell me some cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 14, 2016, 01:16:46 AM
I am currently growing 2 allegedly "yellow" varieties. One is yellow megalanthus, another looks very similar to Rick's picture, not yet fruiting size though.

So what exactly is Yellow Undatus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 14, 2016, 01:46:34 AM
So what exactly is Yellow Undatus?

A subspecies of Hylocereus undatus.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/yellow_undatus_zpswbhmq5yd.jpg)

For more information; download the PDF: http://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://files.nahranice.webnode.cz/200000192-23a5b249f8/A-NEW-SUBSPECIES-OF-HYLOCEREUS-ARTREV.pdf&hl=en&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm2IFAJNfE3O1suFGreBqU2cfzpYyA&nossl=1&oi=scholarr (http://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://files.nahranice.webnode.cz/200000192-23a5b249f8/A-NEW-SUBSPECIES-OF-HYLOCEREUS-ARTREV.pdf&hl=en&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm2IFAJNfE3O1suFGreBqU2cfzpYyA&nossl=1&oi=scholarr)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 19, 2016, 07:53:57 PM
This is also Lomita White. I probably won't let it set fruit this year, so as to encourage vine growth. But I'll let it flower so I can use it as a pollen donor.


So much for that plan. My one Lomita White flower is the only one that set fruit! I pollinated it with pollen from my La Verne Pink, and here it was about a week ago. It's twice the size, now:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LomitaWhiteSettingFruit.jpg)


As for my La Verne Pink, I've tried pollinating it with the Lomita White pollen (4-5 different times from 2 different flowers from 2 different plants, albeit clones of one another), I've tried pollinating it from itself, and I've tried leaving it alone. Out of 30 flowers, none has set fruit:


(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3552590/LaVernePinkNoFruit.jpg)


I don't have any other reliable pollen sources around, so I may take Rob up on his offer of pollen. If I can ever find a free Sunday. Of course I also need to go to Ventura to pick up my Gold Coast mango tree. Some day.


I should probably invest in an 8-S for the future so that I have a universal pollinator. Where's a good place to buy a cutting? Or something more mature?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 19, 2016, 11:58:27 PM

I don't have any other reliable pollen sources around, so I may take Rob up on his offer of pollen. If I can ever find a free Sunday. Of course I also need to go to Ventura to pick up my Gold Coast mango tree. Some day.

I should probably invest in an 8-S for the future so that I have a universal pollinator. Where's a good place to buy a cutting? Or something more mature?

If you decide to drive up to Ventura to pick up your mango tree. I will give you one of the 8-S cuttings I got from Rob.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 20, 2016, 01:29:23 PM
So far I have harvested one fruit from my oldest (unknown) white variety and leaving the second one on the vine for as long as possible, checking it daily lest it splits.

Patiently waiting to see how the rest of flowers do. It's great S8 decided to flower this year and donated pollen to G2 and the white unknown df.


As for my La Verne Pink, I've tried pollinating it with the Lomita White pollen (4-5 different times from 2 different flowers from 2 different plants, albeit clones of one another), I've tried pollinating it from itself, and I've tried leaving it alone. Out of 30 flowers, none has set fruit...

30 flowers and none set fruit???!!! Ouch. The plant itself must be pretty healthy, otherwise it wouldn't flower so abundantly right?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 20, 2016, 01:33:54 PM
30 flowers and none set fruit???!!! Ouch. The plant itself must be pretty healthy, otherwise it wouldn't flower so abundantly right?

Not my video.

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWSvCshyVV0#)

 :o  I hope this person gets some fruit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 21, 2016, 01:11:19 AM
Excited for Edgar. One of the hybrids he created being sold at Walmart.

Edgar's Baby Dragon Fruit - Hylocereus - Pitaya/Strawberry Pear - 4" Pot

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 21, 2016, 01:54:19 AM
Excited for Edgar. One of the hybrids he created being sold at Walmart.

Edgar's Baby Dragon Fruit - Hylocereus - Pitaya/Strawberry Pear - 4" Pot

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513)


Hirt's also sells through amazon (https://smile.amazon.com/Edgars-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus/dp/B01GXPHNIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474437199&sr=8-1&keywords=edgar%27s+baby+Hirt%27s+Gardens).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 21, 2016, 04:39:27 PM

Hirt's also sells through amazon (https://smile.amazon.com/Edgars-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus/dp/B01GXPHNIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474437199&sr=8-1&keywords=edgar%27s+baby+Hirt%27s+Gardens).


Warning: Somebody told me that they bought an Edgar's Baby on eBay, very cheap, and the plant they got was one inch high and looked like a seedling.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 21, 2016, 11:23:16 PM
Don't ever buy seedlings, unless you're ok with playing dragonfruit roulette with the result. You never know what youre going to get from seeds, and 2-3 years set up time is a lot of time to waste if you get something that sucks.
BTW, Ive got plenty of cuttings, some rooted, if you ever do make it down this way, and if a couple happen to end up in your car, who's going to know?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on September 22, 2016, 03:01:38 AM
As for almost all seedling, with a seed you'll have a new clone, so you could be lucky or not.
Anyway, few years ago I bought some Strawberry Guavas seeds on ebay, i planted.....now i have a very beautiful Guava tree, not Strawberry.
So, it's better to get seeds from people specialized in selling them....not from a common private that doesn't know what he is selling.

What you think about Hylocereus megalanthus?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 22, 2016, 09:45:57 PM
Ive personally stopped growing Megalanthus. Its too fickle a plant, the ripening times are too long and the fruit is way to unimpressive for the work involved in producing it. I had some to try experimental cross pollination, but I'm not really doing that either, to that particular species has been moved to my "nope" list.
BTW, I know some people are impressed by how sweet the megalanthus is, but to me, that's all it is. Theres no underlying flavor, just sugary flesh, like eating unflavored but sweetened Jello, with crunchy bits in it. For me, its all about flavor. Sweet is a bonus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 24, 2016, 11:21:42 AM
I used to not like the H/S Megalanthus because I thought it was too sweet and lacked flavor but the ones I grew myself were excellent tasting. I shared some with friends and they said it had hints of Mangosteen. I did not find hinds of mangosteen, maybe just the texture but there is some complexity in the flesh for some selections of the Megalanthus. The other great attribute of the Megalanthus is that it fruits in fall/winter so it gives you an extended harvest when most other sub/tropical fruit have already finished fruiting.

Actually, it's best attribute in my opinion is that the fruit is spikey. This is horrible for commercial growers but wonderful for backyard growers with rodent problems. Recently I've been extremely busy with the kids so I ignored a rat problem for several weeks and the rate probably ate 50-100 of my dragonfruit. The only dragonfruit that weren't touched are the spikey Frankie's red and a few developing Megalanthus.

Megalanthus are slow to establish but once they are established, they grow almost as fast as Undatus. I posted pictures 1-2 years ago of my small megalanthus that produced many many fruit, I think I got 70-100 fruit, small selection, from the small plant.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 30, 2016, 10:21:50 AM
as soon as I posted my statement above, the neighborhood rats ravaged my spikey Frankie's Red. I think some of the rats may have learned to read and they stay up to date on things by reading threads on the Tropical Fruit Forum. This is the first time I've seen rats eating these spikey fruit. I literally saw a huge rat carefully climbing off the vine as I came near.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 30, 2016, 10:26:41 AM
Here's a pic.

Simon
(https://s9.postimg.cc/o13uwxdff/IMG_9810.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/o13uwxdff/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on October 03, 2016, 02:16:22 PM
Simon,
Sorry to hear about the loss of fruit to the rats.  My local Vons just up the road from you in PQ actually had Yellow Dragonfruit, a Hylocereus undatus like the one shown in Rickshaw's post, on sale!  They were of decent size, just under a pound and were labeled a product of Israel.

I did buy one having never tried it before.  It was slightly tart without a lot of flavor.  It was very interesting, but I didn't like it enough to save any seed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 03, 2016, 04:45:41 PM
Wow! I would never have expected to see Yellow Undatus being sold at Von's!
I am still looking for a cutting for growing for the interesting factor.
BTW: My friend did a follow-up on the Golden Yellow dragon fruit rooted cuttings being sold on eBay. He said the guy's answers were suspicious, so we did not chance it.

Simon,
Sorry to hear about the loss of fruit to the rats.  My local Vons just up the road from you in PQ actually had Yellow Dragonfruit, a Hylocereus undatus like the one shown in Rickshaw's post, on sale!  They were of decent size, just under a pound and were labeled a product of Israel.

I did buy one having never tried it before.  It was slightly tart without a lot of flavor.  It was very interesting, but I didn't like it enough to save any seed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 03, 2016, 04:50:20 PM
Excited for Edgar. One of the hybrids he created being sold at Walmart.
Edgar's Baby Dragon Fruit - Hylocereus - Pitaya/Strawberry Pear - 4" Pot
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgar-s-Baby-Dragon-Fruit-Hylocereus-Pitaya-Strawberry-Pear-4-Pot/134377513)

I talked to Edgar about this. Edgar said the nursery did tissue culture and has thousands of Edgar's Baby clones. I also tasted Edgar's Baby and it is good!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 11, 2016, 10:57:21 PM
Wow! I would never have expected to see Yellow Undatus being sold at Von's!
I am still looking for a cutting for growing for the interesting factor.

Today while at Von's, I looked in the produce section for "yellow dragon fruit".

I was surprised when I too found Yellow Undatus from Israel.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/yellow_vons_164203_zps0izfdhsw.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on October 11, 2016, 11:15:21 PM
Edgar baby the same as Valdivia rojo? How does this compare to sweet dragon?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on October 12, 2016, 01:11:13 AM
Edgar baby the same as Valdivia rojo? How does this compare to sweet dragon?

I am pretty sure they are different. I have one of each and they seem to grow very differently. Not mature yet so I can't compare the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 12, 2016, 08:16:49 AM
I saw and purchased the same at vons. I was not impressed with the Yellow skinned Undatus last time I tried it.  I'll report back with results once I cut this one open.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 12, 2016, 08:18:06 AM
Here's the pics
(https://s14.postimg.cc/5b3dhy0kd/IMG_9867.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5b3dhy0kd/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/5p9avaa1p/IMG_9868.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5p9avaa1p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 12, 2016, 11:38:02 AM
I saw and purchased the same at vons. I was not impressed with the Yellow skinned Undatus last time I tried it.  I'll report back with results once I cut this one open.
Simon

Makes me wonder why the Israelis are producing so many yellow skinned Undatus.

I still want to find a Yellow Undatus cutting to grow for the unusual factor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 12, 2016, 07:50:02 PM
Edgar baby the same as Valdivia rojo? How does this compare to sweet dragon?

I am pretty sure they are different. I have one of each and they seem to grow very differently. Not mature yet so I can't compare the fruit.
They're different. Valdivia Roja is not even from Edgar. It's from a farm called Valdivia Ranch in Mexico. Edgar always points that out when talking about it. I like the fruit a lot but it's small and not self fertile.

Edgar's baby is a relatively new variety. You guys know more than I do about it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 12, 2016, 08:58:22 PM
Edgar baby the same as Valdivia rojo? How does this compare to sweet dragon?

I am pretty sure they are different. I have one of each and they seem to grow very differently. Not mature yet so I can't compare the fruit.
They're different. Valdivia Roja is not even from Edgar. It's from a farm called Valdivia Ranch in Mexico. Edgar always points that out when talking about it. I like the fruit a lot but it's small and not self fertile.

Edgar's baby is a relatively new variety. You guys know more than I do about it.

Edgar Valdivia was positive about Edgar's Baby (named by a nursery which did tissue culture and has produced thousands of clones) and Edgar (a variety he named) and he grows both. I don't think Edgar makes any money from Edgar's Baby.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 13, 2016, 01:24:56 PM
8.99 /lb...  :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 13, 2016, 02:22:04 PM
Yes, the yellow skinned Israeli DF go for about 8-9 dollars a lbs.  here it is cut open. It tastes exactly as I remember it, completely bland with no sweetness and no flavor. The Brix was 12% and the fruit tastes like water. People will be turned off if this is the first DF they sample. The DF industry has a huge marketing problem. Yes, people will buy them on the short term but in the long run, they are turning people off this fruit. It's like the Tommy Atkins mango dilemma.

Simon
(https://s17.postimg.cc/u9ya01oiz/IMG_0147.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/u9ya01oiz/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/6k8ubcq5n/IMG_0148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6k8ubcq5n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 13, 2016, 06:22:24 PM
One thing with the low brix scores on some varieties is that it makes it an ideal fruit for diabetics to 'enjoy'. I first started growing dragonfruit because my mother was having a rough time with her blood sugar and I heard DF was very high in fruity nutrition without having much in the way of sugar, which sounded ideal for her. She's since managed to turn things around, and enjoys more sweet varieties of the fruit, but you cant discount the value of low sugar fruit.
Having said that, it's a very niche argument for producing those, and I do agree, if anyone just wanted to say 'hey, lets try out this exotic looking fruit', they might not come back. Ive heard a lot of people tell me they tried DF before and it wasn't to their liking, mostly flavorless. Ive had to force it on a couple people to get them to change their minds about the whole thing. And yes, that variety isn't doing anyone any favors, especially producers of better fruit, by circulating those. BUT, its still an option and I know a lot of time went into producing that hybrid, and that work continues to improve it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on October 13, 2016, 06:23:08 PM
Need expert help with DF cutting . I'm currently planting some cutting . They were growing great and then all the suddenly the base of the cutting turn yellow and the growth stop. So I took a knife and cut off all the yellow  part off the base of cutting . Anyone know what wrong and why the cutting base turn yellow?

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on October 13, 2016, 06:36:06 PM

Makes me wonder why the Israelis are producing so many yellow skinned Undatus.


They have sunk costs in putting in the plant and trellis's necessary to support them, plus farm infrastructure, etc. They're not thinking much about the future, just their return on investment.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 13, 2016, 09:39:09 PM
Need expert help with DF cutting . I'm currently planting some cutting . They were growing great and then all the suddenly the base of the cutting turn yellow and the growth stop. So I took a knife and cut off all the yellow  part off the base of cutting . Anyone know what wrong and why the cutting base turn yellow?

Thanks

Do you have pictures? Dry out the ends of cuttings before planting in a fast draining soil. Give it bottom heat to speed up root developement. Weather is turning cold, especially at night so bottom heat  helps a lot.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on October 14, 2016, 06:14:49 AM
Need expert help with DF cutting . I'm currently planting some cutting . They were growing great and then all the suddenly the base of the cutting turn yellow and the growth stop. So I took a knife and cut off all the yellow  part off the base of cutting . Anyone know what wrong and why the cutting base turn yellow?

Thanks

Do you have pictures? Dry out the ends of cuttings before planting in a fast draining soil. Give it bottom heat to speed up root developement. Weather is turning cold, especially at night so bottom heat  helps a lot.

Simon
Sorry Simon I didn't take any picture.  The bottom just got mushy and turn yellow.  I'm going to  take it out  and dry it in the sun and repot again .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 14, 2016, 02:25:30 PM
Actually, until it roots, keep it mostly dry, in sandy or loose Unfertilized soil. Pure sand works well, and if you can someplace where theres concrete and sun, put about 2 inches of sand max in a pot, place that on the concrete (or asphalt) and add some water maybe once a week. The concrete 'bed' will help warm the sand and promote growth. Heat, or more specifically, warmth, is a huge help in getting these plants to start rooting. But, if youre starting over, cut off the yellowed portion of the plant, add some rooting hormone, if you have any, and let the fresh cut 'harden' or dry for at least one week. Then, wet the end again, add rooting hormone to the cut, and place in your pot. You want fully draining, sterile soil until you get your roots. Remember, youre not trying to get a plant to grow, youre trying to get a severed piece of plant to realize it's no longer part of the host organism, and that it needs to develop its own rooting system to survive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on October 14, 2016, 03:56:57 PM
Actually, until it roots, keep it mostly dry, in sandy or loose Unfertilized soil. Pure sand works well, and if you can someplace where theres concrete and sun, put about 2 inches of sand max in a pot, place that on the concrete (or asphalt) and add some water maybe once a week. The concrete 'bed' will help warm the sand and promote growth. Heat, or more specifically, warmth, is a huge help in getting these plants to start rooting. But, if youre starting over, cut off the yellowed portion of the plant, add some rooting hormone, if you have any, and let the fresh cut 'harden' or dry for at least one week. Then, wet the end again, add rooting hormone to the cut, and place in your pot. You want fully draining, sterile soil until you get your roots. Remember, youre not trying to get a plant to grow, youre trying to get a severed piece of plant to realize it's no longer part of the host organism, and that it needs to develop its own rooting system to survive.

Great thank you .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on October 21, 2016, 09:01:16 PM
Had this for dessert tonight. Absolutely delicious  :)

(https://s13.postimg.cc/tjm4vgbvn/IMG_0869.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tjm4vgbvn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on October 21, 2016, 09:15:39 PM
Had this pitaya very high brix 18 anyone knows this variety?


(https://s22.postimg.cc/8j6m0rxal/IMG_1323.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j6m0rxal/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 21, 2016, 11:14:29 PM
There's so many crosses out there, it's very difficult to determine the variety. Most of the better DF varieties have Brix in the 18% range and with proper fertilization and water withholding, they can get to 19+%. Hopefully I'll have more ultra high Brix fruit to share at the mango tastings now that I have the rats under control.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 24, 2016, 12:43:21 AM
Had this pitaya very high brix 18 anyone knows this variety?
(https://s22.postimg.cc/8j6m0rxal/IMG_1323.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j6m0rxal/)


Try and get us some photos of the outside of the plant as well. The organization of the scales, spacing, fruit shape and even the final skin color can tell a lot about the variety. However, based on the size of the seeds compared to the fruit, its either has slightly larger seeds than average OR its possibly Voodoo Child or S8, based on the thin skin and what I can see of the skin color. Was the fruit relatively small, about the size of a goose's egg, and roughtly the same shape, with scales that didn't protrude out but held onto the fruit, like actual reptile scales would?

(https://s21.postimg.cc/jfewc13n7/101_1871.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jfewc13n7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on October 24, 2016, 02:39:22 PM
Had this pitaya very high brix 18 anyone knows this variety?
(https://s22.postimg.cc/8j6m0rxal/IMG_1323.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j6m0rxal/)


Try and get us some photos of the outside of the plant as well. The organization of the scales, spacing, fruit shape and even the final skin color can tell a lot about the variety. However, based on the size of the seeds compared to the fruit, its either has slightly larger seeds than average OR its possibly Voodoo Child or S8, based on the thin skin and what I can see of the skin color. Was the fruit relatively small, about the size of a goose's egg, and roughtly the same shape, with scales that didn't protrude out but held onto the fruit, like actual reptile scales would?

(https://s21.postimg.cc/jfewc13n7/101_1871.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jfewc13n7/)

that's the only pic I have here is my last one on the tree. I had them label but loss tags. I believe I had S7, Frankie, Houghton, Haley's comet and two other I forgot. Here is a pic of last one.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/64uhpnv6t/IMG_1976.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/64uhpnv6t/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ClayMango on October 24, 2016, 07:36:21 PM
Sugar  dragon is  the  sweetest I've  tryed  to date.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on November 13, 2016, 04:38:04 PM
Last few of the regular purple dragonfruit. These are my biggest twins of American Beauty. Combined, they weigh 3lbs 3 and 3/4 ounces. These ones were starting to split at the flower end even though I have not been watering them.

For those at the Mango tastings wondering how I get these DF so sweet, I fertilize with Potassium, rock dust and also I withhold watering prior to harvest once the majority of the fruit have reached appropriate size.


(https://s21.postimg.cc/jo4voyoyr/IMG_0493.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jo4voyoyr/)

(https://s21.postimg.cc/ri5hacwrn/IMG_0497.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ri5hacwrn/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on November 15, 2016, 09:46:22 PM
Does anyone know with certainty that Valdivia Roja is self-pollinating just like American Beauty for example?

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 15, 2016, 10:08:28 PM
Does anyone know with certainty that Valdivia Roja is self-pollinating just like American Beauty for example?

Tomas
Valdivia Roja for is not self-fertile or self-pollinating. You've got to use pollen from another variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on November 15, 2016, 10:13:09 PM
Hi Mark,

That's really good to know. Thanks!

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on November 16, 2016, 06:33:56 PM
Hey,

Does anyone know what Hylocereus family or hybrid Arizona Purple belongs to? I can honestly say that I have not found any information about this from my own research.

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on November 16, 2016, 10:59:58 PM
Arizona purple is the same as S8 or Sugar Dragon. It is a first class fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on November 16, 2016, 11:20:44 PM
Arizona purple is the same as S8 or Sugar Dragon. It is a first class fruit.

also known as sweet dragon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 17, 2016, 01:24:13 AM
 :o
Some people have said that Voodoo Child is 8-5. Mattslandscape says "Neon" is similar to Voodoo Child.
Linda Nickerson, the person who named Paul Thomson’s 8-S "Sugar Dragon" says Voodoo Child is not actually 8-S AKA Sugar Dragon.
Linda says she has both Voodoo Child and Sugar Dragon and they are not the same.  Sugar Dragon is much more productive, and in her opinion, better tasting.
I do not know if Arizona Purple is 8-S (or Voodoo Child).

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on November 23, 2016, 08:25:20 AM
Is any one in Florida growing Edgar's Baby and Tricia?

These two varieties seem to be mass produced and sold in many places.  Probably tissue culture. I find little on Tricia, a little more on Edgar's. Any one has experience with them?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 23, 2016, 01:34:51 PM
Is any one in Florida growing Edgar's Baby and Tricia?

These two varieties seem to be mass produced and sold in many places.  Probably tissue culture. I find little on Tricia, a little more on Edgar's. Any one has experience with them?

Edgar's Baby should become more available in So Cal.
Last week I toured the large La Verne wholesale nursery again. La Verne is planning on adding Edgar's Baby as a named variety.
La Verne currently grows white flesh, pink flesh, red flesh, and a yellow megalanthus no-name varieties.
There is also "talk" of La Verne adding a Yellow Undatus variety. La Verne is the Dragon Fruit plant provider for Lowe's and Home Depot in the West.

Tricia, on the other hand, I don't think is massed produced. I was recently given some Tricia cuttings and can't believe how thorny (cactus like) they are. Nasty thorns!

Tricia and Edgar's Baby are both cultivars of Edgar Valdivia.

Edgar admiring a La Verne yellow megalanthus parent plant.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/5naghk7np/df_2319.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5naghk7np/)

P.S. Because of demand, La Verne is growing a ton of Mango trees for the So Cal masses.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on November 23, 2016, 03:56:09 PM
Rick I think Tricia is being mass produced via tissue culture that is why there are so many people selling it on line.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 23, 2016, 04:08:30 PM
Rick I think Tricia is being mass produced via tissue culture that is why there are so many people selling it on line.

I am not questioning you, but I am curious.  Can you provide a link to Tricia being sold online?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on November 23, 2016, 08:11:15 PM


P.S. Because of demand, La Verne is growing a ton of Mango trees for the So Cal masses.

Yea, that's what they've been saying for the last 6 years but seing is believing
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 23, 2016, 08:13:53 PM


P.S. Because of demand, La Verne is growing a ton of Mango trees for the So Cal masses.

Yea, that's what they've been saying for the last 6 years but seing is believing


I want to know what varieties they're going to offer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 23, 2016, 08:43:25 PM

P.S. Because of demand, La Verne is growing a ton of Mango trees for the So Cal masses.

Yea, that's what they've been saying for the last 6 years but seing is believing

You doubt me?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on November 23, 2016, 08:45:29 PM

P.S. Because of demand, La Verne is growing a ton of Mango trees for the So Cal masses.

Yea, that's what they've been saying for the last 6 years but seing is believing

You doubt me?

are you la verne?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 23, 2016, 08:53:26 PM
I'm not Markinson. Are you Markinson?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on November 23, 2016, 11:05:25 PM
Any member willing to sell me some cutting . Looking for Frankie red and physical garfitii  ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on November 23, 2016, 11:34:08 PM
Rick I think Tricia is being mass produced via tissue culture that is why there are so many people selling it on line.

I am not questioning you, but I am curious.  Can you provide a link to Tricia being sold online?
One of many
https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other (https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 24, 2016, 12:18:58 AM
Thank you Carlos. I did not know that. I think you are right, they are tissue culturing Tricia.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 24, 2016, 10:51:31 AM
Is any one in Florida growing Edgar's Baby and Tricia?
These two varieties seem to be mass produced and sold in many places.  Probably tissue culture. I find little on Tricia, a little more on Edgar's. Any one has experience with them?

Last September we got to taste Tricia and Edgar's Baby at Edgar's house after a CRFG meeting.

Both Tricia and Edgar's Baby are shown in my video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU3GmE-WRuk& (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU3GmE-WRuk&)

Both are very good tasting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 25, 2016, 09:19:13 PM

I am not questioning you, but I am curious.  Can you provide a link to Tricia being sold online?


One of many
https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other (https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other)


I shared the above link with Edgar.

Here is Edgar's response:

Hi Richard,
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the email about the nursery selling Tricia. I have no idea who the owners are or how they got a cutting of Tricia.
But, I am very sure it was done through tissue culture.
I hope it is the real Tricia, because it is a really great tasting fruit. I am very glad they are selling it, so at least more people will be able to grow this particular variety.
I had nothing to do with this project and do not get any money from it. You know this is my hobby and I love to share my plants with everybody.
Regards,
Edgar
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: starch on November 27, 2016, 12:26:44 PM

I am not questioning you, but I am curious.  Can you provide a link to Tricia being sold online?


One of many
https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other (https://www.etsy.com/listing/481402779/tricia-dragon-fruit-hylocereus?ref=unav_listing-other)


I shared the above link with Edgar.

Here is Edgar's response:

Hi Richard,
Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the email about the nursery selling Tricia. I have no idea who the owners are or how they got a cutting of Tricia.
But, I am very sure it was done through tissue culture.
I hope it is the real Tricia, because it is a really great tasting fruit. I am very glad they are selling it, so at least more people will be able to grow this particular variety.
I had nothing to do with this project and do not get any money from it. You know this is my hobby and I love to share my plants with everybody.
Regards,
Edgar

Thanks for sharing that response Richard.

This is why Edgar is the man. So many passionate hobbyists (like Leo Manuel and many of the CRFGers) who breed such awesome fruit and do it because they just love to do it.

A few from my chapter (AZRFG) went to the Festival of Fruit this year. I was not able to go. But a number of them said they really enjoyed his Dragon Fruit talk.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on November 28, 2016, 01:26:22 AM
Hello,

What is the recommended way to plant a dragon fruit cutting? Do you re-cut at the thickest point of the cutting and then stick the cutting into the soil? My own thought is that then you get both a fresh cut, plus a stronger bottom stem. Here is a pic of 2 cuttings:

(http://basultree.com/fruits/dragonfruit_cuttings.jpg)

This is all new to me so I would appreciate any advice.

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 28, 2016, 01:32:23 AM
Hello,
What is the recommended way to plant a dragon fruit cutting? Do you re-cut at the thickest point of the cutting and then stick the cutting into the soil?
My own thought is that then you get both a fresh cut, plus a stronger bottom stem. Here is a pic of 2 cuttings:

This is all new to me so I would appreciate any advice.
Tomas

I see no reason to re-cut the cuttings pictured.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on November 28, 2016, 01:52:08 AM
Hi ricshaw,

Thanks for the quick answer. I was also wondering whether a cutting is still viable after a week?

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on November 28, 2016, 02:35:17 AM
Cuttings can last many months out of soil. Freezing, cold wetness, intense heat/sun could kill them. If you're worried about them rotting in the winter cold wet soil, you could put the bottoms on top of moist soil and let them root that way.

Rooting them in water also works but normally not required. It's pretty hard to kill. Just keep it out of extreme conditions until they have roots. It's even okay to pull out the cutting to check for roots. They grow back fast.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: skhan on November 28, 2016, 10:46:11 AM
I finally got around to planting some dragon fruit in a permanent location.
I cut down a palm to around 7 feet and will let the dragon fruit grow up it. I have American Beauty, Haileys Comet and Natural Mystic.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5570/31183265431_93a6349f00_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Pvyopr)

I'm pretty new to dragon fruits, does anyone have any tips for me?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 06, 2016, 04:49:23 PM
Comparing thorns on two Dragon Fruit cuttings.   ???


(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/tricia_2363_zpswwc3elo2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on December 06, 2016, 04:53:08 PM
That Tricia looks aggressive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on December 06, 2016, 06:34:48 PM
The Tricia thorns looks a bit like my generic white-fleshed dragonfruit, they are very very sharp!  My LaVerne Pink is closer to the 9-S.  Interesting the variety of thorns!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 07, 2016, 12:55:08 AM
The Tricia thorns looks a bit like my generic white-fleshed dragonfruit, they are very very sharp!  My LaVerne Pink is closer to the 9-S.  Interesting the variety of thorns!

I have never seen a generic white-flesh DF (Hylocereus undatus) with thorns that looked like Tricia.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on December 07, 2016, 01:18:06 PM
I'll try to remember to take a picture of it when I get home.  That said, it resembles the Tricia only in that there are more than one per 'node', they are somewhat longish as compared to the pink variety I have, and they are silly sharp and hurt every time I poke myself.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on December 10, 2016, 03:43:29 PM
Can anyone tell me how big of a root system dragon fruits have?  I have a nice hillside Im thinking of putting some raised beds on and doing dragon fruit in them but there are spectic leach lines there.  Is it a shallow root system or is that asking for trouble?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 10, 2016, 03:47:50 PM
Can anyone tell me how big of a root system dragon fruits have?  I have a nice hillside Im thinking of putting some raised beds on and doing dragon fruit in them but there are spectic leach lines there.  Is it a shallow root system or is that asking for trouble?

shallow root system
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MangCau on December 10, 2016, 04:26:50 PM
Can anyone tell me how big of a root system dragon fruits have?  I have a nice hillside Im thinking of putting some raised beds on and doing dragon fruit in them but there are spectic leach lines there.  Is it a shallow root system or is that asking for trouble?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on December 19, 2016, 05:17:33 PM
What do you guys think about using a studded T post for DF stakes?  Any reason not to?  Seems easier and longer lasting than a 4x4.  They sell 8ft ones that would be plenty strong if they went in the ground a foot or 2. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on December 19, 2016, 06:42:10 PM
I think you would need a HD  galvanized $20-$30  each to support the weight. PT 4x4 is like $8.00  and if in ground 2 ft can support a lot of weight
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on December 20, 2016, 04:09:38 PM
They have the super HD T posts for 7$ a piece for 8ft.  I use them for fencing ad tomato and grape posts.  They dont have the circumference of a 4x4 but strength is there.  They are way easier to get in the ground than a 4x4 too.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 20, 2016, 11:57:34 PM
They have the super HD T posts for 7$ a piece for 8ft.  I use them for fencing ad tomato and grape posts.  They dont have the circumference of a 4x4 but strength is there.  They are way easier to get in the ground than a 4x4 too.

The UC Dragon Fruit researchers have gone from using 4 X 4 PT wood posts to metal fence posts for Dragon Fruit plant support.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df_112036_zpspcc8bt9e.jpg)

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Pitaya/df_110325_zpsx4ybnswb.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 21, 2016, 12:57:26 AM
Richard, do you know how the UC research do the metal posts? How far down they go, concrete, etc? I have my own place now and need to make trellises for dragonfruit and grapes soon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 21, 2016, 01:33:07 AM
Richard, do you know how the UC research do the metal posts? How far down they go, concrete, etc? I have my own place now and need to make trellises for dragonfruit and grapes soon.

I do not know how far down they go, it should not be hard to figure out if I find out how long the posts are.

I am pretty sure, no concrete.

(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x457/Richard_Renshaw/Hansen/df_5448x_zps8wsyyej9.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on December 21, 2016, 02:18:57 AM
The posts have a tail on them that stabilizes them when you pound them in.  If you get them down 18" they would be rock solid.  I have grape vines like those that are in 1ft deep but they dont hold the weight of a DF plant.  With a 8ft post you can pound them in deep enough to hold a lot of plant.

Im going to try some of these.  They are like the photos above.
 
]http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=624] (http://[url=http://www.truevalue.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=624)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 21, 2016, 11:13:52 AM
My next DF trellis is going to be two chain link fence posts in the ground (no concrete) with two chain link fence top rails between them.
One rail will be 5 1/2 - 6 feet high, the other rail 2 - 3 feet high. Unless I find something better, the "fence" material between the posts and rails will be 6" x 6" welded wire mesh used to reinforce concrete. The plants will be in pots.
I may try something like this:
Deco Grid 4 ft. x 6 ft. Steel Black Fence Panel
http://www.homedepot.com/p/FORGERIGHT-Deco-Grid-4-ft-x-6-ft-Steel-Black-Fence-Panel-862217/300208607?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CTHD%7CG%7C0%7CG-BASE-PLA-D21-Fencing%7C&gclid=CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7MXQrDMLXEp7WEq_pcw094_JVRKCX1-IQlzzFhI6RIzhoCYSXw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (http://www.homedepot.com/p/FORGERIGHT-Deco-Grid-4-ft-x-6-ft-Steel-Black-Fence-Panel-862217/300208607?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CTHD%7CG%7C0%7CG-BASE-PLA-D21-Fencing%7C&gclid=CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7MXQrDMLXEp7WEq_pcw094_JVRKCX1-IQlzzFhI6RIzhoCYSXw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on December 21, 2016, 11:50:56 PM
Thanks. I think I need to put mine a little deeper. Due to sand(DG?) here, I can push a shovel head into the ground with little effort. I should probably keep pounding until it gives a certain amount of resistance. Guess I can always redo it in a few years if it fails and learn something.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on December 31, 2016, 11:08:07 AM
Also, weather conditions can factor into what you use for posts. The UC photos shown are of very heavily pruned plants. If those get fuller, weight is going to be an issue, unless theyre keeping them thin full time, since theyre research plants, not crop producing. But in California, you also have to factor in wind. Heavy Santa Ana winds would bend those posts if the plants became more widespread and fuller, so that's something to consider. My 'post' of choice is still pressure treated lumber, coated with tar or sealant for the underground sections, and then wrapped in burlap. The 4x4 allows you to nail cross posts or wire to the sides, is thick enough to drill out holes through the wood without compromising the strength, and since its wood, you can more easily attach angle posts if necessary. Its not 'THE' way to go, but I find that it works best for my needs. A lot of this is more based on where you are, what space you have and the conditions youre planting in.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 31, 2016, 01:12:56 PM
Also, weather conditions can factor into what you use for posts. The UC photos shown are of very heavily pruned plants. If those get fuller, weight is going to be an issue, unless theyre keeping them thin full time, since theyre research plants, not crop producing. But in California, you also have to factor in wind. Heavy Santa Ana winds would bend those posts if the plants became more widespread and fuller, so that's something to consider. My 'post' of choice is still pressure treated lumber, coated with tar or sealant for the underground sections, and then wrapped in burlap. The 4x4 allows you to nail cross posts or wire to the sides, is thick enough to drill out holes through the wood without compromising the strength, and since its wood, you can more easily attach angle posts if necessary. Its not 'THE' way to go, but I find that it works best for my needs. A lot of this is more based on where you are, what space you have and the conditions youre planting in.

I think the UC research is primarily research for Dragon Fruit crop producing.

They are in the process of moving their water, shade, fertilizer Dragon Fruit research from MVP Farms to the Hansen Agriculture and Research Center site.  The rumor is to better control the water usage and lost of fruit (picked).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on January 31, 2017, 06:21:32 AM
While my dragonfruit stems are overwintering, I noticed one of the top cuttings got cold damage, which I managed to make a top cutting of. But then I also noticed these weird discoloured spots also has appeared? Is this only because of the humidity, or should I remove them asap? Or is it something I could remove with home remedials? since most gardening shops are closed at this time of the season 'w'
(https://s29.postimg.cc/snnv4qfwj/IMG_5216.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/snnv4qfwj/)

(https://s29.postimg.cc/z2mw1emmb/IMG_5217.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z2mw1emmb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on January 31, 2017, 09:26:29 AM
While my dragonfruit stems are overwintering, I noticed one of the top cuttings got cold damage, which I managed to make a top cutting of. But then I also noticed these weird discoloured spots also has appeared? Is this only because of the humidity, or should I remove them asap? Or is it something I could remove with home remedials? since most gardening shops are closed at this time of the season 'w'

I'm not an expert, but in my experience: healthy plants can fight off diseases like that, but during winter semi-dormancy their immune system (or whatever plants have) isn't very active. Monitor it and if the infected area seems to be growing/worsening, cut those sections off.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Boshi on January 31, 2017, 11:31:01 AM
While my dragonfruit stems are overwintering, I noticed one of the top cuttings got cold damage, which I managed to make a top cutting of. But then I also noticed these weird discoloured spots also has appeared? Is this only because of the humidity, or should I remove them asap? Or is it something I could remove with home remedials? since most gardening shops are closed at this time of the season 'w'

I'm not an expert, but in my experience: healthy plants can fight off diseases like that, but during winter semi-dormancy their immune system (or whatever plants have) isn't very active. Monitor it and if the infected area seems to be growing/worsening, cut those sections off.

Thanks for the advice, I'll continue monitoring them then. Good thing the warm weather should arrive in a month or 2
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on February 02, 2017, 03:16:50 PM
Hi all.  What characteristics do I need to look for in my dragon fruit plant to determine what variety it is?  Or will someone be able to help me identify it if I post some pictures?  Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 03, 2017, 12:22:19 AM
Hi all.  What characteristics do I need to look for in my dragon fruit plant to determine what variety it is?  Or will someone be able to help me identify it if I post some pictures?  Thanks

It is my opinion that you can only guess what variety it is.

Post pictures of the fruit and plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on February 03, 2017, 09:15:26 PM
We can narrow down some specifics if you provide clear pictures of mature and new growth. Color and the appearance of the thorns (and their spacing) can often determine the sub-class of the plants. So please, post some pictures and maybe we can help you narrow things down.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on February 04, 2017, 01:30:52 PM
Thank you for your help.  This is the second season we have fruit.  Last year the second batch of fruit was a little bit smaller than the first.  We had two batches of fruit.  This season it is pumping flowers and fruit like mad. ;D  Every second week or so there are new flowers.  One evening there was so many flowers open, that the bees smelled it.  They had a ball of a time!!  Later that night when we wanted to pollinate the flowers, there was absolutely no pollen for us to work with.  Well, they are all growing into beautiful fruit.  The fruit is white on the inside and the flower is also white/yellow.  Here are a few pictures.  Please let me know if you need any more photos.


(https://s27.postimg.cc/mrxllzarz/IMG_20170127_175255.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mrxllzarz/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/a1td8w2tr/IMG_20170127_175308.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a1td8w2tr/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/fei7n0qq7/IMG_20170130_165707.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fei7n0qq7/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/mvrf28g9b/IMG_20170204_083641.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mvrf28g9b/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/y9dydfqrz/IMG_20170204_083701.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y9dydfqrz/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/589m416bz/IMG_20170204_083738.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/589m416bz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on February 17, 2017, 11:06:23 AM
That looks like a traditional 'Vietnamese' white variety. You can usually tell white plants, even when they aren't fruiting, by the brown 'corking' of the skin along the edges of the branch tips. How is the flavor of the fruit? Is it sweet with not much secondary characteristics, what I call a 'rock candy' type of fruit (all sugar, no substance) or does it have a bit of a floral taste to it, like someone close to you wearing to much perfume? Some of the heirloom white plants have a milky, semi-translucent flesh (not solid paper white) and they tend to be low in sugar and retain more of the parent flower's characteristic taste. BUt there are a few whites out there that have been produced that are showing a nice mix of flavor and sweetness.
As a serving tip on whites, try cubing up some fruit and adding a dash of lime juice on top before eating. This can really bring out the flavor in some varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on February 24, 2017, 04:42:16 AM
Do any Dragonfruit growers have any experience with small black ants damaging their plants and flowers? I have recently moved locations and this is the first summer growing in this area. I have what could be considered a plague of small black ants that attack any new flower buds as well as any exposed area of stem, such as where a stem splits due to excess watering or swelling from flowering. The ants chew off the small petals on new flower but rarely stop the flower developing, and any splits in the stem, they start chewing the flesh away inside the split. I assume they are after the sweet sap that is excreted in these areas but I have also lost a few fruit that ants have burrowed into and eaten from the inside until empty. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 24, 2017, 01:38:26 PM
Do any Dragonfruit growers have any experience with small black ants damaging their plants and flowers? I have recently moved locations and this is the first summer growing in this area. I have what could be considered a plague of small black ants that attack any new flower buds as well as any exposed area of stem, such as where a stem splits due to excess watering or swelling from flowering. The ants chew off the small petals on new flower but rarely stop the flower developing, and any splits in the stem, they start chewing the flesh away inside the split. I assume they are after the sweet sap that is excreted in these areas but I have also lost a few fruit that ants have burrowed into and eaten from the inside until empty. Any suggestions?

I know most Dragon Fruit growers do not like using pesticides.  But sometimes I feel you need to declare total war on ants.

When that happens I use pyrethrin, SEE: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/pyrethrins.pdf (http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/pyrethrins.pdf).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BohicaBob on February 24, 2017, 02:48:08 PM
I made this dragon fruit trellis last October for my Yellow Dragon, American Beauty, and Halley's Comet cacti.

(http://s3.photobucket.com/user/bohicabob/media/Dragon%20Fruit/20161028_092530.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kaiw on March 24, 2017, 12:57:01 AM
Hi,
I need a little help to identify variety. I think it is Sin espinas but I cant find information from it, is it self fertile or not. It produces fruit by it self, stem is thin, spikes small and taste parfumic.

I just started with dragon dragon fruit and here is mine try out dragon fruit trellis. Concrete self watering container and first PVC-pipe with holes and organic matter inside for roots. Later pole will be from concrete that it will suck water from water appartment and keep it moist. Let see now it do. So far growth has been rapid, very rapid.
(https://s8.postimg.cc/cvq6kixq9/IMG_20170307_083639.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cvq6kixq9/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/c5ri0f4qj/IMG_20170115_081245.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/c5ri0f4qj/)

(https://s23.postimg.cc/nzazq6rpj/IMG_20170115_130057.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nzazq6rpj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 25, 2017, 11:01:04 AM
Is it a white variety of fruit? It looks like the branches have the characteristic 'corking' or brown edge along the fins of the branches, which is usually found in the more traditional 'heirloom' white species. As for the taste, if by 'perfumic' you mean its tastes a bit like perfume or flowers, that also might be an indication that it one of the original types of dragonfruit, as these fruit had very low sugar content and not much in the way of crossbreeding to modify the flavor.
Title: S-8 starter plants
Post by: RobPatterson on March 25, 2017, 11:05:29 AM
If there is anyone in the Southern California area who would be interested in a potted and growing Thompson S-8 "Sugar Dragon" start, I have a few to give away. These are potted plants, rooted and growing, about 2ft tall. I don't have any raw cuttings at this time and I will not ship plants (got in trouble before with CA regulations). But if you would like a plant or two, please contact me via Personal Message on this board and maybe we can work out a time. I'm usually available on weekends.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kaiw on March 25, 2017, 02:02:28 PM
Is it a white variety of fruit? It looks like the branches have the characteristic 'corking' or brown edge along the fins of the branches, which is usually found in the more traditional 'heirloom' white species. As for the taste, if by 'perfumic' you mean its tastes a bit like perfume or flowers, that also might be an indication that it one of the original types of dragonfruit, as these fruit had very low sugar content and not much in the way of crossbreeding to modify the flavor.

Middle of the fruit taste is parfumic and flesh is deep red. For me it taste sweet but it is only variety I have tested so far so hard compare. Brix meter is on the way.
Here few more pictures.

Sin Espinas I can then rule out?

(https://s15.postimg.cc/4x9w4ebgn/IMG_20161207_073229.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4x9w4ebgn/)

(https://s29.postimg.cc/edjedm803/IMG_20170122_223526.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/edjedm803/)

(https://s22.postimg.cc/j7fgf4bp9/IMG_20161217_171900.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j7fgf4bp9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 11, 2017, 03:07:31 AM
80 pages. Man that is a long thread, but oh so good. Tons of great info and I've read all of it. I've been mucho impressed with all the plantings, Ricshaw and RobPatterson and others, kudos to you guys for acting as defacto moderators with your sheer amount of experience. Ric-have really appreciated your videos and links too.  Simon your insight and updates too.

Where did Sven go? Miss that guy's posts, especially his insight into Paul Thompson and the origins/stories behind several of the varities.

Also, it's seems Ed Valdivia doesn't have a website anymore?

Anyway, I have 7 different dragonfruit cuttings I'm currently rooting and hoping to establish into plants:
Makisupa
Delight
Bien Hoa Red
Valdivia Roja
Orejona
Physical graffiti
And an unknown red I got from Hawkins Corner nursery (AMAZING guy that Mr Skinner) which is thus far very vigorous.

Cheers and God bless!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 11, 2017, 01:12:58 PM

Also, it's seems Ed Valdivia doesn't have a website anymore?


True...  but Edgar has posted some interesting YouTube videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfLC3Flpipo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfLC3Flpipo)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on April 12, 2017, 08:47:52 PM
2 of my productive plants got damaged by frost last winter. After HEAVY pruning one of them is coming back slowly, the other one I'm afraid is lost.

Just spotted flower buds on S8 and G2.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on April 13, 2017, 12:50:52 PM
Also, it's seems Ed Valdivia doesn't have a website anymore?

If you know the old URL for the site it is possibly available at the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/web/

If so, please share!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 13, 2017, 04:34:07 PM
Also, it's seems Ed Valdivia doesn't have a website anymore?

If you know the old URL for the site it is possibly available at the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/web/

If so, please share!

Great idea! Forgot about the Wayback machine. It's on there!

Edvaldivia.com
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 14, 2017, 11:02:56 AM
I'm curious pineislander, you associated with Pine Island Nursery at all? Even if not any stories/fun facts/hints etc about getting pitahaya or other tropical fruits from there?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on April 14, 2017, 12:15:57 PM
I'm curious pineislander, you associated with Pine Island Nursery at all? Even if not any stories/fun facts/hints etc about getting pitahaya or other tropical fruits from there?

I know I wanted varieties from PIN, but never could get them in Stock.  I ended up finding the cultivars elsewhere and obtaining cuttings and rooted my own.

I have the following 5 varieties:

American Beauty
Physical Graffiti
Halleys Comet
Purple Haze
Yellow Dragon

My advice is just find someone who has them already, and take a disease free cutting from it.  There are probably lower branches which will get pruned and discarded anyways, and you'll get the cuttings for $5-$10 each.

They'll root themselves within a couple weeks when it's hot.  Very simple.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 14, 2017, 10:38:49 PM
Anyone in Southern California starting to see flower buds on their plants yet? Mine aren't planted in what I would call ideal locations for sun exposure but I found my first buds on my G-2 plant this week. First to the finish I guess, which is mostly bad, because I believe its not self-fertile. However, it will give me a chance to see if I can get the pollen I have left over from last year to work. Would be a solid test into longer term pollen storage if nothing else I have here is secretly pushing buds that I cant see. I'd rather not waste a chance at fruit but if none of my other varieties show flower, at least its not a total loss.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 14, 2017, 11:53:14 PM
My Sugar Dragon has nice flower buds forming and American Beauty as well. I haven't checked the others but I'm guessing my Simons Purple and Halleys Comet probably has some buds as well, I just haven't looked carefully.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on April 15, 2017, 11:41:59 PM
I found my first buds on my G-2 plant this week. First to the finish I guess, which is mostly bad, because I believe its not self-fertile.

Do you plant S8 too? I spotted flower buds on my G2 and S8 at the same time. Come get some if needed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 16, 2017, 05:21:07 AM
Anyone in Southern California starting to see flower buds on their plants yet? Mine aren't planted in what I would call ideal locations for sun exposure but I found my first buds on my G-2 plant this week. First to the finish I guess, which is mostly bad, because I believe its not self-fertile. However, it will give me a chance to see if I can get the pollen I have left over from last year to work. Would be a solid test into longer term pollen storage if nothing else I have here is secretly pushing buds that I cant see. I'd rather not waste a chance at fruit but if none of my other varieties show flower, at least its not a total loss.

Will be interested to see the results of the long term pollen storage. Hopefully you can get some fruit from it!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on April 16, 2017, 08:44:11 PM
I'm curious pineislander, you associated with Pine Island Nursery at all? Even if not any stories/fun facts/hints etc about getting pitahaya or other tropical fruits from there?
No, I just live on Pine Island in SW Florida, never been to that nursery yet. It is a little confusing that they have that name since they are south of Miami, and there are actually two physical islands called "Pine Island" in Florida, both on the west coast, one in Lee county, the largest island in Florida(32 sq. miles), and one in Hernando County, a tiny 65 acres.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 16, 2017, 09:46:11 PM
I found my first buds on my G-2 plant this week. First to the finish I guess, which is mostly bad, because I believe its not self-fertile.

Do you plant S8 too? I spotted flower buds on my G2 and S8 at the same time. Come get some if needed.
(https://s11.postimg.cc/axknyz1bj/plants_001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/axknyz1bj/)

(https://s21.postimg.cc/a76ekwvs3/plants_007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a76ekwvs3/)
My selection of plants is about 25% S8 Sugar Dragon. I both cook with it and find its my favorite for eating on the go, being a nice portable size. As I said, I think with my plants its a lighting issue, as neighbor's house and patio both shade most of my plants for a few extra months a year. But my G2 is flanked by S8 on both sides and neither have buds yet. I'm getting a lot of new branch starts, but theres either not enough sunlight or chemistry to force that new growth to show up as flowers yet. I go through this every year, so I like to keep a running record of when everyone else sees their first buds pop, so I can keep logging data and compare it to mine.
*- note these pics are about 3 years old. Been a while since I took new pics of the jungle that is my dragonfruit patch. Maybe this year...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 21, 2017, 12:59:19 PM
So I've read a couple different things on this forum and elsewhere, but figured I'd broach the subject again:

I'm thinking of burying some 5 gallon pots, 1 cutting a pot, surrounding a PT 4x4 in the ground for my trellis. This would give me control of my soil medium and protection from nematodes in FL and the in ground leaching of chemicals in PT wood, as well as better regulation of water intake during our VERY rainy season.

Anyway, what is the best, easy mix to use for these pots for DF? Some people have some very complicated 9 part recipes, I'm looking to stay simple. It seems the most common are compost, perlite, sand and/or peat. What do you like and why?

Also, is 5 gallon a good size for 1 cutting a piece?

Muchas gracias
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on April 21, 2017, 03:13:48 PM
For long term, I believe ppl say 15 gallon per plant.
I have maybe 2-3 plants per each 15 gallon pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 22, 2017, 05:40:39 PM
If you have the room you should use the 15 gallon pot option. It will give you enough room for the expected lifespan of the plant. Just remember, whatever soil mixture you decide to use, make sure you don't fill the pot over 75% on the initial planting. This will give you room to both add solid soil type fertilizer in the future and to add water (and water based fertilizers) without waste, so you can just dump water ion by the gallon without having to slowly pour it in while trying to prevent overflow and spillage. If you bury your pot, again, leave about 25% above the surface for convenience and, if possible, throw in a couple inches of gravel under the pot to help with drainage in wet times. You can also have (traditionally) up to 3 cuttings in a 15 gallon pot, so if you want to have some variety or need cross pollination, you should have at least two varieties per pot. It helps to take some of the workload off the bees and other pollinators having mixed flowers so close together.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Keiser on April 27, 2017, 06:17:43 AM
So after overwintering my DF, I saw that my DF seedling cutting had produced a thin stem, but as I can see, the branch (inner stem) is pretty thick. I forgot to ask about it, and even with limited sun due to prolonged frost it has started to get thicker. Should I just leave it as it is, or should I cut it down?  :-\
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Keiser on April 27, 2017, 06:19:46 AM
Forgot to add the picture.

It's a 2 year old white-fleshed seedling


(https://s21.postimg.cc/pf3e2bker/18118598_1292055050886500_1754212502836970926_n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pf3e2bker/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 27, 2017, 06:58:11 AM
Forgot to add the picture.

It's a 2 year old white-fleshed seedling


(https://s21.postimg.cc/pf3e2bker/18118598_1292055050886500_1754212502836970926_n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pf3e2bker/)

While I'm by no means an expert, it looks very healthy despite being thin-keep.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on April 27, 2017, 07:02:49 AM
If you have the room you should use the 15 gallon pot option. It will give you enough room for the expected lifespan of the plant. Just remember, whatever soil mixture you decide to use, make sure you don't fill the pot over 75% on the initial planting. This will give you room to both add solid soil type fertilizer in the future and to add water (and water based fertilizers) without waste, so you can just dump water ion by the gallon without having to slowly pour it in while trying to prevent overflow and spillage. If you bury your pot, again, leave about 25% above the surface for convenience and, if possible, throw in a couple inches of gravel under the pot to help with drainage in wet times. You can also have (traditionally) up to 3 cuttings in a 15 gallon pot, so if you want to have some variety or need cross pollination, you should have at least two varieties per pot. It helps to take some of the workload off the bees and other pollinators having mixed flowers so close together.


Rob, thanks for the advice. I remember you posting something similar previously, and because of that I was already considering gravel for drainage, and all my varieties will be bunched together. I had forgot about the "don't fill it all the way full" rule- that's good advice.

What is the particular soil mix you use in your containers?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on April 29, 2017, 09:37:10 AM
My Sugar Dragon has nice flower buds forming and American Beauty as well. I haven't checked the others but I'm guessing my Simons Purple and Halleys Comet probably has some buds as well, I just haven't looked carefully.

Simon

My sugar dragon has a lot of new growth, but no flower buds at all. Should I remove new growth, Simon? What and when you fertilize your tree?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 29, 2017, 12:51:38 PM
I cut back on watering in Winter and early spring and I start to give an ultra bloom type fertilizer around February. If I use an organic 0-10-10, I give it early to allow for it to break down and get to the plants. If using chemical fertilizers, just give it prior to when you expect new growth coming out of winter. If growing in pots, add rock dust in Winter around January or February then cover it with a bit of compost and the vines really take off.

If your plants are fruiting size, don't give it too much Nitrogen. I prune after harvesting fruit and then again in late winter or early Spring if needed.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on April 29, 2017, 03:55:39 PM
I cut back on watering in Winter and early spring and I start to give an ultra bloom type fertilizer around February. If I use an organic 0-10-10, I give it early to allow for it to break down and get to the plants. If using chemical fertilizers, just give it prior to when you expect new growth coming out of winter. If growing in pots, add rock dust in Winter around January or February then cover it with a bit of compost and the vines really take off.

If your plants are fruiting size, don't give it too much Nitrogen. I prune after harvesting fruit and then again in late winter or early Spring if needed.

Simon

I bought my red sugar last November, and it had 1 fruit. I planted it in 30 gallons and give it the grow more 10-52-10 through drip system every other day. Is it too much? I guess I have to look for new ferlizer like the one Simon mentioned
 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 29, 2017, 05:01:53 PM
Dragon, 10-52-10 is a type of ultrabloom fertilizer so it should be ok. I've used it with good success.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on April 29, 2017, 05:54:20 PM
Dragon, 10-52-10 is a type of ultrabloom fertilizer so it should be ok. I've used it with good success.

Simon
Thanks, Simon. What about new growth? Should I let it grow or remove it, Simon. I think you have more experience grow dr than I.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 29, 2017, 06:36:44 PM
If your plant is small, I would let it grow out so you can get more fruiting branches later in the year or next year. If your plant is full sized, you can cut them off. Once your DF tree is full sized, trim off about 1/3 of the growth after harvest so that you completely renew the tops every 3 years.

I haven't done much research on DF since about ten years ago so their may have been new data with better production techniques.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on April 29, 2017, 06:47:40 PM
If your plant is small, I would let it grow out so you can get more fruiting branches later in the year or next year. If your plant is full sized, you can cut them off. Once your DF tree is full sized, trim off about 1/3 of the growth after harvest so that you completely renew the tops every 3 years.

I haven't done much research on DF since about ten years ago so their may have been new data with better production techniques.

Simon

Again thanks for your advice, Simon. I will do as you recommended
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on April 30, 2017, 05:08:28 PM
My Sugar Dragon is the first variety to open its flower.
(https://s16.postimg.cc/o4rfgb9ap/IMG_2018.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/o4rfgb9ap/)

(https://s16.postimg.cc/3ynxhfdn5/IMG_2019.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3ynxhfdn5/)

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on May 01, 2017, 11:58:47 PM
My first flower is G2... blooms tonight but I have no pollen to cross pollinate :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 02, 2017, 01:00:26 AM
Simon, unless I'm missing something, that's not a Sugar Dragon flower, or plant, in those pictures. That looks a lot like a Guatemalan variety like G-2 or American Beauty. I will try and get some pictures together of what S-8 "Sugar Dragon" is supposed to look like asap, as I accidentally deleted my picture folder a while ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on May 02, 2017, 02:12:25 AM
Hello RobPatterson, the pictures are a bit deceiving because I have two varieties planted on top of each other. The flowers are Sugar Dragon but the majority of the vines in the pictures are Simons Purple. The Sugar Dragon is much darker(vine color) and the shape is very different. I'll take a picture of the zoomed out plant tomorrow to clear things up.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 02, 2017, 05:27:56 PM
Ok, I can see the S-8 branches tucked in there now. Had to zoom in a bit 8). Congrats on the flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 03, 2017, 06:52:09 AM
How do you stored pollen for future use and how long will they last?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Schutzhund on May 03, 2017, 05:04:02 PM
How do you stored pollen for future use and how long will they last?

You harvest the fresh pollen at night then you let it dry out then store in the freezer. It should last you a couple of months
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: khoi1976 on May 03, 2017, 07:07:52 PM
How do you stored pollen for future use and how long will they last?

You harvest the fresh pollen at night then you let it dry out then store in the freezer. It should last you a couple of months

I will give that a shot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on May 16, 2017, 10:55:06 PM
Would like to add some varieties of dragon fruit, I believe I have either physical graffiti or American beauty? beautiful dark magenta like flesh and definitely  better than any I have had from local grocery stores.  Those growing DF in South Florida, which are the best producing and sweetest tasting DF readily available down here? Hoping to place 3-4 posts along the side of the house by this fall.

Thanks
Gio
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on May 18, 2017, 01:29:01 AM
How is this done, or is it just internet trickery? Looks great if space is limited.


(https://s29.postimg.cc/tiwlj3xcj/s-l500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tiwlj3xcj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on May 18, 2017, 04:05:27 AM
How is this done, or is it just internet trickery? Looks great if space is limited.


(https://s29.postimg.cc/tiwlj3xcj/s-l500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tiwlj3xcj/)
Impossible to grow Dragonfruit in this way. I'm pretty sure this is how they display them for sale at markets, possibly tied onto dragonfruit branches with string or fishing line. Display only.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on May 18, 2017, 11:09:30 PM
Thats what I figured. Was slightly hopefully maybe guiding or training the plant as it grows to grow in such a fashion resulted in this. But as fast as mine grows seemed impossible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 20, 2017, 11:22:12 AM
How is this done, or is it just internet trickery? Looks great if space is limited.


(https://s29.postimg.cc/tiwlj3xcj/s-l500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tiwlj3xcj/)
Impossible to grow Dragonfruit in this way. I'm pretty sure this is how they display them for sale at markets, possibly tied onto dragonfruit branches with string or fishing line. Display only.

Yes, this is just an "authentic presentation display."

Decorative marketing purposes with added benefits.

It keeps the fruits aired out and solo-quarantined so they are not stacked on each other in poor presentation without good ventilation and causing bruising, squishing, rotting or spoiling spread of fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on May 20, 2017, 04:27:27 PM
Finally got my Dragonfruit in ground (sorta!). Now to just protect it from all this rain we're never going to get.


(https://s17.postimg.cc/9cu0ytxuj/IMG_5940.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9cu0ytxuj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tammykd9 on May 22, 2017, 01:22:34 PM
I am new to growing DF, but I've always loved gardening - I'm in southern Louisiana.  I purchased my cuttings from Spicy Exotics, which is relatively close by, but he was sold out of several cuttings I wanted (Voodoo child - wanted 3 he only had 1, Delight & David Bowie).  Please let me know of any reputable sellers that I could get these cuttings from (would like to purchase approx. 3 of each variety).  I currently have Cosmic Charlie (3 cuttings) & only 1 Voodoo child right now.  My husband has built planters like Tye built on Spicy Exotics site, fairly easy and inexpensive.  Thanks so much for your help!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on May 22, 2017, 03:19:43 PM
I am new to growing DF, but I've always loved gardening - I'm in southern Louisiana.  I purchased my cuttings from Spicy Exotics, which is relatively close by, but he was sold out of several cuttings I wanted (Voodoo child - wanted 3 he only had 1, Delight & David Bowie).  Please let me know of any reputable sellers that I could get these cuttings from (would like to purchase approx. 3 of each variety).  I currently have Cosmic Charlie (3 cuttings) & only 1 Voodoo child right now.  My husband has built planters like Tye built on Spicy Exotics site, fairly easy and inexpensive.  Thanks so much for your help!

Pine Island Nursery has all those varieties listed on their website but I've never ordered from them before.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 22, 2017, 06:01:52 PM
How is this done, or is it just internet trickery? Looks great if space is limited.
(https://s29.postimg.cc/tiwlj3xcj/s-l500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tiwlj3xcj/)

It is a cut arrangement (like a cut flower arrangement) for gift giving.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 22, 2017, 06:12:03 PM
Finally got my Dragonfruit in ground (sorta!). Now to just protect it from all this rain we're never going to get.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/9cu0ytxuj/IMG_5940.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9cu0ytxuj/)

Placing the pots on square concrete pavers on the top of the ground should improve drainage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 23, 2017, 09:23:14 AM
Agree. Those pots underground can accumulate a lot of water and when summer rainy season comes in Florida you can have problems. Still time to get them above ground. I have tried different ways but all new plantings I'm doing with pots above ground on pavers with a dry container mix.  This is a very challenging crop in Florida because our high humidity and rain.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 23, 2017, 03:52:37 PM
Hi there all, I am looking for some assistance. I have a group of Dragon Fruit cuttings that I planted a few weeks back. Most of the cuttings have not exhibited any new growth since I planted them, but one cutting has developed a white area across the surface of the cutting. The white out area is about 1 inch around, and starts at the soil surface. The cutting is not rooted. I have the Dragon Fruit planted in a peat moss/perlite mix. I water them about every 3-4 days, and the cuttings only receive morning sun where they are located. Besides the discoloration, there are no obvious signs of distress or problems with the cutting. The other cuttings located in a similar area, but planted separately do not have any discoloration like that. I think I have eight cuttings total, only one has developed new growth. I live in an arid climate. We currently have daily temperatures above 100 degrees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 23, 2017, 06:09:59 PM
Hi there all, I am looking for some assistance. I have a group of Dragon Fruit cuttings that I planted a few weeks back. Most of the cuttings have not exhibited any new growth since I planted them, but one cutting has developed a white area across the surface of the cutting. The white out area is about 1 inch around, and starts at the soil surface. The cutting is not rooted. I have the Dragon Fruit planted in a peat moss/perlite mix. I water them about every 3-4 days, and the cuttings only receive morning sun where they are located. Besides the discoloration, there are no obvious signs of distress or problems with the cutting. The other cuttings located in a similar area, but planted separately do not have any discoloration like that. I think I have eight cuttings total, only one has developed new growth. I live in an arid climate. We currently have daily temperatures above 100 degrees.

It is not uncommon for Dragon Fruit cuttings to not exhibit any new growth after a couple of weeks (or months).

Dragon Fruit cuttings need very little water (or no water) until they start growing roots.

Have you watched this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GmuSTx7IHo& (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GmuSTx7IHo&)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 23, 2017, 07:01:05 PM
I have not seen that. Just watched it. I know that Dragon Fruit can be slow to root. I was just wondering if the discoloration is normal. I am careful not to overwater them. I know they are cacti, and I don't want to overwater, so I usually wait till the top inch or so of soil is dry before I water again, and at that I don't water a lot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 23, 2017, 10:21:59 PM
I have not seen that. Just watched it. I know that Dragon Fruit can be slow to root. I was just wondering if the discoloration is normal. I am careful not to overwater them. I know they are cacti, and I don't want to overwater, so I usually wait till the top inch or so of soil is dry before I water again, and at that I don't water a lot.

Can you post a picture of the cutting with white out area?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 24, 2017, 01:08:33 PM
If a cutting hasn't started new growth in weeks/months, then make a fresh cut on the top to create a new wound.  Even removing just a half inch slice is enough.  They can handle full sun and need it.

You do this after it has been in the ground already for a few weeks, it might sprout branches from nearly every node.

That said, morning sun isn't enough.  You need to put your cutting in some nice hot scorching sunlight with maybe a little filtered light overhead.  Such as at the base of a small open canopy tree.

When you are watering at this stage, avoid too much wet in the soil.  Water the cactus itself, and only dampen the soil occasionally.  Otherwise you will create rot and prevent it from sending out roots properly.  This cactus needs to search for water to properly establish roots from a cutting--force it to do so.  Water the outer edges of the pot when you do water it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 24, 2017, 02:25:16 PM
I can post a picture when i get home. I was trying to avoid putting the cuttings out in the full sun because it gets to be over 100 here, and the sun is brutal. I have read conflicting info that dragon fruit will burn if they are left in full sun when it is super intense. I have been spraying the cuttings with water the last few days. I do not mind waiting for new growth, i just want them to not die.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 24, 2017, 10:02:54 PM

(https://s13.postimg.cc/q8eebd1kj/1495677642308.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/q8eebd1kj/)
Pic of affected plant. White out zone
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 24, 2017, 10:04:25 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/sf72ju6q3/1495677823232.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sf72ju6q3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on May 24, 2017, 11:45:21 PM
I have seen this with young cuttings if they get too much hot direct sun. Young cuttings have thin walls and when I've seen it they almost formed blisters that later turned white like this. If the middle inner core is intact they seem to survive. I haven't seen this happen with old thick cuttings, even in full sun.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 25, 2017, 12:33:02 AM
I bought these cuttings on E bay. It came from an established, productive plant. The cuttings are getting morning only sun. However, i live in the desert, and the sun is unforgiving here. Although, i have not seen any similar discoloration on any of the other cuttings, and they are located in the same general area. I am just kinda watching the cuttings for now. Like i said before most of them are not rooted, including the one that has developed that odd discoloration.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 25, 2017, 10:03:54 AM
Just looks like the tissue rotted away.  If you touch it, and it peels back like dry skin then it is just dead tissue and can be removed.

The center core will usually still be alive.  You can prune the tip of it to make sure that part is still alive.

This could have been caused by too much heat st the soil line.  Try adding some mulch to keep the surface layer cooler in the desert heat.  Use a lighter colored pot, like tan, to reflect light and avoid causing dead zones inside the soil.

Personally, I would use fabric pots--such as smart pot or 247.  No issues with dead zones with or without mulching.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Vernmented on May 25, 2017, 10:28:16 AM
Does anyone have experience using cedar posts for the trellis? I can't seem to find an answer if the naturally occurring chemicals in the cedar will have a negative effect on the dragonfruit vines.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 25, 2017, 12:16:53 PM
I've used cedar wrapped in burlap and had no issues before.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 25, 2017, 12:53:36 PM

(https://s13.postimg.cc/q8eebd1kj/1495677642308.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/q8eebd1kj/)
Pic of affected plant. White out zone

If it is growing and the white area is not expanding... I would leave it alone.  If the white area is soft, jelly like inside, I would scrape it away or start over.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Vernmented on May 25, 2017, 01:03:25 PM
I've used cedar wrapped in burlap and had no issues before.

Thank you. Any idea on expected lifespan here in Florida. I was going to pour my own cement 4x4 but that will be a PITA.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 25, 2017, 04:36:34 PM
The white area isnt spongy. It doesnt really feel any different from the rest of the plant. The top half looks normal. I bought some soil conditioner today to use as a mulch for the plants. Also came up on some chicken manure compost. I have heard that is a good organic mix for dragon fruit. Any ideas if i should mix in the manure compost, or wait till the cuttings root?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Viking Guy on May 25, 2017, 05:23:39 PM
If it is a callous, then either leave it alone or cut it off.  Some whitening can be a sign of viral spread which can be cut away, but sounds like yours is just a callous.

I would not add any type of compost to the soil until you have established roots.   Just feed with foliars meanwhile.  They love fish emul and kelp mixes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: AlwaysHotinFL on May 25, 2017, 08:48:28 PM
I have that same white area on some of my plants, and have had it for a little while, not Jelly, just Firm like the rest of the cutting. Hasn't seemed to affect them much and I've left them alone.

Also, I took Rick and Carlos' advice and improved drainage, adding prob 4-6 inches of drainage rock in the holes and elevating the pots. Not going to take them out of the ground but I think it's a fair compromise. My mix is also very well draining:

Compost
Organic potting soil
Perlite
Sand

Cheers!

(https://s24.postimg.cc/b2z2xhbwx/IMG_5973.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b2z2xhbwx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 27, 2017, 11:59:04 AM
The soil they are in is very light, and i mixed perlite in there also. I have a compost mix, but i have heard conflicting ideas on whether to add it in there at this point bcause they are not rooted. I have been spraying the cuttings with superthrive the last few days, so we will see if they like that. I was going to start composting the cuttings that show signs of new growth.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 27, 2017, 01:08:43 PM
The soil they are in is very light, and i mixed perlite in there also. I have a compost mix, but i have heard conflicting ideas on whether to add it in there at this point bcause they are not rooted. I have been spraying the cuttings with superthrive the last few days, so we will see if they like that. I was going to start composting the cuttings that show signs of new growth.

My advice is to keep it simple like shown in the video I shared with you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 31, 2017, 12:38:41 AM
So, i am feeling a little bit hopeless with these cuttings today. Out of seven original cuttings, i have one with definite growth, and one with possible rooting, and i have 5 cuttings that have nothing going on whatsoever. The part that bums me out is that like 4 out of the 5 cuttings i have are shriveled. They have no "meat" left on them. They are green still, but they dont have any reserves left, which leaves me wondering how long they can hold on.😫
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: miracle on May 31, 2017, 01:18:28 AM
Here is how I grow my  dragon fruit from cutting.
I cut a couple fat branches from the DR plant. I keep on the side in the shade area about two or three weeks. Make sure all the fresh cuts are completely dry out.
Soils, I use my back yard: 50% clay soil and 50% organic muches from Home Depot.
I plant the above cuts and water once. And water again when the soils are almost out. They are cactus family. They do not need a lot of water like other fruit trees.
DO NOT WATER LIKE YOUR FRUIT TREE. Regular water the cuts will rotten. No water or less water the cut will root, just a matter of survival. Do not feel frustrated,  some time the cuts will do nothing for months. They will set their own pace to shoot out the new grow.
I feed them every three months with organic Alaska Fish Emulsion from Lowes or Home Depot.
Good luck
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on May 31, 2017, 01:50:03 AM
Maybe some shade will help in Hana's case since the weather is so extreme. Shade cloth like the Arizona growers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on May 31, 2017, 10:50:44 AM
I only water cuttings about once a week, and at anotherey dont swim. It is just a quick little water dip. They are watered very sparingly compared to my fruit trees, which are extremely demanding by comparison. I have not fertilized with anything. I have been spraying cuttings daily with Superthrive. I am some point will have to set up a shadecloth, but where the cuttings are they are spared the horror of afternoon full sun. I have another set of dragon fruit cuttings in another part of the yard, and they are catching afternoon sun, and they are getting some spots that seem to be sunburn, so i will likely have to move that batch. I have pulled up the cuttings that are not rooted, and have not found any signs of rotting. No sponginess.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 01, 2017, 08:22:12 AM
Just wondering if any growers/collectors out there have grown the Dragonfruit variety 'Yellow cross 68' , from Matts Landscape? As far as I know it's a megalanthus hybrid, but Matt hasn't updated the details of this variety for quite some time and I was hoping someone out there has had some extra info on it, in particular fruit colour inside and out.
I've had my cuttings for 3 years and they've just started to show signs of growth now! Pays to be patient apparently.
Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on June 01, 2017, 11:22:29 AM
I'm struggling to find frenkie's red dragon fruit... Guys, where I can get it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 01, 2017, 02:27:53 PM
Just wondering if any growers/collectors out there have grown the Dragonfruit variety 'Yellow cross 68' , from Matts Landscape? As far as I know it's a megalanthus hybrid, but Matt hasn't updated the details of this variety for quite some time and I was hoping someone out there has had some extra info on it, in particular fruit colour inside and out.
I've had my cuttings for 3 years and they've just started to show signs of growth now! Pays to be patient apparently.
Thanks in advance.

I've never heard of that variety but it sounds really interesting. Please keep us updated when you get fruit!

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 03, 2017, 01:26:04 AM
Most of the time, when I make cuttings for my plants, I try to cut the branches at the 'knuckles' of the branches; where one branch starts growing from the parent branch. Most of the time, you can just throw those in the ground without any prep work, as there's no exposed flesh to worry about rotting out. But what I do is put the new cuttings into a common plastic bucket or barrel/tote and put about 1 inch of water in the container every week. This keeps the tips wet but also allows for the small amount of water to warm up with the daily cycle. I almost always end up with healthy cuttings with 2-4 inch root clusters after a month or two. Also, I keep my cuttings in partial sun until they are planted. Without a functioning circulatory system, the plant has no way to combat sunburn and bleaching from excessive sunlight, but you also don't want to completely keep them in the shade. Under another plant seems to work out well most of the time. If you have the option, ask for, or generate cuttings made from a complete branch when its time to propagate dragon fruit. Full branches wont let out moisture at the same rate as cut ones will, so as long as you're not holding on to them for several months at a time, they should stay hydrated long enough to start plants anew. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on June 03, 2017, 04:00:42 AM
Just wondering if any growers/collectors out there have grown the Dragonfruit variety 'Yellow cross 68' , from Matts Landscape? As far as I know it's a megalanthus hybrid, but Matt hasn't updated the details of this variety for quite some time and I was hoping someone out there has had some extra info on it, in particular fruit colour inside and out.
I've had my cuttings for 3 years and they've just started to show signs of growth now! Pays to be patient apparently.
Thanks in advance.


If it is the "golden dragon" (hylocereus x selenicereus) I have it, yellow spineless fruits
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 03, 2017, 07:17:29 AM



No, this is definitely a megalanthus cross. According to Matts Landscape the megalanthus is crossed with an unknown pollinator. So is a gamble really!
I've been waiting for Matts to update their listing of this variety, but nothing's changed for at least 2 years. They have pics of flowers but no pics of any fruit. Maybe the fruit wasn't worth photographing! Hope not!
I've had this cutting planted for a long time and this summer just gone, it tried to flower more than a dozen times. The cutting is only 8" long and couldn't support any sort of flowers, but it kept trying!
Now that it has finally put out some vegetative growth, I can maybe see what it has to offer next summer.

Title: Tools of the Trade
Post by: RobPatterson on June 20, 2017, 07:07:28 PM
Since we're getting into that time of year when our thought turn to dragon fruit and the lovely, yet finicky, flowers they come from, I thought I would take the time to pass along a few tips on how I go about doing my pollinating and the tools I use to do it. Here are a few pictures to help with the more visual types among us:

(https://s13.postimg.cc/v6btcn0vn/Tools_Numbered.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v6btcn0vn/)

(https://s3.postimg.cc/xbx2f76of/Scale_and_Refrac.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xbx2f76of/)

(https://s16.postimg.cc/j1zy3evch/Pollen_Tools.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j1zy3evch/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/vocby3t9d/Dehydrator.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vocby3t9d/)

In order of appearance are the following:
1. A digital scale. Mostly for use at the end of the process, weighing fruit, so you can show off the results of your mighty fruit creation skills. We all need something to brag about, and what's not to love about sharing.
2. A refractometer. Again, this is another 'after the fact' tool. Its used to measure the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid, namely how much sugar is in fruit juice, MORE namely how much sugar is in your dragon fruit. These come in both digital (shown) and optical varieties. The optical looks like a cross between a flute and a spyglass, and it very easy to use if you decide you have enough interest in the hobby to have dedicated testing tools like this.
3. Pollen Dehydrator. This is a custom item I built myself, and I use it to remove moisture from the collected pollen before I store it in the freezer. It works like a common food dehydrator, except its a mostly sealed environment (with the door closed) and I do not add heat (pollen is sensitive). Running a small fan in the box circulated the air through an area of Silica Gel (those "DO NOT EAT" packets you find in packaging) and that draws out the extra water and makes the pollen less likely to be damaged by extended stays in the freezer.
4. My worktrays. To avoid excess contamination, I tend to lean towards ceramic for work surfaces and these sized trays do the job nicely. They clean easily, are almost completely non-stick and the high white finish allows me to pick out foreign objects (plant parts, bugs, thorns, etc.) both before and after drying.
5. Pollination brush. Most of the time I directly manipulate the flowers to apply pollen, but sometimes can prove difficult to get at, tucked in between pointy branches, so I use the brush to extend my reach. Any soft bristle brush will do, as long as its clean and free from contaminants (aka, don't use your significant other's makeup brush). Also, the stick end helps with moving and poking at various things, like bugs and flower petals.
6. Funnel and pollen tubes. The plastic sample tubes I use are small 20cc plastic sample tubes, with attached lids. Easy to find in bulk and cheap on places like Ebay. With the matching tray, they are perfect for upright storage in the freezer and don't take up too much space. The funnel is pretty self explanatory, and is used for putting pollen in tubes.
7. The pollen collecting scoops. Now, here's a biggy. I use these to collect my pollen from the flowers, usually in the early morning before I go to work. The shape of the tools is very important. The larger of the two, and the one I use most often, is just a simple Ice Scoop that I reshaped using metal cutting snips. The more pointed end and wide back matches the shape of the flower very well and allows me to maximize pollen yields. Also, I filed down the cut edges so they are nice and smooth, so as to not damage the internal parts of the flower. The actual tool you use is less important than the shape. I've had other people Ive talked to use 1 and 2 liter plastic bottles, cut on a slant, to do the same job, and it seems just as effective.
8. Pollen sorting tools. I use these to both clear the collected pollen of foreign objects and to scoop pollen into the funnel. You should do your best to avoid touching the pollen with your hands, as the oils on your fingers can do bad things to living things that small.
Ok, now that's were through that, here are what I hope are a few helpful tips to get you more fruit.
First off, if you have multiple fruit varieties, the order in which you pollinate is very important. I always try to collect the pollen from one plant variety first, then move on to the next, first pollinating the second plant's flowers with pollen from the first, then going back and collecting the seconds pollen for use on the next plant. You're always going to get better results if you cross pollinate, even if some on the varieties you're working with are self fertile. Its worth the extra time to make that last trip back to the beginning of the loop to make sure you're mixing, not matching.
Next, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, or in this case pollen-y. If the flowers are easy to get at, and at a good height, Ill just reach into the flower and grab it by the lady parts (the long thick Pistil that extends from the center of the flower and ends in a starfish-like shape) and dip the end of it directly into my pollen catcher. Gentle but firm. You're not going to harm the flower by doing this if you're at all careful and its a good way to pollinate quickly if you have a lot of flowers in one area.
On a related note, collecting the actual pollen is just as simple. Just insert your pollen catcher into the flower, in the space between the white petals and the yellow stamen that surround the pistil (lady parts), and give the entire flower a good shake or tap. The pollen will come right off and into your collector. Flick out any large foreign objects but leave the removal of the smaller stuff until later, when you can get at it with clean tools.
Before you're done for the day, though, (hopefully) you'll have left over pollen. However you decide to do it, just make sure it has a chance to dry in a warm, dry place for at least 8 hours ( I usually do 24 without the dehydrator) to allow for proper storage condition. You can use coffee filters as your drying medium if you don't want to do anything fancy, but just make sure the pollen is undisturbed and free from added contaminants like dust or animal hair. To be safe, you can even add a second coffee filter on top of the first, once the pollen is added, to act as a protective layer.
Ive had successful pollination months after storage, so if you ever find yourself with extra pollen, its never a bad idea to put some aside for later, because with the various conditions (wind, bees, etc) you never know when some leftovers will come in handy.
I hope this helps out a few people, and here's to hoping for a successful season to everyone.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ajeshcool47 on June 20, 2017, 10:25:13 PM
hi all , can anybody tell me about these 3 varieties,Khmer, Cebra,Edgar V Red.... its specialties, color of flesh etc...thanking in advance...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on June 26, 2017, 12:55:25 AM
@RobPatterson: so you're saying to cross pollinate for example your S8 with pollen from American beauties? is the fruit that then forms a new variety or still considered S8? Sorry...confused but totally wanting to learn!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 26, 2017, 04:51:11 AM
The fruit that forms is still an S8 but any plant produced from the seed of that particular fruit is going to be different from the parent, a hybrid . It will be a totally new variety! It may look, taste and seem exactly the same as its parent or it could be something completely different, but it is definitely not the same. This is how newer, sometimes better varieties are created!
If you grow a plant from the seeds of that fruit, you can name it after yourself as it's a totally new variety.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on June 26, 2017, 06:05:39 AM
I'm getting flowers aborting on DF. When inspected I see small larvae which appear to be fruit fly. Anyone have this happen or any solutions? First flower did set fruit successfully.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on June 26, 2017, 03:54:48 PM
The fruit that forms is still an S8 but any plant produced from the seed of that particular fruit is going to be different from the parent, a hybrid . It will be a totally new variety! It may look, taste and seem exactly the same as its parent or it could be something completely different, but it is definitely not the same. This is how newer, sometimes better varieties are created!
If you grow a plant from the seeds of that fruit, you can name it after yourself as it's a totally new variety.
Hope this helps.

ohhhh I see. thank you so much! :)
Sabrina
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sidney on June 27, 2017, 09:15:22 AM
Germination. Trying to attract night flying insects to my dragon fruits by planting night blooming jasmine nearby. Anyone try this. I can't get the hang of hand pollinating.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Hana321 on June 27, 2017, 11:45:22 PM
Anybody out there have ideas for fertilizers for dragon fruit cuttings. I have some cuttings that have recently rooted, and i am looking for a good feeding regiment. I have a chicken manure compost, but because they are in pots it may not be so effective. They are planted in a peat moss, perlite blend. Watered about once a week. Some of the cuttings look a little sad. A little yellowed out. Dont know if it is the sun, or lack of nutrition
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 28, 2017, 12:17:15 AM
Couple responses:
1. Cross pollination does often result in a genetically different variety of fruit, but the result is often a complete crap shoot as to whether you're going to get something that's better than what you started out with. Each cross picks and chooses features from the parents and adapts them to a new genetic base in the seeds of the fruit. Most often, you end up with something very similar to what you started with, sometimes so often that it takes genetic testing to even confirm a variance. This is why there are so many versions of the white and pink varieties. Each one is just a smidge different from the other, and each has its own name given to it by its proud farmer parents. But, that adds to confusion as to what variety is what, with discussions like "no, that one's skin is to thick to be XXX, it must be YYY".
I tried my hand at breeding early on, and I did end up with one plant that seems to be something new, but until I can get that confirmed by someone with a bit more knowledge than me, I'm just keeping it on the down low, as they say.
2. You should not fertilize cuttings. Until your cutting turns onto a solidly growing plant, maybe 3ft tall with a few months of actual active growing time, it should be kept in nothing more than loose or airy soil and watered occasionally. Using a cactus potting soil or some native dirt from your yard, mixed with bark, perlite, gravel, etc. to get a decent consistency for drainage, should be more than enough for a cuttings first few months of development. As a side note to that, if you're only going to raise a few plants from cuttings, I suggest starting them off in clay pots. They don't have to be large, maybe 2 quarts, just big enough to support a decent stick or small post for the plant to be attached to as it climbs. The pot will absorb water into its walls, which will help regulate soil temperature between waterings, and when its time to upgrade to the pot (or soil) you're going to have the plant live in, if the roots are too clingy or grow through the bottom of the pot, a couple whacks with a hammer or rock will crack the pot and allow you to remove the root ball with little or no damage. Sometimes transplanting can do a lot of damage as dragon fruit plants tend to have shallow roots that are fairly easy to tear.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 10, 2017, 02:38:42 PM
Hey everyone. I've been silently reading everyone's post in the background just cause I have nothing exciting to post up until now. But unfortunately I forgot my password to my previous account thus why you'll probably notice my username is a tad bit different. I tried retrieving my password but have not yet received any email to do so even though sending in the m request and it's been over 24hrs. So I'll use this account until I can get back into my old account.
But I would like to announce that I think I might have a bud forming on my purple haze which I've planted 2 years ago.  So excite and can't wait to see if it truly is a bud or a dud. What do ya think guys?!
(https://s22.postimg.cc/mkzndd6vx/IMG_3809.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mkzndd6vx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on July 10, 2017, 03:10:32 PM
Congrats on your first flowerbud.  Hopefully it doesn't dry up on you, as can happen from time to time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 10, 2017, 03:47:45 PM
Congrats on your first flowerbud.  Hopefully it doesn't dry up on you, as can happen from time to time.

Thank you!! I can't believe it's actually a flower bud. I never would've  thought I would get one! Yeah, I've watched videos of people losing some buds but I hope it doesn't happen to mine. It's the only one I have so far. I would really love to be able see it bloom. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2017, 12:47:37 AM
Anyone know if that variety is self fertile btw? If not, anyone in the area that can help her out with some pollen? I don't think mailing some would survive the trip
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 11, 2017, 05:39:57 AM
Has not been self fertile for me. Whether that is just where i live or not, I don't know, but even with plenty of native bees as well as European bees, I still make sure I x-pollinate otherwise I'm left with fallen flowers!
ALWAYS best to x-polllinate if you have the chance. Almost always guarantees fruit and the fruit is almost guaranteed to be bigger!
On a different note, I have had flower buds that looked like that, that have returned to vegetative growth. Also had buds return to vegetative growth, and then flower anyway, like this Purple Haze.
(https://s14.postimg.cc/ia2kh0hzh/IMG_0437.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ia2kh0hzh/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f0o5ajtvx/IMG_0486.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f0o5ajtvx/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/siv1mu619/IMG_0488.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/siv1mu619/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 11, 2017, 04:12:24 PM
I just read on spicyexotics site that he find purple haze to not be self fertile for him. He recommends self pollinating. My neighbor also have a white variety dragon fruit. I might be able to ask her for some pollen. If not I'll just experiment with hand pollination and see what happens. Thanks Rob for the suggestion! ☺️
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 11, 2017, 08:38:42 PM
FYI


(https://s13.postimg.cc/kx5qnzmqb/17_pitahaya_festival.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kx5qnzmqb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 12, 2017, 09:23:20 PM
Here's an update on my first flower bud.... it sure doesn't look like other dragon fruit flower buds I've seen online. I have a bad feeling that it might just revert back to a stem. Tell me it's not so?! But I do think I have another bud forming above this one. What are the chances of them both reverting back to stems...ugh... is there any know cause or it's just the way they are.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/4k0n4ltff/IMG_3823.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4k0n4ltff/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 13, 2017, 01:17:12 PM
Here's a different view from today
(https://s21.postimg.cc/43qcljj6b/IMG_3831.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/43qcljj6b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 13, 2017, 02:21:51 PM
looks like a stem from the base of it.

Only thing you can do is don't apply any nitrogen fertilizer if you fertilize.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 13, 2017, 02:40:59 PM
looks like a stem from the base of it.

Only thing you can do is don't apply any nitrogen fertilizer if you fertilize.


I did apply chicken manure and some bone meal at the end of June. I wonder if that was the cause. What is a good fertilizer you would recommend ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 13, 2017, 11:27:58 PM
looks like a stem from the base of it.

Only thing you can do is don't apply any nitrogen fertilizer if you fertilize.


I did apply chicken manure and some bone meal at the end of June. I wonder if that was the cause. What is a good fertilizer you would recommend ?

When it comes to fertilizer and Dragon Fruit...  IMO less is more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 13, 2017, 11:42:22 PM
looks like a stem from the base of it.

Only thing you can do is don't apply any nitrogen fertilizer if you fertilize.


I did apply chicken manure and some bone meal at the end of June. I wonder if that was the cause. What is a good fertilizer you would recommend ?

When it comes to fertilizer and Dragon Fruit...  IMO less is more.

Thank you. Can I ask if you apply any and what kind , how often?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 14, 2017, 04:47:18 PM
Reminder: Self-fertile and self-pollinating mean two different things.
Self-fertile = The plants own pollen is capable of germinating fruit, but might possibly require manual assistance to make that happen; in other words, you might have to move the pollen from the stamen to the stigma yourself in order to get successful pollination if you don't get regular help from the forces of nature, like bees or moths.
Self-pollinating = The plants structure is such that not only will the plants own pollen successfully result in germination, but it also does so with little or no outside help. Usually this is in species where the stigma is actually shorter than the stamen, and cant avoid coming in contact with the pollen.
Personally, I try to hand pollinate every flower I can get at, and if at all possible, cross-pollinate plants to encourage stronger fruit. Sometimes, though, timing of flower bloom or the weather simply doesn't allow for that level of involvement, so the plants are left to fend for themselves.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: roblack on July 14, 2017, 06:23:01 PM
Yellow Dragon Fruit flower (selenicereus megalanthus) Anyone know if this needs hand pollination, and if so, does anyone have some spare pollen?
(https://s21.postimg.cc/jx6pjnu83/Yellow_Dragon_Flower_7_2017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jx6pjnu83/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Cookie0208 on July 16, 2017, 06:41:35 PM
Guys, I'm new to dragon fruit and I just bought this small tree at the nursery, but I would like to put it in the ground and make a new trellis for it, will disturbing its roots cause it to die? What do I need to do first? Please help

(https://s9.postimg.cc/tkparohaj/IMG_4295.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tkparohaj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 16, 2017, 08:38:45 PM
Welcome to the fold  :)
First off, you should try and keep the plant potted, not in ground, if your landscape allows. This gives you more control over watering and soil conditions, and protects you from things like gophers. A 15 gallon pot is more than enough for a dragon fruits entire life span. Secondly, how you grow it is going to depend on where you plan on putting it, and what sort of area that is. Up against a fence? Middle of the yard? Stuff like that. The traditional route is to grow these up a post of some sort, up and through an elevated ring or support, which takes the load of the plants eventual weight, and grow them in an umbrella-like canopy. 1-3 main stems are trained up the post, using gardeners tape or burlap rope, with the remaining side growth trimmed away, and as the stems get to the required height, they are topped, or cut, to prevent further growth on those stems. This forces the plant to start producing side branches again, but at the top of the plant (hopefully). These are trained up though and over the support on top, and then allowed to hang back down. Hanging branches produce more fruit, with it having something to do with the necessary hormones being pushed further down the branches and collecting there.
There are dozens of good ideas on how to support your fruit, and a quick google or YouTube search (growing dragon fruit) should hopefully yield something you can use in your particular situation. At the end of the day, though, the main idea is to end up with long hanging branches.
As a side note, though, I would suggest that, if you have the space, you consider starting a second plant. Without knowing what variety you have there, you would be best off having a second, clearly different species, for both pollination and general fruit production. Some will produce fruit without a second plant, but unless you know for sure what type you bought, I wouldn't risk it. Waiting a year or two to find out can be a disappointment.
Oh, and as for the roots, these plants tend to grow roots on the surface, not deep, so the best way to go about transplanting would be, if you can, use a box cutter type knife to slit the old pot enough to wedge it open a little, then try and take the entire root ball + soil out in one piece. Make sure the soil is nice and dry, to prevent it from crumbling. Not watering the cactus wont hurt it for even weeks at a time, so you don't have to worry about that. Just make sure when you transplant, wherever it goes, try to keep the top of the old soil even with the new location. Don't try and bury it deep; these plants aren't fond of that.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Cookie0208 on July 16, 2017, 09:09:27 PM
Thanks for the explanation Rob. The pot I bought is very small, so I would like to buy a 25-gallon pot and make 4x4' trellis in the middle like some posters on this thread.. can you tip me on what to do to not kill my plant? Can I just cut the current pot I have and then just put the entire plant onto the new pot with more potting soil?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on July 16, 2017, 10:09:41 PM
I had a quick question on mine...it's been growing really well but one of them started turning yellow on the bottom cutting. Any concern with that? I try not to water more than 1-2x per week right now but it's been so hot and my worry was that they are growing so quickly that they have got to get their water from somewhere...the bottom cutting felt a little deflated.
(https://s4.postimg.cc/ef5e5u6ex/IMG_8145.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ef5e5u6ex/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 16, 2017, 11:26:42 PM
Cookie: If youre going to use a 25 gallon pot, you will have enough room for roots to plant several separate dragon fruit cuttings/plants. I suggest having more than one, if you can, especially in the same pot, so the plants (and flowers) intermingle to make cross-pollination by natural forces easier. easiest thing to do would be set your 4x4 post first, but coat the entire area that's going to be underground/in the pot with some sort of waterproofer, like roof sealant, that's not going to deteriorate or leech into the soil. Even treated lumber wont last forever so this is a good thing to do to extend post life. Then, make a hole in your pot and slide it over the post. Build or attach your upper assembly (some people just drill holes in posts and run heavy pipe or Rebar through to make the upper.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/lsll8v5ct/best-x-brace-brackets2-xlg.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/lsll8v5ct/)

This is the ideal shape, if you can imagine this on the top of a post. It allows the branches to grow up and out, and supports weight. Just make sure however you make it, its sturdy enough to support 100-200 pounds for a healthy mature plant if it does well. After this, I highly recommend wrapping both the post and supports in burlap (potato sack material). Most hardware stores sell it in the garden areas. It retains moisture when you water and gives the air roots something additional to grasp onto and weave into. I always water my plants and then give my posts a quick spritz before I'm done.

Sayan: Is that yellow area soft or just yellow? The entire cutting looks like it might have received too much sun for a time. A light dusting of Epsom Salts can help counter that yellow, and green a plant back up, but only if its healthy. Is it already rooted or did you plant it as a cutting recently? Yellowing like that is a bleaching of the chlorophyll in the plant, and is reversible. But if its soft, and starting to turn a honey brown color, its dead flesh, either from dead roots or bacteria. Keep track of it and let us know how things progress. In the meantime, maybe add a little Miracle Grow when you water to give the plant some extra nutrition.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on July 17, 2017, 12:13:03 AM
It's just yellow and feels normal otherwise. I'll try some seaweed and epsom salt and a touch of miracle grow and see wht happens. It was rooted already and I planted it about 4-6 weeks ago. Most recently I feel like they've really been taking off and grew almost 6 inches in that short time. How often should I be watering it while it's growing so actively? Do they always grow so vigorously?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 17, 2017, 06:46:07 PM
Summer growth is rapid. Some people claim to have seen an inch a day growth on plants. Ideally, for 3 seasons out of the year (spring, summer and fall) you should be watering enough to keep the soil other than completely dry. Once a week is usually enough. Don't fertilize that often, though (every 2 weeks at most)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on July 17, 2017, 07:23:54 PM
Hey Forum,

Have a few zamorano DF's and every time they flower the flower swivels up and falls off. I am assuming the issue is that they are not being pollinated naturally? If this is the case how can I hand pollinate to get fruit set? Seems the flowers bloom once at night and then done.

-Joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 17, 2017, 07:50:57 PM
Hey Forum,

Have a few zamorano DF's and every time they flower the flower swivels up and falls off. I am assuming the issue is that they are not being pollinated naturally? If this is the case how can I hand pollinate to get fruit set? Seems the flowers bloom once at night and then done.

-Joep450

See Reply #2078 above.

Hand pollination is easy.
You touch the flower stigma with pollen gotten from another flower's anthers.
Best time is before midnight after the flower has opened.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SoCal on July 17, 2017, 10:25:29 PM
Here's what my set up looks like. I have a total of 15 varieties varying in age from rooted cuttings this year to fruit bearing ones that's a couple of years old.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/6b1ejo71x/IMG_0148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6b1ejo71x/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/8gvpe6aid/IMG_0149.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8gvpe6aid/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/evuqauh85/IMG_0150.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/evuqauh85/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on July 17, 2017, 11:26:07 PM
Hey SoCal,

Is that a 4x4 for center post, and Haworth do you have the center post anchored in the pot?

-joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SoCal on July 18, 2017, 12:35:20 AM
Hey SoCal,

Is that a 4x4 for center post, and Haworth do you have the center post anchored in the pot?

-joep450
Yes, it's a 4x4 and I used a cement post similar to the picture below. There 2 sizes commercially available that I know of. I got the smaller one at Dixieline.

-Allan
(https://s4.postimg.cc/wu0qme2ih/IMG_0151.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wu0qme2ih/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 18, 2017, 01:30:31 AM
That cement block is not designed for free standing post.

We got tired of rotted posts so now we encase perforated galvanized square steel tubing with concrete. The tubing is the same one being used for street signs. We bolt 1x wood to 2 sides. Then screw 1x to the bolted 1x.

I recommend tubular fence post. It's cheaper than the square tubing we used.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Delvi83 on July 18, 2017, 02:51:57 AM
Sorry, may be you already said this, but i did not read all the pages...

How long does Dragon Fruit (red) take before flowering (from Seeds) ? Which is the periodo of flowering (in not tropical area) ?

Thanks for the info :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: clannewton on July 18, 2017, 02:51:25 PM
Hi, I have a dragon fruit of unknown variety that has flowered in past years but never fruited. It is flowering nicely again this year as photos below indicate.  I have no experience with this fruit and am wondering if there is something I should be doing to promote fruiting?  I was unsuccessful using search option trying to find info relating to my problem.  Thanks ahead for any info or help relating to this.




(https://s13.postimg.cc/wjtr9b7ar/20170718_064719.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wjtr9b7ar/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/bixi93mvv/20170718_064651.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bixi93mvv/)

(https://s11.postimg.cc/w9a92rcxr/20170718_064738.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/w9a92rcxr/)

(https://s21.postimg.cc/48uqdxh7n/20170718_064709.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/48uqdxh7n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 18, 2017, 04:51:59 PM
Clannewton, it probably needs cross pollination. Try planting S8 also known as Sugar Dragon next to it. In the meantime, maybe you can find a neighbor with dragonfruit and collect pollen from their flowers to cross pollinate with yours.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 18, 2017, 04:56:22 PM
First American Beauty of the year, I don't have my refractometer on me but the flavor is good. These early fruit are not too sweet yet but they have a good balance of flavor. First fruit to ripen were my Sugar Dragons and they are really small. This year, I have a very light crop on all my vines, probably because they are getting old and I haven't been pruning and renewing the limbs like I should be doing.

(https://s11.postimg.cc/3uj1mdznz/IMG_2644.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3uj1mdznz/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 18, 2017, 11:19:54 PM
Here's a couple American Beauty on the vine and one I cut off due to a crack. These early fruit are a bit smaller at just over 13 Oz.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/3v1gmu6ij/IMG_2646.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3v1gmu6ij/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/uhdxbtapn/IMG_2647.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uhdxbtapn/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SoCal on July 19, 2017, 01:34:44 PM
Here's what's blooming/fruiting so far - Sugar dragon (first blooms) and an unknown red variety I got from sister with blooms and fruits almost ready. Most of my vines are only 1-2 years old, so I'll probably will not get fruits from most of them until next year.

-Allan
(https://s1.postimg.cc/izn0ojvzv/IMG_0166.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/izn0ojvzv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/69isbgo1n/IMG_0167.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/69isbgo1n/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/5y1byp7ln/IMG_0168.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5y1byp7ln/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: clannewton on July 19, 2017, 04:11:31 PM
First American Beauty of the year, I don't have my refractometer on me but the flavor is good. These early fruit are not too sweet yet but they have a good balance of flavor. First fruit to ripen were my Sugar Dragons and they are really small. This year, I have a very light crop on all my vines, probably because they are getting old and I haven't been pruning and renewing the limbs like I should be doing.

(https://s11.postimg.cc/3uj1mdznz/IMG_2644.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3uj1mdznz/)
Simon

Thanks Simon, I do have another variety right next to the dragon fruit that is flowering, unfortunately that other variety has not flowered yet :'(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2017, 05:00:57 PM
We got tired of rotted posts so now we encase perforated galvanized square steel tubing with concrete. The tubing is the same one being used for street signs.


Where can you buy the perforated galvanized square steel tubing used for street signs?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 19, 2017, 05:27:42 PM
Where can you buy the perforated galvanized square steel tubing used for street signs?

Search for "perforated square tubing". Industrial store should have it.

I'm about to make another support tree with cheaper circular fence post. Only need a few holes drilled.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 19, 2017, 06:13:33 PM
Where can you buy the perforated galvanized square steel tubing used for street signs?

Search for "perforated square tubing". Industrial store should have it.

I'm about to make another support tree with cheaper circular fence post. Only need a few holes drilled.

Yes, the chain link fence posts are very reasonable and available at big box stores.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 19, 2017, 06:22:07 PM
Where can you buy the perforated galvanized square steel tubing used for street signs?

Search for "perforated square tubing". Industrial store should have it.

I'm about to make another support tree with cheaper circular fence post. Only need a few holes drilled.


What will you do with the round tubing?  Pour concrete or use as is?  You might try using 3 or 4 rebars and bend them at the ends and let that hang out and concrete the lowere end.  I thought out making some but figured its a lot of effort and they will require more than myself to install.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2017, 11:31:52 PM
Just make sure however you make your posts, that its securely anchored to either the world, or a wall. Plants get top heavy fast and you don't want them falling over.
And since we're starting to show off pictures of our collections, here's the first harvest from my plants. Its a mix of S8 Sugar Dragons (smaller ones) and my experimental crossbreed.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/f58ghu5hn/20170719_200415_124.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f58ghu5hn/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 19, 2017, 11:58:45 PM
What will you do with the round tubing?  Pour concrete or use as is?  You might try using 3 or 4 rebars and bend them at the ends and let that hang out and concrete the lowere end.  I thought out making some but figured its a lot of effort and they will require more than myself to install.

I put one end in a pot then encase that end in concrete. I box the tubing with wood for the DF to cling onto. I add the top, with wood. I dig a hole then put the whole thing in, including the pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 20, 2017, 12:58:13 AM
Just make sure however you make your posts, that its securely anchored to either the world, or a wall. Plants get top heavy fast and you don't want them falling over.
And since we're starting to show off pictures of our collections, here's the first harvest from my plants. Its a mix of S8 Sugar Dragons (smaller ones) and my experimental crossbreed.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/f58ghu5hn/20170719_200415_124.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f58ghu5hn/)

Nice harvest, can you give a flavor description of your experimental crossbreed? Would you happen to have a Brix reading on your cross?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 20, 2017, 01:40:52 AM
What will you do with the round tubing?  Pour concrete or use as is?  You might try using 3 or 4 rebars and bend them at the ends and let that hang out and concrete the lowere end.  I thought out making some but figured its a lot of effort and they will require more than myself to install.

I put one end in a pot then encase that end in concrete. I box the tubing with wood for the DF to cling onto. I add the top, with wood. I dig a hole then put the whole thing in, including the pot.

Sounds like it should hold up wrll. I am interested in photos if you have any.  I have lots of metal posts and recycled concrete and portland cement here.  And about 8 rooted cuttings I need to do something with.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on July 21, 2017, 03:46:12 PM
Couple of dragon fruit harvested from the yard this afternoon.
Clockwise, top center is Dark Star, American Beauty, Mega Red (from Pine Island about 2 years ago), Dark Star, Dark Star.
Also got 6 large white ones (had about 60 white blooms on three trellises open over the last three nights).
(https://s25.postimg.cc/n82td05kf/07-21-2017_df1.jpg)
Same Dark Star (1lb 9.6oz)
(https://s25.postimg.cc/s809kyb73/07-21-2017_df2.jpg)
Same Dark Star
(https://s25.postimg.cc/3ss1jwca7/07-21-2017_df3.jpg)

DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SoCal on July 21, 2017, 10:52:05 PM
My first harvest of an unknown purple variety. Can anyone id? Thanks.

-Allan
(https://s3.postimg.cc/3y0hr9if3/IMG_3143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3y0hr9if3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 22, 2017, 12:06:39 AM
(https://s1.postimg.cc/3ugtx0vln/iphone_135.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3ugtx0vln/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/60b4riz23/iphone_136.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/60b4riz23/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: scashaggy on July 23, 2017, 08:11:53 AM
Pics from the yard today

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/35297631783_92465d720d_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4320/35265897584_5fc2a9a000_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/35265903194_c708a6171e_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4305/36105668845_f3cf32ffdd_c.jpg)



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: coyote on July 25, 2017, 10:05:29 AM
I apologize if this is a silly question that has been answered many times...but what are the wide green ties that people are using the secure the stems of their dragon fruit cactus to their support system? and where can I possibly find them? I've looked around and haven't seen them yet
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on July 25, 2017, 10:16:04 AM
I apologize if this is a silly question that has been answered many times...but what are the wide green ties that people are using the secure the stems of their dragon fruit cactus to their support system? and where can I possibly find them? I've looked around and haven't seen them yet

It is nursery tape. I found it just .99 cents at .99 cents store.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on July 25, 2017, 12:47:19 PM
I apologize if this is a silly question that has been answered many times...but what are the wide green ties that people are using the secure the stems of their dragon fruit cactus to their support system? and where can I possibly find them? I've looked around and haven't seen them yet

It is nursery tape. I found it just .99 cents at .99 cents store.
My 99 cents store stopped selling it this year. Had to go to an ag supply store and pay 1.50. Home Depot sells it in the garden section for a little more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 25, 2017, 12:55:53 PM
I apologize if this is a silly question that has been answered many times...but what are the wide green ties that people are using the secure the stems of their dragon fruit cactus to their support system? and where can I possibly find them? I've looked around and haven't seen them yet

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/311jA6XircL.jpg)

https://www.amazon.com/Thick-Stretch-Plant-Garden-Green/dp/B00DG75DS8 (https://www.amazon.com/Thick-Stretch-Plant-Garden-Green/dp/B00DG75DS8)

cheaper at Lowe's  https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-0-5-in-x-1-800-in-Tree-Tie/3012986 (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-0-5-in-x-1-800-in-Tree-Tie/3012986)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 25, 2017, 09:38:27 PM
Here's a picture of my double Grafted Dragonfruit, it's got a total of 3 varieties on it
(https://s11.postimg.cc/4gn63sm6n/IMG_2672.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4gn63sm6n/)

(https://s11.postimg.cc/p21xvp3rj/IMG_2673.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p21xvp3rj/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 25, 2017, 11:31:18 PM
S8, Megalanthus and American Beauty?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2017, 12:01:30 AM
S8, Megalanthus and American Beauty?
You got it 100% RobPatterson!
I was also joking about the double Grafted Dragonfruit with three varieties as everyone probably figured out. I've had a pretty bad season this year with only about 1/2 the fruit I got last year. My vines have not been pruned in a while. The S8 is the only variety that is consistently a high producer but the fruit is very small but tasty.

As with last year, the Yellow Dragon is holding fruit and flowering at the same time.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: coyote on July 26, 2017, 10:09:43 AM
thanks a bunch dragon, fyliu, and ricshaw...I'll ask around at my local nurseries and home depot and if not I'll order it online
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on July 26, 2017, 10:18:28 AM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/t3167a6cr/IMG_5923.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t3167a6cr/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/qmzctfoa3/IMG_5925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qmzctfoa3/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/i8jq5cn8r/IMG_5927.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i8jq5cn8r/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8y7m1tciz/IMG_5928.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8y7m1tciz/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/kbu5d0n1n/IMG_5929.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kbu5d0n1n/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/6n9jxn1rf/IMG_5930.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6n9jxn1rf/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/qvwxjd12j/IMG_5931.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qvwxjd12j/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/miye0xsbv/IMG_5932.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/miye0xsbv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/oosovfvsb/IMG_5933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oosovfvsb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/xnncm7q23/IMG_5934.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xnncm7q23/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2017, 03:30:52 PM
Frank, awesome plants. Are some of those from the cuttings I gave you several years ago?

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on July 27, 2017, 12:58:44 AM
Frank, awesome plants. Are some of those from the cuttings I gave you several years ago?

Simon

Hi Simon
this is a friend of mines orchard. he turned me on to top tier dragon fruits....the ones you gave me are growing but no fruits yets

(https://s12.postimg.cc/k35isvfnd/IMG_5942_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k35isvfnd/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/534hwpop1/IMG_5941_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/534hwpop1/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 29, 2017, 09:51:00 PM
Best flavored varieties available in South Florida and where to get cuttings or plants????
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Monkeyfingers on July 29, 2017, 10:06:58 PM
Ok so a little over a week ago I had about 12 gorgeous flowers open up on a couple of my dragonfruits. But then the fruits all turned yellow and dropped off! I had hand pollinated them with a brush so I thought they had a good shot of setting fruit. I have a couple varieties that did this: physical graffiti and american beauty. They set fruit really well a couple of months back, so I was excited to get a second crop this summer. Not sure why this time everything yellowed and dropped.The only thing I could think is the next day after the bloom, we had a gully washer, so maybe it got too wet and dropped all the fruit? Anything else that you guys think might be wrong?

Here is a pic of one of the yellowed fruits -


(https://s1.postimg.cc/ydgqzpoyj/IMG_1402.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydgqzpoyj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on July 29, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Frank, awesome plants. Are some of those from the cuttings I gave you several years ago?

Simon

Hi Simon
this is a friend of mines orchard. he turned me on to top tier dragon fruits....the ones you gave me are growing but no fruits yets

(https://s12.postimg.cc/k35isvfnd/IMG_5942_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k35isvfnd/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/534hwpop1/IMG_5941_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/534hwpop1/)

Which do you consider top tier?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 29, 2017, 11:32:06 PM

(https://s12.postimg.cc/wyh3rcb7d/20170729_095059.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wyh3rcb7d/)


First dragon fruit of the season. Hoping to be able to ID it once cut will post more pics. I believe if I recall correctly it is American beauty
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on July 29, 2017, 11:59:15 PM
American Beauty bears round fruits I think.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dshcs on July 30, 2017, 08:17:02 AM
I have DF in South Florida that are blooming for the first time.  As expected, a week after it bloomed it dried up and fell off.  There were small (3-5 mm) white worms in the flesh where the bloom disconnected and the bud (young fruit between the bloom and cactus body) fell off.  I have not seen any reference to fruit/bud damage by worms.  Does anyone else see this problem and is there a standard treatment?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 30, 2017, 10:57:53 AM
American Beauty bears round fruits I think.

Hmmm yeah these are definitely more oblongish than round. Will have to post better pics overall and when I cut it see if I can find an answer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 01, 2017, 02:26:34 AM
My Physical Graffiti plant (thanks, Ric!) has its first flowers! This is just under two years after obtaining it as a small, rooted cutting.


(http://ftp.kan.org/download/PhysicalGraffitiFirstFlower073117.jpg)



I just brushed on some pollen I collected from my 3-yr-old Laverne Pink about 2 weeks ago.


Some random questions/thoughts:
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 01, 2017, 02:36:24 AM
Some random questions/thoughts:
  • I didn't dry my pollen after collecting; I just put it directly in the freezer. Did I kill it?
  • I have two more PG flowers that should pop in ~2 days, so I'll dry their pollen out before freezing, but I'm not sure I'll have anything that needs pollinating after this.
  • DF pollen seems to drive my cat nuts! She found my pollen brush and was carrying it around the house. I put the brush back in the bag, and she wouldn't leave the bag alone. She kept trying to get her nose into the bag, and I eventually had to put it in a closet and close the door. If it isn't toxic (!!!!) I think I've found a replacement for catnip.

I can answer that it is not toxic.  8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: new mexico dragon on August 01, 2017, 03:06:55 AM
hello everyone im growing a DF cactus at my ranch in north eastern new mexico in zone 5-6 in the greenhouse and indoors during the winter with no heat and it gets down to -15 - -20 at times. Its going on its third year and still growing strong. however I cannot get the plant to flower. Its just growing a lot of shoots whitch I pull off as soon as I notice them because it has already a lot of branches. iv tried the tiping method and still nothing. I have 2 varieties but I don't know the names. One is the red flesh the other is the white flesh.

I was wondering if anyone else has the problem of growing a lot of branches and no flowers and if so what do you recommend for inducing flowering instead of branching?

Regards,

BEN G
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on August 01, 2017, 08:38:05 AM
Did you use pollen from a different cultivar? If not, perhaps the first time you did (or the moths did). I have 10% success and small fruit with self pollination and 90% with cross pollination.

Ok so a little over a week ago I had about 12 gorgeous flowers open up on a couple of my dragonfruits. But then the fruits all turned yellow and dropped off! I had hand pollinated them with a brush so I thought they had a good shot of setting fruit. I have a couple varieties that did this: physical graffiti and american beauty. They set fruit really well a couple of months back, so I was excited to get a second crop this summer. Not sure why this time everything yellowed and dropped.The only thing I could think is the next day after the bloom, we had a gully washer, so maybe it got too wet and dropped all the fruit? Anything else that you guys think might be wrong?

Here is a pic of one of the yellowed fruits -


(https://s1.postimg.cc/ydgqzpoyj/IMG_1402.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydgqzpoyj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 01, 2017, 03:42:08 PM
hello everyone im growing a DF cactus at my ranch in north eastern new mexico in zone 5-6 in the greenhouse and indoors during the winter with no heat and it gets down to -15 - -20 at times. Its going on its third year and still growing strong. however I cannot get the plant to flower. Its just growing a lot of shoots whitch I pull off as soon as I notice them because it has already a lot of branches. iv tried the tiping method and still nothing. I have 2 varieties but I don't know the names. One is the red flesh the other is the white flesh.

I was wondering if anyone else has the problem of growing a lot of branches and no flowers and if so what do you recommend for inducing flowering instead of branching?

Regards,

BEN G

assuming you have trellis and your plants had reached the top and those stems pointing downward are over 1 year old.  they flower when the weather gets hot and days are long. 

I think this is something you can do to help flowering.  reduce watering as summer approaches.  tip the mature branches.  if you already have plenty of matured stems I would pick off the new shoots are they appear.  also try to use bloom fertilizer late Spring/early Summer time. 

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: rockman on August 01, 2017, 03:57:29 PM
To the SoCal growers, from your experience, what are the most productive pink/red flesh varieties in terms of quantity?  I'm thinking it got to be Sugar Dragon/Voodoo Child, but sometimes I do see Physical Graffiti (required hand pollination) bearing abundant of fruits.   
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 01, 2017, 04:05:10 PM
To the SoCal growers, from your experience, what are the most productive pink/red flesh varieties in terms of quantity?  I'm thinking it got to be Sugar Dragon/Voodoo Child, but sometimes I do see Physical Graffiti (required hand pollination) bearing abundant of fruits.

My advice... for only TWO varieties for SoCal hobbyist growers would be Physical Graffiti and S-8 (Sugar Dragon).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on August 02, 2017, 11:19:18 AM
Would appreciate feedback from you experienced growers on what strategy you use for pruning your DF? When do you do it, and how aggressive do you prune it? I am not talking about training a young plant, but rather once you have a mature plant trained and setup umbrella style and have had a alot of flowering and fruits. I want to insure I do this properly so I continue to have successful flowering and fruiting in the coming seasons. Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 02, 2017, 03:20:18 PM
To the SoCal growers, from your experience, what are the most productive pink/red flesh varieties in terms of quantity?  I'm thinking it got to be Sugar Dragon/Voodoo Child, but sometimes I do see Physical Graffiti (required hand pollination) bearing abundant of fruits.

My advice... for only TWO varieties for SoCal hobbyist growers would be Physical Graffiti and S-8 (Sugar Dragon).

In what order do these typically flower?

If one habitually flowers earlier than the other, how do you pollinate the earlier variety?


I have a non-pedigreed pink-fleshed (allegedly) variety from LaVerne that flowers first amongst my flock, and it's my most mature plant so I get plenty of blooms. But it never sets fruit because I never have pollen from another variety, and it's (apparently) not self-fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 02, 2017, 03:28:09 PM
There's no flowering order for varieties. They flower when they want, but most of the blooms tend to be around the full moon, says me, haha. YMMV of course.

Save dry pollen in the fridge or freezer like other here say.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 02, 2017, 03:46:05 PM
To the SoCal growers, from your experience, what are the most productive pink/red flesh varieties in terms of quantity?  I'm thinking it got to be Sugar Dragon/Voodoo Child, but sometimes I do see Physical Graffiti (required hand pollination) bearing abundant of fruits.

My advice... for only TWO varieties for SoCal hobbyist growers would be Physical Graffiti and S-8 (Sugar Dragon).

In what order do these typically flower?

If one habitually flowers earlier than the other, how do you pollinate the earlier variety?


That is a very good question.   :)

I have no experience yet with S-8 (except tasting it), and was going on the recommendations of others.

I do have experience pairing Physical Graffiti and Lisa, recommended by UC researcher, and they seem to do okay.

In the past, a Vietnamese white-fleshed variety was usually recommended for a pollinator.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 02, 2017, 04:53:51 PM
S-8 flowers throughout the season for me. It was the first to open flowers and I have been harvesting fruit for several weeks and there are new blooms forming on the plant that will correspond with late blooming varieties like Halleys Comet or other secondary blooms from various other varieties that have already fruited.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 02, 2017, 05:35:07 PM
hello everyone im growing a DF cactus at my ranch in north eastern new mexico in zone 5-6 in the greenhouse and indoors during the winter with no heat and it gets down to -15 - -20 at times. Its going on its third year and still growing strong. however I cannot get the plant to flower. Its just growing a lot of shoots whitch I pull off as soon as I notice them because it has already a lot of branches. iv tried the tiping method and still nothing. I have 2 varieties but I don't know the names. One is the red flesh the other is the white flesh.

I was wondering if anyone else has the problem of growing a lot of branches and no flowers and if so what do you recommend for inducing flowering instead of branching?

Regards,

BEN G

assuming you have trellis and your plants had reached the top and those stems pointing downward are over 1 year old.  they flower when the weather gets hot and days are long. 

I think this is something you can do to help flowering.  reduce watering as summer approaches.  tip the mature branches.  if you already have plenty of matured stems I would pick off the new shoots are they appear.  also try to use bloom fertilizer late Spring/early Summer time.


When you say reduce watering, so you mean once a week near late spring even though the soil feels dry? I'm currently watering every other day and I've had 2 buds for the very first time but it has reverted back to stems. And I'm trying to improve flowering for next year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 02, 2017, 06:15:28 PM
When you say reduce watering, so you mean once a week near late spring even though the soil feels dry? I'm currently watering every other day and I've had 2 buds for the very first time but it has reverted back to stems. And I'm trying to improve flowering for next year.

I live in Southern California and do not water every other day!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 02, 2017, 10:06:37 PM
When you say reduce watering, so you mean once a week near late spring even though the soil feels dry? I'm currently watering every other day and I've had 2 buds for the very first time but it has reverted back to stems. And I'm trying to improve flowering for next year.

I live in Southern California and do not water every other day!


Ditto! Mine are on a timed drip system, and it waters them every 4 days.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 02, 2017, 10:08:01 PM
S-8 flowers throughout the season for me. It was the first to open flowers and I have been harvesting fruit for several weeks and there are new blooms forming on the plant that will correspond with late blooming varieties like Halleys Comet or other secondary blooms from various other varieties that have already fruited.


Good to hear. I have two S-8 cuttings that are just starting to accelerate (thanks, Ric!), so if I'm lucky they'll flower next season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 03, 2017, 12:45:56 AM
When you say reduce watering, so you mean once a week near late spring even though the soil feels dry? I'm currently watering every other day and I've had 2 buds for the very first time but it has reverted back to stems. And I'm trying to improve flowering for next year.

I live in Southern California and do not water every other day!

Thanks! I'm going to cut back on my watering now
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 03, 2017, 12:49:36 AM
When you say reduce watering, so you mean once a week near late spring even though the soil feels dry? I'm currently watering every other day and I've had 2 buds for the very first time but it has reverted back to stems. And I'm trying to improve flowering for next year.

I live in Southern California and do not water every other day!


Ditto! Mine are on a timed drip system, and it waters them every 4 days.

Thanks for the tips! I still have lots to learn. Definitely cutting back now
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 04, 2017, 06:08:32 PM
What is the best time to pollination assist from the time of opening I have two flowers opening slowly now 6PM no idea when to assist with brush early evening on early am?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 04, 2017, 11:19:53 PM
What is the best time to pollination assist from the time of opening I have two flowers opening slowly now 6PM no idea when to assist with brush early evening on early am?

In SoCal, I have better results pollinating before midnight (late evening) over waiting until the next morning.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on August 05, 2017, 12:00:29 AM
It is 12:00 pm here and I just finished the pollination process but did not see as much pollen as I have seen in videos. Very little but enough I think
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 05, 2017, 11:50:11 AM
I have 2 variety here in yard. The early one with red flesh had poor fruit set. The later one with white flesh had 100% fruit set. I did not hand pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 05, 2017, 01:10:31 PM
I highly recommend Sugar Dragon(S-8) for anyone growing DF. It has small fruit with excellent flavor that is dense. Aside from its excellent eating quality, it produces a ton of fruit and has 2-3 times more flowers than my other varieties. Some branches can have 5 or more fruit on it and flowers at the same time. The in reader number of flowers means that more flowers are their to potentially cross pollinate all your other DF varieties.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/x9rmpy8u3/IMG_2750.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x9rmpy8u3/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/qxchg45rv/IMG_2753.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qxchg45rv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/aaziks27v/IMG_2754.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/aaziks27v/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 07, 2017, 03:16:04 PM
Hello friends, the greedy part of me wants to grow more DF and been looking for room.

I have a small raised bed right next to the base of house, approx 10 ft long x 1 foot wide x 1 foot deep. Been rooting some cuttings in there with plans to transplant later, but now I wonder if I could safely grow DF in there without causing foundation problems later.

How aggressive is the root system of DF? Do you think I could safely let DF grow there up to mature size? Or is it safer to grow them in pots (then placed in raised bed) for peace of mind? Either way I'll build support for sure. Many thanks!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 07, 2017, 03:36:40 PM
Hello friends, the greedy part of me wants to grow more DF and been looking for room.

I have a small raised bed right next to the base of house, approx 10 ft long x 1 foot wide x 1 foot deep. Been rooting some cuttings in there with plans to transplant later, but now I wonder if I could safely grow DF in there without causing foundation problems later.

How aggressive is the root system of DF? Do you think I could safely let DF grow there up to mature size? Or is it safer to grow them in pots (then placed in raised bed) for peace of mind? Either way I'll build support for sure. Many thanks!!

I would be more concerned on which direction the side of the house is facing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 07, 2017, 05:26:07 PM
I would be more concerned on which direction the side of the house is facing.

Thanks! It faces west.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 07, 2017, 05:37:14 PM
I would be more concerned on which direction the side of the house is facing.

Thanks! It faces west.

Another thing that I would be much more concerned with is it getting away from you the next time you need to paint your house.  :o

(https://s1.postimg.cc/4s7zj1aij/edgar_1829.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4s7zj1aij/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 07, 2017, 06:11:28 PM
LOL thanks! I don't intend to let it climb on the wall (mom will get paranoid). Will sort of guide it to grow more in the sun.

Any thoughts about DF root system hurting the foundation of the house?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 07, 2017, 06:48:57 PM
LOL thanks! I don't intend to let it climb on the wall (mom will get paranoid). Will sort of guide it to grow more in the sun.

Any thoughts about DF root system hurting the foundation of the house?

IMO Not a threat.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 07, 2017, 07:21:30 PM
I've seen "old" dragonfruit vine on residential walls in rainy southern China. All the vines on the side of the walls had rotted away to the canes, but the portions on top of the wall were growing normally. The wall seemed fine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on August 08, 2017, 12:26:47 AM
Bump.. anybody? Thanks!

Would appreciate feedback from you experienced growers on what strategy you use for pruning your DF? When do you do it, and how aggressive do you prune it? I am not talking about training a young plant, but rather once you have a mature plant trained and setup umbrella style and have had a alot of flowering and fruits. I want to insure I do this properly so I continue to have successful flowering and fruiting in the coming seasons. Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 08, 2017, 01:14:14 AM
Bump.. anybody? Thanks!

Would appreciate feedback from you experienced growers on what strategy you use for pruning your DF? When do you do it, and how aggressive do you prune it? I am not talking about training a young plant, but rather once you have a mature plant trained and setup umbrella style and have had a alot of flowering and fruits. I want to insure I do this properly so I continue to have successful flowering and fruiting in the coming seasons. Thanks

Have you watched this UC YouTube video?

https://youtu.be/kwD8vhzIUm0 (https://youtu.be/kwD8vhzIUm0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 08, 2017, 01:21:32 AM
On the other hand... if your DF is healthy...

(https://s1.postimg.cc/y5j67mvij/IMG_0964.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y5j67mvij/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 08, 2017, 02:06:02 PM
Just try to not have too many overlapping layers on the plant since the bottom layers wouldn't be fruiting much with no light.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 08, 2017, 09:53:02 PM
Anyone using coco coir sheets on their DF supports?  Saw a guy on youtube showing his off.  Seems better than burlap.  Costs more...  That guy may be a member here.  Forgot his youtube handle, hes an older guy who wheres tie dye and looks like hes in Florida probably.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on August 08, 2017, 10:42:02 PM
Thanks, I did watch his videos. That is about the only thing I could find about it so I was curious to see what others do. My worry is I cut too much and then the younger growth doesn't flower the following spring. My plants go dormant in winter so they won't grow. I have vigorous flowering now on a trained but unpruned plant that I bought when it was pretty large last spring. So I haven't had to prune until now. Thanks

Bump.. anybody? Thanks!

Would appreciate feedback from you experienced growers on what strategy you use for pruning your DF? When do you do it, and how aggressive do you prune it? I am not talking about training a young plant, but rather once you have a mature plant trained and setup umbrella style and have had a alot of flowering and fruits. I want to insure I do this properly so I continue to have successful flowering and fruiting in the coming seasons. Thanks

Have you watched this UC YouTube video?

https://youtu.be/kwD8vhzIUm0 (https://youtu.be/kwD8vhzIUm0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 09, 2017, 12:55:37 AM
I don't have a personal successful pruning story myself. They're just wild on the support.

What I remember is an arm is most fruitful in the 2nd and 3rd year. So prune away really old ones. Also try to clear back as close to the center as you can to reduce the weight and mess.

If an arm is already long and it tries to grow a new arm close to the tip, I would cut that off. I would have to cut the entire arm off in a couple years anyway so why let it grow out more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 10, 2017, 03:45:28 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 10, 2017, 05:25:32 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.

Never heard of it until I Googled it.

Was Spicy Exotics your source?
http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/)

They say; "This plant is also self-sterile making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or commercial growing."  ???
Title: Freezing and then thawing pollen
Post by: Mag on August 10, 2017, 05:26:00 PM
Hi,

I know Rob posted about how he freezes pollen. I employed his method and have some pollen in storage now. Thanks for the tips! Question on thawing the pollen (for Rob or anyone else that has done this successfully). Do you find you can remove pollen from freezer, use some, and then put the previously collected pollen back in the freezer again? I read some pollen can't live through multiple freeze cycles. So I'm wondering if I should freeze in small batches and use whatever I take out fully. Also, do you actually let it thaw at room temperature, or do you take it straight out of the freezer and hand pollinate? I have only stored pollen in the fridge, I didn't dry at all, and had success if using it 1-2 days later. Thanks!
Title: Re: Freezing and then thawing pollen
Post by: wayne23 on August 10, 2017, 06:19:22 PM
Hi,

I know Rob posted about how he freezes pollen. I employed his method and have some pollen in storage now. Thanks for the tips! Question on thawing the pollen (for Rob or anyone else that has done this successfully). Do you find you can remove pollen from freezer, use some, and then put the previously collected pollen back in the freezer again? I read some pollen can't live through multiple freeze cycles. So I'm wondering if I should freeze in small batches and use whatever I take out fully. Also, do you actually let it thaw at room temperature, or do you take it straight out of the freezer and hand pollinate? I have only stored pollen in the fridge, I didn't dry at all, and had success if using it 1-2 days later. Thanks!

I am experimenting with freeze pollens.  I suspect it wont work well once it's thawed.  I froze them in small batches. I've not use it yet.  my first opportunity will be in 2 weeks when i get some flowers from a self-sterile variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 10, 2017, 06:36:17 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.

Never heard of it until I Googled it.

Was Spicy Exotics your source?
http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/)

They say; "This plant is also self-sterile making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or commercial growing."  ???

Yup, that's the source. I'm just wondering if it's worth growing compared to s8 when one is limited in space.
Hmmm... I think I'll have to sleep on this one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 10, 2017, 07:20:48 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.

Never heard of it until I Googled it.

Was Spicy Exotics your source?
http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/)

They say; "This plant is also self-sterile making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or commercial growing."  ???
STERILE??? That doesn't sound like a great choice.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 10, 2017, 07:26:33 PM
On another note... I think I might be getting a second flush of buds after the first flush turned back to stems. Probably too early to be sure but I'm hoping...
(https://s28.postimg.cc/5bustta2h/IMG_3941.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5bustta2h/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 10, 2017, 07:45:08 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.

Never heard of it until I Googled it.

Was Spicy Exotics your source?
http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/)

They say; "This plant is also self-sterile making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or commercial growing."  ???

Yup, that's the source. I'm just wondering if it's worth growing compared to s8 when one is limited in space.
Hmmm... I think I'll have to sleep on this one.

If you are limited in space...  I bet most people would recommend S-8.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 10, 2017, 07:56:15 PM
Anyone has tasted or grown Maria Rosa vareity? I can't find much info on it besides it being a somewhat pink flesh variety with slight lemon flavor and refreshing taste.

Never heard of it until I Googled it.

Was Spicy Exotics your source?
http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/maria-rosa/)

They say; "This plant is also self-sterile making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or commercial growing."  ???

Yup, that's the source. I'm just wondering if it's worth growing compared to s8 when one is limited in space.
Hmmm... I think I'll have to sleep on this one.

If you are limited in space...  I bet most people would recommend S-8.

Yeah I think so too. Thanks. I'm gonna stick to S8 for now.   :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 10, 2017, 09:17:10 PM
Yeah, S8 I gave it to a friend who doesn't garden. I go water their plants twice a year and they still get 5 fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 10, 2017, 10:06:58 PM
Yeah, S8 I gave it to a friend who doesn't garden. I go water their plants twice a year and they still get 5 fruits.

Haha Fang.  Your magic touch.  I need you to come water my plants ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 11, 2017, 01:50:24 PM
Yeah, S8 I gave it to a friend who doesn't garden. I go water their plants twice a year and they still get 5 fruits.

Put me on the waiting list for magic watering too lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 11, 2017, 09:51:48 PM
Yeah, S8 I gave it to a friend who doesn't garden. I go water their plants twice a year and they still get 5 fruits.

Count me in too 😂😂
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 12, 2017, 07:18:15 AM
Anyone using coco coir sheets on their DF supports?  Saw a guy on youtube showing his off.  Seems better than burlap.  Costs more...  That guy may be a member here.  Forgot his youtube handle, hes an older guy who wheres tie dye and looks like hes in Florida probably.
He is in Hawaii. Here is his video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0B_HOjullg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0B_HOjullg)

I'm getting started with DF. It looks like a good idea if DF do feed using the aerial roots. Is there real evidence for that?

If so, I'm considering making a "sock" to wrap around the concrete posts I'm building. It would consist of two layers of shade cloth with home produced shredded coir layered inside then wrapped around the post before planting. The materials are available to me free for the labor.

This is the post design I plan to use, will make 10 of these. I have a nice local variety which has shown to be self-fertile and likely self pollinating. pink inside and reasonably good flavor.
 
(https://s11.postimg.cc/l2d1430a7/DSC01032_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/l2d1430a7/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/p2jo9f4yt/DSC01020_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p2jo9f4yt/)

Also, I noticed that at nighttime in our area large moths are attracted to flowering Four-O-Clock plants (Mirabilis jalapa)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabilis_jalapa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabilis_jalapa)

These are very easy to grow from seed, so I'll underplant them to attract pollinators.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 12, 2017, 11:27:41 AM

I'm getting started with DF. It looks like a good idea if DF do feed using the aerial roots. Is there real evidence for that?


I found aerial roots, on the shady side of the post, on my Halley's Comet going all the way down into the soil.

(https://s11.postimg.cc/9gxxxjpan/aerial_4789.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9gxxxjpan/)

(https://s23.postimg.cc/cvgrpcudz/aerial_4788.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cvgrpcudz/)

IMO Somebody needs to plant two identical Dragon Fruit plants, side-by-side, on identical post trellis, one with burlap, one without any covering to see if this is really that beneficial.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 12, 2017, 12:40:07 PM
I ran across this recently published video of industrial scale DF production and processing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V11I-2w45g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V11I-2w45g)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 12, 2017, 01:45:05 PM

I'm getting started with DF. It looks like a good idea if DF do feed using the aerial roots. Is there real evidence for that?


I found aerial roots, on the shady side of the post, on my Halley's Comet going all the way down into the soil.

(https://s11.postimg.cc/9gxxxjpan/aerial_4789.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9gxxxjpan/)

(https://s23.postimg.cc/cvgrpcudz/aerial_4788.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cvgrpcudz/)

IMO Somebody needs to plant two identical Dragon Fruit plants, side-by-side, on identical post trellis, one with burlap, one without any covering to see if this is really that beneficial.

Seems like it can't hurt to feed theough those roots.  I have some posts setup with coco liner after seeing it on youtube.  Its much thicker than burlap and made for this type of application.  And it doesn't degrade as quickly.  I just wrap and staple with 9/16" T50 staple gun.   

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4337/36467692295_30d222532e_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 12, 2017, 10:19:04 PM
I believe coco liner can have high (relatively) levels of salt in it, based on where it comes from. I don't know that for certain, it was just something I was told once. I have no idea if there are varying degrees of coco, as Ive always used burlap. As for the aerial roots themselves, they are both a natural part of the plants design and a benefit for growers. They stabilize plants on structures and allow for additional water and nutrients to enter the plants system. However, you have to be very careful not to overdo it with fertilizers on the aerial roots, as you could end up burning them if the mix is too strong. I always spray my posts when I water, to moisten the burlap and air roots, and they continue to grow and develop. Keep in mind, that these are the same roots as are under the ground. When a cutting starts showing new root growth, its actually the air roots youre seeing. They just develop a type of thick skin if not kept moist, as they would be most of the time underground.
Ive seen entire plants completely removed from the soil by damage or rot, living just fine off the remaining air root systems that managed to get back into the earth. Do not underestimate the value of the air rooting systems.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 13, 2017, 01:44:18 AM
I believe coco liner can have high (relatively) levels of salt in it, based on where it comes from. I don't know that for certain, it was just something I was told once. I have no idea if there are varying degrees of coco, as Ive always used burlap. As for the aerial roots themselves, they are both a natural part of the plants design and a benefit for growers. They stabilize plants on structures and allow for additional water and nutrients to enter the plants system. However, you have to be very careful not to overdo it with fertilizers on the aerial roots, as you could end up burning them if the mix is too strong. I always spray my posts when I water, to moisten the burlap and air roots, and they continue to grow and develop. Keep in mind, that these are the same roots as are under the ground. When a cutting starts showing new root growth, its actually the air roots youre seeing. They just develop a type of thick skin if not kept moist, as they would be most of the time underground.
Ive seen entire plants completely removed from the soil by damage or rot, living just fine off the remaining air root systems that managed to get back into the earth. Do not underestimate the value of the air rooting systems.

FYI: Coco coir use to contain a lot of salt. The reason was during the processing it was rinsed with saltwater.
Guess what? As coco coir became popular as a growing medium, the better companies, rinse and wash the coir to flush out salts. The bricks of coir sold now by the better companies do not have the issues with high salt.
Example: http://a.co/bnT8jnc (http://a.co/bnT8jnc)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 13, 2017, 03:54:54 AM
Is this true!? I hope so!


https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2017/08/03/ecuador-gears-first-dragon-fruit-shipments-u-s-september/ (https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2017/08/03/ecuador-gears-first-dragon-fruit-shipments-u-s-september/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 13, 2017, 10:50:54 AM
I believe coco liner can have high (relatively) levels of salt in it, based on where it comes from. I don't know that for certain, it was just something I was told once. I have no idea if there are varying degrees of coco, as Ive always used burlap. As for the aerial roots themselves, they are both a natural part of the plants design and a benefit for growers. They stabilize plants on structures and allow for additional water and nutrients to enter the plants system. However, you have to be very careful not to overdo it with fertilizers on the aerial roots, as you could end up burning them if the mix is too strong. I always spray my posts when I water, to moisten the burlap and air roots, and they continue to grow and develop. Keep in mind, that these are the same roots as are under the ground. When a cutting starts showing new root growth, its actually the air roots youre seeing. They just develop a type of thick skin if not kept moist, as they would be most of the time underground.
Ive seen entire plants completely removed from the soil by damage or rot, living just fine off the remaining air root systems that managed to get back into the earth. Do not underestimate the value of the air rooting systems.

FYI: Coco coir use to contain a lot of salt. The reason was during the processing it was rinsed with saltwater.
Guess what? As coco coir became popular as a growing medium, the better companies, rinse and wash the coir to flush out salts. The bricks of coir sold now by the better companies do not have the issues with high salt.
Example: http://a.co/bnT8jnc (http://a.co/bnT8jnc)

Seems like any salts would get washed out with a quick soaking of the hose anyway.  Just like fertilizer.  Its not going stick around long.  I figure once the roots attach to it and the plants get larger I can use a sprayer with some dynagrow disolved in water or seaweed/fish emulsion type feetilizer to wet the coco.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 14, 2017, 12:43:43 AM
Is this true!? I hope so!


https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2017/08/03/ecuador-gears-first-dragon-fruit-shipments-u-s-september/ (https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2017/08/03/ecuador-gears-first-dragon-fruit-shipments-u-s-september/)


Interesting quote:
Quote

“This gives us a competitive advantage since the yellow dragon fruit…has much larger sizes, higher Brix levels, and a high vitamin C content.”
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 14, 2017, 08:15:34 AM
My neighbor has a selection of unidentified cereus shich were left behind when the nursery she bought went out of business.
I'm attaching photos of two of these. in case anyone here can help ID these.

The first appears to me to be Selenicereus Megalanthus, yellow dragon fruit, based on the semi-circular scalloped edges. Do you agree?

(https://s3.postimg.cc/ajg3dvngf/DSC01055_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ajg3dvngf/)

(https://s29.postimg.cc/qmzui9ckj/DSC01057_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qmzui9ckj/)

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 14, 2017, 12:01:31 PM

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)

The second one looks like/may be Valdivia Roja from Mexico (no connection to Edgar Valdivia).

Dr. Douhan's DNA testing put Valdivia Roja as H. ocamponis.

My Valdivia Roja for comparison.

(https://s3.postimg.cc/pf38gbtv3/valdivia_4539.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pf38gbtv3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on August 14, 2017, 01:28:29 PM
It looks thorny for Valdivia Roja. I was thinking it's similar to Lisa. I hope my Lisa is the real thing.

The first one might be yellow, or it might be the fake yellow I got from a FL seller on eBay many years ago. It shows that purple coloration especially when stressed by cold or moderate drought. The fruit turned out to be deep red and spherical.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 14, 2017, 02:29:25 PM

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)

The second one looks like/may be Valdivia Roja from Mexico (no connection to Edgar Valdivia).

Dr. Douhan's DNA testing put Valdivia Roja as H. ocamponis.

My Valdivia Roja for comparison.

(https://s3.postimg.cc/pf38gbtv3/valdivia_4539.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pf38gbtv3/)
No, I don't think it can be Valdivia Roja/Ocamponis. Look at the pictures and you can see absolutely no undulation of the margins, none at all.

This is a closeup of Ocamponis:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6310469 (http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6310469)

Here is a comparison. The unknown has very straight margins.
(https://s14.postimg.cc/awk6ck9fh/comparison.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/awk6ck9fh/)

The first plant which I suspect is Megalanthus hasn't fruited yet, but another example on the proeprty with same leaf scalloped margins did fruit and the owner recalls it was spiny and yellow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 14, 2017, 02:44:22 PM
This year I'll compare some of my df varieties to S8 in terms of flavor and productivity. May end up removing some of them and replace with "worthier" varieties.

Lisa is one of them on this list.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 14, 2017, 04:20:48 PM

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)

My Cebra has straight edges like that.
(https://s25.postimg.cc/sjix3n4j3/Cebra-3_08-09-16.jpg)


DM
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 14, 2017, 04:48:17 PM

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)

My Cebra has straight edges like that.
(https://s25.postimg.cc/sjix3n4j3/Cebra-3_08-09-16.jpg)


DM

Odd, because Matt's Landscape shows stems with both straight and wavy margins (stem on plate) here:
http://mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Cebra%20Dragon%20Fruit%20Hybrid (http://mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Cebra%20Dragon%20Fruit%20Hybrid)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 14, 2017, 04:59:31 PM
For my new DF planting I took down an older DF plant which had shown nice fruit and did not need hand pollination. The plant was growing up into a large Royal Poinciana tree and I took down about 90% of the stems, leavin only the rootstock and main stem, about 8 feet. I made all cuts in natural breaks of the stem, and did no cuts into fleshy parts. This yielded pieces from 2 inches to 3 feet long, some mature and some actively growing tips.

My questions:
1. What is the best propagating material out of the selection shown here?
2. I have about 10 pieces of each size shown. I'll be planting four cuttings on each of 8 concrete posts.
Should I mix the different size cuttings on each post, or plant similar size cuttings on each post?

(https://s2.postimg.cc/bkisqdqo5/DSC01059_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bkisqdqo5/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 14, 2017, 06:24:06 PM

My Valdivia Roja for comparison.

(https://s3.postimg.cc/pf38gbtv3/valdivia_4539.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pf38gbtv3/)
No, I don't think it can be Valdivia Roja/Ocamponis. Look at the pictures and you can see absolutely no undulation of the margins, none at all.

This is a closeup of Ocamponis:
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6310469 (http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6310469)

Here is a comparison. The unknown has very straight margins.
(https://s14.postimg.cc/awk6ck9fh/comparison.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/awk6ck9fh/)

Did you look closely at mine? I think it has "straight margins".

You can't go by one or two pictures from the internet. H. ocamponis can have variations. I am not saying yours (picture on the right above) is Valdivia Roja, it looks like it could be closely related to Valdivia Roja (or Lisa) or any thorny red flesh variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 14, 2017, 06:28:49 PM

1. What is the best propagating material out of the selection shown here?


IMO the best propagating material is half bagged potting soil, half Perlite (or 100% Perlite).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on August 14, 2017, 07:14:00 PM

(https://s14.postimg.cc/h5uddhit9/IMG_6385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/h5uddhit9/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/t8zp11tvh/IMG_6388.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t8zp11tvh/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/nm3c3krct/IMG_6389.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nm3c3krct/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 14, 2017, 08:23:09 PM
My neighbor has a selection of unidentified cereus shich were left behind when the nursery she bought went out of business.
I'm attaching photos of two of these. in case anyone here can help ID these.

The first appears to me to be Selenicereus Megalanthus, yellow dragon fruit, based on the semi-circular scalloped edges. Do you agree?

(https://s3.postimg.cc/ajg3dvngf/DSC01055_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ajg3dvngf/)

(https://s29.postimg.cc/qmzui9ckj/DSC01057_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qmzui9ckj/)

The second has straight edges different from any cereus I've seen. Any idea what this is?
--------------------------------------

(https://s14.postimg.cc/f1if5mbkt/DSC01054_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f1if5mbkt/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/upwsu3675/DSC01056_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/upwsu3675/)

The first photo is a variety of red fruit, not sure exactly the species because there were a lot of experimentals floating around, especially in California, but its a crossbreed of Costaricensis. It's 100% not Megalanthus, because the yellow variety has single, woody thorns, like a rose. I have a couple plants with the inverted scalloping in my garden, including one yellow that refuses to die (gave up on yellow a while ago), and theres a clear difference. I had one variety that either a pure heirloom Costa or a seriously demented crossbreed; wicked thorns and almost pointed scalloping, but it produced some of the best tasting fruit Ive had. Not too sweet, but very flavorful, and VERY solid fruit. It didn't mush when you were eating it, had more of a melon texture. I had pictures, but my PC has crashed a few times since then, so if I'm lucky, I might be able to dig something up for comparison.
BTW, the second photo does look like the plant I have that I was originally told was Orejona, but I think I matched it to Cebra. Red fruit, baseball sized, very scaly when mature. So red, in fact, that if you eat more than one at a time, some of the pigment can actually pass into your urine. Gave me a hell of a fright the first time it happened, before I figured out what was going on. I mention this to species to my cooking friends, as it makes for an excellent organic red food coloring when 'juiced'.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/bnqk6iwl9/robs-red-stalk-structure_7910094548_o.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bnqk6iwl9/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/eoclp3f25/Orejona2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/eoclp3f25/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 16, 2017, 02:11:57 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ulfr on August 16, 2017, 05:09:54 PM
PI reading what you have said above I now have concerns about my "yellow" dragon fruit. I got these from a friend who I am sure said they were yellows (he gave me red as well). I looked up pics and see what you mean though. Bugger.

(https://s21.postimg.cc/ic3byb92b/IMG_3287.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ic3byb92b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on August 16, 2017, 05:37:55 PM
I plan to leave my fruits on the vine until the last second (before they split). Usually what pests are after ripened fruits? Anyway to protect the fruits while letting them continue to ripen?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 16, 2017, 07:01:31 PM
My biggest problem with leaving fruit on too long is having them get sunburnt and then brown (aka rot) on the vine. Perhaps its just where I live but anything more than 2 weeks after fully ripe and I'm asking for trouble if I don't check them every day. As soon and the tips of the protruding scales start to shrivel then come off, if I don't forget/miss them all together.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 16, 2017, 07:57:55 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?

From what I know 35 days to 6 month to ripen the fruits.  I harvested my white varieties and S8 around 40 days.  Connie Mayer and Bruni fully ripe in 60 days but best harvest in 45.  Megalanthus take about six months to ripe.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 16, 2017, 08:36:35 PM
PI reading what you have said above I now have concerns about my "yellow" dragon fruit. I got these from a friend who I am sure said they were yellows (he gave me red as well). I looked up pics and see what you mean though. Bugger.

(https://s21.postimg.cc/ic3byb92b/IMG_3287.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ic3byb92b/)

This one looks like a S. Megalanthus 'yellow' variety.  It match the descriptions Rob mentioned above. 

I have been growing this variety for about 3 years.  It's been very challenging, it doesn't like too cold or too much direct sun.  I had 2 died in the winter and one got torched in the summer.  I have taken cuttings from the previous plant and growing in containers.  It wasn't even cold this past winter but it nearly die too.  The one in ground was much healthier and stronger died.  I think by relocating the container next to a south facing wall saved this plant.  Hopefully it will bloom next year.

I think Frankie's Red is a better alternative to S. Megalanthus.  I heard it only take 45 days to ripen the fruit instead of months opposed to the Megalanthus.  They both will need protection from heat and chill.  There is a lot of hype on the yellow.  Given the fact that's hard to grow and months to produce a tiny fruit from flower, IMO Sugar Dragon is probably the best alternative. 

(https://s4.postimg.cc/oqwydk921/IMG_4340.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oqwydk921/)

(https://s4.postimg.cc/4ktgeodeh/IMG_4341.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4ktgeodeh/)

(https://s4.postimg.cc/ye5210rfd/IMG_4342.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ye5210rfd/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 16, 2017, 10:20:20 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?

From what I know 35 days to 6 month to ripen the fruits.  I harvested my white varieties and S8 around 40 days.  Connie Mayer and Bruni fully ripe in 60 days but best harvest in 45.  Megalanthus take about six months to ripe.


Thanks ! ☺️
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 17, 2017, 05:50:51 AM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 17, 2017, 01:30:47 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.


Thanks! I was curious cause I finally have a bud that doesn't seem like t would turn back to a stem like my first flush of buds did. And it's been 6 days since I first noticed the bud and the growth seem to have slowed down these past few days so I was getting worried. I hope the growth is not stunted. Glad to know it take at least 14 days from bud to bloom. Thank you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ulfr on August 17, 2017, 03:40:04 PM
Quote
This one looks like a S. Megalanthus 'yellow' variety.  It match the descriptions Rob mentioned above. 

I have been growing this variety for about 3 years.  It's been very challenging, it doesn't like too cold or too much direct sun.  I had 2 died in the winter and one got torched in the summer.  I have taken cuttings from the previous plant and growing in containers.  It wasn't even cold this past winter but it nearly die too.  The one in ground was much healthier and stronger died.  I think by relocating the container next to a south facing wall saved this plant.  Hopefully it will bloom next year.

I think Frankie's Red is a better alternative to S. Megalanthus.  I heard it only take 45 days to ripen the fruit instead of months opposed to the Megalanthus.  They both will need protection from heat and chill.  There is a lot of hype on the yellow.  Given the fact that's hard to grow and months to produce a tiny fruit from flower, IMO Sugar Dragon is probably the best alternative. 

(https://s4.postimg.cc/oqwydk921/IMG_4340.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oqwydk921/)

(https://s4.postimg.cc/4ktgeodeh/IMG_4341.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4ktgeodeh/)

(https://s4.postimg.cc/ye5210rfd/IMG_4342.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ye5210rfd/)

Thank you for the info :) cold doesn't bother it here (though I think we have less than there) but it doesn't like direct sun too much. Doesn't kill ithem but they turn light green/yellow as in the pic. In the shade they stay a dark green.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 17, 2017, 06:58:29 PM

Thank you for the info :) cold doesn't bother it here (though I think we have less than there) but it doesn't like direct sun too much. Doesn't kill ithem but they turn light green/yellow as in the pic. In the shade they stay a dark green.

This year we had constant mid 90 weather with full blast of sun ray.  It was turning yellow so I moved it next to a tall tree.  It gets about 6 hours of daily full sun.  It's looking much better now.  It's a huge advantage I grow it in container so I can easy move It around.  Last season another plant got torched by the sun.  It probably could have lived cuz the center of the trunk wasn't damaged.  The sides were burned.  I was dealing with fungus issues and I got rid of all of my unhealthy dragon fruits.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 17, 2017, 10:45:02 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.


Thanks! I was curious cause I finally have a bud that doesn't seem like t would turn back to a stem like my first flush of buds did. And it's been 6 days since I first noticed the bud and the growth seem to have slowed down these past few days so I was getting worried. I hope the growth is not stunted. Glad to know it take at least 14 days from bud to bloom. Thank you.

...hmmm... my bud grew a bit today. I guess I worried way too early. Probably the gloomy weather during the last few days may have slowed the growth a bit. Now that the sun is back out, it seems much happier now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 17, 2017, 11:52:23 PM
I plan to leave my fruits on the vine until the last second (before they split). Usually what pests are after ripened fruits? Anyway to protect the fruits while letting them continue to ripen?

Not all Dragon Fruit is best when it has turned completely red.

Connie Mayer fruit picture by Don Burnett.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/mqqps6r51/IMG_1558.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mqqps6r51/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 18, 2017, 01:39:41 AM
I plan to leave my fruits on the vine until the last second (before they split). Usually what pests are after ripened fruits? Anyway to protect the fruits while letting them continue to ripen?

Not all Dragon Fruit is best when it has turned completely red.

Connie Mayer fruit picture by Don Burnett.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/mqqps6r51/IMG_1558.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mqqps6r51/)


The color of the bloom of this variety is stunning!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 18, 2017, 03:58:38 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.


Thanks! I was curious cause I finally have a bud that doesn't seem like t would turn back to a stem like my first flush of buds did. And it's been 6 days since I first noticed the bud and the growth seem to have slowed down these past few days so I was getting worried. I hope the growth is not stunted. Glad to know it take at least 14 days from bud to bloom. Thank you.

...hmmm... my bud grew a bit today. I guess I worried way too early. Probably the gloomy weather during the last few days may have slowed the growth a bit. Now that the sun is back out, it seems much happier now.

From my experience it takes about 30 days from first sighting of bud to full bloomed flower.  If the bud doesnt stick for whatever reason it usually turn yellow in the first couple of weeks. 

They also grow at snail pace if you stare at it often  :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 18, 2017, 04:13:23 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.


Thanks! I was curious cause I finally have a bud that doesn't seem like t would turn back to a stem like my first flush of buds did. And it's been 6 days since I first noticed the bud and the growth seem to have slowed down these past few days so I was getting worried. I hope the growth is not stunted. Glad to know it take at least 14 days from bud to bloom. Thank you.

...hmmm... my bud grew a bit today. I guess I worried way too early. Probably the gloomy weather during the last few days may have slowed the growth a bit. Now that the sun is back out, it seems much happier now.

From my experience it takes about 30 days from first sighting of bud to full bloomed flower.  If the bud doesnt stick for whatever reason it usually turn yellow in the first couple of weeks. 

They also grow at snail pace if you stare at it often  :o


Lol... you hit the spot cause that's exactly what I did.. hahaha... I was just so excited and also freaked that it would turn back into a stem like the first flush I had this year that I kept on checking on it everyday just to make sure. And I just started growing dragon fruit since 2015 and finally might get a fruit this year that it just got to me...lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on August 18, 2017, 08:38:37 PM
Does it take 30 days from bud to bloom and then another 30-35 days from bloom to ripened fruit ?
Approximately 14 days from bud to bloom, and then 30-35 days to fruit picking! A few varieties take longer to ripen but only a few.


Thanks! I was curious cause I finally have a bud that doesn't seem like t would turn back to a stem like my first flush of buds did. And it's been 6 days since I first noticed the bud and the growth seem to have slowed down these past few days so I was getting worried. I hope the growth is not stunted. Glad to know it take at least 14 days from bud to bloom. Thank you.

...hmmm... my bud grew a bit today. I guess I worried way too early. Probably the gloomy weather during the last few days may have slowed the growth a bit. Now that the sun is back out, it seems much happier now.

From my experience it takes about 30 days from first sighting of bud to full bloomed flower.  If the bud doesnt stick for whatever reason it usually turn yellow in the first couple of weeks. 

They also grow at snail pace if you stare at it often  :o


Lol... you hit the spot cause that's exactly what I did.. hahaha... I was just so excited and also freaked that it would turn back into a stem like the first flush I had this year that I kept on checking on it everyday just to make sure. And I just started growing dragon fruit since 2015 and finally might get a fruit this year that it just got to me...lol

My growing experience: at first I got just one fruit out of 15+ flowers self pollinating by hand and it was very small. Once I finally had unique pollen I cross pollinated and have had 12/13 fruit set (so far). My cultivar is supposed to be Physical Graffiti, which is supposed to be self fertile. Well I guess it is, but barely. Moral of the story - cross pollinate!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 18, 2017, 09:59:38 PM
Mag

I too have physical graffiti which I acquired just this year that was given as an extra when I ordered sugar dragon. The one that currently has a bud right now is purple haze which I heard is self fertile too. But I'm still going to hand pollinated if I don't lose the bud. I think I see two more buds forming on this plant too but it's also slow as a snail. I know I won't get a bounty of fruit this year, most likely one if I'm successful but this first bud is a good sign that this plant is mature now and that I'll be getting more buds next year! I'll be happy even if I'm only able to see it bloom and smell the scent of the flower! I heard cross pollination produces bigger fruits and probably better fruit set too. Unfortunately it'll
probably be next year before my other varieties are mature enough to have blooms if I'm lucky enough.
I will definitely cross pollinate when given the chance. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 18, 2017, 10:29:11 PM

(https://s30.postimg.cc/5sdsvid7x/IMG_4008.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5sdsvid7x/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/4em607dyl/IMG_4010.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4em607dyl/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/ubfucthm5/IMG_4011.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ubfucthm5/)


Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh I will get from this DF plant? I first posted about this plant when I first received it from a online nursery that claimed they were selling me the selenecerious megalanhus variety which I was told by members here that I was not given the correct plant. Since then it has grown and the first picture shows growth from last year and the second picture shows this year's growth. The last picture shows the originally growth when I receive it and you can see how small the original growth is compared to last year and current year's growth which is about 3-4 inches in diameter. I noticed that the ridges are more straight than my purple haze, S8, physical graffiti and NOID red variety.
Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh this one would be? And I wonder why the new growth is bigger in diameter than the original growth when I receive it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 19, 2017, 02:18:28 AM


Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh I will get from this DF plant? I first posted about this plant when I first received it from a online nursery that claimed they were selling me the selenecerious megalanhus variety which I was told by members here that I was not given the correct plant. Since then it has grown and the first picture shows growth from last year and the second picture shows this year's growth. The last picture shows the originally growth when I receive it and you can see how small the original growth is compared to last year and current year's growth which is about 3-4 inches in diameter. I noticed that the ridges are more straight than my purple haze, S8, physical graffiti and NOID red variety.
Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh this one would be? And I wonder why the new growth is bigger in diameter than the original growth when I receive it.

It's common new growths can be smaller or larger then the original cutting.  If you had planted it in shade against a wall I guarantee the new growths will be small.  New growths will have aerial roots cling onto the wall and climb.  They will conserve energy by growing narrowly try to climb out of shade into light.  Conversely if someone sold you a cutting that lack exposure to light it would be narrower.  But if you treat it well, build a nice trellis for it to climb and give it plenty of sun, new growths will grow larger.

Its difficult to identify flesh color by the stem.  It's definitely not a S. Megalanthus.  Whatever it is I hope it produces great tasting fruits which in my opinion is more important then color  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 19, 2017, 02:53:53 AM


Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh I will get from this DF plant? I first posted about this plant when I first received it from a online nursery that claimed they were selling me the selenecerious megalanhus variety which I was told by members here that I was not given the correct plant. Since then it has grown and the first picture shows growth from last year and the second picture shows this year's growth. The last picture shows the originally growth when I receive it and you can see how small the original growth is compared to last year and current year's growth which is about 3-4 inches in diameter. I noticed that the ridges are more straight than my purple haze, S8, physical graffiti and NOID red variety.
Does anyone have a guess as to what colored flesh this one would be? And I wonder why the new growth is bigger in diameter than the original growth when I receive it.

It's common new growths can be smaller or larger then the original cutting.  If you had planted it in shade against a wall I guarantee the new growths will be small.  New growths will have aerial roots cling onto the wall and climb.  They will conserve energy by growing narrowly try to climb out of shade into light.  Conversely if someone sold you a cutting that lack exposure to light it would be narrower.  But if you treat it well, build a nice trellis for it to climb and give it plenty of sun, new growths will grow larger.

Its difficult to identify flesh color by the stem.  It's definitely not a S. Megalanthus.  Whatever it is I hope it produces great tasting fruits which in my opinion is more important then color  :)


Ah I see... thanks!
Agree, taste is more important than color. I guess I was worried I got some NOID white flesh variety which I heard most of the time is bland. I hope the fruit this plant produces is tasty . I was so hoping for the SM variety since it was hard to find a seller that sold it back when I bought it. Oh well, since I heard in most areas it's a pain to grow. Now that I heard they have a variety called Frankie's red, if given the opportunity, due to lack of space... I would like to try that one instead. But as of now I hope I will be able to harvest at least one fruit off of this one so I can get a taste of it and helps me decide whether it's a keepe or goner. Thanks again :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 20, 2017, 01:37:15 AM
For those that are growing DF in pots. What's the longest you have them in the pots? A lady on YouTube explained to one of her viewers that it's best to be grown in ground and that if grown in pots, you'll have to start over in 2-3 years cause the roots will run out of soil. Your thoughts on this.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 20, 2017, 01:50:50 AM
For those that are growing DF in pots. What's the longest you have them in the pots? A lady on YouTube explained to one of her viewers that it's best to be grown in ground and that if grown in pots, you'll have to start over in 2-3 years cause the roots will run out of soil. Your thoughts on this.

Yes and No.  If you have a gopher problem like I do... then planting them in the ground is not an advantage.

You can extend the time before repotting by adding soil amendments and mulch to the pot.

I have some that have been in pots for 5 years. I can imagine cutting the pot off, removing most of the soil from the roots, and replacing the pot and potting soil if the plant was supported by a trellis not connected to the old pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 20, 2017, 03:52:37 AM
For those that are growing DF in pots. What's the longest you have them in the pots? A lady on YouTube explained to one of her viewers that it's best to be grown in ground and that if grown in pots, you'll have to start over in 2-3 years cause the roots will run out of soil. Your thoughts on this.

Yes and No.  If you have a gopher problem like I do... then planting them in the ground is not an advantage.

You can extend the time before repotting by adding soil amendments and mulch to the pot.

I have some that have been in pots for 5 years. I can imagine cutting the pot off, removing most of the soil from the roots, and replacing the pot and potting soil if the plant was supported by a trellis not connected to the old pot.

Would you still need to repot if you placed the potted plant ontop of a garden bed? Since I was thinking since there's drainage holes on the bottom of the pot that the roots would find their way down into the garden soil. Can that be done and not be repotted?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 20, 2017, 12:49:19 PM
Would you still need to repot if you placed the potted plant ontop of a garden bed? Since I was thinking since there's drainage holes on the bottom of the pot that the roots would find their way down into the garden soil. Can that be done and not be repotted?

If you are going to do that... do what California commercial Dragon Fruit grower Gray Martin does, he plants all of his Dragon Fruit on top of the ground in pots with the bottom cut off.

A recent article about Gray Martin:  Dragon fruit grows well in SoCal http://villagenews.com/homeandgarden/dragon-fruit-grows-well-in-socal/ (http://villagenews.com/homeandgarden/dragon-fruit-grows-well-in-socal/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 20, 2017, 02:57:00 PM
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 20, 2017, 06:25:31 PM
Would you still need to repot if you placed the potted plant ontop of a garden bed? Since I was thinking since there's drainage holes on the bottom of the pot that the roots would find their way down into the garden soil. Can that be done and not be repotted?

If you are going to do that... do what California commercial Dragon Fruit grower Gray Martin does, he plants all of his Dragon Fruit on top of the ground in pots with the bottom cut off.

A recent article about Gray Martin:  Dragon fruit grows well in SoCal http://villagenews.com/homeandgarden/dragon-fruit-grows-well-in-socal/ (http://villagenews.com/homeandgarden/dragon-fruit-grows-well-in-socal/)


Ah thank you. that kinda kills two birds with one stone
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 20, 2017, 06:33:56 PM
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.


I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 20, 2017, 07:29:03 PM
I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

That sound about right... if you are planning on cutting the bottom out and placing on the ground.

Last month a couple of my friends visited Gray Martin and posted some pictures on Facebook Los Angeles Dragon Fruit Growers.

(https://s27.postimg.cc/4vc7mgin3/g_martin1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4vc7mgin3/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/tpvpgj3hb/g_martin2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tpvpgj3hb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 21, 2017, 02:47:54 PM
I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

That sound about right... if you are planning on cutting the bottom out and placing on the ground.

Last month a couple of my friends visited Gray Martin and posted some pictures on Facebook Los Angeles Dragon Fruit Growers.

(https://s27.postimg.cc/4vc7mgin3/g_martin1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4vc7mgin3/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/tpvpgj3hb/g_martin2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tpvpgj3hb/)


Yeah, I'm planning on cutting the bottom out of smaller pots and the ones that are at least 15 gallons I'm leaving as is cause most likely those will be place on paved paths.  Just went out today and cut some bottoms out.
He sure got a nice looking DF farm. He has enough space to grow every variety possible!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 21, 2017, 03:03:25 PM
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.


I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

11x11 is a 5gal pot.  I am growing several in 5, 7, 10, and 15gal pots.  I started with 5gal last year and some of them bloomed and fruit this year.  they are all above ground level and most of their roots havent penetrated the bottom of the pots.  I custom built trellis which sit inside the pots.  the advantage is I can easily move them around if necessary to avoid direct sun uv and/or against a south facing wall for frost protection.  this is the first year of my experimentation of 5gal plants so I dont have a whole of of data other then it work. 
(https://s2.postimg.cc/ou41inkg5/IMG_4105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ou41inkg5/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/rph4piog5/IMG_4394.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rph4piog5/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/6tuue9s91/IMG_4417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6tuue9s91/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/65lzvbtj9/IMG_4100.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/65lzvbtj9/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/rtay5rtxh/IMG_4335.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rtay5rtxh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 21, 2017, 08:33:51 PM
I'm planting 10 dragon fruit this summer here in Florida. They will be on a 100 ft raised bed of our native sandy soil enriched with compost. For the first year or two I'll underplant the Df with pineapples.
 Here is the type of bed:
(https://s29.postimg.cc/4zys12ok3/DSC01088_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4zys12ok3/)

To make beds I use a tractor with scraper to pull the soil into windrows and refine the shape by hand raking.
(https://s29.postimg.cc/fo2izwyj7/DSC01085_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fo2izwyj7/)

I've cast 5-1/2 inch square reinforced concrete posts with a galvanized 1/2" threaded bolt coming out of the top of each post:
(https://s29.postimg.cc/5fa1u3ahf/DSC01073_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5fa1u3ahf/)

For the post tops I designed an 18" diameter x 2" thick concrete disk to be bolted on top of each post. The molds were devised using a steel ring and four tapered plastic party cups to create holes which the DF branches can pass through and gently emerge. I just unmolded the first one:
 (https://s29.postimg.cc/rfqeapt5f/DSC01089_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rfqeapt5f/)

I expect these to outlast me, perhaps some archaeologist will find them some day and declare it a latter day Stonehenge with some outlandish religious significance!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 21, 2017, 08:56:31 PM
I've cast 5-1/2 inch square reinforced concrete posts with a galvanized 1/2" threaded bolt coming out of the top of each post:
(https://s29.postimg.cc/5fa1u3ahf/DSC01073_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5fa1u3ahf/)

For the post tops I designed an 18" diameter x 2" thick concrete disk to be bolted on top of each post. The molds were devised using a steel ring and four tapered plastic party cups to create holes which the DF branches can pass through and gently emerge. I just unmolded the first one:
 (https://s29.postimg.cc/rfqeapt5f/DSC01089_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rfqeapt5f/)

I expect these to outlast me, perhaps some archaeologist will find them some day and declare it a latter day Stonehenge with some outlandish religious significance!

I added a threaded bolt to the top of my DIY concrete posts.

(https://s27.postimg.cc/uo3capizj/end_form_color2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uo3capizj/)

(https://s27.postimg.cc/b7imo6nvj/end_form_color3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b7imo6nvj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 21, 2017, 09:31:56 PM
I added a threaded bolt to the top of my DIY concrete posts.

I used the same bolt, 1/2" x 12" L shape concrete anchors, $1.25 ea. but I used 5/4 1 x 6 treated deck boards for form lumber, to be repurposed for other projects.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 22, 2017, 01:01:42 AM
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.


I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

11x11 is a 5gal pot.  I am growing several in 5, 7, 10, and 15gal pots.  I started with 5gal last year and some of them bloomed and fruit this year.  they are all above ground level and most of their roots havent penetrated the bottom of the pots.  I custom built trellis which sit inside the pots.  the advantage is I can easily move them around if necessary to avoid direct sun uv and/or against a south facing wall for frost protection.  this is the first year of my experimentation of 5gal plants so I dont have a whole of of data other then it work. 
(https://s2.postimg.cc/ou41inkg5/IMG_4105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ou41inkg5/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/rph4piog5/IMG_4394.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rph4piog5/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/6tuue9s91/IMG_4417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6tuue9s91/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/65lzvbtj9/IMG_4100.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/65lzvbtj9/)

(https://s2.postimg.cc/rtay5rtxh/IMG_4335.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rtay5rtxh/)


Aww.. I had a feeling it wasn't big enough. I've had them in the 5 gal pots for two years and the roots haven't penetrated the bottom either. I'm going to experiment too and see how long they last in 5 gal pots since I'm going to have more cuttings than I need in the next two years. For now the ones that I've planted in 5 gal pots that are above garden soil, I've already cut the bottoms out. I'm going to use the extra space I have against the wall of my house without the bottoms cut out and see how long they can go.
What is the name of the variety you have in the last picture? The flower is a gorgeous color!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on August 22, 2017, 01:59:28 AM
 :P
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.


I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

11x11 is a 5gal pot.  I am growing several in 5, 7, 10, and 15gal pots.  I started with 5gal last year and some of them bloomed and fruit this year.  they are all above ground level and most of their roots havent penetrated the bottom of the pots.  I custom built trellis which sit inside the pots.  the advantage is I can easily move them around if necessary to avoid direct sun uv and/or against a south facing wall for frost protection.  this is the first year of my experimentation of 5gal plants so I dont have a whole of of data other then it work. 


Aww.. I had a feeling it wasn't big enough. I've had them in the 5 gal pots for two years and the roots haven't penetrated the bottom either. I'm going to experiment too and see how long they last in 5 gal pots since I'm going to have more cuttings than I need in the next two years. For now the ones that I've planted in 5 gal pots that are above garden soil, I've already cut the bottoms out. I'm going to use the extra space I have against the wall of my house without the bottoms cut out and see how long they can go.
What is the name of the variety you have in the last picture? The flower is a gorgeous color!

Two years should be mature enough to bloom and fruit.  Don't over water otherwise your plant keep push new growths instead of flowers.  Cut the tips from those hanging stems like the first picture.  Try using some blooming fertilizer like Scotts Super Bloom.  Your plant is still young I would use twice a month BUT don't over do it.  You should stop using it by the end of Sept.  it takes 30 days to flower and another 30+ to ripen fruit.  you don't want to over stress your plant going into winter. 
The last plant is Bruni.  It's a close sister of Connie Mayer.  The flower was beautiful.


(https://s30.postimg.cc/8qr4tf5x9/IMG_4283.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8qr4tf5x9/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/wvrub4q7x/IMG_4284.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wvrub4q7x/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/k5nly1i9p/IMG_4285.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k5nly1i9p/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/mcwfzpcxp/IMG_4289.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mcwfzpcxp/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 22, 2017, 04:22:58 PM
:P
Totally depends on the size of the pot. a 15 gallon container should accommodate a plant for its entire life. Smaller pots might restrict growth and end up being root bound. Given the option, I would grow all my plants in pots from now on, as it makes water and nutrient management so much easier to control, plus it protects from most garden pests that bother roots. But, if you are concerned about appearance, you can plant in the soil. Or you can do both, by digging a hole large enough to sink a plastic or ceramic pot into the ground, up to its rim, and then planting that way. Try and add a foot or so of gravel under the pot for drainage and offset your post/trellis so it doesn't penetrate your pot and you can sport healthy plants and hidden containers.


I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice? Aesthetics is not my main concern so I don't mind having the pots out of the ground. I just hate having the idea of having to repot these after several years. My neighbor has hers growing in the same size container but she has at least 3-4 cuttings in that one pot where as I only have 1 cutting. She said it was ok to grow in pot. Wish I had asked around.

11x11 is a 5gal pot.  I am growing several in 5, 7, 10, and 15gal pots.  I started with 5gal last year and some of them bloomed and fruit this year.  they are all above ground level and most of their roots havent penetrated the bottom of the pots.  I custom built trellis which sit inside the pots.  the advantage is I can easily move them around if necessary to avoid direct sun uv and/or against a south facing wall for frost protection.  this is the first year of my experimentation of 5gal plants so I dont have a whole of of data other then it work. 


Aww.. I had a feeling it wasn't big enough. I've had them in the 5 gal pots for two years and the roots haven't penetrated the bottom either. I'm going to experiment too and see how long they last in 5 gal pots since I'm going to have more cuttings than I need in the next two years. For now the ones that I've planted in 5 gal pots that are above garden soil, I've already cut the bottoms out. I'm going to use the extra space I have against the wall of my house without the bottoms cut out and see how long they can go.
What is the name of the variety you have in the last picture? The flower is a gorgeous color!

Two years should be mature enough to bloom and fruit.  Don't over water otherwise your plant keep push new growths instead of flowers.  Cut the tips from those hanging stems like the first picture.  Try using some blooming fertilizer like Scotts Super Bloom.  Your plant is still young I would use twice a month BUT don't over do it.  You should stop using it by the end of Sept.  it takes 30 days to flower and another 30+ to ripen fruit.  you don't want to over stress your plant going into winter. 
The last plant is Bruni.  It's a close sister of Connie Mayer.  The flower was beautiful.


(https://s30.postimg.cc/8qr4tf5x9/IMG_4283.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8qr4tf5x9/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/wvrub4q7x/IMG_4284.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wvrub4q7x/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/k5nly1i9p/IMG_4285.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k5nly1i9p/)

(https://s30.postimg.cc/mcwfzpcxp/IMG_4289.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mcwfzpcxp/)


Stop fertilizing by end of sept. Ok got it! Thanks for the tips!!
My purple haze is 2 yrs old as of this month and so far only one bud.
I have 2 other varieties that are also 2 yrs old but no blooms. I guess those are not ready yet. Maybe next year. I started applying some bloom booster last month when I read about others applying it and I will continue to do so next year.
I had no idea that watering too much will cause lots of new growth instead of buds.  I wonder if that's why my neighbors DF has lots of new growth but no buds and hers is older than 3 yrs. But I also heard she apply fertilizer. I don't know what kind though.
Oh did you get to taste the Bruni variety fruit? I heard it has a really good brix of a little over 21.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 22, 2017, 04:26:16 PM
I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice.
If that container is a cube, then 11 x 11 x 11 = 1,331 cubic inches, which is about 5.7 gallons.


If it's a cylinder then it's 1,044 cubic inches, which is about 4.5 gallons.


That seems a bit small for my tastes. I'm using ~11 gallon terra cotta pots, and I put 3-4 stems in each.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 22, 2017, 05:29:17 PM
I'm not sure if mine are 15 gallon containers. They're about 11 inches in diameter both top and bottom and about 11 inches tall. So it's 11x11x11 .. would that suffice.
If that container is a cube, then 11 x 11 x 11 = 1,331 cubic inches, which is about 5.7 gallons.


If it's a cylinder then it's 1,044 cubic inches, which is about 4.5 gallons.


That seems a bit small for my tastes. I'm using ~11 gallon terra cotta pots, and I put 3-4 stems in each.

Thank you! It's a cylinder. The ones I have above soil I went and cut the bottoms out. And I'm going to try with extra cuttings and see how long they last in there.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on August 23, 2017, 12:13:53 PM
Just ate my first homegrown dragon fruit! It was sweet, but not a lot of flavor. My wife and daughter liked it whereas they didn't like store bought dragon fruit. It was a la Verne red purchased from HD.
(https://s29.postimg.cc/sjjr7rrf7/20170821_174357.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sjjr7rrf7/)


(https://s29.postimg.cc/inio84ln7/20170820_185717.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/inio84ln7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 24, 2017, 08:27:28 PM
Just ate my first homegrown dragon fruit! It was sweet, but not a lot of flavor. My wife and daughter liked it whereas they didn't like store bought dragon fruit. It was a la Verne red purchased from HD.
(https://s29.postimg.cc/sjjr7rrf7/20170821_174357.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sjjr7rrf7/)


(https://s29.postimg.cc/inio84ln7/20170820_185717.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/inio84ln7/)



That looks delicious. I've eaten both store bought white and red flesh varieties and they're really bland except that the red flesh one is a tad sweeter than the white flesh one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2017, 04:01:39 PM
I did not attend this year.

Pictures are being posted on Facebook of today's Dragon Fruit Production Tour.

They may give some hobbyists some ideas.

(https://s28.postimg.cc/bpo90m609/image1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bpo90m609/)

(https://s28.postimg.cc/dvijv49gp/image2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dvijv49gp/)

(https://s28.postimg.cc/apxy4wquh/image3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/apxy4wquh/)

(https://s28.postimg.cc/gfe6p7x0p/image4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gfe6p7x0p/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on August 25, 2017, 04:37:54 PM
You guys...is this what I think it is?!? It's my first year growing my cuttings and this Haley comet already had a beautiful flower and now looks like a fruit is starting to form?! I'm so so excited! :)
Do I need to do anything special at this time? More or less watering?
(https://s29.postimg.cc/ph35iasc3/IMG_8408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ph35iasc3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 25, 2017, 04:48:55 PM
You guys...is this what I think it is?!? It's my first year growing my cuttings and this Haley comet already had a beautiful flower and now looks like a fruit is starting to form?! I'm so so excited! :)
Do I need to do anything special at this time? More or less watering?
(https://s29.postimg.cc/ph35iasc3/IMG_8408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ph35iasc3/)

Looks like it may have not gotten pollinated properly.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Sayan128 on August 25, 2017, 08:03:31 PM
oh bummer! I thought I saw a baby fruit starting to grow :(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on August 25, 2017, 08:07:05 PM
oh bummer! I thought I saw a baby fruit starting to grow :(

It's still a good sign. It means you're doing something right that it's flowering and you'll most likely get more flowers next year. And I love the green and pink tinge on the base of the  flower.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on August 25, 2017, 10:15:51 PM
That looks delicious. I've eaten both store bought white and red flesh varieties and they're really bland except that the red flesh one is a tad sweeter than the white flesh one.

Thanks Sandy!  One of my next purchases will be one of the named varieties. I have a no-named white variety that I hope to use as a pollinator - it didn't bloom this year.  With the lessons learned from these two plants, hopefully I can be more successful with a better variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 25, 2017, 11:45:15 PM
Guys and gals the ants (fire ants) are all over my DF.  They like the tips of new growth.  Doesn't seem to affect the plants but not really sure.  Is it ok, or should something be done?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 26, 2017, 09:57:28 AM
I did not attend this year.

Pictures are being posted on Facebook of today's Dragon Fruit Production Tour.

They may give some hobbyists some ideas.

Ric, it's not clear the reason why the examples in their plots look very poor. I've seen some of their past examples which had much better growth, but still not nearly as good as what I see from other countries or even in US plantings. I don't see why they are concentrating on growing DF in pots which have 1/10th the root zone and 1/10th the potential top growth. This has to create a very weak plant susceptible to any adversity. If you look at the picture there are numerous internodes 6" or less in length which were useless for fruiting. Only the longer nodes on the plant were capable of bearing fruit. It's pretty clear that something is wrong.

In your video of 2014 irrigation trials, the plants are absolutely white with scale. What sort of results does that give? 

It is sad that is the state of things but pitiful when you look at what these other countries are doing with healthy productive plantings.

Vietnam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJqqf2lrQP8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJqqf2lrQP8)

Malaysia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BFZAh7AkQI&t=4s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BFZAh7AkQI&t=4s)

Colombia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JyDDXPprHc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JyDDXPprHc)

Ecuador:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYWNecA1Xc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYWNecA1Xc)

Sometimes government needs to get out of the way if they can't get their act together

At least we have some commercial growers like J&C Tropicals here in Florida showing us how to grow, but UC doesn't appear to notice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAXd2Ufn00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAXd2Ufn00)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 26, 2017, 12:32:04 PM
I think some people in Florida don't realize how dry and different California weather is compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Florida.

The Dragon Fruit Production Tour pictures above are of Southern California commercial growers, not the UC.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 26, 2017, 01:57:53 PM
Ric,

In your video of 2014 irrigation trials, the plants are absolutely white with scale. What sort of results does that give? 


¯\_(ツ)_/¯  How little water can be used?   ::)

Remember: The UC Farm Advisory trials are research.

UCCE MVP Farms Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Field Day-October 3, 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PQtTYheWy8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 26, 2017, 03:22:44 PM

(https://s28.postimg.cc/bpo90m609/image1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bpo90m609/)

Note: "Topics to be Discussed"

I am not a commercial DF grower or UC researcher.

Some more pictures posted yesterday on Facebook of Dragon Fruit Production Tour.

David Melendez and Paco Frausto shared:

Some are saying this is Selenacereus grandaflorus
(https://s28.postimg.cc/xmqebpj3d/image5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xmqebpj3d/)

(https://s28.postimg.cc/piia6ywo9/image6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/piia6ywo9/)

(https://s28.postimg.cc/fzd6r8yjt/image7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fzd6r8yjt/)

Gray Martin, Commercial DF grower and Ramiro Lobo, UC DF researcher.

(https://s28.postimg.cc/rpr48mrc9/gray_ramiro.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rpr48mrc9/)

FYI: For those who have never heard of Gray E. Martin... the GEM Avocado was named after him.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 26, 2017, 06:06:56 PM
Whoa! I just found a monster dragon fruit planting, right near the McDonalds that I frequent in Lomita, CA:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LomitaDragonFruit1.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LomitaDragonFruit2.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LomitaDragonFruit3.jpg)

It's not as big as the one from ricshaw's photo (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=13889.msg175814#msg175814), but it's pretty impressive, especially for Los Angeles.

Look at that stem in the 3rd photo! It's as big around as my biceps, and there's a second one around the back.

There are plenty of blooms on it right now (lower right of photo #1) but I saw zero fruit set. They probably need pollinators and/or different pollen.

I removed the geotag from the photos, but if anyone in LA wants to make a pilgrimage, send me a PM.

Bad news: the owner of this house apparently passed away recently.

Good news: he willed the property to the City of Lomita to develop into Teuchert Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/teuchert-park-lomita)! It's beautiful! So now anyone can go (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Teuchert+Park/@33.7874647,-118.3132987,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dd4a71e21bccb1:0x382f0d5fafdef66b!8m2!3d33.7874647!4d-118.31111) and view this extraordinary dragonfruit plant.

Bad news: There are dozens of dropped blossoms on the ground, and no fruit set. This may need a cross-pollinator.

Good news: I might sneak into the park some time and stealth-plant another variety  :D

Bad news: There are no hours posted, and when I stopped by yesterday evening, the gate was locked.  >:(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 27, 2017, 08:12:10 AM
Ric,

In your video of 2014 irrigation trials, the plants are absolutely white with scale. What sort of results does that give? 


¯\_(ツ)_/¯  How little water can be used?   ::)

Remember: The UC Farm Advisory trials are research.

UCCE MVP Farms Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit Field Day-October 3, 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PQtTYheWy8)
What I saw was a new planting and wondered why all the plants were white?
(https://s2.postimg.cc/x986i2j9h/trial1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x986i2j9h/)

Then you zoomed in and I could see the total scale infestation.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/vwv2txb7p/trial2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vwv2txb7p/)

I'm sure there are PhD entomologists at UC who could have diagnosed that, anybody could see it. In a research project that is really called a "confounding factor", a no-go introducing a variable which could introduce a spurious result.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 27, 2017, 10:59:47 AM

What I saw was a new planting and wondered why all the plants were white?
(https://s2.postimg.cc/x986i2j9h/trial1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x986i2j9h/)

Then you zoomed in and I could see the total scale infestation.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/vwv2txb7p/trial2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vwv2txb7p/)

I'm sure there are PhD entomologists at UC who could have diagnosed that, anybody could see it. In a research project that is really called a "confounding factor", a no-go introducing a variable which could introduce a spurious result.

 ;D  What I see is diluted white latex paint used to protect plants from sunburn. Very common on young avocado and citrus trees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 27, 2017, 12:13:35 PM
I think some people in Florida don't realize how dry and different California weather is compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Florida.


Yup. Especially Southern California. Many areas are, climatologically-speaking, a desert. In many years we get less than 10" of rain. (http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-annual-rain-graphic2)


I can't think of any food crops in S. California that are not irrigated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 27, 2017, 01:46:40 PM
I think some people in Florida don't realize how dry and different California weather is compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Florida.


Yup. Especially Southern California. Many areas are, climatologically-speaking, a desert. In many years we get less than 10" of rain. (http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-annual-rain-graphic2)


I can't think of any food crops in S. California that are not irrigated.

Prickly pear cactus does ok
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 03, 2017, 01:04:57 PM
For someone who has tasted or knowledge of both S8 and Frankie's Red , which one you think is superior in taste and worth adding to ones collection?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on September 03, 2017, 01:55:38 PM
I have both varieties and have tasted both varieties. I would highly recommend planting both.

S8 or Sugar Dragon is a universal pollinator and has multiple crops a season. It's production is very high, probably due to the very small size of the fruit but the eating quality is exceptional. Because it produces so many flowers throughout the year, you will have a better chance of it cross pollinating any other variety of DF planted in your yard. The flavor of the fruit is very sweet with a hint of berry acidity common to the varieties with purplish pink colored flesh.

I highly recommend also planting Frankie's Red because it will extend your season. FR ripens from about now until Winter. It ripens kinda in between the red/Purple/white and the S Megalanthus but there is overlap. To really extend the season, also plant the S/H Megalanthus for very late fruit. The FR is a sweet fruit with flavor that is a mix of the Megalanthus and the Red/purple varieties. The fruit are typically larger than the S8. The fruit also has spines on it like the Megalanthus so they are less likely to be eaten by varmin.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 03, 2017, 02:35:54 PM
I have both varieties and have tasted both varieties. I would highly recommend planting both.

S8 or Sugar Dragon is a universal pollinator and has multiple crops a season. It's production is very high, probably due to the very small size of the fruit but the eating quality is exceptional. Because it produces so many flowers throughout the year, you will have a better chance of it cross pollinating any other variety of DF planted in your yard. The flavor of the fruit is very sweet with a hint of berry acidity common to the varieties with purplish pink colored flesh.

I highly recommend also planting Frankie's Red because it will extend your season. FR ripens from about now until Winter. It ripens kinda in between the red/Purple/white and the S Megalanthus but there is overlap. To really extend the season, also plant the S/H Megalanthus for very late fruit. The FR is a sweet fruit with flavor that is a mix of the Megalanthus and the Red/purple varieties. The fruit are typically larger than the S8. The fruit also has spines on it like the Megalanthus so they are less likely to be eaten by varmin.

Simon


Ah I see. So both has their pros. S8 being really sweet with hints of berry while the FR extends your fruit harvest.
I'm glad I picked up a S8 cutting. But unfortunately the FR is so hard to get ones hand on. I found a site that sells it but I recently bought a cutting from him and results weren't good. Item arrived damaged and most likely damaged during transit. So I was left with a few inches of cutting...ugh
So I'm really hesitant in ordering from him again. The cutting was only wrapped with a thin sheet of newspaper like material and then boxed. So there's goes my chance of getting a FR from him.
Mattslandscape site for some reason is not working .
I guess I'll probably have to wait until it becomes more readily available.
But thank for the insite on both varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on September 04, 2017, 02:40:10 AM
I think some people in Florida don't realize how dry and different California weather is compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Florida.


Yup. Especially Southern California. Many areas are, climatologically-speaking, a desert. In many years we get less than 10" of rain. (http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-annual-rain-graphic2)


I can't think of any food crops in S. California that are not irrigated.

Prickly pear cactus does ok

You should grow a Peruvian Apple.  Very sweet fruit with crunchy seed like sugar crystals.  Absolutely delicious.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JF on September 06, 2017, 12:21:10 AM
valdivia roja
sweet dragon
san ignacio
guatemala
arizona purple
physical grafitti
(https://s26.postimg.cc/78un2lin9/IMG_7032_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/78un2lin9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 06, 2017, 12:29:33 AM
I think some people in Florida don't realize how dry and different California weather is compared to Vietnam, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Florida.


Yup. Especially Southern California. Many areas are, climatologically-speaking, a desert. In many years we get less than 10" of rain. (http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/02/local/me-annual-rain-graphic2)


I can't think of any food crops in S. California that are not irrigated.

Prickly pear cactus does ok

You should grow a Peruvian Apple.  Very sweet fruit with crunchy seed like sugar crystals.  Absolutely delicious.

I had some of those growing but believe it or not deer ate the entire cactus.  Maybe I will try again insude the deer fence.  They are all over in town in poway.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 08, 2017, 01:02:09 PM
Omg! I'm soooo excited! I had my first bloom and only bloom last night!
Two other buds were killed off by sudden heat wave we had. I went out last night at around 11 pm to hand pollinate this Purple Haze bloom.
Is there a recommend time frame after the flower opens to pollinate for better fruit set?
And I know it's Sept right now but is it possible for the plant to have another flush of buds?
(https://s26.postimg.cc/tushikydh/IMG_4148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tushikydh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 08, 2017, 05:12:37 PM
Nice flower, SandyL!


I'm excited, too. My La Verne Yellow just pushed out its first buds:


(http://ftp.kan.org/pictures/MegalanthusFlowering.jpg)


I hope it's self-fertile, because I don't have any other similar varieties around, and I'm sort of assuming it won't cross with regular DF, correct?


Then again even my regular DFs won't pollinate each other. I've been putting La Verne Pink's pollen on my Physical Graffiti and vice versa, but neither has set any fruit yet. >:( >:(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 08, 2017, 05:37:03 PM
Thanks! And congrats on your buds too TheWaterBug!!!
If it's the yellow variety with the spines on the fruit then I think it's self fertile.
I'm not sure about the pink pollen with the physical
Graffiti though, maybe it's too simialr in variety. I heard physical graffiti is not self fertile.  If you can get a hold of S8 aka sugar dragon, it's universal pollinator.
Hope you share pics of your fruits of the yellow variety!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 08, 2017, 06:04:47 PM
I have two S-8 cuttings (thanks, Ric!) that have rooted and that are growing now, but I'm probably at least a year from having flowers.


Speaking of which, I probably need to build at least 1 or 2 more trellises. I know how I'm spending my weekend!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Louie on September 08, 2017, 06:20:28 PM
(https://s26.postimg.cc/miz2s19mt/IMG_0741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/miz2s19mt/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/xwlm38k5h/IMG_0742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xwlm38k5h/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/701mux1c5/IMG_0743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/701mux1c5/)


Hi Everyone, I was looking for some advice.  I have a few dragonfruit in various stages of ripeness.  I also have a few friends who are coming into town next Sunday (9/17) who i have promised said dragonfruit to.  I would like the fruit to be as good as possible and was wondering if it would be better to pick the fruit that is dead ripe now and store in the fridge, or if it would be better to leave the ripe fruit on the vine until next Sunday even though it is perfectly ripe now.  I have previously left dragonfruit in the fridge for a little over a week and it seemed good, just wondering if anyone knows if it is better to leave on the vine.  Thanks for any help and suggestions.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: boopnloop on September 08, 2017, 06:38:29 PM
Hey fellow dragonfruit growers! I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this. Have a couple questions!

 My plants (where I got them from) were started as tissue cultures. I read that growing from seed can take years to produce, are tissue cultures the same? Or would it be similar to a small cutting?

Also, what size pot do y'all recommend for small plants? (Under 1 foot tall)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 08, 2017, 08:18:15 PM
I have two S-8 cuttings (thanks, Ric!) that have rooted and that are growing now, but I'm probably at least a year from having flowers.


Speaking of which, I probably need to build at least 1 or 2 more trellises. I know how I'm spending my weekend!

That's great! I too have some S8 cuttings that are in the same position as yours. Now I'm just looking to see if I can find a Frankie's red.
I didn't know la Verne nursery sells the yellow one. Did you order online?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 08, 2017, 09:46:22 PM
That's great! I too have some S8 cuttings that are in the same position as yours. Now I'm just looking to see if I can find a Frankie's red.
I didn't know la Verne nursery sells the yellow one. Did you order online?


I bought in person it during a pilgrimage to La Verne's nursery (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg223852#msg223852) in Fillmore a few years ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 08, 2017, 09:56:23 PM
For support you might try something like this:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LaVernePink22Months.jpg)
I'm pretty happy with how the bottom part turned out, and with the overall strength. I'm 220#, and I can hang from the top supports without any scary creaky sounds. It should be able to handle whatever grows through it.

But I wasn't really thinking very clearly when I made the top a mirror of the bottom. As it is I have to thread the vertical stems through the gaps between the 2 x 4s, and there really isn't much in the way of lateral supports for the horizontal branches. I might nail some 2 x 4s diagonally across the corners of the top supports, but that makes for a funky miter angle.

Due to the way I've nailed these together, disassembly is pretty much impossible.

If I were to do these over again I'd probably do something like what Tim did at the top of his trellises (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=1592.msg21914#msg21914):

(http://s16.postimage.org/6z3wi50td/IMAG0061.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6z3wi50td/)

except bigger. Come to think of it, I could use Tim's design both top and bottom. From what I can see it uses less wood and labor.
After some thought I think I like my design for the bottom of the trellis and Tim's for the top. So I modeled it in Sketchup (https://www.sketchup.com):

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign.jpg)

There's a free version of Sketchup (see link, above), so anyone can download the model (http://ftp.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign.skp), view it, modify it, etc. It's dimensionally accurate, so you can click on segments and get lengths, etc.

It's a pretty big trellis; the center 4 x 4 post is 6' tall. The upper "clear" distance/radius around the center post is 1' in both directions, and the bottom arms extend 2' from the center post. It could probably be scaled down, but I like to overbuild things. ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 08, 2017, 10:09:20 PM
Nice flower, SandyL!


I'm excited, too. My La Verne Yellow just pushed out its first buds:


(http://ftp.kan.org/pictures/MegalanthusFlowering.jpg)


I hope it's self-fertile, because I don't have any other similar varieties around, and I'm sort of assuming it won't cross with regular DF, correct?


Then again even my regular DFs won't pollinate each other. I've been putting La Verne Pink's pollen on my Physical Graffiti and vice versa, but neither has set any fruit yet. >:( >:(

You should be able to cross pollinate megalanthus with regular DF pollen.

Frankie's Red is a megalanthus x polyrhizus hybrid.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on September 09, 2017, 03:08:15 AM
Hey fellow dragonfruit growers! I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this. Have a couple questions!

 My plants (where I got them from) were started as tissue cultures. I read that growing from seed can take years to produce, are tissue cultures the same? Or would it be similar to a small cutting?

Also, what size pot do y'all recommend for small plants? (Under 1 foot tall)

I have tissue culture plants about 3 years old and they haven't yet fruited. I think they take as long as seedling plants. Shall update if I ever get a fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 09, 2017, 01:15:38 PM
Hey fellow dragonfruit growers! I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this. Have a couple questions!

 My plants (where I got them from) were started as tissue cultures. I read that growing from seed can take years to produce, are tissue cultures the same? Or would it be similar to a small cutting?

Also, what size pot do y'all recommend for small plants? (Under 1 foot tall)

A one gallon nursery pot should be fine for a small Dragon Fruit plant under 1 foot tall.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on September 10, 2017, 05:51:46 AM
Since 2nd June 2017 to yesterday,they are growing so healthy and quickly! this is only a part of my 40+ varieties here in South Italy ;D

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21430600_1980089852238161_214976244018552714_n.jpg?oh=6ae31375f5981919808d0ff520078d44&oe=5A52058B)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21430600_1980089852238161_214976244018552714_n.jpg?oh=6ae31375f5981919808d0ff520078d44&oe=5A52058B)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 10, 2017, 04:16:32 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 10, 2017, 04:18:10 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?

Depends. Nor Cal? 2 - 3 years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 10, 2017, 04:25:49 PM
Depend on how long it takes for you to make it grow big. I think Richard's estimate is if you do everything right.
Just start right now and you'll get fruits sooner. Get at least one self-pollinating plant so you don't have to wait for different varieties to flower at the same time for pollen. It's frustrating for beginning growers when they have the first flower and no others to get pollen from.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 10, 2017, 04:27:55 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?

Depends. Nor Cal? 2 - 3 years.

Thanks! I had a Cutting that arrived broken and was only left with a 6"  piece, bigger piece fell out of the packaging during transit thanks to the mail carrier and non ideal packaging...ugh...so I was worried that I might have to wait at least 4-5 yrs.
2-3 yrs gives me hope. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 10, 2017, 04:31:59 PM
Depend on how long it takes for you to make it grow big. I think Richard's estimate is if you do everything right.
Just start right now and you'll get fruits sooner. Get at least one self-pollinating plant so you don't have to wait for different varieties to flower at the same time for pollen. It's frustrating for beginning growers when they have the first flower and no others to get pollen from.



Thanks! I just got it started yesterday so hopefully I'll see new growth next year. And I'm planning on making the trellis only 4 ft high since I'm short so hopefully it'll reach the top and hang over sooner.
Thanks again!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 11, 2017, 12:55:06 AM
After some thought I think I like my design for the bottom of the trellis and Tim's for the top. So I modeled it in Sketchup (https://www.sketchup.com):

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign.jpg)

There's a free version of Sketchup (see link, above), so anyone can download the model (http://ftp.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign.skp), view it, modify it, etc. It's dimensionally accurate, so you can click on segments and get lengths, etc.

It's a pretty big trellis; the center 4 x 4 post is 6' tall. The upper "clear" distance/radius around the center post is 1' in both directions, and the bottom arms extend 2' from the center post. It could probably be scaled down, but I like to overbuild things. ;D


Minor changes when I actually built it:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign2.jpg)


and an updated SketchUp file (http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruitTrellisDesign2.skp).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on September 11, 2017, 01:21:18 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?

Depends. Nor Cal? 2 - 3 years.
I got lucky with a big-box bought plant. It took right around ~18 months to give me my first two fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on September 11, 2017, 02:16:40 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?

under the right condition 12 months.  I have 3 plants bloomed and 2 fruited from cuttings I got last year.  all of the cuttings were matured with blooms before rooted them.  I only kept 1 upward stem from my plants.  once they reached the top of my trellis I cut it to promote side growths (like an umbrella).  SoCal weather has been warmer than usual this year.  probably one of the reasons contributed to faster growth.

1) bruni 12" cutting in 5gal container - 11 months (1 flower and fruit is set)
2) unknown white 12" cutting in 10gal container - 13 months (1 flower bloomed last week, not sure if it will set.  most likely does cuz it seems like a self pollinate variety)
3) S8 hybrid 8" cutting in 5gal container - 12 months ( 3 flowers and all set)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 11, 2017, 06:27:48 PM
How long will it take for a 6" cutting to bear fruit ?

under the right condition 12 months.  I have 3 plants bloomed and 2 fruited from cuttings I got last year.  all of the cuttings were matured with blooms before rooted them.  I only kept 1 upward stem from my plants.  once they reached the top of my trellis I cut it to promote side growths (like an umbrella).  SoCal weather has been warmer than usual this year.  probably one of the reasons contributed to faster growth.

1) bruni 12" cutting in 5gal container - 11 months (1 flower and fruit is set)
2) unknown white 12" cutting in 10gal container - 13 months (1 flower bloomed last week, not sure if it will set.  most likely does cuz it seems like a self pollinate variety)
3) S8 hybrid 8" cutting in 5gal container - 12 months ( 3 flowers and all set)



Thanks!
The 6" cutting I have, I don't belive is a mature cutting. I think it's this year's growth. It's on the thin side and not filled up and plump like older cuttings. I was concerned that the 6" cutting wouldn't make it. It broke into 2 pieces during transit and the mail carrier lost then other half which I belive could've been the bigger of the 2 pieces.
I also acquired an mature S8 cutting that has bloomed the previous year so I'm hoping if everything goes as planned, I might see it bloom within 12 months like yours.
Can I ask where did you acquire mature Bruni Cutting?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 12, 2017, 05:53:12 AM
Hi guys,

Hi have a couple of doubts about DF varieties I hope you can help me out with:

Anybody has tasted or grown Pepino Dulce? There is little info in internet. Being white, is as good as the top tier purple flesh ones?

I have preselected 4 purple flesh varieties to plant: Condor, Cosmic charlie, Halley's Comet and S8 Sugar Dragon. Would you replace some of the list for other variety/s? I rate first taste, then autofertile/autopollination and then to extend the harvest AMAP (I already have yellow megalanthus).

Thanks,
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on September 12, 2017, 09:09:41 AM
I grow pepino dulce, but not yet fruited. Is considered good, but you mentioned the best
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 12, 2017, 12:28:36 PM
Hi guys,
Hi have a couple of doubts about DF varieties I hope you can help me out with:
Anybody has tasted or grown Pepino Dulce? There is little info in internet. Being white, is as good as the top tier purple flesh ones?
I have preselected 4 purple flesh varieties to plant: Condor, Cosmic charlie, Halley's Comet and S8 Sugar Dragon.
Would you replace some of the list for other variety/s? I rate first taste, then autofertile/autopollination and then to extend the harvest AMAP (I already have yellow megalanthus).
Thanks,

Taste is subjective. I doubt that many (anybody) would rate Pepino Dulce's taste as good as top tier purple flesh varieties.

I would substitute Physical Graffiti for one of your preselected varieties. Physical Graffiti is in the same taste range and is a high yield flower/fruit producer.

I do not consider S-8 (Sugar Dragon) a purple-flesh variety. It is more of a red-flesh variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on September 12, 2017, 01:52:16 PM
(https://s26.postimg.cc/miz2s19mt/IMG_0741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/miz2s19mt/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/xwlm38k5h/IMG_0742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xwlm38k5h/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/701mux1c5/IMG_0743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/701mux1c5/)


Hi Everyone, I was looking for some advice.  I have a few dragonfruit in various stages of ripeness.  I also have a few friends who are coming into town next Sunday (9/17) who i have promised said dragonfruit to.  I would like the fruit to be as good as possible and was wondering if it would be better to pick the fruit that is dead ripe now and store in the fridge, or if it would be better to leave the ripe fruit on the vine until next Sunday even though it is perfectly ripe now.  I have previously left dragonfruit in the fridge for a little over a week and it seemed good, just wondering if anyone knows if it is better to leave on the vine.  Thanks for any help and suggestions.

I will not call it dead ripe. Normally I leave the fruit on the vine as long as I can. Watch for rodents and splits though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 12, 2017, 10:19:34 PM
I hope this question doesn't sound silly. But how do you tell if the flower you pollinated set or not? Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 12, 2017, 10:52:09 PM
I hope this question doesn't sound silly. But how do you tell if the flower you pollinated set or not? Thanks!

The way I can tell is in a couple days the main part of the flower connected to the stem does not turn yellow.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 12, 2017, 11:35:37 PM
I hope this question doesn't sound silly. But how do you tell if the flower you pollinated set or not? Thanks!

The way I can tell is in a couple days the main part of the flower connected to the stem does not turn yellow.


Thanks Ric !!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Louie on September 12, 2017, 11:36:51 PM
(https://s26.postimg.cc/miz2s19mt/IMG_0741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/miz2s19mt/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/xwlm38k5h/IMG_0742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xwlm38k5h/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/701mux1c5/IMG_0743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/701mux1c5/)


Hi Everyone, I was looking for some advice.  I have a few dragonfruit in various stages of ripeness.  I also have a few friends who are coming into town next Sunday (9/17) who i have promised said dragonfruit to.  I would like the fruit to be as good as possible and was wondering if it would be better to pick the fruit that is dead ripe now and store in the fridge, or if it would be better to leave the ripe fruit on the vine until next Sunday even though it is perfectly ripe now.  I have previously left dragonfruit in the fridge for a little over a week and it seemed good, just wondering if anyone knows if it is better to leave on the vine.  Thanks for any help and suggestions.

I will not call it dead ripe. Normally I leave the fruit on the vine as long as I can. Watch for rodents and splits though.


Thanks for the reply, i started seeing some splits on a few of my Physical Graffiti.  Seems to be limited just to them though.  I have never left them on the vine past the point that they are totally bright pink, is there any way they will become washed out or lose flavor if left on too long?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 12, 2017, 11:37:52 PM
I'm thinking about experimenting with growing DF from seeds. How long can the seeds stay viable for if kept refrigerated and when's the best time to sow?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 13, 2017, 12:42:39 AM
I'm thinking about experimenting with growing DF from seeds. How long can the seeds stay viable for if kept refrigerated and when's the best time to sow?

 ??? Why do the seeds have to be refrigerated?

I would just clean them good, dry them, and store them in a small zip-loc bag.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 13, 2017, 12:51:40 AM
I'm thinking about experimenting with growing DF from seeds. How long can the seeds stay viable for if kept refrigerated and when's the best time to sow?

 ??? Why do the seeds have to be refrigerated?

I would just clean them good, dry them, and store them in a small zip-loc bag.


My friend has some seeds but he said he had them in the fridge since April. I'm wondering if it's still any good.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 13, 2017, 05:26:38 AM
Hi guys,
Hi have a couple of doubts about DF varieties I hope you can help me out with:
Anybody has tasted or grown Pepino Dulce? There is little info in internet. Being white, is as good as the top tier purple flesh ones?
I have preselected 4 purple flesh varieties to plant: Condor, Cosmic charlie, Halley's Comet and S8 Sugar Dragon.
Would you replace some of the list for other variety/s? I rate first taste, then autofertile/autopollination and then to extend the harvest AMAP (I already have yellow megalanthus).
Thanks,

Taste is subjective. I doubt that many (anybody) would rate Pepino Dulce's taste as good as top tier purple flesh varieties.

I would substitute Physical Graffiti for one of your preselected varieties. Physical Graffiti is in the same taste range and is a high yield flower/fruit producer.

I do not consider S-8 (Sugar Dragon) a purple-flesh variety. It is more of a red-flesh variety.

Thank you both for the help.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on September 13, 2017, 01:18:52 PM
Post hurricane recovery for dragon fruit.
Need some help and info.
Some branches snapped right off and I assume a clean cut believe the break is in order.
Some bent, broke but did not break off.
What should I do about those?
A couple have flours and I want to save them if possible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on September 13, 2017, 03:55:52 PM
Post hurricane recovery for dragon fruit.
Need some help and info.
Some branches snapped right off and I assume a clean cut believe the break is in order.
Some bent, broke but did not break off.
What should I do about those?
A couple have flours and I want to save them if possible.

dont worry about the bend and break.  you could prune back after fruit season.  meanwhile let them be and they will be fine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 15, 2017, 02:38:57 PM
Bad news: the owner of this house apparently passed away recently.

Good news: he willed the property to the City of Lomita to develop into Teuchert Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/teuchert-park-lomita)! It's beautiful! So now anyone can go (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Teuchert+Park/@33.7874647,-118.3132987,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dd4a71e21bccb1:0x382f0d5fafdef66b!8m2!3d33.7874647!4d-118.31111) and view this extraordinary dragonfruit plant.

Bad news: There are dozens of dropped blossoms on the ground, and no fruit set. This may need a cross-pollinator.

Good news: I might sneak into the park some time and stealth-plant another variety  :D

Bad news: There are no hours posted, and when I stopped by yesterday evening, the gate was locked.  >:(
The gate was open a few days ago, so I walked in. It's wonderful! There are 4 giant Dragonfruit vines climbing up 4 trees! There's also some nice citrus, fig, and pomegranates, but we're all here for the DF, so I'll ignore those others for now. Look at the lower branches/roots on the first one! I have OJ-sized hands:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertDragonfruitVine1_a.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertDragonfruitVine1_b.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertDragonfruitVine2.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertDragonfruitVine3.jpg)

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertDragonfruitVine4.jpg)

All the DF have dozens and dozens of dropped flowers, and no fruit set right now, so it's possible that all 4 are the same variety, and that it's a variety that needs cross-pollination. I've been watching the largest of the 4 vines for 2 seasons now, and I've never seen it set fruit.

I also have a cutting from a neighbor of this tree, who allegedly got his vine from this mother tree, and I successfully pollinated a flower on my cutting from my La Verne Pink last year.

A couple of thoughts:
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 15, 2017, 08:46:56 PM
Woah! If only I lived nearby.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 15, 2017, 08:50:05 PM
In more pedestrian news, last night I had two varieties flower simultaneously, for the first time ever! La Verne Pink and Physical Graffiti.


I'm 0/10 on crossing these two so far, but I've always used stored pollen, so maybe my storage/freezing technique is poor.


Last night I transferred the fresh pollen directly from flower to flower, so if they're compatible, this should work. Fingers crossed!


My yellow and my white varieties are also pushing buds right now, so I might finally get my first fruit this season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on September 15, 2017, 10:57:10 PM
In more pedestrian news, last night I had two varieties flower simultaneously, for the first time ever! La Verne Pink and Physical Graffiti.


I'm 0/10 on crossing these two so far, but I've always used stored pollen, so maybe my storage/freezing technique is poor.


Last night I transferred the fresh pollen directly from flower to flower, so if they're compatible, this should work. Fingers crossed!


My yellow and my white varieties are also pushing buds right now, so I might finally get my first fruit this season.

I have a 6 year old LaVerne Red taking me 3 years to find the right pollinator.  S8 is the right key.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2017, 01:18:55 AM
In more pedestrian news, last night I had two varieties flower simultaneously, for the first time ever! La Verne Pink and Physical Graffiti.

I'm 0/10 on crossing these two so far, but I've always used stored pollen, so maybe my storage/freezing technique is poor.

Last night I transferred the fresh pollen directly from flower to flower, so if they're compatible, this should work. Fingers crossed!

My yellow and my white varieties are also pushing buds right now, so I might finally get my first fruit this season.
I have a 6 year old LaVerne Red taking me 3 years to find the right pollinator.  S8 is the right key.
I have two S-8 plants that I put in pots about a year ago, and they took a looooong time to get going. But they're growing now, and might have flowers next year. I hope.

I will go down to Teuchert Park in collect pollen next time those all bloom.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 17, 2017, 01:43:51 AM
In more pedestrian news, last night I had two varieties flower simultaneously, for the first time ever! La Verne Pink and Physical Graffiti.


I'm 0/10 on crossing these two so far, but I've always used stored pollen, so maybe my storage/freezing technique is poor.


Last night I transferred the fresh pollen directly from flower to flower, so if they're compatible, this should work. Fingers crossed!


My yellow and my white varieties are also pushing buds right now, so I might finally get my first fruit this season.

I would love to see pictures of the fruit if you're able to harvest any. Good luck!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 17, 2017, 03:31:43 AM

I have a 6 year old LaVerne Red taking me 3 years to find the right pollinator.  S8 is the right key.
[/quote]

You will find that the right pollinator is the one that is different from the one you are growing. Pollinating Dragonfruit is not a complicated thing. S-8 is possibly a good pollinator but mine has never flowered and I use other varieties pollen to get plenty of fruit every year.
If it's taken 3 years of flowering to find the right pollinator, chances are you were doing something wrong.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 17, 2017, 12:14:53 PM
Sandy, unless youre planning on doing cross-pollination experimentation, I would avoid growing from seeds. I would almost say don't do it. Not only are you going to add years to your wait for fruit production, you're also going to be playing roulette with the type of fruit you get when the plant matures. The preferred method for reproducing dragon fruit is from cuttings for a reason: you know exactly what youre going to get, a copy of the plant the cutting came from. Seeds have a random chance of picking up traits, both good and bad, from their parent plants. And if you self-pollinate, theres a chance you can come up with weak or genetically inferior stock. Self-pollination is fine for fruit production, because we're eating the flesh of the plant, basically the unaltered womb of the mother plant, but the developing seeds (aka offspring) can still end up undesirable. However, if you do plan on trying your hand at finding new varieties, wash your seeds, dry them and store them in an air tight container, preferably with one of those Silica Gel packs that come in packaging, the ones that say "Do Not Eat" on them. This will keep your seeds dry for storage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 17, 2017, 07:43:34 PM
Sandy, unless youre planning on doing cross-pollination experimentation, I would avoid growing from seeds. I would almost say don't do it. Not only are you going to add years to your wait for fruit production, you're also going to be playing roulette with the type of fruit you get when the plant matures. The preferred method for reproducing dragon fruit is from cuttings for a reason: you know exactly what youre going to get, a copy of the plant the cutting came from. Seeds have a random chance of picking up traits, both good and bad, from their parent plants. And if you self-pollinate, theres a chance you can come up with weak or genetically inferior stock. Self-pollination is fine for fruit production, because we're eating the flesh of the plant, basically the unaltered womb of the mother plant, but the developing seeds (aka offspring) can still end up undesirable. However, if you do plan on trying your hand at finding new varieties, wash your seeds, dry them and store them in an air tight container, preferably with one of those Silica Gel packs that come in packaging, the ones that say "Do Not Eat" on them. This will keep your seeds dry for storage.

Thank you Rob. My friends were given some seeds and he forgot about them. I went over and I mentioned to him that I have a bloom oniy DF plant and that's when he told me he has some seeds that were given to him. But he forgot what variety it was. I'll skip them, since he forgot what variety seeds was given to him. But he kept them in the fridge so I don't even know if it's still viable.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: jegpg1 on September 17, 2017, 07:45:37 PM
Hello guys, my dragonfuit is flowering for the first time, it is big. Is this normal?

(https://s26.postimg.cc/alw3rkxol/20170917_183429.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/alw3rkxol/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/4mcy1o29x/20170917_183532.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4mcy1o29x/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 17, 2017, 08:42:26 PM
Hello guys, my dragonfuit is flowering for the first time, it is big. Is this normal?

(https://s26.postimg.cc/alw3rkxol/20170917_183429.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/alw3rkxol/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/4mcy1o29x/20170917_183532.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4mcy1o29x/)

Yup it's normal. Some varieties have flowers that are 12 " in diameter when opened.
Can I ask what variety you have?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 23, 2017, 09:42:08 PM
Can someone confirm for me if this is a sign that it's getting too much sun? It's only happening to this side that faces the sun. Thanks!


(https://s26.postimg.cc/5rzef4hz9/IMG_4192.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5rzef4hz9/)

(https://s26.postimg.cc/6is4kwkcl/IMG_4193.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6is4kwkcl/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Capt Ram on September 24, 2017, 01:35:16 AM
IM wondering what is the best tasting most productive DR
For me to grow on S.Florida
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on September 24, 2017, 09:26:19 AM
Labeled as delight, but I think is something else... Can someone help to ID?
(https://s26.postimg.cc/kd61yc8ed/20170924_112604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kd61yc8ed/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on September 24, 2017, 05:41:57 PM
I got my Dragon Fruit bed set up this week. 10 posts planted with 4 cuttings each of a good fruiting self pollinating pink fleshed variety found already growing on the property. Mixed pineapple intercrop underneath the posts. Irrigation is with micro-sprinklers and each post is surrounded by compost. I'm using Nutricote slow release fertilizer and will also include foliar feeding with home made fish emulsion.

(https://s26.postimg.cc/ih0fx5plh/DSC01150_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ih0fx5plh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 24, 2017, 11:23:55 PM
I got my Dragon Fruit bed set up this week. 10 posts planted with 4 cuttings each of a good fruiting self pollinating pink fleshed variety found already growing on the property. Mixed pineapple intercrop underneath the posts. Irrigation is with micro-sprinklers and each post is surrounded by compost. I'm using Nutricote slow release fertilizer and will also include foliar feeding with home made fish emulsion.

(https://s26.postimg.cc/ih0fx5plh/DSC01150_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ih0fx5plh/)

Very nice!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mugenia on September 24, 2017, 11:58:05 PM
That's pretty awesome.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Cookie0208 on September 30, 2017, 05:00:10 AM
Guys, what's happening to my dragon fruit trees? Do I need to cut that part that have the disease off? Also, on the second pic, why is that flower turning yellow?  Please help

(https://s25.postimg.cc/kguwqsw0r/IMG_5925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kguwqsw0r/)

(https://s25.postimg.cc/rwu6cs6x7/IMG_5928.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rwu6cs6x7/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 30, 2017, 05:07:12 PM
I have the same problem getting orange spots on my dragon fruit
(https://s25.postimg.cc/ydk6nhjln/20170930_082949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydk6nhjln/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Evildeadguy on September 30, 2017, 05:16:56 PM
Guys, what's happening to my dragon fruit trees? Do I need to cut that part that have the disease off? Also, on the second pic, why is that flower turning yellow?  Please help

(https://s25.postimg.cc/kguwqsw0r/IMG_5925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kguwqsw0r/)

(https://s25.postimg.cc/rwu6cs6x7/IMG_5928.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rwu6cs6x7/)

Hi it could be a  fungus/rust that's on your plant
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 30, 2017, 05:32:50 PM
I have the same problem getting orange spots on my dragon fruit
(https://s25.postimg.cc/ydk6nhjln/20170930_082949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydk6nhjln/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 01, 2017, 01:24:49 PM
Guys, what's happening to my dragon fruit trees? Do I need to cut that part that have the disease off? Also, on the second pic, why is that flower turning yellow?  Please help

(https://s25.postimg.cc/kguwqsw0r/IMG_5925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kguwqsw0r/)

(https://s25.postimg.cc/rwu6cs6x7/IMG_5928.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rwu6cs6x7/)

The flower bud that's yellow is bud blast. It's going to fall off and not bloom.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 01, 2017, 02:46:33 PM
I have the same problem getting orange spots on my dragon fruit. Should I cut the branch?
(https://s25.postimg.cc/ydk6nhjln/20170930_082949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydk6nhjln/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 01, 2017, 07:07:42 PM
In more pedestrian news, last night I had two varieties flower simultaneously, for the first time ever! La Verne Pink and Physical Graffiti.

I'm 0/10 on crossing these two so far, but I've always used stored pollen, so maybe my storage/freezing technique is poor.

Last night I transferred the fresh pollen directly from flower to flower, so if they're compatible, this should work. Fingers crossed!
And I have fruit set! La Verne Pink:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/FirstLaVernePink.jpg)


and Physical Graffiti:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/FirstPhysicalGraffiti.jpg)


It's only 2 fruits, but that's ∞ better than no fruit.


When I should I pick them? Does this guy have it right (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pvr1Q9tqE)? He sure sounds authoritative :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 01, 2017, 07:31:20 PM
And I have fruit set! La Verne Pink:

and Physical Graffiti:

It's only 2 fruits, but that's ∞ better than no fruit.


When I should I pick them? Does this guy have it right (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pvr1Q9tqE)? He sure sounds authoritative :D

Romero Lobo is an expert, but he does not have La Verne Pink in his collection.

Some Dragon Fruit is best when picked when fully red...  some others taste better when still partially green.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 01, 2017, 09:48:50 PM
What about Physical Graffiti?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on October 03, 2017, 02:28:46 AM
I have the same problem getting orange spots on my dragon fruit
(https://s25.postimg.cc/ydk6nhjln/20170930_082949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydk6nhjln/)

This also looks like fungi.  Your best bet is spray with systemic fungicide.  If you do nothing it could rot or the plant will fight it off.  I have seen it on my plants when I sprayed with fungicide these turned into black crust.  I have also seen my plants fought off some smaller patches.  That spot eventually get crusty and peels off.  I know people feed their df via foliage sprays.  If you must, do it early mornings.  Keep the stems dry at nights.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 03, 2017, 02:37:41 AM
Thank you so much for the info. I'm going to buy some fungicide tomorrow  hopefully it stops it from spreading
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 04, 2017, 02:52:21 PM
My yellow df has a flower developing for the first time, but it's already October. Considering the slow speed of yellow df, do you think I can realistically expect fruit for next year? Or will frost kill it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 05, 2017, 02:44:21 AM
My yellow df has a flower developing for the first time, but it's already October. Considering the slow speed of yellow df, do you think I can realistically expect fruit for next year? Or will frost kill it?
The fruit can hang on the vine until next year and then ripen. If your area gets too cold, it can rot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 05, 2017, 10:43:41 AM
My yellow df has a flower developing for the first time, but it's already October. Considering the slow speed of yellow df, do you think I can realistically expect fruit for next year? Or will frost kill it?

They normally flower around this time of year. My Megalanthus is flowering also. It actually has three stages of fruit development. It has one last Fruit hanging from last year, several green fruit from an early bloom about two or three months ago and there are flower buds forming again.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 05, 2017, 11:08:57 AM
You can see all three stages of Fruit development in this picture
(https://s1.postimg.cc/2rhs1byebv/CC199_D73-9874-4_D5_C-_BFF4-9583_BAE4_EA21.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2rhs1byebv/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: funlul on October 05, 2017, 02:07:11 PM
Very cool! Thank you very much
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 05, 2017, 05:01:20 PM
A couple of thoughts:
  • This park is going to be _full_ of flowers in 4-6 weeks, when the next flush of flowers blooms.


They're blooming! There were 3 open this morning, and I didn't have my pollen collecting kit  >:( .


I'm going back tonight, around 9:30 - 10:00 PM to collect some pollen. Anyone want to join me?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 06, 2017, 02:21:05 AM
Here's the vine that's closest to the street. I'm calling this the "A" vine.

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA_w.jpg)

This was 9:00 PM in the evening; it's a 15 second exposure to get that much light. Full resolution, here (http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA.jpg).

There were at least 2 dozen blooms tonight, of which 5-6 were easily reachable on foot, and one more with a stepladder. I have about a teaspoon of pollen in my fridge, because some of my own vines will bloom within a week.

I didn't have any of my own pollen with me, so I couldn't pollinate this vine, but I will bring some next time I visit. I did hand-pollinate these flowers with their own pollen, though I suspect they're self-infertile (but I don't actually know for sure).


The B vine (also outside the gate) had only one bloom, but there are more buds ready to pop over the next several nights.


The C vine (inside the gate) also had lots of blooms tonight, but I couldn't get inside.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fygee on October 06, 2017, 05:21:01 PM
Wow! Now THAT is a dragon fruit vine!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 06, 2017, 09:00:29 PM
Is it normal for the dragon fruit bud to have a little yellowing​?
(https://s1.postimg.cc/9a7u8y7tbv/20171006_175208.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9a7u8y7tbv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/14d0wluevf/20171006_175246.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/14d0wluevf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 09, 2017, 05:56:12 PM
Hmmm. Notice anything unusual in this photo?

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonFruit2DayOldFlower.jpg)

Probably not, right? It's just two buds, ready to pop that night.

NOPE! That one on the left flowered the night before. I hand-pollinated it and collected its pollen, expecting it to be dried up and withered the next morning, like every other DF flower I've ever seen in my (admittedly short) experience.

But the next morning it was closed up as if it had never bloomed at all. That next night (last night) the flower to the right bloomed, and the one on the left was still closed up like this.

Has anyone observed this before? Does that flower on the left want a re-do?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 10, 2017, 01:29:11 AM
I'm excited seeing my first Bloom :D.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/34gs09lt2j/20171009_221408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/34gs09lt2j/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on October 10, 2017, 07:08:36 PM
Nice! What cultivar is that? What are you doing about pollination?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 11, 2017, 03:02:12 AM
It's a physical graffiti that I got from my neighbor. i just need another variety to cross pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on October 11, 2017, 10:53:13 PM
It's a physical graffiti that I got from my neighbor. i just need another variety to cross pollinate.

I have physical graffiti that does not require another variety to cross polinate. However I hand polinate and cross polinate when I have multiple blooms. It gives me a lot of fruits compare to the Vietnamese red type.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 11, 2017, 11:28:33 PM
Wow I thought it wasn't self-fertile thanks for the info. How much do you water your DF when it has fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dragon on October 11, 2017, 11:55:42 PM
Wow I thought it wasn't self-fertile thanks for the info. How much do you water your DF when it has fruit?

I water every other day . I plant it in 30 gallons with micro sprays.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mag on October 12, 2017, 12:09:00 AM
Wow I thought it wasn't self-fertile thanks for the info. How much do you water your DF when it has fruit?

I would not count on this. Many people report physical graffiti is not self fertile. Including this well known vendor: http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/physical-graffiti/ (http://www.spicyexotics.com/product/physical-graffiti/)

I think there are multiple plants that people call physical graffiti. I lost a season of fruits before I figured out mine is not self fertile..
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on October 12, 2017, 12:26:34 PM
Yes, the real physical graffiti is not self-fertile, like most of Paul Thomson's crosses. There's so much trading and fake ebay sales that people end up with something else. People like mattslandscape and Linda Nickerson and spicyexotic provide references for what the real ones should be like.

If you have a lot of DF plants then you're bound to get a few naturally cross-pollinated by animals. That's not the same as bagging the flower before it opens and then making it set fruit by pollinating with its own pollen when it opens. That's what self-fertile means.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 12, 2017, 02:36:49 PM
yea spicy exotic gives some good info on DF I already bought four cuttings from their site a month ago. I already have a couple DF growing in 30gal wood planters
(https://s1.postimg.cc/81oj5mvamj/20171012_111805.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/81oj5mvamj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 12, 2017, 02:41:27 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/7f13wgg7uj/20171012_111856.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7f13wgg7uj/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2ii5uycoa3/20171012_111728.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2ii5uycoa3/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/1fv7y8ouor/20171012_112103.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/1fv7y8ouor/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 13, 2017, 02:23:43 AM
Out of the Four (Lisa, Delight, American beauty, Maria Rosa) Which one is the best at producing fruit? I'm interested in getting some cuttings
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 15, 2017, 12:34:46 AM
Brandon, if you are interested in getting some cuttings I can hook you up with a few. I also live in Ontario, CA, and I have plenty of plant material to pass some on. Private message me if you are interested.
p.s. If anyone else is interested in cuttings of S8 Sugar Dragon, Haley's Comet, Orejona, American Beauty or a few others I'd be happy to pass them along. Has to be in person though, as I had a bad experience sending plants through the mail and I try to avoid that whenever possible now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 15, 2017, 02:31:23 AM
I sent you the pm thanks for the help
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 16, 2017, 07:20:30 PM
Anyone have some Frankie's red cutting that they're willing to send through the mail? I'm willing to pay.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 17, 2017, 04:36:48 PM
Oh never mind, I was able to get a hold of one. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 21, 2017, 10:06:12 PM
So the news about the yellow dragon being imported into the U.S is true! I bought this at the market today! The price was something else to be desired though. Selling at around $8.99 per pound at the market I found it in. The one I picked was a bigger than an egg. They had several sizes to choose from. I think I saw a bigger one there which should be around the 1 pound range. Mine didn't have the sticker on it but if I recall correctly, I think it said it was imported from Columbia. I'll go back next weekend and find the ones with the sticker to be sure if they still have any left. I must say I really like the yellow variety. It is sweeter than the ones I've tried so far which but is the plain red and white varieties.
Now I want a cutting of this variety. Other than that, I guess the price is going to stay high since it's newly imported to the states. So I guess it'll be a while till the price goes down.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/4qsx9pqofv/IMG_4312.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4qsx9pqofv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2h9wq865or/IMG_4313.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2h9wq865or/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropical Farmer on October 21, 2017, 11:12:45 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/63fuo91iob/IMG_4021.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/63fuo91iob/)

Hi,

Has anyone ever seen a dragon fruit morphed as part of the plant?

I grow quite a bit of dragon fruit but this is the first time I have seen this.

Does anyone know what could cause this?

Its going to be interesting to see what the inside of the fruit looks like when I cut it tomorrow.

Jo
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 21, 2017, 11:33:56 PM
So the news about the yellow dragon being imported into the U.S is true! I bought this at the market today! The price was something else to be desired though. Selling at around $8.99 per pound at the market I found it in. The one I picked was a bigger than an egg. They had several sizes to choose from. I think I saw a bigger one there which should be around the 1 pound range. Mine didn't have the sticker on it but if I recall correctly, I think it said it was imported from Columbia. I'll go back next weekend and find the ones with the sticker to be sure if they still have any left. I must say I really like the yellow variety. It is sweeter than the ones I've tried so far which but is the plain red and white varieties.
Now I want a cutting of this variety. Other than that, I guess the price is going to stay high since it's newly imported to the states. So I guess it'll be a while till the price goes down.

Other big news is the importation on the yellow Giant Megalanthus dragon fruit from Ecuador.
This DF is super sweet. A friend measured 25 BRIX.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2nestz8fgb/IMG_1759.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2nestz8fgb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/91tepkuu17/IMG_1761.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/91tepkuu17/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 21, 2017, 11:50:09 PM
That's a good size I've never seen them that big
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 01:29:12 AM

Other big news is the importation on the yellow Giant Megalanthus dragon fruit from Ecuador.
This DF is super sweet. A friend measured 25 BRIX.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2nestz8fgb/IMG_1759.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2nestz8fgb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/91tepkuu17/IMG_1761.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/91tepkuu17/)

Woah, that one looks like it may weigh around 1 1/2-2 lbs! I hope the markets in my area get these too!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 01:31:50 AM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/63fuo91iob/IMG_4021.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/63fuo91iob/)

Hi,

Has anyone ever seen a dragon fruit morphed as part of the plant?

I grow quite a bit of dragon fruit but this is the first time I have seen this.

Does anyone know what could cause this?

Its going to be interesting to see what the inside of the fruit looks like when I cut it tomorrow.

Jo

I haven't seen one in person but I saw a video where a grower had this happen to him. His YouTube channel is Spicyexoctics.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 03:36:50 AM
So the news about the yellow dragon being imported into the U.S is true! I bought this at the market today! The price was something else to be desired though. Selling at around $8.99 per pound at the market I found it in. The one I picked was a bigger than an egg. They had several sizes to choose from. I think I saw a bigger one there which should be around the 1 pound range. Mine didn't have the sticker on it but if I recall correctly, I think it said it was imported from Columbia. I'll go back next weekend and find the ones with the sticker to be sure if they still have any left. I must say I really like the yellow variety. It is sweeter than the ones I've tried so far which but is the plain red and white varieties.
Now I want a cutting of this variety. Other than that, I guess the price is going to stay high since it's newly imported to the states. So I guess it'll be a while till the price goes down.

Other big news is the importation on the yellow Giant Megalanthus dragon fruit from Ecuador.
This DF is super sweet. A friend measured 25 BRIX.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2nestz8fgb/IMG_1759.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2nestz8fgb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/91tepkuu17/IMG_1761.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/91tepkuu17/)

Oh and where did your friend find the Giant yellow and will he be willing to share some of the seeds?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 22, 2017, 05:20:47 AM
Has anyone out there got any pics of ‘Pink Panther’ flowers and/or fruit, cut and whole? I’ve waited 4 years for mine to flower and there doesn’t seem to be much out there in relation to pics for this variety. Thanks, Anthony.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on October 22, 2017, 07:18:23 AM
Hi,
Has anyone ever seen a dragon fruit morphed as part of the plant?
I grow quite a bit of dragon fruit but this is the first time I have seen this.
Does anyone know what could cause this?
Its going to be interesting to see what the inside of the fruit looks like when I cut it tomorrow.
Jo
Growing near a nuclear power plant? :o
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropical Farmer on October 22, 2017, 08:41:33 AM
Hi,

No, there are no nuclear plants here.

I live in the Cayman Islands and here the environment is pretty good/natural.

I myself try to grow my plants as organic as possible. Eg. I only use neem oil for insect control when needed, table salt for snails/slugs, epsom salt and rabbit poop for fertilizing, vinegar for weed control etc.

Thanks

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tropical Farmer on October 22, 2017, 08:48:22 AM
Thanks SandyL.

I watched the YouTube channel by Spicyexoctics you suggested and it explains how this happened with him.

Really interested.

Thanks much,
Jo
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 01:28:23 PM
Thanks SandyL.

I watched the YouTube channel by Spicyexoctics you suggested and it explains how this happened with him.

Really interested.

Thanks much,
Jo


You're welcome Jo! ☺️
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 22, 2017, 05:35:33 PM
Here’s a picture of a giant Megalanthus I ate a while back. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054)
I have one small giant yellow Megalanthus but it will probably be years before it’s big enough to sell cuttings. If anyone has the giant Megalanthus cuttings, I definitely want to buy!

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 06:44:02 PM
Here’s a picture of a giant Megalanthus I ate a while back. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054)
I have one small giant yellow Megalanthus but it will probably be years before it’s big enough to sell cuttings. If anyone has the giant Megalanthus cuttings, I definitely want to buy!

Simon

Compared to the smaller s.m, which ones sweeter? And can you post a pic of your plant?
Also anyone that has a Cutting for the giant megalanthus or even seeds, I'm interested too.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 22, 2017, 07:12:12 PM
So the news about the yellow dragon being imported into the U.S is true! I bought this at the market today! The price was something else to be desired though. Selling at around $8.99 per pound at the market I found it in. The one I picked was a bigger than an egg. They had several sizes to choose from. I think I saw a bigger one there which should be around the 1 pound range. Mine didn't have the sticker on it but if I recall correctly, I think it said it was imported from Columbia. I'll go back next weekend and find the ones with the sticker to be sure if they still have any left. I must say I really like the yellow variety. It is sweeter than the ones I've tried so far which but is the plain red and white varieties.
Now I want a cutting of this variety. Other than that, I guess the price is going to stay high since it's newly imported to the states. So I guess it'll be a while till the price goes down.

Other big news is the importation on the yellow Giant Megalanthus dragon fruit from Ecuador.
This DF is super sweet. A friend measured 25 BRIX.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2nestz8fgb/IMG_1759.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2nestz8fgb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/91tepkuu17/IMG_1761.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/91tepkuu17/)

Oh and where did your friend find the Giant yellow and will he be willing to share some of the seeds?

People are getting them from Linda Nguyen on Facebook.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/480qgj7lhn/IMG_1797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/480qgj7lhn/)

More info from Linda, the Giant Megalanthus U.S. source....
"If you’re in Houston, visit our store 
10600 Bellaire Blvd #114
Houston TX 77072"
Price is $8.00 per pound, $15.00 shipping.

Several people I know have seeds.
I do not know anybody sharing seeds.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 22, 2017, 07:55:18 PM
Wish I was closer to Houston. Thanks Ric!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 23, 2017, 12:27:42 AM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/63fuo91iob/IMG_4021.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/63fuo91iob/)

Hi,

Has anyone ever seen a dragon fruit morphed as part of the plant?

I grow quite a bit of dragon fruit but this is the first time I have seen this.

Does anyone know what could cause this?

Its going to be interesting to see what the inside of the fruit looks like when I cut it tomorrow.

Jo

I haven't seen one in person but I saw a video where a grower had this happen to him. His YouTube channel is Spicyexoctics.
Its an uncommon result to a very common occurrence in growing dragon fruit. When a new portion of a plant grows, the hormone level determines if the new growth is either a new branch or a new flower. Most of the time there's little to no 'reproduction hormone' so the new growth ends up being a branch. When the season and conditions are right, hormone production ramps up and you see more flower production. However, if its borderline, you can have new shoots start as one thing and then revert to the other. Most of the time you get fruit buds aborting back to branches, and you end up with a new branch with a distinct 6 sided start, like two branches growing through each other. However, sometimes, you can get a branch start that ends up getting an extra little push into fruit-hood, and then you end up with this, which is a branch that changed into a fruit state, then changed back to a branch, and the plant continued growing through the fruity part. Its best to go ahead and remove this once youre done admiring it, as the fruit flesh will eventually rot out and you will have an unnecessary ugly section in your plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 23, 2017, 04:19:34 PM
I just received my Frankie's Red cutting and I'm surprised how skinny it is. Is this the norm for this variety?
But the cutting is about 2 ft long. Should I just leave it at that it is it ok to make 2 cuttings out of it? Which would you guys suggest? Thanks!
(https://s1.postimg.cc/12mwo3r3vv/IMG_4322.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/12mwo3r3vv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 23, 2017, 05:21:42 PM
Frankie's red stems are usually thin compared to other varieties. I had two growing in pots but they rotted due to cold weather
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 23, 2017, 06:01:00 PM
Frankie's red stems are usually thin compared to other varieties. I had two growing in pots but they rotted due to cold weather

Thanks! I thought since it was a cross between the yellow and a red, I thought the stems would be similar to the yellow. Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 23, 2017, 08:30:25 PM
No problem and good luck happy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 23, 2017, 08:33:01 PM
Is anyone selling orejona cuttings in the inland empire I'm interested in buying some.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 23, 2017, 09:21:05 PM
Is anyone selling orejona cuttings in the inland empire I'm interested in buying some.


Try this site..
www.spicyexotics.com (http://www.spicyexotics.com)
I've bought some cuttings from him and he has that variety on his site.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 23, 2017, 10:24:33 PM
Here’s a picture of a giant Megalanthus I ate a while back. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054)
I have one small giant yellow Megalanthus but it will probably be years before it’s big enough to sell cuttings. If anyone has the giant Megalanthus cuttings, I definitely want to buy!

Simon

Compared to the smaller s.m, which ones sweeter? And can you post a pic of your plant?
Also anyone that has a Cutting for the giant megalanthus or even seeds, I'm interested too.

I’ll take a picture next time I have a chance. It’s in a pot with a fig that is completely overrun with weeds.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 23, 2017, 10:57:44 PM
I've bought some cuttings off of spicy exotics in the past, but never had luck with them. I always receive them damaged. I prefer to buy them locally, but thanks for the help I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 23, 2017, 11:12:48 PM
Here’s a picture of a giant Megalanthus I ate a while back. http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=8090.msg180054#msg180054)
I have one small giant yellow Megalanthus but it will probably be years before it’s big enough to sell cuttings. If anyone has the giant Megalanthus cuttings, I definitely want to buy!

Simon

Compared to the smaller s.m, which ones sweeter? And can you post a pic of your plant?
Also anyone that has a Cutting for the giant megalanthus or even seeds, I'm interested too.

I’ll take a picture next time I have a chance. It’s in a pot with a fig that is completely overrun with weeds.

Simon
And
Thanks Simon! Can't wait to see it!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 23, 2017, 11:21:33 PM
I've bought some cuttings off of spicy exotics in the past, but never had luck with them. I always receive them damaged. I prefer to buy them locally, but thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

Oohhh you too! It has happened to me too the 2nd time I ordered from them. One end of the box got torn up and 3/4 of the cutting fell out during transit. I got refunded so that's why I gave them another chance and this time I was lucky.
I wish you luck in finding one!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on October 23, 2017, 11:50:14 PM
Here is the picture of the giant Yellow DF H/S Megalanthus. This plant was grown from seed and had a very very very long juvenile period, probably because of my neglect. I believe it’s about 2-3 years old from seed, I have the tag buried somewhere beneath the weeds. This plant has at least two arms, maybe more hiding inside the weeds but the branches are very very thin.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/9ob97kt0ij/1_D6862_BC-_E5_AA-42_C0-_B630-8_AF3_E8_EE2573.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9ob97kt0ij/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2l3drymq3f/E717_EB07-0_F0_C-4_BD1-8_C74-_D54_E5_B2017_DC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2l3drymq3f/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 24, 2017, 12:00:01 AM
It's looking nice Simon! The curvature of the stem looks a tad bit different than its smaller counterpart.
Keep us updated and hopefully you'll be able to get it going and bloom. And possibly share some cuttings with me. :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 24, 2017, 12:35:30 AM
I've bought some cuttings off of spicy exotics in the past, but never had luck with them. I always receive them damaged. I prefer to buy them locally, but thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

Oohhh you too! It has happened to me too the 2nd time I ordered from them. One end of the box got torn up and 3/4 of the cutting fell out during transit. I got refunded so that's why I gave them another chance and this time I was lucky.
I wish you luck in finding one!
thank you and good luck growing you dragon fruit hope to see some updates on their growth
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on October 24, 2017, 01:06:20 AM
Thank you Brandon! So far I'm just getting one fruit off my purple haze of 2 years. I'll be sure to update on my other newly planted varieties once they start to take off next spring/summer.  :D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on October 30, 2017, 06:35:57 AM
I found cuttings of hylocereus ocamponis,What about the fruit?is the same of the "red undatus"?how hardy it is?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 30, 2017, 12:15:13 PM
I found cuttings of hylocereus ocamponis,What about the fruit?is the same of the "red undatus"?how hardy it is?

Valdivia Roja and El Grullo from Mexico are considered Hylocereus ocamponis. They were both UC acquisitions and in their Dragon Fruit collection.

The fruit may not be the sweetest or best tasting red Dragon Fruit, but considered good by many people. Hylocereus ocamponis has a high cold and heat tolerance.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on November 02, 2017, 03:08:55 PM
I just spotted these Thailand grown Yellow Megalanthus DF for sale for the first time in San Diego. These aren’t huge fruit and from the shape, they look like the Peruvian selection I’ve seen on the internet.
Postimage not working
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on November 02, 2017, 05:27:02 PM
I didn’t purchase this fruit because it was a bit over ripe on the stem end. I’ll definitely be trying some if they get a new shipment.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7axxuovoln/06_F79_D99-657_E-4_C2_E-8_A89-69225_B66_E6_F6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7axxuovoln/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/6f1gf8ept7/A4_A34_B4_D-_B670-4657-8107-_FC6624214061.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6f1gf8ept7/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 02, 2017, 09:09:42 PM
Can one identify a variety by looking at the fruit? Mainly between hybrids. Reason being I’m about to harvest my first fruit from my supposedly Purple Haze plant and I’ve been looking at pictures of the fruit online and I see people posting different variations of the fruit while claiming it’s purple haze. Being sent the wrong cutting before I’m a bit nervous that I was sent the wrong plant again. Here are some pictures of the fruit so far. It’s not fully ripe yet but getting there.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7zfv09gpnf/7237_E7_D4-6_FCA-462_F-9_A9_B-8150_A235389_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7zfv09gpnf/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2yns8pcnfv/6_A3_B0_D54-_B25_A-4255-86_B5-_E8216822_C902.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2yns8pcnfv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/3jxfv07qvv/FF25_B8_BD-_F2_B8-4_E37-9512-58_EA0_B927_FA2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3jxfv07qvv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 02, 2017, 09:18:44 PM
Simon the YDF you saw looks different than the one I saw at my local market which I believe is from Columbia. I checked and they didn’t get any new shipment in so I wasn’t able to make sure. Looks like it’s slowly trickling into markets. Now I’m anticipating on them hopefully importing more of the giant S.M in.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on November 02, 2017, 11:58:18 PM
Can one identify a variety by looking at the fruit? Mainly between hybrids. Reason being I’m about to harvest my first fruit from my supposedly Purple Haze plant and I’ve been looking at pictures of the fruit online and I see people posting different variations of the fruit while claiming it’s purple haze. Being sent the wrong cutting before I’m a bit nervous that I was sent the wrong plant again. Here are some pictures of the fruit so far. It’s not fully ripe yet but getting there.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7zfv09gpnf/7237_E7_D4-6_FCA-462_F-9_A9_B-8150_A235389_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7zfv09gpnf/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/2yns8pcnfv/6_A3_B0_D54-_B25_A-4255-86_B5-_E8216822_C902.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/2yns8pcnfv/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/3jxfv07qvv/FF25_B8_BD-_F2_B8-4_E37-9512-58_EA0_B927_FA2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3jxfv07qvv/)
(https://s1.postimg.cc/3bo8kzrcbf/C74_ADDC8-105_A-4_E94-_BE9_F-20_C551053_BD8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3bo8kzrcbf/)
Hi Sandy. My Purple Haze on the left.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 03, 2017, 01:50:30 AM
Thanks Rannman for the picture! Color wise it does look similar in that perspective. And yours look like it could’ve weighed in at 2lbs too!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on November 03, 2017, 05:56:50 AM
Thanks Rannman for the picture! Color wise it does look similar in that perspective. And yours look like it could’ve weighed in at 2lbs too!
They do look very similar, and yes, it was the biggest dragonfruit I’ve seen. Really impressive, and very tasty as well!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 04, 2017, 03:32:30 AM
Thanks Rannman for the picture! Color wise it does look similar in that perspective. And yours look like it could’ve weighed in at 2lbs too!
They do look very similar, and yes, it was the biggest dragonfruit I’ve seen. Really impressive, and very tasty as well!

Mmmm.... I can’t wait to try mine. Crossing my fingers that it’s purple haze! 😁
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 05, 2017, 12:14:30 AM
I went back to the same store where I bought the first yellow dragon fruit and they had some more this week so I got another one. I checked the sticker this time and I was wrong on my previous post about them coming from Columbia. The sticker noted Ecuador.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/6c9pccj6sr/6508_B64_D-_C3_E5-41_FA-8_FE5-0145_EFB34667.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6c9pccj6sr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on November 05, 2017, 12:18:51 AM
this is aka giant megalanthus from Ecuador.  i hope you saved some seeds.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 05, 2017, 12:41:12 AM
this is aka giant megalanthus from Ecuador.  i hope you saved some seeds.

Oh no, this is the regular Megalanthus. The one I bought was a little over 1/2 pound. I think the giant one weighs more than the right? But I did save some seeds since I don’t have the yellow megalanthus and the cutting is hard to come by.
I even asked the cashier are they going to be carrying the giant megalanthus and she had no idea what I was talking about. She said the biggest it’ll get is about a pound.
I’m hoping to be able to get the giant one though.
Title: Can I recover these
Post by: Orkine on November 05, 2017, 11:09:10 AM
It has been supper wet in South Florida and a few weeks ago, after the storm, I had a rain event that submerged most of my yard for more than 24 hours.  My dragon fruit which were already stressed by Irma did not fare very well.

The images below are from 3 different stands.  Each is showing the same symptom.  The stems are bleached and the very base in contact with the soil has gone brown (I guess is dying).

Should I trim off the dead part exposing the root, cut off and restart these plants or is there a combination of feed and care that can bring these back.


(https://image.ibb.co/mTU3iG/DF4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hMZEqw)


(https://image.ibb.co/jVRiiG/DF3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iyq9OG)


(https://image.ibb.co/ikUQxb/DF2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nsPEqw)


(https://image.ibb.co/jwhOiG/DF1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gU65xb)


Thanks
Title: Re: Can I recover these
Post by: wayne23 on November 06, 2017, 02:50:26 AM
It has been supper wet in South Florida and a few weeks ago, after the storm, I had a rain event that submerged most of my yard for more than 24 hours.  My dragon fruit which were already stressed by Irma did not fare very well.

The images below are from 3 different stands.  Each is showing the same symptom.  The stems are bleached and the very base in contact with the soil has gone brown (I guess is dying).

Should I trim off the dead part exposing the root, cut off and restart these plants or is there a combination of feed and care that can bring these back.


(https://image.ibb.co/mTU3iG/DF4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hMZEqw)


(https://image.ibb.co/jVRiiG/DF3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iyq9OG)


(https://image.ibb.co/ikUQxb/DF2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nsPEqw)


(https://image.ibb.co/jwhOiG/DF1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gU65xb)


Thanks

I had the exact problem earlier this year.  Here in SoCal we don’t get a lot of rain but we got a lot earlier this year.  The affected part eventually started rotting.  I used a knife and trimmed of the white parts and my plants did very well afterward.  I also applied tree sealer to cover up the wounds but it’s probably unnecessary.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/4dlky4qbpn/20_CA5_B26-_EF52-446_E-_B01_E-6_E19_F3_A6840_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4dlky4qbpn/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8pke5of04b/23_FC3552-09_DD-486_D-_AE69-7_CBB8_D2_FEECC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8pke5of04b/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/4a1z0erodn/2_B5_AF5_F2-_BB7_F-48_D2-_A1_AC-3_DED0_FED0_A71.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4a1z0erodn/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/3zf579p3h7/441_DE92_F-_E552-47_E1-_BC79-_FF36_E8_B7_DEEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3zf579p3h7/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/7q4asigbkb/D7_FD6_C54-_A872-4_FFD-8710-_B00_C93_FDB1_A6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7q4asigbkb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 06, 2017, 01:39:16 PM
My first fruit!


This was my LaVerne Pink on Saturday:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LaVernePinkHarvestable.jpg)


and my Physical Graffiti on Saturday:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PhysicalGraffitiHarvestable.jpg)


I was going to ask all y'alls' advice on when to pick them, but this morning they'd colored up quite a bit, and seemed more than the "2/3 color" mark, so I picked them!


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LVPandPG_Harvested.jpg)


I don't have a Brix-meter, nor much experience eating DF, so this evening's review will be more along the lines of "Yum!" or "Yuck!"


I've waited 3 years for the LaVerne Pink and 2 years for the PG. Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on November 06, 2017, 01:44:23 PM
Congrats on your first fruits!

I wait till the points on the skin dry up, before picking. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 06, 2017, 01:57:41 PM
I need some advice on my first fruit. This is supposed to be Purple Haze. Is it ready to be picked or should I leave it on for a few more days?
Thanks guys!
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7kc1hjtmyz/39_E8_B675-_AEB2-418_C-_BDB9-_FA9_DF0_A7_ED7_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7kc1hjtmyz/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/21tx1eieuj/FDDAB79_C-4_E33-4_AB6-_A87_A-267025_B85_A6_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/21tx1eieuj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: S t a r l i n g on November 06, 2017, 05:15:38 PM
I need some advice on my first fruit. This is supposed to be Purple Haze. Is it ready to be picked or should I leave it on for a few more days?
Thanks guys!
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7kc1hjtmyz/39_E8_B675-_AEB2-418_C-_BDB9-_FA9_DF0_A7_ED7_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7kc1hjtmyz/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/21tx1eieuj/FDDAB79_C-4_E33-4_AB6-_A87_A-267025_B85_A6_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/21tx1eieuj/)

That's ready to pick, definitely. A good rule of thumb is that they're ready to pick when they flower has completely dried and fallen off. Also, you can see the purple flesh inside as an intonation through the skin. Pick it now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on November 06, 2017, 09:02:17 PM
Here's the vine that's closest to the street. I'm calling this the "A" vine.

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA_w.jpg)

This was 9:00 PM in the evening; it's a 15 second exposure to get that much light. Full resolution, here (http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA.jpg).

There were at least 2 dozen blooms tonight, of which 5-6 were easily reachable on foot, and one more with a stepladder. I have about a teaspoon of pollen in my fridge, because some of my own vines will bloom within a week.

I didn't have any of my own pollen with me, so I couldn't pollinate this vine, but I will bring some next time I visit. I did hand-pollinate these flowers with their own pollen, though I suspect they're self-infertile (but I don't actually know for sure).

The B vine (also outside the gate) had only one bloom, but there are more buds ready to pop over the next several nights.

The C vine (inside the gate) also had lots of blooms tonight, but I couldn't get inside.


None of the flowers I hand-self-pollinated set fruit, so apparently the A vine is self-infertile, and I never did get around to bringing some foreign pollen to it. Maybe next bloom cycle, if we have one, or perhaps next year.

A cutting of S-8 or other pollinator will take years to get to flowering stage.


But I had another idea--What if I were to graft some S-8 on these vines?

Can one graft DF onto descending branches? Is it hard to ensure contact on an upside-down graft? When causes a grafted piece to flower? Its own maturity, or the maturity of the host plant? Or a combination of both? When is the right time to graft?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on November 07, 2017, 02:44:15 AM
My first fruit!


This was my LaVerne Pink on Saturday:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LaVernePinkHarvestable.jpg)


and my Physical Graffiti on Saturday:


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PhysicalGraffitiHarvestable.jpg)


I was going to ask all y'alls' advice on when to pick them, but this morning they'd colored up quite a bit, and seemed more than the "2/3 color" mark, so I picked them!


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/LVPandPG_Harvested.jpg)


I don't have a Brix-meter, nor much experience eating DF, so this evening's review will be more along the lines of "Yum!" or "Yuck!"


I've waited 3 years for the LaVerne Pink and 2 years for the PG. Wish me luck!

Lol.  I know how you feel.  There are still shades of green on the fruit and the fins are green.  I would have leave it for another week.  How do they taste?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 07, 2017, 02:41:09 PM
I need some advice on my first fruit. This is supposed to be Purple Haze. Is it ready to be picked or should I leave it on for a few more days?
Thanks guys!
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7kc1hjtmyz/39_E8_B675-_AEB2-418_C-_BDB9-_FA9_DF0_A7_ED7_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7kc1hjtmyz/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/21tx1eieuj/FDDAB79_C-4_E33-4_AB6-_A87_A-267025_B85_A6_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/21tx1eieuj/)

That's ready to pick, definitely. A good rule of thumb is that they're ready to pick when they flower has completely dried and fallen off. Also, you can see the purple flesh inside as an intonation through the skin. Pick it now.


Thanks! I’m gonna chill it in the fridge before enjoying my first fruit. 😋
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: S t a r l i n g on November 08, 2017, 03:18:41 AM
I need some advice on my first fruit. This is supposed to be Purple Haze. Is it ready to be picked or should I leave it on for a few more days?
Thanks guys!
(https://s1.postimg.cc/7kc1hjtmyz/39_E8_B675-_AEB2-418_C-_BDB9-_FA9_DF0_A7_ED7_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7kc1hjtmyz/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/21tx1eieuj/FDDAB79_C-4_E33-4_AB6-_A87_A-267025_B85_A6_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/21tx1eieuj/)

That's ready to pick, definitely. A good rule of thumb is that they're ready to pick when they flower has completely dried and fallen off. Also, you can see the purple flesh inside as an intonation through the skin. Pick it now.


Thanks! I’m gonna chill it in the fridge before enjoying my first fruit. 😋

You're always better off erring on the side of sooner rather than later, because they will ripen and increase sweetness off the plant, and over ripe dragonfruit are nasty--very nasty, especially in full sun.They develop a bitter, fermented taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 08, 2017, 06:35:22 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8omqqiphm3/42_C27300-3_B1_D-408_E-94_B4-236_CECEEB417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8omqqiphm3/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/77glormuvv/B37_F05_B6-2_D19-491_C-_A9_D2-_B704681_AB191.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/77glormuvv/)

Ugh... the disappointment and reveal of my first dragon fruit.
I was sent the wrong cutting again. Was supposed to be a purple haze. 2 years to find out it’s just a regular white flesh dragon fruit. The taste is ok. Little sweet with a slight tang. Was really hoping for a purple haze.
So disappointed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 08, 2017, 06:53:13 PM
where did you get it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 08, 2017, 06:57:23 PM
where did you get it?

I bought it off Etsy.  :(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 08, 2017, 08:45:50 PM
What's etsy?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 08, 2017, 09:16:49 PM
What's etsy?


It’s a site that sells all sorts of items. Mostly homemade items. There’s plants and seeds for sale on that site too. But you just need to read the stores reviews before making any purchase. It’s basically like eBay. You could check out their site right here
Www.etsy.com (http://Www.etsy.com)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: S t a r l i n g on November 09, 2017, 05:39:31 AM
What's etsy?


It’s a site that sells all sorts of items. Mostly homemade items. There’s plants and seeds for sale on that site too. But you just need to read the stores reviews before making any purchase. It’s basically like eBay. You could check out their site right here
Www.etsy.com (http://Www.etsy.com)


Please check your inbox on this site, I sent a message.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: rockman on November 10, 2017, 12:04:07 PM
Need advice from the experts here. One of my friends is starting making the wooden top for the single post trellis.  He will make 120 of these.  The planting distance will be 6 by 8.  What is the ideal dimension for the top? 2 x 2 feet? or even smaller is fine, like 16" x 16"?  Appreciate for your feedback!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on November 10, 2017, 05:59:51 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8omqqiphm3/42_C27300-3_B1_D-408_E-94_B4-236_CECEEB417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8omqqiphm3/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/77glormuvv/B37_F05_B6-2_D19-491_C-_A9_D2-_B704681_AB191.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/77glormuvv/)

Ugh... the disappointment and reveal of my first dragon fruit.
I was sent the wrong cutting again. Was supposed to be a purple haze. 2 years to find out it’s just a regular white flesh dragon fruit. The taste is ok. Little sweet with a slight tang. Was really hoping for a purple haze.
So disappointed.

Sad.

I have a plant of unknown variety that when cut open has the deepest purple fruit I have seen.  Don't let that impress you, I have not seen many purple fruits so this may be pretty ordinary to you.

I got the first fruit this year and left it on way too long.  I cut it earlier today and some of the seeds were already growing in the fruit.  The juices stained my hands the same was mulberry would. 

I would ship you a cutting if you want but cant name the variety so it will be another couple of years before you know what you got.

Let me know if you are interested.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 10, 2017, 06:19:19 PM
I have several Delight cuttings you can have.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 10, 2017, 09:06:21 PM
I have several Delight cuttings you can have.

Hi Ric, was this offer directed towards me?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 10, 2017, 10:09:26 PM
I have several Delight cuttings you can have.

Hi Ric, was this offer directed towards me?

Yes, and if any left over... others.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sildanani on November 11, 2017, 01:33:45 AM
Hey guys,
Iv'e been trying to grow df from cuttings, with undesirable results (slowww growth). I am unimpressed with grocery store fruits and would like to grow/try the less common cultivars. I can hardly get them to grow in cooler temperatures, and they seem to only like unfiltered sunlight, which I can only get in warm/hot months (since I live in Ohio). I can't tell if it's just inadequate lighting that is the issue, or maybe the soil or feeding regimen. Does anyone in cooler regions use supplemental lighting? If so, how is it working out for you?

Thanks in advance! :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 11, 2017, 12:22:23 PM
Hey guys,
Iv'e been trying to grow df from cuttings, with undesirable results (slowww growth). I am unimpressed with grocery store fruits and would like to grow/try the less common cultivars. I can hardly get them to grow in cooler temperatures, and they seem to only like unfiltered sunlight, which I can only get in warm/hot months (since I live in Ohio). I can't tell if it's just inadequate lighting that is the issue, or maybe the soil or feeding regimen. Does anyone in cooler regions use supplemental lighting? If so, how is it working out for you?
Thanks in advance! :)

My guess is it is too cold where you live.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: coyote on November 11, 2017, 01:38:36 PM
I've been growing cuttings for the past year in wisconsin...one thing I've noticed is that on bright sunny days they can take a lot of water/rain and still put on good growth, but even during the summer they didn't like the combo of wet and cloudy.  I have them inside now with supplemental light and they are slow growing, but seem to do best growth wise in the week before I  water them.  (I am watering them only every three weeks or so) so keeping them on the dry side might help.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Canvo on November 11, 2017, 02:16:08 PM
Hey Ric, how do you rate the fruit of the Delight? I had only one spot left to plant and had to choose between Delight, Purple Haze and Physical Graffiti. I planted the Delight but still have the other two. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 11, 2017, 03:05:41 PM
Hey Ric, how do you rate the fruit of the Delight? I had only one spot left to plant and had to choose between Delight, Purple Haze and Physical Graffiti. I planted the Delight but still have the other two. Any thoughts?

All three are good. Physical Graffiti is my favorite.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 13, 2017, 01:39:29 PM
Can anyone confirm if this is a purple haze cutting?
Thanks!
(https://s18.postimg.cc/54f080ydh/62_A73161-4_A43-4_A58-8907-5_FBDC57_FD9_DB.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/54f080ydh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on November 13, 2017, 02:38:02 PM
It does look like a purple variety they normally have a heart shaped stems, but it's hard to tell. I have a 2 month old Purple Haze that I got from Linda Nickerson I recommend getting cuttings from her
(https://s7.postimg.cc/fudben77b/20171113_111835.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fudben77b/)

(https://s7.postimg.cc/8ee1sv6nb/20171113_111847.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8ee1sv6nb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 13, 2017, 04:07:18 PM
Can anyone confirm if this is a purple haze cutting?
Thanks!
(https://s18.postimg.cc/54f080ydh/62_A73161-4_A43-4_A58-8907-5_FBDC57_FD9_DB.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/54f080ydh/)


Only DNA testing can confirm a cutting is a Purple Haze clone!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 14, 2017, 12:07:32 AM
It does look like a purple variety they normally have a heart shaped stems, but it's hard to tell. I have a 2 month old Purple Haze that I got from Linda Nickerson I recommend getting cuttings from her
(https://s7.postimg.cc/fudben77b/20171113_111835.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fudben77b/)

(https://s7.postimg.cc/8ee1sv6nb/20171113_111847.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8ee1sv6nb/)


Thanks! Your cutting does look like it has little hearts
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 14, 2017, 12:08:48 AM
Can anyone confirm if this is a purple haze cutting?
Thanks!
(https://s18.postimg.cc/54f080ydh/62_A73161-4_A43-4_A58-8907-5_FBDC57_FD9_DB.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/54f080ydh/)


Only DNA testing can confirm a cutting is a Purple Haze clone!

Unfortunately you’re correct :(
And only time will tell when grown from a cutting
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 14, 2017, 12:11:37 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 14, 2017, 12:37:27 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
They both taste the same to me, I would take a houghton or physical graffiti over the sugar dragon, it's overrated in my view. Better to grow a Frankie's red or colombian yellow if you like them sweeter. I crossed a houghton with a yellow a few years back and this is the first year it has fruited. It is similar in looks to a Frankies Red but has more of a strawberry taste. Once the plant gets bigger I'll be able to distribute cuttings.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 14, 2017, 12:46:06 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
They both taste the same to me, I would take a houghton or physical graffiti over the sugar dragon, it's overrated in my view. Better to grow a Frankie's red or colombian yellow if you like them sweeter. I crossed a houghton with a yellow a few years back and this is the first year it has fruited. It is similar in looks to a Frankies Red but has more of a strawberry taste. Once the plant gets bigger I'll be able to distribute cuttings.

Thanks for the info! I think I’m gonna pass since it’s simialr and I’m being given a S8 cutting.
Wow, how long did it take from seed to fruit?
Please put me on the list for a cutting!
I would love to try a DF with strawberry taste besides a DF that is just sweet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on November 14, 2017, 09:49:10 PM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
They both taste the same to me, I would take a houghton or physical graffiti over the sugar dragon, it's overrated in my view. Better to grow a Frankie's red or colombian yellow if you like them sweeter. I crossed a houghton with a yellow a few years back and this is the first year it has fruited. It is similar in looks to a Frankies Red but has more of a strawberry taste. Once the plant gets bigger I'll be able to distribute cuttings.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 14, 2017, 10:09:40 PM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
They both taste the same to me, I would take a houghton or physical graffiti over the sugar dragon, it's overrated in my view. Better to grow a Frankie's red or colombian yellow if you like them sweeter. I crossed a houghton with a yellow a few years back and this is the first year it has fruited. It is similar in looks to a Frankies Red but has more of a strawberry taste. Once the plant gets bigger I'll be able to distribute cuttings.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
Houghton along with Rixford are Hylocereus spp. that Paul Thomson used when developing varieties such as 8-S known as Voodoo Child and Sugar Dragon. PM me if you would like cuttings of Houghton or pretty much any other cuttings. I have probably 20 types.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 14, 2017, 10:10:04 PM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
The small red one is a cross I made with Houghton and Yellow Colombian, it is the one that has a strawberry melon taste.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/t8n6iyg4n/fruit_11_14_17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t8n6iyg4n/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on November 14, 2017, 11:45:59 PM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
The small red one is a cross I made with Houghton and Yellow Colombian, it is the one that has a strawberry melon taste.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/t8n6iyg4n/fruit_11_14_17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t8n6iyg4n/)
Nice! Sounds delicious. Do you have any pictures of the flowers?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 15, 2017, 12:08:09 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
The small red one is a cross I made with Houghton and Yellow Colombian, it is the one that has a strawberry melon taste.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/t8n6iyg4n/fruit_11_14_17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t8n6iyg4n/)
Nice! Sounds delicious. Do you have any pictures of the flowers?
Sorry they already bloomed
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on November 15, 2017, 12:15:39 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
They both taste the same to me, I would take a houghton or physical graffiti over the sugar dragon, it's overrated in my view. Better to grow a Frankie's red or colombian yellow if you like them sweeter. I crossed a houghton with a yellow a few years back and this is the first year it has fruited. It is similar in looks to a Frankies Red but has more of a strawberry taste. Once the plant gets bigger I'll be able to distribute cuttings.

Thanks for the info! I think I’m gonna pass since it’s simialr and I’m being given a S8 cutting.
Wow, how long did it take from seed to fruit?
Please put me on the list for a cutting!
I would love to try a DF with strawberry taste besides a DF that is just sweet.
Concerning the S-8 (voodoo child) and sugar dragon, Linda Nickerson explains how she got the cutting from Paul Thomson and they thought they were the same at first, but she noticed a small thorn at the tips of the S-8 and the sugar dragon didn't have the thorns. She also says that the sugar dragon is sweeter. I guess the only way to really know is a DNA test.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on November 15, 2017, 04:27:14 AM
I don’t remember if this question has been asked before but is voodoo child the same as S8 sugar dragon. On spicyexotics site he claims that research shows that they are both the same.
I think I read somewhere that they aren’t but can’t recall where I read it from.
I never heard of Houghton where can I get cuttings from that variety?
The small red one is a cross I made with Houghton and Yellow Colombian, it is the one that has a strawberry melon taste.
https://s7.postimg.cc/t8n6iyg4n/fruit_11_14_17.jpg[/img] (https://postimg.cc/image/.[img)

Any chance you can cut the fruit and post a pic of the flesh colour?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on November 15, 2017, 04:35:10 AM
On a different note, I have a few similar varieties fruiting at the moment so I may be able to post some pics of ripe fruit for comparison. Pink Panther, Voodoo Child and Sugar Dragon (U.S varieties), as well as Aztec Gem (Aussie variety). All have similar plant growth and young, unripe fruit are also very similar. Pink Panther and Aztec Gem have small spines on the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 15, 2017, 11:22:47 AM
On a different note, I have a few similar varieties fruiting at the moment so I may be able to post some pics of ripe fruit for comparison. Pink Panther, Voodoo Child and Sugar Dragon (U.S varieties), as well as Aztec Gem (Aussie variety). All have similar plant growth and young, unripe fruit are also very similar. Pink Panther and Aztec Gem have small spines on the fruit.

So many varieties I haven’t heard of. It would be really interesting to see what the fruit looks like!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on November 15, 2017, 11:21:08 PM
S8 and Voodoo Child have been DNA tested by the research team in Irvine and they are NOT the same variety. They are extremely similar and might even be from the same 2 parent strains, but its not a 100% match. I don't have access to the link right now but I do know its somewhere on the Yahoo groups for dragon fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on November 26, 2017, 07:53:46 AM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on November 26, 2017, 07:37:36 PM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

FYI Epicacti Nursery posted on Facebook;

"New Dragon Fruit varieties available in Spring April/ May and to be added to Mattslandscape.com catalog or can be ordered thru or picked up at walk in nursery Epicacti.com in spring 2018."

1) Tricia 
2) Paisley 
3) Edgar   
4) Townsend Pink
5) Asunta #2
6) Asunta #3
7) AX
8) David Bowie -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
9) Armando 
10) El Grullo -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
11) Houghton   
12) Lisa  -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
13) Hawaiian Gold   

***Even More varieties to be introduced mid summer 2018***
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on November 26, 2017, 07:59:17 PM
Thanks i talked to the Matt Landscaping yesterday and waiting for the site hopefully to be fixed on Monday or Tuesday. since looking also at Asunta to add with Frankies red.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on November 28, 2017, 01:08:20 AM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

When you say 3 different types or yellow dragon fruit, do you mean ...
One type from Ecuador like the giant yellow
One from Colombia / Peruvian yellow
And the regular yellow?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ThangBom321 on November 28, 2017, 03:31:32 AM
I just wanted to share some pictures of my parent's plants. They live in the NW Houston area. They have a dozen or so Dragon Fruit plants. They are grown outside, planted into the ground. We cover them with tarp or plastic touching to the ground in the cold month. They get really dehydrated looking with some dry spots. Once the cold passes, we uncover them and start watering them. They bounce right back and produce in no time.

These pictures are were taken months ago but these plants and doing well.
(https://s33.postimg.cc/v1c2n5v2j/IMG_20170625_195729.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v1c2n5v2j/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/4g9jrmnkb/IMG_20170702_185128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4g9jrmnkb/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/swrpm43qj/IMG_20170730_195140.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/swrpm43qj/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/9ex266eij/IMG_20170730_195201.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9ex266eij/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ThangBom321 on November 28, 2017, 03:42:13 AM
Here is my proud pop standing in the chicken coop.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/fh4owcq0b/pops.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fh4owcq0b/)


(https://s33.postimg.cc/czsxp4gej/dragon_bucket.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/czsxp4gej/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/jq9eykba3/dragon_buds.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jq9eykba3/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/k30t4r19n/dragon_bunch.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k30t4r19n/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/5wl29iy4b/dragon_starter.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5wl29iy4b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 01, 2017, 09:00:52 AM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

When you say 3 different types or yellow dragon fruit, do you mean ...
One type from Ecuador like the giant yellow
One from Colombia / Peruvian yellow
And the regular yellow?
Selenicereus Megalanthus Yellow Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-selenicereus-megalanthus-yellow/

Giant Hawaiian Gold Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-giant-yellow-dragon/

   
3452 Hylocereus sp. - Yellow Pitaya, Dragon Fruit
https://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=hylocereus

one XL peru yellow gold he called on ebay
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 01, 2017, 09:07:39 AM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

FYI Epicacti Nursery posted on Facebook;

"New Dragon Fruit varieties available in Spring April/ May and to be added to Mattslandscape.com catalog or can be ordered thru or picked up at walk in nursery Epicacti.com in spring 2018."

1) Tricia 
2) Paisley 
3) Edgar   
4) Townsend Pink
5) Asunta #2
6) Asunta #3
7) AX
8) David Bowie -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
9) Armando 
10) El Grullo -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
11) Houghton   
12) Lisa  -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
13) Hawaiian Gold   

***Even More varieties to be introduced mid summer 2018***
Did you try the Tricia by chance?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 01, 2017, 12:33:11 PM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

FYI Epicacti Nursery posted on Facebook;

"New Dragon Fruit varieties available in Spring April/ May and to be added to Mattslandscape.com catalog or can be ordered thru or picked up at walk in nursery Epicacti.com in spring 2018."

1) Tricia 
2) Paisley 
3) Edgar   
4) Townsend Pink
5) Asunta #2
6) Asunta #3
7) AX
8) David Bowie -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
9) Armando 
10) El Grullo -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
11) Houghton   
12) Lisa  -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
13) Hawaiian Gold   

***Even More varieties to be introduced mid summer 2018***
Did you try the Tricia by chance?

Yes, I have. I remember it being good and I am growing it.

The BIG problem is Tricia is a very thorny Dragon Fruit... worst than Lisa.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on December 01, 2017, 12:44:36 PM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

FYI Epicacti Nursery posted on Facebook;

"New Dragon Fruit varieties available in Spring April/ May and to be added to Mattslandscape.com catalog or can be ordered thru or picked up at walk in nursery Epicacti.com in spring 2018."

1) Tricia 
2) Paisley 
3) Edgar   
4) Townsend Pink
5) Asunta #2
6) Asunta #3
7) AX
8) David Bowie -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
9) Armando 
10) El Grullo -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
11) Houghton   
12) Lisa  -previously out of stock but been duplicating so should have plenty next year spring 2018
13) Hawaiian Gold   

***Even More varieties to be introduced mid summer 2018***

Richard or anyone,
do you have any infor on these varieties?  color, taste, texture, size of fruit?  thanks

Paisley
Townsend Pink
AX
Hawaiian Gold
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 01, 2017, 12:47:48 PM
i am wanting to get 1+5+6 from that list. and waiting jun/july for the other new varieties
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 01, 2017, 02:31:50 PM
Richard or anyone,
do you have any infor on these varieties?  color, taste, texture, size of fruit?  thanks

Paisley
Townsend Pink
AX
Hawaiian Gold

Wayne,  There are so many varieties and such an overlap with some... I have a problem keeping track of the newer ones I have experienced.

Paisley and Ax I have. I do not remember tasting Paisley. Edgar gave me a cutting so I am growing it.
Tasted Ax, it is good. I am growing it as part of my Asunta DF purple flower collection.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 01, 2017, 04:45:37 PM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

When you say 3 different types or yellow dragon fruit, do you mean ...
One type from Ecuador like the giant yellow
One from Colombia / Peruvian yellow
And the regular yellow?
Selenicereus Megalanthus Yellow Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-selenicereus-megalanthus-yellow/

Giant Hawaiian Gold Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-giant-yellow-dragon/

   
3452 Hylocereus sp. - Yellow Pitaya, Dragon Fruit
https://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=hylocereus

one XL peru yellow gold he called on ebay


Wow, very interesting. I wonder if the last two have similar taste. Probably not as sweet as the S.M.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 01, 2017, 06:13:41 PM
Currently have Haileys Comet, White Vietnamese, 3 Diferent type of Yellow Dragon fruit, Kathie Van Arum, waiting to order Frankies Red and maybe Asunta

When you say 3 different types or yellow dragon fruit, do you mean ...
One type from Ecuador like the giant yellow
One from Colombia / Peruvian yellow
And the regular yellow?
Selenicereus Megalanthus Yellow Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-selenicereus-megalanthus-yellow/

Giant Hawaiian Gold Dragon Fruit Cactus Plant
https://kensnursery.com/product/dragon-fruit-giant-yellow-dragon/

   
3452 Hylocereus sp. - Yellow Pitaya, Dragon Fruit
https://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=hylocereus

one XL peru yellow gold he called on ebay


Wow, very interesting. I wonder if the last two have similar taste. Probably not as sweet as the S.M.
Just got them this year. so heard the yellows take about 2 years before they fruit due to size of 8"-1'. hopefully sooner. The only one to fruit next year will be veit white, and haileys comet. just got startedgrowing DF begining of this year from neighbor cutting and tasting, going off the threads and reviews from everyone
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on December 02, 2017, 04:35:33 AM
Most Dragonfruit cuttings will fruit within 2 years with good care. Some won’t but a lot will.
 I find it difficult to trust a site that doesn’t even take the time to put up their own pics of the varieties that they say they grow. Most pics from the top tropical site are from other websites as far as I can see, and you don’t have to look too closely to see that a couple of completely different varieties have identical fruit! The Sweet Red and the American Beauty are identical on the site! American Beauty looks nothing like this! I would assume Sweet Red doesn’t either.
If you want good cuttings that will give the fruit that they are supposed to give, only buy from reputable sellers. Matt’s Landscape is brilliant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 02, 2017, 06:13:53 AM
Most Dragonfruit cuttings will fruit within 2 years with good care. Some won’t but a lot will.
 I find it difficult to trust a site that doesn’t even take the time to put up their own pics of the varieties that they say they grow. Most pics from the top tropical site are from other websites as far as I can see, and you don’t have to look too closely to see that a couple of completely different varieties have identical fruit! The Sweet Red and the American Beauty are identical on the site! American Beauty looks nothing like this! I would assume Sweet Red doesn’t either.
If you want good cuttings that will give the fruit that they are supposed to give, only buy from reputable sellers. Matt’s Landscape is brilliant.
Thanks. Did recently find Matt's landscape. Just the top tropical is local to me. Now since learning about Matt's landscape
 The ones I like he said would be available for purchase about April or may 2018. Plus top tropical lost about 90% of whole inventory from hurricane irma.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: vitiga on December 02, 2017, 07:07:56 AM
I would like to buy new dragon fruit varieties cuttings from Mattslandscape.com, but it looks like they don't ship outside US. I tried to email them but did not get any reply so far. It's a shame as cuttings are easy to ship worldwide. Anyway, if someone from Mattslandscape read my message, please do not hesitate to contact me, thanks in advance. email address : lejardinauxmillefruits@gmail.com
p;s : my delivery address is in France.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 02, 2017, 07:20:08 AM
I would like to buy new dragon fruit varieties cuttings from Mattslandscape.com, but it looks like they don't ship outside US. I tried to email them but did not get any reply so far. It's a shame as cuttings are easy to ship worldwide. Anyway, if someone from Mattslandscape read my message, please do not hesitate to contact me, thanks in advance. email address : lejardinauxmillefruits@gmail.com
p;s : my delivery address is in France.
https://www.facebook.com/matts.landscape (https://www.facebook.com/matts.landscape)
Contact him through his Facebook, that is how i got into contact with him
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 02, 2017, 12:00:07 PM
I would like to buy new dragon fruit varieties cuttings from Mattslandscape.com, but it looks like they don't ship outside US. I tried to email them but did not get any reply so far. It's a shame as cuttings are easy to ship worldwide. Anyway, if someone from Mattslandscape read my message, please do not hesitate to contact me, thanks in advance. email address : lejardinauxmillefruits@gmail.com
p;s : my delivery address is in France.

There may be some issues with ordering from the Mattslandscape web site. 

Use the Mattslandscape web site for reference and order from Matt's Facebook page or from Epicacti Nursery the walk-in nursery location for the Mattslandscape.com web site.
http://www.epicacti.com (http://www.epicacti.com)

And yes, they have shipped cuttings outside the US.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on December 12, 2017, 02:04:42 PM
Hi guys
So, there was this program in South Africa on TV about a Dragon fruit farmer.  According to him, you have to take a cutting and let it lay to dry for two weeks before planting, otherwise the soil will pull the moisture out of the cutting.  If you do that - according to him - the cutting will fruit within 6 to 9 months.  What do you think about it?  Friends of mine are asking questions and I don't know what to answer them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on December 12, 2017, 04:06:11 PM
The quickest way I’ve found to root cuttings is take a fresh cutting and dip in rooting hormone, then place in shade for a week or two to let it callous over. Then plant 4 inches deep in we’ll draining mediums, then tie a stake to the cutting, after that I place a clear plastic bag over it and place in warm shade or greenhouse. They root real quick that way.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FruitAddict on December 13, 2017, 06:04:47 AM
The quickest way I’ve found to root cuttings is take a fresh cutting and dip in rooting hormone, then place in shade for a week or two to let it callous over. Then plant 4 inches deep in we’ll draining mediums, then tie a stake to the cutting, after that I place a clear plastic bag over it and place in warm shade or greenhouse. They root real quick that way.

How long will it take to fruit if you prepare and plant a cutting that way?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on December 13, 2017, 08:44:20 AM
The quickest way I’ve found to root cuttings is take a fresh cutting and dip in rooting hormone, then place in shade for a week or two to let it callous over. Then plant 4 inches deep in we’ll draining mediums, then tie a stake to the cutting, after that I place a clear plastic bag over it and place in warm shade or greenhouse. They root real quick that way.
I had 100% success establishing 40 plants directly in the soil. I did not cut the branches into sections as some do. I made my cuttings cut at the natural growing 'breaks' between sections which are woody rather than fleshy. Still, I did leave them for weeks to harden and some began to root into air. These I planted directly out into the field into amended soil. One month after planting I sprayed with fish emulsion. Two weeks later they began sprouting and I thinned those to one leader only. They are beginning to climb the poles.

So, in a good climate it is possible to plant directly in soil. Many of the successful commercial growers in Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador can be seen in videos planting the way I did. Hopefully I am emulating their success.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Johnny Eat Fruit on December 13, 2017, 10:18:17 AM
I tried growing David Bowie Dragon-fruit at my location in Orange County and had very poor results. Low vigor and scant growth after two growing seasons . Perhaps others will have better luck then I. Removed the Bowie and replaced with Sugar Dragon "8S" which has taken off with strong growth. What a difference.

Johnny
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on December 13, 2017, 11:40:33 AM
The quickest way I’ve found to root cuttings is take a fresh cutting and dip in rooting hormone, then place in shade for a week or two to let it callous over. Then plant 4 inches deep in we’ll draining mediums, then tie a stake to the cutting, after that I place a clear plastic bag over it and place in warm shade or greenhouse. They root real quick that way.
I had 100% success establishing 40 plants directly in the soil. I did not cut the branches into sections as some do. I made my cuttings cut at the natural growing 'breaks' between sections which are woody rather than fleshy. Still, I did leave them for weeks to harden and some began to root into air. These I planted directly out into the field into amended soil. One month after planting I sprayed with fish emulsion. Two weeks later they began sprouting and I thinned those to one leader only. They are beginning to climb the poles.

So, in a good climate it is possible to plant directly in soil. Many of the successful commercial growers in Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador can be seen in videos planting the way I did. Hopefully I am emulating their success.

I have done at least that many also into dry potting soil.  Some were straight from the plant and into dry soil.  Leave the potting soil for a few weeks dry then lightly water and leave to dry out again.  Had every plant take without any rooting hormones.  Some of the cuttings had dried for a few days before planting but never for weeks.  Although it is very dry here so they probably callous faster than most places.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on December 13, 2017, 06:15:24 PM
The quickest way I’ve found to root cuttings is take a fresh cutting and dip in rooting hormone, then place in shade for a week or two to let it callous over. Then plant 4 inches deep in we’ll draining mediums, then tie a stake to the cutting, after that I place a clear plastic bag over it and place in warm shade or greenhouse. They root real quick that way.
I had 100% success establishing 40 plants directly in the soil. I did not cut the branches into sections as some do. I made my cuttings cut at the natural growing 'breaks' between sections which are woody rather than fleshy. Still, I did leave them for weeks to harden and some began to root into air. These I planted directly out into the field into amended soil. One month after planting I sprayed with fish emulsion. Two weeks later they began sprouting and I thinned those to one leader only. They are beginning to climb the poles.

So, in a good climate it is possible to plant directly in soil. Many of the successful commercial growers in Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador can be seen in videos planting the way I did. Hopefully I am emulating their success.
Being in a dry climate in San Diego, I use the plastic bag to increase the humidity since these plants come from real humid areas. Staking it keeps the roots from being disturbed while rooting. If you have a large, thick cutting you can get fruit in 2 years after it has rooted.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on December 14, 2017, 07:44:32 AM
Interesting set of videos showing DF production methods in Taiwan.

https://www.youtube.com/user/agriculturatw/search?query=Pitahaya (https://www.youtube.com/user/agriculturatw/search?query=Pitahaya)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 15, 2017, 02:26:05 PM
Edgar just posted a video on his YouTube channel where he tries the yellow dragon that’s being imported into California. Near the end of the video he explains that you can grow the plant in Cali but the fruit won’t be big compared to the ones being grown in their natural climate like Peru, Columbia and Ecuador. He stated that it’s because it blooms in nov and dec and that when the fruit starts to form it’s too
cold here in Cali. That’s one reason why the fruit doesn’t get large.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on December 15, 2017, 02:32:24 PM
Edgar just posted a video on his YouTube channel where he tries the yellow dragon that’s being imported into California. Near the end of the video he explains that you can grow the plant in Cali but the fruit won’t be big compared to the ones being grown in their natural climate like Peru, Columbia and Ecuador. He stated that it’s because it blooms in nov and dec and that when the fruit starts to form it’s too
cold here in Cali. That’s one reason why the fruit doesn’t get large.
got a link to that?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 15, 2017, 02:41:00 PM
Correction, I just looked at the date , he posted it on nov 21 of this year

Here’s the link to the video



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wPiwQfK5cz0
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 15, 2017, 02:44:18 PM
I’ve planted some Peruvian giant yellow seeds I acquired from a guy on Facebook and it’s already sprouting.
I wonder will the size of this fruit be small like Edgar states or will it at least be a decent size since it’s supposedly the “Peruvian Giant yellow” I guess only time will tell.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 15, 2017, 02:45:33 PM
Oh, here’s the pic
(https://s33.postimg.cc/vao2o11u3/7_B4_ACB6_D-_E105-476_C-89_AD-9_BD1426_E90_D3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vao2o11u3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on December 16, 2017, 07:56:43 AM
Correction, I just looked at the date , he posted it on nov 21 of this year
Here’s the link to the video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wPiwQfK5cz0

Wow, seven months from flowering to ripe fruit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 17, 2017, 02:35:54 AM
Correction, I just looked at the date , he posted it on nov 21 of this year
Here’s the link to the video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wPiwQfK5cz0

Wow, seven months from flowering to ripe fruit!

Yup. Compared to red skinned dragon fruit. That’s why it’s so expensive at the markets
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on December 17, 2017, 12:16:57 PM
I know Edgar is the expert but I believe he is wrong. I state this because a forum member here has grown the giant variety here in California and fruited it to large size. He posted pictures on this forum but I forget under what thread title.

We should know in a few years because many people ordered seeds from Dragon.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 17, 2017, 05:17:22 PM
I know Edgar is the expert but I believe he is wrong. I state this because a forum member here has grown the giant variety here in California and fruited it to large size. He posted pictures on this forum but I forget under what thread title.

We should know in a few years because many people ordered seeds from Dragon.

Simon

Ah.. this gives me hope. Good to know. Cause planted some Peruvian Giant yellow, so hopefully in a few years , I’ll have fruit which hopefully is bigger than the regular S.M.

Dragon? Is there a way I can order seeds from Dragon?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on December 17, 2017, 08:12:15 PM
Here you go, I’m not sure if this is the same seller from years past but he has seeds available.

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26031.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26031.0)

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on December 17, 2017, 10:09:59 PM
Here you go, I’m not sure if this is the same seller from years past but he has seeds available.

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26031.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26031.0)

Simon

Thanks Simon.
Ohh... that’s the guy I bought the Peruvian Giant yellow seeds from. It just sprouted a couple days ago.
Is the Peruvian giant the same as the one from Ecuador?
Now I just gonna wait a couple years to see what size fruit I get.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on December 18, 2017, 05:56:20 AM
I’m not sure if this is legit, but it’s an interesting concept. Seedlings grafted onto mature stems.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/86bbhez45/A783_B738-49_AE-4_FD4-_AC02-_EA74_FFED28_CE.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/86bbhez45/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 18, 2017, 10:10:18 AM
I’m not sure if this is legit, but it’s an interesting concept. Seedlings grafted onto mature stems.

Legit attempts to grafting seedlings onto mature Dragon Fruit stems.

Waiting for pictures of success.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on December 18, 2017, 12:20:02 PM
I’m not sure if this is legit, but it’s an interesting concept. Seedlings grafted onto mature stems.
(https://s2.postimg.cc/86bbhez45/A783_B738-49_AE-4_FD4-_AC02-_EA74_FFED28_CE.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/86bbhez45/)

I experimented with this with an ornamental epicactus cross I did last year (Aporocactus x Aporophyllum) and grafted the seedlings a bit further along. My grafts didn't take. Maybe if I used a humidity chamber or used Vaseline to keep in the moisture, but this year I'm just going to wait longer. I think I did five. For most I cut just above the cotyledons, but I know I did at least one with cotyledons attached as shown, and one where I grafted the roots on, since some people said that had worked for them. None of these took.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZVcDcg1h00StPpEudCq25ilpQ5fI4s5MnSWBmMM9r7c8AJWHYdEJiqo-pPMRUgRzniZ5x49KLLXZjjYWlH2dEGx_LWfE9TAE25tiau6Z_uw7tNAsuP617sDYbcz8wiIa8kFtnwdA-HaNkVNcrNGFLUdf8dxwflZOC2h8VeuSUMXq6bZK9eHr_6iFTRIPPHc1ksvCKCEBlp2uCIhhtYRoWxOTldJRfDlLy5ZHeOa__8CgSer-_jlQmN4ZYA0yPI5sebgCahtCuTgq0-wTgKooHWf3WGb95NV3WiqijWSpRU0wCJW6_cbymfHDREX9mUuqEtIMiONog0q55J-_pN8oRZjGGN2cQJDRtoQyYgRSBmWSY_WxBAi7ZBEtFWE6WhH73Hxne17vSQe4nXoDTzctia03ExXB-o5vb3c9H8vGe6Y1QY8WqzjW6N64wNSnw6kVD9NrSKmuet3qWmD8uqRCxBFxE-o1Glhul3Sy6SHJqBdrEQfu1_RQbiwULR0i7F0RfXOZ8gmIgcSV2s_OuIMEPDHwrUZh-3rr-4vzJdn7SxbcEOVV2TKCVeaDcTKN9ZYhQZWkWOWyRe6q8GDmA24KkwcEXyjeBqetJRHjqeWG5Q=w550-h978-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u_2N0FUaaTmsi1HshCjzLQu9UlZZlF4r6oSb5e2wh4BM7PgKADLYXQxreFeZ9cxCGBPAZ0qbXxgQPlpbW1v5LJjA4gCpkNEVPQONiHSZn7s_L_uZk9uHGKMcwhqEgWZM7XetJlS7LB9yqOnx4Sp-yrahJF_Jif3fjWxGigT8TlDYup_wHCUnXIem4uc6QA7SKco92HSapOxbstVQJR2pu7wyXnceDvgSyXEsKJ-dD9aP2kifkho2BZF1CiYA4KF8EcKiomCejAS_xSn9TZCaUcqoMXI6gYbCSDuVAJyVdzFZaK9ZC2tDtkOX8wZI9wsWevvmLIBN0xGBQDhgWW94iGculnTO2J61qJ8EkwT3EZV6heX9LBD4iPg7yV3iRVqZhHHD9Kw43CQLrywfQLx1BFJANpKysMG20C2ITFKJN9CNYUPjULTJcpCA_YAO8tz8urXqCCJMK-tFp294P98-w-Kf-qZHE4tZQYVPW1LmNRMvUnTIzTMW5vnxy8nMbFVe9aiZnwkM0ZH6P5I0_p667idi1ArnEbKyPxGofToKf_PHrYlMSPp_oftStJH_GcE85s4m6cjDoG5yhwTtPOWV2b9mkFaOh0XJA42OvDoE6w=w550-h978-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XBhmiwLT5Kvldi7OLR48bULiIQH-say3WqvTXB7FmJtCmWrQNY7lY3Nq_x7YjcR-3g2IJiXlZMyxxWCDV5exBse-UtZSdketLeRdbpc1y7X6C4LbgR91FZSTcs6PoQyrurE9cAAMpdy-gyG2t5A9lZ6bfe95tFo3QQSz7h5PrG837rwWgfIbigm4tiCfdwcZtejxiP1xbx0cUsXRvjGmUHMu-j0YaRtYwHxCprAtXYeyPq7q1u5MbNkASHk_v2sK5PDSH64ICKzd7s03j8LFDqDhESVCQ1G_-MVJNHY7QIpjW-eNjhr-14wsbtOtyINwX4u6NwAhyhSeUvEMNDL1kZ7_zPjHgIZJM95aIWq8ET6-fcZpdsydO9MOblY-TPjDOyIIKu4TUZDhhkECmTh3xvcfeGM0BiANL-91XonR0S0QItG9tI9MmMskC0nTvSY_3sPQ7x-JoAU9GHF_49IrNHNHUb2TIs4fxayybxUAr6WNZi5V1WRyP4ZM2is_rZYWTMdwN-fYMzzTz4xhM8PlOaVyenUrG3Puwno84gL0Kl0VhKTt0_9Bb2cSFiwaTdCJ2RV34nbKN2aywmF1ktck6BrmIxT89yB_dKwXXj8pfg=w550-h978-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eCJy38LVFMyteOkchPgU-beJ6uN_E6kQIpImlE33hq8-H43RpBSZ_q7PLEBog7tn0QbRnoLYlFeNyLl02LzAuo0I0gl47T6atRK9_MnuEP4MLiyZPGwW5tBurVDNzV4QHc7J-22yCzWwEUSdNERiBdGxLmVdOwPg-BEHJpC6z3gk9zj2poqd53AyXz0bAn_K8uDz_9U-OhBot3WOnIGH5AATI_ebxaTR58TZhX05P7sW2NZcrYOd7V8gkaqvVlEBqO0o1ebwYTiS4kOkBvpzaPGwR4yHrJzEM2a2b7HG2fKwTnEQTkfbq1M_kCeHXUu1YuaVPUxVmRUgJfXhFX8rVCbN3Ktooq281K59GHgxmq7Uq83IKy8NUu9Y2J59iLBS6drPEvk07yXrNTWDg4fT00sU87IiZi9yW3aE5bDG6n-9NfUuKrxQa3tRGcY6RZsSqyi5viipU5kqxbANMcQynC_L8ivr2dz17t26GCDWtganKFvZYM7jJ27ZROXApk0_DoLfDO2Djw2BkfG_m4TA1p-UdvLyj133HtNWnCW91aXyQNx69MK9jUeU7GS8GjUh5C-4YfoSt_73mbHTX2Uvenuqvmdh6s3ZJ4x-tCQk6Q=w550-h978-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/45oguKISUgqLSnGj-UH5LJ6N9FrUCMEJBEo3ZcDoPb9OSKAVH_optoTc2jp9vagasNB6__3-vIHLYTluznMDhVGv5_w9BcmV2Pm2tGw_sl3002yFCCTeSp5t4zstQv3qiDEAUuSg66pH95W875gvLYFpGZc-SHbKtV3HbKeihkPIX-KiGIzKyPEszKUoj5hayCHkCYQtL5RJEqQasjC-mI854kHHkmEb4yJo5I6oo_rhNRLd0gi_1TIxwhK035_pLPvc8o9PfAQ4OYRAu5BNLnkFMLQVavzpxx0cf8USDJAbX6kHxZbHEE1AI7N5kypq88c0949Nhj-MeGoj1z49eSq42g4CuVUv59KxotpxDdVHZpnqYZ3MqrYHQxlOzz3u7wcO5BmlM9K_2o2kjYOizPq_JGi4_XZFUC48LqAKfV6kAJxzZSTBYF8qj83qqsxeMcRKZQkPDggdwruFSJSFwO-3H57q_ZuPf5dCwRjChYQ1SHxbUzYUu_ap_U3YbFY_2aeJBNR2BALes7Qkwh7WeOcyvQHq9epB-OFxoSX1AQQNMsfJEBaftx3j8QPWt-R3ghGXdo7GlqKRq1feLPRGlE-v2pdooYZoeq-HXH39IA=w550-h978-no)

I've probably done two dozen attempts at grafting epicacti. In that time I think I've had two real successes, which were both on S. grandiflorus with all the areoles removed from the stock. When I haven't removed the areoles, it would just keep pushing out of the base. I've done probably a half dozen grafts onto Hylocereus, never had any success with that. Some of that's technique (or lack thereof).

I think that picture is fake. Even if you managed to graft a seedling with only cotyledons, those don't look like DF cotyledons to me, the seedling's too big, and the callus looks odd. Here's what a S. megalanthus seedling looks like next to a mature (undatus) cutting:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bnA1SjSX17mTmAZ7tY9sOhNpk01prYJOg1_5vzPnsbAZ4QU2jb1QkkVDEagt0ptQl2PUyHokTuBN7Nw2fYuvS3QR4jm3_H090U43y_6NIPhgxmltwf2f0MFH8PdsNFDbgPSlNlHS11N7ydoWjIRPbmghvMtr4BDfUFXglIhthKMLNyhkg1-wu4tfDOeXJhaIALExIqvp6NigV3guIcgr-pxQMczSoczzt9fosPWzA0tSQjlHcDg4aO_j8LifbBGgD_3M6ySTf6K_4gXDvRYCxzL2mEtoXUA2ExFFFtxOt9WYSXr9y1fnKtWNvwlgoEr0vECWLi-K44QyP8l4lD722CzZnzZJpXT0lF_x4mXT_yADVQFlDWr55gZtdj63E6ig-t9AsanhX8QSw9JDhV_9GMg1UAEngn-Xh9bymqY4SV1KtXiBhCnqD7lrk8OaK-XcAfHF9qGvXxO3NjwLzWWirCbe96mEpeImvwLtdaCzm1vXmWAr9LbR0-R4GXYt9bwav8ejBbaiY0-NEL_4e8773PbCyypIn3xyFRrB818aMDQ3ceGpHHCDGyQ6P5-lj8Zow3KoPfoPU1QCyjutOUYeYSVn6FRzqsvHLzALRoJp3g=w1303-h977-no)

You'll note the woody vascular bundle. Because of that one generally grafts to young growth. I think the main way to graft to H. undatus, like they do for the chlorophyll-lacking cacti, is to cut off a 4-6" new shoot of undatus, graft onto that, root, and once it's got roots on it cut away the areoles. Doing this though means you can't graft onto a huge piece. I've tried doing this without cutting the young undatus piece off, and cutting a few feet of mature growth with it, but the grafts didn't take at all. The pictured piece is from one of those experiments, which is why I have it lying around.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on December 18, 2017, 01:10:10 PM
Check out these threads for grafting cactus/Dragonfruit
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18663.msg232844;topicseen#msg232844 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18663.msg232844;topicseen#msg232844)
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=24960.msg293549#msg293549http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18773.msg242375#msg242375 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=24960.msg293549#msg293549http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=18773.msg242375#msg242375)

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on December 21, 2017, 04:50:28 AM

(https://s9.postimg.cc/oalw9bq17/4_FE9_D80_B-8_D8_A-44_F3-908_C-75686_BCB4_AD0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oalw9bq17/)

Here’s a few I picked today. They’re growing a bit quick and starting to split. All good solid fruit for cuttings in their second year!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kada on December 21, 2017, 07:13:09 AM
I've grafted tens of thousands of cactus on hylocereus stocks
  Seedlings included.  Hylocereus needs to be prepared and by the pics above it looks they they did it alright.  Trick is using new growth as cuttings, removing areoles and apical meristem and allowing to swell before grafting.  Trouble with hylocereus grafting is the vascular tissues get woody fast, but if all the growth points are removed it won't get woody.

Although a great stock, the prep work requires cuttings a few months before being ready.  Generally the cactus family readily graft to each other and I use different species for seedlings grafts.  But I would put hylocereus, sepenicereus and acanthocereus right up there with fast root stock options!

I wrote some articles on my site about cactus grafting.  If it's allowed I can post links, note they are quite old but the majority of the content still holds true.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on December 21, 2017, 05:42:38 PM
Are the skins/rinds from regular red Dragonfruit edible? What do they taste like, if they are edible?


They have such a great color that I'm wondering if I could extract it into a liquer or something.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on December 21, 2017, 08:32:53 PM
Are the skins/rinds from regular red Dragonfruit edible? What do they taste like, if they are edible?


They have such a great color that I'm wondering if I could extract it into a liquer or something.
Never tried to eat the skins, but I have dehydrated them and then seep them in hot water for a tea type of drink.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on December 21, 2017, 08:34:32 PM
How did the tea taste?

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on December 22, 2017, 01:12:00 AM
I've grafted tens of thousands of cactus on hylocereus stocks
  Seedlings included.  Hylocereus needs to be prepared and by the pics above it looks they they did it alright.  Trick is using new growth as cuttings, removing areoles and apical meristem and allowing to swell before grafting.  Trouble with hylocereus grafting is the vascular tissues get woody fast, but if all the growth points are removed it won't get woody.

Although a great stock, the prep work requires cuttings a few months before being ready.  Generally the cactus family readily graft to each other and I use different species for seedlings grafts.  But I would put hylocereus, sepenicereus and acanthocereus right up there with fast root stock options!

I wrote some articles on my site about cactus grafting.  If it's allowed I can post links, note they are quite old but the majority of the content still holds true.
Please share your links.  Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on January 06, 2018, 10:31:41 PM
Stopped by at the grocery store and noticed they were selling 2 different sizes of the yellow dragon. They had the smaller one, about the size of a guava. And this one, which I bought. It was I think 14 oz, so almost a pound. It was being sold at $8.99/ lb and the smaller one was $6.99/ lb. I wonder why the price difference. I’m wondering if it’s due to the size or could the bigger one be the giant yellow. But it still tastes good. 😋 I
I also see that it's getting to be more readily available especially in Asian maekets. I just found it being sold in another market.
(https://s10.postimg.cc/82eagdl5h/073468_D6-43_F2-4_D6_F-_A794-089181_B68810.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/82eagdl5h/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kada on January 21, 2018, 10:26:21 AM
note these are written a while ago and some of my opinions have changed with growing things since then, but the basics hold true for grafting.

some of the articles are here: http://kadasgardens.com/Articles.html (http://kadasgardens.com/Articles.html)

because hylocereus have thin ribs, they dehydrate super fast.  i would graft tips, or cut the tips and wait for new offsets to emerge and graft teh new offsets for a thicker, rounder scion that is a hundred times easier to work with.

note this is mainly focused on using hylocereus as the root stock for slower and rarer cactus species, but it would be the logical rootstock for a hylocereus plantation as well so may be useful.
http://kadasgardens.com/grafting5.html (http://kadasgardens.com/grafting5.html)

and if you are a breeder and trying to get new seeds up to snuff, this is the the best option for such endeavors.
http://kadasgardens.com/grafting1.html (http://kadasgardens.com/grafting1.html)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on January 21, 2018, 10:35:22 AM
note these are written a while ago and some of my opinions have changed with growing things since then, but the basics hold true for grafting.
some of the articles are here: http://kadasgardens.com/Articles.html (http://kadasgardens.com/Articles.html)
because hylocereus have thin ribs, they dehydrate super fast.  i would graft tips, or cut the tips and wait for new offsets to emerge and graft teh new offsets for a thicker, rounder scion that is a hundred times easier to work with.
note this is mainly focused on using hylocereus as the root stock for slower and rarer cactus species, but it would be the logical rootstock for a hylocereus plantation as well so may be useful.
http://kadasgardens.com/grafting5.html (http://kadasgardens.com/grafting5.html)
and if you are a breeder and trying to get new seeds up to snuff, this is the the best option for such endeavors.
http://kadasgardens.com/grafting1.html (http://kadasgardens.com/grafting1.html)

Several Southern California Dragon Fruit hobbyist are interested and have shared pictures on Facebook of grafting Dragon Fruit onto hylocereus stock.
I am sure that it can be done, but still waiting for pictures of success getting the grafts to flowering stage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kada on January 21, 2018, 10:42:35 AM
its easy, they just dry out easy so care should be taken in that aspect.  the areoles can be grafted if not much scion stock is around.  but generally once  a person has plants growing, there is no real logical reason to graft as cuttings are fast and easy.  grafting tends to just be done when one is either breeding or only has a very limited supply and wants to proliferate fast, thus cutting tips and grafting offsets or areole grafting is the way to go.  in my opinion is a bit silly to graft hylocereus onto hylocereus unless there is some kind of environmental condition to be overcome.  if proliferation is the goal, pereskiopsis is the stock to use.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on January 21, 2018, 10:58:19 AM
not sure why to graft they grow super fast, but still waiting to get hands on Asunta Family
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on January 28, 2018, 06:24:22 PM
I have seeds from the fruit in the link below for anyone who wants some.
I have germinated some and don't need the rest.


http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26562.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=26562.0)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on January 28, 2018, 06:24:45 PM
Duplicate
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on February 08, 2018, 03:33:34 PM
Hi guys,I bought epsom salt for my dragons,but don't know if best to spray or put on the soil ,any advice? need also to know the quantities to use.

Same for vermicast,bought about 50kg  ::)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on February 09, 2018, 10:22:24 PM
I have pots with 25 inch diameter, how many cuttings can I grow in each pot? Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: wayne23 on February 10, 2018, 12:32:56 AM
Hi guys,I bought epsom salt for my dragons,but don't know if best to spray or put on the soil ,any advice? need also to know the quantities to use.

Same for vermicast,bought about 50kg  ::)

I mixed 1tbsp per gallon of water.  Applied using watering can directly to the soil. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 10, 2018, 01:19:26 AM
I have pots with 25 inch diameter, how many cuttings can I grow in each pot? Thanks!

2 - 3
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on February 10, 2018, 10:30:28 AM
Today I applied vermicast to my plants inside greenhouse,by the second half of this month on T° will be always always above +2 (minimun during the coldest nights),right now I have condor,dark star,vodoo child,thai dragon and some other varities starting new growths.

Someone told me to keep them dry until flowering in late may/june.

I have 1 year plants bought in US started from mature cutting and older plants of 3 years,hope they will fruit for the first time this year.

I also cutted the top of each branch as other growers suggested.

Can they absorb the vermicast nutrients even without watering?
Should I put more vermicast?

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27972852_10211455426369818_7779849362250371103_n.jpg?oh=e5e936d183f7c738c5b58421a3b1ac58&oe=5B172AA1)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27752041_10211455428329867_1506676096043158379_n.jpg?oh=f0e81d1d841c8046c90fc51cfed2cc2a&oe=5B1E2A87)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27752231_10211455428729877_8596379105045848846_n.jpg?oh=f61bfe78315c2745af55d8eea57441a0&oe=5B0C13F7)

(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/27541134_10211455429409894_5084900207669718871_n.jpg?oh=27b1368cf5dc34bc1b4cf4ef56fe1e2d&oe=5B194268)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 10, 2018, 10:34:12 AM

Someone told me to keep them dry until flowering in late may/june.


Not good advice in my opinion.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 10, 2018, 11:06:27 AM
Dragon fruit Haileys Comet
*Dragon fruit Frankies Red
*Dragon fruit Lisa
Dragon fruit Vietnamese White
*Dragon fruit Kathie
*Dragon fruit Selenicereus megalanthus (Yellow)
*Dragon fruit Hylocereus Sp (Yellow)
*Dragon fruit Giant Hawaiian Gold Dragon-17486
*Zamarano DF
*viet jana DF

and on the way from CA
*Country Road DF
*Orejona DF
*Mr Woo DF
*Ocamponis DF
*Florida Sunset DF
*Condor DF
*Red Jiana DF
*Nicaraguan Red DF
*San Ignacio DF
*El Grullo DF

Pending
*Makizupa 
*purple Haze 
*Rix Ford 
*Physical Graffiti 
*Dark Star 
*Cebra 
*Pepino Dulce 
*Condor 
*Amarilla 
*American Beauty 
*Maria Rosa 
*S8/Sugar Dragon
*Godzilla 
*Armando 
*Connie Mayer 
*Bruni 
*Vodoo Child
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on February 10, 2018, 11:39:56 AM

Someone told me to keep them dry until flowering in late may/june.


Not good advice in my opinion.

I'm a newbie, what is a good advice according your experience?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on February 10, 2018, 01:17:45 PM
I have pots with 25 inch diameter, how many cuttings can I grow in each pot? Thanks!

2 - 3

Thanks. It seems that some people put 3-4 even in a smaller pot. I guess I will do 3
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 10, 2018, 01:21:52 PM

Someone told me to keep them dry until flowering in late may/june.


Not good advice in my opinion.

I'm a newbie, what is a good advice according your experience?
Just Remember your in Italy he is in California, Im in Florida, different places have different requirements for same plant
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 10, 2018, 09:59:37 PM

Someone told me to keep them dry until flowering in late may/june.


Not good advice in my opinion.

I'm a newbie, what is a good advice according your experience?

I let the soil dry out... then water them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on February 12, 2018, 07:18:00 AM
Hey guys, I'm looking for the biggest white flesh variety there is out there which is self pollinating. Taste, flavour or other factors doesn't matter. I'm in just for the size. Need the variety name which sets the biggest fruit size wise.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 12, 2018, 11:18:56 AM
Hey guys, I'm looking for the biggest white flesh variety there is out there which is self pollinating. Taste, flavour or other factors doesn't matter. I'm in just for the size. Need the variety name which sets the biggest fruit size wise.
Thanks!

Vietnamese Giant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 12, 2018, 11:46:40 AM
Hey guys, I'm looking for the biggest white flesh variety there is out there which is self pollinating. Taste, flavour or other factors doesn't matter. I'm in just for the size. Need the variety name which sets the biggest fruit size wise.
Thanks!

Vietnamese Giant?

I Agree that was first Dragonfruit i had from a neighbor and it gives alot of fruit and big with no maintenance here in Florida
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dmk on February 12, 2018, 11:18:29 PM
Hey guys, I'm looking for the biggest white flesh variety there is out there which is self pollinating. Taste, flavour or other factors doesn't matter. I'm in just for the size. Need the variety name which sets the biggest fruit size wise.
Thanks!

Vietnamese Giant?

I Agree that was first Dragonfruit i had from a neighbor and it gives alot of fruit and big with no maintenance here in Florida

Thank you Richard and FamilyJ. Appreciate your help guys. If there's any other white flesh similar to the size of Vietnamese giant please pour in your suggestions.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on February 13, 2018, 12:09:06 AM

Thank you Richard and FamilyJ. Appreciate your help guys. If there's any other white flesh similar to the size of Vietnamese giant please pour in your suggestions.

Genetic testing by UC Riverside shows that Vietnamese Giant, Seoul Kitchen, Ben Hoa White, and Mexicana are closely related Hylocereus undatus.
Mexicana and Vietnamese Giant are so closely related that the UC does not keep the cuttings separated now when distributing cuttings at the Dragon Fruit Festivals.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on February 14, 2018, 06:20:47 AM
24 hours before this photo was taken the dragon fruit stem was one inch below the disc, so it is 'flying' upwards at more than 1" per day! That was yesterday morning I expect it to be above the 2" thick disk by this morning.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/9xpg52ubf/dragonfruit_entering_disk.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9xpg52ubf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on February 14, 2018, 10:36:50 AM
24 hours before this photo was taken the dragon fruit stem was one inch below the disc, so it is 'flying' upwards at more than 1" per day! That was yesterday morning I expect it to be above the 2" thick disk by this morning.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/9xpg52ubf/dragonfruit_entering_disk.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9xpg52ubf/)

Awesome growth.  I really like that post and top.  Did you make those yourself?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on February 14, 2018, 11:47:49 AM
That is just begging for a time lapse camera!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on February 15, 2018, 07:05:11 AM
Yes, I made 10 of these posts and so here is a side-by-side of 24 hours growth.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/ttmcns1mz/24_hours_growth.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ttmcns1mz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Baja_Traveler on February 15, 2018, 09:37:16 PM
I like the concrete supports, and thought about making my own but decided instead to try making them out of ABS pipe. Wood only lasts 4-5 years in my yard before rotting out or getting eaten by termites so that was out. I drew up a few designs, and settled on this one - 4" ABS main support with 1 1/2" top supports. In order for it to handle the weight (eventually) I cross drilled the top with a 1 1/2" conduit hole cutter and trimmed down a PVC cross to fit. Everything glued together perfectly and appears quite strong. I wrapped the main post in four wraps of burlap using self tapping screws. I'll be wrapping the top supports also to protect it from UV damage.
I got these cuttings from Simon a year and a half ago, and they have barely grown since - they really did not like the shaded sandy location they were in and needed a move. Time will tell and we shall see...
(http://a4.pbase.com/g10/85/360685/2/167011251.01t6XQqd.jpg)

(http://a4.pbase.com/g10/85/360685/2/167011252.lUNEHqda.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Frog Valley Farm on February 16, 2018, 06:26:49 AM
🗯
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 16, 2018, 06:17:10 PM
My Setup
(https://s14.postimg.cc/tkxmrqkbx/halleys_comet_df.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tkxmrqkbx/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 16, 2018, 06:18:50 PM
I like the concrete supports, and thought about making my own but decided instead to try making them out of ABS pipe. Wood only lasts 4-5 years in my yard before rotting out or getting eaten by termites so that was out. I drew up a few designs, and settled on this one - 4" ABS main support with 1 1/2" top supports. In order for it to handle the weight (eventually) I cross drilled the top with a 1 1/2" conduit hole cutter and trimmed down a PVC cross to fit. Everything glued together perfectly and appears quite strong. I wrapped the main post in four wraps of burlap using self tapping screws. I'll be wrapping the top supports also to protect it from UV damage.
I got these cuttings from Simon a year and a half ago, and they have barely grown since - they really did not like the shaded sandy location they were in and needed a move. Time will tell and we shall see...
(http://a4.pbase.com/g10/85/360685/2/167011251.01t6XQqd.jpg)

(http://a4.pbase.com/g10/85/360685/2/167011252.lUNEHqda.jpg)
Wasnt as creative as you but i tried before knowing anything about how setup was, survived hurricane Irma though
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tony714 on February 18, 2018, 07:03:45 PM
Here is my small set up.  I grew these cuts last year about 11 months now.  But there is a rotted and wondering what may cause and cure it?
(https://s18.postimg.cc/oqdrwouzp/20170829_173356.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oqdrwouzp/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/ynosprab9/20180218_085045.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ynosprab9/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/pfwk92ayt/20180218_084950.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pfwk92ayt/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on February 18, 2018, 09:17:38 PM
If you start with non rooted cuttings, they root best with heat. If you try to plant non rooted cuttings during cold wet weather or you overwater or your soil retains too much moisture, the non rooted buried end can often start rotting.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tony714 on February 22, 2018, 01:47:53 AM
They were non rooted cuttings.  I found out my gutter drain pipe point to dragon fruit. Im going to direct it to different direction. Thank you Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Charlie on February 22, 2018, 12:35:18 PM
I started some seeds of DF bought at a market last fall and have left them out in the garage all winter with some other DF rooted cuttings and one light bulb left on over them on the ceiling.  It has gotten pretty cold here but the garage is attached, still did not expect them to survive but they have.  Have not grown any but not dead either.  We'll see how they respond when spring comes and I move them out of the garage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 12, 2018, 12:34:39 PM
I acquired a bunch of free pots from a landscaper and am going to put different DF cuttigs in them along a welded wire fence.  I have a neumatic paint sprayer and already did 16 pots.  Going to put a quick coat on the fence rails.  Otherwise the rails and the pots get super hot in summer. 

I am thinking 1 cutting per 15gal pot.  1 pot every 3ft.  Anything special you guys would do with the materials on hand to make it better?  I have a bunch of old trex 2x2s laying around also. 

For soil, I am going to use decomposed granite local soil mixed with compost and steer manure. 

Input on anything?  Changes?


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4780/38960143550_ea56eb66c6_b.jpg)


(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4784/38960148880_ca5a4b3a0c_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 12, 2018, 06:27:15 PM
Personally, I don't know that I would white out the pots, myself. I don't know that it is ever going to get so hot down in San Diego that additional sunlight would heat up the pots enough to damage roots, given proper summer watering, but the dark color might actually help in winter months by warming roots and plant base. Hopefully you have access to both sides of that fence. As for planting cuttings, I'd double or triple up on the cuttings, per pot, if you have enough plant stock. It will lessen the chances of you losing a complete pot worth of work if a plant goes sideways. Just space them out an extra foot or two apart. This will also allow you to wedge new plants in between the existing, in the event you end up with a type you don't particularly care for, or was mis-labeled, but you don't want to just remove due to all the work you put into getting it to fruit production age. Also, new varieties keep popping up, so you'll want to make sure you leave some room for future planting. The plants will grow as big as you allow them, provided they are healthy, but that also means you can manually control a maximum size too, and prune them down if they get too thick, so there's very little chance of 'overplanting' an area, as long as you don't put TOO many in a single pot and they have to fight for resources.
Just remember, when you fill your pots, start out at about 65-75% fill. This is for 2 reasons. If you decide to use liquid fertilizer, the types you mix into water, its ALOT easier to be able to mix a gallon of water and just dump it into a pot when you don't have to worry about it spilling over because the soil level is too high. And second, if you also plan on using time release fertilizer, its nice to be able to sprinkle some into the pot and then add an inch or so of topsoil on top. Remember, dragonfruit have VERY shallow rooting systems, sometimes being just below soil surface, so 'scratching in' fertilizer can do serious damage when added.
Finally, remember to both label your pots with the cuttings planted (don't trust markings on the plants themselves) and alternate the order in which you place the cuttings. Make life easier on your pollinators by placing the species not in groups, but A,B,C (etc.) order. Even self-fertile species benefit from pollen from other plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 12, 2018, 09:18:20 PM
Rob, thanks for the detailed reply.  Both sides of the fence are mine, it's my deer protection for the land we are farming.  Whatever hangs on the other side will probably be eaten by deer.  Plan is to train them up the inside then loop through and back over at the top to keep most inside.  Worse case, I can throw an electric wire along the outside of the fence if need be.  I am not sure the white paint will be a bad thing, it's pretty hot where I live.  Like surface of the sun hot.  We are way inland on a south facing hill that gets roasted.   I may try and put 1 of each type in 1 black and 1 white pot and see how that goes or maybe 2 per pot like you said.  I also have a lot more of the fence panels laying around not being used.  At least 6 more 24 ft sections that are laying in another part of my yard.  And lots more welded wire.  And lots more pots and dirt.  I am going to put them on a drip system so I don't have to deal with watering.  Very good input on alternating species and under filling pots.  I will make a spreadsheet and try and order things accordingly.  Was going to group them by color but your idea is better.  Thank you very muchfor the help.

Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on March 28, 2018, 06:43:56 AM
Just out of curiosity, is the correct name spelling Halley’s Comet or Haille’s Comet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 28, 2018, 09:45:28 AM
Got the cement mixer out and used it to mix up 13 pots wirth of dirt.  DG+compost+manure+slow release+sulfer concoction.  That was a lot of work shoveling and mixing and moving all the heavy pots around.

Not sure if I will end up regretting the location and spacing on these but here it is.  I plan to add another support on the inside of the fence 6ft up and 2ft out from the fence.  Going to put some nursery down spray drips on them next.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/890/26201223477_9c272709a8_b.jpg)

Here is the varieties and how they are laid out.  The ones with indents are on DF supports not on the fence but close by.

Thompson
G2
Voodoo child
Rixford
Bloody mary
         Makasupa
         Dark star
Bruni
Purple haze
Simon purple
        Cosmic charlie
        Haley comet
        physical graphitti
Yellow?
Orijana
Neon
         Am beauty
         San ignacio
Nicaragua red
Delight
Yellow mega peru
                           S8
                           S8
                           Condor
                           Condor
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 28, 2018, 12:08:04 PM
Just out of curiosity, is the correct name spelling Halley’s Comet or Haille’s Comet?

Halley’s Comet
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sidney on March 30, 2018, 08:58:44 AM
Some of my vines are yellowing at the base and the green fleah is falling away. Disease?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 30, 2018, 09:24:31 AM

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/890/26201223477_9c272709a8_b.jpg)


Simply amazing!  You've got it down pat.

Yesterday I got some Sugar Pitaya cuttings in.   Will pot up 2, share the others.  Any one have any info on this one?  Gifter loves it but searching for info has been limited.
 
(https://s9.postimg.cc/70isan2u3/Sugar_Pitaya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/70isan2u3/)
 
I'm stocked up and ready to go - grafting Atis atemoya, some cherimoyas, etc. to seedlings.  My fave is 4 c.f. coarse vermiculite.  Also, the fine quality of the pine bark mulch from Lowe's was shocking.  Really nice stuff from fines to light airy chunks.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/mm03utca3/Vermiculite.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mm03utca3/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 30, 2018, 11:49:49 AM

Yesterday I got some Sugar Pitaya cuttings in.   Will pot up 2, share the others.  Any one have any info on this one?  Gifter loves it but searching for info has been limited.
 
(https://s9.postimg.cc/70isan2u3/Sugar_Pitaya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/70isan2u3/)
 

Is it Sugar Dragon?  "Sugar Dragon" is the name Linda Nickerson gave to Paul Thomson's 'S-8' (or '8-S') .

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12824.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12824.0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on March 30, 2018, 02:47:50 PM

(https://s17.postimg.cc/ogf1l2u9n/20180325_170130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ogf1l2u9n/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/a9zapw94r/20180325_170032.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a9zapw94r/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 30, 2018, 03:18:42 PM

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/890/26201223477_9c272709a8_b.jpg)


Simply amazing!  You've got it down pat.

Yesterday I got some Sugar Pitaya cuttings in.   Will pot up 2, share the others.  Any one have any info on this one?  Gifter loves it but searching for info has been limited.
 
(https://s9.postimg.cc/70isan2u3/Sugar_Pitaya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/70isan2u3/)
 
I'm stocked up and ready to go - grafting Atis atemoya, some cherimoyas, etc. to seedlings.  My fave is 4 c.f. coarse vermiculite.  Also, the fine quality of the pine bark mulch from Lowe's was shocking.  Really nice stuff from fines to light airy chunks.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/mm03utca3/Vermiculite.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mm03utca3/)

Mark, pop the cuttings in dry mix and leave them for a few days then water once and leave again for a week or 2.  Keep doing that until you see buds.  Cutting the terminal end if not already done helps speed it up also.  Seriously go easy on the water, they do well with very little water until they hit their stride.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 30, 2018, 08:32:47 PM

Is it Sugar Dragon?  "Sugar Dragon" is the name Linda Nickerson gave to Paul Thomson's 'S-8' (or '8-S') .

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12824.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=12824.0)

yep

Well do Brad, thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on March 30, 2018, 09:37:36 PM
My FloridaSunset and Condor are blooming already

(https://s17.postimg.cc/ogf1l2u9n/20180325_170130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ogf1l2u9n/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/a9zapw94r/20180325_170032.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a9zapw94r/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on March 31, 2018, 07:01:14 AM
My FloridaSunset and Condor are blooming already

(https://s17.postimg.cc/ogf1l2u9n/20180325_170130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ogf1l2u9n/)

(https://s17.postimg.cc/a9zapw94r/20180325_170032.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a9zapw94r/)

Turning yellow already, falling off in 3....2.....1
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 31, 2018, 08:23:52 AM
OK, now realize pitaya has very shallow roots that spread wide and far.  Here's my plan.  Thoughts are welcome.   Gonna take a long strip of 16" RootBuilder, cut it in half making it 8" tall.  Wrap and tie it into a large rectangle about 8' long X 18" wide squaring off the corners and place it against a greenhouse wall.  Backfill with a very sandy/vermiculite soil with some humus and LAY the cuttings down so that 1 side is just below the surface for rooting.  Done this with cacti, why not pitaya?   Should give me a lot of output along the cutting.  I can plant 3 different available varieties in this one long pot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 31, 2018, 10:56:43 AM
OK, now realize pitaya has very shallow roots that spread wide and far.  Here's my plan.  Thoughts are welcome.   Gonna take a long strip of 16" RootBuilder, cut it in half making it 8" tall.  Wrap and tie it into a large rectangle about 8' long X 18" wide squaring off the corners and place it against a greenhouse wall.  Backfill with a very sandy/vermiculite soil with some humus and LAY the cuttings down so that 1 side is just below the surface for rooting.  Done this with cacti, why not pitaya?   Should give me a lot of output along the cutting.  I can plant 3 different available varieties in this one long pot.

Mark, Dragon Fruit are more like epiphyllums, not like desert cacti. I would use the same rooting techniques epiphyllum and Dragon Fruit grower use.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kalan on March 31, 2018, 11:51:09 AM
South Florida people:
I emailed Linda Nickerson hoping to purchase a cutting or two of her s-8. She informed me that she ships only in large flat rate boxes ($25) plus $8 for a large cutting. Seems like it makes sense to order 10-20 cuttings if I go in with a few forum members.

If you are interested, check the buy and sell forum or PM me directly.
Keith
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on March 31, 2018, 01:39:14 PM
South Florida people:
I emailed Linda Nickerson hoping to purchase a cutting or two of her s-8. She informed me that she ships only in large flat rate boxes ($25) plus $8 for a large cutting. Seems like it makes sense to order 10-20 cuttings if I go in with a few forum members.

If you are interested, check the buy and sell forum or PM me directly.
Keith
Sorry already have a S8 in  S FL
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bassisti95 on March 31, 2018, 01:46:11 PM
Hello, super new and super dumb here but if I could bother anybody to answer a few very basic questions about growing dragon fruit I would be so very grateful.. I really want to start growing Dragon Fruit (happy to keep it indoors when necessary due to my zone) but particularly a yellow. I found a place that has a yellow variety cutting in stock and in their description they say it is best to grow with 2-3 other varieties for cross pollination. I've looked up how to do the pollinating myself but, probably because this is such a stupid question, I haven't actually heard somebody directly state if a yellow dragon fruit can cross pollinate with a red variety for instance. My impression is you can but if you grow another fruit from the seeds produced it'll be a new variety and that's one reason (in addition to ease/speed) people use cuttings, to maintain favorable variety. I just don't want to buy the only yellow cutting I can find available online at the moment and pair it with something I'm too ignorant to realize isn't compatible. Also how would I cross pollinate with more than one variety if I were to buckle down and dedicate enough house space to three plants..? Do I just gather pollen from all three and swap or is it just best to shuffle it up after a harvest or two so it's not always the same thing..? Another thing that seems important, is there any way to influence two or more plants to flower at the same time? Do they have the internal clock or do I just hope for the best? I know the flowers don't last long and I've heard you can freeze the pollen for up to 30 days if you really need to but even then at the very least I can't pollinate the first flower I see. Not a big deal I'm just wondering if there's something I'm missing. Or can I buy a red variety that is self pollinating but also use that to pollinate a yellow variety that isn't..?
I would love to ask ten more questions and really go into this as prepared as possible but I'm also happy to fail until I get it right and really I just want to understand the cross pollination thing so I'll stop there. Thanks so much to anybody who let me take their time and good day to all
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 31, 2018, 03:50:26 PM

Mark, Dragon Fruit are more like epiphyllums, not like desert cacti. I would use the same rooting techniques epiphyllum and Dragon Fruit grower use.

Will try both.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on March 31, 2018, 07:33:30 PM
OK, now realize pitaya has very shallow roots that spread wide and far.  Here's my plan.  Thoughts are welcome.   Gonna take a long strip of 16" RootBuilder, cut it in half making it 8" tall.  Wrap and tie it into a large rectangle about 8' long X 18" wide squaring off the corners and place it against a greenhouse wall.  Backfill with a very sandy/vermiculite soil with some humus and LAY the cuttings down so that 1 side is just below the surface for rooting.  Done this with cacti, why not pitaya?   Should give me a lot of output along the cutting.  I can plant 3 different available varieties in this one long pot.
It will be interesting to compare pot and bed culture, you could be breaking new ground.

Hold the cuttings in a cool shady place till they get good and dry. Large growers just stand them up leaning but touching soil until they strike roots.  After that, plant in your beds. Some let cuttings heal and plant in pots or directly in soil, I did that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIx7tJrSPUc&t=3s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIx7tJrSPUc&t=3s)

You want single growing stems going up with no branching, you should continually remove branches when they start and into the life of the plant. Train upwards to top of trellis and a little beyond, maybe five segments beyond then tip prune to encourage top branching. I have seen cattle panel trellis in a greenhouse used before.

You could try laying them down on an experimental basis.  But what you want is a very vigorous SINGLE stem growing upwards.
The plant seems to respond naturally to a single stem with fastest growth, and the goal is to get up as quickly as possible. If it slows down or stops for whatever reason you will have to wait for a new tip branch to form and accelerate upwards again. A good grower might never stop. Then when it reaches the top branch out and make the drooping form. Once those branches get full growth you are set to flower. With luck starting now that could be in early fall, about 8 months. Not sure what they will do during Fall in Texas, there may be some day length sensitivity.

I'm just getting started, and what I am telling you is mostly gleaned from watching what the professionals in Vietnam have done, they lead the world in production so I am trying to emulate them. Others may have new and different methods. Mine are just beginning to branch at the top. In my area established plants have come out of dormancy and are actively growing. Flowering here should be starting early summer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 31, 2018, 09:54:50 PM
Hello, super new and super dumb here but if I could bother anybody to answer a few very basic questions about growing dragon fruit I would be so very grateful.. I really want to start growing Dragon Fruit (happy to keep it indoors when necessary due to my zone) but particularly a yellow. I found a place that has a yellow variety cutting in stock and in their description they say it is best to grow with 2-3 other varieties for cross pollination. <snip>

First you will need to learn the difference between the attractive, but bland tasting, yellow H. Undatus Dragon Fruit variety and the sweeter better tasting yellow S. Megalanthis Dragon Fruit variety.

(https://s14.postimg.cc/3r3bjzzxp/yellow.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3r3bjzzxp/)

The description that says it is best to grow 2 - 3 different varieties for cross pollination may indicate the seller is selling the yellow H. Undatus variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 01, 2018, 12:15:10 AM
Hello, super new and super dumb here but if I could bother anybody to answer a few very basic questions about growing dragon fruit I would be so very grateful.. I really want to start growing Dragon Fruit (happy to keep it indoors when necessary due to my zone) but particularly a yellow. I found a place that has a yellow variety cutting in stock and in their description they say it is best to grow with 2-3 other varieties for cross pollination. I've looked up how to do the pollinating myself but, probably because this is such a stupid question, I haven't actually heard somebody directly state if a yellow dragon fruit can cross pollinate with a red variety for instance. My impression is you can but if you grow another fruit from the seeds produced it'll be a new variety and that's one reason (in addition to ease/speed) people use cuttings, to maintain favorable variety. I just don't want to buy the only yellow cutting I can find available online at the moment and pair it with something I'm too ignorant to realize isn't compatible. Also how would I cross pollinate with more than one variety if I were to buckle down and dedicate enough house space to three plants..? Do I just gather pollen from all three and swap or is it just best to shuffle it up after a harvest or two so it's not always the same thing..? Another thing that seems important, is there any way to influence two or more plants to flower at the same time? Do they have the internal clock or do I just hope for the best? I know the flowers don't last long and I've heard you can freeze the pollen for up to 30 days if you really need to but even then at the very least I can't pollinate the first flower I see. Not a big deal I'm just wondering if there's something I'm missing. Or can I buy a red variety that is self pollinating but also use that to pollinate a yellow variety that isn't..?
I would love to ask ten more questions and really go into this as prepared as possible but I'm also happy to fail until I get it right and really I just want to understand the cross pollination thing so I'll stop there. Thanks so much to anybody who let me take their time and good day to all
Ok, first off, your best bet is to start back a few pages and read up on past discussion. a lot of questions about pollinization, crossbreeding and such can be found there. Second, do NOT grow dragon fruit thinking your main crop is going to be the yellow fruit. The Megalanthus, the yellow that's actually good, is a giant pain in the rear to grow and to get to produce, and even harder to wait for, as it has a ripening time up to 3 TIMES that of common dragon fruit. What you should strive for is to produce a collection of fruit, and if you want to include the yellow into that, that's fine. Try and pick yourself up a good red/magenta variety, like American Beauty, or others, for fruit production, one of the sweeter white ones for presentation, and as I recommend to everyone, try and get at least one S-8 "sugar dragon" for both flavor and pollen production. You can add yellows, or anything else you fancy, to this list. Yellow Megalanthus is not what I would call a 'beginners' variety. I grew it for a while and Ive removed it from my collection. I have limited space and it wasn't worth the resources required to maintain it.
Other than that, welcome to the community. I'm sure we can help you get into the groove of things here.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on April 01, 2018, 05:54:03 AM
Well said, Rob.
I’ve often wondered why people who are ‘really keen’ to get into growing dragonfruit, don’t take the time to browse through the 100+ pages of info on this particular thread!
I can honestly say that I’ve read every post on this thread and some posts, two or three times! Any question I’ve had is usually answered 10 fold if you take the time to sit down and read what’s on offer.
Having said that, growing half a dozen varieties is a whole lot more satisfying than focusing on 1 particular variety! I’ve waited all season for my megalanthus to flower(and it has just put out six buds heading into winter), and while waiting, I’ve collected probably 200kg of other varieties over the past 5 months!
More is better in growing dragonfruit!

On a different note, the variety G-2, has been the top pick with everyone who has sampled the varieties I’ve picked this season. Truly a top selection for anyone starting out!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on April 01, 2018, 12:30:40 PM
Rob, can you share a little more on challenges of growing the giant yellow? I am grafting seedings onto other DF vines and would love to hear more about it.

Rannman, is there a more common name of G2? Not sure if it’s available in the states.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bassisti95 on April 01, 2018, 05:12:23 PM
Well said, Rob.
I’ve often wondered why people who are ‘really keen’ to get into growing dragonfruit, don’t take the time to browse through the 100+ pages of info on this particular thread!

Quite on the contrary my friend I'm very excited to have found a place with so much information and so many conversations for me to read through. I'm very sorry to ask questions that have already been answered it's just that like I said I have only found three websites that sell yellow dragon fruit cuttings and only one of them has it in stock, I was only hoping to find a quick answer to know if I can pollinate it properly so I can purchase a cutting before they sell out the last of their stock and I'm left without any places that have yellow cuttings in stock. I'm ecstatic to read through all of these posts and learn as much as I can and thank you so very much for your advice I truly appreciate it. Personally I'm not worried about the yellow plant spitting fruit out to me as fast as any variety that's why I'm not bothered that I need another plant anyway to cross pollinate. My working plan is to pair a red/pink/magenta variety with the yellow anyway but your point brings up to me that even if I'm okay with one fruiting much more slowly, I'm that much more likely to find myself with a flowering red while the yellow isn't ready to flower so I'd be unable to pollinate the red anyway. Def something good to consider beforehand so again thank you very much. I'm really trying to learn as much as possible I appreciate everybody's kindness. I guess if I'm going with the yellow I need to have three or more after all, two which can take care of each other and then I can just pollinate the yellow whenever it can produce
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bassisti95 on April 01, 2018, 05:20:02 PM
Ok, first off, your best bet is to start back a few pages and read up on past discussion. a lot of questions about pollinization, crossbreeding and such can be found there. Second, do NOT grow dragon fruit thinking your main crop is going to be the yellow fruit. The Megalanthus, the yellow that's actually good, is a giant pain in the rear to grow and to get to produce, and even harder to wait for, as it has a ripening time up to 3 TIMES that of common dragon fruit. What you should strive for is to produce a collection of fruit, and if you want to include the yellow into that, that's fine. Try and pick yourself up a good red/magenta variety, like American Beauty, or others, for fruit production, one of the sweeter white ones for presentation, and as I recommend to everyone, try and get at least one S-8 "sugar dragon" for both flavor and pollen production. You can add yellows, or anything else you fancy, to this list. Yellow Megalanthus is not what I would call a 'beginners' variety. I grew it for a while and Ive removed it from my collection. I have limited space and it wasn't worth the resources required to maintain it.
Other than that, welcome to the community. I'm sure we can help you get into the groove of things here.

Thank you so much for your advice it's so very appreciated. I'm so in love with the yellow that I feel, at least now, that I don't want to let anything hold me back so I'm def going to take your advice and not rely on one yellow and one red to get consistent results and try to set myself up with four plants if I can make it work, or else I'll start with some other varieties and introduce the yellow when the time is right, that's def thoughtful advice. I'll try to keep an eye out for the sugar dragon variety but in Ohio I'm pretty much limited to what I can get shipped to me from online companies... That said long term I'm thinking I may take a road trip southwest looking for a farm where I can get more varieties. Just something on the back of my mind... Anyway thank you so much for taking the time
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on April 01, 2018, 06:16:40 PM
Rob, can you share a little more on challenges of growing the giant yellow? I am grafting seedings onto other DF vines and would love to hear more about it.

Rannman, is there a more common name of G2? Not sure if it’s available in the states.

Thanks.
Quote

G-2 is the only name I know it by, sorry. Don’t even remember where I purchased the cutting unfortunately.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 01, 2018, 07:06:02 PM
Ok, first answer. Starts with a question. By 'giant yellow', are you referring to the spiny Megalanthus, the one that kinda looks like a yellow pineapple when the cactus spines are brushed off, or do you mean the yellow Undatus, that looks like a traditional dragon fruit, but yellow. I don't have much (any) experience growing the yellow Undatus, but what Ive read has been that it is very attractive, but not as good tasting as the standard pink/red varieties. There might be sub-species out there where this is not the case, but that's what I know about them to this point. As for the Megalanthus, I have grown those before, at least the varieties that were available 3-5 years ago. The plant tends to be fickle about growing, its more sensitive to rot and fungus, at least for me, and the fruit takes up to 160 days to ripen from flower. It is VERY high sugar content, but the ones I grew were almost ALL sugar, and no flavor. I started referring to them as the "Rock Candy" variety, because it was just like eating sweetened raw gelatin. They weren't 'bad', but neither is pouring sugar into a glass of water and drinking it; just a hit of sugar. Now having said that, this is a hobby for most people, and everyone has differing tastes, and I would never tell anyone they are wrong for liking what they like. I just decided that the yellow wasn't for me.
Second answer, is if they are still doing business, Linda Nickerson, the lady in Fallbrook who sells the Sugar Dragon variety, had (had) a huge crop of G-2 plants. She runs Elk Creek Ranch in Fallbrook, which is reasonably close to the San Diego area. Here's her website:
http://www.devonsaustraliancattledogs.com/ (http://www.devonsaustraliancattledogs.com/)
Yes, I know it says cattle dogs, but she's a multi-tasker. If they are still selling plants, they can hook you up with a few top quality varieties, at good prices. As always, Id suggest buying rooted plants instead of cuttings, if you can afford the small difference. Will put you ahead up to an entire year's worth of growing time compared to waiting for cuttings to start.
Hope this helps you guys out.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bassisti95 on April 01, 2018, 07:23:23 PM
It is VERY high sugar content, but the ones I grew were almost ALL sugar, and no flavor. I started referring to them as the "Rock Candy" variety, because it was just like eating sweetened raw gelatin. They weren't 'bad', but neither is pouring sugar into a glass of water and drinking it; just a hit of sugar. Now having said that, this is a hobby for most people, and everyone has differing tastes, and I would never tell anyone they are wrong for liking what they like. I just decided that the yellow wasn't for me.
That's such a shame to hear you didn't like the megalanthus you had! There is an international market super close to my house and given that I just eat plants their produce section is my candy store. Anyway for the past little while they have been host to a very delicious yellow (def the one with spines, megalanthus) which was not much smaller than the average DF's around here (which to be clear aren't the worlds largest) and while def sweeter than all the whites and reds I've had I def wouldn't have described it in that way and I don't think I'm too much of a sweet tooth guy... Maybe I should be going there now to try and inquire after their supplier before they throw away receipts.... xD
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on April 02, 2018, 12:34:23 AM
Rob, yes I was referring to the Megalanthus. Agree that it’s very sweet and has less flavors compared to the ones with red flesh, but all my family enjoy it very much. I am a new DF grower and I am trying other varieties too.

Thanks for sharing the info as well as G-2 source. I will check it out.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on April 02, 2018, 02:37:12 PM
That's such a shame to hear you didn't like the megalanthus you had! There is an international market super close to my house and given that I just eat plants their produce section is my candy store. Anyway for the past little while they have been host to a very delicious yellow (def the one with spines, megalanthus) which was not much smaller than the average DF's around here (which to be clear aren't the worlds largest) and while def sweeter than all the whites and reds I've had I def wouldn't have described it in that way and I don't think I'm too much of a sweet tooth guy... Maybe I should be going there now to try and inquire after their supplier before they throw away receipts.... xD

If you have access to the fruit, you can always grow your own from seed. When you eat your next fruit, save a bunch of the seeds, clean them off, scatter a bunch in a pot, using well draining soil, then cover lightly.  Water and wait.  If its fresh seed, it should have a high germination rate.  After a bit, pick the largest 3-4, pot them up, and then wait (a couple of years - the only downside.)  I've done it on a lark, using seed from an uninspiring white flesh DF.  I've pretty much neglected the two survivors, they are in small pots on the side of the house.  One's about 4' high.  If I was serious about fruit from them I'd put them on my trellis and take care of them.  But its an option.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bassisti95 on April 02, 2018, 04:03:17 PM
If you have access to the fruit, you can always grow your own from seed. When you eat your next fruit, save a bunch of the seeds, clean them off, scatter a bunch in a pot, using well draining soil, then cover lightly.  Water and wait.  If its fresh seed, it should have a high germination rate.  After a bit, pick the largest 3-4, pot them up, and then wait (a couple of years - the only downside.)  I've done it on a lark, using seed from an uninspiring white flesh DF.  I've pretty much neglected the two survivors, they are in small pots on the side of the house.  One's about 4' high.  If I was serious about fruit from them I'd put them on my trellis and take care of them.  But its an option.

Indeed I'm def considering it. I'm up to page 45 in this thread but I'm still a little confused about a few things regarding pollinating so I'm kind of worried that if I grow something where I'm not explicitly told how to go about pollinating I might have a hard time troubleshooting as it were while I'm still new. But I guess if I can get a bunch of flowers at once I can just try a different thing on each flower, see what happens and go from there. Especially considering if I do it from seed by the time it's ready I may have already had a few years with other DF plants and be in a better place to figure it out...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on April 02, 2018, 10:45:25 PM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 03, 2018, 12:33:13 AM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

Some people have to hand pollinate with stored pollen when the bees do not have any non-related pollen to pollinate non-self fertile varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on April 05, 2018, 09:37:57 AM
Hi,

Can someone please give me a good recipe for a soil mix for growing dragon fruit in a container?

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 07, 2018, 03:16:38 PM
There is a 2 part answer to this question, and it depends on where you are with your plants: Cuttings or rooted plants.
FOR CUTTINGS: You're going to want to use the most basic of soils for establishing cuttings, Raw sand or gravel, perlite, fine wood chip mulch, even bagged 'topsoil' works for cuttings. The idea is you want to have a physically stable medium for them to set up in, with access to light moisture but plenty of air, moderate warmth and ZERO fertilizer. Root stimulator is fine, but DO NOT EVER put new cuttings in fertilized potting soil or add any sort of outside nutrients until the plants are transplanted to their actual growing location, with a healthy set of established roots. Most engineered fertilizers are designed to promote healthy adult plant growth, and can be too much for newly sprouting roots. Would be like giving a newborn two adult multivitamin pills a day; more harm than good. Also, since were on the subject, find a partially shady spot to keep your cuttings while they set up. Sun and warmth are fine, and encouraged, but if you over-sun them, they can get bleached and yellow up. Remember, these aren't complete plants, and they have very little way of sustaining or replacing the chlorophyll they use for growth and energy production. At this stage, warmth is more important than sunlight, and if you want, you can even keep them indoors if you have a low power heating mat you can place the pots on.
As a side note, to generate rooted plants at my house all I do is throw my cuttings, usually an entire plant branch, into a large yard tub, in a semi-shady area, and add about 3 inches of water every two weeks or so. It seems to work fine, but people keep telling me you can't start these plants in standing water, so you did not hear that from me.  ;)
FOR ESTABLISHED PLANTS: First and foremost, make sure you're using an appropriate sized container. Personally, I recommend working in stages, putting young plants in, say, a gallon sized pot with a support stick, until they grow tall enough to start training on a permanent support, but if you want to jump right away into a endgame sized container, that's fine too. I just prefer the smaller pots because they are mobile, take up less space in the mean time, and it gives you the ability to monitor the plants growth before committing it to the big leagues. I always try to tell people to get multiple cuttings of whatever they decide to grow, that way if theres a problem with a particular cutting, you have backups. You can always give away or discard extras if things work out. And a small container, when youre ready, you can just slit the side of the cheapo nursery pots to free then entire soil ball, or shatter cheap ceramic pots to free them. Avoid pulling plants out of pots to transplant them, as the root tips tend to be very fine and you don't want to do ANY damage, if you can avoid it.
OK, back on topic. Soil composition for growing plants should be porus but hold water. Airy but solid. One of the biggest myths and misconceptions about dragon fruit is the idea of "overwatering" the plants. If your soil is proper, you CANNOT overwater dragon fruit. The problem is STANDING WATER. During the growing and fruiting seasons of the plants, your soil should ALWAYS be moist, but not wet. In the off months, late fall, winter and very early spring, its ok to not water the plants, especially if you live in an area that experiences reliable rainfall. But the rest of the year, the plants need water to survive and grow, and how often you water will depend entirely on your climate and the way you prepared the soil.
There are 3 key needs for dragon fruit when it comes to soil. Water retention, drainage and the ability for the roots to grow freely.
Now retention and drainage seem like they would be at odds with each other, so let me explain what I mean by that. When you water a pot, organic and pourus materials in the soil soak up free standing water and (usually) expand, same as how a dry sponge does. When a volume of soil has absorbed as much water as it can, if the soil compositionand pot design allows, the remaining water drains out of the container. from that point forward, as time, heat and pressure persist, the water in the absorbant parts of the soil slowly leaches back out. This is where the roots collect their needed H2O between watering sessions. Eventually, the stored water is completely exhausted, and it's time to either water again, or the plants will stop collecting new water to use in growth and energy production. The problems arise when too much water is allowed to stay in the spaces between the soil, as the roots also require exposure to the "air" to collect CO2, Nitrogen, etc., just like the rest of the plant does. Making sure your soil can both hold moisture and drain water is key. If you can do this, the third portion, having soil loose enough for the roots to freely expand and spread out, should come naturally.
Wow, that was a long way to go for a recipe for dirt, I know. But since that was the original question, I suppose I should get to that at some point. Here's what I, personally, recommend:
Mix the following (for established plants):
40% quality potting soil, moisture retaining type if available
20% fine grain bark chips (nothing added, no colors, weed block, etc)
20% steer manure
10% playground sand
10% perlite
Prepare your container with 2 inches of course gravel at the bottom for drainange, with either coco fiber or weed block fabric over that (to ensure drainage holes dont get clogged). Add soil mix to fill container to 80% capacity (max). Use a minimum of 15 gallon container for a single plant to grow to full maturity. Larger containers can host 2-3 plants if you have room for them, and are a great way to ensure variety and help with pollinization later on, by mixing varieties in a single container. The 80% fill limit gives you room to both dump in water/liquid fertilizers without having to nurse in your pour, and to allow for addition of additional layers of soil; I ofter use time releaste fertilizers and blooming additives, but since the roots on dragon fruit are VERY shallow, instead of "scratching" in solid fertilizer, i layer it on top and then add an inch of top soil to allow the granulated nutrients to break down under a level of soil, as they are designed to do.
Now, this is how I prepare and prepared my dragon fruit for the world. It's entirely my opinion on how to make it work. Im sure others have differing opinions and techniques, and I encourage everyone interested to seek out multiple ideas before deciding on how they ultimately want to set up their gardens. Climate, location and growing skill can all effect how well you do with your plants, but I do hope this helps you get a bit closer to what you were hoping for.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 07, 2018, 04:04:00 PM
Will soon be planting cuttings in a RootBuilder pot.  It's finished out at 8" high, 15" wide, 5' long under clear Lexan polycarb.  Bottomless of course so rooting can continue in native soil it sits on.

I plan to lay the cuttings on their side, punch down one side of the 3 sided cuttings into the soil so it will root along the cutting and put off multiple shoots from the air/light exposed two sides.  Any one done this?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on April 07, 2018, 04:37:45 PM
The best tasting DF I had so far, sweet.

(https://i.imgur.com/Qfgc5Bw.jpg?1)



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 07, 2018, 08:12:06 PM
Will soon be planting cuttings in a RootBuilder pot.  It's finished out at 8" high, 15" wide, 5' long under clear Lexan polycarb.  Bottomless of course so rooting can continue in native soil it sits on.

I plan to lay the cuttings on their side, punch down one side of the 3 sided cuttings into the soil so it will root along the cutting and put off multiple shoots from the air/light exposed two sides.  Any one done this?
They are traditionally not grown this way by farmers or hobbyists, mostly because, I assume, no one does it that way. The roots do not come out of the side of the plant, they start from the wooden core of the branch. Once stimulated to produce roots, the cutting will, typically, start making new roots at the point of least resistance, which would be where it was separated from its parent plant. I don't think there is any real advantage to trying to root the entire cutting, as the plant, provided its healthy and in a favorable environment, will produce as large a root system as it requires or can accommodate.
Having said that, I don't think it would 'hurt' anything to grow it that way, aside from making the point from which your new shoot(s) spawn from a bit more random.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tomas on April 07, 2018, 10:26:37 PM
Hi Rob,

Thanks so much for that elaborate answer! That explains all I need to know an more. In my case I have cuttings. From what I read, the soil I use now may no be airy enough. One of my cuttings got brown an wilted so that's why I asked the question.

Tomas
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 08, 2018, 09:27:13 AM
They are traditionally not grown this way by farmers or hobbyists, mostly because, I assume, no one does it that way.

IOW, "a thousand flies on a pile of shit can't be wrong".   ;D

I might plant a few vertical, few horizontal.  Appreciate the thoughts though.  Works great for cactus and the physiology is not that far off.

"Roots can grow from any surface of the plant. This photo shows a root
growing in the middle of a surface and perpendicular to the surface.
These roots are intended to anchor to walls, tree bark, post, etc.
The roots can dry up without any harm.
The roots can absorb moisture and nutrients from wilted leaves and debris."

(https://s18.postimg.cc/kyvfegrhh/steve1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kyvfegrhh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on April 08, 2018, 12:35:14 PM
Rob,

my DF cuttings root fine in a white 5 gallon bucket filled with 1" of water, in full sun, half day. I top off once a week.
No need to baby those weeds.

Mark,

DF put out many side roots, the side close to the fence. Laying on the side waste space so we stand them up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2018, 08:31:51 AM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.  If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up???????
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on April 10, 2018, 08:49:32 AM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.  If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up???????

Seems like my DF flowers don't fully close until about 10 in the morning.  In my yard, the bees are busy on them until they can't get inside anymore.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on April 10, 2018, 11:03:01 AM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.  If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up???????

I expect the Sphynx moths are a good pollinator. It hovers like a hummingbird and has glowing eyes when lit at night.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollinates-night-blooming-cereus-59442.html (http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pollinates-night-blooming-cereus-59442.html)
 
video on moonflower/Datura:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3U5IWZCEFI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3U5IWZCEFI)

One night I noticed these moths visiting a Four-O-Clock bush(Mirabilis jalapa) I had which flowers late afternoon and through the night. I've planted one of these plants between each DF post to encourage visitation. They are a mixed blessing, one has a larval stage which is the tomato hornworm. Mirabilis jalapa is easy to grow from seed or once established, tubers. It is frost tender but returns from tubers even in lower zones.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on April 10, 2018, 01:24:21 PM
I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.
If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up???????

In theory... yes, bees can pollinate early in the morning before the flowers close up. But, the Dragon Fruit flower's pollen is better sometimes at night before midnight.

Commercial growers, with many plants, can rely on bees for pollination. Hobbyist growers with only a few plants, hand pollinate to increase their success getting fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2018, 01:38:10 PM
I expect the Sphynx moths are a good pollinator. It hovers like a hummingbird and has glowing eyes when lit at night.

That's the one I was thinking of.

Sounds like your visitation hours work out pretty well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 11, 2018, 08:38:51 PM
DF flowers also open and close based mostly on temperature, not light. On cool mornings the flower will stay open longer but on hot nights it might not open as much. Bees, bugs, even ants can facilitate pollinization
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on April 17, 2018, 06:04:04 AM

(https://s7.postimg.cc/bym4th0iv/0_BFB6576-71_F8-4176-8_F01-_DAA66_C15_D66_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bym4th0iv/)

(https://s7.postimg.cc/3t42vbrpj/E5_B3_FF74-4058-4_CA0-9_FE2-502_D2_A8_D29_A3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3t42vbrpj/)

Finally got a fruit to set on my Megalanthus x unknown variety, (Yellow x 68, Matt’s Landscape)! Only a very small fruit, possibly due to lack of cross pollination 🤔🤔🤔🤔, not sure if it is self fertile or not.
Was happy to see it had hot pink flesh(not obvious in photo), but flavour was ordinary.
Hopefully next season will be better. Knowing it’s a megalanthus with pink flesh will probably encourage me to spoil the plant a bit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on April 19, 2018, 03:01:09 PM

(https://s7.postimg.cc/bym4th0iv/0_BFB6576-71_F8-4176-8_F01-_DAA66_C15_D66_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bym4th0iv/)

(https://s7.postimg.cc/3t42vbrpj/E5_B3_FF74-4058-4_CA0-9_FE2-502_D2_A8_D29_A3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3t42vbrpj/)

Finally got a fruit to set on my Megalanthus x unknown variety, (Yellow x 68, Matt’s Landscape)! Only a very small fruit, possibly due to lack of cross pollination 🤔🤔🤔🤔, not sure if it is self fertile or not.
Was happy to see it had hot pink flesh(not obvious in photo), but flavour was ordinary.
Hopefully next season will be better. Knowing it’s a megalanthus with pink flesh will probably encourage me to spoil the plant a bit!


Nice looking fruit. The seeds look like the size of the megelanthus. Have you tried it yet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on April 20, 2018, 05:19:48 AM
I did try it. Was slightly underwhelming but given the plant is quite small and it has been struggling due to the very dry weather, it was ok. Hopefully next season will be more productive. The fruit was only the size of a chickens egg but I was just pleased that it was a pink fleshed Megalanthus variety!
(https://s7.postimg.cc/a46znd0yv/2_C3_C53_D8-_AFA3-4_A9_D-8362-_DB916_DFB2_BFE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a46znd0yv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on April 22, 2018, 07:02:45 PM
I did try it. Was slightly underwhelming but given the plant is quite small and it has been struggling due to the very dry weather, it was ok. Hopefully next season will be more productive. The fruit was only the size of a chickens egg but I was just pleased that it was a pink fleshed Megalanthus variety!
(https://s7.postimg.cc/a46znd0yv/2_C3_C53_D8-_AFA3-4_A9_D-8362-_DB916_DFB2_BFE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a46znd0yv/)


Yeah, hopefully next year plant will be healthier thus hopefully produces better tasting fruit.   😁
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 01, 2018, 02:32:37 PM
Hi

I am new to the forums and have been reading this thread, wow! Some of the plants on here looks amazing. I live in southern Spain and hope to get some success with these in smaller pots. I grabbed some seeds this December from a red with white flesh (name?) dragon fruit, they germinated and was up out of the ground around 20th of December. 

I have been growing them under artificial light for about 4 months now and they are about 4 - 6 inches in size. I recently transplanted them in a 3 gal pots (4ish, in 4 pots) around a wooden pole; secured from beneath the pot. 3 of those are now sitting outside receiving about 7 hours of sunlight, it will be around 10hs by June.  It is really cool to see them develop so rapidly.

Has anyone else had experiences growing dragon fruit from seed and how long it took for them to flower? :)

Picture of the progress (1 pot with the best looking ones are still kept inside):

(https://s7.postimg.cc/sa5mmp3qj/Dragons.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on May 02, 2018, 07:02:42 AM
Hi

I am new to the forums and have been reading this thread, wow! Some of the plants on here looks amazing. I live in southern Spain and hope to get some success with these in smaller pots. I grabbed some seeds this December from a red with white flesh (name?) dragon fruit, they germinated and was up out of the ground around 20th of December. 

I have been growing them under artificial light for about 4 months now and they are about 4 - 6 inches in size. I recently transplanted them in a 3 gal pots (4ish, in 4 pots) around a wooden pole; secured from beneath the pot. 3 of those are now sitting outside receiving about 7 hours of sunlight, it will be around 10hs by June.  It is really cool to see them develop so rapidly.

Has anyone else had experiences growing dragon fruit from seed and how long it took for them to flower? :)

Picture of the progress (1 pot with the best looking ones are still kept inside):

(https://s7.postimg.cc/sa5mmp3qj/Dragons.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Seed can be 4+years to give fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 02, 2018, 11:47:47 AM
Hi

I am new to the forums and have been reading this thread, wow! Some of the plants on here looks amazing. I live in southern Spain and hope to get some success with these in smaller pots. I grabbed some seeds this December from a red with white flesh (name?) dragon fruit, they germinated and was up out of the ground around 20th of December. 

I have been growing them under artificial light for about 4 months now and they are about 4 - 6 inches in size. I recently transplanted them in a 3 gal pots (4ish, in 4 pots) around a wooden pole; secured from beneath the pot. 3 of those are now sitting outside receiving about 7 hours of sunlight, it will be around 10hs by June.  It is really cool to see them develop so rapidly.

Has anyone else had experiences growing dragon fruit from seed and how long it took for them to flower? :)

Picture of the progress (1 pot with the best looking ones are still kept inside):

(https://s7.postimg.cc/sa5mmp3qj/Dragons.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Seed can be 4+years to give fruit

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping it will be faster as I will be growing them inside during the winter under powerful LED lights in a controlled environment. We will see, with your comment in-mind I then take it I should consider myself lucky if I manage to get anything sooner than that?  :)

Do you know if they would flower well in smaller pots, like the 3gal I got them in now?

Thanks for you comment!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 02, 2018, 12:07:57 PM

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping it will be faster as I will be growing them inside during the winter under powerful LED lights in a controlled environment. We will see, with your comment in-mind I then take it I should consider myself lucky if I manage to get anything sooner than that?  :)

Do you know if they would flower well in smaller pots, like the 3gal I got them in now?

Thanks for you comment!

In that case... I would estimate it will take 5+ years to get fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 02, 2018, 01:12:23 PM

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping it will be faster as I will be growing them inside during the winter under powerful LED lights in a controlled environment. We will see, with your comment in-mind I then take it I should consider myself lucky if I manage to get anything sooner than that?  :)

Do you know if they would flower well in smaller pots, like the 3gal I got them in now?

Thanks for you comment!

In that case... I would estimate it will take 5+ years to get fruit.

Ok! Worst case I could always replant them when they get bigger. :)

Thanks for your input.

Regards,
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on May 02, 2018, 03:05:36 PM

Ok! Worst case I could always replant them when they get bigger. :)

Thanks for your input.

Regards,
They can be somewhat fragile when they get bigger, it's easy to break them up on accident.  I would repot before they get more than 2' (~.6m) long.  I had one about 3-4 feet high and snapped it off at the middle, but at least I then had two dragon fruits...
Also, your central pole looks a little weak, the plants can get heavy when they get big enough to fruit prolifically.  When you up-pot them, I'd get a sturdier pole and something for them to hang over. This megathread has a lot of good examples in it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 04, 2018, 03:33:11 AM

Ok! Worst case I could always replant them when they get bigger. :)

Thanks for your input.

Regards,
They can be somewhat fragile when they get bigger, it's easy to break them up on accident.  I would repot before they get more than 2' (~.6m) long.  I had one about 3-4 feet high and snapped it off at the middle, but at least I then had two dragon fruits...
Also, your central pole looks a little weak, the plants can get heavy when they get big enough to fruit prolifically.  When you up-pot them, I'd get a sturdier pole and something for them to hang over. This megathread has a lot of good examples in it.

Thanks for your input, I will probably use this current setup as a nursing station. Thinking of feeding my dragon babies up the poles and once they reach the top, replant. :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 07, 2018, 12:49:12 PM
Just as a side note, if you have the ability at all, you might want to consider trying to acquire some cuttings of established plants. I know growing from seed seems fun, and I I'm not saying you should give up on the ones you have, but the two reasons most people grow from cuttings are, first, that you usually know the type of fruit you are getting from a piece of an established plant. With seed there is a slight chance that, through cross-pollinization and random 'birth' genetic variations, you could end up with fruit that's not the same as the plant it came from. Remember, the fruit part you eat is the 'womb' for the seeds, not the crossed offspring of the flower and pollen. The seeds are what get the genetic material of host mother and pollen father. The second reason is that cuttings give you fruit bearing plants MUCH sooner. A mature cutting can give you enough growth and flower set to bear fruit in 2 years sometimes, compared to the typical 4-5 for seedlings. I know, as I did some experimental crossbreeding early on, but got frustrated with it and just wanted to enjoy my plants.
Either way, though, welcome aboard. I hope you have fun with your new plant project and look forward to seeing how things progress.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 09, 2018, 02:08:09 PM
Wow that is awesome information, thanks! I have considered the idea, but not in a hurry to get fruit. I like growing and learning of the different plant-life stages.

Maybe you know what is happening to my seedlings? Some of them (mostly the smaller and weaker ones) has started to develop what looks to me like a sunburn(?).

(https://s9.postimg.cc/te8rnzd33/dragprob.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

They have been getting full sun for about 3 weeks. I moved the pots yesterday to a spot where they'll receive 3-4 hours of direct morning sun instead of 9 or so.

Has anyone experienced this before? Could it be a nutrient issue? 

Thanks.  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: owenismo on May 09, 2018, 02:58:15 PM
Yeah it is sun damage. I leave mine in the shade and only receive some morning sun. Good move!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 09, 2018, 03:17:57 PM
Thanks! You confirmed my initial belief. :) After you clarified I went on to move all the pots to the shade, not just the sunburned.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 09, 2018, 07:39:32 PM
I'm growing some yellow DF from seeds too and some of mine got sunburned cause I let it get full sun. Now it only gets morning sun.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 10, 2018, 03:35:41 AM
Hi Sandy, they still grow ok in the shade? When are they old enough to go full sun?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 10, 2018, 02:04:56 PM
Hi Sandy, they still grow ok in the shade? When are they old enough to go full sun?

They're doing ok. They get morning sun and afternoon shade when the sun's the hottest. Since they're still seedlings, I find it best to harden it off. These are the ones that I had recently planted outside and they were in the house in front of a bright window last month.
But I also have some that are doing great and those get sun from morning till sunset. But I slowly acclimated these to the sun. I had them get morning sun and afternoon shade for a few weeks first
 Then when they got a little bigger and thicker, I slowly let them get more sun.
But I've also read that the yellow dragon are more sensitive to the cold and heat. It isn't really hot where I'm at right now. But when it gets to the 80s, I plan on just giving them morning sun and afternoon shade and that'll be a good 5 hrs of sun for them.
Title: How you can tell when you've been growing a plant for too long...
Post by: RobPatterson on May 10, 2018, 08:27:35 PM
When even the weeds around your house look familiar...

(https://s31.postimg.cc/sei7jz2if/weeds.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sei7jz2if/)

On a side note, here's something we all like to see.


(https://s31.postimg.cc/aogiz0oyf/s-8_may_flowers.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/aogiz0oyf/)

Looks like my plants are finally waking up from a long, harsh Southern California winter..... ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on May 11, 2018, 01:38:17 AM
Way to wake up.  Lots of flowers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on May 11, 2018, 02:32:59 PM
Way to wake up.  Lots of flowers.

Holy.. that looks like an awesome onset for the summer! Did you grow them from seeds? It is amazing to see that little one by the leaves and how well it is doing. Congratulations!  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 11, 2018, 06:59:01 PM
Rob, could you post a photo zoomed out of your support structure? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 11, 2018, 08:34:48 PM
These are older photos, from shortly after I built my setup. I have limited space at my house, so I had to grow most of my plants in the walkway on the side of my house. Unfortunately they don't get much sun during winter due to the neighbors house being in the way, so I lose out on about 2 months of proper fruiting season, but its still worth the end result. Since I took these pictures Ive removed most of the top PVC runners, to allow for me to get on a ladder and work with the tops of the plants

(https://s31.postimg.cc/60t0gz8hz/plants_001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/60t0gz8hz/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/iffshbuvb/plants_002.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iffshbuvb/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/4yitygs9j/plants_003.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4yitygs9j/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/5ba84npyv/plants_004.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5ba84npyv/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/6qbste6hj/plants_005.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6qbste6hj/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/bozb7xxfr/plants_006.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bozb7xxfr/)

And no, thats not a seedling or a start in the leaves. Its apparently a piece of a piece of a cutting that managed to escape while i was cleaning or pruining and managed to get itself established and, I assume, rerooted. I have a bit of clutter and I find 'strays' popping up all the time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 12, 2018, 09:08:09 AM
I have a bit of clutter and I find 'strays' popping up all the time.

Incredible job and I bet lots of fruit.  BTW, do your strays that stay prone take root and grow?  I've got some cuttings planted on their side with one rib sticking in the soil. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 12, 2018, 09:51:23 AM
Nice Rob.  Love the walkway you created. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 12, 2018, 10:28:29 PM
Most of the ground clutter that I don't end up cleaning up and throwing away will eventually try and root. Even the tiny, underdeveloped tips or shaded branches that fall behind my pots against my house I find trying to put out new shoots. In a hospitable environment these plants are very good at reproducing themselves through discarded branch materials, and I think if the end times ever came, they would take over my neighborhood in little time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 13, 2018, 09:00:53 AM
A few days ago I hand pollinated two flowers of Physical Graffiti with its own pollen. Was done at 11pm. Made sure I put a sufficient amount in the stigma. Flowers dropped. I had no other pollen available. I have heard both, that physical graffiti es self fertile and others say it not. Any one with experience on this ?

Particularly looking with successfull pollination with other cultivars.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 13, 2018, 11:30:33 AM
And this is why I wonder why folks sell DF cuttings for $7-$8 apiece to fellow board members? For a plant that propagates a clone of itself easier than any other.
I wonder why Nopales Tuna's are not $8 a fruit or cutting when they can have much tastier fruit than DF.
So weird how Hype works in culture and translates over to a comparatively bland tasting fruit.
I really enjoy Megalanthus fruits, Have yet to try a tasty red or white mesocarp DF.
Ive had flowers but no fruit on Voodoo Child, Halley's Comet and Physical Graffiti and Valdivia Roja.



Most of the ground clutter that I don't end up cleaning up and throwing away will eventually try and root. Even the tiny, underdeveloped tips or shaded branches that fall behind my pots against my house I find trying to put out new shoots. In a hospitable environment these plants are very good at reproducing themselves through discarded branch materials, and I think if the end times ever came, they would take over my neighborhood in little time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 13, 2018, 11:51:27 AM
A few days ago I hand pollinated two flowers of Physical Graffiti with its own pollen. Was done at 11pm. Made sure I put a sufficient amount in the stigma. Flowers dropped. I had no other pollen available. I have heard both, that physical graffiti es self fertile and others say it not. Any one with experience on this ?
Particularly looking with successfull pollination with other cultivars.

It has been my experience that Physical Graffiti is NOT self fertile.

It has also been reported that Physical Graffiti needs pollen from an unrelated Dragon Fruit, not a related Paul Thomson "S" variety (except S-8).

The following information came from Paul’s book Pitahaya – A Promising New Fruit Crop for Southern California, second edition August 2002, pgs. 39 – 41, 45 & 46.

Paul says his first Pitahaya hybrid seeds came from two unknown species he called “Neitzel” and “Rixford”. Neitzel produced white flesh fruit and Rizford produced red flesh fruit. From this cross, Paul says in his book that there were 8 seedlings produced. One seedling died and all of the remaining 7 flowered and produced fruit. Two of the plants had what Paul called outstanding fruit and three had very good fruit. In Paul’s own words; “It was a most fortuitous cross.”
Note: According to Paul, all of the seedlings from his “Netitzel X Rixford” cross must be cross pollinated to set fruit.

Paul also produced two seedlings from a different cross between “Houghton” and Rixford. Both Houghton and Rixford have red flesh fruit and in Paul’s opinion excellent flavor.

The “S” stands for seedling.

1-S – dark pink flesh, flavor very good, renamed “Physical Graffiti” by Florida nursery.

2-S – deep red flesh, flavor very good to excellent renamed “Cosmic Charlie”

3-S – delicate pink flesh, flavor superb, named “Delight” by Paul.

4-S – pale pink flesh, flavor very good.

5-S – dark red or magenta flesh, flavor good – very good, renamed “Purple Haze”

6-S – Paul removed after freeze damage

7-S – Paul removed after freeze damage

8-S – deep, almost fluorescent magenta flesh, flavor excellent, named “Sugar Dragon” by grower Linda.

9-S – red flesh, flavor a close second to 3-S, renamed “Dark Star” by Florida nursery.

Note: 7-S and 8-S are from the Houghton X Rixford cross.
S1, S2, S3, S8, etc. are the same, just different naming for 1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 8-S, etc.
It has been reported that some of the above were renamed by Pine Island Nursery.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 13, 2018, 12:34:27 PM
I understand Carlos’ and others frustration and disappointment.

My first introduction and taste of Dragon Fruit was at a Farmer’s Market while on vacation with family on the island of Hawaii. At that moment I decided I wanted to try and grow Dragon Fruit at home in Southern California.

I acquired my first named Dragon Fruit cuttings at the UC Pitahaya Festival in Irvine, CA.
At the festival I got to taste many different varieties.
On that day, my favorites were Delight and Halley’s Comet.
Unlike most people who collect several varieties, I decided I was only going to grow the two varieties I like best.
When it came time to selecting the 5 free cuttings, unlike most people who selected 5 different cuttings, I chose to get only 5 Halley’s Comet.
The next year I went back and got 5 Delight cuttings.

Over the next few years I suffered frustration and disappointment from flower drop and no fruit. I also got a better understanding of “self fertile”, self-pollinating, hand pollinating, etc. I learned that growers who had several unrelated varieties producing flowers at or near the same time were not experiencing the frustration and disappointment I was having.

Once I got to the point of having enough unrelated flowering varieties, my luck on harvesting Dragon Fruit changed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 13, 2018, 02:20:27 PM
Ricsha geat information. Thanks
Now I did hand pollinate two PG flowers with S-8 Sugar dragon pollen two nights ago. I stored the Sugar DRagon pollen two nights in the refrigerator. Let's see how that goes.

From your information I have to assume that Delight, American Beauty and Natural Mystic are not related to Physical Graffiti and may pollinate it.  I only have one Sugar Dragon of Flowering age, so I need to get a good system to store and preserve  pollen.  I did have pollen from the Amarican Beauty that I mixed with the Sugar dragon and pollinated two physical Grafiiti flowers and a Purple Haze flower.

Now so far my best flowering DF is the Physical Graffiti 10-15 flowers on 18 month old plants I need to learn what can be used to pollinate it.
Has anyone had experiencewith the above 3 underlined cultivar used to pollenize Physical Graffiti?

I also have a DF that flowers a lot: Pepino Dulce has not set one single fruit, not much is  available but If I can find out what pollen to use can be a good source of fruit.



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 13, 2018, 02:57:12 PM
From your information I have to assume that Delight, American Beauty and Natural Mystic are not related to Physical Graffiti and may pollinate it.  I only have one Sugar Dragon of Flowering age, so I need to get a good system to store and preserve  pollen.  I did have pollen from the Amarican Beauty that I mixed with the Sugar dragon and pollinated two physical Grafiiti flowers and a Purple Haze flower.

snip

I also have a DF that flowers a lot: Pepino Dulce has not set one single fruit, not much is  available but If I can find out what pollen to use can be a good source of fruit.

Delight and Physical Graffiti are seedlings that came from the same piece of fruit! Closely related.

Pepino Dulce and Physical Graffiti should be a good match for cross pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on May 13, 2018, 07:21:54 PM
From your information I have to assume that Delight, American Beauty and Natural Mystic are not related to Physical Graffiti and may pollinate it.  I only have one Sugar Dragon of Flowering age, so I need to get a good system to store and preserve  pollen.  I did have pollen from the Amarican Beauty that I mixed with the Sugar dragon and pollinated two physical Grafiiti flowers and a Purple Haze flower.

snip

I also have a DF that flowers a lot: Pepino Dulce has not set one single fruit, not much is  available but If I can find out what pollen to use can be a good source of fruit.

Delight and Physical Graffiti are seedlings that came from the same piece of fruit! Closely related.

Pepino Dulce and Physical Graffiti should be a good match for cross pollination.
Dang, Got that knowledge is king. How long you grown dragonfruit Ricshaw? thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 13, 2018, 07:55:38 PM
I understand Carlos’ and others frustration and disappointment.

My first introduction and taste of Dragon Fruit was at a Farmer’s Market while on vacation with family on the island of Hawaii. At that moment I decided I wanted to try and grow Dragon Fruit at home in Southern California.

I acquired my first named Dragon Fruit cuttings at the UC Pitahaya Festival in Irvine, CA.
At the festival I got to taste many different varieties.
On that day, my favorites were Delight and Halley’s Comet.
Unlike most people who collect several varieties, I decided I was only going to grow the two varieties I like best.
When it came time to selecting the 5 free cuttings, unlike most people who selected 5 different cuttings, I chose to get only 5 Halley’s Comet.
The next year I went back and got 5 Delight cuttings.

Over the next few years I suffered frustration and disappointment from flower drop and no fruit. I also got a better understanding of “self fertile”, self-pollinating, hand pollinating, etc. I learned that growers who had several unrelated varieties producing flowers at or near the same time were not experiencing the frustration and disappointment I was having.

Once I got to the point of having enough unrelated flowering varieties, my luck on harvesting Dragon Fruit changed.

Do you still need to do hand pollination or have you found ones, or combos, that are able to fruit without your help?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on May 13, 2018, 09:59:29 PM
Do you still need to do hand pollination or have you found ones, or combos, that are able to fruit without your help?

Somebody has to pollinate the flowers.
In my experience, since the flowers open at night, I have much better success (more fruit and larger fruit) hand pollinating. 
Local Dragon Fruit Farms rely mostly on bees to do the work.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 23, 2018, 10:38:48 AM
Hand pollination will increase your chances of success in getting fruit. Cross pollinating, even self fertile varieties, seems to increase the yields and quality of fruit. Doing to pollinating when the flower is completely open is the easiest, but sometimes you cant drag yourself out of bed at 2am to fiddle with flowers, so any time you still have access to the flower's stamen (its lady parts), you can still apply the pollen. Even the next morning, if the flower is somewhat wilted and you need to peel petals back to get inside the flower, as long as you don't do damage, successful pollinating is totally doable. I recommend that you collect pollen each time you're out doing your pollinating, that way its easier to apply pollen to plants, rather than trying to get it out of each flower as you go. Plus, it allows you keep some extra for the next day, so you can get right to work. At room temperature, not in direct sunlight, pollen will keep 24-48 hours just left on a plate or other surface. Don't place in a sealed container or cover, as trapped humidity and forced extraction of moisture can both be bad for the sensitive pollen. Properly prepared and frozen pollen will keep for weeks or months, but that's for more experienced users and generally requires some extra apparatus.
When I go out pollinating my specific collection of plants, what I do is (normally) collect pollen in 2 separate sets: S-8 (Sugar Dragon) and EE (Everything Else). The S-8 is such a good pollinator, and produces such large quantities of pollen, that I use it to pollinate all my other plants. Then I go back, collect whatever pollen is available from the rest of the mixed varieties, and pollinate my S-8's with that pollen cocktail. I don't do crossbreeding anymore so the particular species that ends up being the successful genetic donor doesn't matter to me, as long as I get a good fruit set. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 23, 2018, 10:50:10 AM
Had my first flower of the season pop a few days ago.  Looks like a few others are starting to bud.  I did pollinate it but it was also covered in ants so so maybe they will take care of that here.  Unfortunately they are nasty fire ants that actually eat the new growth on the vines.  Really hard to get rid of these ants.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/yklzdrqsr/20180521_082743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yklzdrqsr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 24, 2018, 07:38:08 AM
Had my first flower of the season pop a few days ago.  Looks like a few others are starting to bud.  I did pollinate it but it was also covered in ants so so maybe they will take care of that here.  Unfortunately they are nasty fire ants that actually eat the new growth on the vines.  Really hard to get rid of these ants.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/yklzdrqsr/20180521_082743.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yklzdrqsr/)

I have 20 acres of the bastards off and on.  Best bait is Extinguish Plus, then Amdro.  Bifenthrin drenches work well.  If using baits do not follow the label and broadcast.  A much more effective way to control them is to kick the mound to stir them up then sprinkle.   Really big mounds usually take about level 1 TB. They immediately get pissed and carry the bait into the ground.  Most if not all of that bait should be gone within 24 hrs.  Bingo!   ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 26, 2018, 08:39:04 AM
Yes Mark we are on the same page. Now that I have DF in the grove I use Extinguish and when I apply herbicide I add some Bifenthrin and the combination works great I Do it a couple of feet aeay from the roots and does the job well. Helps keep DF clean.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 26, 2018, 10:20:46 AM
Yes Mark we are on the same page. Now that I have DF in the grove I use Extinguish and when I apply herbicide I add some Bifenthrin and the combination works great I Do it a couple of feet aeay from the roots and does the job well. Helps keep DF clean.

It's all in the technique.

Been thinking about you.  Still doing avocados?  I know first hand how mother nature can take the "wind out of you".  (No pun intended).  We had a nasty storm with a tornado just north of us.  Died out before reaching us.  Fireworks were wild!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 26, 2018, 01:03:00 PM
Does that stuff only work on particular type of ants?  I have at least 2 differwnt types of ants here.  The red/brown ones bite and sting real bad and chew up DF vines.  The black ones seem fairly harmless but they still farm aphids and piss me off bad.  I really just want to eradicate them in my greenhouse and around outdoor DF plants. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 26, 2018, 03:14:05 PM
Does that stuff only work on particular type of ants?  I have at least 2 differwnt types of ants here.  The red/brown ones bite and sting real bad and chew up DF vines.  The black ones seem fairly harmless but they still farm aphids and piss me off bad.  I really just want to eradicate them in my greenhouse and around outdoor DF plants.
I have 2-3 types and the combo Extinguish with Bifenthrin works for all the ones I have
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 26, 2018, 04:10:40 PM
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CTMIAMI on May 27, 2018, 09:18:39 AM
Can any one confirm that Vietnamese Jaina will pollinate Paul Thompson's crosses like Physical Graffiti?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 28, 2018, 09:19:39 PM
(https://s22.postimg.cc/orlgoi1pp/D0_D27182-4244-4596-_BE24-5_FC74_BDBF414.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/orlgoi1pp/)


Noticed this bright red nub on a Houghton cutting I acquired end of last year from a nice member on their forum. I've heard that new growth on the red dragon fruit usually is red. Is this the same with Houghton or could this be a flower bud?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on May 28, 2018, 10:35:35 PM
It could be either one I've had some new growth convert in to flower buds. I have some Sugar Dragon cuttings that are flowering got them 5 months ago
(https://s15.postimg.cc/ghsq0342f/20180528_191557.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ghsq0342f/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/t96w6m8pj/20180528_191825.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t96w6m8pj/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 29, 2018, 01:01:24 AM
It could be either one I've had some new growth convert in to flower buds. I have some Sugar Dragon cuttings that are flowering got them 5 months ago
(https://s15.postimg.cc/ghsq0342f/20180528_191557.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ghsq0342f/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/t96w6m8pj/20180528_191825.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/t96w6m8pj/)



Wow! Nice!!... Those must've been really mature cuttings!
Do you happen to know if the Houghton needs cross pollination?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 29, 2018, 01:51:32 AM
Its a flower bud. Its very young so it might not STAY a flower bud, especially if its your first one. You can tell if you look at it closely as the new growth looks like overlapping scales. A new branch will typically be a bit more triangular, and less rounded as what you're seeing. Again, it might revert back to stem growth, but if it hangs on for the first 2 weeks or so, it should remain a flower.
(https://s33.postimg.cc/if5kaq7x7/Bud_to_Branch.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/if5kaq7x7/)
Here's what you'll see if you lose the flower due to not enough flowering hormones.


(https://s33.postimg.cc/f8b0rd2zf/Bud_to_Branch_Mature.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f8b0rd2zf/)
And here's what that will become if it's allowed to mature. Basically the flowers seem to be 6-sided stems, rather than 3, and if they revert back, they keep that hexagonal structure until either they decide its enough or the fruiting hormone bottoms out. I dont know if anyone has done any direct recearch on this phenomenon, but its pretty cool, and btw, harmless for the plant, if you decide to allow the six sided branch to continue.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 29, 2018, 02:36:41 AM
Its a flower bud. Its very young so it might not STAY a flower bud, especially if its your first one. You can tell if you look at it closely as the new growth looks like overlapping scales. A new branch will typically be a bit more triangular, and less rounded as what you're seeing. Again, it might revert back to stem growth, but if it hangs on for the first 2 weeks or so, it should remain a flower.
(https://s33.postimg.cc/if5kaq7x7/Bud_to_Branch.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/if5kaq7x7/)
Here's what you'll see if you lose the flower due to not enough flowering hormones.


(https://s33.postimg.cc/f8b0rd2zf/Bud_to_Branch_Mature.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f8b0rd2zf/)
And here's what that will become if it's allowed to mature. Basically the flowers seem to be 6-sided stems, rather than 3, and if they revert back, they keep that hexagonal structure until either they decide its enough or the fruiting hormone bottoms out. I dont know if anyone has done any direct recearch on this phenomenon, but its pretty cool, and btw, harmless for the plant, if you decide to allow the six sided branch to continue.


Ah... Thank you!

I've actually had 2 buda revert back to a stem and it turned into those 6 sided ones from a NOID white variety. I removed it though.

But this is the first bud for me for this year and it's from a cutting I received last October I believe. It's about 16 inches tall and I just placed it in it's permanent spot beginning of this month. So I was kinda surprised since I'm still kinda new to growing DF, that it's possible it could be a bud. But the cutting did look like a really mature cutting though. I guess that might be the reason.
Hopes it stays a bud and blooms and maybe it'll be able to try a fruit from the Houghton variety. Hopefully I have pollen to cross pollinate if need be.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on May 29, 2018, 07:38:19 PM
I don't know much about the Haughton variety, other than I think its one of the 2 parent varieties of the S-8 plant, but I do know that the S-8 Sugar Dragon variety, which your plant looks quite similar to, is self fertile, and a very good pollinator for all other varieties Ive heard of. Does this plant have a single thorn in most points, thick and woody, like a rose's thorn, not spiny like a traditional cactus? Darker green skin, but leaning a bit more towards a greyer green as opposed to more of a leafy, emerald green? Its kinda hard to get a scope of the overall plant from the closeup.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 30, 2018, 08:56:11 PM
I don't know much about the Haughton variety, other than I think its one of the 2 parent varieties of the S-8 plant, but I do know that the S-8 Sugar Dragon variety, which your plant looks quite similar to, is self fertile, and a very good pollinator for all other varieties Ive heard of. Does this plant have a single thorn in most points, thick and woody, like a rose's thorn, not spiny like a traditional cactus? Darker green skin, but leaning a bit more towards a greyer green as opposed to more of a leafy, emerald green? Its kinda hard to get a scope of the overall plant from the closeup.


That's what I heard too!
I'm not sure about the thorn. I tried looking for the thorns but there's none left. But the plant itself is like what you described, green but leans toward the grey side.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/vi57cxz19/F847668_E-_FE31-46_A9-_A4_A1-449_C721_D5_AF6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vi57cxz19/)



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on May 31, 2018, 12:09:51 AM
I don't know much about the Haughton variety, other than I think its one of the 2 parent varieties of the S-8 plant, but I do know that the S-8 Sugar Dragon variety, which your plant looks quite similar to, is self fertile, and a very good pollinator for all other varieties Ive heard of. Does this plant have a single thorn in most points, thick and woody, like a rose's thorn, not spiny like a traditional cactus? Darker green skin, but leaning a bit more towards a greyer green as opposed to more of a leafy, emerald green? Its kinda hard to get a scope of the overall plant from the closeup.


That's what I heard too!
I'm not sure about the thorn. I tried looking for the thorns but there's none left. But the plant itself is like what you described, green but leans toward the grey side.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/vi57cxz19/F847668_E-_FE31-46_A9-_A4_A1-449_C721_D5_AF6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vi57cxz19/)

I've got about 75% self pollination and self fertilization on my Houghton this year. If you pollinate with it's own pollen you will get nearly 100%. Good luck. You can save the pollen for a while in the fridge also.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on May 31, 2018, 02:51:06 AM
I don't know much about the Haughton variety, other than I think its one of the 2 parent varieties of the S-8 plant, but I do know that the S-8 Sugar Dragon variety, which your plant looks quite similar to, is self fertile, and a very good pollinator for all other varieties Ive heard of. Does this plant have a single thorn in most points, thick and woody, like a rose's thorn, not spiny like a traditional cactus? Darker green skin, but leaning a bit more towards a greyer green as opposed to more of a leafy, emerald green? Its kinda hard to get a scope of the overall plant from the closeup.


That's what I heard too!
I'm not sure about the thorn. I tried looking for the thorns but there's none left. But the plant itself is like what you described, green but leans toward the grey side.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/vi57cxz19/F847668_E-_FE31-46_A9-_A4_A1-449_C721_D5_AF6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vi57cxz19/)

I've got about 75% self pollination and self fertilization on my Houghton this year. If you pollinate with it's own pollen you will get nearly 100%. Good luck. You can save the pollen for a while in the fridge also.


Hey Mark!!!
How you doing? Out already have flowers! I envy your weather   😁
Thanks sooo much for the cuttings and I can't believe it already set out a bud!
In about 2 weeks I guess as mentioned, I'll be able to see if the bud took or not and I'll definitely pollinate it! Hopefully I will have fruit to try this year!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on May 31, 2018, 03:21:52 PM
Got a Bud at bottom of the dragon fruit
(https://s33.postimg.cc/wnqzs9w0b/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wnqzs9w0b/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on June 07, 2018, 02:40:20 AM
Got a Bud at bottom of the dragon fruit
(https://s33.postimg.cc/wnqzs9w0b/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wnqzs9w0b/)


Nice!! Hope yours set and gives you fruit!! I just planted my S8 but no buds on that one yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on June 14, 2018, 07:29:23 AM
edit/delete
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on June 14, 2018, 04:52:59 PM
Here is a video showing 8 months progress on my bed of dragon fruit and pineapple. DF is an unnamed pink fleshed variety with average size and flavor which was seen to be self fertile in my area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 15, 2018, 08:10:18 AM
Here is a video showing 8 months progress on my bed of dragon fruit and pineapple. DF is an unnamed pink fleshed variety with average size and flavor which was seen to be self fertile in my area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U)

Very nice setup!  You've put a lot of work and design planning into that project.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 15, 2018, 10:26:52 AM
Here is a video showing 8 months progress on my bed of dragon fruit and pineapple. DF is an unnamed pink fleshed variety with average size and flavor which was seen to be self fertile in my area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U)

Amazing garden.  Thanks for the video.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on June 15, 2018, 10:04:36 PM
I looked at my dragon fruits and saw some really small flower buds forming.
Lots of them.
I should be happy but I have a trip coming up in about a week or so and I will be gone for another week or two.
I looked up the old posting and it appears like from an inch long bud to open flowers is about 2 weeks.  I assume that from bud to open flowers will be between 2 and 3 weeks.  Is this correct?
Any chance it will take longer? up to 4 weeks?  or should I be looking for a friend who will help pollinate while I am away.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 17, 2018, 06:10:05 AM
Just out of curiosity, does anyone in the Florida area grow/sell the Ax variety of dragonfruit?
Thanks, Anthony
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on June 17, 2018, 04:20:46 PM
Just out of curiosity, does anyone in the Florida area grow/sell the Ax variety of dragonfruit?
Thanks, Anthony
I grow Ax and others here in Florida
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on June 19, 2018, 12:20:58 AM
Season starting

(https://s8.postimg.cc/qdkmeh9q9/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qdkmeh9q9/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/42wrdxzf5/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/42wrdxzf5/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 19, 2018, 04:16:39 AM
Season starting

(https://s8.postimg.cc/qdkmeh9q9/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qdkmeh9q9/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/42wrdxzf5/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/42wrdxzf5/)
What variety is this?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on June 19, 2018, 04:31:05 PM
I don't know. Very sweet for a DF.
Most fruit trees in my yard are unknown V.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cranemit on June 19, 2018, 10:09:58 PM
I'm growing a few varieties of dragon fruit in South Florida, I planted a little over a year ago and they've grown pretty well. Since around May I've had some Zamorano and American Beauty flowers open, and I hand-pollinated. Every single time though, we got a nice Miami rainfall overnight, and I've heard that will typically ruin your chances, and each time the flower has fallen off within a week or so. I'm thinking about putting some kind of tarp over them, but can I do something else like cover the open flowers with garbage bags, or would that cause some damage? Also, does it need to avoid rain the entire time the flower is open for it to stand a chance, or is it only a problem if it rains after it's been pollinated?
Thanks for any info - I've been looking forward to getting some fruit this year and want to do what I can to improve my chances.

Andy
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 20, 2018, 11:22:26 PM
Season starting

(https://s8.postimg.cc/qdkmeh9q9/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qdkmeh9q9/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/42wrdxzf5/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/42wrdxzf5/)
Very good chance what you have is this:

(https://s33.postimg.cc/6b3y6tpbv/dragon_fruit_day_053.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6b3y6tpbv/)
Also known as American Beauty
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on June 21, 2018, 03:42:45 PM
Look very similar. We got cutting from friends and family.
So we don't know V.

We are copying you all to water DF everyday. Many fruits this year than previous years.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 22, 2018, 08:56:44 PM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1779/28085702457_9c9b9aa751_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Treees on June 23, 2018, 06:57:31 AM
Just wanted to share this beauty.  Never seen this big.
The last one is what was left from my breakfast, just too much.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/wsgakwwqf/6_AF63810-3_CA8-482_A-8_D0_F-9017_DC925_B8_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wsgakwwqf/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/hwhrdbdlz/72_AEA960-7_DA0-41_BE-_A58_C-8_D8_A83_C240_AE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hwhrdbdlz/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/x57or2ruv/8_FD6_F631-4_ECE-4977-_B2_BD-_EAD62702730_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x57or2ruv/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/5umdj59if/C130_C938-_C895-400_E-_B50_F-2_B2634_FFFDD9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5umdj59if/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 23, 2018, 08:49:39 AM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1779/28085702457_9c9b9aa751_b.jpg)

Amazing!  What kind of graft is that?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 23, 2018, 11:04:21 AM
Its the drill and tap graft someone else here had a thread on not long ago.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on June 23, 2018, 01:48:53 PM
I'm growing a few varieties of dragon fruit in South Florida, I planted a little over a year ago and they've grown pretty well. Since around May I've had some Zamorano and American Beauty flowers open, and I hand-pollinated. Every single time though, we got a nice Miami rainfall overnight, and I've heard that will typically ruin your chances, and each time the flower has fallen off within a week or so. I'm thinking about putting some kind of tarp over them, but can I do something else like cover the open flowers with garbage bags, or would that cause some damage? Also, does it need to avoid rain the entire time the flower is open for it to stand a chance, or is it only a problem if it rains after it's been pollinated?
Thanks for any info - I've been looking forward to getting some fruit this year and want to do what I can to improve my chances.

Andy
Bag it after you have hand pollinated.
I recall reading somewhere that people trying to develop new cultivars bag to avoid pollination by random varieties.
In your case you just need it dry.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 23, 2018, 02:07:25 PM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

Brad,
What is the Peruvian yellow DF?  Is it a seedling from one of the giant yellow Megalanthus fruit we are seeing sold in the U.S.?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 23, 2018, 04:20:16 PM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

Brad,
What is the Peruvian yellow DF?  Is it a seedling from one of the giant yellow Megalanthus fruit we are seeing sold in the U.S.?

Yes
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 23, 2018, 07:20:38 PM
Seen in Pomona, California...

(https://s33.postimg.cc/9n1dkly6j/palora_2493.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9n1dkly6j/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 23, 2018, 07:30:18 PM
Nice find.  Looks like the same thing.  To be honest I am not overly impressed with the flavor compared to a good red or purple but they are very sweet. Did you buy a plant?  Or already growing yellow megalanthus perhaps?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 23, 2018, 08:21:39 PM
Nice find.  Looks like the same thing.  To be honest I am not overly impressed with the flavor compared to a good red or purple but they are very sweet. Did you buy a plant?  Or already growing yellow megalanthus perhaps?

Not my picture or find.  I have put in an order with a friend for a couple plants.  Pomona, CA is a long way to nowhere for me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on June 23, 2018, 08:25:02 PM
Is Asunta 2 a slow grower for everyone else?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 24, 2018, 10:48:43 AM
Seen in Pomona, California...

(https://s33.postimg.cc/9n1dkly6j/palora_2493.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9n1dkly6j/)
Are those from the Cal Poly Pomona nursery/farmers market? I know they have a part of their agriculture research campus dedicated to dragon fruit there.
Also, as a side note, those plants all look like thier are grown from seed, not cuttings. I wonder if they are self fertile or not.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 24, 2018, 12:37:57 PM
Seen in Pomona, California...
(https://s33.postimg.cc/9n1dkly6j/palora_2493.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9n1dkly6j/)
Are those from the Cal Poly Pomona nursery/farmers market? I know they have a part of their agriculture research campus dedicated to dragon fruit there.
Also, as a side note, those plants all look like thier are grown from seed, not cuttings. I wonder if they are self fertile or not.

Yes.

Yes, these are seedlings.

Different individuals have planted seeds from fruit purchased in the U.S. One of those individuals is a student at Cal Poly.

It will be interesting to see how well the plants grow, how large the fruit will be, and if self fertile, questions answered.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tiberivs on June 27, 2018, 08:00:31 PM
I’m continplating buying some more dragon fruit cuttings like 3 years ago I planted purple haze and physical graffiti and they have flowered a bunch but only gave me fruit once. What do I need to do to get more fruit? I was thinking planting more varieties Maybe if I have American beauty, cosmic Charlie, Halley’s Comet, physical graffiti, and purple haze. I’ll have better luck fruiting?


(https://s15.postimg.cc/j7q0s5zx3/2638_B575-_B133-4_B3_E-98_DA-_F26_F86_F58_C67.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j7q0s5zx3/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/o6dj6ow07/5_D70_E1_A8-_E987-491_B-9_D4_A-_AEEFB283680_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/o6dj6ow07/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/g0vh8juwn/B4_EF9_D2_A-8_B4_F-4_F22-_B9_C1-25766_E3909_EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g0vh8juwn/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/ygfy5y1bb/DA1100_AE-6_C22-47_E8-_A91_F-89_CD0_A4_FCFA0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ygfy5y1bb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on June 27, 2018, 08:47:10 PM
I’m continplating buying some more dragon fruit cuttings like 3 years ago I planted purple haze and physical graffiti and they have flowered a bunch but only gave me fruit once. What do I need to do to get more fruit? I was thinking planting more varieties Maybe if I have American beauty, cosmic Charlie, Halley’s Comet, physical graffiti, and purple haze. I’ll have better luck fruiting?


(https://s15.postimg.cc/j7q0s5zx3/2638_B575-_B133-4_B3_E-98_DA-_F26_F86_F58_C67.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j7q0s5zx3/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/o6dj6ow07/5_D70_E1_A8-_E987-491_B-9_D4_A-_AEEFB283680_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/o6dj6ow07/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/g0vh8juwn/B4_EF9_D2_A-8_B4_F-4_F22-_B9_C1-25766_E3909_EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g0vh8juwn/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/ygfy5y1bb/DA1100_AE-6_C22-47_E8-_A91_F-89_CD0_A4_FCFA0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ygfy5y1bb/)
So being in Florida and you growing about 3 years, the wood didn't rot?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 27, 2018, 10:51:00 PM
Does that stuff only work on particular type of ants?  I have at least 2 differwnt types of ants here.  The red/brown ones bite and sting real bad and chew up DF vines.  The black ones seem fairly harmless but they still farm aphids and piss me off bad.  I really just want to eradicate them in my greenhouse and around outdoor DF plants.
I have 2-3 types and the combo Extinguish with Bifenthrin works for all the ones I have

The ant poisons are working good in the greenhouse but still having a hard time killing them off around the DF plants outside.  The fire ants are all over my DF flower chewing them up.  Cant get rid of those bastards.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 27, 2018, 11:33:26 PM
I'm having the same problem they're chewing up all the new growth
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 27, 2018, 11:48:34 PM
Are yours red ants?  I guess so since I never see the black ones do it.  If you have the red biting ants or brown red the extinguish works.  I think I just need to put more around the outside pots.  Totally cleared up my greenhouse.  So happy about that.  The ants were farming aphids on my young trees and ruining them.  Anywhere you see a red ant hole sprinkle the extinguish on their hole.  And broadcast around your DF pots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 28, 2018, 09:20:20 AM
Bifenthrin or permethrin as a drench.  Both are low toxic, have little to no PHI and kick ass.

Amdro or Extinguish Plus for a bait are the best ant killers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jct on June 28, 2018, 11:17:31 AM
I’m continplating buying some more dragon fruit cuttings like 3 years ago I planted purple haze and physical graffiti and they have flowered a bunch but only gave me fruit once. What do I need to do to get more fruit? I was thinking planting more varieties Maybe if I have American beauty, cosmic Charlie, Halley’s Comet, physical graffiti, and purple haze. I’ll have better luck fruiting?

If the varieties are too closely related, they may need something different for proper pollination.  I believe most red varieties need another pollinator.  I am growing a white variety for this reason, although my generic LaVerne Pink is self-fruitful, I'm hoping to expand the varieties that I have in the future.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 28, 2018, 12:30:16 PM
Bifenthrin or permethrin as a drench.  Both are low toxic, have little to no PHI and kick ass.

Amdro or Extinguish Plus for a bait are the best ant killers.

I put out some extinguish and did bifen circles around the DF planters and ants are iff the vines today.  My S8 flowers were getting chewed up by these ants. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tiberivs on June 28, 2018, 01:12:29 PM
I’m continplating buying some more dragon fruit cuttings like 3 years ago I planted purple haze and physical graffiti and they have flowered a bunch but only gave me fruit once. What do I need to do to get more fruit? I was thinking planting more varieties Maybe if I have American beauty, cosmic Charlie, Halley’s Comet, physical graffiti, and purple haze. I’ll have better luck fruiting?

If the varieties are too closely related, they may need something different for proper pollination.  I believe most red varieties need another pollinator.  I am growing a white variety for this reason, although my generic LaVerne Pink is self-fruitful, I'm hoping to expand the varieties that I have in the future.

So I need to get white fleshed variety as a pollinater?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on June 28, 2018, 03:12:58 PM
My red has many fruits. White has not flowered.
How are white variety going to help with cross pollination?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 28, 2018, 03:26:42 PM
I recommend sugar dragon it's a perfect pollinator
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tiberivs on June 28, 2018, 03:52:09 PM
Cool I’ll take your advice, Where could I get a sugar dragon cutting?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 28, 2018, 04:13:00 PM
I probably have some S8 available.  Seems to be the most vigorous and fruitfull type also. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 28, 2018, 06:46:53 PM
(https://s33.postimg.cc/kujyeuf63/paco_graft.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kujyeuf63/)

YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/23lcqZlhukY (https://youtu.be/23lcqZlhukY)

Grafting a piece of Giant Megalanthus Dragon Fruit from a piece of fruit bought in a store.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on June 28, 2018, 08:16:16 PM
That demo looks good. Where do you buy DF with a tip like that?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 28, 2018, 08:21:59 PM
That demo looks good. Where do you buy DF with a tip like that?

Whole Foods, Vallarta, Ranch 99, and other Asian grocery stores.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 28, 2018, 11:25:03 PM
Yea they are really vigorous growers and they give fruit really quick. Got these sugar Dragon cuttings 5 months ago
(https://s8.postimg.cc/lowwosrip/20180628_200859.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lowwosrip/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/ovrg8fre9/20180628_200923.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ovrg8fre9/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/h30sgh8kh/20180628_200944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/h30sgh8kh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 28, 2018, 11:36:20 PM
Is delight self fertile? Some people say it is but some say it's not. I have some buds on mine just want to make sure. it's a fast grower I bought it February just under 2ft and now it giving out fruit
(https://s8.postimg.cc/knwnzmd35/20180628_201128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/knwnzmd35/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/u8gamjcpt/20180624_154849.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/u8gamjcpt/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: CA Hockey on June 29, 2018, 01:20:25 AM
Haven’t really looked much into this thread. I have about 8 different types growing. Was checking on them today when I saw ants farming aphids on the flowers. I couldn’t believe it - I thought they needed tender green growth.  I took a photo to post but then saw that others are having the same problem. Guess it’s not just me. Glad they’re not red ants though
(https://s15.postimg.cc/qgu4ur607/60_EB783_B-81_BF-40_BF-9271-75938_EE75_B60.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qgu4ur607/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 29, 2018, 06:48:51 AM
My red has many fruits. White has not flowered.
How are white variety going to help with cross pollination?
If you have a red fleshed variety and a white fleshed variety, they should have no problem pollinating each other, as long as they flower at the same time, Or at least close to each other. It’s pretty simple - if they’re not the same variety, the pollen will work.
Growing dragonfruit is pretty simple, if you have 2 different flowers at the same time, and you lend a hand to pollinate, you will get fruit.
If they don’t flower at the same time, you need to save pollen for when the other variety flowers. I have over 45 varieties and sometimes things don’t go right, no different pollen , and so I end up with no fruit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 29, 2018, 06:54:05 AM
Is delight self fertile? Some people say it is but some say it's not. I have some buds on mine just want to make sure. it's a fast grower I bought it February just under 2ft and now it giving out fruit
(https://s8.postimg.cc/knwnzmd35/20180628_201128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/knwnzmd35/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/u8gamjcpt/20180624_154849.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/u8gamjcpt/)
I haven’t found Delight to be self fertile for me in Queensland,Australia. I try to cross pollinate every flower as it tends to guarantee fruit set and fruit size is substantially bigger as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 29, 2018, 07:04:48 AM
I recommend sugar dragon it's a perfect pollinator
Vietnamese White , along with Sugar Dragon, is the best pollen supply you will get. Large amounts of pollen, heavy flowering cycle and strong grower with the added benefit of guaranteed fruit! Very tolerant of cold weather also.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tiberivs on June 29, 2018, 07:08:33 AM
I recommend sugar dragon it's a perfect pollinator
Vietnamese White , along with Sugar Dragon, is the best pollen supply you will get. Large amounts of pollen, heavy flowering cycle and strong grower with the added benefit of guaranteed fruit! Very tolerant of cold weather also.

Thank you very much for the info I will definitely take advice
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 29, 2018, 10:22:38 AM
Is delight self fertile? Some people say it is but some say it's not. I have some buds on mine just want to make sure. it's a fast grower I bought it February just under 2ft and now it giving out fruit

The hybridizer, Paul Thomson, who created Delight says no and it has been my experience... no.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 29, 2018, 02:09:09 PM
Thank you guys for the replys, I hope my sugar Dragon flower the same time my delight does
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: scashaggy on July 01, 2018, 08:17:33 AM
Here are some pics of my yellow DF flowering.

(https://s19.postimg.cc/cin2x0ahf/20180611_181316.jpg) (https://s19.postimg.cc/u8ori23hv/20180618_170617.jpg)

(https://s19.postimg.cc/lqfbdoueb/20180620_151852.jpg) (https://s19.postimg.cc/z7c9wkk5f/20180620_151857.jpg)

(https://s19.postimg.cc/64xztrdb7/20180620_203337.jpg)
(https://s19.postimg.cc/ni8a8mvrn/20180620_214046.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Nayelie321 on July 01, 2018, 09:09:21 PM
After seeing how ricshaw grafted that Giant Megalanthus I got motivated to try the same lol. I rushed to get one at a local store. I’m just wondering if I plant the seeds of this faint Megalanthus will it be true to type?

(https://s33.postimg.cc/n0yk8rmkr/170_E670_D-0_F25-4823-_BDF7-_C5_B8593098_A1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/n0yk8rmkr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/ydb5qjnjv/DAA841_CF-702_B-4_AF8-92_B7-2_F16860_D8_F22.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydb5qjnjv/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: owenismo on July 02, 2018, 04:47:02 PM
That tip is good that you have, I would try to graft that piece. In terms of being true to type, I think seeds retain 50% of their parents genes. So I would say not true to type.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonRanch on July 02, 2018, 08:05:13 PM
After seeing how ricshaw grafted that Giant Megalanthus I got motivated to try the same lol. I rushed to get one at a local store. I’m just wondering if I plant the seeds of this faint Megalanthus will it be true to type?

(https://s33.postimg.cc/n0yk8rmkr/170_E670_D-0_F25-4823-_BDF7-_C5_B8593098_A1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/n0yk8rmkr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/ydb5qjnjv/DAA841_CF-702_B-4_AF8-92_B7-2_F16860_D8_F22.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ydb5qjnjv/)

I tried that recently, sort of, I shoved a few into some coco/perlite mix hoping in pursuits of better ripening they'd try and grab out some roots. Instead the fruit sucked the life out of the plant portion, was my impression. They just came apart. Was busy should have checked them more. Thinking it might work as long as cut the fruit off ASAP.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 02, 2018, 08:19:39 PM

I tried that recently, sort of, I shoved a few into some coco/perlite mix hoping in pursuits of better ripening they'd try and grab out some roots. Instead the fruit sucked the life out of the plant portion, was my impression. They just came apart. Was busy should have checked them more. Thinking it might work as long as cut the fruit off ASAP.


Tissue culturing would work even better.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tiberivs on July 10, 2018, 08:20:19 PM
No it even survived Irma outside with no damage. I actually just finished making 4 more just like it and planted cuttings of new varieties. Hoping to finally start getting fruit.

(https://s8.postimg.cc/x3568y7jl/B313_C25_A-8_D93-4089-85_FC-_B1_A52066_C03_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x3568y7jl/)

So being in Florida and you growing about 3 years, the wood didn't rot?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2018, 07:57:33 PM
Well, one thing these plants, or more specifically their flowers, can't survive is the increasing summer heat. Was 117 degrees at my house in Ontario this weekend and pretty much every flower I had developing on my plants has died. Probably 75+ buds. Was going to be a great flush of flowers. If you live in a high heat area like I do, Id suggest finding some way of shading your plants on the hottest days. Doesn't have to be anything permanent, just something to block the peak sunlight. By blocking the sun you can prevent the plants from absorbing the heat generated by the sunlight in ADDITION to the ambient air temperature. Protecting the plants from one or the other should increase the survivability of the flowers. Unfortunately, where my plants grow, I don't have the option of shading, so I just have to grin and bear with what nature gives me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on July 11, 2018, 10:18:58 PM
No it even survived Irma outside with no damage. I actually just finished making 4 more just like it and planted cuttings of new varieties. Hoping to finally start getting fruit.

(https://s8.postimg.cc/x3568y7jl/B313_C25_A-8_D93-4089-85_FC-_B1_A52066_C03_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x3568y7jl/)

So being in Florida and you growing about 3 years, the wood didn't rot?
So another question, 3 years and no fruit yet? are you growing from seed? I am getting fruit from cuttings from april 2018. what are you using?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on July 11, 2018, 10:28:20 PM
I lost at least 20 flowers I was so excited to get my first fruit but the heat killed them all except 2 purple haze and a couple of American beauty
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 11, 2018, 11:31:46 PM
Im surprised you guys had your buds fall off.  Not a single one fell off here on many different DF plants.  It was 119 and my plants are sitting in full sun.  I water lightly just every week or 2 so they may be well adapted to desert conditions and were not shocked by the recent heatwave.

The plants that lost buds for you guys, are they in ground or in containers? 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1768/43305837832_0f7ccf28a4_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on July 11, 2018, 11:59:57 PM
They're in containers I'm really bummed out I can't cross pollinate my purple haze
(https://s8.postimg.cc/wyg47p4yp/20180711_192418.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wyg47p4yp/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/6ddlc5ab5/20180711_192414.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6ddlc5ab5/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on July 12, 2018, 06:49:49 PM
Does anyone have pollen they can share?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 12, 2018, 09:37:06 PM
Im surprised you guys had your buds fall off.  Not a single one fell off here on many different DF plants.  It was 119 and my plants are sitting in full sun.  I water lightly just every week or 2 so they may be well adapted to desert conditions and were not shocked by the recent heatwave.

The plants that lost buds for you guys, are they in ground or in containers? 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1768/43305837832_0f7ccf28a4_b.jpg)
Well, those small buds turning red between the mature flowers in that picture are toast, unfortunately. The smaller and younger they are, the less likely they are to be able to withstand the heat.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 13, 2018, 08:39:33 AM
Does anyone have pollen they can share?

Recommend you plant some Sugar aka S8 cuttings.  "Everyone" says it's a super producer of good pollen, is a great pollinator.  They sure seem to take time to root though.  Mine have been in a sandy loam for 2 months or so and still nothing.  Same with a friend I gave cuttings to, his haven't pushed.

My Purple Haze never has set fruit.  Flowers are nice though.   ::)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 13, 2018, 10:23:27 AM
Im surprised you guys had your buds fall off.  Not a single one fell off here on many different DF plants.  It was 119 and my plants are sitting in full sun.  I water lightly just every week or 2 so they may be well adapted to desert conditions and were not shocked by the recent heatwave.

The plants that lost buds for you guys, are they in ground or in containers? 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1768/43305837832_0f7ccf28a4_b.jpg)
Well, those small buds turning red between the mature flowers in that picture are toast, unfortunately. The smaller and younger they are, the less likely they are to be able to withstand the heat.

Hmmm,  I dont know they all start red like that.  Theres around 25 or 30 on the plant but none are falling off.  Its been a week now.  Doesnt look like they are going anywhere.

Hopefully my plants are just acclimated to the heat because its pretty much always hot and dry here. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on July 13, 2018, 12:23:34 PM
Does anyone have pollen they can share?

Recommend you plant some Sugar aka S8 cuttings.  "Everyone" says it's a super producer of good pollen, is a great pollinator.  They sure seem to take time to root though.  Mine have been in a sandy loam for 2 months or so and still nothing.  Same with a friend I gave cuttings to, his haven't pushed.

My Purple Haze never has set fruit.  Flowers are nice though.   ::)
yea I have some Sugar Dragon with fruit but they're not flowering the same time my purple haze is . Oh well I'll just wait for the next flush lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 13, 2018, 09:05:19 PM
Brandon, I will send you pollen from san diego but I dont think it would still be viable a day or 2 later.  But maybe.  If you figure that out I can put in an envelope and send.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on July 14, 2018, 12:41:28 AM
Just to report my experiment on grafting young Giant Megalanthus seedlings onto other, more mature DF plants.

I used the same method that several forum member used. The only difference is that I used seedlings that are really small, less than 1in tall. I was trying to find out if grafting such young seedlings is a good way to speed up growth.

I did this on 3/22:

(https://s33.postimg.cc/y1xh01iij/142787_D3-8_A02-42_D2-_BA06-_AACF620_E56_BE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y1xh01iij/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/p6wmphyuz/5_AA03_CB4-41_E4-42_B9-_A2_F3-3_E74_EB0_A18_E9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p6wmphyuz/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/9y6pbr7rf/9_AA5_DDD9-_CD58-4_D7_C-_AEF9-705810962_BC5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9y6pbr7rf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/3x90eo5pn/ACFE3692-_E02_F-475_D-9768-_ADEE72081_C82.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3x90eo5pn/)

Started pushing after about 2 months - pics on 5/24
(https://s33.postimg.cc/b1qtnjscr/71_CA1_C0_E-_D6_EC-4267-8_C59-_FB8_D9019487_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b1qtnjscr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/5qbx2udzv/94_A4_BBB5-8135-44_C5-_B7_BC-387219679_A3_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5qbx2udzv/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/sf142f33f/DBDAE44_F-_C62_F-42_DF-9_CC5-_FA4_D2_BA2066_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sf142f33f/)


Size today. The grafted seedlings are now bigger that the seedlings that are left growing in pots (last pic)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/fowvp0pwr/0_DC187_A9-673_E-4160-_A455-5_D1748048624.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fowvp0pwr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/cutqbjsvf/13515_C98-95_B0-498_D-9_A3_C-4293_FDA188_B6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cutqbjsvf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/jy1lr6lgb/41922807-_F0_CD-4_B4_B-_B0_E5-1535_AFA8_F047.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jy1lr6lgb/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/tvcmkf8jf/E704_BDC8-_EB21-420_F-_B942-_E44277_FA4_CB6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tvcmkf8jf/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on July 14, 2018, 02:15:10 PM
Thank you spaugh but the flowers are going to bloom tonight so I'm a little late. I'm going to try to find some local people that grow Dragon fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 14, 2018, 05:19:15 PM
Just to report my experiment on grafting young Giant Megalanthus seedlings onto other, more mature DF plants.

I used the same method that several forum member used. The only difference is that I used seedlings that are really small, less than 1in tall. I was trying to find out if grafting such young seedlings is a good way to speed up growth.

I did this on 3/22:

(https://s33.postimg.cc/y1xh01iij/142787_D3-8_A02-42_D2-_BA06-_AACF620_E56_BE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y1xh01iij/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/p6wmphyuz/5_AA03_CB4-41_E4-42_B9-_A2_F3-3_E74_EB0_A18_E9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p6wmphyuz/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/9y6pbr7rf/9_AA5_DDD9-_CD58-4_D7_C-_AEF9-705810962_BC5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9y6pbr7rf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/3x90eo5pn/ACFE3692-_E02_F-475_D-9768-_ADEE72081_C82.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3x90eo5pn/)

Started pushing after about 2 months - pics on 5/24
(https://s33.postimg.cc/b1qtnjscr/71_CA1_C0_E-_D6_EC-4267-8_C59-_FB8_D9019487_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/b1qtnjscr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/5qbx2udzv/94_A4_BBB5-8135-44_C5-_B7_BC-387219679_A3_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5qbx2udzv/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/sf142f33f/DBDAE44_F-_C62_F-42_DF-9_CC5-_FA4_D2_BA2066_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sf142f33f/)


Size today. The grafted seedlings are now bigger that the seedlings that are left growing in pots (last pic)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/fowvp0pwr/0_DC187_A9-673_E-4160-_A455-5_D1748048624.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fowvp0pwr/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/cutqbjsvf/13515_C98-95_B0-498_D-9_A3_C-4293_FDA188_B6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cutqbjsvf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/jy1lr6lgb/41922807-_F0_CD-4_B4_B-_B0_E5-1535_AFA8_F047.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jy1lr6lgb/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/tvcmkf8jf/E704_BDC8-_EB21-420_F-_B942-_E44277_FA4_CB6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tvcmkf8jf/)

Cool.  It looks like the peruvian strain right?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 16, 2018, 06:19:09 PM
Rob, you were right, I lost some small buds.  Luckily most of my flowers were already well formed.  Inly lost a handfull. 

The stuff in my greenhouse is looking really happy.  It was spared in the heatwave.  Cosmic charlie is blooming.  Hopefully the others start blooming too.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1806/43401636482_7a961325c6_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/917/28562989537_a440239c00_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on July 16, 2018, 07:12:23 PM
My neighbor has a DF likely over 20 years old which is growing on a tall Flame/Flambouyant/ Royal Poinciana tree (Delonix Regia) here on Pine Island, Lee County, SW Florida. The DF is nearing full bloom and is every bit as flowerful on the far side. It is a white fleshed variety rather plain in taste.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/nsmhnkhzb/DSC01393.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nsmhnkhzb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on July 16, 2018, 07:55:24 PM


Cool.  It looks like the peruvian strain right?

Not sure. I got the DFs from the new Ranch 99 at balboa and I thought these were from Ecuador
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 21, 2018, 12:15:10 AM
My neighbor has a DF likely over 20 years old which is growing on a tall Flame/Flambouyant/ Royal Poinciana tree (Delonix Regia) here on Pine Island, Lee County, SW Florida. The DF is nearing full bloom and is every bit as flowerful on the far side. It is a white fleshed variety rather plain in taste.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/nsmhnkhzb/DSC01393.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nsmhnkhzb/)

Wow! That was Probably quite the site when they bloomed! Wish I had a tree open enough for them to grow on. All my trees provide too much shade
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 21, 2018, 12:25:08 AM
Has anyone grown sugar dragon in South Florida?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on July 21, 2018, 01:43:58 PM
Has anyone grown sugar dragon in South Florida?
Yes
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Wolfie on July 21, 2018, 09:31:24 PM
I have 2 questions after spending 4 days reading this thread.

Has anyone produced a chart of Dragon fruit varieties and if they are self fertile, or need to be crossed and what with?

And I spotted a seller on Ebay that has cuttings of Sugar Dragon, S8 the seller is linhthai75. The reason why i ask, is i sent a message to them about one of their listings and never received a response, though I noticed the listing had been changed to reflect some of what I asked.

I currently grow, American Beauty, an unknown variety that the previous owner never got to fruit, though they had it under a bench in full shade and seedlings of a yellow. I also am mentoring two neighbor boys who are enthusiastic about growing their own food and at the last AZRFG sale they bought a rooted cutting that was just labeled 'White'
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 21, 2018, 09:49:00 PM
Bought this yellow dragon at the grocery store with a very lengthy piece of stem, about 2 to 2 1/3" inches long


(https://s33.postimg.cc/lsn9ygcl7/0_A61_AF10-1_E43-44_CD-9701-445_F95942_FD2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lsn9ygcl7/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/6woqqutgr/D21_ADB9_D-533_D-41_CA-9_D2_F-2013080_DB3_F5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6woqqutgr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on July 21, 2018, 10:30:06 PM
Bought this yellow dragon at the grocery store with a very lengthy piece of stem, about 2 to 2 1/3" inches long

(https://s33.postimg.cc/lsn9ygcl7/0_A61_AF10-1_E43-44_CD-9701-445_F95942_FD2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lsn9ygcl7/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/6woqqutgr/D21_ADB9_D-533_D-41_CA-9_D2_F-2013080_DB3_F5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6woqqutgr/)

Great find!!

Some people try to root the small cutting.

One person I know tried to tissue culture a small piece of stem.

Most people I know try to graft the small piece of stem onto a rooted Dragon Fruit plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 22, 2018, 08:51:59 PM


Great find!!

Some people try to root the small cutting.

One person I know tried to tissue culture a small piece of stem.

Most people I know try to graft the small piece of stem onto a rooted Dragon Fruit plant.
[/quote]

Thanks!
I was surprised myself to find one with a niece piece of the stem still attached.
I'm going to try to root the cutting, since I'm not that experienced with the latter of the 2 methods.
The fruit itself was still sweet and delicious even though the skin had lots more green than the ones I usually purchased.
I'm going to be looking to see if I can find more with the same size stem I got this time around to try the grafting method.
Crossing my fingers and hope I find more.
I think the cashier thought I was crazy to have bought such green fruit...lol
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fisherking73 on July 25, 2018, 11:02:31 PM
Want to try some self pollinating varieties of DF, where is best place in South East Florida to find DF actually sold by variety or plant name versus just red or white DF???
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 02, 2018, 07:04:17 PM
Here’s a picture of a double dragon and triple dragon 🐉 . The Double dragon is from American Beauty and the triple dragon is from Simon’s Purple. I believe the largest number I’ve grown is 6-8 Fruit on one branch of my Sugar Dragon but I have to check my old pictures to confirm.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/iatm8p67b/05_AD3333-_F5_E6-49_FC-94_BE-8_A07470623_B3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iatm8p67b/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/c9vxbl9af/2_BEB1_C46-380_B-4_A37-_AEFA-41_AEFDCF739_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/c9vxbl9af/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/tzxlwnpg7/511_D886_D-1_E3_C-4_BB2-_A517-_B264_A18_B3708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tzxlwnpg7/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/r5ugj7fk7/AD591_A8_E-43_C3-4807-_B982-_D4_FD744744_DA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/r5ugj7fk7/)

(https://s15.postimg.cc/rvd8vk8dz/B0647_B8_B-1_ABD-464_D-8_F3_A-_B88_E1_B311034.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rvd8vk8dz/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2018, 10:21:05 AM
Wow!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on August 04, 2018, 08:17:59 PM
Are these ready to pick?


(https://thumb.ibb.co/daJyLe/IMG_20180804_194434726_HDR.jpg) (https://ibb.co/daJyLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fnFdLe/IMG_20180804_194440275.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fnFdLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/k0pG6K/IMG_20180804_194618889.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k0pG6K) (https://thumb.ibb.co/gchEtz/IMG_20180804_194755639.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gchEtz)
These were fertilized on or about June 18th




(https://thumb.ibb.co/h0yb6K/IMG_20180804_194513238.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h0yb6K) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fUvdLe/IMG_20180804_194528981.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fUvdLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dTrk0e/IMG_20180804_194623514.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dTrk0e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/kLtyLe/IMG_20180804_194637754.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kLtyLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/jiVZtz/IMG_20180804_194758622.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jiVZtz)
These on or about July 7th

I think it is time to take the first batch.  It has been 40 days and they look ready.  I will appreciate any suggestions on making the call.  Also, if you can tell from the fruit what it is I will very much appreciate knowing.  The first 2 pictures are the same fruit, it is easily 7 cm in diameter, maybe even more and has this really nice pink color to the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2018, 09:20:39 PM
Are these ready to pick?


(https://thumb.ibb.co/daJyLe/IMG_20180804_194434726_HDR.jpg) (https://ibb.co/daJyLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fnFdLe/IMG_20180804_194440275.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fnFdLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/k0pG6K/IMG_20180804_194618889.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k0pG6K) (https://thumb.ibb.co/gchEtz/IMG_20180804_194755639.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gchEtz)
These were fertilized on or about June 18th




(https://thumb.ibb.co/h0yb6K/IMG_20180804_194513238.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h0yb6K) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fUvdLe/IMG_20180804_194528981.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fUvdLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dTrk0e/IMG_20180804_194623514.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dTrk0e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/kLtyLe/IMG_20180804_194637754.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kLtyLe) (https://thumb.ibb.co/jiVZtz/IMG_20180804_194758622.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jiVZtz)
These on or about July 7th

I think it is time to take the first batch.  It has been 40 days and they look ready.  I will appreciate any suggestions on making the call.  Also, if you can tell from the fruit what it is I will very much appreciate knowing.  The first 2 pictures are the same fruit, it is easily 7 cm in diameter, maybe even more and has this really nice pink color to the fruit.

Love the look of the red ones, what variety is it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on August 04, 2018, 10:16:27 PM
Unfortunately I don"t know.
I took lots of cuttings from friends when I started down the dragon fruit road, they were unnamed.
I am trying to get them identified now.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 04, 2018, 11:53:09 PM
Those are ready to pick. The Fruit in the fourth picture with green fins can use a few days to sweeten some more but it can be picked now if you’re not worried about maximizing sweetness.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gnappi on August 05, 2018, 12:05:31 AM
And this is why I wonder why folks sell DF cuttings for $7-$8 apiece to fellow board members? For a plant that propagates a clone of itself easier than any other. I wonder why Nopales Tuna's are not $8 a fruit or cutting when they can have much tastier fruit than DF.
So weird how Hype works in culture and translates over to a comparatively bland tasting fruit.
I really enjoy Megalanthus fruits, Have yet to try a tasty red or white mesocarp DF.
Ive had flowers but no fruit on Voodoo Child, Halley's Comet and Physical Graffiti and Valdivia Roja.

I don't get it either. I've read Sooo... many people who are kool aid hype in love with DF and I have yet to taste a DF that comes anywhere near even a sub par lowly cactus pear. DF are to me like a bland watery watermelon.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 05, 2018, 01:14:13 AM
And this is why I wonder why folks sell DF cuttings for $7-$8 apiece to fellow board members? For a plant that propagates a clone of itself easier than any other.
I wonder why Nopales Tuna's are not $8 a fruit or cutting when they can have much tastier fruit than DF.
So weird how Hype works in culture and translates over to a comparatively bland tasting fruit.
I really enjoy Megalanthus fruits, Have yet to try a tasty red or white mesocarp DF.
Ive had flowers but no fruit on Voodoo Child, Halley's Comet and Physical Graffiti and Valdivia Roja.



Most of the ground clutter that I don't end up cleaning up and throwing away will eventually try and root. Even the tiny, underdeveloped tips or shaded branches that fall behind my pots against my house I find trying to put out new shoots. In a hospitable environment these plants are very good at reproducing themselves through discarded branch materials, and I think if the end times ever came, they would take over my neighborhood in little time.

Bush2beach,
If you're in the San Diego area, pm me and you can sample some of my fruit, it will likely change your mind. I like tunas also but their seeds are rock hard like guavas and their glochids are a pain to remove. Many of the commercial growers harvest their fruit much too early and I don’t blame them because they need the shelf life but it significantly reduces the eating quality.

I have been giving away Dragonfruit cuttings and various other plant materials for the past 20 years but now that I’m starting a nursery, it’s costing a fortune and we have to recover costs.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 05, 2018, 04:10:36 AM
And this is why I wonder why folks sell DF cuttings for $7-$8 apiece to fellow board members? For a plant that propagates a clone of itself easier than any other. I wonder why Nopales Tuna's are not $8 a fruit or cutting when they can have much tastier fruit than DF.
So weird how Hype works in culture and translates over to a comparatively bland tasting fruit.
I really enjoy Megalanthus fruits, Have yet to try a tasty red or white mesocarp DF.
Ive had flowers but no fruit on Voodoo Child, Halley's Comet and Physical Graffiti and Valdivia Roja.

I don't get it either. I've read Sooo... many people who are kool aid hype in love with DF and I have yet to taste a DF that comes anywhere near even a sub par lowly cactus pear. DF are to me like a bland watery watermelon.
Bland watery watermelon!
Take Simons offer and try some decent varieties! You won’t be disappointed! There is a lot of crap, tastless varieties out there, usually white fleshed, that are picked way too early just to supply the market. I personally won’t eat white fleshed varieties any more due to the lack of flavour depth. And home grown is the only way to go. Pick them when they are ready to eat and they are brilliant!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 05, 2018, 04:14:16 AM
And this is why I wonder why folks sell DF cuttings for $7-$8 apiece to fellow board members? For a plant that propagates a clone of itself easier than any other.
I wonder why Nopales Tuna's are not $8 a fruit or cutting when they can have much tastier fruit than DF.
So weird how Hype works in culture and translates over to a comparatively bland tasting fruit.
I really enjoy Megalanthus fruits, Have yet to try a tasty red or white mesocarp DF.
Ive had flowers but no fruit on Voodoo Child, Halley's Comet and Physical Graffiti and Valdivia Roja.



Most of the ground clutter that I don't end up cleaning up and throwing away will eventually try and root. Even the tiny, underdeveloped tips or shaded branches that fall behind my pots against my house I find trying to put out new shoots. In a hospitable environment these plants are very good at reproducing themselves through discarded branch materials, and I think if the end times ever came, they would take over my neighborhood in little time.

Bush2beach,
If you're in the San Diego area, pm me and you can sample some of my fruit, it will likely change your mind. I like tunas also but their seeds are rock hard like guavas and their glochids are a pain to remove. Many of the commercial growers harvest their fruit much too early and I don’t blame them because they need the shelf life but it significantly reduces the eating quality.

I have been giving away Dragonfruit cuttings and various other plant materials for the past 20 years but now that I’m starting a nursery, it’s costing a fortune and we have to recover costs.

Simon
Congrats on the nursery start Simon. Hope it all goes well for you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 05, 2018, 08:12:50 AM
Thanks Rannman, it’s a lot of work but so far it’s a labor of love.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: gnappi on August 05, 2018, 09:08:58 AM

Bland watery watermelon!
Take Simons offer and try some decent varieties! You won’t be disappointed! There is a lot of crap, tastless varieties out there, usually white fleshed, that are picked way too early just to supply the market. I personally won’t eat white fleshed varieties any more due to the lack of flavour depth. And home grown is the only way to go. Pick them when they are ready to eat and they are brilliant!

Yup, bland watery watermelon. I get that fruit picked too early sucks I can attest to that with my personal experience with fruit trees, but I'll deal with great flavor and seeds any day since I do not have diverticulitis and I do have a tongue :-)

Anyway, between collector tastings (I don't remember names of things I did not like) and trying them at nurseries (all were red)  I don't think I'll waste time pursuing them.  A friend has a red type (he doesn't don't know the name) and it's always sickly looking with disappearing green sections leaving behind an ugly woody core and I have on several occasions had his ripened on the plant and feel the same about the flavor.

If anyone would show me one that was at the very least as sweet as a store bought tuna (which is not IMO a particularly sweet fruit) I'd likely buy one to diversify my collection of fruits.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 05, 2018, 09:41:01 AM
Thanks Rannman, it’s a lot of work but so far it’s a labor of love.

Simon

You are now a slave to your plants, enjoy!   ;D

(https://s22.postimg.cc/8707u3nbh/1100_Trees_Plantedsend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8707u3nbh/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 05, 2018, 09:57:26 AM
Haha Mark, I’m a slave to my day job and gardening sets me free. I’m a realist however and realize that starting an orchard now turnes what used to be my release into a dayjob.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on August 05, 2018, 02:37:33 PM
I picked 4 of them and left the ones showing a little green for later.
The large pink one had stayed on too long.  It was sun burnt or browned on one side and had started going soft.

Here are the 4 I picked.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/cKL35e/IMG_20180805_142820206.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cKL35e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/csLgrK/IMG_20180805_142847667.jpg) (https://ibb.co/csLgrK) (https://thumb.ibb.co/hOQQJz/IMG_20180805_142914826.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hOQQJz) (https://thumb.ibb.co/j02i5e/IMG_20180805_142927904.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j02i5e)

The large one was much larger than 7 cm across, more like 13 on the long side.
Will talk about the taste if it is deserving :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on August 05, 2018, 03:01:08 PM
Here are the pictures of the fruits cut.

The large pink fruit was white on the inside.  The taste was sweet.  Much sweeter than the store bought fruits (except the megalantus - golden yellow) .  The next fruit is a very deep purple.  It had a tart component to the taste.  Both are agreeable and I will eat them again.


(https://thumb.ibb.co/bRKAJz/IMG_20180805_144247384.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bRKAJz) (https://thumb.ibb.co/kNpo5e/IMG_20180805_144312281.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kNpo5e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dbqT5e/IMG_20180805_144712663.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dbqT5e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/bM5pBK/IMG_20180805_144721115.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bM5pBK)

I am still a mango guy but variety is the spice of life.  For dragon fruit folks who would have wanted a more technical description of the taste, you have to send someone by to taste and report or take a cutting and grow the fruit for yourself :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 08, 2018, 06:47:00 PM
Here are the pictures of the fruits cut.

The large pink fruit was white on the inside.  The taste was sweet.  Much sweeter than the store bought fruits (except the megalantus - golden yellow) .  The next fruit is a very deep purple.  It had a tart component to the taste.  Both are agreeable and I will eat them again.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/bRKAJz/IMG_20180805_144247384.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bRKAJz) (https://thumb.ibb.co/kNpo5e/IMG_20180805_144312281.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kNpo5e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/dbqT5e/IMG_20180805_144712663.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dbqT5e) (https://thumb.ibb.co/bM5pBK/IMG_20180805_144721115.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bM5pBK)

I am still a mango guy but variety is the spice of life.  For dragon fruit folks who would have wanted a more technical description of the taste, you have to send someone by to taste and report or take a cutting and grow the fruit for yourself :)


Is the ‘Megalantus’ (‘golden-yellow’) found and available in South Florida, USA?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on August 08, 2018, 09:39:20 PM
Can this PG flower still be pollinated? it's been open since last night
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on August 08, 2018, 09:40:03 PM

(https://s8.postimg.cc/60fmtnp29/20180808_182140.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/60fmtnp29/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on August 08, 2018, 09:44:02 PM

(https://s8.postimg.cc/60fmtnp29/20180808_182140.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/60fmtnp29/)
one of my sugar dragon flower is opening tonight I'm trying to see if I can pollinate the physical graffiti flower
(https://s8.postimg.cc/xb0y1tcm9/20180808_182159.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xb0y1tcm9/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 09, 2018, 05:55:39 PM
Yes to your question Brandon. As long as you can get access to the pistil stem without damaging it, you can still apply pollen up to 2 days after bloom. The flower petals spread and wilt quickly, but the flower is still fertile until the pistil starts to degrade, usually from heat. The issue is the waspy thin petals can get a bit clingy once they wilt, so you have to use extreme care to not only peal them away (try not to tear them) but to put them back, so they can protect the pistil as it accepts the pollen and begins fertilization. On self fertile fruits, I often give the flowers a good shake in the morning, after they've closed, just incase theres any remaining pollen on the anthers, just to see if they can make their way down to the now drooping pistil.

As a side note, if you have flowers on the cusp of blooming but you have to be away for some reason, the opposite is true as well, where you can force the front of the flower open and slip some pollen onto the pistil. Figure you have at least 24 hours in both directions to fertilize a flower from its optimal bloom state.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on August 09, 2018, 09:37:01 PM
Yes to your question Brandon. As long as you can get access to the pistil stem without damaging it, you can still apply pollen up to 2 days after bloom. The flower petals spread and wilt quickly, but the flower is still fertile until the pistil starts to degrade, usually from heat. The issue is the waspy thin petals can get a bit clingy once they wilt, so you have to use extreme care to not only peal them away (try not to tear them) but to put them back, so they can protect the pistil as it accepts the pollen and begins fertilization. On self fertile fruits, I often give the flowers a good shake in the morning, after they've closed, just incase theres any remaining pollen on the anthers, just to see if they can make their way down to the now drooping pistil.

As a side note, if you have flowers on the cusp of blooming but you have to be away for some reason, the opposite is true as well, where you can force the front of the flower open and slip some pollen onto the pistil. Figure you have at least 24 hours in both directions to fertilize a flower from its optimal bloom state.
Thank you Rob for the info I'm glad I can still pollinate the flower
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 12, 2018, 05:26:35 PM
A friend of mine bought a giant Yellow Megalanthus DF from 99 Ranch market and it had a stub of a vine so he grafted it onto another DF rootstock. Shortly after the graft, he noticed new growth from the stub. Here are some pictures
(https://s8.postimg.cc/7pazjyd35/0_B5_F6372-297_A-4_FFB-8_DA3-_C77_E884_F04_D5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7pazjyd35/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/g7kfoabw1/2_DBF6616-1_F28-4019-_A1_BA-_AE8_B59142888.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g7kfoabw1/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/5xi0p21g1/74_F0226_F-6_D31-44_BC-85_DE-5_AD368269173.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5xi0p21g1/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/optvsn5k1/9_F9_CC287-9_BA3-458_C-960_A-942_AC64_A2873.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/optvsn5k1/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 17, 2018, 06:34:37 PM
Someone in FL had some concrete DF posts and photos of rows of crops with pineapples and DF.  Does anyone know whao that was?  Im looking for the concrete post photos for ideas.  Im looking to make 20 or 30 concrete posts. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on August 17, 2018, 06:40:46 PM
Those are mine. They have been flowering but all turned yellow and dropped. I'm hoping they are too young but next week will try doing some hand pollination. The mother plant of this same variety set fruit up a tree when it flowered in July.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U)

Details of the project:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg295012;topicseen#msg295012 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg295012;topicseen#msg295012)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 17, 2018, 06:44:52 PM
Those are mine. They have been flowering but all turned yellow and dropped. I'm hoping they are too young but next week will try doing some hand pollination. The mother plant of this same variety set fruit up a tree when it flowered in July.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bAZqhqw2U)

Details of the project:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg295012;topicseen#msg295012 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg295012;topicseen#msg295012)

Thanks, looks super legit.  Im going to do something similar.  Do you have details already of the post build?  8ft?  Rebars?  Thickness of posts?  What type of bolt or whatever did you use out of the top?

EDIT: I see your project link now and will study it.  Thank you!

PS, yes cross pollinate them they will set fruit and stick.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on August 17, 2018, 07:46:04 PM
I have about 8 posts in the ground at my place. Most are stainless steel or galvanized steel from a metal recycler place in Chula Vista. They are about 8-10 feet tall, I dig a 3 foot hole and fill with concrete and then at the top drill holes and place two pieces of rebar to form a cross covered with irrigation hose. They have lasted many years. I do have one or two 4 inch thick redwood posts that I did the same way. Here is a photo of one of the redwood setups.
(https://s33.postimg.cc/rwblm30sr/dfruit.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rwblm30sr/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 17, 2018, 07:58:04 PM
Nice Mark.  Thanks for the galvanized post idea, theres some of those laying around here in my recycled materials junk pile. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 18, 2018, 05:27:48 AM
(https://s8.postimg.cc/cpnn6t1bl/77_D50_B4_A-8_F7_F-4205-_AA14-6_E0005_FC126_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cpnn6t1bl/)
This is a pic of my Frankie’s Red that has unsuccessfully flowered once already this winter, and now has another 3 buds coming on. These 3 buds started just before we had a very nasty cold snap of -2.5 degrees that did a lot of damage to a lot of plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kc_moses on August 18, 2018, 09:54:11 AM
I hand pollinated my purple haze, but the last 3 flowers just turn yellow and die a few days after the flower closed. Any idea what could be the problem? My Natural Mystic are doing fine, only one turn yellow after hand pollinate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 18, 2018, 10:56:15 AM
I hand pollinated my purple haze, but the last 3 flowers just turn yellow and die a few days after the flower closed. Any idea what could be the problem? My Natural Mystic are doing fine, only one turn yellow after hand pollinate.

What pollen did you use to hand pollinate your Purple Haze flowers?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 18, 2018, 12:41:42 PM
Here's the vine that's closest to the street. I'm calling this the "A" vine.

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA_w.jpg)

This was 9:00 PM in the evening; it's a 15 second exposure to get that much light. Full resolution, here (http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA.jpg).

There were at least 2 dozen blooms tonight, of which 5-6 were easily reachable on foot, and one more with a stepladder. I have about a teaspoon of pollen in my fridge, because some of my own vines will bloom within a week.

I didn't have any of my own pollen with me, so I couldn't pollinate this vine, but I will bring some next time I visit. I did hand-pollinate these flowers with their own pollen, though I suspect they're self-infertile (but I don't actually know for sure).

The B vine (also outside the gate) had only one bloom, but there are more buds ready to pop over the next several nights.

The C vine (inside the gate) also had lots of blooms tonight, but I couldn't get inside.


None of the flowers I hand-self-pollinated set fruit, so apparently the A vine is self-infertile, and I never did get around to bringing some foreign pollen to it. Maybe next bloom cycle, if we have one, or perhaps next year.

A cutting of S-8 or other pollinator will take years to get to flowering stage.


But I had another idea--What if I were to graft some S-8 on these vines?

Can one graft DF onto descending branches? Is it hard to ensure contact on an upside-down graft? When causes a grafted piece to flower? Its own maturity, or the maturity of the host plant? Or a combination of both? When is the right time to graft?


The vines in that Lomita Dragonfruit Park are going pop tonight or Sunday night. Anyone want to sneak in with me and steal some pollen?


Or maybe sneak in and pollinate a few dozen flowers?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 18, 2018, 12:46:59 PM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1779/28085702457_9c9b9aa751_b.jpg)


Is this the "tap and plug" method mentioned in the post following yours?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k)


Has anyone tried this onto a descending branch? I'm interested in grafting something onto those giant vines posted just above this, so that there's something to cross with those 4 plants. I've never seen fruit on them, despite several _hundred_ meters of vine that produce hundreds of flowers every season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 18, 2018, 12:47:58 PM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.  If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up? ??? ???

Seems like my DF flowers don't fully close until about 10 in the morning.  In my yard, the bees are busy on them until they can't get inside anymore.


Interesting. I'm a beekeeper, so I have 40,000 bees literally right next to my DF vines, and I almost never see bees in the flowers.  >:(
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 18, 2018, 12:53:44 PM
I think my purchased-from-Lowes-from-LaVerne dragonfruit is about ready for trellising, so I built this:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonfruitTrellis.jpg)

Should I wrap the main post with burlap to give the aerial roots something to attach to?

I eventually built 4 more of these and wrapped them in burlap.


Dear Dragonfruit: you're doing it wrong  ;D ;D ;D :


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DFGrowingThroughBurlap.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Dangermouse01 on August 18, 2018, 02:56:18 PM
My DF flowers have up to 10 bees inside in the morning so I don't ever hand pollinate them.

I thought pitaya was pollinated with some kind of night moth.  Forgot the name - it's big though.  If bees pollinate DF then I've got it made, IF, they do so early morning before the flowers close up? ??? ???

Seems like my DF flowers don't fully close until about 10 in the morning.  In my yard, the bees are busy on them until they can't get inside anymore.


Interesting. I'm a beekeeper, so I have 40,000 bees literally right next to my DF vines, and I almost never see bees in the flowers.  >:(

I have 2 hives 15 feet away from my row of Dragon Fruit plants, have sat and watched bees working the DF flowers and then fly right to and enter the hives.
I would guess that far less than 1% of the bees that head out foraging are on the DF, which makes sense since when the bees find a good source 15 feet away they can only tell the other foragers in the hive that it is close. And their usual flight path is to fly out of the hive and take a right, which takes them directly over the row of DF.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on August 18, 2018, 04:04:35 PM
I think my purchased-from-Lowes-from-LaVerne dragonfruit is about ready for trellising, so I built this:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DragonfruitTrellis.jpg)

Should I wrap the main post with burlap to give the aerial roots something to attach to?

I eventually built 4 more of these and wrapped them in burlap.


Dear Dragonfruit: you're doing it wrong  ;D ;D ;D :


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/DFGrowingThroughBurlap.jpg)
HAHA they seem like they dont want to be tamed. but as a beekeeper they do what they want to get there pollen
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 18, 2018, 09:44:40 PM
Heres an american beauty with peruvian yellow DF "grafted" onto it.  Simon was nice enough to share some of the peruvian yellow DF with me and I am going to see if the growth rate is improved at all with a different rootstock.  They are quite slow growers even in a greenhouse so we wjll see if it helps at all.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1779/28085702457_9c9b9aa751_b.jpg)


Is this the "tap and plug" method mentioned in the post following yours?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k)


Has anyone tried this onto a descending branch? I'm interested in grafting something onto those giant vines posted just above this, so that there's something to cross with those 4 plants. I've never seen fruit on them, despite several _hundred_ meters of vine that produce hundreds of flowers every season.

The grafting works ok but the graft is a weak point and breaks off easily.  I accidentally broke both of the grafts off just moving the plant around.  The center core stem heals well but the fins didnt bind well for mine and they created a weak spot.  What you would need to do is put a crutch of bamboo on the joint and use some tree tape or caution tape to tie the crutch to stiffen up the graft joint. 

I maydo some more of those and try to get them tied up to a post right away so they dont break.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kc_moses on August 20, 2018, 10:33:45 AM
I hand pollinated my purple haze, but the last 3 flowers just turn yellow and die a few days after the flower closed. Any idea what could be the problem? My Natural Mystic are doing fine, only one turn yellow after hand pollinate.

What pollen did you use to hand pollinate your Purple Haze flowers?

I tried using its own pollen (it's supposed to be self pollinate: https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52 (https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52))
I also tried to use pollen from Natural Mystic. I saved the Natural Mystic pollen in a plastic container and froze for 2 days, thaw at room then used the pollen.

The first 2 Purple Haze fruit I got in June was hand pollinated with their own pollen since my Natural Mystic didn't have flower back than.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 20, 2018, 11:05:57 AM
Is this the "tap and plug" method mentioned in the post following yours?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljf6wyUmJ9k)

Has anyone tried this onto a descending branch? I'm interested in grafting something onto those giant vines posted just above this, so that there's something to cross with those 4 plants. I've never seen fruit on them, despite several _hundred_ meters of vine that produce hundreds of flowers every season.
The grafting works ok but the graft is a weak point and breaks off easily.  I accidentally broke both of the grafts off just moving the plant around.  The center core stem heals well but the fins didnt bind well for mine and they created a weak spot.  What you would need to do is put a crutch of bamboo on the joint and use some tree tape or caution tape to tie the crutch to stiffen up the graft joint. 

I may do some more of those and try to get them tied up to a post right away so they dont break.


Ah, if it doesn't hold up to stress, then it probably won't work on this vine. I may just plant a few S-8 cuttings (when I get them) around the base of each tree, and hope that they do as well as the incumbent plant, some day.


By the way, I'll repeat what I wrote last year--Teuchert Park (http://www.lomita.com/cityhall/government/parksrec/index.cfm?p=Teuchert/Teuchert.cfm&h=m) is a little miracle for those of us interested in DragonFruit, and everyone in the LA area should make a pilgrimage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 20, 2018, 12:35:01 PM
I hand pollinated my purple haze, but the last 3 flowers just turn yellow and die a few days after the flower closed. Any idea what could be the problem? My Natural Mystic are doing fine, only one turn yellow after hand pollinate.

What pollen did you use to hand pollinate your Purple Haze flowers?

I tried using its own pollen (it's supposed to be self pollinate: https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52 (https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52))
I also tried to use pollen from Natural Mystic. I saved the Natural Mystic pollen in a plastic container and froze for 2 days, thaw at room then used the pollen.

The first 2 Purple Haze fruit I got in June was hand pollinated with their own pollen since my Natural Mystic didn't have flower back than.

"Purple Haze" is a name given to Paul Thomson's 5-S, a hybrid from a Dragon Fruit Netitzel X Rixford” cross, which Paul said has dark red or magenta flesh, flavor good – very good.
Paul also said; All of the seedlings from his “Netitzel X Rixford” cross must be cross pollinated to set fruit. Other hobbyist growers agree.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 20, 2018, 01:13:51 PM
"Purple Haze" is a name given to Paul Thomson's 5-S, a hybrid from a Dragon Fruit Netitzel X Rixford” cross, which Paul said has dark red or magenta flesh, flavor good – very good.
Paul also said; All of the seedlings from his “Netitzel X Rixford” cross must be cross pollinated to set fruit. Other hobbyist growers agree.


Here's a previous post by Ric (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.2600) showing the various "#-S" lineages. So is S-8 Sugar Dragon truly a universal pollinator? Is there anything that it _won't_ pollinate?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 20, 2018, 06:41:50 PM
S-8 pollinates everything its been exposed to, as far as im aware, including itself. Its small sized fruit has made growers hesitant to include it in their collections, but aqs far as Im concerned, its my favorite variety. Its very sweet, nicely sized for snacking, and is very versatile for making preserves, ice cream and Ive made some really nice cooking glazes with it, and plan on experimenting more with it this holiday season. Every grower, who has space, of course, should include at least one of these plants in their collection, if for no other reason the bonuses to pollinating and fruit production the abundant S-8 flowers provide.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shafak on August 21, 2018, 08:36:16 AM
Is there any other alternative if I have a similar stub of a vine, but no rootstock to graft on to?

A friend of mine bought a giant Yellow Megalanthus DF from 99 Ranch market and it had a stub of a vine so he grafted it onto another DF rootstock. Shortly after the graft, he noticed new growth from the stub. Here are some pictures

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shafak on August 21, 2018, 08:41:57 AM
Any update on your trial, Sandy?

Thanks!
I was surprised myself to find one with a niece piece of the stem still attached.
I'm going to try to root the cutting, since I'm not that experienced with the latter of the 2 methods.
The fruit itself was still sweet and delicious even though the skin had lots more green than the ones I usually purchased.
I'm going to be looking to see if I can find more with the same size stem I got this time around to try the grafting method.
Crossing my fingers and hope I find more.
I think the cashier thought I was crazy to have bought such green fruit...lol

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 21, 2018, 08:56:45 AM
A friend of mine bought a giant Yellow Megalanthus DF from 99 Ranch market and it had a stub of a vine so he grafted it onto another DF rootstock. Shortly after the graft, he noticed new growth from the stub. Here are some pictures
(https://s8.postimg.cc/7pazjyd35/0_B5_F6372-297_A-4_FFB-8_DA3-_C77_E884_F04_D5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7pazjyd35/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/g7kfoabw1/2_DBF6616-1_F28-4019-_A1_BA-_AE8_B59142888.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g7kfoabw1/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/5xi0p21g1/74_F0226_F-6_D31-44_BC-85_DE-5_AD368269173.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5xi0p21g1/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/optvsn5k1/9_F9_CC287-9_BA3-458_C-960_A-942_AC64_A2873.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/optvsn5k1/)
Simon

Here is an update of the graft my friend did.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/w7v0qwl6v/C5_E2_D443-60_C1-4696-95_A8-7_BBCB1_DD6682.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/w7v0qwl6v/)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kc_moses on August 21, 2018, 01:27:22 PM


I tried using its own pollen (it's supposed to be self pollinate: https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52 (https://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/variety-selected-name-purple-haze--informacion-52))
I also tried to use pollen from Natural Mystic. I saved the Natural Mystic pollen in a plastic container and froze for 2 days, thaw at room then used the pollen.

The first 2 Purple Haze fruit I got in June was hand pollinated with their own pollen since my Natural Mystic didn't have flower back than.

"Purple Haze" is a name given to Paul Thomson's 5-S, a hybrid from a Dragon Fruit Netitzel X Rixford” cross, which Paul said has dark red or magenta flesh, flavor good – very good.
Paul also said; All of the seedlings from his “Netitzel X Rixford” cross must be cross pollinated to set fruit. Other hobbyist growers agree.

Thanks! I looked at my Purple Haze (5-S?) tree, there are about 12 flower buds forming now, I will monitor and see if they're self pollinating because my Natural Mystic is done at the moment and there is no other DF around to pollinate the Purple Haze.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 25, 2018, 05:28:52 AM

(https://s8.postimg.cc/3pz64ebgh/793_C9405-626_D-4_A48-_B01_E-_CE6365_CDC6_CE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pz64ebgh/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/4fhygt9g1/A733_E4_BA-5_F0_C-4066-91_E5-5_AB685_C0_F9_FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4fhygt9g1/)

Sugar Dragon keeps on impressing me! It’s the last week of winter, insanely dry,  with temps in the last week down to 0 degrees Celsius and my Sugar Dragon plants have decided to start flowering! This variety has survived on rain for the last 5 months(very little), temps down to -2.5 Celsius and continued to flourish, while also not being attacked and consumed from within by cactoblastis, which is making a mess of quite a few varieties . Over 30 flower buds on 8 two year old plants! Not a bad effort!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on August 25, 2018, 12:44:39 PM

(https://s8.postimg.cc/3pz64ebgh/793_C9405-626_D-4_A48-_B01_E-_CE6365_CDC6_CE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pz64ebgh/)

(https://s8.postimg.cc/4fhygt9g1/A733_E4_BA-5_F0_C-4066-91_E5-5_AB685_C0_F9_FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4fhygt9g1/)

Sugar Dragon keeps on impressing me! It’s the last week of winter, insanely dry,  with temps in the last week down to 0 degrees Celsius and my Sugar Dragon plants have decided to start flowering! This variety has survived on rain for the last 5 months(very little), temps down to -2.5 Celsius and continued to flourish, while also not being attacked and consumed from within by cactoblastis, which is making a mess of quite a few varieties . Over 30 flower buds on 8 two year old plants! Not a bad effort!
That's why it's one of my favorite varieties they're tuff and always producing
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 26, 2018, 07:09:39 PM
I have about 8 posts in the ground at my place. Most are stainless steel or galvanized steel from a metal recycler place in Chula Vista. They are about 8-10 feet tall, I dig a 3 foot hole and fill with concrete and then at the top drill holes and place two pieces of rebar to form a cross covered with irrigation hose. They have lasted many years. I do have one or two 4 inch thick redwood posts that I did the same way. Here is a photo of one of the 

Mark I decided metal is easier to deal with.  I got the posts at lowes and use redwood 2x4 for the tops and 1/2" rebar.  Ordered some bulk coco liner for the posts.  Got about half of the holes dug.  Hoping these last a long time..  Glad you recommended metal, much easier than pouring concrete and making molds, carrying them.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1861/42461895050_c3cbb2d2c2_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 27, 2018, 11:14:31 PM
Rebar is not stiff enough. I've seen design like yours drooped.

Do you put nuts at end?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 27, 2018, 11:30:37 PM
They probably used the thinner rebar.  If it becomes a problem I guess I could use even thicker rebar but seems excessive.  Seems like its working for a lot of people.  I already have a few in use also. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 28, 2018, 08:39:23 AM
I have about 8 posts in the ground at my place. Most are stainless steel or galvanized steel from a metal recycler place in Chula Vista. They are about 8-10 feet tall, I dig a 3 foot hole and fill with concrete and then at the top drill holes and place two pieces of rebar to form a cross covered with irrigation hose. They have lasted many years. I do have one or two 4 inch thick redwood posts that I did the same way. Here is a photo of one of the 

Mark I decided metal is easier to deal with.  I got the posts at lowes and use redwood 2x4 for the tops and 1/2" rebar.  Ordered some bulk coco liner for the posts.  Got about half of the holes dug.  Hoping these last a long time..  Glad you recommended metal, much easier than pouring concrete and making molds, carrying them.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1861/42461895050_c3cbb2d2c2_b.jpg)

Nice job!  1/2" rebar will take about any weight and I've had no problem with 3/8" rebar for many load situations. 

Time for me to get some kind of trellis going.  I put the Physical Graffiti and Santa Barbara red on the right in about March, has grown about 5'.  Cuttings on the left are Sugar pitaya, one prone (which is still dormant) and 2 upright.  Man does that one take forever to root and push.  The Frankie's Red cutting looks great but hasn't pushed. 

(https://s22.postimg.cc/lz73nu3il/Sugar_Pitaya_Aug23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lz73nu3il/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 28, 2018, 02:02:38 PM
DF definitely get really heavy.  I might throw a 3rd rebar in there since Seanny says its not enough.  Seanny post some photos of your supports if you can.  Im always open to new ideas.  And I will be making more supports in the future.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 28, 2018, 02:37:58 PM
I build my trellises out of redwood 2 x 4s and 4 x 4s. I don't set them in the ground; I put them on 1' x 1' concrete pavers so that I can move them around if necessary:

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/NewDragonFruitTrellis.jpg)

Design and drawings are here (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg297053#msg297053).


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on August 28, 2018, 02:47:36 PM
Here's the vine that's closest to the street. I'm calling this the "A" vine.

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertA_w.jpg)
The vines in that Lomita Dragonfruit Park are going pop tonight or Sunday night. Anyone want to sneak in with me and steal some pollen?

Or maybe sneak in and pollinate a few dozen flowers?


I just couldn't stand to see all these flowers drop, so I went there around 10:00 PM last week and pollinated one. I couldn't reach any others without a taller ladder.


Here is it, 10 days after pollen donation. It appears to have been successful!

(http://www.kan.org/pictures/TeuchertPollinated.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 28, 2018, 10:35:13 PM
DF definitely get really heavy.  I might throw a 3rd rebar in there since Seanny says its not enough.  Seanny post some photos of your supports if you can.  Im always open to new ideas.  And I will be making more supports in the future.

My neighbor and I both hung off one of the supports like monkeys today.  400lbs combined weight and the rebars didnt budge. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 28, 2018, 11:35:23 PM
Tested. So it's good to go.
I'll snap a picture of the failed one later.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 29, 2018, 12:02:07 AM
I'd add either some roofing tar or other coating on the part you intend to bury, to retard rust. The regular addition of fertilizers can make the soil, or even post set concrete, a bit more corrosive. If you really want to go the extra step, when you dig your hole, put about 2 inches of gravel at the bottom before you set or pour concrete, but try not to drive the post down through it. Leave it sitting on the gravel. This will allow any moisture that gets into the post, or penetrates the concrete/post seam to drain and not hang out directly in contact.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 29, 2018, 12:04:53 AM
Tested. So it's good to go.
I'll snap a picture of the failed one later.

Hopefully.  The rebar may be good now but a few years of rust could make it fail.  So I will probably hit them with some rustoleum and seal thewood parts and hope for the best.  I have a bunch of horse panels that would work also but no great places to set them up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 01, 2018, 05:29:26 AM
An interesting technique for grafting dragonfruit that I found on instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi_F6IMDpse/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1836xqta0zb58 (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi_F6IMDpse/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1836xqta0zb58)

If you check out his page, you will see a pretty mad yellow skinned dragonfruit called ‘Rainbow’. Red flesh apparently !
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 02, 2018, 11:03:58 PM
Does anyone know how to effectively dry and store pollen for Dragon fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 03, 2018, 12:01:49 PM
Does anyone know how to effectively dry and store pollen for Dragon fruit?
Here's the simple version of my process:
1. Use some sort of object you can insert into the flower, without damaging it, as far in as you can get it, and tap on the flowers stem to dislodge the pollen. I have an ice scoop that I've cut and reshaped to fit the flowers geometry, but another good idea Ive hear is to take a 1 litre soda or water bottle, and basically cut half the body of it out to form a scoop, then trim whats left of the body into a point, with a curved tip (no sharp or pointy edges), so it had a triangular shape.
2. Dump your pollen onto a white, or other lightly colored, plate so you can go through it and dig out anything that isnt pollen, like ants, flower parts, etc. Use tools like tweezers or sewing needles. Avoid touching the pollen directly.
3. Spread your pollen out on a folded paper towel or a napkin, not in clumps, but as an even powder. Place it somewhere shady, not in direct sunlight, but warm, and let it sit for 8-24 hours. Beware of strong drafts that might blow your pollen off its resting surface.
4. Place the towel/napkin back on your plate, fliped over, and pat/flick the dried pollen back onto the plate surface. Reexamine for anything not pollen. At my house its usually cat hair.
5. Here's the important part. Using as small of a container as possible, you can now store your pollen in your freezer. The colder the better. But the container is key. I have small sample vials I picked up from Ebay that I use. The idea is that you was as little air in with the pollen as possible. For a single flower, using something like the glass tubes free perfume samples used to come in would be a good size. Whatever you find, the container needs to be as small as you can find and air tight. Oh, and clean, too. Any moisture in the air can degrade the pollen when ice crystals form.
This process should give you pollen that will last a couple weeks in storage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: cmichael258 on September 03, 2018, 12:45:27 PM
Triple bloom last night.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/3rjclkq3f/IMG_20180901_225230.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3rjclkq3f/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 04, 2018, 01:01:14 PM
Heres some photos of the posts and some flowers

We've been eating the S8s and they are like crack.  No one can get enough of them.  They have that awesome floral grape flavor and very sweet and crunchy.  So delicious.


(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1848/44424165742_ae52c218cc_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1899/44473968171_d780fbcb6e_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1856/44473947941_ac0185e7f2_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1867/43755643224_8731d5bf67_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 04, 2018, 02:31:24 PM
great work Brad! your DFs seem very productive.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 04, 2018, 03:20:13 PM
Does anyone know how to effectively dry and store pollen for Dragon fruit?
Here's the simple version of my process:
1. Use some sort of object you can insert into the flower, without damaging it, as far in as you can get it, and tap on the flowers stem to dislodge the pollen. I have an ice scoop that I've cut and reshaped to fit the flowers geometry, but another good idea Ive hear is to take a 1 litre soda or water bottle, and basically cut half the body of it out to form a scoop, then trim whats left of the body into a point, with a curved tip (no sharp or pointy edges), so it had a triangular shape.
2. Dump your pollen onto a white, or other lightly colored, plate so you can go through it and dig out anything that isnt pollen, like ants, flower parts, etc. Use tools like tweezers or sewing needles. Avoid touching the pollen directly.
3. Spread your pollen out on a folded paper towel or a napkin, not in clumps, but as an even powder. Place it somewhere shady, not in direct sunlight, but warm, and let it sit for 8-24 hours. Beware of strong drafts that might blow your pollen off its resting surface.
4. Place the towel/napkin back on your plate, fliped over, and pat/flick the dried pollen back onto the plate surface. Reexamine for anything not pollen. At my house its usually cat hair.
5. Here's the important part. Using as small of a container as possible, you can now store your pollen in your freezer. The colder the better. But the container is key. I have small sample vials I picked up from Ebay that I use. The idea is that you was as little air in with the pollen as possible. For a single flower, using something like the glass tubes free perfume samples used to come in would be a good size. Whatever you find, the container needs to be as small as you can find and air tight. Oh, and clean, too. Any moisture in the air can degrade the pollen when ice crystals form.
This process should give you pollen that will last a couple weeks in storage.
Thank you Rob I'll try this when my flowers bloom
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 04, 2018, 04:33:33 PM
great work Brad! your DFs seem very productive.

We are just starting to get decent fruit set after a year and a half or so.  Seems like 3 year old plants should make a lot of fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: philek9 on September 05, 2018, 02:34:39 PM
Wicked setup, Brad!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 05, 2018, 03:05:02 PM
A few days ago I hand pollinated two flowers of Physical Graffiti with its own pollen. Was done at 11pm. Made sure I put a sufficient amount in the stigma. Flowers dropped. I had no other pollen available. I have heard both, that physical graffiti es self fertile and others say it not. Any one with experience on this ?
Particularly looking with successfull pollination with other cultivars.

It has been my experience that Physical Graffiti is NOT self fertile.

It has also been reported that Physical Graffiti needs pollen from an unrelated Dragon Fruit, not a related Paul Thomson "S" variety (except S-8).

The following information came from Paul’s book Pitahaya – A Promising New Fruit Crop for Southern California, second edition August 2002, pgs. 39 – 41, 45 & 46.

Paul says his first Pitahaya hybrid seeds came from two unknown species he called “Neitzel” and “Rixford”. Neitzel produced white flesh fruit and Rizford produced red flesh fruit. From this cross, Paul says in his book that there were 8 seedlings produced. One seedling died and all of the remaining 7 flowered and produced fruit. Two of the plants had what Paul called outstanding fruit and three had very good fruit. In Paul’s own words; “It was a most fortuitous cross.”
Note: According to Paul, all of the seedlings from his “Netitzel X Rixford” cross must be cross pollinated to set fruit.

Paul also produced two seedlings from a different cross between “Houghton” and Rixford. Both Houghton and Rixford have red flesh fruit and in Paul’s opinion excellent flavor.

The “S” stands for seedling.

1-S – dark pink flesh, flavor very good, renamed “Physical Graffiti” by Florida nursery.

2-S – deep red flesh, flavor very good to excellent renamed “Cosmic Charlie”

3-S – delicate pink flesh, flavor superb, named “Delight” by Paul.

4-S – pale pink flesh, flavor very good.

5-S – dark red or magenta flesh, flavor good – very good, renamed “Purple Haze”

6-S – Paul removed after freeze damage

7-S – Paul removed after freeze damage

8-S – deep, almost fluorescent magenta flesh, flavor excellent, named “Sugar Dragon” by grower Linda.

9-S – red flesh, flavor a close second to 3-S, renamed “Dark Star” by Florida nursery.

Note: 7-S and 8-S are from the Houghton X Rixford cross.
S1, S2, S3, S8, etc. are the same, just different naming for 1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 8-S, etc.
It has been reported that some of the above were renamed by Pine Island Nursery.

This post needs to be pinned. 

By the way, where do we get a copy of the Paul Thompson book?  Cant fine any for sale online.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 05, 2018, 04:37:32 PM
By the way, where do we get a copy of the Paul Thompson book?  Cant fine any for sale online.

Leo Manuel of San Diego, California is the publisher and source for the book.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on September 05, 2018, 07:40:51 PM
Rebar is not stiff enough. I've seen design like yours drooped.

Do you put nuts at end?
If you prune your vines you can keep them light enough and not bend the rebar. Mine have been in the ground over 6 years and I trim out old vines and keep the structure stable.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on September 05, 2018, 07:41:52 PM
By the way, where do we get a copy of the Paul Thompson book?  Cant fine any for sale online.

Leo Manuel of San Diego, California is the publisher and source for the book.
I believe Leo doesn't have any copies left. Someone was asking if they could make a copy of it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on September 06, 2018, 01:02:12 AM
Rebar is not stiff enough. I've seen design like yours drooped.

Do you put nuts at end?
If you prune your vines you can keep them light enough and not bend the rebar. Mine have been in the ground over 6 years and I trim out old vines and keep the structure stable.

I was mistaken about the drooping. The rebar cross was on top of pt post. The top rotted so the cross tilted to one side.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 09:24:25 AM
Does anyone know how to effectively dry and store pollen for Dragon fruit?

I've stored pollen (not from pitaya) by mixing it with flour.  I first lightly heated the flour in a pot to insure there were no bad guys, let it cool, mixed with the pollen at a ratio of 1 - 4 and then stored it in the fridge until needed.  Rather than contaminating the entire batch by sticking a sticky paint brush or finger into it I would pull only enough to use for one session.

That pitaya tree is unreal!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 09:29:38 AM
Brad, the Frankie's Red has 2 new growths.  Will go into my pitaya bed, speaking of which I've got furniture grade PVC elbows and connectors coming to use on 1" PVC pipe.  The trellis will be PVC 2' X 6' by 5' high covered with 6" heavy duty cattle panel.  The perimeter will be wrapped with this stuff so the (thick) panel edges don't cut thru the tissue. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RKTDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15TP87GWKFZSB&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RKTDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15TP87GWKFZSB&psc=1)

Also, a Sugar Pitaya cutting that was laid on its side with one rib in, for months, never did root.  I planted it upright with the Frankie's Red to take its spot.  I've shared Sugar S-8 with 2 others and we all say the same thing - that variety takes forever to root.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 09:35:31 AM
Hopefully.  The rebar may be good now but a few years of rust could make it fail.  So I will probably hit them with some rustoleum and seal thewood parts and hope for the best.  I have a bunch of horse panels that would work also but no great places to set them up.

I use a lot of rebar on the farm, much of it 18" pieces of 3/8" driven into the ground to anchor long rows of black poly irrigation pipe and it doesn't rust.  It develops a rusty patina and that's it.


Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 07, 2018, 09:54:19 AM
Brad, the Frankie's Red has 2 new growths.  Will go into my pitaya bed, speaking of which I've got furniture grade PVC elbows and connectors coming to use on 1" PVC pipe.  The trellis will be PVC 2' X 6' by 5' high covered with 6" heavy duty cattle panel.  The perimeter will be wrapped with this stuff so the (thick) panel edges don't cut thru the tissue. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RKTDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15TP87GWKFZSB&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RKTDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15TP87GWKFZSB&psc=1)

Also, a Sugar Pitaya cutting that was laid on its side with one rib in, for months, never did root.  I planted it upright with the Frankie's Red to take its spot.  I've shared Sugar S-8 with 2 others and we all say the same thing - that variety takes forever to root.

The S8 shouldnt take long to root.  It shoild root and grow within a few weeks.  If its taking longer, especially in your GH, you got bad cuttings.  Probably not mature enough.

If you want some good pieces I can send you some.  Ive got a lot of S8 plants laying around.  Take the ones that have been idle gorever and toss them.

Also when you get cuttings, the longer they are the more energy stored in them.  If these were short pieces it can make things happen slower.  Or if they were taken in the middle of winter, no energy reserves etc...  This time of year a proper cutting should be really fast to get going.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 10:16:44 AM
The S8 shouldnt take long to root.  It shoild root and grow within a few weeks.  If its taking longer, especially in your GH, you got bad cuttings.  Probably not mature enough.

If you want some good pieces I can send you some.  Ive got a lot of S8 plants laying around.  Take the ones that have been idle gorever and toss them.

Also when you get cuttings, the longer they are the more energy stored in them.  If these were short pieces it can make things happen slower.  Or if they were taken in the middle of winter, no energy reserves etc...  This time of year a proper cutting should be really fast to get going.

Thanks Brad, I've got 2 going strong and only enough room for the Frankie's Red in the bed.  My two friends that got some cuttings to have theirs going too.  Here's a shot of the cuttings. They were healthy and thick.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/dff7ezrpz/Sugar_Pitaya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dff7ezrpz/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 10:21:06 AM
Physical Graffiti and Santa Barbara Red on the right.  2 Sugar on the left with a hole for the Frankie's Red.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/scnofs7gn/Sugar_Pitaya_Aug23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/scnofs7gn/)

I screwed up on the Dark Star and Ignacio.  The cuttings rotted.  A friend I shared the extras with is doing fine.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 07, 2018, 10:25:54 AM
Cool, yeah I dont know S8 roots and grows really fast.  Could have just been the timing of when yours were cut.  Middle of summer when they are full of energy is best. 

You going to have a big bush of DF in a year or 2.  These things grow like crazy.  If your other trees are any indication, your DF are going to be overflowing in no time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 07, 2018, 10:46:16 AM
Cool, yeah I dont know S8 roots and grows really fast.  Could have just been the timing of when yours were cut.  Middle of summer when they are full of energy is best. 

You going to have a big bush of DF in a year or 2.  These things grow like crazy.  If your other trees are any indication, your DF are going to be overflowing in no time.

I hope so. I've got to get a recent shot of the recovering Reed and post it.  You won't believe it.  I bet it sets 300 fruits next year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 10, 2018, 12:12:30 PM
This is a san ignacio plant.  There was a photo of the buds a page ago.  They bloomed last night.  Bees are all over it.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1862/44547337782_ac7082efa6_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1859/43687723385_2581245398_b.jpg)

Condor fruit
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1844/29659577347_4298152f83_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 10, 2018, 02:38:44 PM
Totally insane Brad!  Freaked out my wife too!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 10, 2018, 02:55:18 PM
Its a really rewarding plant Mark.  I regret not planting more of it sooner. 

This is the same plants in July of 2017.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4123/35701077555_33bc65e185_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 10, 2018, 11:16:54 PM
wow, that’s crazy growth and productivity within just a year.

Brad, seems your DF flowers open fairly early? How does condor taste compared to other varieties?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 10, 2018, 11:53:44 PM
wow, that’s crazy growth and productivity within just a year.

Brad, seems your DF flowers open fairly early? How does condor taste compared to other varieties?

What do you mean by flowers open early?  Time of day?  They open around 9 or 10PM and close by 9 or 10AM.

Its too soon to tell about condor since I have just started getting much fruit from the plants but so far I tried most of the 1S,2S..9S paul thomson types and they all taste more or less the same.  With exception of 8S which is a different cross.  I much prefer the 8S and will be planting more of that.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 11, 2018, 12:53:37 AM
wow, that’s crazy growth and productivity within just a year.

Brad, seems your DF flowers open fairly early? How does condor taste compared to other varieties?

What do you mean by flowers open early?  Time of day?  They open around 9 or 10PM and close by 9 or 10AM.

Its too soon to tell about condor since I have just started getting much fruit from the plants but so far I tried most of the 1S,2S..9S paul thomson types and they all taste more or less the same.  With exception of 8S which is a different cross.  I much prefer the 8S and will be planting more of that.

Yes I was referring to time of day. Looking like the flowers remain open in the morning.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 11, 2018, 01:31:38 AM
Finally have some delight flowers. Damn heat killed at least 20 buds
(https://s8.postimg.cc/5iwphqxhd/20180910_220242.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5iwphqxhd/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 11, 2018, 01:34:35 AM
What the hell is this lol. Bud turning into a stem?
(https://s8.postimg.cc/kg56idd69/20180909_090013.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kg56idd69/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 11, 2018, 01:50:11 AM
wow, that’s crazy growth and productivity within just a year.

Brad, seems your DF flowers open fairly early? How does condor taste compared to other varieties?

What do you mean by flowers open early?  Time of day?  They open around 9 or 10PM and close by 9 or 10AM.

Its too soon to tell about condor since I have just started getting much fruit from the plants but so far I tried most of the 1S,2S..9S paul thomson types and they all taste more or less the same.  With exception of 8S which is a different cross.  I much prefer the 8S and will be planting more of that.

Yes I was referring to time of day. Looking like the flowers remain open in the morning.

They stay open for a few hours in the AM. Pollen seems better right when they open at night.  This was the same san ignacio plant about 2 hours ago at 9pm.  Too bad the bees aren't up at night.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1846/29671888747_16551a3ea5_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 11, 2018, 02:36:37 PM
First flower of my Simon’s purple opened last night. Pics taken this morning. Hand-pollinated with some sugar dragon pollens that I froze a month ago, as well as its own pollen. Not sure if it will work.

Got the cutting last summer. Cuttings I planted this year grew much faster
(https://s33.postimg.cc/gl8ay2irf/4932_C90_A-4_F60-46_EC-_A9_C6-6_CBB6_DECA514.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gl8ay2irf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/4jcx3xoyj/8_BA36_D1_B-_E2_E0-4_DDD-9108-1_F0_D651_AB548.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4jcx3xoyj/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/a7j7uu10r/A4530_C71-4710-4283-8_C5_F-3726_DD50_EBE6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a7j7uu10r/)

Some new buds forming for the American Beauty too


(https://s33.postimg.cc/hc1140swb/7_F277250-_E06_B-42_B8-97_BC-_A290_E1_DEC965.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hc1140swb/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 11, 2018, 03:29:56 PM
First flower of my Simon’s purple opened last night. Pics taken this morning. Hand-pollinated with some sugar dragon pollens that I froze a month ago, as well as its own pollen. Not sure if it will work.

Got the cutting last summer. Cuttings I planted this year grew much faster
(https://s33.postimg.cc/gl8ay2irf/4932_C90_A-4_F60-46_EC-_A9_C6-6_CBB6_DECA514.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gl8ay2irf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/4jcx3xoyj/8_BA36_D1_B-_E2_E0-4_DDD-9108-1_F0_D651_AB548.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4jcx3xoyj/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/a7j7uu10r/A4530_C71-4710-4283-8_C5_F-3726_DD50_EBE6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a7j7uu10r/)

Some new buds forming for the American Beauty too


(https://s33.postimg.cc/hc1140swb/7_F277250-_E06_B-42_B8-97_BC-_A290_E1_DEC965.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hc1140swb/)
let me know how good Simon purple is
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 11, 2018, 03:37:38 PM
Here's the simple version of my process:
1. Use some sort of object you can insert into the flower, without damaging it, as far in as you can get it, and tap on the flowers stem to dislodge the pollen. I have an ice scoop that I've cut and reshaped to fit the flowers geometry, but another good idea Ive hear is to take a 1 litre soda or water bottle, and basically cut half the body of it out to form a scoop, then trim whats left of the body into a point, with a curved tip (no sharp or pointy edges), so it had a triangular shape.
2. Dump your pollen onto a white, or other lightly colored, plate so you can go through it and dig out anything that isnt pollen, like ants, flower parts, etc. Use tools like tweezers or sewing needles. Avoid touching the pollen directly.
3. Spread your pollen out on a folded paper towel or a napkin, not in clumps, but as an even powder. Place it somewhere shady, not in direct sunlight, but warm, and let it sit for 8-24 hours. Beware of strong drafts that might blow your pollen off its resting surface.
4. Place the towel/napkin back on your plate, fliped over, and pat/flick the dried pollen back onto the plate surface. Reexamine for anything not pollen. At my house its usually cat hair.
5. Here's the important part. Using as small of a container as possible, you can now store your pollen in your freezer. The colder the better. But the container is key. I have small sample vials I picked up from Ebay that I use. The idea is that you was as little air in with the pollen as possible. For a single flower, using something like the glass tubes free perfume samples used to come in would be a good size. Whatever you find, the container needs to be as small as you can find and air tight. Oh, and clean, too. Any moisture in the air can degrade the pollen when ice crystals form.
This process should give you pollen that will last a couple weeks in storage.
I didn't know container size was important! But it makes sense, because excess space will have more air to oxidize stuff, and more potential for condensation. I just defrosted some pollen to take to the giant Lomita "Dragonfruit Tree" and when I was done I had drops of water in my pollen, just from condensation.

So I just ordered a set of 10 vials, for $8.29 (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D2OHBHU/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with free shipping:


(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41U-b9%2BZrtL._SX466_.jpg)

Having smaller "single dose" sets of pollen will also allow me to not disturb the pollen that I don't need tonight.


And here's my collector scoop, cut down from a 16 oz. Perrier bottle, with RB's guidance (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=228.msg255077#msg255077). It works very well!


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PerrierPollenCollector2.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 11, 2018, 03:39:20 PM
This is a san ignacio plant.  There was a photo of the buds a page ago.  They bloomed last night.  Bees are all over it.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1859/43687723385_2581245398_b.jpg)


I want some of your bees! I have 2 colonies right next to my DF vines, and my lazy, good-for-nothing bees pretty much ignore my DF blooms.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 11, 2018, 03:47:01 PM
I just couldn't stand to see all these flowers drop, so I went there around 10:00 PM last week and pollinated one. I couldn't reach any others without a taller ladder.

So I've returned to this location a few times over the last week, and I've pollinated about 7-8 more flowers with old Physical Graffiti pollen.

The one I pollinated back in August is doing great! Nice and swollen, and of pretty decent size. I'm hoping no one else picks it before I do! I forgot to take a photo last night.

I'll have to wait a week or so before I know whether the other ones will set. My pollen was pretty old by that time, and I'd had some condensation in my pollen storage container.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 11, 2018, 04:09:48 PM
I didn't know container size was important! But it makes sense, because excess space will have more air to oxidize stuff, and more potential for condensation. I just defrosted some pollen to take to the giant Lomita "Dragonfruit Tree" and when I was done I had drops of water in my pollen, just from condensation.

So I just ordered a set of 10 vials, for $8.29 (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D2OHBHU/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with free shipping:

I use 4 Mil 2" x 3" Resealable Poly Bags. Link--> http://a.co/d/2OgID4Y (http://a.co/d/2OgID4Y)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 11, 2018, 04:52:55 PM
First flower of my Simon’s purple opened last night. Pics taken this morning. Hand-pollinated with some sugar dragon pollens that I froze a month ago, as well as its own pollen. Not sure if it will work.

Got the cutting last summer. Cuttings I planted this year grew much faster
(https://s33.postimg.cc/gl8ay2irf/4932_C90_A-4_F60-46_EC-_A9_C6-6_CBB6_DECA514.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gl8ay2irf/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/4jcx3xoyj/8_BA36_D1_B-_E2_E0-4_DDD-9108-1_F0_D651_AB548.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4jcx3xoyj/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/a7j7uu10r/A4530_C71-4710-4283-8_C5_F-3726_DD50_EBE6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a7j7uu10r/)

Some new buds forming for the American Beauty too


(https://s33.postimg.cc/hc1140swb/7_F277250-_E06_B-42_B8-97_BC-_A290_E1_DEC965.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hc1140swb/)

Nice, looking very healthy.  Which all types are you growing?  I got an american beauty from someone out of state and it grows like crazy but not a sigle bloom.  Its weird.  I may toss it. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 11, 2018, 05:23:54 PM
Nice, looking very healthy.  Which all types are you growing?  I got an american beauty from someone out of state and it grows like crazy but not a sigle bloom.  Its weird.  I may toss it.
Thanks. I have Simon's purple, American Beauty, Halley's Comet, Yellow dragon, Giant Yellow Peru, Sugar Dragon S-8, Frankie's Red, Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa. I also grafted a few Giant Yellow seedlings (DF fruits from Ranch 99) onto Halley's Comet.

I got Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa cuttings from you in Dec. last year. Nice growth so far. Hopefully I will get some fruits next year.

Got my AB cutting from Simon. To me AB seems to be very similar to Simon's Purple in terms of the vines.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 11, 2018, 05:27:24 PM
let me know how good Simon purple is
It's an unknown variety - Simon should be able to comment on the taste. The vine seems very similar to American beauty.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 11, 2018, 05:39:32 PM
Nice, looking very healthy.  Which all types are you growing?  I got an american beauty from someone out of state and it grows like crazy but not a sigle bloom.  Its weird.  I may toss it.
Thanks. I have Simon's purple, American Beauty, Halley's Comet, Yellow dragon, Giant Yellow Peru, Sugar Dragon S-8, Frankie's Red, Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa. I also grafted a few Giant Yellow seedlings (DF fruits from Ranch 99) onto Halley's Comet.

I got Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa cuttings from you in Dec. last year. Nice growth so far. Hopefully I will get some fruits next year.

Got my AB cutting from Simon. To me AB seems to be very similar to Simon's Purple in terms of the vines.

All of the purple guatemalan ones like AB, dark star, condor etc are very similar.  Im going try and narrow down which one is best and get rid of some of the others.

If you come over in 6 or 8 weeks we can try most of them side by side.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 11, 2018, 06:34:02 PM
Nice, looking very healthy.  Which all types are you growing?  I got an american beauty from someone out of state and it grows like crazy but not a sigle bloom.  Its weird.  I may toss it.
Thanks. I have Simon's purple, American Beauty, Halley's Comet, Yellow dragon, Giant Yellow Peru, Sugar Dragon S-8, Frankie's Red, Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa. I also grafted a few Giant Yellow seedlings (DF fruits from Ranch 99) onto Halley's Comet.

I got Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa cuttings from you in Dec. last year. Nice growth so far. Hopefully I will get some fruits next year.

Got my AB cutting from Simon. To me AB seems to be very similar to Simon's Purple in terms of the vines.

All of the purple guatemalan ones like AB, dark star, condor etc are very similar.  Im going try and narrow down which one is best and get rid of some of the others.

If you come over in 6 or 8 weeks we can try most of them side by side.
can't wait! instead of tossing the ones you don't want, would you consider grafting desirable varieties instead?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 11, 2018, 11:45:46 PM
Nice, looking very healthy.  Which all types are you growing?  I got an american beauty from someone out of state and it grows like crazy but not a sigle bloom.  Its weird.  I may toss it.
Thanks. I have Simon's purple, American Beauty, Halley's Comet, Yellow dragon, Giant Yellow Peru, Sugar Dragon S-8, Frankie's Red, Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa. I also grafted a few Giant Yellow seedlings (DF fruits from Ranch 99) onto Halley's Comet.

I got Natural Mystic, Dark Star, Condor, Makisupa cuttings from you in Dec. last year. Nice growth so far. Hopefully I will get some fruits next year.

Got my AB cutting from Simon. To me AB seems to be very similar to Simon's Purple in terms of the vines.

All of the purple guatemalan ones like AB, dark star, condor etc are very similar.  Im going try and narrow down which one is best and get rid of some of the others.

If you come over in 6 or 8 weeks we can try most of them side by side.
can't wait! instead of tossing the ones you don't want, would you consider grafting desirable varieties instead?

Maybe, I have some new ideas for doing stronger grafts we can discuss it when you come over.  Work out with Simon a day to come.  October 26 or 27 or Nov 2 or 3 there should be lots of fruit to try.





 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 12, 2018, 12:00:04 AM
Check out this guys videos on pollination and grafting. 

Pollination
https://youtu.be/uQFYMFjdESI (https://youtu.be/uQFYMFjdESI)

Heres an impressive farm somewhere nearby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvrvZOdh2U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvrvZOdh2U)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 13, 2018, 10:33:52 AM
oxidize stuff, and more potential for condensation. I just defrosted some pollen to take to the giant Lomita "Dragonfruit Tree" and when I was done I had drops of water in my pollen, just from condensation.

Don't uncap it until the container has reached room temp.  Like I said, I dilute pollen with flour before storing it in the fridge, not the freezer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2018, 11:20:58 AM
I didn't know container size was important! But it makes sense, because excess space will have more air to oxidize stuff, and more potential for condensation. I just defrosted some pollen to take to the giant Lomita "Dragonfruit Tree" and when I was done I had drops of water in my pollen, just from condensation.

So I just ordered a set of 10 vials, for $8.29 (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D2OHBHU/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with free shipping:
They've arrived! So here's my "pollen collection kit:"


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PollenCollectionKit1.jpg)


(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PollenCollectionKit2.jpg)
(http://www.kan.org/pictures/PollenCollectionKit3.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2018, 11:21:46 AM
oxidize stuff, and more potential for condensation. I just defrosted some pollen to take to the giant Lomita "Dragonfruit Tree" and when I was done I had drops of water in my pollen, just from condensation.

Don't uncap it until the container has reached room temp.  Like I said, I dilute pollen with flour before storing it in the fridge, not the freezer.


I may try this method. Having the "single serving" vials makes it easier for me to freeze some, fridge some, etc,. as needed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 16, 2018, 11:38:44 AM
Im wondering if you could use a food dehydrator or vacuum packer to dry out and then remove air from your pollen. 

Also if you have only limited plants and are having to go to the trouble of saving pollen etc, why not just grow only self fertile plants?  Which plant is it that doesnt take its own pollen?
Title: Re: Tools of the Trade
Post by: RobPatterson on September 16, 2018, 12:10:42 PM
Here's a reposting of what I use for my pollen storage and how I do it. I ABSOLUTELY would not use a heated food dehydrator to prepare pollen for storage, as these plants are sensitive to high heat and I don't know if temps over 110+ will damage the pollen. I don't know that it will, Im just saying that unless I hear from someone with more knowledge than myself on the subject, I'm sticking with no heat for the pollen. Vacuum sealing seems like it would be a good idea but it might make handling tricky in the large vac bags, especially if youre only collecting one or two flowers at a time.
Since we're getting into that time of year when our thought turn to dragon fruit and the lovely, yet finicky, flowers they come from, I thought I would take the time to pass along a few tips on how I go about doing my pollinating and the tools I use to do it. Here are a few pictures to help with the more visual types among us:

(https://s13.postimg.cc/v6btcn0vn/Tools_Numbered.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v6btcn0vn/)

(https://s3.postimg.cc/xbx2f76of/Scale_and_Refrac.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xbx2f76of/)

(https://s16.postimg.cc/j1zy3evch/Pollen_Tools.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j1zy3evch/)

(https://s24.postimg.cc/vocby3t9d/Dehydrator.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vocby3t9d/)

In order of appearance are the following:
1. A digital scale. Mostly for use at the end of the process, weighing fruit, so you can show off the results of your mighty fruit creation skills. We all need something to brag about, and what's not to love about sharing.
2. A refractometer. Again, this is another 'after the fact' tool. Its used to measure the amount of dissolved solids in a liquid, namely how much sugar is in fruit juice, MORE namely how much sugar is in your dragon fruit. These come in both digital (shown) and optical varieties. The optical looks like a cross between a flute and a spyglass, and it very easy to use if you decide you have enough interest in the hobby to have dedicated testing tools like this.
3. Pollen Dehydrator. This is a custom item I built myself, and I use it to remove moisture from the collected pollen before I store it in the freezer. It works like a common food dehydrator, except its a mostly sealed environment (with the door closed) and I do not add heat (pollen is sensitive). Running a small fan in the box circulated the air through an area of Silica Gel (those "DO NOT EAT" packets you find in packaging) and that draws out the extra water and makes the pollen less likely to be damaged by extended stays in the freezer.
4. My worktrays. To avoid excess contamination, I tend to lean towards ceramic for work surfaces and these sized trays do the job nicely. They clean easily, are almost completely non-stick and the high white finish allows me to pick out foreign objects (plant parts, bugs, thorns, etc.) both before and after drying.
5. Pollination brush. Most of the time I directly manipulate the flowers to apply pollen, but sometimes can prove difficult to get at, tucked in between pointy branches, so I use the brush to extend my reach. Any soft bristle brush will do, as long as its clean and free from contaminants (aka, don't use your significant other's makeup brush). Also, the stick end helps with moving and poking at various things, like bugs and flower petals.
6. Funnel and pollen tubes. The plastic sample tubes I use are small 20cc plastic sample tubes, with attached lids. Easy to find in bulk and cheap on places like Ebay. With the matching tray, they are perfect for upright storage in the freezer and don't take up too much space. The funnel is pretty self explanatory, and is used for putting pollen in tubes.
7. The pollen collecting scoops. Now, here's a biggy. I use these to collect my pollen from the flowers, usually in the early morning before I go to work. The shape of the tools is very important. The larger of the two, and the one I use most often, is just a simple Ice Scoop that I reshaped using metal cutting snips. The more pointed end and wide back matches the shape of the flower very well and allows me to maximize pollen yields. Also, I filed down the cut edges so they are nice and smooth, so as to not damage the internal parts of the flower. The actual tool you use is less important than the shape. I've had other people Ive talked to use 1 and 2 liter plastic bottles, cut on a slant, to do the same job, and it seems just as effective.
8. Pollen sorting tools. I use these to both clear the collected pollen of foreign objects and to scoop pollen into the funnel. You should do your best to avoid touching the pollen with your hands, as the oils on your fingers can do bad things to living things that small.
Ok, now that's were through that, here are what I hope are a few helpful tips to get you more fruit.
First off, if you have multiple fruit varieties, the order in which you pollinate is very important. I always try to collect the pollen from one plant variety first, then move on to the next, first pollinating the second plant's flowers with pollen from the first, then going back and collecting the seconds pollen for use on the next plant. You're always going to get better results if you cross pollinate, even if some on the varieties you're working with are self fertile. Its worth the extra time to make that last trip back to the beginning of the loop to make sure you're mixing, not matching.
Next, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, or in this case pollen-y. If the flowers are easy to get at, and at a good height, Ill just reach into the flower and grab it by the lady parts (the long thick Pistil that extends from the center of the flower and ends in a starfish-like shape) and dip the end of it directly into my pollen catcher. Gentle but firm. You're not going to harm the flower by doing this if you're at all careful and its a good way to pollinate quickly if you have a lot of flowers in one area.
On a related note, collecting the actual pollen is just as simple. Just insert your pollen catcher into the flower, in the space between the white petals and the yellow stamen that surround the pistil (lady parts), and give the entire flower a good shake or tap. The pollen will come right off and into your collector. Flick out any large foreign objects but leave the removal of the smaller stuff until later, when you can get at it with clean tools.
Before you're done for the day, though, (hopefully) you'll have left over pollen. However you decide to do it, just make sure it has a chance to dry in a warm, dry place for at least 8 hours ( I usually do 24 without the dehydrator) to allow for proper storage condition. You can use coffee filters as your drying medium if you don't want to do anything fancy, but just make sure the pollen is undisturbed and free from added contaminants like dust or animal hair. To be safe, you can even add a second coffee filter on top of the first, once the pollen is added, to act as a protective layer.
Ive had successful pollination months after storage, so if you ever find yourself with extra pollen, its never a bad idea to put some aside for later, because with the various conditions (wind, bees, etc) you never know when some leftovers will come in handy.
I hope this helps out a few people, and here's to hoping for a successful season to everyone.
Title: Re: Tools of the Trade
Post by: TheWaterbug on September 16, 2018, 12:17:27 PM
grab it by the lady parts


I can't believe you actually wrote that!  ;D


But that's an interesting tip; I probably waste a lot of pollen by brushing it on, because my brush usually picks up far more than I need to pollinate a single flower, and it kinda falls all over the place when I brush it on. Or maybe I just need a smaller brush for pollinating than the one I use for pollen collection.



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 17, 2018, 10:53:33 AM
Got some Bruni blooms over the weekend.  Also got some Asunta 2, Asunta 3, and AX cuttings.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1899/42929981500_e85c62c478_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on September 17, 2018, 12:51:01 PM
Got some Bruni blooms over the weekend.  Also got some Asunta 2, Asunta 3, and AX cuttings.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1899/42929981500_e85c62c478_b.jpg)
Gorgeous purple flower. Heard that the asunda’s also have purple flowers and good taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 17, 2018, 09:09:41 PM
What is Everyone's Favorite Dragon Fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 17, 2018, 11:10:18 PM
What is Everyone's Favorite Dragon Fruit?
Sugar Dragon, Physical graffiti,Condor,Delight.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 18, 2018, 06:40:14 PM
Hello i am asking for everyones Opinion to see how to label these types of cuttings, like regular, large, XL, or XXL?
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41915695_10217371138894239_5622854257733533696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=077ac158af1fde40fb0ce8595678487f&oe=5C2D10F1)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: fyliu on September 18, 2018, 09:18:21 PM
Maybe say that cuttings are at least 8” or 12”.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 19, 2018, 08:28:30 AM
Maybe say that cuttings are at least 8” or 12”.
so 30"+ would be good for the ones on right since they go up to 39"
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41915695_10217371138894239_5622854257733533696_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=077ac158af1fde40fb0ce8595678487f&oe=5C2D10F1)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sddarkman619 on September 19, 2018, 08:14:11 PM
Just getting started with Dragon Fruit. Have not yet read all 114 pages of this thread but iwll knock out a chunk tonight.
Has anyone used any hormones on these to make them bud or branch out?

something like BAP?

Or anyone try Coconut water as a natural cytokine for this type of thing?

I have a night blooming cereus which is in the family I believe, I get blooms on that thing ever few months. Are these similar to Cereus? If so I think I'll be good to go.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 20, 2018, 12:27:23 PM
Just getting started with Dragon Fruit. Have not yet read all 114 pages of this thread but iwll knock out a chunk tonight.
Has anyone used any hormones on these to make them bud or branch out?

something like BAP?

Or anyone try Coconut water as a natural cytokine for this type of thing?

I have a night blooming cereus which is in the family I believe, I get blooms on that thing ever few months. Are these similar to Cereus? If so I think I'll be good to go.
there is no need, but here is a facebook group to help with growing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sddarkman619 on September 20, 2018, 02:33:31 PM
thank you!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on September 29, 2018, 05:16:38 AM
In southwest Florida I've been seeing flower drop on DF within a few days of opening, and on inspection the buds are infested with fruit fly larvae. I don't have an exact Id but they look similar to the fruit flies seen on guava. The life cycle of of most fruit flies is they hatch in 1-3 days after eggs are laid and larvae life about a week so the eggs were likely laid around bloom time possibly while in bloom or shortly before. This variety is light pink fleshed. Interesting to note is that nearby white fleshed varieties never seem to be bothered by fruit flies. About 1/2 of buds on this bloom held without the flies.

Has anyone else experienced fruit fly in DF flowers and found a solution?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 29, 2018, 07:51:46 AM
In southwest Florida I've been seeing flower drop on DF within a few days of opening, and on inspection the buds are infested with fruit fly larvae. I don't have an exact Id but they look similar to the fruit flies seen on guava. The life cycle of of most fruit flies is they hatch in 1-3 days after eggs are laid and larvae life about a week so the eggs were likely laid around bloom time possibly while in bloom or shortly before. This variety is light pink fleshed. Interesting to note is that nearby white fleshed varieties never seem to be bothered by fruit flies. About 1/2 of buds on this bloom held without the flies.

Has anyone else experienced fruit fly in DF flowers and found a solution?
of the 50 Varieties i grow in south Florida never had a problem with white flies, but i will go knock on wood to ensure it does not happen to me
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: EvilFruit on September 29, 2018, 11:54:06 AM
Does anyone in here have a picture of Desert king Dragon Fruit from Israel ?.

Because I bought a red fleshed Dragon Fruit and it seems like it is a hybrid between yellow and red Dragon Fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 29, 2018, 01:26:08 PM
Does anyone in here have a picture of Desert king Dragon Fruit from Israel ?.

Because I bought a red fleshed Dragon Fruit and it seems like it is a hybrid between yellow and red Dragon Fruit.


(https://i.postimg.cc/kBjsHsK9/desert_king.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kBjsHsK9)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on September 29, 2018, 02:18:08 PM
In southwest Florida I've been seeing flower drop on DF within a few days of opening, and on inspection the buds are infested with fruit fly larvae. I don't have an exact Id but they look similar to the fruit flies seen on guava. The life cycle of of most fruit flies is they hatch in 1-3 days after eggs are laid and larvae life about a week so the eggs were likely laid around bloom time possibly while in bloom or shortly before. This variety is light pink fleshed. Interesting to note is that nearby white fleshed varieties never seem to be bothered by fruit flies. About 1/2 of buds on this bloom held without the flies.

Has anyone else experienced fruit fly in DF flowers and found a solution?
of the 50 Varieties i grow in south Florida never had a problem with white flies, but i will go knock on wood to ensure it does not happen to me
Not white flies, fruit fly maggots (larvae).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on September 29, 2018, 06:52:30 PM
I Grafted G2 on a unknown white fleshed DF and finally pushing new growth
(https://i.postimg.cc/BXXw9rvv/20180928_094931.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXXw9rvv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMw0k31f/20180928_094942.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMw0k31f)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 30, 2018, 09:42:14 AM
In southwest Florida I've been seeing flower drop on DF within a few days of opening, and on inspection the buds are infested with fruit fly larvae. I don't have an exact Id but they look similar to the fruit flies seen on guava. The life cycle of of most fruit flies is they hatch in 1-3 days after eggs are laid and larvae life about a week so the eggs were likely laid around bloom time possibly while in bloom or shortly before. This variety is light pink fleshed. Interesting to note is that nearby white fleshed varieties never seem to be bothered by fruit flies. About 1/2 of buds on this bloom held without the flies.

Has anyone else experienced fruit fly in DF flowers and found a solution?
of the 50 Varieties i grow in south Florida never had a problem with white flies, but i will go knock on wood to ensure it does not happen to me
Not white flies, fruit fly maggots (larvae).
No problems with anything in SE Florida on the 50 Varieties grown except for a Caterpillar eating one and sprayed BT and it made a comeback
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: thw on October 03, 2018, 01:13:20 PM
Either Ramiro or Edgar mentioned that the once the flower is pollinated, it will take approximately 8 hours for the pollen to travel down to the ovary.  Was this what he said?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 05, 2018, 01:43:14 PM
Finally got my first fruit from Purple Haze best Dragon fruit I've had super sweet with a hint of grape
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xp4Ph0Zr/20181005_090555.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xp4Ph0Zr)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/rzMX643y/20181005_090652.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzMX643y)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 05, 2018, 07:03:19 PM
Does anyone know if sin espinas self-fertile? I'm interested in getting some cuttings but I want to know if it can produce fruit with it's own pollen
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on October 06, 2018, 12:03:37 PM
Any idea whether this is ready to pick? It's a bruni that flowered in early July. I pollinated it with Selenicereus grandiflorus pollen, the self-pollinated ones didn't set. I read bruni was supposed to have tiny green fruits ( https://mattslandscape.com/detail/?plant_name=Bruni ), but this one just kept going. It's looked like this for at least a month now. I figured it would start to split when the time came, but the end where the flower was has started to shrivel just a bit, and if anything it looks like it might be getting a bit greener. The underside has turned more pink than the side exposed to the sun, which seems backwards to me.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8jmD2N1HRn1BvpIFgr6I9fV5NXSCbc3A19_m2uLlJA4SxGMsUp7p3NEIOwzXBM1Z1wNH-QPrmYcDrz8VK7F6KGA2NaJY-yjMKzcTkYwjtg-Oft6BNtTAoFRYdR2TmxjhWKzA72UEY4T7dJG7XC9-lgMZ2BGAZbQ6s5kPkeLbIOQkEkL5HtgBrRLiEtOFl8iCym7K0DWWlcbVZZgTac_oR9A7SOGXc6n7MWzYGXZcc4zofTnHsd1vCfg3jongHWUYiUspbShGOkrM5kQzrZE2FWIRyudF46UqREhOk_N5RlSq93C3XINTbwFLmG6v0Abad_FygW8iGGVBbI43fo1wWNQ2Y_rx5PnyKMJa0tklIpfVsCwINLR3OKRq9yv3QlltjHOKflPET3WLLYewsk2Fv7B5kHKo-hUcVo7kDNUH-QSz83rzwQ4Sc-XGzWvPzwyHO6fLBtwm6KAh6ZbBHjA3W_JwUyhKg3en5IANMxe6JytZol0YbTCxNu7q7UJhW8POMFsCzes0MrH6yhBVH7tn-R8UKR21OGCLPiVdLJKMkEnLxPDQ5DE4cEXiYQEit2o8tlIe9h1nzp-Il7EdpebbMp5pHATBnj1u4Dxu3insjQ-yP8O_aYViLuba1Fwx3NM=w729-h971-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ElCbGrJRiqh_9ibvsa5nVw1l2t7EQ5H_nL1A6I9a-ij_MuuHSiziuLl7rFncSaP3oekYZB2nTbh7I8iN0ztse7bhfMkgzz5MMFfelAxdVBnyHfYUhGt_0ZHGgNbx4DIes24a6BfuLgpnbFS4F236I0MFvnEINCT0-EEF3ZJNGfPQMB048SDdn-DmQa4u2O5yeHvgx6af72Y2pClY6kSut0jF1gtBx3Q9zcQDp2maaX8s_jgHVNoeQjUdvz7hCpN5zUOMnVae3o3P4_h8gdjVmyFW6C1gx79jFxsK8KD4UR9EtcpMJSXu1FbxFYCUZEpO1p6F4pbaECS7REVvaFjYTNm9fBZa-sYqL_jT3h1LjJYXMu0V1OKq3ylJ2OGRa-NVDJ1U8GlFQ8U-dPftLdyAMhOKpycu0luzOzRLKvi94NPxnatfijk9L3bEm2TPLWTKscFFOVwFKpiE1gc1L4EqUIYjkeTVnfrTT0klhZ3AluucfCIvTmw4C1oV9CLdVnZWCO021H9vtwwbcWCJrFIhue6L-i0B7nlvdi0X4LX-9ZTaCI53R4BcPywIXE9_TAJVr0DGZacwV1EWsL4QVS_z5ceI_fTFM9tdmBf4JKRruD3Uk7NpjBuKK4d35VHNkQI=w1295-h971-no)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 06, 2018, 12:44:44 PM
Was the flower purple?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on October 06, 2018, 01:30:57 PM
Was the flower purple?

Yup

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8EtkVChN83-12PZ7Oyy9bYj7yV33gs6q_9JA5qQTc6H2q57nyQBaOYhrFIXa2tQomh5g90dy62nTpA44I-uHaXlZz7KY3OeQg6kcLGvEgel5rNtMxRqm8uIg0wX9CzTy3GLaMzPWOozp-Tk20jiLne6URTVzqzCfOqAibwPJeeiT5jqLfR-yRFypWaEUFvGT0fWR4hs4cxWkNbxS_AJVCT15KbC9VU8M-i55loDJ3sSwU0bocMsssfuGHXzPreBjhJ88whmMQYoWpAH7_T0PNUq1MLaXCi0b2pdVsoinV1H-wCXlWKrl6bL4JzER_vWeIzm8n1mLlUYMvszph4W_T6rfXhFYqYB_cS4d6wKDmJy3v90_ClsEQ73B1TcsMdApfIJf-iuGVgy56fwNQzDOUwv0VyZiHcRRHBmE9TPWlxrP4LS5WjPGUoQTezGbuCdIHdZrHGGjBhG9simSPHv4N4QUKxb3UtVK4dAnK0p8NCryfyBV6SMZO9j3gplSwOlTXmK8vCAL9VpuXUZ1xXHorSK6m_2P1Z5NGdcSurFkMi2QnA132DwbOpEwlRiuR1heMdVqXuuIhePuoWIA3vA6BMbGRn50InjoKj_U0GtUgqgWyZW6CnuRck6lWG8e5Ls=w1295-h971-no)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 06, 2018, 04:07:41 PM
Was the flower purple?

Yup

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8EtkVChN83-12PZ7Oyy9bYj7yV33gs6q_9JA5qQTc6H2q57nyQBaOYhrFIXa2tQomh5g90dy62nTpA44I-uHaXlZz7KY3OeQg6kcLGvEgel5rNtMxRqm8uIg0wX9CzTy3GLaMzPWOozp-Tk20jiLne6URTVzqzCfOqAibwPJeeiT5jqLfR-yRFypWaEUFvGT0fWR4hs4cxWkNbxS_AJVCT15KbC9VU8M-i55loDJ3sSwU0bocMsssfuGHXzPreBjhJ88whmMQYoWpAH7_T0PNUq1MLaXCi0b2pdVsoinV1H-wCXlWKrl6bL4JzER_vWeIzm8n1mLlUYMvszph4W_T6rfXhFYqYB_cS4d6wKDmJy3v90_ClsEQ73B1TcsMdApfIJf-iuGVgy56fwNQzDOUwv0VyZiHcRRHBmE9TPWlxrP4LS5WjPGUoQTezGbuCdIHdZrHGGjBhG9simSPHv4N4QUKxb3UtVK4dAnK0p8NCryfyBV6SMZO9j3gplSwOlTXmK8vCAL9VpuXUZ1xXHorSK6m_2P1Z5NGdcSurFkMi2QnA132DwbOpEwlRiuR1heMdVqXuuIhePuoWIA3vA6BMbGRn50InjoKj_U0GtUgqgWyZW6CnuRck6lWG8e5Ls=w1295-h971-no)

Awesome Nate.  Thats a bigg fruit.  Let us know how it tastes.  I have a couple on my plant too but havent tried it yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 12, 2018, 04:36:03 PM
Is it some type of bacterial infection? First time seeing this started from the top
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZCR2c03G/20181012-114857.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZCR2c03G)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2L5c2XqQ/20181012-114846.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2L5c2XqQ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 13, 2018, 12:15:11 PM
Its stem rot. Basically dead tissue. If its a branch stem, best to just remove the branch and dispose of properly. If its a main stem, or something with a lot of growth further on, use a knife to scrape away as much of the rotted tissue as you can get at, then use a garden hose with a jet nozzle or pressure washer to blast away the decayed soft tissue. As long as the main stem remains intact, the branch itself will continue to survive. Think of it like a tree, with the hard woody core being the trunk and the green flesh being the bark. I've got a few plants that have sections of bare core feet long that not only survive just fine, but the exposed core continues to grow and expand just like it would if it were still wet and green.
As for the cause, could be bacterial, fungal or environmental. Usually these things are caused by branches banging together, poking holes in one another with their thorns, and allowing impurities to get into the soft tissue, and fester once the holes scar up. There's not a whole lot you can do about that, unless you have fungal issues, in which case you can do the occasional wash down with a light anti-fungal, but that's a bit of a crap shoot and you have no guarantee its going to totally prevent this. Best thing you can do is make sure you're giving your plants the proper nutrients when you feed them, to help them stay healthy and less susceptible to disease and damage.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 20, 2018, 05:46:39 PM
Just out curiosity, I purchased just one, yellow colored Dragon Fruit fruit at Whole Foods Market about two months ago. To my surprise, the taste was delicious. And, the fruit size and quality was perfect, IMO. I was back a few days later and purchased 3 more.

The journey of searching for the perfect Dragon Fruit has been quite rewarding. And, this year, it has culminated with the unexpected early success of finding the perfect Dragon Fruit variety. The fruit itself was imported from the tropical fruit paradise of South America.

Up next in this Dragon Fruit Search Adventure and Journey: (1) Obtain a cutting of the Dragon Fruit described above, and (2) Continue the Search for a Red Colored Dragon Fruit with the same quality specifications.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on October 20, 2018, 05:58:09 PM
Here the pictures of the perfect Dragon Fruit that I had the good fortune of eating. BTW, I’m not exaggerating when I say that the sugar content was perfect. While I was eating it I was blown away by how delicious it was. I didn’t have at all the experience that I have with all the other Dragon Fruit varieties, of wishing that it was sweeter.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vcYCNsjK/2-CB5-C9-F0-EDB5-4421-9-AF4-F25132-A72287.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcYCNsjK)


(https://i.postimg.cc/5HSwGZDP/0-F0-F4-F5-B-E4-D0-47-AF-95-E0-C31766730-F84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HSwGZDP)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on October 20, 2018, 06:30:21 PM
You really should get ahold of some Sugar Dragon variety. I personally havnt tried the new, larger yellow fruits that have started showing up recently, but I know I wasn't a fan of the original yellow Megalanthus. It wasn't its sugar content either that turned me off, in fact, it was almost the opposite. To me, Megalanthus yellow tastes almost entirely of sugar, like eating old time rock candy, pure sweet but no other flavor. I do know some of the darker reds and magentas are getting pushed into high sugar production, but for me its not all about sweet. Add a bit of fruity flavor to that, though , and now we're talking.
Having said that, Im hoping I can get a chance to check out that new yellow variety sometime soon to I can give an honest, personal, comparison.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 20, 2018, 07:34:54 PM
You really should get ahold of some Sugar Dragon variety. I personally havnt tried the new, larger yellow fruits that have started showing up recently, but I know I wasn't a fan of the original yellow Megalanthus. It wasn't its sugar content either that turned me off, in fact, it was almost the opposite. To me, Megalanthus yellow tastes almost entirely of sugar, like eating old time rock candy, pure sweet but no other flavor. I do know some of the darker reds and magentas are getting pushed into high sugar production, but for me its not all about sweet. Add a bit of fruity flavor to that, though , and now we're talking.
Having said that, Im hoping I can get a chance to check out that new yellow variety sometime soon to I can give an honest, personal, comparison.

Its just sugar flavor again.

I had some sugar bomb american beauties here that were as sweet as the yellows plus a nice grape floral rose flavor.  Excellent.  I prefer that any day over the giant yellow. The fruits are larger and easier to grow too.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 29, 2018, 02:25:16 PM
Some cool looking fruit sets.  Ive got a bunch of types to test and narrow down the best ones to plant out on some large supports.  Anyone have input on what thry think is a good commercial variety?  So far Im liking american beauty, condor, dark star, S8.  Still have more side by side testing to do before deciding which types to do larger plantings of.

(https://i.postimg.cc/t75NPMCJ/20181027-120444.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t75NPMCJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/SjqGnh4H/20181028-100833.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjqGnh4H)

(https://i.postimg.cc/6432CzY4/20181022-142419.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6432CzY4)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on November 06, 2018, 09:58:03 PM
Does anyone know the name of these little bastards? they've been eating my new Dragon fruit stems
(https://i.postimg.cc/67gPHDLZ/20181030-185212.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/67gPHDLZ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on November 06, 2018, 10:08:30 PM
I bought a couple of Haley's comet cuttings from mattslandscape a year ago, it looks like he gave me the wrong variety
(https://i.postimg.cc/tnxn3VRP/20181024-211938.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tnxn3VRP)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2018, 01:06:56 PM
Tried this Bruni yesterday.  Its quite sweet (brix 20).  Very similar to megalanthus fruits taste and sweetness.  It was picked a little early (wanted to try it before animals got it) and late in the year.   These could easily be mid 20s on the brix scale next year.  Its lacking in the flavor department but if its sugar you want, these deliver.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4895/45953060302_47e8afa97c_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on November 22, 2018, 02:56:00 PM
I picked that Bruni fruit a while back, the one I posted a picture of. It was okay, tasted like a typical white-fleshed dragonfruit. I only ate a little bit, since I wanted the seeds, but they haven't sprouted, after about a week. It's possible I did something wrong in drying them, but I kinda doubt that. They may be infertile, since they were intergeneric hybrids.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on November 22, 2018, 03:42:22 PM
Tried this Bruni yesterday.  Its quite sweet (brix 20).  Very similar to megalanthus fruits taste and sweetness.  It was picked a little early (wanted to try it before animals got it) and late in the year.   These could easily be mid 20s on the brix scale next year.  Its lacking in the flavor department but if its sugar you want, these deliver.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4895/45953060302_47e8afa97c_b.jpg)

Brad, sounds like a variety that kids would enjoy. Is the peel supposed to be green when ripe? They have purple flowers right?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2018, 04:13:34 PM
Peel is green when ripe but could get more red blush if left longer.  I only had 2 fruits and they were on a potted plant and fruit was on the ground.  Mice got half of one so I took them both off.  They needed another week or 2. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on November 27, 2018, 05:32:00 PM
I'm pleased to show some good fruits from my DF picked today. I planted 10 posts with four cuttings each a year ago, they grew well and flowered well early in the summer but all flowers yellowed and fell. Later in the summer there was a second flowering which I hand pollinated and got a few fruits but many flowers became infested with fruit fly larvae and fell. The last flowering was sparse and I just ignored them and they came through with two very nice fruits. Perhaps the plants just needed more time and things worked out. This is an unnamed variety which was planted on a tree when I bought the property and propagated. There were several varieties most white fleshed this was my favorite. I'll try to get a brix when I find my refractometer but it was average sweet to me.

Here is  a section of the planting a few months ago:

(https://i.postimg.cc/qzc0Y8Tj/DSC01430.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzc0Y8Tj)

Here are the fruits from today:

(https://i.postimg.cc/SnJ4KH9t/DSC01500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SnJ4KH9t)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kitemaker4 on December 15, 2018, 07:41:51 PM
Hi, I just joined the forum last week.  I have been growing dragon fruit for a year now and it looks like this is where in the future I will post some cuttings of my plants when I prune them.  I have a lot of reading to do and I am very excited to learn all I can about dragon fruit.

Susan
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kitemaker4 on December 15, 2018, 07:45:08 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/1g96QQLZ/IMGP1419.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1g96QQLZ)
This is my dragon fruits winter home.

Susan
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galka on December 16, 2018, 02:57:15 AM
You really should get ahold of some Sugar Dragon variety. I personally havnt tried the new, larger yellow fruits that have started showing up recently, but I know I wasn't a fan of the original yellow Megalanthus. It wasn't its sugar content either that turned me off, in fact, it was almost the opposite. To me, Megalanthus yellow tastes almost entirely of sugar, like eating old time rock candy, pure sweet but no other flavor. I do know some of the darker reds and magentas are getting pushed into high sugar production, but for me its not all about sweet. Add a bit of fruity flavor to that, though , and now we're talking.
Having said that, Im hoping I can get a chance to check out that new yellow variety sometime soon to I can give an honest, personal, comparison.

Its just sugar flavor again.

I had some sugar bomb american beauties here that were as sweet as the yellows plus a nice grape floral rose flavor.  Excellent.  I prefer that any day over the giant yellow. The fruits are larger and easier to grow too.
I've had the yellow Megalanthus fruits from different countries and I notised a slite difference in appearance and taste. One was sugar sweet with no other flavor and the other one had a sweet lemonade like flavor which I liked more. Had anyone else tasted one with the lemonade flavor?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on December 16, 2018, 01:32:12 PM
At least some Palora sold here in Spain have that lemon like taste for what I've heard.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on December 16, 2018, 01:42:11 PM
I've had the yellow Megalanthus fruits from different countries and I notised a slite difference in appearance and taste. One was sugar sweet with no other flavor and the other one had a sweet lemonade like flavor which I liked more. Had anyone else tasted one with the lemonade flavor?

There is an acid/sugar ratio that is different.  I have not heard the "lemonade flavor" used much.


(https://i.postimg.cc/vcDD61Dj/2014-postharvest-p3a.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcDD61Dj)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on December 16, 2018, 07:38:59 PM
I'm pleased to show some good fruits from my DF picked today. I planted 10 posts with four cuttings each a year ago, they grew well and flowered well early in the summer but all flowers yellowed and fell. Later in the summer there was a second flowering which I hand pollinated and got a few fruits but many flowers became infested with fruit fly larvae and fell. The last flowering was sparse and I just ignored them and they came through with two very nice fruits. Perhaps the plants just needed more time and things worked out. This is an unnamed variety which was planted on a tree when I bought the property and propagated. There were several varieties most white fleshed this was my favorite. I'll try to get a brix when I find my refractometer but it was average sweet to me.

Here is  a section of the planting a few months ago:

(https://i.postimg.cc/qzc0Y8Tj/DSC01430.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzc0Y8Tj)

Here are the fruits from today:

(https://i.postimg.cc/SnJ4KH9t/DSC01500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SnJ4KH9t)

I've done some heavy pruning in advance of next year. Each post had four leaders last year which when tipped produced about 10 branches. This tipping of 10 or so branches I hope will result in 20 or more branches.
 
Typical post:
(https://i.postimg.cc/D4gkXqDZ/DSC01509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D4gkXqDZ)

The row:
(https://i.postimg.cc/bZKy8Rjc/DSC01510.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZKy8Rjc)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kitemaker4 on December 27, 2018, 11:39:33 AM
Hey, I am looking for 3 sugar dragon cuttings.  Does anyone here have any to sell.

Thanks
Susan
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RodneyS on December 27, 2018, 08:41:26 PM
Sent message
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ulfr on December 29, 2018, 09:38:24 PM
Finally made my posts.

150mm pvc pipe cut lengthways and used as a mould. End cap on the bottom and clamps the whole way up. On the third lot now using the same moulds. I am going to cast tops similar to pine islanders that slip over the poles

(https://i.postimg.cc/5XFytCzN/B878-E01-E-2-EEF-4872-8-EEA-D92301790-CBE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5XFytCzN)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rdXmRwGG/C854-A010-9-FE6-4-B6-D-B072-D2675535-A1-F9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdXmRwGG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on February 08, 2019, 11:48:58 AM
So I pollinated my Bruni (Hylocereus stenopterus X Hylocereus undatus) with Selenicereus grandiflorus. The fruit was the size of a normal dragonfruit, so huge from Bruni, which I believe is directly correlated with % pollenization. My other Bruni fruits did not set. The seeds did not germinate as quickly or with as high a rate as I expect from dragonfruit. I think I planted 12-15 seeds and have three alive, all stuck at cotyledons, as they have been for four months. I had one or two others that eventually withered and died. Does anyone have insight into this? I've read about intergeneric hybridization causing embryos to abort but I don't even know what to search for. It would be nice if there were a way to stimulate them, though I don't hold out much hope for that. I'm also just curious to learn about why this happened.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on February 08, 2019, 01:03:45 PM
So I pollinated my Bruni (Hylocereus stenopterus X Hylocereus undatus) with Selenicereus grandiflorus. The fruit was the size of a normal dragonfruit, so huge from Bruni, which I believe is directly correlated with % pollenization. My other Bruni fruits did not set. The seeds did not germinate as quickly or with as high a rate as I expect from dragonfruit. I think I planted 12-15 seeds and have three alive, all stuck at cotyledons, as they have been for four months. I had one or two others that eventually withered and died. Does anyone have insight into this? I've read about intergeneric hybridization causing embryos to abort but I don't even know what to search for. It would be nice if there were a way to stimulate them, though I don't hold out much hope for that. I'm also just curious to learn about why this happened.

What kind environment are the plants in?  Indoors, outdoors, grow lights etc?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on February 08, 2019, 01:10:47 PM
Indoors, SW-facing window, though it has some kind of tint on it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on February 08, 2019, 01:21:29 PM
Indoors, SW-facing window, though it has some kind of tint on it.

Probably needs more light input.  Even a CFL bulb would help.  Ideally run it on a timer for 14hrs a day until its warm enough to move outdoors. 

You probably already know but its super important to thin to a single vine ASAP on those DF seedlings.  You will get the growth you want if you always remove new vines and focus all energy into 1 vine.  If you let a seedling go with many vines thry just stall out and take forever to grow. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on February 08, 2019, 01:30:41 PM
Indoors, SW-facing window, though it has some kind of tint on it.

Probably needs more light input.  Even a CFL bulb would help.  Ideally run it on a timer for 14hrs a day until its warm enough to move outdoors. 

You probably already know but its super important to thin to a single vine ASAP on those DF seedlings.  You will get the growth you want if you always remove new vines and focus all energy into 1 vine.  If you let a seedling go with many vines thry just stall out and take forever to grow. 

10-4, I think this bout of cold will be over soon and out they will go. I didn't realize it was such a priority, I have some older seedlings from a large yellow fruit which I hadn't had the heart to prune yet. I'll get on that, thank you.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 10, 2019, 07:43:10 PM
Been making notes on the varieties of my 60 different varieties which does great in South Florida and what is no good in Florida
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on February 13, 2019, 05:01:43 AM
Hello guys, I have aged sheep manure (8months old) with redworms and grasses growing above, I want to put it on my dragons soon, they are now potted but I'm going to plant them in field until next month. My cutting are 1 and 2 years old, how much the quantity per plant should be? Furthermore, how much epsom salt you use to spray plants?
Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on February 13, 2019, 06:45:51 AM
Hello guys, I have aged sheep manure (8months old) with redworms and grasses growing above, I want to put it on my dragons soon, they are now potted but I'm going to plant them in field until next month. My cutting are 1 and 2 years old, how much the quantity per plant should be? Furthermore, how much epsom salt you use to spray plants?
Thanks
If you have Facebook the Epsom salt i posted on US dragon fruit growers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: smilingstone on March 02, 2019, 03:14:17 AM
If sugar dragon need to pollinated by hand?or self pollinate?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 02, 2019, 11:32:02 AM
If sugar dragon need to pollinated by hand?or self pollinate?

It self pollinates.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 03, 2019, 06:14:02 PM
The S8 Sugar Dragon variety is self fertile, and self pollinating, but it does do better if you have the time to assist with the pollinization.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 05, 2019, 10:12:32 AM
Indoors, SW-facing window, though it has some kind of tint on it.

Probably needs more light input.  Even a CFL bulb would help.  Ideally run it on a timer for 14hrs a day until its warm enough to move outdoors. 

You probably already know but its super important to thin to a single vine ASAP on those DF seedlings.  You will get the growth you want if you always remove new vines and focus all energy into 1 vine.  If you let a seedling go with many vines thry just stall out and take forever to grow. 

10-4, I think this bout of cold will be over soon and out they will go. I didn't realize it was such a priority, I have some older seedlings from a large yellow fruit which I hadn't had the heart to prune yet. I'll get on that, thank you.

Nate I meant to post this weeks ago and forgot.  This is a palora seedling that a forum member named Kang left here back in Fall.  It had several vines on it and the growth was small and slow.  I thinned it to one vine and you can see where it took off at that point and now has mature looking growth.  This plant will probably produce fruit by end of summer. 

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/46566547694_eac4b2642d_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7886/46566499054_87bd94bea0_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on March 11, 2019, 05:21:04 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT/CCC38085-9012-4-AD4-B33-E-7-B76-D0116-AA4.png) (https://postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT)

Anyone like to take a guess on the chance of this being a Megalanthus cross? Red flesh fruit, no spikes, self pollinating. From Vietnam apparently.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 11, 2019, 10:28:15 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT/CCC38085-9012-4-AD4-B33-E-7-B76-D0116-AA4.png) (https://postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT)

Anyone like to take a guess on the chance of this being a Megalanthus cross? Red flesh fruit, no spikes, self pollinating. From Vietnam apparently.

It looks like polyrhizus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on March 11, 2019, 11:48:34 AM
Anyone like to take a guess on the chance of this being a Megalanthus cross? Red flesh fruit, no spikes, self pollinating. From Vietnam apparently.

My guess NOT a Megalanthus cross.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on March 13, 2019, 02:51:37 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT/CCC38085-9012-4-AD4-B33-E-7-B76-D0116-AA4.png) (https://postimg.cc/GBn5CqsT)

Anyone like to take a guess on the chance of this being a Megalanthus cross? Red flesh fruit, no spikes, self pollinating. From Vietnam apparently.

Looks like a natural mystic
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: smilingstone on March 15, 2019, 08:12:24 AM
Well it seems to vary. This winter we only had a few days under 32, one in the 20's. The winter of 2009, we had several days down into the teens lol. I think it usually gets into the upper to mid 20's F a few times in the winter and several nights of 32F. It warms up pretty good during the daytime.  I have only been here 3 1/2 years so far so kinda figuring it out as I go. We got up into the 100's F a few times last summer but the direct sun here is not as burning hot as when I lived on the west coast, probably due to the humidity.

Soooo I am thinking, if I built a long wooden raised bed with a tall 2x4 frame around it I could cover it if I needed to and possibly even stick a small heater in there if it gets too cold.

Lenette
I do have anti-rain cover to protect the DF from frost and cold rain in winter. or the  tender branch will hurted.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JoeP450 on April 11, 2019, 12:06:37 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/0bBcRCj5/5-C4708-C9-64-EC-4400-8641-6-E5375432-A91.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0bBcRCj5)

Some dragon fruit I recently planted, trellis 8ft 4x4 dug 3ft into ground then bike wheels bolt screwed on top. Varieties: zamorano, Frankie’s red, condor, and one I believe to be yellow skin.


-Joep450
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Trianhthy on April 12, 2019, 04:22:32 AM
Indoors, SW-facing window, though it has some kind of tint on it.

Probably needs more light input.  Even a CFL bulb would help.  Ideally run it on a timer for 14hrs a day until its warm enough to move outdoors. 

You probably already know but its super important to thin to a single vine ASAP on those DF seedlings.  You will get the growth you want if you always remove new vines and focus all energy into 1 vine.  If you let a seedling go with many vines thry just stall out and take forever to grow. 

10-4, I think this bout of cold will be over soon and out they will go. I didn't realize it was such a priority, I have some older seedlings from a large yellow fruit which I hadn't had the heart to prune yet. I'll get on that, thank you.

Nate I meant to post this weeks ago and forgot.  This is a palora seedling that a forum member named Kang left here back in Fall.  It had several vines on it and the growth was small and slow.  I thinned it to one vine and you can see where it took off at that point and now has mature looking growth.  This plant will probably produce fruit by end of summer. 

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/46566547694_eac4b2642d_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7886/46566499054_87bd94bea0_b.jpg)

Wow! Your plant grows fast. U are a pro!
I did some weird thing trying to graft the PALORA 3 month-seedling plant to a unknown white flesh rootstock on 2/22/19. And I compare the growth of the seedling plant and the graft to see which one grow faster. As I expected. The grafted seedling plant seems to grow faster and get bigger! It s been 1.5 months from the graft (the seedling plant is 5 months old now). You can see from the picture.😁
(https://i.postimg.cc/8svzjT7J/09-B0-C77-A-B7-FF-4-CBA-A021-C23-A0-C7-E90-F4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8svzjT7J)

(https://i.postimg.cc/D8dfP5d7/6-ECD74-BD-1-F0-C-4-F2-F-A7-C7-E2-EFC3-DD8-C9-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8dfP5d7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YhwqFTFX/D920125-D-DF7-C-44-A1-ACB5-6-ED9716-E3-B67.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhwqFTFX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/G4mBBZ0W/21-A6-ACC4-F00-C-445-C-BAB1-500-A59-E442-E2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4mBBZ0W)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PP4p5d7b/795-FC233-3-A58-4114-97-E0-512-C8-C676-DFB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PP4p5d7b)

(https://i.postimg.cc/479HfVCn/925-EDD08-8-FB4-4-F97-893-A-B953-FEAF42-B8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/479HfVCn)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 26, 2019, 02:31:02 PM
I just joined and have been growing DF in Earthboxes on my deck since about Sep 2017. Was able to get flowers 9 months later with fruit retention.  I planted 5 more varieties the same way this pat Sep and one is flowering now!  8 months later from cuttings.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 26, 2019, 02:40:17 PM
Varieties I’m growing.

Asunto#2
Ax
Bien Hoa Red
Bruni
Condor
David Bowie
Delight
Frankie’s Red
Hana
Kathie Van Arum
Neon
Pepino Dulce
Physical Graffiti
Valdivia Roja
Voodoo Child
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 26, 2019, 02:42:00 PM
I forgot one I need help IDing later. Got it from a Disney Epcot tissue culture.  I may get rid of it this year if the fruit is like last year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: johndoe74 on May 26, 2019, 04:42:38 PM
Any DF grower here from AZ?

I received 4 purple DF variety cuttings from a coworker 6 weeks ago, all of them have since sprouted new branches. Right now they are receiving about 6 to 7 hours of full sun, with shade after 2pm. I water about every 2 or 3 days. I am wondering with summer fast approaching, how should I care for them? When it hits 110F, should I bring them indoor, or just leave them in ourdoor shade until fall?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on May 26, 2019, 10:21:33 PM
I have a rooted Cosmic Charlie cutting that is all tan and mushy at the bottom inch or so.
However, the core is still solid, the roots look good and it is growing (it is about a foot tall) and putting on new shoots.
Will it be ok, or should I restart it?

Thanks!

Carolyn
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 26, 2019, 11:04:11 PM
I have a rooted Cosmic Charlie cutting that is all tan and mushy at the bottom inch or so.
However, the core is still solid, the roots look good and it is growing (it is about a foot tall) and putting on new shoots.
Will it be ok, or should I restart it?

Thanks!

Carolyn

The times this happened to me in the past, the cutting died.  I have cut the cutting to get rid of the rot and replanted with success.  A pic may help
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Das Bhut on May 27, 2019, 03:11:23 PM
my dragonfruit seems to yellow if it gets any direct sun, how do you guys deal with it?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Standardbloke on May 27, 2019, 06:40:16 PM
Picked this guy yesterday. Seller is in WA (Australia).

Fruit appear to be absolutely enormous. Have to be pushing 1kg. My guess is that it's some kind of Guatamalensis Hybrid owing to the pronounced spines. Can't really see if there's any colour on the buds. The cutting I recieved is increadibly dense, hard and heavy...it's going to have serious weight at adulthood. Like a megalanthus, but heavier. Pretty sure it's not a standard Guat. Seller kind of just lets it do its thing. Hasn't ever tipped, given nutrients or anything. It's self poly and a red. Seems to be doing pretty well given its stuck in the ground and growing rampant on a fence. Hoping for good things with some care and attention!






(https://i.postimg.cc/tsn4Q9V7/hybridguat.png) (https://postimg.cc/tsn4Q9V7)



(https://i.postimg.cc/47fGdGn6/guat2.png) (https://postimg.cc/47fGdGn6)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on May 27, 2019, 07:12:39 PM

The times this happened to me in the past, the cutting died.  I have cut the cutting to get rid of the rot and replanted with success.  A pic may help
Thanks Bo, here is a picture. What is confusing me is that it is still growing, and when I tug on it, it is very well anchored in the pot. You can see the spot on the left where the brown skin is just tearing off. But the core is solid.

Cut and re-root?
Bury it?
Just leave it be?

Carolyn


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Standardbloke on May 27, 2019, 07:18:05 PM

The times this happened to me in the past, the cutting died.  I have cut the cutting to get rid of the rot and replanted with success.  A pic may help
Thanks Bo, here is a picture. What is confusing me is that it is still growing, and when I tug on it, it is very well anchored in the pot. You can see the spot on the left where the brown skin is just tearing off. But the core is solid.

Cut and re-root?
Bury it?
Just leave it be?

Carolyn


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)

That's unusual. The base has rotted in a way suggestive of water damage, but your mix appears to be free draining. What's most likely going to happen is that the rotted area will peel away leaving the wooden central core exposed. If it were mine, I'd let this happen. The newer growth will continue to grow regardless. When this gets larger, say two lengths and has hardened off, cut these, and replant them discarding the rotten base segment entirely. Edit: I personally do not rate cosmic charlie. I strongly suggest getting another variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 27, 2019, 09:07:40 PM

The times this happened to me in the past, the cutting died.  I have cut the cutting to get rid of the rot and replanted with success.  A pic may help
Thanks Bo, here is a picture. What is confusing me is that it is still growing, and when I tug on it, it is very well anchored in the pot. You can see the spot on the left where the brown skin is just tearing off. But the core is solid.

Cut and re-root?
Bury it?
Just leave it be?

Carolyn


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)

That's unusual. The base has rotted in a way suggestive of water damage, but your mix appears to be free draining. What's most likely going to happen is that the rotted area will peel away leaving the wooden central core exposed. If it were mine, I'd let this happen. The newer growth will continue to grow regardless. When this gets larger, say two lengths and has hardened off, cut these, and replant them discarding the rotten base segment entirely. Edit: I personally do not rate cosmic charlie. I strongly suggest getting another variety.


Not sure of the right answer.   But if the soft area is dry and not spreading you can get a larger pot take out the plant and bury it up to the healthy tissue.  All I hand done in the past is cut to healthy tissue and replant but it’s up to you. Too bad your not close or you could get some new cuttings
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 27, 2019, 09:08:56 PM
What Block said I agree with also
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 27, 2019, 09:24:08 PM
my dragonfruit seems to yellow if it gets any direct sun, how do you guys deal with it?

I have some on the growth laying on my deck. I read that this is from high sun exposure and heat.  Some just ignore it and have no problem from what I read others have put up some filtering shade to reduce sun exposure.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Standardbloke on May 27, 2019, 09:38:26 PM

The times this happened to me in the past, the cutting died.  I have cut the cutting to get rid of the rot and replanted with success.  A pic may help
Thanks Bo, here is a picture. What is confusing me is that it is still growing, and when I tug on it, it is very well anchored in the pot. You can see the spot on the left where the brown skin is just tearing off. But the core is solid.

Cut and re-root?
Bury it?
Just leave it be?

Carolyn


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)

That's unusual. The base has rotted in a way suggestive of water damage, but your mix appears to be free draining. What's most likely going to happen is that the rotted area will peel away leaving the wooden central core exposed. If it were mine, I'd let this happen. The newer growth will continue to grow regardless. When this gets larger, say two lengths and has hardened off, cut these, and replant them discarding the rotten base segment entirely. Edit: I personally do not rate cosmic charlie. I strongly suggest getting another variety.


Not sure of the right answer.   But if the soft area is dry and not spreading you can get a larger pot take out the plant and bury it up to the healthy tissue.  All I hand done in the past is cut to healthy tissue and replant but it’s up to you. Too bad your not close or you could get some new cuttings

Bo I have done what you're suggesting in the past with mixed results. Ultimately it's better to take the younger cuttings and plant those for several reasons. Firstly, re-rooting a cutting with a rotted base, even after cutting this segment off, leaves the plant vulnerable to infections and insect (especially whitefly larvae) damage. Secondly, it can be difficult to determine if the core is itself damaged, and if it is, when you replant the cutting, you will get the same issue or worse again. Also, the more surface area you have exposed to wet soil, the higher the risk of problems you will get. Think about how much more exposed surface area you will have with a snipped, triangulate stem vs the thin point of a cutting.

Thirdly, and this is the most important--there is no advantage to starting over with the rotted cutting, because the new growth will massively outpace the old growth. Massively. I'm estimating, but in my experience, by a factor of roughly 3x. Young growth roots faster, and growths faster, than old growth. On every criteria, it is better to replant from new growth rather than replant a damaged cutting. The main thing you want to do first is peel/rub off the rotten flesh completely, and wash the exposed core. If you leave it on, it will turn black, then moldy, and the mold will eat through the core beneath causing the stem to snap. Remove the death, let the new growth get to two lengths, harden off, then cut this and plant it. Trust me.

Just my two cents. Again, Cosmic charlie is not a great variety. The fruit are small, and the Brix rating is low. If you're in America you will have access to the best of the best. It's definitely worth picking up a condor or similar.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on May 28, 2019, 01:15:22 AM
Have flowering plants, alas only 1 variety.  I tried pollinating but I guess it is not a self fertile variety.
I hope some of the others start flowering soon.

Must get on a pollen hunt  :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: waynes on May 28, 2019, 02:29:14 AM
here is a picture. What is confusing me is that it is still growing, and when I tug on it, it is very well anchored in the pot. You can see the spot on the left where the brown skin is just tearing off. But the core is solid.

Cut and re-root?
Bury it?
Just leave it be?

Carolyn


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)

Carolyn, this is not uncommon.  It sounds to me you planted it too deep and it’s getting rot possible due to excessive water retention.  Use a blade and scrape off all the rots and cut away any unhealthy tissue.  Just be careful not to damage the core.  This plant is otherwise healthy as evident of its new growths.  You can repot it with better soil (more well drained) or leave it as it is.  If you choose to repot, plant the roots 2-3 inches below soil (DO NOT bury this whole stem).  Install a trellis and train those new shoots to climb vertically.  Ideally keep only 1-2 stems.  Once they reached your desired height, top off and let it shoot sideways (your plant should resemble an umbrella shape).  Pretty soon this plant will be ready to flower and bear fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 28, 2019, 09:31:18 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/vTv2JvVM/897-BCF2-A-D512-40-F4-8285-C3886-D88327-D.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bY05SqFM/9-F6-FC3-BB-DEFD-4-F83-8859-CE17-D3581703.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/wT6GhnCB/B00-B32-EC-51-C2-4-DFE-BD3-D-B1-A68-F3-CEC5-A.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/brPFV5d3/E907-BDF1-86-DD-4-B99-8-F2-F-F87-E88-E1-AFD0.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Daintree on May 28, 2019, 03:47:04 PM


(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)
[/quote]

Carolyn, this is not uncommon.  It sounds to me you planted it too deep and it’s getting rot possible due to excessive water retention.  Use a blade and scrape off all the rots and cut away any unhealthy tissue.  Just be careful not to damage the core.  This plant is otherwise healthy as evident of its new growths.  You can repot it with better soil (more well drained) or leave it as it is.  If you choose to repot, plant the roots 2-3 inches below soil (DO NOT bury this whole stem).  Install a trellis and train those new shoots to climb vertically.  Ideally keep only 1-2 stems.  Once they reached your desired height, top off and let it shoot sideways (your plant should resemble an umbrella shape).  Pretty soon this plant will be ready to flower and bear fruits.
[/quote]

Thanks!!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Bo on May 29, 2019, 04:15:04 PM
I want to try something new.  I’m going to cross an Asunta#2 with a Physical Graffiti.  I’ll use the pollen of each to pollinate the other.  I’ll then use the seeds to grow out and see what I get.  Since I will have way more seeds then I can handle, I would like to share them with people who want to grow out something new.  We could share the results here.  Anybody interested let me know.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 09, 2019, 07:57:45 PM
The best way Ive found to deal with mid-section rot is to hit it with a full jet garden hose. Of course, be careful not to blow out your soil, but a pressure washer-like cleaning (dont use an actual pressure washer) will strip off the rotted flesh down to the core and leave the stem clean to dry out. I have a couple plants that the first foot or so are bare core, and have been fine for years. Its very possibly a bacteria or fungus that caused the rot to begin with, so make an effort to dispose of the bad tissue after you remove it, or at least wash it into an area where it wont affect your plant(s) in the future.




(https://i.postimg.cc/0KDfP57R/Cosmic-Charlie.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KDfP57R)

Carolyn, this is not uncommon.  It sounds to me you planted it too deep and it’s getting rot possible due to excessive water retention.  Use a blade and scrape off all the rots and cut away any unhealthy tissue.  Just be careful not to damage the core.  This plant is otherwise healthy as evident of its new growths.  You can repot it with better soil (more well drained) or leave it as it is.  If you choose to repot, plant the roots 2-3 inches below soil (DO NOT bury this whole stem).  Install a trellis and train those new shoots to climb vertically.  Ideally keep only 1-2 stems.  Once they reached your desired height, top off and let it shoot sideways (your plant should resemble an umbrella shape).  Pretty soon this plant will be ready to flower and bear fruits.
[/quote]

Thanks!!!!
[/quote]
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: So_Cal_Mike on June 19, 2019, 08:05:39 PM
This particular cutting has been in the ground for over a year... it’s finally putting out a branch. Sometimes you just have to be patient, eventually it’ll grow. I’ve forgotten what variety it is.

(http://i67.tinypic.com/2e0o6rc.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on June 20, 2019, 09:59:05 PM
Bruni keeps on flowering
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfdrsxSG/bruni.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfdrsxSG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Orkine on June 30, 2019, 09:41:32 PM
Its something terrible from the mist...
(https://i.ibb.co/PZ1XHyC/IMG-20190630-211957992.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PZ1XHyC)



Nah, just a dragon fruit in bloom.

I have had some flowering this year but a flower at a time and of one variety and on the rare occasion two.
Tonight though, I got several flowers on three varieties.
I used polen on one to pollinate the other.  I hope this maximizes my chances of fruiting.

Here are some pictures from 2 of the 3 varieties, sorry don't know the names just that one makes huge pink fruits white inside and the other smaller red fruits.  There already is fruit on each plant from an earlier flowering.


(https://i.ibb.co/bXYh0TV/IMG-20190630-212001515.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bXYh0TV) (https://i.ibb.co/10dyHfM/IMG-20190630-212007892.jpg) (https://ibb.co/10dyHfM) (https://i.ibb.co/Vx6sDLn/IMG-20190630-212012078.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Vx6sDLn) (https://i.ibb.co/ryKsyV7/IMG-20190630-212018458.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ryKsyV7) (https://i.ibb.co/CHXwNkj/IMG-20190630-212023660.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CHXwNkj) (https://i.ibb.co/LQtk2sp/IMG-20190630-212026880.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LQtk2sp) (https://i.ibb.co/Yjdnx09/IMG-20190630-212032976.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Yjdnx09) (https://i.ibb.co/7W4RL7m/IMG-20190630-212116819.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7W4RL7m) (https://i.ibb.co/F7qwDgq/IMG-20190630-212120619.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F7qwDgq) (https://i.ibb.co/VMs2vVP/IMG-20190630-212123830.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VMs2vVP) (https://i.ibb.co/PZ2WZKQ/IMG-20190630-212131080.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PZ2WZKQ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 01, 2019, 09:32:02 AM
These gardens are amazing.

Last year's cutting of Sugar is showing a blossom.  Not much, but it's a start.

(https://i.postimg.cc/BLmywT7W/Sugar-Pitaya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLmywT7W)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 02, 2019, 03:29:51 PM
I don't recall if I've ever asked this question but if I did, I'm sorry. I forgot the response
   Well a relative of mine wants to grow some DF in his backyard. The issue is , he lives in Daly Ciry, CA. Just wondering has anyone had any luck growing them over in that area or know if it'll grow there. I think there zone is 10b.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaxs on July 02, 2019, 05:28:18 PM
We just got done up-potting the dragon fruit cuttings we got from @spaugh last year. Finally seeing some growth.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jn7RXpKG/Attach52721-20190628-152556.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5VmS8Jm/Attach52722-20190628-152556.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/pdpwM30Q/Attach52723-20190628-152558.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 03, 2019, 09:27:04 PM
What is this Palora Yellow I've been seeing on the forum? Is it the ones that's sold at the markets now? Cause those are already bigger than the standard SM we've been accustomed to seeing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 03, 2019, 09:32:35 PM
We just got done up-potting the drain fruit cuttings we got from @spaugh last year. Finally seeing some growth.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jn7RXpKG/Attach52721-20190628-152556.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5VmS8Jm/Attach52722-20190628-152556.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/pdpwM30Q/Attach52723-20190628-152558.jpg)

Nice, give them plenty of balanced fertilizer and consistent water to take advantage of the summer heat and make them grow fast. 

Avocado/citrus fertilizers are good for young plants that need to size up.

You also want to prune off excess branches and train a single vine up the sticks if you plan on putting them on tall support.  The plants do better if trained into a long single vine and then allowed to branch up high vs letting them become a bush. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 06, 2019, 01:05:30 PM
Have a big "Sugar" blossom looking like it will split tonight.  I know what's gonna happen too.  My wife will be yelling at me to come to bed from my home theater's easy chair and I'll forget to get to the greenhouse to hand pollinate it.

The pitaya bed has grown crazy since I planted it last year in Sugar, Physical Graffti, Santa Barbara Red, Frankie's Red.  Some are 8' high crawling up the greenhouse covering.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5jFH66dC/Pitaya-June14.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jFH66dC)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 06, 2019, 05:41:39 PM
If the variety you are talking about is actually ‘Sugar Dragon’, it won’t take much pollinating. You could probably sleep in and do it in the morning 👍👍
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 07, 2019, 08:01:35 AM
If the variety you are talking about is actually ‘Sugar Dragon’, it won’t take much pollinating. You could probably sleep in and do it in the morning 👍👍

I did just that, this morn at 5:30 a.m.   I "diddled it" but didn't see any pollen sticking to the make up brush.  Huge flowers, must have been a foot across.


(https://i.postimg.cc/vc52DgG4/Pitaya-Sugar-July7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vc52DgG4)

(https://i.postimg.cc/21mcWk52/Pitaya-Sugar-July7-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21mcWk52)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 18, 2019, 09:43:50 PM
I don't recall if I've ever asked this question but if I did, I'm sorry. I forgot the response
   Well a relative of mine wants to grow some DF in his backyard. The issue is , he lives in Daly Ciry, CA. Just wondering has anyone had any luck growing them over in that area or know if it'll grow there. I think there zone is 10b.
Daly City should be a very good location to grow DF, as it eliminates (mostly) the 2 conditions that inhibit healthy plants....too much heat (103+) and too much cold (34 and below). Costal cities tend to do well with dragon fruit, especially once they are established, as the aerial rooting system lends itself to the foggy mornings. As long as there is no issue with a lack of pollinators in the area (bees, etc.) then the plants should do well once they are past the cutting stage. To get them established, or to root cuttings, a warmer, and sunnier, spot would be preferable, such as against a western facing wall, so the plants can soak up additional heat radiation that the backing surface absorbs. Even a few hours a day on a cheap heating mat will help speed up maturity for newly rooted cuttings. Just make sure the soil has plenty of drainage, Nor Cal winters can be quite wet. Above ground containers/pots are probably preferable.
Title: So far so good in So Cal...
Post by: RobPatterson on July 18, 2019, 09:54:02 PM
So, as of this posting, we here in Southern California have had one of the more milder summers in recent years, and it is certainly showing in the dragon fruit around my house. I have a solid showing of flowers both maturing to bloom and setting fruit, which is a shift from the last three years for sure. Especially last year, which had a nearly 90% flower die off rate here in Ontario until the final flush of October. Temps were 100+ for weeks at a time with spikes of 104-110, which is almost always fatal for flowers and young fruit, at least on my plants. Im taking care to keep my plants properly hydrated early this year too, in the event that the temps do rise, Im hoping the plants will be better able to cope and give me a proper harvest this summer.
Of course, Im knocking on wood as I type this. I just hope that everyone else out there is having as much luck as I am so far, and that conditions hold long enough for us all to enjoy a dragon fruit filled summer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 19, 2019, 12:29:15 AM
My dad hand pollinate all flowers. We ate a few red variety already. We have a few left.
Second season flowers are coming.

We gave cuttings to neighbor down the street.
He didn’t pollinate. He got 1 fruit out of 12 flowers.

Nothing so far from the white variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 19, 2019, 06:27:10 PM
This particular cutting has been in the ground for over a year... it’s finally putting out a branch. Sometimes you just have to be patient, eventually it’ll grow. I’ve forgotten what variety it is.

(http://i67.tinypic.com/2e0o6rc.jpg)
FYI, im pretty sure that is a white variety. The whites tend to have the brown "corking" streak on the pointed, thorned edges of their 3 sided branches, where reds and magentas tend to be a bit more curvy and don't have that sharp angle.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 21, 2019, 03:12:08 AM
I don't recall if I've ever asked this question but if I did, I'm sorry. I forgot the response
   Well a relative of mine wants to grow some DF in his backyard. The issue is , he lives in Daly Ciry, CA. Just wondering has anyone had any luck growing them over in that area or know if it'll grow there. I think there zone is 10b.
Daly City should be a very good location to grow DF, as it eliminates (mostly) the 2 conditions that inhibit healthy plants....too much heat (103+) and too much cold (34 and below). Costal cities tend to do well with dragon fruit, especially once they are established, as the aerial rooting system lends itself to the foggy mornings. As long as there is no issue with a lack of pollinators in the area (bees, etc.) then the plants should do well once they are past the cutting stage. To get them established, or to root cuttings, a warmer, and sunnier, spot would be preferable, such as against a western facing wall, so the plants can soak up additional heat radiation that the backing surface absorbs. Even a few hours a day on a cheap heating mat will help speed up maturity for newly rooted cuttings. Just make sure the soil has plenty of drainage, Nor Cal winters can be quite wet. Above ground containers/pots are probably preferable.


Thank you so much Rob!! I'll pass the info over to my relative! 😊
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 21, 2019, 03:15:54 AM
I'm stumped about one of my plant. It's currently 5 ft tall and have 3 buds growing. But I noticed the stems went from plump to skinny. It's the S8. I have another S8 that is about 4 ft tall with 2 buds. But the stems on that on is still plump. Is there a reason why it goes from being plump to skinny. Am I not watering enough? I water them max 2 times a week , sometimes one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 22, 2019, 12:27:11 AM
Some kind of large black bee
(https://i.postimg.cc/HJDQP7Dz/20190721-103939.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HJDQP7Dz)

(https://i.postimg.cc/v46rztjD/20190721-103944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v46rztjD)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nosoup4u on July 22, 2019, 02:15:17 PM
I don't recall if I've ever asked this question but if I did, I'm sorry. I forgot the response
   Well a relative of mine wants to grow some DF in his backyard. The issue is , he lives in Daly Ciry, CA. Just wondering has anyone had any luck growing them over in that area or know if it'll grow there. I think there zone is 10b.
Daly City should be a very good location to grow DF, as it eliminates (mostly) the 2 conditions that inhibit healthy plants....too much heat (103+) and too much cold (34 and below). Costal cities tend to do well with dragon fruit, especially once they are established, as the aerial rooting system lends itself to the foggy mornings. As long as there is no issue with a lack of pollinators in the area (bees, etc.) then the plants should do well once they are past the cutting stage. To get them established, or to root cuttings, a warmer, and sunnier, spot would be preferable, such as against a western facing wall, so the plants can soak up additional heat radiation that the backing surface absorbs. Even a few hours a day on a cheap heating mat will help speed up maturity for newly rooted cuttings. Just make sure the soil has plenty of drainage, Nor Cal winters can be quite wet. Above ground containers/pots are probably preferable.


Thank you so much Rob!! I'll pass the info over to my relative! 😊

I just started growing some in pots in Redwood City (~15 miles away) earlier this year... weather is a bit less temperate than Daly City but mine have been very happily growing several inches a week this summer. 

On a related note, they will probably be 5-6 feet tall by September/October, when it'll start getting cooler and less sunny up here.  I've got a single stem going up - will it start branching out on its own eventually, or should I cut the tip to encourage more lateral growth?  If so, is it better to do that at a certain time of year, or does it not matter? 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 22, 2019, 03:28:10 PM
I don't recall if I've ever asked this question but if I did, I'm sorry. I forgot the response
   Well a relative of mine wants to grow some DF in his backyard. The issue is , he lives in Daly Ciry, CA. Just wondering has anyone had any luck growing them over in that area or know if it'll grow there. I think there zone is 10b.
Daly City should be a very good location to grow DF, as it eliminates (mostly) the 2 conditions that inhibit healthy plants....too much heat (103+) and too much cold (34 and below). Costal cities tend to do well with dragon fruit, especially once they are established, as the aerial rooting system lends itself to the foggy mornings. As long as there is no issue with a lack of pollinators in the area (bees, etc.) then the plants should do well once they are past the cutting stage. To get them established, or to root cuttings, a warmer, and sunnier, spot would be preferable, such as against a western facing wall, so the plants can soak up additional heat radiation that the backing surface absorbs. Even a few hours a day on a cheap heating mat will help speed up maturity for newly rooted cuttings. Just make sure the soil has plenty of drainage, Nor Cal winters can be quite wet. Above ground containers/pots are probably preferable.


Thank you so much Rob!! I'll pass the info over to my relative! 😊

I just started growing some in pots in Redwood City (~15 miles away) earlier this year... weather is a bit less temperate than Daly City but mine have been very happily growing several inches a week this summer. 

On a related note, they will probably be 5-6 feet tall by September/October, when it'll start getting cooler and less sunny up here.  I've got a single stem going up - will it start branching out on its own eventually, or should I cut the tip to encourage more lateral growth?  If so, is it better to do that at a certain time of year, or does it not matter?

You should cut the tip off when it gets to the height you want. Then it'll start branching off and you could do that anytime.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2019, 07:43:00 PM
Many DF growers already know this but the newer growers might not be aware that it is advisable to remove the dried up blooms from your DF so that you have less disease spores floating around.

My first DFs are starting to ripen, hopefully they don’t get sunburnt too bad from this heat we’re getting.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2019, 08:19:23 PM
First American Beauty of the year. Many of my fruit have some rotting back by the blossom end because I didn’t remove my dried blooms in time. I only just removed them about a week ago. My vines are very old now and I haven’t pruned them appropriately.

I highly recommend pruning your older established vines in order to keep production high. I grow my DF in large fabric pots and I used to get a bunch of fruit from each vine but with neglect and lack of pruning, my yield has significantly decreased.

Here’s an American Beauty fruit

(https://i.postimg.cc/WqhFv1fW/79-E4618-B-CDC1-4-B51-B458-E43-A9-CBBB8-B6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqhFv1fW)

First fruit is approximately one pound. The good thing about American Beauty is that the fruit size is very consistent.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 27, 2019, 03:33:10 PM
I'm stumped about one of my plant. It's currently 5 ft tall and have 3 buds growing. But I noticed the stems went from plump to skinny. It's the S8. I have another S8 that is about 4 ft tall with 2 buds. But the stems on that on is still plump. Is there a reason why it goes from being plump to skinny. Am I not watering enough? I water them max 2 times a week , sometimes one.
Skinny stems, ones that look more like actual branches and less like 3 sided 'finned' dragon fruit stems are usually caused be a lack of sunlight in my garden. My particular growing scheme means I have a lot of undergrowth if I don't keep things trimmed as much as I should and the new growth that is under eves or the plants canopy, meaning its shaded all day, will grow just as rapidly in length, but they don't have the plumpness to the branch as would be typical. Having said that, the internal woody core of the plant, its main circulatory '"artery" will still be of normal size and growth capacity. Think of it as a skinny kid with normal bones; the plant looks weaker but everything's still working. Now, if you have a main stem or runner that has this going on, as soon as it does manage to get back into a sunny area, it will resume growth normally, so you can allow these types of stems to remain if you want to use them for main runners or to shape your plants. As soon as normal conditions resume, normal growth should follow.
Of course, this is how it works here. It is possible that you might have a situation that, if sunlight isn't the issue, you might be lacking in a particular nutrient that the plant needs for proper development, but that would be on a case by case basis, and you would have to see what works for you. Or just go with an all in one type fertilizer and weed out the problems that way.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on July 27, 2019, 06:03:35 PM
I'm stumped about one of my plant. It's currently 5 ft tall and have 3 buds growing. But I noticed the stems went from plump to skinny. It's the S8. I have another S8 that is about 4 ft tall with 2 buds. But the stems on that on is still plump. Is there a reason why it goes from being plump to skinny. Am I not watering enough? I water them max 2 times a week , sometimes one.
Skinny stems, ones that look more like actual branches and less like 3 sided 'finned' dragon fruit stems are usually caused be a lack of sunlight in my garden. My particular growing scheme means I have a lot of undergrowth if I don't keep things trimmed as much as I should and the new growth that is under eves or the plants canopy, meaning its shaded all day, will grow just as rapidly in length, but they don't have the plumpness to the branch as would be typical. Having said that, the internal woody core of the plant, its main circulatory '"artery" will still be of normal size and growth capacity. Think of it as a skinny kid with normal bones; the plant looks weaker but everything's still working. Now, if you have a main stem or runner that has this going on, as soon as it does manage to get back into a sunny area, it will resume growth normally, so you can allow these types of stems to remain if you want to use them for main runners or to shape your plants. As soon as normal conditions resume, normal growth should follow.
Of course, this is how it works here. It is possible that you might have a situation that, if sunlight isn't the issue, you might be lacking in a particular nutrient that the plant needs for proper development, but that would be on a case by case basis, and you would have to see what works for you. Or just go with an all in one type fertilizer and weed out the problems that way.

Thank you Rob! I think in my case you might be on point that it might be lack of nutrients. I have other varieties planted in the same pot as the other no longer plump S8. They all get full sun. The others are plump but not fruiting. I think you got a point it might be nutrient deficiency possibly by using all it's energy on fruiting and me not having a regular fertilizing schedule. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on August 10, 2019, 06:41:52 AM
pitaya Dark star;
(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67959934_2409549835958825_5715264434771853312_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQloWMpwoIyzkzGQ2ak88gan_EOyW6GOmPVTNR1EgBa6gcQfRJ6s3F8QjrnH7zI_AJw&_nc_ht=scontent-mxp1-1.xx&oh=153848bc1e3ff3c1e379a783ea705d51&oe=5DCC13EF)


pitaya cebra
(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67870921_2409549715958837_84318780775202816_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQkeInr6F3_-rLamxI3-7mgNpNSq1YJJ0Q5Yz4cqoDcAwhC__3eju7ky2vwvx9W7mC4&_nc_ht=scontent-mxp1-1.xx&oh=e4234cfbdae416f3fbbd9e708578a1f9&oe=5DD1AEFD)
today's flowers

pitaya natural mystic
(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68356254_2409549622625513_8606121434680393728_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQkVoj3-s_DFBXWhjLYkLpcWJivRsqTTmpovkl34lwBn27TOuy7PkANCTnOrIVMByEM&_nc_ht=scontent-mxp1-1.xx&oh=acaf1d2c446c4e5b3980a330cb8070ec&oe=5DDBFC6B)


pitaya bloody mary
(https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/68679573_2409549465958862_5541618344353857536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_oc=AQnU-uAKfeNw84hIWjXATyciZBfB2VorW6t2FzOMasq6GMuxNJhq6D--G3-4gJGRZOY&_nc_ht=scontent-mxp1-1.xx&oh=e345425982c700a8e72bde2bdfeade5a&oe=5DEAD6AB)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 10, 2019, 07:14:00 AM
I know it's been asked before but what are ya'll feeding your faves with?  NPK and micros please.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 10, 2019, 01:53:13 PM
I know it's been asked before but what are ya'll feeding your faves with?  NPK and micros please.

Same as most stuff.  Use a high nitro full package fert until the plants are mature size then switch to a flower bloom high PK full package fert. 

And calcium, gypsum or super triple P or something with Ca.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 10, 2019, 08:08:05 PM
I agree with what Brad said. DF are pretty forgiving when it comes to fertilizers but the important thing is to fertilize because they are heavy feeders in warm weather. Once the vines are large enough to produce, I significantly cut back on Nitrogen and use 3-10-10 with minors and trace. Of the minors and trace, I make sure they get enough Iron, Magnesium and Calcium. My 3-10-10 has enough Zinc and Boron to keep the vines productive year after year.

Here’s my American Beauty growing in a pot with about 50 fruit on it. It used to produce a lot more fruit but it’s getting old and I have not performed maintenance pruning because I am remodeling my backyard. I grew this vine on my old deteriorating patio.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YvK1Hnph/350194-B5-04-E7-428-D-8-CE9-7-AEC925280-B0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvK1Hnph)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QHWpvGZ2/91-F5155-D-02-BD-4373-9575-6887-AD482444.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QHWpvGZ2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3WqXLrVj/9-FAF38-AA-B3-DE-4204-886-A-2-B532800-D900.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WqXLrVj)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 10, 2019, 08:47:20 PM
I agree with what Brad said. DF are pretty forgiving when it comes to fertilizers but the important thing is to fertilize because they are heavy feeders in warm weather. Once the vines are large enough to produce, I significantly cut back on Nitrogen and use 3-10-10 with minors and trace. Of the minors and trace, I make sure they get enough Iron, Magnesium and Calcium. My 3-10-10 has enough Zinc and Boron to keep the vines productive year after year.

Here’s my American Beauty growing in a pot with about 50 fruit on it. It used to produce a lot more fruit but it’s getting old and I have not performed maintenance pruning because I am remodeling my backyard. I grew this vine on my old deteriorating patio.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YvK1Hnph/350194-B5-04-E7-428-D-8-CE9-7-AEC925280-B0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvK1Hnph)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QHWpvGZ2/91-F5155-D-02-BD-4373-9575-6887-AD482444.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QHWpvGZ2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3WqXLrVj/9-FAF38-AA-B3-DE-4204-886-A-2-B532800-D900.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WqXLrVj)
Simon
did you stand n the shade structure to take that pic?  Fruit looks nice but I would be scared to get up there.  I assume you didnt do any pollinating with the american beautys? 

I got a few new types in fall of last year and have them growing over their 6ft supports and makng flower buds now. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 10, 2019, 10:51:02 PM
I have to climb up a ladder and balance myself on rotting wood, it’s shady and I wouldn’t recommend it for those that are prone to falling. I don’t hand pollinate any of my DF because I’m too lazy. The bees do all the work for me.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 11, 2019, 12:27:40 AM
I have to climb up a ladder and balance myself on rotting wood, it’s shady and I wouldn’t recommend it for those that are prone to falling
I don’t hand pollinate any of my DF because I’m too lazy. The bees do all the work for me.
Simon

Easy said when you have compatible or self fertile varieties flowering at the same time.

Lesson learned for newbies with only one or two not self fertile varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 11, 2019, 08:14:49 AM
I agree, the more varieties you have, the better the chances of cross pollination and fruit. 

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 11, 2019, 08:32:22 AM
I know it's been asked before but what are ya'll feeding your faves with?  NPK and micros please.

Same as most stuff.  Use a high nitro full package fert until the plants are mature size then switch to a flower bloom high PK full package fert. 

And calcium, gypsum or super triple P or something with Ca.

Thanks, that's pretty much what they're getting via Polyon - 18-4-9 with micros and Ca.  I started those cuttings last year and already got a couple of fruit making now and more blossoms just popped up.

I've got 6 cuttings of Physical Graffiti and 2 of Sugar.  If anyone wants them pay for a medium USPS flat rate box and there yours via PayPal to my email account - PM me. Caveat, they've been sitting on a table in the A/C for about 2 weeks so there's some moisture loss.

Mark





(https://i.postimg.cc/sBGLtw9q/Pitaya-Cuttings-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBGLtw9q)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 11, 2019, 08:37:09 AM
50 fruit, that's just crazy Simon!

I noticed your branches are very light green which suggests more N is needed.  Mine turned that way, almost yellow and are greening up with a very heavy hit of Polyon 18-4-9. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/D8ZSkMmx/Polyonsend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8ZSkMmx)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 11, 2019, 04:20:32 PM
The branches are old, sunburned and in decline. I was going to let the vine die at the end of last season because I knew I would be re modeling and replacing my patio so I would have to get rid of all my DF but I decided to let it Fruit for at least another year.

Once a DF plant reaches full size, I give only enough Nitrogen to support growth of the fruit. I want my vines producing fruit and not more vines. When I gave more Nitrogen to full size vines, like 10-10-10, they produced fruit but also many many branches.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 12, 2019, 08:10:57 AM
Like my new mangos I'm trying to force plenty of vegetation.  I'll back off the high N food next year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 12, 2019, 09:29:09 AM
First American Beauty of the year. Many of my fruit have some rotting back by the blossom end because I didn’t remove my dried blooms in time. I only just removed them about a week ago.
Simon

Simon, I yanked one of the dried flowers off and the long stigma came with it.  Won't this leave a hole for water entry and rot?  Would it be better to cut the blossom off at the new fruit?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 12, 2019, 09:49:31 AM
Hi guys. It may seem strange and stupid, but I grow dragon fruits in Russia. Today I have 11 varieties.
1. American Beauty
2.Bien Hoa Red
3.Bruni
4.Cebra
5.Cosmic Charlie
6.Dark Star
7.Delight
8.Halleys Comet
9.Hana
10.К1
11.Purple Haze
I've been looking for cuttings of the "Yellow Dragon" Selenicereus megalanthus for a long time. Can someone sell me with delivery to Russia?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 12, 2019, 10:02:31 AM
Hi guys. It may seem strange and stupid, but I grow dragon fruits in Russia. Today I have 11 varieties.
1. American Beauty
2.Bien Hoa Red
3.Bruni
4.Cebra
5.Cosmic Charlie
6.Dark Star
7.Delight
8.Halleys Comet
9.Hana
10.К1
11.Purple Haze
I've been looking for cuttings of the "Yellow Dragon" Selenicereus megalanthus for a long time. Can someone sell me with delivery to Russia?

Amazing!  Are you fruiting those in a greenhouse?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 12, 2019, 10:21:34 AM
Hi guys. It may seem strange and stupid, but I grow dragon fruits in Russia. Today I have 11 varieties.
1. American Beauty
2.Bien Hoa Red
3.Bruni
4.Cebra
5.Cosmic Charlie
6.Dark Star
7.Delight
8.Halleys Comet
9.Hana
10.К1
11.Purple Haze
I've been looking for cuttings of the "Yellow Dragon" Selenicereus megalanthus for a long time. Can someone sell me with delivery to Russia?

Amazing!  Are you fruiting those in a greenhouse?
This year I grow them in a greenhouse, for the winter I clean them home. This has been going on for 6 years and I have not seen flowers yet, but I still hope.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 14, 2019, 09:04:54 PM
Caught the bee out in a flower around 10pm.  I think maybe he was stuck.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48540375177_b355d5c1e0_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 14, 2019, 11:57:40 PM
First American Beauty of the year. Many of my fruit have some rotting back by the blossom end because I didn’t remove my dried blooms in time. I only just removed them about a week ago.
Simon

Simon, I yanked one of the dried flowers off and the long stigma came with it.  Won't this leave a hole for water entry and rot?  Would it be better to cut the blossom off at the new fruit?

Hey Mark,

It leaves a hole but we don’t overhead water and we rarely get rains at this time of year. Any water that gets into the opening will evaporate. Here is a picture of what it looks like after you remove the dried flower.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kk0xdY81/A95-A36-FA-5086-4078-B414-3-C4-DC304-FA24.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Kk0xdY81)

(https://i.postimg.cc/47fXLcsC/D180-B0-E4-369-E-4-C2-D-AF0-C-CAACC0-DD1-B64.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47fXLcsC)

Before you remove the flower, make sure it is completely dried up. It should snap right off. Also, when you snap off the dried flower, don’t breathe in the dust cloud of spores that usually gets released.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 15, 2019, 01:36:26 PM
I would think I'd get my DF's totally filled with ants with how many seem to cruise up and down the flowers with a hole like that, but I will try snapping them off if I get fruit set this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on August 15, 2019, 01:43:32 PM
The hole does not expose flesh. It is capped inside the hole similar to how Pomegranates have a cap inside the crown.

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 15, 2019, 03:25:42 PM
Use hand pruners to cut the dried flowers off a week or 2 after bloom.  Then you dont need to worry about opening the fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on August 15, 2019, 06:44:02 PM
I removed the flower just 4 days after pollination and the fruits seem fine so far.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 15, 2019, 07:11:39 PM
Yeah a day or 2 is probably fine.  I dont even do pollination, I just cut the flowers off once its obvious the flower is a take and its dried up. 

Im disappointed with my condor setup.  Its good fruit but not very fertile.  I have a big tree of it and theres nothing but failed flowers on the ground.  Hardly any fruit.  I wish I had only self fertile types really.  At least for this guatemalan type, there others that dont need pollination.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on August 15, 2019, 08:09:58 PM
Brad, which varieties you have are probably self fertile?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 16, 2019, 12:52:56 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/k2JgzqG0/9-D2-EE415-A0-B9-4159-8596-C09-BB19-FCF2-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k2JgzqG0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XpyfqKgj/FC5-CD17-B-CCA1-48-A7-8-EDA-CCF62581-E8-BA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpyfqKgj)

Tonight’s flowers on the df I bought from Spaugh. Truly stunning flowers on this natural mystic. I tried my hand at pollination so let’s hope it works.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 19, 2019, 02:25:48 PM
Brad, which varieties you have are probably self fertile?

I am not really sure to be honest.  All of them are setting fruit here but Conor is the one that had the most dropped flowers.  Its supposed to be self fertile.  It may have just been bad timing during a heat wave too, I dont know. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on August 20, 2019, 01:07:11 PM
Brad, which varieties you have are probably self fertile?

I am not really sure to be honest.  All of them are setting fruit here but Conor is the one that had the most dropped flowers.  Its supposed to be self fertile.  It may have just been bad timing during a heat wave too, I dont know.

Did you cross pollinate the Condors? I did and so far I have 5 fruits and 2 aborts. Not too bad I guess
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 20, 2019, 01:23:43 PM
Its too much of a hassle to go out at night and do it.  The bees are hitting the flowers for me as soon as they open around 7:30PM

I go out at night sometimes and the pollen is already gone from the bees too.  The bees really like DF flowers and pollen.  I can see balls of it hanging off their legs. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 20, 2019, 01:50:54 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/689cdWtm/4-A0711-D0-B7-A3-4-E54-8-C18-E9-E6-B3-AF6545.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/689cdWtm)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4Ky1SWKv/F3762841-9590-445-A-8-C29-81-FE840-B5-E21.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4Ky1SWKv)

Can’t quite tell if this is fruit set, but a man can hope. These were hand pollinated.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on August 20, 2019, 02:49:08 PM
Its too much of a hassle to go out at night and do it.  The bees are hitting the flowers for me as soon as they open around 7:30PM

I go out at night sometimes and the pollen is already gone from the bees too.  The bees really like DF flowers and pollen.  I can see balls of it hanging off their legs.

Interesting. Having bees can be a negative then?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on August 21, 2019, 06:56:58 PM
Does anyone know if Haley’s Comet is self fertile? Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on August 21, 2019, 10:26:43 PM
It’s all flower buds & flowers being produced by my ‘David Bowie’ variety of Dragon Fruit at my Zone 10 location; not acceptable.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DJmbMb63/8258-C988-223-F-4911-959-E-1-AB3-E7-FA6017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DJmbMb63)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2019, 11:29:45 AM
Its too much of a hassle to go out at night and do it.  The bees are hitting the flowers for me as soon as they open around 7:30PM

I go out at night sometimes and the pollen is already gone from the bees too.  The bees really like DF flowers and pollen.  I can see balls of it hanging off their legs.

Interesting. Having bees can be a negative then?

I never thought of it that way but I guess it is if you are really on top of pollinating, the bees are not as good at it as you and they take all the pollen.

My problem is I dont like to go out at night because we have mountain lions and rattlesnakes. 

So yesterday evening I went and tied some S8 flowers shut as an experiment.  When I went out there this morning all the pollen was still there and I was able to cross pollinate some other plants!  So this is what I have to do...  my plants are about to do a mega bloom so I will try and pollinate them. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0/20190822-082102.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on August 22, 2019, 12:10:13 PM
Does anyone know if Haley’s Comet is self fertile? Thanks in advance.
No, needs to be crossed pollinated with another variety https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/permalink/615056992342826/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/373619656486562/permalink/615056992342826/)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on August 22, 2019, 12:58:40 PM
Its too much of a hassle to go out at night and do it.  The bees are hitting the flowers for me as soon as they open around 7:30PM

I go out at night sometimes and the pollen is already gone from the bees too.  The bees really like DF flowers and pollen.  I can see balls of it hanging off their legs.

Interesting. Having bees can be a negative then?

I never thought of it that way but I guess it is if you are really on top of pollinating, the bees are not as good at it as you and they take all the pollen.

My problem is I dont like to go out at night because we have mountain lions and rattlesnakes. 

So yesterday evening I went and tied some S8 flowers shut as an experiment.  When I went out there this morning all the pollen was still there and I was able to cross pollinate some other plants!  So this is what I have to do...  my plants are about to do a mega bloom so I will try and pollinate them. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0/20190822-082102.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0)

That’s a smart way to save pollen. I’d be interested to understand if hand pollination in the morning yields good results. I think early morning should be fine, but the stigma starts to dry up shortly after.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2019, 01:34:01 PM
Its too much of a hassle to go out at night and do it.  The bees are hitting the flowers for me as soon as they open around 7:30PM

I go out at night sometimes and the pollen is already gone from the bees too.  The bees really like DF flowers and pollen.  I can see balls of it hanging off their legs.

Interesting. Having bees can be a negative then?

I never thought of it that way but I guess it is if you are really on top of pollinating, the bees are not as good at it as you and they take all the pollen.

My problem is I dont like to go out at night because we have mountain lions and rattlesnakes. 

So yesterday evening I went and tied some S8 flowers shut as an experiment.  When I went out there this morning all the pollen was still there and I was able to cross pollinate some other plants!  So this is what I have to do...  my plants are about to do a mega bloom so I will try and pollinate them. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0/20190822-082102.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ftF3NxW0)

That’s a smart way to save pollen. I’d be interested to understand if hand pollination in the morning yields good results. I think early morning should be fine, but the stigma starts to dry up shortly after.

So if I only do this to a few S8 flowers and the bees are allowed to work on everything else, I can just hand pollinate the less fertile types in the morning.  Some of the plants are loaded and dont need any help.  So this can just be extra on top of what the bees do.  The bees use all the pollen by around 9pm. 

And yeah you can pollinate in the morning.  Gray martin has videos showing how he uses a cordless dust buster vacuum to take pollin before dark and pollinates with it in the morning.  Check his videos out, he is the maker os GEM avocado and has 3 large dragonfruit farms near temecula. He is on youtube under gray martin dragonfruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Suemc on August 22, 2019, 02:55:56 PM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 22, 2019, 03:01:29 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL/46-FDE364-359-F-4331-9290-FBF318-BBED3-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL)

Would the dragonfruit experts on here suggest this yellowing is from sunburn? Should I just buck 30% shade cloth over top? They are getting a phenomenal amount of sun and fruiting prolifically. I count 6-10 buds per plant right now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2019, 03:12:22 PM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.

He was moving to a bigger property and going bigger retail and trying to get away from doing small oders.  Hes busy with bigger stuff I guess.  He was selling a lot of landscaping cactus to retailers.  Not a good excuse to treat your customers that way.   It is what it is. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2019, 03:14:15 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL/46-FDE364-359-F-4331-9290-FBF318-BBED3-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL)

Would the dragonfruit experts on here suggest this yellowing is from sunburn? Should I just buck 30% shade cloth over top? They are getting a phenomenal amount of sun and fruiting prolifically. I count 6-10 buds per plant right now.

Dont use shade cloth, the fruit wont develop.  Just ignore it, the plants are old and in poor health.  Use some avocado fertilizer and mulch it and just let it do its thing.  They will come back with nice growth if you can up pot it
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 22, 2019, 04:22:59 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL/46-FDE364-359-F-4331-9290-FBF318-BBED3-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHvhFDPL)

Would the dragonfruit experts on here suggest this yellowing is from sunburn? Should I just buck 30% shade cloth over top? They are getting a phenomenal amount of sun and fruiting prolifically. I count 6-10 buds per plant right now.

Dont use shade cloth, the fruit wont develop.  Just ignore it, the plants are old and in poor health.  Use some avocado fertilizer and mulch it and just let it do its thing.  They will come back with nice growth if you can up pot it

That was my thought too. Was going to up-pot once this batch of flowering is done. Don't want to mess with what appears success.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Suemc on August 22, 2019, 05:10:29 PM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.

He was moving to a bigger property and going bigger retail and trying to get away from doing small oders.  Hes busy with bigger stuff I guess.  He was selling a lot of landscaping cactus to retailers.  Not a good excuse to treat your customers that way.   It is what it is.

Thanks for the info. No big deal. He did talk a little about how busy he is. As long as I’m not fighting for a refund I’m good. Who knows, he may fill the order eventually.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2019, 11:43:46 PM
The bees are swarming my plants as soon as the flowers open today it was 6:30pm.  They take all the pollen.  Theres so many I cant even get in there to take any. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/BtnzDws0/20190822-185949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BtnzDws0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on August 23, 2019, 10:30:40 AM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.
Your not the first person, good luck
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on August 23, 2019, 10:32:03 AM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.

He was moving to a bigger property and going bigger retail and trying to get away from doing small oders.  Hes busy with bigger stuff I guess.  He was selling a lot of landscaping cactus to retailers.  Not a good excuse to treat your customers that way.   It is what it is.

Thanks for the info. No big deal. He did talk a little about how busy he is. As long as I’m not fighting for a refund I’m good. Who knows, he may fill the order eventually.
Also that is his 2nd job also for dragon fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 23, 2019, 10:44:16 AM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed? I spoke with him on 7/27/19 and placed a small order which he said he’d fill the next weekend. That was the last I heard about the order. I’ve called a few times but the recording says the mailbox is full. I haven’t been charged so am not out anything. It seems like I need to give up on my order and look elsewhere.
Just curious about my experience though.
Thanks.

You might try Spicy Exotics.
https://www.spicyexotics.com (https://www.spicyexotics.com)
They have filled the gap left from Pine Island Nursery and Mattslandscape Dragon Fruit plant sales.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Suemc on August 23, 2019, 12:24:39 PM
Thank you
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 24, 2019, 11:25:44 AM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed?

I just found out that Mattslandscaping Epicacti Nursery in Fallbrook, CA is closed.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 28, 2019, 03:42:39 AM
Hi guys! Today I received the cuttings of a Selenicereus megalanthus from a member of the Grapebush forum. I always rooted the dragon fruit in the sand, but this time I want to try to do it in perlite. Who has positive perlite rooting results? Is this a good idea or is it better to use sand?
(https://i.postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc/IMG-20190828-102951.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 28, 2019, 10:02:26 AM
Hi guys! Today I received the cuttings of a Selenicereus megalanthus from a member of the Grapebush forum. I always rooted the dragon fruit in the sand, but this time I want to try to do it in perlite. Who has positive perlite rooting results? Is this a good idea or is it better to use sand?
(https://i.postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc/IMG-20190828-102951.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc)

I just use well draining potting mix in a small pot and dont over water.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 28, 2019, 10:11:07 AM
I just use well draining potting mix in a small pot and dont over water.
This is probably the easiest and safest way, I just thought that perlite would be a good alternative to sand, but before doing this I decided to find out if there were any positive results.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on August 28, 2019, 10:55:27 AM
Hi guys! Today I received the cuttings of a Selenicereus megalanthus from a member of the Grapebush forum. I always rooted the dragon fruit in the sand, but this time I want to try to do it in perlite. Who has positive perlite rooting results? Is this a good idea or is it better to use sand?

Perlite is better than sand.

I prefer Perlite on the bottom and a little good draining potting soil on top.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 28, 2019, 01:11:55 PM
Perlite is better than sand.
I prefer Perlite on the bottom and a little good draining potting soil on top.
I thought to do it in pure perlite, maybe I'll try it your way.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 31, 2019, 12:50:07 AM
Hi guys! Today I received the cuttings of a Selenicereus megalanthus from a member of the Grapebush forum. I always rooted the dragon fruit in the sand, but this time I want to try to do it in perlite. Who has positive perlite rooting results? Is this a good idea or is it better to use sand?
(https://i.postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc/IMG-20190828-102951.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9r5NPbzc)
Just make sure of 2 things:
1. Plant it with the correct end facing down into your rooting medium. Pretty sure the thorns should point up.
2. Use a more sandy mix on that particular cutting. You already have roots protruding and once you get some constant moisture on them, they should start to take off. The 'air roots' you see are the same as the sub-surface roots in structure, so they will continue to grow once wet, just minus the corked skin they produce when exposed to air. Remember, its not excess water that's harmful to these plants and their roots, its the bacteria and fungi that grow in the water. Ive rooted plenty of cuttings on nothing but straight water in a bucket. Its all about care.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on August 31, 2019, 11:09:52 AM
Hi guys, one question:

Any of this varieties produce without hand pollination?

Palora
Sin Espinas
Pepino Dulce
Country Roads
Lisa
Frankie’s red
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti   

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 01, 2019, 02:34:50 AM
Hi guys, one question:

Any of this varieties produce without hand pollination?

Palora
Sin Espinas
Pepino Dulce
Country Roads
Lisa
Frankie’s red
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti
 

Thanks!

Also I'm interested in know this about El Grullo, Godzilla and Pink Panther.

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on September 01, 2019, 11:02:33 AM
Hi guys, one question:

Any of this varieties produce without hand pollination?

Palora
Sin Espinas
Pepino Dulce
Country Roads
Lisa
Frankie’s red
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti   

Also I'm interested in know this about El Grullo, Godzilla and Pink Panther.

I think the Palora, Pepino Dulce, and Frankie's Red may be self fertile. Most of the rest I know are not.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 02, 2019, 01:18:56 AM
Hi guys, one question:

Any of this varieties produce without hand pollination?

Palora
Sin Espinas
Pepino Dulce
Country Roads
Lisa
Frankie’s red
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti   

Also I'm interested in know this about El Grullo, Godzilla and Pink Panther.

I think the Palora, Pepino Dulce, and Frankie's Red may be self fertile. Most of the rest I know are not.

Thanks Ric, according to spicyexotics website Pink Panther also would be self fertile and able to self pollinate. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 02, 2019, 03:54:36 AM
Pink Panther isn’t self pollinating for me in Australia. My self pollinating varieties are Columbian Supreme, Yellow megalanthus, Frankie’s Red, Vietnamese White, and Sugar Dragon .
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 02, 2019, 02:20:01 PM
Pink Panther isn’t self pollinating for me in Australia. My self pollinating varieties are Columbian Supreme, Yellow megalanthus, Frankie’s Red, Vietnamese White, and Sugar Dragon .

Thanks! How good is Columbian Supreme?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rtreid on September 02, 2019, 08:32:18 PM
Hi guys, one question:

Any of this varieties produce without hand pollination?

Palora
Sin Espinas
Pepino Dulce
Country Roads
Lisa
Frankie’s red
Purple Haze
Physical Graffiti   

Thanks!

In my experience Sin Espinosa, Lisa, Frankie’s Red, Purple Haze and Physical Graffiti all require cross pollination. I am not growing the other three
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 03, 2019, 06:06:52 AM
 Columbian Supreme is definitely one of my favourite reds! Has a perfumey, musky flavour that I really enjoy. The wife not so keen on it though, so it’s a personal thing I suppose.

Frankie’s Red has never not set fruit for me, even when flowering in winter when nothing is flowering. There are very few varieties that will set fruit without help, which is why I’m the crazy neighbor with the headlamp, wandering around the yard in the middle of the night! 🤪🤪
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 03, 2019, 01:25:05 PM
Thank you both for the info, interesting that Frankie's Red behaves different in your locations.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on September 03, 2019, 04:23:36 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/8f4zv2LG/70-D55-F03-C218-4806-ACED-56-BBD340-E1-C9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8f4zv2LG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DSZ8rwCM/EA1-D6-FF8-1566-4-F9-D-8-E62-1-BBAF57-B5-E6-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSZ8rwCM)

I am consistently amazed by dragonfruit flowers. I suppose this eventually gets old?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 05, 2019, 02:57:53 PM
This has been working nicely for me to save the pollen from the bees.  Its flagging tape.  The stretchy stuff from home depot.  Actually this kind was off ebay and its texas brand.  Works good for tying yp dragonfruit plants to supports.  Has more stretch than tree tape. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/n9hptm1c/download-20190905-115535.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9hptm1c)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 08, 2019, 04:40:29 AM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed?

I just found out that Mattslandscaping Epicacti Nursery in Fallbrook, CA is closed.

Not sure what’s happening with Matt’s Landscape, but his website is still active and I could still place an order if I wanted to🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on September 08, 2019, 02:03:53 PM
I apologize if it’s not OK to ask but does anyone know if Matt’s landscaping is closed?

I just found out that Mattslandscaping Epicacti Nursery in Fallbrook, CA is closed.

Not sure what’s happening with Matt’s Landscape, but his website is still active and I could still place an order if I wanted to🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
People have and been waiting 3 months
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: shaxs on September 16, 2019, 06:22:36 PM
I spent the weekend ripping out out some old bushes and ivy and then building a new trellis for the dragon fruit. I got some cuttings from spaugh and they have taken off pretty well. I will be potting them up in 25 gallon containers before moving to the trellis.

(https://i.postimg.cc/9wcQK9Hv/20190914-130242.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wcQK9Hv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/K1j5k9ss/20190914-130247.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K1j5k9ss)

(https://i.postimg.cc/N5p40hbH/20190915-112322.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N5p40hbH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/dhfj88bQ/20190915-112337.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dhfj88bQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/grb4SHnn/20190915-112426.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grb4SHnn)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5j5gZQCp/20190915-112431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5j5gZQCp)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 16, 2019, 10:11:49 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/21mhDpZK/96-AB3758-11-C1-4-E75-AB50-77-DA05-ACCC4-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21mhDpZK)


These which I believe to be the Golden Yellow variety are starting to pop up in stores now. Spotted these in a Asian market. Kinda pricey if I must say. I wonder what other varieties are they going to be importing in the future.
Oh these are from Vietnam.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 19, 2019, 09:04:17 AM
After planting cuttings last year in a new RootBuilder bed I'm getting fruit and lots of flowers.  Would have more if I could remember to hand pollinate the flowers when they're ready.  Physical Grafitti is one flowering mofo.   I have a Sugar fruit too which does seem to be self fruitful.  They're 9' tall again, crawling up the polycarb and are ready for their 2nd haircut.  Varieties - Frankie's Red, Sugar, P.G., Santa Barbara Red.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mcgNL0Ms/Pitaya-Buds-Sept17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mcgNL0Ms)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qNzyW8dJ/Pitaya-Fruit-Sept17-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qNzyW8dJ)


(https://i.postimg.cc/BLtrK7WW/Pitaya-Sept17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLtrK7WW)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 19, 2019, 09:06:58 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/8f4zv2LG/70-D55-F03-C218-4806-ACED-56-BBD340-E1-C9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8f4zv2LG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DSZ8rwCM/EA1-D6-FF8-1566-4-F9-D-8-E62-1-BBAF57-B5-E6-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSZ8rwCM)

I am consistently amazed by dragonfruit flowers. I suppose this eventually gets old?

Nope  ;D

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfhNZ5hf/Pitaya-Sugar-July7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfhNZ5hf)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SandyL on September 30, 2019, 11:46:06 PM
Has anyone heard of the variety Godzilla? Is it sweet , tart, brix score? Thanks!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 01, 2019, 11:11:16 AM
Do people in southern CA let their plants set fruit this late in the year or is it best to remove the buds and let the plants focus on current fruit set?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 01, 2019, 12:01:02 PM
Do people in southern CA let their plants set fruit this late in the year or is it best to remove the buds and let the plants focus on current fruit set?

This year, my Dragon Fruit plants flowered and set fruit late! I live North of Los Angles and still have have flowers and fruit growing.

I notice that for So Cal, from South to North, San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, the reports of fruit set varies. The more South a County the earlier.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 01, 2019, 12:26:44 PM
Do people in southern CA let their plants set fruit this late in the year or is it best to remove the buds and let the plants focus on current fruit set?

This year, my Dragon Fruit plants flowered and set fruit late! I live North of Los Angles and still have have flowers and fruit growing.

I notice that for So Cal, from South to North, San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, the reports of fruit set varies. The more South a County the earlier.

My plants have been fruiting for months and are still making buds.  It seems a bit late to let those set fruit though?  Will thry ripen inyo november/december or will the fruit be a waste?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 01, 2019, 01:14:59 PM
FYI: At this year's Dragon Fruit Festival, one of the speakers talked about Dragon Fruit grown commercially in Israel. One of the growers mentioned a Winter crop. We concluded that since they have developed Megalanthus hybrids, these like our Frankie's Red, do not ripen until late Fall, early Winter.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on October 01, 2019, 03:48:43 PM
My plants from Spaugh are blowing up with more buds again. I had planned to re-home them all into 25 gallon pots with big trellis but sort of think to hold back now since they are budding again.

It would seem to me they'll bud and potentially fruit, but with a cold or not snap you'll lose them. That happened to most of my flowers this year.

Another thought: I get out at night to pollinate, but the bees show up in full force by 8-9am. Is it possible they're taking the pollen I used to pollinate such that I won't get fruit set?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on October 02, 2019, 12:35:01 AM
Another thought: I get out at night to pollinate, but the bees show up in full force by 8-9am. Is it possible they're taking the pollen I used to pollinate such that I won't get fruit set?

No... I doubt that it works that way.  Bees are taking pollen from the male antlers.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 02, 2019, 05:22:59 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/9zSW8hrP/FC4-EB598-8-E27-4740-8-CDF-409-FA82-E7-E28.png) (https://postimg.cc/9zSW8hrP)
The bees hit my flowers in the early afternoon before the flowers even open. Crawling past the stamen to get at the pollen. By the time I go out at 10pm there is generally no pollen left. I generally have to bag a few flowers to ensure pollen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 03, 2019, 04:15:37 PM
Birds figured out my DF are yummy and started pecking holes in them as soon as thry start turning red.  Here's my decoy painted rocks I'm putting around the plants to hopefully discourage the birds.  It's burgundy krylon in case anyone needs to do the same.


(https://i.postimg.cc/1nppZbFR/20191003-121238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nppZbFR)

(https://i.postimg.cc/47CzqXmF/20191003-121252.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47CzqXmF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ/20191003-121408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: dnguyen on October 03, 2019, 04:58:41 PM
Birds figured out my DF are yummy and started pecking holes in them as soon as thry start turning red.  Here's my decoy painted rocks I'm putting around the plants to hopefully discourage the birds.  It's burgundy krylon in case anyone needs to do the same.


(https://i.postimg.cc/1nppZbFR/20191003-121238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nppZbFR)

(https://i.postimg.cc/47CzqXmF/20191003-121252.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47CzqXmF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ/20191003-121408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ)


hahaha. this is genius! gotta try this next spring for my other fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on October 03, 2019, 05:12:26 PM
Birds figured out my DF are yummy and started pecking holes in them as soon as thry start turning red.  Here's my decoy painted rocks I'm putting around the plants to hopefully discourage the birds.  It's burgundy krylon in case anyone needs to do the same.


(https://i.postimg.cc/1nppZbFR/20191003-121238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nppZbFR)

(https://i.postimg.cc/47CzqXmF/20191003-121252.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47CzqXmF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ/20191003-121408.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zQdJtTZ)

This is hilarious and I hope it works.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sosamo on October 04, 2019, 06:15:09 PM
I got these yellow variety dragon fruit plant from Ebay. I thought they were cuttings, but they were like 5" plant from seeds.  I didn't know it will take 4yrs+ to fruit.  Should I try to graft a couple of them to my Vietnamese white rootstock? My Vietnamese white in the ground though.  Maybe take a vietnamese white cutting, root it in a pot, then try the graft?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WF06cTkN/20191001-075918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WF06cTkN)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY/20191001-075925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ulfr on October 04, 2019, 06:55:44 PM
Finally made post tops for my concrete posts. My concrete posts were  made using 150mm pvc pipe as the mould so I used pipe and a cap as a frame for the top and welded up rebar through/around it. I filled inside the top with concrete to support the rebar. They slip on and are very sturdy. Can also be replaced if the rebar ever rusts out.


(https://i.postimg.cc/9zbWfzq6/7456-E3-EC-C5-B4-4096-BE70-DC28-C31563-D0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zbWfzq6)

(https://i.postimg.cc/pyRWxKyQ/80-BEC959-AB8-E-4-A74-88-C9-69165-E063782.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pyRWxKyQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5YqfL2KF/D3875669-2235-4-E53-950-B-2168059-A4-CAE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YqfL2KF)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 07, 2019, 11:23:10 AM
The fake painted rock dragon fruits totally got rid of the birds.  They were pecking every fruit now not a single one is pecked!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 07, 2019, 11:24:17 AM
I got these yellow variety dragon fruit plant from Ebay. I thought they were cuttings, but they were like 5" plant from seeds.  I didn't know it will take 4yrs+ to fruit.  Should I try to graft a couple of them to my Vietnamese white rootstock? My Vietnamese white in the ground though.  Maybe take a vietnamese white cutting, root it in a pot, then try the graft?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WF06cTkN/20191001-075918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WF06cTkN)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY/20191001-075925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY)

It wont take 4 years.  Probably 2 years.  I wouldnt bother trying to graft them, just let them do their thing.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sosamo on October 07, 2019, 12:32:15 PM
I got these yellow variety dragon fruit plant from Ebay. I thought they were cuttings, but they were like 5" plant from seeds.  I didn't know it will take 4yrs+ to fruit.  Should I try to graft a couple of them to my Vietnamese white rootstock? My Vietnamese white in the ground though.  Maybe take a vietnamese white cutting, root it in a pot, then try the graft?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WF06cTkN/20191001-075918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WF06cTkN)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY/20191001-075925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kV0FHBDY)

It wont take 4 years.  Probably 2 years.  I wouldnt bother trying to graft them, just let them do their thing.

Thanks. I'll let it be.  I read some ppl say 4-6yrs from seeds.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on October 07, 2019, 01:15:17 PM
Finished the remaining two stands needed for Spaughs df plants he sold me. Added some coco coir mat around the post to help cushion the df. I’m also adding a couple other types to each 25 gallon pot so I can cross pollinate.

(https://i.postimg.cc/YjfRrsD3/065-B13-A0-FBD4-4-CD5-B289-A9-D8-CBA8-D93-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjfRrsD3)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on October 07, 2019, 01:17:48 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/XGvjrhcC/CB8-FDE96-115-A-4-DD0-9-BE3-63-C3-B6-FC2456.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGvjrhcC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3kH3XWF7/1792-A338-120-B-4-B11-881-A-3987172-FD084.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kH3XWF7)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kimjy3 on October 07, 2019, 01:32:49 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/XGvjrhcC/CB8-FDE96-115-A-4-DD0-9-BE3-63-C3-B6-FC2456.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGvjrhcC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3kH3XWF7/1792-A338-120-B-4-B11-881-A-3987172-FD084.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kH3XWF7)


The stands look super sturdy and nice. Can I ask how are they being propped up like that? :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on October 07, 2019, 01:38:11 PM
I put four pieces of 1x2 on the bottom of the stands that go out to the edges of the pot and lock it in. I know these will rot eventually, but I hope and figure the weight of the DF on top and the root system should secure them over time. It isn't windy at my house at all (it's very well protected actually).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FamilyJ on October 09, 2019, 10:30:31 AM
Karma, I thought people on my group "US Dragon Fruit Growers" and then I got fruit on a 1-month-old cutting which almost never happens but just want to show it is totally possible
(https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72453426_10220489372528131_7314836613740101632_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQkgLTuzshRkvUWx3NIWrDWjZITDiHioJQ2pcjC3XfS1kQ4l6zpn29JKmqfMtaf_53A&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=fc96272a65c9e3bb5500e5f8622ad074&oe=5E23ABD2)
(https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72255562_10220489350647584_5215566039516971008_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_oc=AQl9vKFVZP-oyLHiclg-CI0JCqCquQrWqCReOIdULBISwUzR9mmcGkNAEnT1x24kqcE&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=dae60fc07786d4da063ff7fe54dceca2&oe=5E20DC36)
(https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72356248_10220489351087595_2964556108972163072_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQnAtJZEK1TRcVGCnXq31tHMjkxmvL4JFvhVKUsDc22hRRWTYj9UB-ZbJ8AA7hfntRg&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=61fa2b1fca1d9ee022ce029bde304e9d&oe=5E1A7F23)
(https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/71894990_10220489352447629_1504478291615023104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlLADZ5RTT7hwir4rZM_ui4hzT7S16QuUs34tjbBCmxC-qntSrgUKPWyY6hJX5UWfA&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=9ec5d4519b087c4f1cf2ae3e51c9119c&oe=5E2B97C8)
(https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/72446927_10220489369248049_4316176321249017856_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_oc=AQnPrif-o6-l4MnccJ1mV7QxbQF0lOAcf7cGnVhYdp4oZwO8qrk8aihERwwYbf4u_H8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=e919ca9f28b32ee41b68dbc163310051&oe=5E3CBEA0)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on October 10, 2019, 06:51:02 AM
Hi guys, today I brought my dragonfruits to the house. Some reach a size of 2.5 meters. Can i crop it? What is the acceptable height for the main stem?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on November 29, 2019, 03:18:07 AM
Just want to share one of my last photo with you all:

South Italy - dragon fruit farm:

(https://scontent-fco1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/76936391_2499880816925726_6689322236790177792_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ohc=SgAZ_7LNkywAQkCxBYpcobPW-FzwDzQw2W0cy58J4YhwCoXXZhU_ccdRg&_nc_ht=scontent-fco1-1.xx&oh=3d60faa37c6bcdc72d1cfe0720c611e2&oe=5E8A6BE9)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nosoup4u on December 10, 2019, 09:10:35 PM
Anyone know what these orange/brown spots are and if I should do anything about it?  They don't easily scrape off, need to dig out a little bit of flesh to remove them.  First year growing df - just had two weeks of pretty wet weather, wondering if it's some kind of fungus and if common fungicides would be effective? 

(https://i.postimg.cc/0MD0nk3g/20191210-175345.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0MD0nk3g)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YLxfcXMb/20191210-175509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLxfcXMb)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on January 16, 2020, 11:14:43 AM
Today I saw on Instagram this is called Pitaya Costela. Has anyone heard of this?
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ny2nTsWG/image.png) (https://postimg.cc/Ny2nTsWG)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Luisport on January 16, 2020, 03:33:35 PM
WOW! Thank's!   ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: NateTheGreat on January 16, 2020, 05:15:19 PM
Looks like Selenicereus anthonyanus.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on January 17, 2020, 01:27:01 AM
Looks like Selenicereus anthonyanus.
I think you're right, this is very similar to Selenicereus Anthonyanus
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: PlantInstructions on February 05, 2020, 05:44:40 PM
If you guys are looking for extra info, I wrote a post about how to grow dragon fruit that might be helpful! https://plantinstructions.com/tropical-fruit/how-to-grow-dragon-fruit
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on February 26, 2020, 02:45:44 AM
Hi guys, today I am making pots for dragonfruit, I have a question. What is the best rack height as shown in the photo?
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YmLrn7L/2019-08-13-17-10-40.png) (https://postimg.cc/5YmLrn7L)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mando408 on February 26, 2020, 03:50:30 AM
I'm no expert but I've seen different heights from really short to pretty tall. It probably comes down to preference and ease of harvesting and maintenance. Mine is around 4 1/2 or 5 feet tall, I'm going to be up potting some cuttings from last year and I plan on making the post maybe a foot shorter.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on February 26, 2020, 03:55:54 AM
I'm no expert but I've seen different heights from really short to pretty tall. It probably comes down to preference and ease of harvesting and maintenance. Mine is around 4 1/2 or 5 feet tall, I'm going to be up potting some cuttings from last year and I plan on making the post maybe a foot shorter.
Thanks for your reply. I think 5 feet will be the best height. Maybe someone else will give advice.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on February 26, 2020, 11:32:54 AM
5ft is a nice height.  You want to be able to easily reach over the top support to trim up the vines.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on February 26, 2020, 12:25:05 PM
5ft is a nice height.  You want to be able to easily reach over the top support to trim up the vines.
Brad, I have to keep my plants in the greenhouse during the cold season, if the height is above 5 feet, this will be a problem for me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on February 26, 2020, 12:54:36 PM
5ft is a nice height.  You want to be able to easily reach over the top support to trim up the vines.
Brad, I have to keep my plants in the greenhouse during the cold season, if the height is above 5 feet, this will be a problem for me.

Thrn make it 4ft, it doesnt really matter that much.  Moving dragonfruit plants is a big pain though so plan accordingly.  They are heavy, sharp, awkward.  Not a fun plant to move around. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on February 26, 2020, 01:13:21 PM
5ft is a nice height.  You want to be able to easily reach over the top support to trim up the vines.
Brad, I have to keep my plants in the greenhouse during the cold season, if the height is above 5 feet, this will be a problem for me.

Thrn make it 4ft, it doesnt really matter that much.  Moving dragonfruit plants is a big pain though so plan accordingly.  They are heavy, sharp, awkward.  Not a fun plant to move around.
Unfortunately, there are no other methods to grow dragonfruit in Russia. Thank you for your advice, I will take this into account.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: scottsurf on February 26, 2020, 01:49:20 PM
hi brad thanks for the plants they look great
the guy from spicy exotics says his are 5 feet

also this guy has them at 4 feet here s a video for referance
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBAcsFWeMEg&t=101s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBAcsFWeMEg&t=101s)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on February 27, 2020, 02:36:57 AM
Guys, I have another question. What land is better to use for dragonfruit? I make a mixture of cow compost and perlite, but a Brazilian farmer told me it was better to use coconut and sand. What are your opinions on this?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Anto989 on April 04, 2020, 03:45:14 AM
Here we go! South Italy: buds on dark star,voodoo c. and makisupa, the very first plants budding this year among me and my friends/followers
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mcclan3 on April 09, 2020, 07:11:42 PM
After a long bout of health problems, I'm back to my dragon fruit. The person who was taking care of the plants for me didn't do a great job, so all 10 of my plants have been reduced to a pile of unlabeled stragglers in a single pot :( While I work on rehabilitating them enough to ID, where can I go to get more cuttings online? It looks like Matt's has completely closed down and Spicy Exotics is completely out of the Natural Mystic, David Bowie, Purple Haze, and Physical Graffiti I'd like to start with on this go-round.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2020, 06:54:23 AM
After a long bout of health problems, I'm back to my dragon fruit. The person who was taking care of the plants for me didn't do a great job, so all 10 of my plants have been reduced to a pile of unlabeled stragglers in a single pot :( While I work on rehabilitating them enough to ID, where can I go to get more cuttings online? It looks like Matt's has completely closed down and Spicy Exotics is completely out of the Natural Mystic, David Bowie, Purple Haze, and Physical Graffiti I'd like to start with on this go-round.

I can help, PM sent.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on April 10, 2020, 11:24:07 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/0K5Sn0m6/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0K5Sn0m6)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WtVxjqTh/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WtVxjqTh)


(Hey Brad, I finally had a chance to pot up the cuttings I picked up from you and Tye at Spicy Exotics. Thank You again!)

The shorter ones have been potted for a few weeks. The taller ones in the 2nd picture were potted 2 days ago
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on April 10, 2020, 02:09:17 PM
Cool, I've got a ton of DF stuff and new types here.  Just waiting for the weather to clear up to do some planting and cutting sales.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: 561MangoFanatic on April 11, 2020, 01:25:09 PM
Cool, I've got a ton of DF stuff and new types here.  Just waiting for the weather to clear up to do some planting and cutting sales.

Awesome! Looking forward to seeing them 😁
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mcclan3 on April 18, 2020, 08:15:13 PM
I finally sat down and sorted out the bits left from my plants. Looks like I have 5 solid pieces I can restart from. It's basically back to the beginning, but I can work with it! I have a few new cuttings ready to go, too, so I'm interested to compare the growth on the 8+ year old pieces I'm reviving with the new pieces.

I do have one that is what looks like a mostly dead stem, but it has a ton of fresh roots growing from it. I stuck it in a pot with fingers crossed, but I'm not holding my breath. If the little guy shows any signs of growth at all, I'll make sure to snap some photos, cause this one is definitely the underdog of the bunch.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on April 19, 2020, 09:16:05 PM
Does anyone know the problem with my dragon fruit? They've been getting spots and rotting

(https://i.postimg.cc/8jgpwTVY/20200419-180415.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8jgpwTVY)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bDYCqDb5/20200419-180551.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDYCqDb5)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 23, 2020, 03:22:40 PM
The rusty looking spots are a fungus or bacteria. Using a decent anti-fungal spray usually clears it up on my plants. Also, as a side note, if you are using water based fertilizers like Miracle Grow or the like, avoid spraying on the plants branches while you are treating them for the rust. It seems to feed of the fertilizer just like the plant does. You can still fertilize, just avoid getting it on the branches of the plants, if you can.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on April 24, 2020, 01:06:28 AM
Hi guys. I saw this on facebook. Do you think this is real or fake?  :o

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wds8XkgF/qu-ONSJI0-Sk-M.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wds8XkgF)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on April 24, 2020, 10:57:31 PM
Can anyone explain to me why dragon fruit farms often grow their dragon fruit in containers vs in the ground?

Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on April 25, 2020, 12:02:51 AM
It's a cactus.
It doesn't need much water.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pineislander on April 25, 2020, 07:07:39 AM
Can anyone explain to me why dragon fruit farms often grow their dragon fruit in containers vs in the ground?

Brad
I think they either are trying to overcome soil or drainage problems. The biggest growers like in Asia always plant in the ground. There are some smaller growers which may look like they are in containers but the bottom of the pots have been cut out. Restricting roots to just the space of a pot makes the plant dependent soley on the grower for everything and represents a physical limitation to the potential of the plant.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2020, 10:54:30 PM
I agree, container growing is not good long term.  The potting mix breaks down and gets rootbound.  Going in the ground is how most farms are done.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on April 26, 2020, 07:57:54 AM
Hi guys, today I finished making containers for my dragonfruit. A total of 6 containers. I decided to economy and plant two different varieties in one container. Someone tell me which land is better to use? I have a good humus from chicken manure, is it possible for pitahaya?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WFgbBmzz/IMG-20200426-143026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WFgbBmzz) (https://i.postimg.cc/5QjbSDGh/IMG-20200426-143035.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QjbSDGh) (https://i.postimg.cc/TLNX1CwC/IMG-20200426-143048.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLNX1CwC) (https://i.postimg.cc/7bQxZYJw/IMG-20200426-143107.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7bQxZYJw) (https://i.postimg.cc/G8mCbZc4/IMG-20200426-143126.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G8mCbZc4)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 26, 2020, 08:56:25 AM
Hi guys, today I finished making containers for my dragonfruit. A total of 6 containers. I decided to economy and plant two different varieties in one container. Someone tell me which land is better to use? I have a good humus from chicken manure, is it possible for pitahaya?

Brad made a good point, watch the heavy use of organics. They will break down over time and there goes your nice aerated soil structure.  Go heavy with stuff like vermiculite if you want to keep it light, builders sand for some weight.

Also, that base of yours needs to be wider than the top as the top will become very heavy.

I built a reinforced trellis/hog wire PVC set up tied to the rafters.  I just cut down growths that had snaked their way 10' into  the rafters.     This was last year ago when I first planted. It's one huge tangled mess now. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBd84qtn/Pitaya-Trellis-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBd84qtn)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on April 26, 2020, 09:57:27 AM
Thank you, Mark, I'll keep that in mind for the future. I was going to add perlite to the ground, but this will probably lighten the soil a lot, so I'll add sand.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on April 27, 2020, 12:29:17 AM
Wood rot so we switched to galvanized fence post.
Galvanized fence post in concrete in #5 pot.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mzRPVYSM/B433-D945-0315-4841-8542-C46-C37-E742-F6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzRPVYSM)

Buried in ground.

(https://i.postimg.cc/N2HZMHWJ/FCAD0-EE3-09-A3-4-EF1-8-CFB-41-FEA62219-BA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N2HZMHWJ)

Added wood to top of post.


(https://i.postimg.cc/R3wRNTFn/BC8-FE87-C-C599-43-F6-8193-1-A8-F5-ABB7-AC2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R3wRNTFn)

American Beauty DF has flower buds right now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on April 28, 2020, 09:19:59 PM
Hi guys, today I finished making containers for my dragonfruit. A total of 6 containers. I decided to economy and plant two different varieties in one container. Someone tell me which land is better to use? I have a good humus from chicken manure, is it possible for pitahaya?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WFgbBmzz/IMG-20200426-143026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WFgbBmzz) (https://i.postimg.cc/5QjbSDGh/IMG-20200426-143035.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QjbSDGh) (https://i.postimg.cc/TLNX1CwC/IMG-20200426-143048.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLNX1CwC) (https://i.postimg.cc/7bQxZYJw/IMG-20200426-143107.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7bQxZYJw) (https://i.postimg.cc/G8mCbZc4/IMG-20200426-143126.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G8mCbZc4)
Are you planning on moving the plants around once they are bigger? If not, and you decide to plant more, one suggestion I would make is to use your current design but make the post a full 8 feet long. cut a hole in the bottom of the pot and run the post straight into the ground. Or, more specifically, set posts into the ground, deep enough so they wont shift or lean, and then put a container, with a hole in the bottom, over the post and then build your support arms on top as normal. These plants can get very top heavy so you need to make sure they cant lean or topple over.
Also, if you are going to wrap the wood posts in plastic, I would suggest wrapping a second layer of garden burlap (potato sacks) around the post and either tying or stapling them in place. The burlap will help with the main stalk attaching to the post and also in the formation of the natural "air roots" these plants normally use to cling to trees and other surfaces as they grow, which aids in watering when the burlap is wetted.
And to answer the other posters question a bit more, dragon fruit are container grown, typically, to micromanage the plants water consumption, fertilizer intake and risk to harm from outside forces like gophers, flooding and soil bacteria.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on April 29, 2020, 01:21:39 AM
Your suggestions are correct, but unfortunately they are not suitable for my country. The only way to get something from dragonfruit is to grow it in large pots and, when the weather is cold, move it to the room.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 29, 2020, 07:46:37 AM
Your suggestions are correct, but unfortunately they are not suitable for my country. The only way to get something from dragonfruit is to grow it in large pots and, when the weather is cold, move it to the room.

Based on your limitations I'd be growing another fruit.  Pitaya can't hold a candle to mango for example when it comes to taste and yields.  The amount of work it takes to keep it trellised is just B.S.   Also a fruit like mango pollinates on its own, pitaya is iffy at best.  Pickering produces excellent fruit on a small manageable tree.

Then there's a greenhouse......

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on April 29, 2020, 08:34:25 AM
Mark, you may be surprised, but I don't like the taste of mango, and I know a lot of people who have tried to grow it in a container. None of them have achieved the result. We have more popular citrus,cocoa, eugenia, they give good fruit when growing in pots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 02, 2020, 10:08:25 AM
Mark, you may be surprised, but I don't like the taste of mango, and I know a lot of people who have tried to grow it in a container. None of them have achieved the result. We have more popular citrus,cocoa, eugenia, they give good fruit when growing in pots.

Have a friend in Austin that  moves his pitaya inside come winter.  Here's his ingenious new cart.

(https://i.postimg.cc/H8bZ86dL/pitayacart.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H8bZ86dL)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on May 02, 2020, 10:40:29 AM
I applaud your friend, it's genius!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mcclan3 on May 04, 2020, 01:51:22 PM
I"ve done/seen smaller wheeled setups, but that one is straight up impressive!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on May 12, 2020, 10:18:59 PM
Anyone recognize these bugs? I've been getting a couple on my flower buds
(https://i.postimg.cc/yk4gRdj7/20200512-154915.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yk4gRdj7)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on May 12, 2020, 10:32:41 PM
Yeah its a boarer, they like dragonfruit.  Just smash them if you see them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on May 12, 2020, 10:39:52 PM
First time seeing these little bugs. thanks for heads up
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 06, 2020, 01:39:04 AM
First Asunta3 flowers tonight and its raining  :(

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF/download-20200605-223021-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 06, 2020, 04:35:52 AM
Plastic bag with some paper towel in it, before they open. Works every time👍. Big job for a large scale operation, but if you’re wanting to try a new variety, it’s the way to go.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9R7G3pVW/47-F23-F6-E-1924-45-B5-A7-A7-82-B4275-A60-A5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9R7G3pVW)

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJWmjKb3/69-EBB52-E-0-F89-47-FA-9-D1-E-7-A20-DFAA8-B5-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJWmjKb3)

Are those flowers actually blue, or more purple?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 06, 2020, 10:41:36 AM
Plastic bag with some paper towel in it, before they open. Works every time👍. Big job for a large scale operation, but if you’re wanting to try a new variety, it’s the way to go.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9R7G3pVW/47-F23-F6-E-1924-45-B5-A7-A7-82-B4275-A60-A5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9R7G3pVW)

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJWmjKb3/69-EBB52-E-0-F89-47-FA-9-D1-E-7-A20-DFAA8-B5-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJWmjKb3)

Are those flowers actually blue, or more purple?

The flowers are more purple its the lighting

Thanks for the tip, may need to try it tonight.  So bummed we had a ton of flowers opened last night and it was raining.  Way too many to bag them all but could have done a few.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on June 06, 2020, 12:39:05 PM
First Asunta3 flowers tonight and its raining  :(

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF/download-20200605-223021-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF)

Damn, that’s a beautiful looking flower!

Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 06, 2020, 02:52:49 PM
Wow! Gorgeous Flowers. I also had multiple blooms last night that I hand pollinated they all got washed up from the rain
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on June 06, 2020, 03:12:59 PM
Built some block post for my Dragon fruit they came out nice.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nsXvCWcK/20200606-120903.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nsXvCWcK)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 06, 2020, 10:02:37 PM
First Asunta3 flowers tonight and its raining  :(

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF/download-20200605-223021-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF)

Damn, that’s a beautiful looking flower!

Simon
How is the fruit on the Asunta? Ive not seen those plants in person yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pinkturtle on June 06, 2020, 10:07:16 PM
First Asunta3 flowers tonight and its raining  :(

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF/download-20200605-223021-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF)

Damn, that’s a beautiful looking flower!

Simon

I want it because of the purple color flowers. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 07, 2020, 11:12:56 AM
First Asunta3 flowers tonight and its raining  :(

(https://i.postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF/download-20200605-223021-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJF7QGsF)

Damn, that’s a beautiful looking flower!

Simon
How is the fruit on the Asunta? Ive not seen those plants in person yet.

It was the top rated fruit one year at the pitaya festival, brix was like 24 or 25 and it has the purple flesh that actually has flavor. 

I havent tried them yet but its supposed to be super good.  Its a edgar valdivia creation, the guy is the guru.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 07, 2020, 03:48:04 PM
How is the fruit on the Asunta? Ive not seen those plants in person yet.

Just remember that NOT ALL Asuntas are the same. There are many Dragon Fruit varieties named Asunta IE: Asunta 1, Asunta 2, etc. and there are more than one numbered Asuntas IE: Asunta 5.

Part of the problem is Edgar gave away a lot of "Asunta" seedlings to hobbyists and the hobbyists assumed that all Asunta 4 hybrid seedlings are now Asunta 5.  :-[
Title: Is this DF worth trying to save?
Post by: Kellirich on June 09, 2020, 11:57:35 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/56rN7GBP/37069-F09-FAC2-4-DA4-B3-F0-D8-BD1-CFCE3-C8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56rN7GBP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sBYj2gt8/73-F9-DFE1-30-A8-41-C8-A344-0883627-DB61-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBYj2gt8)

Hello all! 

A friend recently moved and gave me what was left of her dragon fruit plant.  As u can see in the pics, it’s seen better days. 

It is obvious that it needs a new planter but other than that, it is very yellow, has brown spots on some of the pieces and just looks very sad. 

I’d Love to have a dragon fruit plant but I don’t want to go thru the effort of building the support structure and repotting it if it is just too far over the brink. 

TIA Afro any advice or suggestions you may offer.  ~Kelli
Title: Re: Is this DF worth trying to save?
Post by: RobPatterson on June 10, 2020, 01:39:38 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/56rN7GBP/37069-F09-FAC2-4-DA4-B3-F0-D8-BD1-CFCE3-C8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56rN7GBP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sBYj2gt8/73-F9-DFE1-30-A8-41-C8-A344-0883627-DB61-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBYj2gt8)

Hello all! 

A friend recently moved and gave me what was left of her dragon fruit plant.  As u can see in the pics, it’s seen better days. 

It is obvious that it needs a new planter but other than that, it is very yellow, has brown spots on some of the pieces and just looks very sad. 


I’d Love to have a dragon fruit plant but I don’t want to go thru the effort of building the support structure and repotting it if it is just too far over the brink. 

TIA Afro any advice or suggestions you may offer.  ~Kelli
You might be able to get a couple plants out of that original. In the first picture, just past the (what I call) knuckle of the branch, where it starts to lay across the bench, there are "air roots" coming out of the plant. If you wanted, you can cut the long growth at that knuckle and plant the rest of that piece in a pot if you bury those air roots. The air roots are just regular roots and are usually a sign of the plant being underwatered and looking for more moisture, or clinging supports if the plant was grown up a post or wall. Either way, you can use those areas to start new plant more easily. OR, if you want to just maintain the single plant, get yourself a decent sized pot, 10-15 gallon for long term, and make sure you face those air roots to whatever structure you provide for the plant to grow up and out on. You can also just plant it in the ground if you have a suitable area.
As for the discoloration and spotting, you can either trim those parts back or try and rehabilitate them. The yellowing might just be too much sun, if the branches aren't as ill as they look. Some decent fertilizer and reasonably regular watering might clear that up, as might a touch of fungicide, which is typically what causes the spotting. The base of the plant looks pretty solid still, so even if you decide to cut it back, you should have a decent start.
Having said all that, do you happen to know what variety of dragon fruit it is? Would be a shame to put in the effort just to find out you didn't really care for the result at the end. It appears it might be a white variety, possibly pink.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2020, 03:30:17 PM
Rob what do you do when it's super hot and dry and the flowers open during the santa ana?

My flowers are all dried up and no pollen when I go to pollinate them.  We had a huge amount of flowers all get wasted in this weather. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kellirich on June 11, 2020, 12:28:27 AM
Thank you Rob!  Very helpful.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 11, 2020, 02:17:03 AM
Was able to tue some S8s shut and use their pollen tonight.  Had a lot of Bruni flowers

(https://i.postimg.cc/QVWLYD7B/download-20200610-231228.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVWLYD7B)

Also had this AX (asunta cross) flowering


(https://i.postimg.cc/Yj2Rjzrt/download-20200610-231231.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yj2Rjzrt)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 11, 2020, 11:48:52 AM
I go out in the mornings and work my flowers, on days that Im not working. S8's produce a ton of pollen so theres usually enough to collect. Sometimes if theres a bit of a breeze overnight the pollen will get dislodged and is in the flower, but that's easy enough to just bend the bottom flower petals down and away and dump the pollen into my pollen catch tool. So far I havnt had a problem with the Santa Anas depleting the pollen, possibly because most of my plants are on the side of my house that's most protected from the strong winds, when they come. Once I have pollen, and I usually collect most of what I can from as many flowers as I can each morning, I then clean and sort it, removing bugs and plant parts, and then air dry it in a custom dehydrator I made for pollen. After that, whats left goes in the freezer incase I need it later down the road.
My pollen tools are fairly simple: a makeup brush for applying pollen and knocking on petals, a light gauge metal ice scoop that I trimmed (then filed to not be sharp) to be more pointed, which fits well into the dragon fruit flowers conical shape and the dehydrator, which is just an old CD case and some sheet plastic with ultra fine mesh that allows air to move through it. I have a tiny fan pushing air in a loop and a few silica gel packets inside (REMINDER: Do not eat!!) and that sucks out the extra moisture from the pollen and allows it to keep in the freezer for longer. I rotate my emergency pollen stash depending how much I can get at a time, but I usually keep a week's worth of pollen, in vials, at any one period.
p.s. A one liter plastic soda or water bottle, cut with scissors at an angle from the cap side, makes an excellent pollen catch tool, by the way. And is easier to make.


(https://i.postimg.cc/kR3gQPcJ/df2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kR3gQPcJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/SY6NV1TW/df1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SY6NV1TW)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 11, 2020, 02:20:48 PM
I think its the bees stealing the pollen, not the weather.  They strip the pollen before the flowers even open.  By 7PM they are getting in as soon as the flower starts to open and pollen is all gone within minutes.  I see them they all have big blobs of pollen on their legs.  The neighbor has hives just a few hundred feet away.

So what I have to do is go out in the afternoon before they start opening and tie a few flowers shut for pollen then go do them at night once the bees are in bed.  Makes it a pain.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: beicadad on June 11, 2020, 03:49:31 PM
I think its the bees stealing the pollen, not the weather.  They strip the pollen before the flowers even open.  By 7PM they are getting in as soon as the flower starts to open and pollen is all gone within minutes.  I see them they all have big blobs of pollen on their legs.  The neighbor has hives just a few hundred feet away.

So what I have to do is go out in the afternoon before they start opening and tie a few flowers shut for pollen then go do them at night once the bees are in bed.  Makes it a pain.
This is what is happening to my vines. Bees can steal all of the pollens before the evening. I had to cover a few flowers with bags and collect pollens later. Fortunately just a few flowers give me sufficient pollens to pollinate many flowers.

I save my pollens in a small container and then put in a zip lock, then in a refrigerator. It should last a few days without problem. Just continue to save some pollens occasionally throughout the season. Not too cumbersome for me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brownkawa on June 14, 2020, 03:25:09 AM
We are new Dragonfruit parents with an ignorant question. 

We planted this dragonfruit from a started plant in April.  It's putting out two new shoots, and the larger one (on the left) has sent out air roots... but it's on the side opposite of the post.  How can we get it to find the post?  The stem seems very upright and firm, and we don't want to break it by tying it to the post.  How flexible are they? If we tie a looser loop around the post & stem, will the stem find its way to the post (like a vine does)?

(The air roots already on the post were on the plant when we got it, and they don't seem to have grown at all -- we spray the post daily.)


(https://i.postimg.cc/87NtVTPw/image.png) (https://postimg.cc/87NtVTPw)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 14, 2020, 04:37:54 AM
You are overthinking this, which we can all do on occasion. The best thing to do is just let the new growth keep growing. Tie something around the plant and the post(I use strips of old cotton sheets or bath towels), and every few days tighten it up a bit. This will slowly pull the plant toward the post without breaking it. It’s always best to tie them in case the wind causes them to break. Hope this helps👍
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 14, 2020, 08:35:48 AM
I think its the bees stealing the pollen, not the weather.  They strip the pollen before the flowers even open.  By 7PM they are getting in as soon as the flower starts to open and pollen is all gone within minutes.

Yep, same thing happens in Texas.  Friend who grows pitaya posted a bunch of honey bees on a flower opened just before dusk.  Sad, I gave him a cutting of Sugar last year, Texas has been getting some hail storms and he lost 15 flowers and some of the plant.  I got a new roof out of  it, yay!  Town south of me, Kerrville, got up to 2.5' of hail!!!!!

That Asunta is gorgeous.

Even though I only have 5 rooted cuttings done last year this year's flowers have been unreal.  I've been pollinating 2-5 flowers almost every night.  Some are as big as basketballs and just stunning.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Lg8vcMRY/Pitaya-Bed-June2-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Lg8vcMRY)

Not bad for a small greenhouse collection.

(https://i.postimg.cc/jwZ4QkNs/Pitaya-June6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jwZ4QkNs)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brownkawa on June 14, 2020, 04:03:38 PM
You are overthinking this, which we can all do on occasion. The best thing to do is just let the new growth keep growing. Tie something around the plant and the post(I use strips of old cotton sheets or bath towels), and every few days tighten it up a bit. This will slowly pull the plant toward the post without breaking it. It’s always best to tie them in case the wind causes them to break. Hope this helps👍

Absolutely, utter ignorance breeds overthinking (especially for someone like me)!   :D
Thank you so much for your quick and reassuring reply.  We will do exactly that!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 10, 2020, 04:41:56 PM
Just wanted to share pics of my yellow undatus plant sold as "giant hawaii gold".

This is easily the fastest growing DF plant I've got out of around 30types.

It's starting to flower for the first time. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/N5261Js6/20200709-191210.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N5261Js6)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 11, 2020, 07:30:03 AM
Just wanted to share pics of my yellow undatus plant sold as "giant hawaii gold".

This is easily the fastest growing DF plant I've got out of around 30types.

It's starting to flower for the first time. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/N5261Js6/20200709-191210.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N5261Js6)

Nice group!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 11, 2020, 04:03:55 PM
Hopefully its covered in yellow fruits this year, it's got a few buds started.  If people want a fast growing plant this one is crazy fast growing. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 26, 2020, 12:23:34 PM
Well, i finally got to making my first harvest of the year. Its been a while since the SoCal weather cooperated enough to not murder my budding flowers and young fruits, so this is my largest "first flush" bounty in a while. Here's to hoping that everyone else is as lucky as i am this year.
(https://i.postimg.cc/PLb3MGJX/Fruit.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PLb3MGJX)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: simon_grow on July 26, 2020, 04:35:22 PM
Beautiful harvest Rob, you’re probably 3 weeks ahead of me. I love how productive Dragonfruit are. I have an old vine that’s probably 8-9 years old and I stopped watering it last year because I was going to discard it and start a new healthier vine but it ended up flowering a lot last year so I began fertilizing it again and ended up getting a decent harvest from it. Here’s a picture of the vine last year. The vine is inrough shape but it’s still productive.


(https://i.postimg.cc/SjPT8pbH/41-B689-F1-E305-49-BC-BD78-53-CC0-D1556-D3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjPT8pbH)
Simon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nosoup4u on July 29, 2020, 06:18:56 PM
edit - looks like a real flower bud!  It's a young plant and the bud is right at the base so I am not hopeful for fruit but I'm gonna try to grab some pollen anyways.

(https://i.postimg.cc/9rRf8dpM/20200803-170710.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rRf8dpM)

Always enjoy seeing the plants and harvests from people with well-established collections...

Does this look like a flower bud, or just the beginnings of a weird looking branch?  If it's the former, does anyone know if Cosmic Charlie is self-fertile, or if I should go try to snag some pollen from a neighbor I found with a flowering df?

(https://i.postimg.cc/SjJDfsKg/20200729-145509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjJDfsKg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brownkawa on August 05, 2020, 01:23:45 PM
Wow, so fun to see the gorgeous flowers and fruit folks are posting!  One day...

Here are a couple more questions from this dragonfruit first-timer...


Thanks in advance for any insights, and thanks for all of the great info in this forum in general!

Kimi


(https://i.postimg.cc/PNnBk668/20200805-082458.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PNnBk668)

(https://i.postimg.cc/n91K8V3T/20200805-082535.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n91K8V3T)

(https://i.postimg.cc/q6rcZ6xz/20200805-082605.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6rcZ6xz)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 05, 2020, 09:37:41 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdnsJSYX/roots1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdnsJSYX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qtD01qTK/roots2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtD01qTK)

Air roots tend to do what they want, when they want. I have some plants that are thick with them, and have been for years, and some that dont even produce them. And as you can see, ive even got some trying to attach to Trex false wood structure. I think theres a difference between species in how likely they are to make them, which might be a result of the plants being crossbred with other types of cactus. I dont know if other types of succulents create these types of clinging attachments, as they were essential to the original pitahaya in their tropical environment, where they grew up trees and other structures.
Btw, Brownkawa, do you happen to know what type of dragonfruit you are growing? It looks like a red flesh variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brownkawa on August 07, 2020, 07:55:04 PM
Thanks, Rob!  I'll just wait and see...

I am ignorant about dragonfruit types, but I think mine is magenta outside and white inside?  At least those were the pics on the fastgrowingtrees.com site.  They ID it as Hylocereus undatus -- googling it looks like that agrees with the pics on their site?

https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/dragon-fruit-cactus (https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/dragon-fruit-cactus) 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 07, 2020, 11:55:33 PM
Im not 100% sure, and with all the crossbreeding i dont think anyone is, but I do think its a red variety. Most of the red plants have inverted "scalloping" on the edges of the stems, the area between the thorn points. Meaning they dont roll out from thorn to thorn, they curve in. The amount of the curve varies from species to species, just like the outward curve varies on the pink ones. If you've ever seen a mature and healthy American Beauty plant, you'll know what Im talking about. The yellow Megalanthus variety also has inverted scalloping, but the thorns on that one have a very distinctive single point, and a wooden quality, much like rose thorns.
I dont mean to discredit whoever told you the details about your plant, btw. Im more concerned about whether its the only variety you own, and if its not what you were told it was, that you have the means to pollinate it once it flowers. Reds tend to be self sterile, or fussy when they aren't. Too many people wonder why they never get fruit after tending to these plants for years, only to find out it's because they need a pollinator. As a general rule, I advise people to never grow just one type of dragon fruit. Even if you are limited in space and need to run two plants up a single support, its always better to make sure you keep your options open.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 14, 2020, 09:44:32 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH/2020-08-12-13-47-40.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH)


(https://i.postimg.cc/k64ctDhn/2020-08-12-13-46-44.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k64ctDhn)


(https://i.postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG/download-20200814-120130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG)


(https://i.postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2/20200814-115319.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2)


(https://i.postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT/2020-08-14-16-27-06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 14, 2020, 11:05:41 PM
Trees and fruits look great.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nosoup4u on August 15, 2020, 09:06:10 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH/2020-08-12-13-47-40.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH)


(https://i.postimg.cc/k64ctDhn/2020-08-12-13-46-44.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k64ctDhn)


(https://i.postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG/download-20200814-120130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG)


(https://i.postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2/20200814-115319.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2)


(https://i.postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT/2020-08-14-16-27-06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT)

how was the Ax?  I know it has pretty flowers but haven't seen much about the taste other than a couple people saying it's vaguely like watermelon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brian on August 15, 2020, 09:19:17 PM
How large do these need to be to flower?  Here's the larger one I have (the pink-outside/white-inside grocery store kind).  It's almost 6ft tall now.  I know it needs a better support structure, I am gonna build one of those reinforced tomato cages that somebody posted here.

(https://i.imgur.com/qPjiYSt.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 15, 2020, 09:53:38 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH/2020-08-12-13-47-40.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kX9ssvH)


(https://i.postimg.cc/k64ctDhn/2020-08-12-13-46-44.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k64ctDhn)


(https://i.postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG/download-20200814-120130.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zN2FwjG)


(https://i.postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2/20200814-115319.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsbRn7L2)


(https://i.postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT/2020-08-14-16-27-06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBbzdXFT)

how was the Ax?  I know it has pretty flowers but haven't seen much about the taste other than a couple people saying it's vaguely like watermelon.

I have had several people say it tastes great etc etc but for me it was  :-\

I think it must be a joke gray martin is playing on us releasing this one. 

I need to try more, we sampled a few of them and I think a more appropriate name is AZZ not AX. 

But as always your mileage may vary...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 18, 2020, 03:16:25 PM
How large do these need to be to flower?  Here's the larger one I have (the pink-outside/white-inside grocery store kind).  It's almost 6ft tall now.  I know it needs a better support structure, I am gonna build one of those reinforced tomato cages that somebody posted here.

(https://i.imgur.com/qPjiYSt.jpg)
That plant looks pretty mature so you should start seeing fruit soon. Get that support built as soon as you are able though, because branches that are hanging down tend to have more flowering than those growing up. You want the plant to have a defined height, then either 'top off' the climbing stems to force side branching, or (carefully) set up your support so that the long branches can start drooping back towards earth. Im not positive, but I think it has something to do with gravity and heavy chemical buildup of hormones/nutrients in the branches that start to convert the growth process over to the reproduction process. In most species, they flower from the branch tips back upwards towards the center.
Also, once you have some downward growth, you can start shifting your fertilizer routine to a more 'bloom' inspired mix. But for now, you should focus on bulking up the size of your plant before you try and force it to flower. You basically have what could be described as a teenager in maturity of that plant. Its well on its way to maturity, but for now, its time to focus on what its going to be when its an adult. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 19, 2020, 12:34:57 AM
So, just read 125 pages, omg.  Getting ready for planting a DF garden and looking for a source of some good S8 cuttings.  I recently ordered a bunch of stuff from Cal Poly Pomona and it’s frigging tiny (3”), so I got some time.  I’m going to take everyone’s advice and get a good pollinator going.  So if anyone has a good lead on xxl cuttings of S8 I’d be super interested.  Thanks for all the knowledge so far.  I looked at spicy exotics and they are out of almost everything.  I have no problems paying a member for some nice thick starter pieces.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 19, 2020, 02:57:21 AM
So I got multiple varieties from Cal Poly and one other source but I find their info slightly controversial or possibly incorrect.

I got:
American Beauty
Delight
Dark star
Edgar’s Baby
Physical Graffiti 
Purple Haze
Shayna

How would you guys classify these as self pollination, sterile, etc?
I got very limited space and want to know what I’m trying to grow 3 years ahead of time.   I will probably be only planting a few of the higher recommendations.  I don’t mind giving away a few to friends that don’t make the cut.  I’m already reconsidering Edgar’s Baby as it’s so thorny.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 19, 2020, 03:23:35 AM
So I got multiple varieties from Cal Poly and one other source but I find their info slightly controversial or possibly incorrect.

I got:
American Beauty
Delight
Dark star
Edgar’s Baby
Physical Graffiti 
Purple Haze
Shayna

How would you guys classify these as self pollination, sterile, etc?
I got very limited space and want to know what I’m trying to grow 3 years ahead of time.   I will probably be only planting a few of the higher recommendations.  I don’t mind giving away a few to friends that don’t make the cut.  I’m already reconsidering Edgar’s Baby as it’s so thorny.
None of those varieties are self pollinating for me in Australia.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brian on August 19, 2020, 11:50:33 AM

That plant looks pretty mature so you should start seeing fruit soon. Get that support built as soon as you are able though, because branches that are hanging down tend to have more flowering than those growing up. You want the plant to have a defined height, then either 'top off' the climbing stems to force side branching, or (carefully) set up your support so that the long branches can start drooping back towards earth. Im not positive, but I think it has something to do with gravity and heavy chemical buildup of hormones/nutrients in the branches that start to convert the growth process over to the reproduction process. In most species, they flower from the branch tips back upwards towards the center.
Also, once you have some downward growth, you can start shifting your fertilizer routine to a more 'bloom' inspired mix. But for now, you should focus on bulking up the size of your plant before you try and force it to flower. You basically have what could be described as a teenager in maturity of that plant. Its well on its way to maturity, but for now, its time to focus on what its going to be when its an adult.

Thanks RobPatterson.  I made a reinforced tomcat cage but it feels like it needs to be another "tier" tall.  Including the container the top is only 4ft off the ground.  Doesn't seem tall enough to me.   I might go look for a 4-tier cage or custom build something instead.  I intend to keep this in a container for a while, possibly forever.

(https://i.imgur.com/BnjOFyl.jpg)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 19, 2020, 02:28:31 PM


Thanks RobPatterson.  I made a reinforced tomcat cage but it feels like it needs to be another "tier" tall.  Including the container the top is only 4ft off the ground.  Doesn't seem tall enough to me.   I might go look for a 4-tier cage or custom build something instead.  I intend to keep this in a container for a while, possibly forever.

(https://i.imgur.com/BnjOFyl.jpg)
[/quote]
Keeping them in containers is good, possibly ideal depending on the conditions where you are. Just make sure the container is large enough. 15 gallon seems to be the sweet spot for most plants, large enough so they dont get rootbound quickly. Just keep in mind, unless you make some sort of cart or carriage top wheel them around on, these plants will get big enough that you wont be moving them around at some point. If you know where they are going to grow full time, go ahead and think about setting some sort of post or permanent support at that location. These plants can get REALLY heavy if they are properly maintained, and I have some the size of fruit trees, and without solid support they wouldnt last a windy summer out here where i live. Make your plan now so you can get your plant(s) to work with your ideas, and not the other way around.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brian on August 19, 2020, 11:31:40 PM
I have a couple container trees that are probably around 100lbs with wet dirt.  It isn’t pleasant but I can haul them.  I’m only in my 30s so I can keep it up a while
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 21, 2020, 03:25:19 PM
Heres some giant yellow megalanthus seedlings that are flowering for the first time.  They are from ecuador and peruvian fruit. Simon collected the seeds and germinated them and we grew them out here. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP/20200821-094857.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zymH8fKP/20200821-094908.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zymH8fKP)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 21, 2020, 03:32:01 PM
Lookin good Brad. I like the picking basket.

Here are some of my flowers from last night on a Guatemala purple.


(https://i.postimg.cc/F135gryB/F38799-B6-A601-49-D8-B7-B6-80-A692-F72-CA5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F135gryB)

I count about 15 other flowers from all the heat so this year is going nicely.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on August 21, 2020, 06:32:38 PM
It seems dragon fruit growers go through phases over a number of years just as a few friends and I have done. First you grow a bland red or white and think I can do this. Then you research and think wow I will get condor, american beauty, delight, physical graffiti etc and you do it. Maybe a few fancy new hybrids, a yellow and a desert king and wait. You dabble in say a Vietnamese giant white and get an occamponis. You realise the ones that aren't self fertile but are glamorous don't taste that much better if at all and realise the bland whites aren't worth it. You slash and burn and get a big Ecuadorian yellow, replace low productivity with high like a Colombian red, or sweet self fertile white selections and a few crosses a friend did that are self fertile and sweet. Then you wait again and think about the time you wasted.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 21, 2020, 07:33:57 PM
It seems dragon fruit growers go through phases over a number of years just as a few friends and I have done. First you grow a bland red or white and think I can do this. Then you research and think wow I will get condor, american beauty, delight, physical graffiti etc and you do it. Maybe a few fancy new hybrids, a yellow and a desert king and wait. You dabble in say a Vietnamese giant white and get an occamponis. You realise the ones that aren't self fertile but are glamorous don't taste that much better if at all and realise the bland whites aren't worth it. You slash and burn and get a big Ecuadorian yellow, replace low productivity with high like a Colombian red, or sweet self fertile white selections and a few crosses a friend did that are self fertile and sweet. Then you wait again and think about the time you wasted.

REPORTED:

Reason 1 - I am in this content, and I do not like it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 22, 2020, 08:01:20 PM
Mike it's true, it's the same for most stuff.  People want all the latest hard to get stuff.  Half the time they aren't even good.  I think the S8 and any Guatemalan purple type is as good as anything out there.  And they grow easy and easy to find.  But we still grow a few others for kicks. 

I'm excited for these megalanthus blooms but the fruit will probably not ripen properly given summer is almost over.  Maybe next year it will bloom earlier.


(https://i.postimg.cc/BjTwBhLF/download-20200822-165652.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjTwBhLF)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 27, 2020, 01:37:17 AM
Anyone know what variety Home Depot is selling currently?  It’s supposedly red fruit and self pollinating.  It’s tag says it’s by Sunburst oranges but when you go to the site it’s kinda vague.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DragonCrush on August 27, 2020, 02:14:55 PM
Hi !

Just popping in to say that a little over 3 1/2 years ago I asked how long for my germinated seedling to bear fruit. Most people replied 4 - 7 years.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mg6Q1gkz/Dragons.jpg)

These babies are now all carrying fruit after only 3 1/2 years!

it's possible to grow seeds to fruit in under 4 years. Good luck to all others out there.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: slopat on August 27, 2020, 07:14:19 PM
MorroBay, you mean this one at HD?

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhT3nSJJ/20200808-100315.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhT3nSJJ)


Anyone know what variety Home Depot is selling currently?  It’s supposedly red fruit and self pollinating.  It’s tag says it’s by Sunburst oranges but when you go to the site it’s kinda vague.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 27, 2020, 07:35:06 PM
^Yep, that one.  Trying to figure out what it really is?  The variety they list isn’t self fertile but they claim it is.  Little confused.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mkurgun on August 27, 2020, 07:52:14 PM
Heres some giant yellow megalanthus seedlings that are flowering for the first time.  They are from ecuador and peruvian fruit. Simon collected the seeds and germinated them and we grew them out here. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP/20200821-094857.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zymH8fKP/20200821-094908.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zymH8fKP)


Brad, is that the plant the cuttings you sent me came from?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 27, 2020, 11:35:41 PM
Heres some giant yellow megalanthus seedlings that are flowering for the first time.  They are from ecuador and peruvian fruit. Simon collected the seeds and germinated them and we grew them out here. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP/20200821-094857.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctrt4gFP)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zymH8fKP/20200821-094908.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zymH8fKP)


Brad, is that the plant the cuttings you sent me came from?

Maybe Im not sure.  Lots of people got cuttings off the mother plants that these ones came from. 

The flowers are open now, I need to go out and pollinate them.  No other plants were flowering so hopefully they are self fertile. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/qhh1JP91/20200827-183248.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qhh1JP91)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on August 31, 2020, 01:48:26 PM
Hi guys. Do you think it is possible to graft several varieties on one dragonfruit? If this is possible, how many grafts can be done per plant?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on September 03, 2020, 01:29:49 PM
Is anyone familiar with the eBay seller linthai75?  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-Variety-Bright-Purple-Flesh-Dragon-Fruit-2-new-Cuttings-8-12/124096250872?hash=item1ce4b683f8:g:TgYAAOSwU2BeVJXA (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Condor-Variety-Bright-Purple-Flesh-Dragon-Fruit-2-new-Cuttings-8-12/124096250872?hash=item1ce4b683f8:g:TgYAAOSwU2BeVJXA)

Wanted to make sure they are legit before I waste three years planting some Condor I got.  So far got some nice stuff from other forum members but wasn’t sure about the eBay stuff.  Thanks everybody!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on September 10, 2020, 02:30:54 AM
Hi guys. I redesigned the dragonfruit growers and it looks like this today. I used 1 inch plastic pipes, they are fixed to the pot with self-tapping screws. The ring on the top is made of half-inch plastic tubing and fits into the holes of the four posts. I used geotextiles for winding. The height of the structure is 5ft.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1fTr67jh/IMG-20200910-085658.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1fTr67jh)(https://i.postimg.cc/WdggZNZg/IMG-20200910-085708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdggZNZg)(https://i.postimg.cc/47N9jpSQ/IMG-20200910-085721.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/47N9jpSQ)(https://i.postimg.cc/kVySjTf5/IMG-20200910-085731.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kVySjTf5)(https://i.postimg.cc/t1bPtKdf/IMG-20200910-085750.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t1bPtKdf)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 10, 2020, 01:51:31 PM
Hello Dragon fruits Experts, I bought a cutting of palora on ebay and it came like dry to me... do you think this cutting will succeed? give me hope please... it took me 2 weeks to get it as it was int shipping

(https://i.postimg.cc/Hj3yzcg8/E5-BF2789-B15-A-47-C9-B369-36-ABE4973-B71.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Hj3yzcg8)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TK55TtWn/A4-F2-F0-E9-75-AA-438-F-A247-03-ED48044-D6-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TK55TtWn)

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZyB5bjX/E722-D59-E-9-C5-B-4-B88-8-E20-D00009344549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZyB5bjX)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Plantinyum on September 10, 2020, 01:55:30 PM
Not an expert but it looks fine to me ! Should root
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Thematt829 on September 10, 2020, 09:02:40 PM
Not an expert but it looks fine to me ! Should root


Looks great go easy on the water until it roots.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 10, 2020, 10:16:36 PM
thanks! hope that thing is really palora and not the mini one
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 10, 2020, 11:58:59 PM
It looks like real palora.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 13, 2020, 08:05:02 PM
Hello Guys do you think this is ripe? first fruit in 2 years lol

(https://i.postimg.cc/Bj7N5DjN/Whats-App-Image-2020-09-13-at-6-57-49-PM.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Bj7N5DjN)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 13, 2020, 11:53:40 PM
Hello Guys do you think this is ripe? first fruit in 2 years lol

(https://i.postimg.cc/Bj7N5DjN/Whats-App-Image-2020-09-13-at-6-57-49-PM.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Bj7N5DjN)

Its ripe.  The fruit will feel floppy like a loose tooth when its ready to pick.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 13, 2020, 11:56:14 PM
Looks like these palora seedling fruits are self pollinating.  Its been a few weeks and try made it through a crazy heat wave here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F/20200913-193848.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F)

This one is a new one I just tried called "Hana".  Its extra sweet and has a floral aftertaste.  Its pretty good for a white fruit.  Not my favorite but not bad.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm/20200913-191110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 14, 2020, 12:15:48 AM
Looks like these palora seedling fruits are self pollinating.  Its been a few weeks and try made it through a crazy heat wave here.

I bought some "palora" seeds off ebay gonna try to graft it onto a Vietnam white to see how it goes :).
I just read that the yellow df fruit takes up to 150 days to ripe :(. Now I want to keep looking for good red variety that takes less than half time to ripe, can you reccomend me a very good red variety??  Ps: I don't even know what variety is the fruit that I have lol tomorrow will cut and taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 14, 2020, 12:36:35 AM
The purple guatemalan ones taste the best to me.  Dark red or white flesh types are not that good in my opinion.

Any purple guatemalan type is good.  Maybe you can get un named guatemalan cuttings locally. 

We have some in the US called dark star, cosmic charlie, hailys comet, condor, american beauty.  They are all similar purple types and grow quick and easy and taste the best to me.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 14, 2020, 12:57:23 AM
I live in panama( central - south America) and it's easier for me to get a cutting from the US than locally, df are very rare here and not many people knows their existence 😩
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 14, 2020, 10:21:12 PM
Hello, yesterday I did a cutting to propagate my old df, I did 2

one is like this 1 day after
(https://i.postimg.cc/jLpZg7TX/IMG-1498.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jLpZg7TX)

and the other one like this
(https://i.postimg.cc/kD51BCwx/IMG-1499.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kD51BCwx)

the question is , did I messed up on the first one? im seeing like oxidation dunno if its normal, first time to do this, im letting it dry before planting
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 15, 2020, 08:39:31 AM


I'm excited for these megalanthus blooms but the fruit will probably not ripen properly given summer is almost over.  Maybe next year it will bloom earlier.


(https://i.postimg.cc/BjTwBhLF/download-20200822-165652.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjTwBhLF)

Here megalanthus blooms at the end of summer and beginning of fall and ripe through the next spring. In other places they ripe in winter, in my yard they didn't ripe so early so far, first ones are ready in April.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 15, 2020, 08:56:43 AM
Hi guys. Do you think it is possible to graft several varieties on one dragonfruit? If this is possible, how many grafts can be done per plant?

As many as you want depending on the size of the rootstock, some varieties are more vigorous than others and will overgrow the slower ones. I have an old undatus in a big pot with 10 cvs grafted on it.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on September 15, 2020, 09:15:40 AM
As many as you want depending on the size of the rootstock, some varieties are more vigorous than others and will overgrow the slower ones. I have an old undatus in a big pot with 10 cvs grafted on it.
It sounds promising! What is the best variety to use for a rootstock, or doesn't it matter? According to my observations, in my climate the best and fastest growing varieties are Cosmic Charlie and Delight. Can they be used as a rootstock?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on September 15, 2020, 01:40:16 PM
Anyone know where to find some Desert King cuttings?  Trying to round out my micro garden.  I’m already on the waiting lists for growdragonfruit.com but not sure how often they replenish.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on September 15, 2020, 02:30:41 PM
As many as you want depending on the size of the rootstock, some varieties are more vigorous than others and will overgrow the slower ones. I have an old undatus in a big pot with 10 cvs grafted on it.
It sounds promising! What is the best variety to use for a rootstock, or doesn't it matter? According to my observations, in my climate the best and fastest growing varieties are Cosmic Charlie and Delight. Can they be used as a rootstock?

Yes, fastest varieties are the best IMO. The stronger the roostock, the better.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 22, 2020, 08:38:09 PM
Go guys

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ/chrome-CHRFFE58e2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: TheGivingTree on September 22, 2020, 09:48:10 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/nj8wCpcH/20200920-174839.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nj8wCpcH)

Here we go
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on September 23, 2020, 08:47:38 AM
Anyone know where to find some Desert King cuttings?  Trying to round out my micro garden.  I’m already on the waiting lists for growdragonfruit.com but not sure how often they replenish.

Have a producing desert king seedling, trialing it now. May sell some cuttings next year
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Julianna on September 23, 2020, 11:40:26 PM
Hello,

I have read all of the previous pages and was looking for a little assistance.

I have a dragon fruit plant that was gifted to me a number of years ago.  I have flowers and the plant does not set fruit, so I think I need a different pollinator. 
I have tried self pollinating with a paint brush but have not had luck so far.  I would greatly appreciate some ideas about the actual variety and possible pollinators.  It is about to bloom again, so if anyone near Fort Myers has any extra pollen, I am available to pick it up, or I can pay for postage.

The person who gifted it to me said it was a sweet pink/red.  The flowers are mostly white with a touch of yellow.
(https://i.postimg.cc/n9qJTdnD/IMG-3817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9qJTdnD)
here is a picture of a previous flower
(https://i.postimg.cc/8svN1CLz/IMG-7569.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8svN1CLz)
There are generally 1-2 thorns on most branches
(https://i.postimg.cc/18mQcc28/IMG-8170.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18mQcc28)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 24, 2020, 03:55:46 PM
Here's an update on the concrete DF posts.  It works ok without a top but if I was redoing this I would use a top since looping them over each other is a pain.  Its not pretty but it works. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/S274H9d5/20200924-111815.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/S274H9d5)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 24, 2020, 04:32:11 PM
Go guys

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ/chrome-CHRFFE58e2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ)
What the actual hell???
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 24, 2020, 04:35:25 PM
Go guys

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ/chrome-CHRFFE58e2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ)
What the actual hell???

360$ for a desert king seedling.  What a joke.  Ill have real desert king cuttings in spring for 15$
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on September 24, 2020, 05:17:28 PM
Attach a fruit and your stock worths more.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on September 24, 2020, 05:24:05 PM
My friend grabbed some DK cuttings in Israel and grows them. He can't give away cuttings now. They may have been marketed a bit hard and over-exposed and he doesn't rank them as anywhere near his best varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 24, 2020, 05:42:44 PM
My friend grabbed some DK cuttings in Israel and grows them. He can't give away cuttings now. They may have been marketed a bit hard and over-exposed and he doesn't rank them as anywhere near his best varieties.

Sounds like a lot of DF types.

I think the dark stars, purple haze, condors, etc are the best ones. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on September 24, 2020, 06:38:47 PM
My friend grabbed some DK cuttings in Israel and grows them. He can't give away cuttings now. They may have been marketed a bit hard and over-exposed and he doesn't rank them as anywhere near his best varieties.

Huh, good to know.  Still curious though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 24, 2020, 11:19:27 PM
S-8 Sugar dragon is my personal fav. Its the only one i can actually do things with besides just eating it. We had dragon fruit ice cream and replaced cranberry sauce with it last year at Thanksgiving.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Julianna on September 26, 2020, 10:03:57 AM
Is there a good way to identify good cross pollinators?  Are sugar dragon and the purples likely to bloom at the same time?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on September 26, 2020, 11:53:05 AM
Go guys

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ/chrome-CHRFFE58e2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ)
What the actual hell???

360$ for a desert king seedling.  What a joke.  Ill have real desert king cuttings in spring for 15$

Does dessert king actually worth it to grow in terms of flavor? aside from beign hard to get
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Iceman716238 on September 26, 2020, 06:04:19 PM
Go guys

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ/chrome-CHRFFE58e2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CZBQqHyZ)
What the actual hell???

360$ for a desert king seedling.  What a joke.  Ill have real desert king cuttings in spring for 15$

Does dessert king actually worth it to grow in terms of flavor? aside from beign hard to get
That's not a dessert king.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Frog Valley Farm on September 27, 2020, 02:43:16 PM
2lb. Fruit.  Any experts know what fruit this is?  Purple inside.  So good I don’t often share.  Growing dragonfruit in Florida is as easy as putting a piece in the ground next to a palm and just coming back in 2-3 years to pick fruit.  It is a zero input fruiting plant here for us.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JDFLdFVn/E8676201-6616-4251-97-AF-D07561-AE3-C19.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDFLdFVn)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sQxBhb4D/B8-D66-C68-B29-E-4-CC9-AAEC-ED965-DC399-E3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQxBhb4D)

(https://i.postimg.cc/3kjD5Xw7/FB05609-A-2482-46-A7-B8-DA-9-C09-A2285766.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kjD5Xw7)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on September 27, 2020, 03:06:18 PM
Its a purple guatemalan type.  They taste the best and easy to grow. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on September 27, 2020, 08:33:41 PM
That’s some beautiful land Fog Valley!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 10, 2020, 05:37:27 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/Hr6FwBr0/2-C521-C33-87-E2-4293-9490-F856818-E0-FE6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Hr6FwBr0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TywMFBzH/566110-BC-5-D38-4830-BAE2-CEC2-FFD8-BDED.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TywMFBzH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/G9Y0WFfr/D61-B9-AD1-CFB9-488-C-A0-E9-80-ADB8-A6-D740.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G9Y0WFfr)

Sugar Dragon putting out its first flowers of the season tonight. Only 2, but plenty more on the way in the next few days. Always a solid producer and one of the best varieties around! 👍
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on October 10, 2020, 09:15:12 AM
That is pretty early in the season to be having flowers. What is sugar dragon like?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on October 11, 2020, 04:32:57 AM
Only a small fruit(100-150gm),  but definitely a top quality dragonfruit. Was a bit late flowering this year. First buds appeared in late August last year. Great cropper. Pretty much has buds constantly throughout the season. Self fertile too!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on October 11, 2020, 08:33:15 AM
Some of my experiments with Palora graftings and seedlings, all were grafted/sown in April 2019.

 
This is a grafting of a Palora from Ecuador bought in a supermarket:

(https://i.postimg.cc/75DxVpWC/injerto-1-palora-sep-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/75DxVpWC)

The other one that took, this one was slower, didn't start to push until few weeks ago, but it was my fault. I forgot about it and let it in a grown adult undatus, when I cut the stem, cut out the rootstock buds and put the piece to root and grow alone, one Palora bud pushed eventually, I think the other 2 buds will push also because the rootstock keeps producing flushes (that I take out).


(https://i.postimg.cc/75VqQmFK/injerto-2-sep-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/75VqQmFK)

This is a seedling of these Paloras, named #Pal3, is the most vigorous of all of them and I just found its first flower bud, 17 months after I sown the seed. I don't know if this is within the average time or is more precocious than usual, the other dozen of seedlings are neither so vigorous nor precocious but here we are just starting blossom season for megalanthus so we'll see...



(https://i.postimg.cc/yg0Qvr5d/primera-flor-Pal-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yg0Qvr5d)





(https://i.postimg.cc/sMZNMXc7/pal-3-sep-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMZNMXc7)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Frog Valley Farm on October 11, 2020, 10:49:14 AM
Its a purple guatemalan type.  They taste the best and easy to grow.

Thank you Brad.  I am glad to know I planted the right DF.  They look like the Giant Purple Mike T talks about that fetch high dollar in Australia.  Do you happen to know what brand names these are commonly sold as?

(https://i.postimg.cc/64scjyLV/A81-B8-A17-DB18-4342-ACFD-BD9-E5977-EAA6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/64scjyLV)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Brandon909 on October 18, 2020, 04:55:42 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/SJXz0W6h/20201018-133148.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SJXz0W6h)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4mhn2XG4/20200912-121140.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mhn2XG4)
Does anyone know what kind of bug is doing this to my Dragon fruit? First time seeing this
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mike T on October 18, 2020, 05:02:54 PM
Sure looks like one of the expensive fruits I have seen and they are not sold with a variety name. It isn't the purple princess or the 'palnerston purple' I referred to, however.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on October 24, 2020, 11:10:19 PM
hello everyone I just got an israel yellow cutting and im having a hard time trying to figure out which side is top can anyone help me ?


(https://i.postimg.cc/grw45Pt5/IMG-2176.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grw45Pt5)


(https://i.postimg.cc/kDkwPhk5/IMG-2174.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kDkwPhk5)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on October 25, 2020, 01:15:26 AM
Thorn was pointing up in your picture.
So you were holding it right.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on October 25, 2020, 03:07:38 PM
Thorn was pointing up in your picture.
So you were holding it right.

thanks! ;)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jagmanjoe on October 25, 2020, 03:44:04 PM
I was having the same issue with one the other day and saw a video talking about the sides being like mountains and the thorns are at the top of the mountains and pointing up.  It is a real learning process for me at least.

Out of curiosity, I wonder what would happen if a mid cutting were planted upside down.  Just wonder as they also speak of Dragons having air roots as well.  Wonder if it would turn itself around somehow with air roots or just die off.   
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: superss94 on October 26, 2020, 12:20:37 PM
I just learnt a very useful trick, just place the cutting in front of a bright lamp and if the veins are pointing up then you are good to go


(https://i.postimg.cc/HJSFR2kT/IMG-2178.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HJSFR2kT)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: saltyreefer on November 06, 2020, 07:40:47 PM
Has anyone had any luck taking a few cuttings and growing them on an oak tree trunk?
 Would the shade be an issue or is it one of those deals where one person has great success and the next is a complete fail?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mattyboydesigns on November 06, 2020, 10:52:28 PM
Has anyone had any luck taking a few cuttings and growing them on an oak tree trunk?
 Would the shade be an issue or is it one of those deals where one person has great success and the next is a complete fail?

I had a pot of cuttings from one of my white varieties that my wife put next to our oaks. It climbs all over the place and branches out towards the sun. The branches that hang and reach for the sun are the ones that fruit. It being in the shade helps it hold moisture and prevent sunburn. I never water it and it grows faster than my other varieties that are on trellises.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on November 15, 2020, 11:57:18 AM
What varieties do you guys find to be wind resistant?  I got one planter that’s going to be in a wind blast zone.  I’m thinking of putting in Connie Mayer and Sugar Dragon.  My logic being they have some of the smaller fruit, so maybe less branches snapping in the wind?  Anything with super robust branches I’m open to.  So send some ideas.  Unfortunately a wind screen isn’t really possible.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 15, 2020, 02:14:16 PM
My yard is on top of a hill and gets hammered with santa ana wind.  Dragonfruit dont have issues with wind.  Sugar dragon is a good choice though for lots of reasons.  Wind is not a concern.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on November 15, 2020, 02:59:34 PM
Thanks Brad.  That’s what I needed to know.  We get 50mph offshores here sometimes. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on February 24, 2021, 03:51:51 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/F7TSYS3d/09-D8-C958-1-AEA-4-BDD-8-BF0-6-C0-D76-CD5-C9-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7TSYS3d)

(https://i.postimg.cc/23FhfM5x/9-C060-F0-C-F48-D-4-E9-A-A50-B-A4-E462-BB46-FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23FhfM5x)
I’ve just noticed these aerial roots on a couple of very young seedlings. Only 2 out of 120 are showing signs of aerial root development. Has anyone had any experience with this and do these roots produce any benefits in relation to better growth rates when the aerial roots get into the surrounding soil?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Plantinyum on February 24, 2021, 07:41:11 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/F7TSYS3d/09-D8-C958-1-AEA-4-BDD-8-BF0-6-C0-D76-CD5-C9-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7TSYS3d)

(https://i.postimg.cc/23FhfM5x/9-C060-F0-C-F48-D-4-E9-A-A50-B-A4-E462-BB46-FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23FhfM5x)
I’ve just noticed these aerial roots on a couple of very young seedlings. Only 2 out of 120 are showing signs of aerial root development. Has anyone had any experience with this and do these roots produce any benefits in relation to better growth rates when the aerial roots get into the surrounding soil?
I have seen such on several seedlings in the past...I discarded the plants so dont know if this would have been teir benefit compared to others that dont have them aerials. The more vigorous plants I think tend to make them in such young age ....
In an other aspect it can also mean that they have a problem with their roots, so are trying to make new ones upper on the plant, I have seen seedling of plants in general that have a problem with their original roots down, try make new ones on the healthy part of the plant thats closest to the soil , but dragonfruit is an epiphyte so it can mean totally nothing .. ☺
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Saone on March 05, 2021, 09:04:59 AM
Looks like these palora seedling fruits are self pollinating.  Its been a few weeks and try made it through a crazy heat wave here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F/20200913-193848.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F)

This one is a new one I just tried called "Hana".  Its extra sweet and has a floral aftertaste.  Its pretty good for a white fruit.  Not my favorite but not bad.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm/20200913-191110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm)

are the white fleshed fruit less tasty than the red? Where I live I have had a few good red ones but lots are super bland.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 07, 2021, 01:52:21 AM
Most of the time, flavor is about the sugar content of the fruit. Red, white, purple fruits all have specific undertone flavors, but its the sweetness that makes that fruit appealing. Think of the difference between lemons and lemonade. Low sugar white varieties tend to taste 'floral', where the very low sugar ones can taste off, like perfume, like eating the flowers themselves. There are a wide range of reds and purples though, many with unique flavors and tones. I grow a wide range of varieties, each with its own use. I eat some, juice others, cook with a few and ice cream for others. Like apples, its all about application and tastes.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 08, 2021, 04:59:47 PM
Looks like these palora seedling fruits are self pollinating.  Its been a few weeks and try made it through a crazy heat wave here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F/20200913-193848.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sv5Ywy0F)

This one is a new one I just tried called "Hana".  Its extra sweet and has a floral aftertaste.  Its pretty good for a white fruit.  Not my favorite but not bad.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm/20200913-191110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRNjp7gm)

are the white fleshed fruit less tasty than the red? Where I live I have had a few good red ones but lots are super bland.

I am not a fan of the white or red flesh.  Purple is where its at.  I agree the dark reds tend to be bland and most of the whites as well. 

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: marklee on March 08, 2021, 10:14:46 PM
I ate a couple of Colombian Yellow today that were a bit over ripe, one had some brown near the top edges of the yellow skin. However, this is the first time I've gotten a "lemon" taste from a dragon fruit. All the other yellow fruits have just had the regular sweetness.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 08, 2021, 11:20:31 PM
the megalanthus are the only white ones worth growing personally.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Saone on March 09, 2021, 09:26:59 AM
Most of the time, flavor is about the sugar content of the fruit. Red, white, purple fruits all have specific undertone flavors, but its the sweetness that makes that fruit appealing. Think of the difference between lemons and lemonade. Low sugar white varieties tend to taste 'floral', where the very low sugar ones can taste off, like perfume, like eating the flowers themselves. There are a wide range of reds and purples though, many with unique flavors and tones. I grow a wide range of varieties, each with its own use. I eat some, juice others, cook with a few and ice cream for others. Like apples, its all about application and tastes.

Taste good in ice cream? never tried but gonna try and make some. Also whats the difference between red and purples? Juts a dark red color?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on March 16, 2021, 12:29:53 AM
I use Sugar Dragon mostly in making ice cream (S-8 variety). Its flavor is very berry-like, has a high enough sugar content for desserts and jams, and the deep purple flesh translates very well visually, giving an appearance between strawberry and raspberry in color. But there can be a VERY definitive difference between purple and red varieties. Orejona, for example, is a true RED flesh, not deep purple, and some of the Costarinensis (Costa Rican) heirloom fruit are downright bloody. Im currently trying to nurse back to health one of my original cross-bred seedlings that produced fruit so deep in red that if you ate a large fruit in a single sitting, enough of the red color would pass through your system unprocessed. Gave me a hell of a fright the first time it happened, and I used to have to warn people who i gave it to that to not panic if their toilets looked a little pink the next day. Costaricensis tends to taste a little "earthy", like beets, instead of floral, and can have a good sugar content. They also have a very good texture to them, more solid, like watermelon, instead of getting mushy under pressure. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FlMikey on March 17, 2021, 01:25:56 PM
I've recently just discovered Golden Dragonfruit from the store (imported from Ecuador with a "Pitahaya" brand name).  Previously, I only had the other red one from the store, which was very bland.  This Golden one has a nice sweet taste - and I'm very interested in growing it.  Is this type of dragonfruit self-pollinating?  I would love to grow it.

Also, because you all are experts, what Dragonfruit varieties are sweeter than that one, self-pollinating, and produces fruit fairly quickly.

Any info is much appreciated, as I'm completely new to to trying to grow it!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on March 17, 2021, 03:34:50 PM
Its palora dragonfruit variety, its self pollinating.  Its pretty much the sweetest type.  Maybe sugar dragon and purple haze will also be good ones for you to grow. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on March 20, 2021, 10:10:20 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/vDJ7YvZ4/573-D9-CB1-C157-4-F0-E-B04-C-A9787-FBFD1-E4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vDJ7YvZ4)

(https://i.postimg.cc/xXRLPDym/A5-EF0-FF7-8188-478-E-B009-6-DEC8-CEF4958.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xXRLPDym)

(https://i.postimg.cc/G8NFsFPS/AA099439-6703-456-B-8828-E1-EFF94747-D3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G8NFsFPS)

(https://i.postimg.cc/yWgXCGsq/B02-DBD38-B0-EB-4-D81-932-A-ACC647289-C99.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yWgXCGsq)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KK8BqqJH/D5-FC26-F1-E7-A5-4-B8-E-9805-2630082-D167-D.png) (https://postimg.cc/KK8BqqJH)
Thought I’d share a few pics of my new hybrid that I tasted for the first time this morning. This is a PT#7 x Dark Star, pictured with its parent varieties. The colour was a bit of a surprise, wasn’t expecting colours to be lighter than the parents. Was picked at 42 days and brix was 15. Very tasty.
I’ve got 12 of these, so it will be interesting to see how they all compare next season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2021, 11:50:43 AM
Out of about 6 varieties that went thru 21F for about 8 hours the only ones that look great are Thompson Sugar 8-S and Frankie's Red.  Don't those have the cold hardy yeller genes?

This bed was a solid twisted mass, cleaned all the dead stuff  out yesterday.

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfCWSFN6/Damaged-Stock-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfCWSFN6)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Plantinyum on April 10, 2021, 05:01:13 PM
Out of about 6 varieties that went thru 21F for about 8 hours the only ones that look great are Thompson Sugar 8-S and Frankie's Red.  Don't those have the cold hardy yeller genes?

This bed was a solid twisted mass, cleaned all the dead stuff  out yesterday.

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfCWSFN6/Damaged-Stock-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfCWSFN6)
i'm surprised that anything survived such a temp. Do those two varieties did not had any damage ??
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 11, 2021, 09:19:10 AM
i'm surprised that anything survived such a temp. Do those two varieties did not had any damage ??
[/quote]

Nope. I'll try to remember to get a pic of them today.

Miracles do happen.  For example my 13' Reed avocado tree is pushing new shoots  7' up from the ground!  As usual my mangos took a huge hit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 18, 2021, 08:23:10 AM
Sugar (Thompson 8-S) is doing very well.  Took this shot last week, 2 months after the 21-22F greenhouse temps.  Low outdoors was 17F.


(https://i.postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ/Pitaya-Sugar-April15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Galatians522 on April 18, 2021, 03:39:03 PM
Sugar (Thompson 8-S) is doing very well.  Took this shot last week, 2 months after the 21-22F temps. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ/Pitaya-Sugar-April15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ)

That is awesome Mark! Thanks for posting about this. I now have a new plant on my hit list!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on April 19, 2021, 12:28:14 PM
Sugar (Thompson 8-S) is doing very well.  Took this shot last week, 2 months after the 21-22F temps. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ/Pitaya-Sugar-April15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xpx58bDZ)

That is awesome Mark! Thanks for posting about this. I now have a new plant on my hit list!

This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 22, 2021, 10:26:42 AM
This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.

Based on the required inputs and the  meh quality of the fruit, I think growing pitaya is a waste of time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on April 22, 2021, 10:49:24 AM
This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.

Based on the required inputs and the  meh quality of the fruit, I think growing pitaya is a waste of time.

I would agree that the white flesh and pure reds I've tasted and grown were not worth it. The magenta's will have a place in my garden. If they are not worth it, why are you still growing them?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on April 22, 2021, 11:59:16 AM
This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.

Based on the required inputs and the  meh quality of the fruit, I think growing pitaya is a waste of time.

blasphemy!

Seriously, there is good DF that is worth growing.  It doens't seem to take much input either. 

I'm sending you some DF this summer mark.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: zephian on April 22, 2021, 05:09:56 PM
Brad's dragon fruit are delicious. Way better than stuff I find at the market. Can't wait for my s8 to get a dedicated spot in yard right now they're in small pots but growing like weeds
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mango_kush on April 22, 2021, 06:03:43 PM
Here are mine, its physical graffiti, haleys comet, zamorano and a yellow cutting

As soon as I trained them vertically after building a trellis they took off growing, definitely the way to go
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: mango_kush on April 22, 2021, 06:05:56 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/HV0Rw6QB/20210422-172332.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HV0Rw6QB)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 25, 2021, 09:24:08 AM
I would agree that the white flesh and pure reds I've tasted and grown were not worth it. The magenta's will have a place in my garden. If they are not worth it, why are you still growing them?

Cause they have purty flowers.   ::)

Thanks to running out of of fuel the last minute (during 6 days of sub freezing winter storm temps) I'm not, except for the one survivor.   See that garbage can?

(https://i.postimg.cc/XXjw7KkR/Damaged-Stock-6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXjw7KkR)

Sugar:

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJ0b8YMv/Pitaya-Aug17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJ0b8YMv)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 25, 2021, 09:27:34 AM
This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.

Based on the required inputs and the  meh quality of the fruit, I think growing pitaya is a waste of time.

blasphemy!

Seriously, there is good DF that is worth growing.  It doens't seem to take much input either. 

I'm sending you some DF this summer mark.

Thanks bud, I'll graciously take it and a few sticks of JB if you can spare it, PLEASE.  Looks like my Pinkerton is only pushing rootstock shoots.  Am thinking about putting GEM (which is growing like a weed) and/or JB on it in about a month. 

When I said "inputs", you're right, it really isn't a pain to water occasionally and the Osmocote addition is a no brainer. The pain is when they are all over the place, crowding out my walking space next to a multi grafted key lime tree, growing 14' up the greenhouse wall!

June of last year.

(https://i.postimg.cc/BjrVd7H9/Pitaya-Bed-June3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjrVd7H9)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on April 25, 2021, 05:55:49 PM
I’ve been putting off building like 6 trellises I need to build.  Unfortunately they want like 90$ for a redwood 4x4.  I’m having to do some thinking about how to build these damn things.  Can’t use concrete (I’m doing planters) and I don’t want them to be ugly (some in front yard).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2021, 07:14:55 PM
This has been my favorite DF for the last 12 years. Even though the fruit are small, they make up for it on production and taste. Plus, they are self-fertile.

Based on the required inputs and the  meh quality of the fruit, I think growing pitaya is a waste of time.

blasphemy!

Seriously, there is good DF that is worth growing.  It doens't seem to take much input either. 

I'm sending you some DF this summer mark.

Thanks bud, I'll graciously take it and a few sticks of JB if you can spare it, PLEASE.  Looks like my Pinkerton is only pushing rootstock shoots.  Am thinking about putting GEM (which is growing like a weed) and/or JB on it in about a month. 

When I said "inputs", you're right, it really isn't a pain to water occasionally and the Osmocote addition is a no brainer. The pain is when they are all over the place, crowding out my walking space next to a multi grafted key lime tree, growing 14' up the greenhouse wall!

June of last year.

(https://i.postimg.cc/BjrVd7H9/Pitaya-Bed-June3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjrVd7H9)

Yeah it does tend to get a little out of control sometimes.  You can sell some cuttings on Facebook and make some bucks.  There seems to be a lot of people interested. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Kurt001 on July 03, 2021, 03:53:59 PM
Hi All,

I have a purple haze that's budding like crazy, but I don't have another breed to pollinate it with.  I didn't expect this because I grew the plant from a cutting two years ago, in a container, on my little balcony.  Can anyone mail me some non-PH pollen?   I can give you a tall cutting if you want to exchange.

Kurt
(https://i.postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy/ATT00001-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 04, 2021, 08:18:47 AM
  Cool thread! Here is my dragon fruit project going on 4 months. I rooted all the cuttings in pots except the palora yellow and they grew for some months before as well as the seedlings from store bought fruit. The only thing I added to the sand was roughly 2-3gallons bio char mixed in the bottom of hole and filled back with sand. This is around 10.5'elevation and there is a depression the yard drains in so it doesn't get swamped out. It gets full sun from 9am-2pm and pine tree filters light for a few more hours untile they get full evening sun.. Rats and bunnies like to chew on everything here though so I have to make the cages.We have 1 post cosmic charley, 1 post haleys comet, 2 post palora yellow, 1 post Vietnamese white mixed with seedlings, and 1 post Susan red mixed with seedlings. Seems the slowest to have new growth is cosmic Charley. The palora yellow showed new growth faster on the north side of the posts for some reason. Vietnamese white seems to grow about .5" day.
(https://i.postimg.cc/LJrQgNhf/20210704-074345.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJrQgNhf)

(https://i.postimg.cc/9D4NfvXC/20210704-074213.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9D4NfvXC)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 04, 2021, 12:59:59 PM
I’m having my best DF season yet by far. They overwintered in the greenhouse which I’m sure helped them, they grew a lot even Dec-March which is my coldest period. I count at least another 6 flowers on one plant (the one with all the flowers open at once) and the others are probably just around the corner.

You can push DF insanely fast with fertilizers. The 4 of them by my generator were just cuttings 6 months ago and most are over the top of the trellises.

This year on Spaugh’s recommendation I started using koolbloom which is 5-50-9 and definitely seems to work. I suggested it to a friend who also got one of brads plants counted 26 flower buds this week after the heatwave.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5Yn0Dfh5/07-AD1-A41-81-A4-4-D05-8018-50-A8863-D63-A0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Yn0Dfh5)
Purple Haze

(https://i.postimg.cc/CZCdHGJQ/427-CE07-B-16-CB-407-E-9-BB1-3-C20-C655-A320.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZCdHGJQ)
Natural mystic

(https://i.postimg.cc/vgQTP4NH/909229-EB-D261-4-EC7-B845-076-E8775575-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgQTP4NH)
Cosmic Charlie

(https://i.postimg.cc/YL09HJ75/9-DF35-E6-B-2-FEE-4931-AD2-A-08-F953-E02-A88.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YL09HJ75)
Dark star in back, Asunta / Yellow megalanthus / frankies red front left, Isis / baby cerrado middle, Ax / guatemala purple far right

(https://i.postimg.cc/67C4bJ6z/9-F80-B5-C2-FB4-C-4-E65-9-A38-E4-B444-E3-CEC1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/67C4bJ6z)
Cosmic Charlie has been by far the most productive this year with more than 12 flowers, only have two fruit sets now
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on July 04, 2021, 01:23:46 PM
Amazing results K Rime!  What exactly is your feeding formula and schedule?  I’m not doing nearly as well up here.  We are having a super cold summer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 04, 2021, 02:05:48 PM
Amazing results K Rime!  What exactly is your feeding formula and schedule?  I’m not doing nearly as well up here.  We are having a super cold summer.

I'm throwing the whole dang cart of fertilizer at them.

I brought them out of the GH maybe around March or April or so and when I saw them growing actively again once it warmed up I started giving them Vigoro slow release avocado citrus. They're all in 25 gallon plants so I'd put on a good handful or two and have put on a good handful or two every 2 weeks. I've been smoking through a 30lb bag of Vigoro every couple weeks, dosing the whole yard. It's good enough for how cheap it is, but doesn't last as long as Osmocote.

Once we're into heatwave territory I'll leave the DF dry for a week or so then hit them with about 1tsp of Koolbloom per gallon of water, about a gallon of water per 25g pot. I'll then water them every 3-4 days with the same recipe.

I seriously just blast these things with fertilizer and they never burn or slow down. They EAT.

To get fruit sets, always leave them dry for as long as possible. I find that's the secret sauce for sets.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on July 05, 2021, 01:03:44 AM
Good stuff.  I’m going to get more active on feeding.  Most of my stuff is very young so I’ve been going light but I think they are established enough to get serious.  Beautiful little spot you got going. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Farmerchris on July 06, 2021, 06:29:23 PM
I’ve been putting off building like 6 trellises I need to build.  Unfortunately they want like 90$ for a redwood 4x4.  I’m having to do some thinking about how to build these damn things.  Can’t use concrete (I’m doing planters) and I don’t want them to be ugly (some in front yard).

I've been using pressure treated 4x4.  They're cheaper ... haven't seen price of redwood here out on the Delta lately.  But Nov last year, 4x4x12 redwood (cut into 3 pieces) was just under $31 per.  I also use their concrete piers at just under $10/ea .. this is used as the base of the trellis. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 06, 2021, 07:54:16 PM
90$ for a redwood 4x4,  lol

I'm making concrete ones for under 10$
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 06, 2021, 08:09:42 PM
90$ for a redwood 4x4,  lol

I'm making concrete ones for under 10$

All the people who buy cuttings from me now I say build it out of metal or concrete, don't bother with wood.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on July 06, 2021, 11:46:24 PM
I’m working on a new design using Doug fir that’s more of a frame around my planters and doesn’t sit in the soil.  Should be cheap, the days of redwood are gone.  I’ll post some pics when I got them done. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 07, 2021, 02:16:45 PM
$90 for 4x4 is crazy. Fortunately I picked up some 4x4x12's of heart grade redwood before the consumer rape of wood. You can still get a 4x4x8 redwood post for $25, though. Probably cheaper if you went down to a lumber mill and got the 12' sections. You just need the rough common grade redwood.

With the common grade, add linseed oil to help preserve it while the df grows. Once the df grows around the redwood, you don't need to treat it again. The KEY is to concrete the post all the way up to the soil line. Use the 6" quikrete post forms to keep it going straight up.

Concrete and metal are great if you are going to have a permanent location because they are heavy! Definitely a two person job weighing nearly 200lbs.

 I'm going to experiment in this row and bend the tops of the df without creating wood top.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ/PXL-20210707-174855774.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 07, 2021, 02:49:08 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/XpckHDhs/D4-A5-EB9-E-7-ED1-469-C-B3-D4-C2-CB57910-E79.png) (https://postimg.cc/XpckHDhs)

Not a good time to buy lumber.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 07, 2021, 03:26:23 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/XpckHDhs/D4-A5-EB9-E-7-ED1-469-C-B3-D4-C2-CB57910-E79.png) (https://postimg.cc/XpckHDhs)

Not a good time to buy lumber.

It's not a good time to buy anything, yet it still happens. Hell, you could use that graph to show the price of DF cuttings in the classified section.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nosoup4u on July 07, 2021, 10:53:27 PM
Hi All,

I have a purple haze that's budding like crazy, but I don't have another breed to pollinate it with.  I didn't expect this because I grew the plant from a cutting two years ago, in a container, on my little balcony.  Can anyone mail me some non-PH pollen?   I can give you a tall cutting if you want to exchange.

Kurt
(https://i.postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy/ATT00001-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy)

If you don't get a response here you can try one of the Facebook groups - I think there's one for San Diego specifically.  The info shared in those groups is hit or miss (lots of pseudoscience and scammers), but there are often nice people happy to share pollen.

Got off to a slow start up here in the Bay Area; we had a fairly cool spring. But now it's warmer and my dfs are loving it - got 6 buds on my Cosmic Charlie, ~10 and counting on Sugar Dragon, and over 20 on my Condor.  It's the first year flowering for the latter two (and my first year w/ multiple types flowering) so I'm pretty excited to not have to drive around madly searching for pollen the week beforehand.  I'm worried the Condor is overexerting itself, but I guess it'll just abort some of the fruits if there are too many.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 07, 2021, 11:03:52 PM
$90 for 4x4 is crazy. Fortunately I picked up some 4x4x12's of heart grade redwood before the consumer rape of wood. You can still get a 4x4x8 redwood post for $25, though. Probably cheaper if you went down to a lumber mill and got the 12' sections. You just need the rough common grade redwood.

With the common grade, add linseed oil to help preserve it while the df grows. Once the df grows around the redwood, you don't need to treat it again. The KEY is to concrete the post all the way up to the soil line. Use the 6" quikrete post forms to keep it going straight up.

Concrete and metal are great if you are going to have a permanent location because they are heavy! Definitely a two person job weighing nearly 200lbs.

 I'm going to experiment in this row and bend the tops of the df without creating wood top.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ/PXL-20210707-174855774.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ)

Hi John,
I’ve found beeswax and jojoba oil work really well for protecting wood too, and I swear the bees are attracted to it ;) I used it on my raised beds and it works great, you can see the water bead off. You just melt the bees wax down and then add the jojoba oil, you need to use clean beeswax, if it’s dirty it doesn’t work well. It’s also great for your skin, no gloves needed!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 08, 2021, 07:33:08 AM
Aluminum is lighter than wood and concrete!! Or you just tig weld some aluminum and it's good for the next 2000 growing seasons and not having to fix wood or look at a failed design saves you money and ego. At least when we get a huge hurricane my d.f. posts will be there still 😆. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/tZ54cc9f/20210704-074250.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZ54cc9f)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 08, 2021, 07:20:33 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/PpG7Dm9R/df01.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpG7Dm9R)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7GgWn5yY/df02.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7GgWn5yY)

Things are finally starting to kick into gear here in Ontario (California, no Canadia). The sugar dragons are coming into their own, with the other species starting to show some blooms. The heat is always a problem in the summer here, but thankfully we've only had a few days of 100+ temps, which screws with sensitive new buds and fragile bloomed flowers. Orejona and American Beauty have a few flowers and alot of buds, but the S8's started blooming a full 40 days ago, which is a little unusual for my plants.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 09, 2021, 01:08:44 AM
Dad kept old growths so they flowered early.
We ate a couple of American Beauty.

Some more are almost ready.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 09, 2021, 01:22:12 AM
Hi All,

I have a purple haze that's budding like crazy, but I don't have another breed to pollinate it with.  I didn't expect this because I grew the plant from a cutting two years ago, in a container, on my little balcony.  Can anyone mail me some non-PH pollen?   I can give you a tall cutting if you want to exchange.

Kurt
(https://i.postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy/ATT00001-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0bNrBWy)

Sorry, I missed this. Those buds look small, you need some now? Have a couple s8's blooming next couple days. No need for cuttings, I've got that one.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 09, 2021, 01:25:45 AM
$90 for 4x4 is crazy. Fortunately I picked up some 4x4x12's of heart grade redwood before the consumer rape of wood. You can still get a 4x4x8 redwood post for $25, though. Probably cheaper if you went down to a lumber mill and got the 12' sections. You just need the rough common grade redwood.

With the common grade, add linseed oil to help preserve it while the df grows. Once the df grows around the redwood, you don't need to treat it again. The KEY is to concrete the post all the way up to the soil line. Use the 6" quikrete post forms to keep it going straight up.

Concrete and metal are great if you are going to have a permanent location because they are heavy! Definitely a two person job weighing nearly 200lbs.

 I'm going to experiment in this row and bend the tops of the df without creating wood top.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ/PXL-20210707-174855774.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqTn5FwZ)

Hi John,
I’ve found beeswax and jojoba oil work really well for protecting wood too, and I swear the bees are attracted to it ;) I used it on my raised beds and it works great, you can see the water bead off. You just melt the bees wax down and then add the jojoba oil, you need to use clean beeswax, if it’s dirty it doesn’t work well. It’s also great for your skin, no gloves needed!

Nice, please share that ratio of bw to jo. I've never heard of that but always willing to learn something new.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 09, 2021, 07:55:05 AM
How much time does it add melting wax or rubbing oil into them? Aluminum is still the lightest weight post. Cheaper than redwood too by far! You could just use screws to fasten a wood top and have no rotting underground. You don't even need to weld anything if you don't know how.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 09, 2021, 10:41:33 AM
The ratio of beeswax to oil is approx 1:3 but you really have to play around with your measurements to get the right consistency, you can always add more oil if it’s too hard/thick. If it’s too thick it won’t apply right, It will just sort of ball up and fall off. I use an old slow cooker to melt the wax.

Yes, it’s definitely time consuming to make the wax, I use steel post for my dragon fruit, I use this on my raised beds. I like your idea of aluminum, however I would worry about the strength...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 10, 2021, 02:49:09 AM
How much time does it add melting wax or rubbing oil into them? Aluminum is still the lightest weight post. Cheaper than redwood too by far! You could just use screws to fasten a wood top and have no rotting underground. You don't even need to weld anything if you don't know how.

As Nate mentioned, the oil is not for this post, or other posts, but good information for some planters I have. That aluminum post is great. My friend welds and gets good deals at the metal supply store, so I'll tell him about it (I gave him a few small plants).

As for me, I'm trying to go topless (the posts that is). But, even if I have to, I think that look just doesn't work in my residential backyard. Different strokes for different folks. But, I see the value for those who can accommodate that. A couple of my friends would certainly be interested. I'm not sure on the cost benefit, though. At least from a consumer and time perspective.

Would you mind showing a top view? I'm assuming you have a piece of aluminum on each side of the post that connects the top? What gauge aluminum you use?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 10, 2021, 09:35:06 AM
Thanks, they are 7' posts with 5' above the ground on 7' centers. 2.5"x.125" wall square tube wrapped in the burlap and twine.  Roughly 70lbs of cement also. I sprayed truck bed liner an the embedded part of the post also. I plan on using some palm branches mitered on the top and wrapped in burlap for the air roots to grab hold also. It would be more effort and a different design to do a potted version and have a good idea for 1 but not made the prototype yet. Soon as I do I'll post some pics with some info.
(https://i.postimg.cc/PP6CbcNV/20210701-173714.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PP6CbcNV)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 10, 2021, 11:24:44 AM
Another decent idea ive seen is to use steel chain link fence posts. Use either the previously mentioned spray on truck bed liner or roofing tar to coat the underground section, then however high you want your canopy, drill some thru holes in the post and slide rebar pieces through. you can then wire tie on more rebar tip to tip if you want to make a full square 'ring' instead of just support arms sticking out. Id recommend burlap up the post though, as that always seems to help plants develop in my experience.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 11, 2021, 03:24:20 PM
Does anyone know what pollinates Halleys Comet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2021, 06:14:09 PM
Pretty much anything BUT Haleys Comet should be a sure thing pollinator. Even some cousin cactus will pollinate dragon fruit. I dont remember if HC is self fertile itself, so you might not even need a seperate pollen source, but you usual;ly have better fruit production using a second source.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 11, 2021, 07:56:26 PM
Does anyone know what pollinates Halleys Comet?

Well, I'm 100% S8 will. When I had the HC variety, I used that pollen. S8 is great at pollinating them all.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 11, 2021, 08:03:33 PM
Thanks, Timbogrow, for that information. When I first grew DF, I used a steel fence post in a large pot. I used rebar at the top in a cross formation that was covered with old hose, along with old 55 gallon drum top (the aluminum band). Worked great but looked like a post made in Vietnam. I must have a picture somewhere.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 11, 2021, 08:34:57 PM
Thank you John!! I just collected some S8 pollen last night 😎
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Calreef18 on July 11, 2021, 09:13:15 PM
Has anybody started to get together a "bloom calendar" for varieties that overlap for cross-pollinating? My first year with multiple varieties blooming and feel like I might have some gaps for cross-pollination, am wondering if I just need more plants/size so that the blooms of different varieties have a longer cycle.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 11, 2021, 10:15:01 PM
I hate to make it sound like its the same answer every time, but the S8 Sugar Dragon variety blooms early, before almost anything else that ive seen, fruits alot in most reasonable climates, grows fast, sets cuttings solidly, and is one of the tastiest varieties out there. It produces a ton of pollen, is self fertile and with a good breeze to shake the plant, is usually self pollinating. The only issue with it is the size of the fruit, averaging the size of a goose's egg. Given the option, i would change out a few more of my more random plants with S8. I encourage everyone to grow at least a small plant of S8 to help support their collections or a few large plants for eating and cooking. I think of it as the 'naval orange or 'Haas avacado' of dragon fruits, a superior variety and a very great achievement for its creator, Paul Thomson.
 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 13, 2021, 07:39:00 AM
Thanks for the suggesting that to the community about the s8 variety. I'll will put some in when I add the next 6 posts to the garden...Finally, cosmic charley is pushing new growth. Was just about to rip it out and replace it. Weird enough though all the cuttings planted on the post without roots started growing new shoots quicker on the north side of the post.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: OATIKO on July 13, 2021, 04:14:42 PM
Hello, I’m new to this awesome group! I was wondering if anyone is from the Bay Area, Ca who’s willing to trade or sell some cuttings. Or if you’re in SoCal I can schedule to make the trip down. I’m looking for the Edgar Valdivia’s Asunta series, Orejona Red, Makisupa, Red Jaina, Desert King, Ohana Express and Thompson G2. Maybe share the list you own. Thank you
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 13, 2021, 06:44:42 PM
I hate to make it sound like its the same answer every time, but the S8 Sugar Dragon variety blooms early, before almost anything else that ive seen, fruits alot in most reasonable climates, grows fast, sets cuttings solidly, and is one of the tastiest varieties out there. It produces a ton of pollen, is self fertile and with a good breeze to shake the plant, is usually self pollinating. The only issue with it is the size of the fruit, averaging the size of a goose's egg. Given the option, i would change out a few more of my more random plants with S8. I encourage everyone to grow at least a small plant of S8 to help support their collections or a few large plants for eating and cooking. I think of it as the 'naval orange or 'Haas avacado' of dragon fruits, a superior variety and a very great achievement for its creator, Paul Thomson.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. A big thanks has to go to Linda Nickerson & Gery Kesslau as well. They have a DF farm in Fallbrook and promoted the S8 when they were given that variety from Paul. They convinced me to take that one over the others they were growing when I first started growing DF. I'm sure they convinced many others as well...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 18, 2021, 06:51:18 PM
Has anyone tried the “Zamarano” variety? What’s the flavor like? Is it worth growing? Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FDFlorida on July 18, 2021, 07:47:14 PM
Does anyone know how long pollen is viable for? I have a few DF varieties, but they rarely flower on the same night. I’ve had some success with self fertilization, but nearly 100% success with better tasting and larger fruit when I happen to be able to cross them. I’d like to be able to collect pollen when any flower so I can cross them more frequently. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 19, 2021, 04:05:15 AM
Has anyone tried the “Zamarano” variety? What’s the flavor like? Is it worth growing? Thanks
Zamorano is one of my least favourite varieties. It has a weird flavour. ‘Peppery’ is the only way I can describe it. More savoury than sweet in my experience 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Farmerchris on July 19, 2021, 03:16:41 PM
Does anyone know how long pollen is viable for? I have a few DF varieties, but they rarely flower on the same night. I’ve had some success with self fertilization, but nearly 100% success with better tasting and larger fruit when I happen to be able to cross them. I’d like to be able to collect pollen when any flower so I can cross them more frequently.

I have one growing I think, I bought it as a Zamorano ... we'll see.  Here's a video on Zamorano tasting. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDaoZ_6bDo8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDaoZ_6bDo8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 20, 2021, 02:03:17 AM
Does anyone know how long pollen is viable for? I have a few DF varieties, but they rarely flower on the same night. I’ve had some success with self fertilization, but nearly 100% success with better tasting and larger fruit when I happen to be able to cross them. I’d like to be able to collect pollen when any flower so I can cross them more frequently.

Pollen can be kept frozen for weeks if prepared properly. I have a mini-dehydrator that i use when i need to store pollen but the simplest way for someone doing it casually would be to use cheap coffee filters. Get a decent size bowl and hold it under a fresh flower, and give it a few vigorous shakes to dislodge the pollen. Dump the pollen into a coffee filter, use clean toothpicks to remove any debris, bugs or other things that might have come along for the ride, and then spread out the pollen as thin as youre able, so it can air dry without being in clumps. THe idea is you want to remove as much water as possible without adding external heat, so the pollen can be put into cold storage without ice crystals forming and damaging the structure. Then just fins an appropriate container, as small as possible with as little air space as possible, and pop it in the freezer. Cheap sandwich bags, where you can press or roll out the air before zipping the zipper, work well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 20, 2021, 03:44:27 AM
Has anyone tried the “Zamarano” variety? What’s the flavor like? Is it worth growing? Thanks
Zamorano is one of my least favourite varieties. It has a weird flavour. ‘Peppery’ is the only way I can describe it. More savoury than sweet in my experience 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks Rannman. I also read somewhere it taste like a beet, ughh...What’s your favorite variety then?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 20, 2021, 03:53:19 AM
Does anyone know how long pollen is viable for? I have a few DF varieties, but they rarely flower on the same night. I’ve had some success with self fertilization, but nearly 100% success with better tasting and larger fruit when I happen to be able to cross them. I’d like to be able to collect pollen when any flower so I can cross them more frequently.

I have one growing I think, I bought it as a Zamorano ... we'll see.  Here's a video on Zamorano tasting. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDaoZ_6bDo8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDaoZ_6bDo8)

Thanks Chris. After watching the video this is the third, and completely different, flavor report I’ve seen. So far I’ve heard it taste; like a beet, peppery, and like a watermelon! The lady in the video did say it tasted better than last years crop, so maybe it needs a couple years for the true flavor profile to come out?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on July 20, 2021, 03:55:45 AM
Has anyone tried the “Zamarano” variety? What’s the flavor like? Is it worth growing? Thanks
Zamorano is one of my least favourite varieties. It has a weird flavour. ‘Peppery’ is the only way I can describe it. More savoury than sweet in my experience 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️


How many years have you fruited it? I saw in a video it may take a couple growing seasons before it taste good.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 20, 2021, 11:36:01 PM
Has anyone tried the “Zamarano” variety? What’s the flavor like? Is it worth growing? Thanks
Zamorano is one of my least favourite varieties. It has a weird flavour. ‘Peppery’ is the only way I can describe it. More savoury than sweet in my experience 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

Thanks Rannman. I also read somewhere it taste like a beet, ughh...What’s your favorite variety then?
Yeah, I would say it has an earthy, beet flavour. Been growing it for a few years now, and I can’t say that it gets better unfortunately 😕
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 22, 2021, 05:50:37 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/fJQhPVKD/420884-F2-1503-4176-B936-219-A3-A5-FE549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJQhPVKD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/CzCVpwPD/B3-CAAF32-2-F10-4824-A6-A1-749-C14959-D10.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzCVpwPD)

Cut DF
Expose 1/2” of center wood.
Soak in 1” of water.
Roots in 18 days.
No need to dry the cuts.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 23, 2021, 05:19:44 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/fJQhPVKD/420884-F2-1503-4176-B936-219-A3-A5-FE549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJQhPVKD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/CzCVpwPD/B3-CAAF32-2-F10-4824-A6-A1-749-C14959-D10.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzCVpwPD)

Cut DF
Expose 1/2” of center wood.
Soak in 1” of water.
Roots in 18 days.
No need to dry the cuts.
I tried the rooting in water method last summer. Worked great, and rooted cuttings survive for weeks in water.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Acetogenin on July 23, 2021, 08:20:04 AM
Newb at DF, I have purple haze, dark star, and American beauty.  Should I get a variety that is a prolific pollinator to help pollinate the others? Or not necessary
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 23, 2021, 11:51:45 AM
Newb at DF, I have purple haze, dark star, and American beauty.  Should I get a variety that is a prolific pollinator to help pollinate the others? Or not necessary

No, you can cross pollinate with what you have. AB is self fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: BonsaiBeast on July 23, 2021, 01:56:44 PM
Newb at DF, I have purple haze, dark star, and American beauty.  Should I get a variety that is a prolific pollinator to help pollinate the others? Or not necessary

Get sugar dragon
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: swincher on July 23, 2021, 06:21:40 PM
What size container is needed for a mature DF? Specifically yellow type/palora in case that makes a difference.

I've got a few seedlings I'm planning to overwinter in my greenhouse and trying to decide how much space they will need to have reserved, and thus how many of them I'll end up being able to keep vs give away:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWV6NoMh6HqqJbmHpaYug4A6EEUUjpywmPCbHF1jvp-6NemBI6q6tcj8GZdq9oibi8TE8YWgO10uKLZ_vklY-u9BZPJRY6-vzJPX_xRRjF8qTSc05-5E0T-dy3nCFl3bV7NL09JPIH93wFB76KmSSQqaA=w600)

And yes, I know they are slow growing and this is a more long term project, but I'm already realizing that despite what seemed like a ton of greenhouse space I'm going to start running out of space when all my little plants get all grown'd up.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: vall on July 23, 2021, 08:02:18 PM
I have two mature, fruiting dragonfruit in 15 gallon pots, but I imagine you can get by with a 5 or 7 gal.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: swincher on July 23, 2021, 08:41:59 PM
I have two mature, fruiting dragonfruit in 15 gallon pots, but I imagine you can get by with a 5 or 7 gal.

Thanks! I'll probably aim for 7 then and can always reassess further down the road.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 24, 2021, 12:33:41 AM
I have AB in 15G short.
AB doesn’t need cross pollination.
Ate 10 fruits this season.

If your DF needs cross pollination you need to find a variety that flower at the same time, in your climate.
You can’t plant random varieties.
Not easy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: swincher on July 24, 2021, 02:35:29 AM
If your DF needs cross pollination you need to find a variety that flower at the same time, in your climate.
You can’t plant random varieties.
Not easy.

These are all genetically unique seedlings from the same fruit, so they should flower around the same time and be cross-compatible, right? I figured I'll start with the 4 most vigorous and then later maybe cut it down to 2 once they start fruiting and I have an idea of which ones seem to produce best. Like... 4 years from now?

EDIT: I went down a bit of an internet rabbit hole, but it looks like H. megalanthus may actually be self-fertile. I'll probably keep at least 2 of them anyhow, unless my greenhouse gets truly overcrowded.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on July 24, 2021, 08:19:19 PM
Any know of any DF that do well with less sun?  I’m planting out a section of my yard with the least sun.  Either I find something that will thrive or I’ll just stick some of my rarer stuff there and use it for cuttings, not expecting it to fruit.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SHV on July 25, 2021, 01:27:38 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/VrgYrz55/658094-E5-7841-46-EB-8-A31-1200-B1-A7995-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrgYrz55)

(https://i.postimg.cc/64QBCFGc/899-A223-D-ADA8-4-E3-F-8-B09-26-DB744-CFA03.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/64QBCFGc)

Pretty awesome when DFs go full bloom explosion. This is a generic pink flesh dragon fruit going nuts on an old Hass avo tree. The tree doesn’t produce much but acts as a great scaffold for the DF to climb.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Julianna on July 30, 2021, 08:50:50 PM
Hello All,

I am looking for some suggested Good cross pollinators for my unnamed dragon fruit.  I am planning to build 2 trellises of known varieties and am hoping they will also pollinate my unknown variety (it is not self fertile).  I have heard good reviews about the sugar dragon S8, but what other 2-3 types are tasty and might bloom in a similar range. I was thinking to have maybe one reddish flesh, a yellow flesh, a white flesh and maybe a purple.

The unknown type
(https://i.postimg.cc/JsRVMWLD/IMG-3817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JsRVMWLD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QFSLMn86/IMG-7569.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFSLMn86)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on July 30, 2021, 10:16:57 PM
Hello All,

I am looking for some suggested Good cross pollinators for my unnamed dragon fruit.  I am planning to build 2 trellises of known varieties and am hoping they will also pollinate my unknown variety (it is not self fertile).  I have heard good reviews about the sugar dragon S8, but what other 2-3 types are tasty and might bloom in a similar range. I was thinking to have maybe one reddish flesh, a yellow flesh, a white flesh and maybe a purple.

The unknown type
(https://i.postimg.cc/JsRVMWLD/IMG-3817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JsRVMWLD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QFSLMn86/IMG-7569.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFSLMn86)
Any variety that is not the same as yours will be a good pollinator for your dragonfruit, although pink flowering varieties don’t seem to produce a lot of pollen in my experience. Sugar Dragon is generally a good one to have as it usually starts flowering early, produces plenty of flowers and plenty of pollen and generally flowers later than most other varieties, so you can collect and store the pollen until you need to use it. The hard part is getting different varieties to flower at the same time, so storing pollen is a pretty good idea.
Sugar Dragon is pretty tasty too, so that’s an added bonus 👍
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on July 31, 2021, 01:35:49 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhksJTpM/894-AEDD3-5642-4316-B1-A9-D0-EE8-D795128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhksJTpM)

Saw this at a supermarket in Folsom, CA today.
Buy a fruit, get a free cutting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: swincher on July 31, 2021, 01:58:31 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhksJTpM/894-AEDD3-5642-4316-B1-A9-D0-EE8-D795128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhksJTpM)

Saw this at a supermarket in Folsom, CA today.
Buy a fruit, get a free cutting.

Nice, megalanthus... wish I could find those in a market around here!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pinkturtle on July 31, 2021, 02:00:09 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhksJTpM/894-AEDD3-5642-4316-B1-A9-D0-EE8-D795128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhksJTpM)

Saw this at a supermarket in Folsom, CA today.
Buy a fruit, get a free cutting.

Yes, great found.  I am able to root couple of cuttings last year like that and they are doing great.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 01, 2021, 05:36:45 PM
Got my own Dragon Fruit alley started!  2” pvc on rebar into 100 gallon stock tanks.  It’s a little tight but it’s what I got to work with.  Added a little bench to hold my 3 gallon pots.  It’s definitely a few more bucks but I like the external trellis design as no wood is inside the dirt.  I didn’t want to go traditional concrete posts as I have small children that hang on everything and I didn’t want one toppling over.  This planter is all self fertile.  I got one post each of Palora, Frankie’s red, sugar dragon, natural mystic, Condor and American beauty.
(https://i.postimg.cc/18FYCRGj/77559-FA6-F71-D-4-E34-A865-B131-A44-D1-EAA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18FYCRGj)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XZ01TMx7/98602-E9-F-3117-4-D7-B-96-FA-010-D80-D8110-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZ01TMx7)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 01, 2021, 05:50:03 PM
So fancy!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: OATIKO on August 03, 2021, 01:57:06 AM
Got my own Dragon Fruit alley started!  2” pvc on rebar into 100 gallon stock tanks.  It’s a little tight but it’s what I got to work with.  Added a little bench to hold my 3 gallon pots.  It’s definitely a few more bucks but I like the external trellis design as no wood is inside the dirt.  I didn’t want to go traditional concrete posts as I have small children that hang on everything and I didn’t want one toppling over.  This planter is all self fertile.  I got one post each of Palora, Frankie’s red, sugar dragon, natural mystic, Condor and American beauty.
(https://i.postimg.cc/18FYCRGj/77559-FA6-F71-D-4-E34-A865-B131-A44-D1-EAA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18FYCRGj)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XZ01TMx7/98602-E9-F-3117-4-D7-B-96-FA-010-D80-D8110-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZ01TMx7)

Great work! However, the side where the fence is maybe a little tight for when they canopy over the trellis.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on August 03, 2021, 03:14:15 AM
That’s why I planted self fertile, lol.  Some is definitely going to hang into the neighbors yard.  They can help themselves.

All my self sterile stuff is in easier to reach locations.  I was just filling in some dead space.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Farmerchris on August 06, 2021, 02:16:43 PM
With self fertile, it only means that the plant can use it's own pollen.  But if the stigma is too long, too far away from the pollen, you'll have to depend on your insects to pollinate.  So because of the time that the flower opens, typically at night, the insects are not as useful.  In the morning, the pollen will absorb the moist night air and likely be not as useful for even insects to pollinate.

But if you have self POLLINATING varieties, that's better ... but general recommendation is that you hand pollinate regardless.  Usually more pollen = bigger fruits.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 06, 2021, 03:09:08 PM
Could we tie the flower closed so the stigma bend into the pollen for self pollination?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 08, 2021, 03:26:10 PM
Tying a flower closed might damage the flowers reproductive parts. The best way to make a self-fertile flower into a self-pollinating one is to just give it a good shake, if theres still pollen there. Im mean, ideally you'd want to take something like a makeup brush and swish around the pollen manually, but if you dont have the time or inclination to do that, just shaking some pollen loose and around the inside of the flower often does the trick.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on August 09, 2021, 11:35:56 AM
Looking for some good pruners to cut the fruit off the vine with, I used regular single blade pruners last year but they really damaged the vine.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on pruners? Or how to get the fruit off without damaging the vine too bad?

These look good but they’re around $80 with shipping, was hoping to spend less $$ https://www.sfequip.com/vesco-professional-double-cut-pruning-shear/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YDhT5JB97g1u2hQhrfoJ-AZxt2g25zDJ9byQbgXaCg_S_OAEukoSyhoCJXEQAvD_BwE (https://www.sfequip.com/vesco-professional-double-cut-pruning-shear/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YDhT5JB97g1u2hQhrfoJ-AZxt2g25zDJ9byQbgXaCg_S_OAEukoSyhoCJXEQAvD_BwE)

Thanks
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 09, 2021, 01:20:49 PM
Looking for some good pruners to cut the fruit off the vine with, I used regular single blade pruners last year but they really damaged the vine.

Does anyone have any good suggestions on pruners? Or how to get the fruit off without damaging the vine too bad?

These look good but they’re around $80 with shipping, was hoping to spend less $$ https://www.sfequip.com/vesco-professional-double-cut-pruning-shear/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YDhT5JB97g1u2hQhrfoJ-AZxt2g25zDJ9byQbgXaCg_S_OAEukoSyhoCJXEQAvD_BwE (https://www.sfequip.com/vesco-professional-double-cut-pruning-shear/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YDhT5JB97g1u2hQhrfoJ-AZxt2g25zDJ9byQbgXaCg_S_OAEukoSyhoCJXEQAvD_BwE)

Thanks

Lately I've waited till the very last possible time and the fruit is like a loose tooth and then I lever it off gently and use a knife around the base. On several DF forums I've seen people get more than one flower from each node and it totally changed how I thought about DF plants. I used to carve a notch of branch off thinking that they only flower once from each node.

If you want to keep notching, just get a really sharp knife. I like Opinel stainless knives. They hold an edge really well and are kind of petite for this type of work. I like the #4 size. For grafting I use #3 but generally opt for the carbon ones since they are toothier after sharpening and have some feedback.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on August 09, 2021, 06:21:29 PM
Thanks K-Dogg! Also, your recommendation of the KoolBloom fertilizer was spot on, my vines are going off right now. I couldn’t find any with nitrogen in it so I’ve been giving it 0-10-10 and they’re loving it. Bunch of fruit set, flowers opening, and new buds popping everyday, looking like it’s gonna be a nice long season.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SJTm2Tyv/64-F6-E0-F0-7-C28-422-F-B745-FA3-C87-AAA535.png) (https://postimg.cc/SJTm2Tyv)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 10, 2021, 02:00:56 PM
Nice one! I'm glad you have so many flowers and your plant looks really happy. The sun has been punishing up here and mine are looking worse for wear, and battling massive ant infestations in the pots. I think they removed a lot of soil and killed roots or something cause my paddles are super deflated on a lot of them. I'll dose them with a teensy bit of chicken manure once the flower season is over to hopefully plump them up for winter... We shall see. I've had easily over 60 flowers already, maybe close to 100.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 10, 2021, 04:56:50 PM
if you guys want to use water soluables try jacks 20-20-20
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 10, 2021, 06:45:10 PM
if you guys want to use water soluables try jacks 20-20-20

I switched to bone meal and they're flowering like crazy now. Low effort. Not sure what's up with the dried out lookin paddles though
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 10, 2021, 06:59:04 PM
Not enough water or roots for how much is above ground.  If its in a pot, put a tray under the pot and let it sit in an inch of water when its super hot. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: swincher on August 11, 2021, 04:06:52 PM
Is it ok to use painted wood for dragonfruit to climb, or is it best to use unpainted/untreated wood for the health of the plant? Basically, I'm curious whether it will absorb anything bad if I plant my seedlings next to the 2x4 framing of my greenhouse to let them climb up the inside of the north wall, but the wood is painted white. It wouldn't be too much effort to scrape/sand off the paint before planting, if that's advisable.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 11, 2021, 06:50:27 PM
Not enough water or roots for how much is above ground.  If its in a pot, put a tray under the pot and let it sit in an inch of water when its super hot.

Yeah, I think that's the issue. They're in 25 gallon pots but just can't keep up with water anymore. I will probably have a ton of die-back with cold cause they're not plump at all and have zero protection of the main vein. Not sure if these yellowed paper thin paddles will ever come back to life. I'll just cut em all back next season if they don't. At least all this stress is making them flower and set like crazy. Have probably 40 fruit sets right now.

Gonna get some trays as well to hopefully avoid this next season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 11, 2021, 06:54:22 PM
You could get them on a drip system that runs everyday.  Even a lot of my in ground stuff gets dried out, its just the dry heat we have in CA.  I try and water 2 or 3 times a week but if I had it automated it would be every 2 days for a quick squirt. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 11, 2021, 06:59:05 PM
You could get them on a drip system that runs everyday.  Even a lot of my in ground stuff gets dried out, its just the dry heat we have in CA.  I try and water 2 or 3 times a week but if I had it automated it would be every 2 days for a quick squirt.

I have been watering them daily. I did hold off for 2-3 days sometimes for fruit sets and just a day or two was enough to make them go all yellow and shrivel up. I think you're right - there's just too much plant above ground to sustain no matter how much water is in there. I think the roots actually died, and ants were definitely an issue too. I think they shifted soil around to make a next and killed roots. They weren't on the plant itself much, just some aphids here and there, but monster colonies would come out of the pots if I soaked them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 11, 2021, 07:15:20 PM
Another problem is the organic matter in the potting mix eventually turns to dust and the rootsystem of a dragonfruit plant is like a fine sponge that just tuens into a dense mat that chokes itself out. 

Inorganics like sand, dg, volcanic rocks or expanded clays that dont break down and also have water holding capacity and breathability can help in the long run. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 11, 2021, 08:01:58 PM
Another problem is the organic matter in the potting mix eventually turns to dust and the rootsystem of a dragonfruit plant is like a fine sponge that just tuens into a dense mat that chokes itself out. 

Inorganics like sand, dg, volcanic rocks or expanded clays that dont break down and also have water holding capacity and breathability can help in the long run.

Will have to decide what to do. They are probably nearly 600lb now so it's a bitch to do anything with them. I could put them all in 45 gallon pots but then it's truly game over for ever moving them again other than with a pallet jack and flat deck with lift gate. Really wish I had ground to put them in...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 14, 2021, 05:46:34 PM
picked a big isis gold today

(https://i.postimg.cc/Mvt88J7X/20210814-144245.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mvt88J7X)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Seanny on August 14, 2021, 06:51:25 PM
Pretty
Big seeds?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 14, 2021, 08:53:29 PM
Nice one Brad. I had my first good one of the year off that cosmic charlie you gave me a few years back. My Is-is is charging pretty hard but probably won't fruit this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on August 15, 2021, 04:02:37 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRrYJ7Dw/106924-B2-369-C-4045-B792-79-F97494-D147.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRrYJ7Dw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/HrkdQRrS/EE7309-CA-9-E25-4-C90-AA15-F68-D082-FB5-C7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HrkdQRrS)

Sugar Dragon keeping its early flowering reputation intact. Two weeks of winter left and out comes the first bud of the season👍
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 15, 2021, 04:38:12 PM
the isis yellow tastes pretty decent for a white flesh.  it doesnt have a whole lot of flavor but also not real earthy, just clean and refreshing.  Its not as good as purples but for a white its good.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5QfSTsSK/20210815-133126.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QfSTsSK)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ivy on August 17, 2021, 12:00:56 PM
Hi all. I am a newbie to DF. I got a cutting 3 years ago of unknown variety and finally I got a first flower last night. I have to say  it is just gorgeous !  I think that unfortunately it is self-sterile. What do you think?
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV/Dragon-Fruit-flower.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 17, 2021, 12:37:41 PM
Hi all. I am a newbie to DF. I got a cutting 3 years ago of unknown variety and finally I got a first flower last night. I have to say  it is just gorgeous !  I think that unfortunately it is self-sterile. What do you think?
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV/Dragon-Fruit-flower.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV)

It's pretty much impossible to tell what it is without seeing a fruit set / fruit interior. Give a shot to pollinating it, you won't know till you try.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ivy on August 17, 2021, 03:40:06 PM
Yes I hand pollinated it. I read somewhere that the self-fertile varieties have  male part of the flower  very close to the female part so the pollen will brush up against and dust the female part  however the flower I got has a stigma high up while the anthers are so much lower down. Is it possible to have it pollinated despite of it ? or the pollen is just sterile and hand pollination is not going to work?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 18, 2021, 11:16:17 AM
Yes I hand pollinated it. I read somewhere that the self-fertile varieties have  male part of the flower  very close to the female part so the pollen will brush up against and dust the female part  however the flower I got has a stigma high up while the anthers are so much lower down. Is it possible to have it pollinated despite of it ? or the pollen is just sterile and hand pollination is not going to work?

There is "self-pollinating" in that the stigma is very close to the anthers and it will probably brush up against enough anthers to set fruit with no human or animal interaction. I have had this with my S8 plant where I didn't touch the flower and it set fruit anyways.

There is "self-fertile" that, regardless of the structure of anther/stigma being close or far to each other, if you get pollen into the stigma, it will set fruit. If that happens by bees, bats, or by hand, it will set.

Then finally there is "self-infertile" where, regardless of if pollen enters the tube by hand or otherwise, it will not set a fruit and you need a different cultivar. If you have two self-infertile varieties and use one pollen on the other, it will set fruit, but I personally find I get way better fruit set using self fertile varieties of pollen. This may just be luck.

You won't know till you try, like I said.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 18, 2021, 11:24:22 AM
Also one thing I've been doing this year (and seeing fantastic fruit set I think because of it) is that after I pollinate the stigma with my #2 paintbrush, I squish the stigma between my thumb and index finger lightly - this I think helps set the pollen where it needs to go and also it locks it in so that bees can't steal it in the morning. Saw an older fella in the Philippines do this on his farm, he actually collected pollen by hand and didn't even use a paintbrush and he was surrounded by fruit sets so figured there had to be something to it.

Brad, have you ever tried this?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pinkturtle on August 18, 2021, 01:40:58 PM
Hi All,

I have issue getting Asunta 3 to set fruit.  I planted some Asunta 3 cuttings last summer, and they were flowering a lot and I hand pollinated them with unknown white variety, but none of them set any fruit.  They turned in yellow and dropped.  Any help or tips will be appreciate.

(https://i.ibb.co/BGt7hpF/20210818-103359.jpg) (https://ibb.co/427Dbq3)

They look like yellow dragon fruit.  😄😄😄

Thanks,
Al
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 18, 2021, 02:35:42 PM
Also one thing I've been doing this year (and seeing fantastic fruit set I think because of it) is that after I pollinate the stigma with my #2 paintbrush, I squish the stigma between my thumb and index finger lightly - this I think helps set the pollen where it needs to go and also it locks it in so that bees can't steal it in the morning. Saw an older fella in the Philippines do this on his farm, he actually collected pollen by hand and didn't even use a paintbrush and he was surrounded by fruit sets so figured there had to be something to it.

Brad, have you ever tried this?

I just use a brush and try to get it right in the middle into the tube.  Seems to work, my plants are fully loaded.

The asunta 3 doesnt seem to set that well because the flower itself seems to have some issues with opening up.  But it will set fruit if you keep pollinating them.  You may need to help open the flower alsomor wait and do them in the morning.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: pinkturtle on August 18, 2021, 03:28:59 PM
Thanks Brad, I will keep on trying.  There are couple more flowers are not open yet, maybe next week.  I am collecting pollens and store them in Fridge now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Ivy on August 19, 2021, 02:34:07 AM
Yes I hand pollinated it. I read somewhere that the self-fertile varieties have  male part of the flower  very close to the female part so the pollen will brush up against and dust the female part  however the flower I got has a stigma high up while the anthers are so much lower down. Is it possible to have it pollinated despite of it ? or the pollen is just sterile and hand pollination is not going to work?

There is "self-pollinating" in that the stigma is very close to the anthers and it will probably brush up against enough anthers to set fruit with no human or animal interaction. I have had this with my S8 plant where I didn't touch the flower and it set fruit anyways.

There is "self-fertile" that, regardless of the structure of anther/stigma being close or far to each other, if you get pollen into the stigma, it will set fruit. If that happens by bees, bats, or by hand, it will set.

Then finally there is "self-infertile" where, regardless of if pollen enters the tube by hand or otherwise, it will not set a fruit and you need a different cultivar. If you have two self-infertile varieties and use one pollen on the other, it will set fruit, but I personally find I get way better fruit set using self fertile varieties of pollen. This may just be luck.

You won't know till you try, like I said.


Thank you K-Rimes for clarifying.  That is a good news. I will keep checking if that flower sets a fruit. There are more flowers to open on that DF. I will try your method to squish the stigma.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 22, 2021, 12:28:15 PM
Hi all. I am a newbie to DF. I got a cutting 3 years ago of unknown variety and finally I got a first flower last night. I have to say  it is just gorgeous !  I think that unfortunately it is self-sterile. What do you think?
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV/Dragon-Fruit-flower.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQQ7H6tV)
Your plant looks like a white variety, possibly a light pink, based on the plant's thorn structure and the lack of any coloring in the flower. If you could add pictures of some of the older branches it might help narrow down the identification, although like other said, a specific named ID might not be possible without fruit.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JirkaH on September 03, 2021, 11:08:30 AM
Hi guys, I tried to plant dragon fruit and on the start I even didnt know if it will survive or not (living in Netherlands so keeping that on window most of the time).
In one moment it increase process of growing and from 5 small flowers get already full pot. But now I am facing with 5 problems (questions):
1. It seems that it "body" of flower drow very very fast and thin, previous body was thick. Not sure if its because low amount of sun or too much sun.
2. On some body parts I notice that they have regular shape, and in one point it seems very very thin and after that it is thick again, it seems like that it almost break how its thin. Not sure if its normal or its because of some issue.
3. I got some "body" skin issues, looks like some "dots"
4. I got some another "body" skin issue, looks like some white cover on skin or missing green pigment.
5. Is there something what can I do to improve life of my DragonFruit children?



(https://i.postimg.cc/QHL9z6fw/Overview.png) (https://postimg.cc/QHL9z6fw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KKs4DQK9/Overview2.png) (https://postimg.cc/KKs4DQK9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJJ8xHM9/Skin-Disease.png) (https://postimg.cc/xJJ8xHM9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sMsBjMdJ/Skin-Disease2.png) (https://postimg.cc/sMsBjMdJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rDjDKqq2/Skin-Disease3.png) (https://postimg.cc/rDjDKqq2)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on September 04, 2021, 06:37:56 AM
Hi JirkaH. The thin growth is due to lack of sunlight. You mentioned flowers, but your plant is far too young to produce flowers. I’m not sure what the weather/season is like in the Netherlands, but sunlight is a dragonfruits best friend. Without enough sunlight, plant growth will be lacking and flowers won’t ever develop. Did you grow your plant from seed?
Skin issues are a standard problem with dragonfruit. They all get it occasionally, but lack of sunlight doesn’t help with those problems unfortunately.
Sunlight and heat are the best things for healthy dragonfruit growth
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JirkaH on September 05, 2021, 02:23:48 PM
Hi JirkaH. The thin growth is due to lack of sunlight. You mentioned flowers, but your plant is far too young to produce flowers. I’m not sure what the weather/season is like in the Netherlands, but sunlight is a dragonfruits best friend. Without enough sunlight, plant growth will be lacking and flowers won’t ever develop. Did you grow your plant from seed?
Skin issues are a standard problem with dragonfruit. They all get it occasionally, but lack of sunlight doesn’t help with those problems unfortunately.
Sunlight and heat are the best things for healthy dragonfruit growth

Hi, thank you so much for your reply.
I grew this from seeds. Is this a reason why there are no flowers yet, or is it because its still young (approx 1year).
I noticed the dry part started appearing when the plant was exposed to too much sunlight. Which is why I remove it from direct sun for some time.
After your comment I put it back immediately.
How often do you recommend to water it? Its an indoor plant.
Do you also have any other recommendations regarding taking care (fertilizing, vitamins, antipests,...)

Thanks a lot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on September 05, 2021, 05:07:21 PM
A few pointers:
1. If youre going to keep the plant indoors forever, you need to think about upsizing the pot soon. To be reasonably successful, dragon fruit needs to have long drooping branches, to allow the plants natural chemistry build up in the downward hanging stalks. Youre probably going to need a solid platform to place the pot on, because to grow tall enough to have hanging branches you need to either have a post for the main stem(s) to grow up, or have the pot high enough in the air to allow branches to grow long enough straight out of the pot. If you have a dedicated window you can grow your plant in front of, the best answer might be to hang it, off SOLID chain from a ceiling rafter or other support. You'll probably have to keep it trimmed down once its mature, as these plants can weigh in the hundreds of pounds if left unmanicured. after that, you can use curtains of various transparency to moderate sunlight to your plants preference.
2. The damage looks fungal to me. Get a sharp, thin knife and sterilize it with rubbing alcohol and cut/scrape the dead sections off or out. You can either sacrifice the stem above the diseased sections or just cut away the bad, down to the central core of the branch. But dont cut the woody core. Think of that like the wood of a tree, and the green section as the bark. You can lose entire branches of the green plant material, but as long as the central core is unharmed, any plant material further down the line will continue growing. As for treating the fungus, I'd try an anti-fungal copper soap spray mix. Its worked pretty well for me in the past to keep my plants reasonably healthy during outbreaks.
3. Just out of curiosity, do you happen to know what type of dragonfruit you got the seeds from? I'd hate to see you go through all this trouble and years of waiting to find out you have a variety thats not self fertile and you'd have to either have to hunt down pollen from other people or have to grow a second plant from seeds/cuttings and have to wait all that time again.

Hi JirkaH. The thin growth is due to lack of sunlight. You mentioned flowers, but your plant is far too young to produce flowers. I’m not sure what the weather/season is like in the Netherlands, but sunlight is a dragonfruits best friend. Without enough sunlight, plant growth will be lacking and flowers won’t ever develop. Did you grow your plant from seed?
Skin issues are a standard problem with dragonfruit. They all get it occasionally, but lack of sunlight doesn’t help with those problems unfortunately.
Sunlight and heat are the best things for healthy dragonfruit growth

Hi, thank you so much for your reply.
I grew this from seeds. Is this a reason why there are no flowers yet, or is it because its still young (approx 1year).
I noticed the dry part started appearing when the plant was exposed to too much sunlight. Which is why I remove it from direct sun for some time.
After your comment I put it back immediately.
How often do you recommend to water it? Its an indoor plant.
Do you also have any other recommendations regarding taking care (fertilizing, vitamins, antipests,...)

Thanks a lot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jessg333 on September 13, 2021, 05:34:29 AM
Wow 133 pages and I’m spent! Lots of greats Info for a newbie like me. I just started growing dragon fruit. I presently have palora, frankies red, sugar dragon, bruni, and some unknown whites.

Thanks Mike T for your post #3113 it really cleared things up for me as I was getting all caught up in the hype of getting a million different types of dragon fruit. Hopefully I can cut out all the unnecessary collecting. Any suggestions on sweet fertile whites or are they not worth it in comparison to the red and purple flesh fruits?

Others I’m interested in getting are condor, delight, and American beauty. I’m just curious if these are good ones to get or any reason why I should pass on any one of them? Are there any must haves other then Sugar dragon? Also, stupid question but is Columbian red a specific cultivar of dragon fruit or simply any red type from Columbia?

Thanks 🙏🏻

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jessg333 on September 13, 2021, 05:38:37 AM
Early on in this thread there was a brief mention of Leo’s Costa Rican dragon fruit H. costaricensis X S. Megalanthus. It was red flesh and no thorns on the fruit. Is there any update on this one?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: tiendadefruta on October 01, 2021, 12:15:52 PM

Wow this design is just amazing! but I guess you need special tools and a solder to make it; was it too expensive to make?


Aluminum is lighter than wood and concrete!! Or you just tig weld some aluminum and it's good for the next 2000 growing seasons and not having to fix wood or look at a failed design saves you money and ego. At least when we get a huge hurricane my d.f. posts will be there still 😆. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/tZ54cc9f/20210704-074250.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZ54cc9f)
Title: My Dragonfruit won't quit growing UP...
Post by: brownkawa on October 11, 2021, 06:53:08 PM
I planted this dragonfruit (our first) in our greenhouse about a year and a half ago. It grew up through our supports and just keeps corkscrewing around. It has split and branched, but isn't doing the hanging down thing we expected.

It's probably hard to tell from the photo but our trellis is a dead juniper trunk set into concrete. it has another juniper branch screwed to it to provide the "web" that we thought it would cascade over.

This summer a second shoot came out of the base plant and is climbing up as well.

What are we doing wrong?  Do we need to cut off all of the dead juniper branches that reach up beyond where we want the plant to bend over? (Can it somehow "see" that there is still something above it to reach up to?) At one point we put a screen "topper" over it to keep it from going up. but it just keeps twirling around and reaching down, out, and up again.

We do have shade cloth over our greenhouse to protect from the intensely harsh New Mexico sun... did we overdo it with that? Our cheapo light meter indicates light toward the high end of the scale but it says that's 1000-2000 Lux which doesn't make any sense because I found references saying plants need 10,000 Lux??

I've searched the forum and have found others suggesting cutting the main stem off at the top to encourage it to put out more branches and go down, but ours already split at that point -- I have a feeling if we cut it off all of the new growth would keep just going 'round and 'round...

(I don't know what type this is, we just ordered it from Fast Growing Trees as a "Dragonfruit" as the ignorant newbies that we are...)

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

<br />(https://i.ibb.co/SQSHy7T/dragonfruit.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SQSHy7T)<br />
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on October 11, 2021, 07:30:30 PM
Kimi,

I'm not sure which way the structure faces but looks like you are only receiving 1/2 day sun at that location? Maybe a bit more or less? That, as well as your other shade cloth is certainly not enough sun for your DF. You can tell by it's thin growth. At that age, the vine should have significantly more girth, regardless of variety. Your vine is "stretching" for the sun and is confused.

Once you get it in a location that has more sun, things will improve. You may want to cut the plant to take cuttings and try a different location. 

As for training, this kid has a great channel for his commercial operation that will provide value on some training and growing of the plants:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=miHo1-zmLGY&t=1s
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: brownkawa on October 13, 2021, 02:24:05 PM
Thank you, John!

Our greenhouse faces south and gets sun all day, so that's not it.

But I have been suspecting the shade cloth... we went with recommendations from other local farmers since we are new in this area. They shade their tomatoes here because our sun is so intense it will fry everything. I think we need to go with a less dense shade cloth.  But at 90' x 14' it's an expensive proposition to muck around with by trial and error!  Maybe we should get a smaller piece of lighter shade cloth and try that on one section to see how it goes. Our cherry tomatoes are going great guns, but not much else is...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on October 13, 2021, 03:11:32 PM
Try a 30% shade cloth. Some varieties that I grew under full sun were: Haley's Comet, Physical Graffiti, and S8.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Nuraxi on October 20, 2021, 06:12:31 PM
Hi, this is my pitaya Born from Vietnamese seeds, it has bloomed after eight years, now I have grafted on it, a cosmic charlie, and an s8, I am also experimenting with phisycal graphitty, Lisa, golden dragon, all in pots.

<br />(https://i.ibb.co/L8zb6hH/C13-DE8-FC-95-F2-4-A56-83-A8-487-A8-E81-CF1-D.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L8zb6hH)
<br /><br />(https://i.ibb.co/gS0Jp4s/F4-F451-D4-67-DC-4847-B7-AB-7-A2-D58-F9-BF66.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gS0Jp4s)
<br /><br />(https://i.ibb.co/8YhFx9p/9913-D53-F-9575-45-F5-BB97-87-AB6-A6-E8510.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8YhFx9p)<br /><br
<br />(https://i.ibb.co/YbbSW5M/A8-F6-E154-D973-4600-86-AA-C50-E94-D2-A761.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YbbSW5M)<br />
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on November 07, 2021, 05:06:59 PM
Some pictures of the desert king seedling which was grown out. Not sure how it compares to the original desert king (never had it) but seems very productive for size, self fertile, and excellent flavor better then S8 sugar dragon.

(https://i.postimg.cc/dhbqs4Pp/PXL-20211031-180118454.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dhbqs4Pp)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9bsqD9Z/PXL-20211031-180138154.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9bsqD9Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/gnrd3fG1/PXL-20211031-180237624.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gnrd3fG1)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on November 16, 2021, 03:38:09 PM
Made some trellis for the dragon fruit from ikea furniture. Used the Hyllis some burlap cover, zip ties and concrete block for the footing. Hole saw the middle out and a 10 gal fabric container on the bottom. Cost about $25 for all materials, should hold up to the weather with the galvanized steel for a while.


(https://i.postimg.cc/crrbcdWB/PXL-20211115-181334290.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/crrbcdWB)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DFfarmer on November 26, 2021, 04:30:42 PM
Thanks to everyone for starting and contributing to this thread, it is a wealth of information! I have read the entire thread and have really learned a lot about the history, and care of these plants. I have a question for everyone, where do you go to get your plant material that you trust to really know what they are in this day and age?

I am in North County San Diego (southern California) and I know at one time we had some great options, but have lost some of them. I am looking for specific varieties to try and fine tune my pollination program and also to experiment with breeding. I've been growing for about ten years and am trying to make our ranch as productive as it can be. After going through multiple seasons and pollinating strategies, I am learning that it's not only what we do, but weather factors that influence our success. I have one cross at the seedling stage. I am trying to find the most productive and flavorful varieties for our micro climate here. So I am looking for specific varieties like Neitzel that I have read about.  I have been using S8 as a pollinator and it has served us well, but I have read that some White varieties can increase the size of the fruit and the customers are often interested in that! To me flavor is top consideration. If we could increase the size of S8 it would be perfect!  We have brought a seed grown Megalanthus to flowering so that is exciting but we are not sure that will be viable in our climate or very productive.

I have one white fleshed variety that came without an ID, propagated and planted around the grove, and it wasn't very productive this last year so I am considering removing or grafting something else to them. Cal Poly Pomona has been my best source and in years past, Dragon Fruit Festivals put on by UC with Ramiro, and friends, and CRFG, (but often we get ID mistakes that way). Even though Home Depot is selling plants, we can't rely on them to properly ID theirs. Thanks to all of the pioneers for sharing their experiences!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JCorte on November 26, 2021, 04:44:31 PM
Linda Nickerson sells dragonfruit in Fallbrook.  She is a reliable source.  I heard she named the s-8 Sugar Dragon.

http://www.devonsaustraliancattledogs.com/Dragonfruit

Janet
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JCorte on November 26, 2021, 04:52:19 PM
I have also received healthy cuttings from forum member Spaugh.

Janet
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DFfarmer on November 26, 2021, 04:56:59 PM
Thanks @JCorte I should have mentioned her, she and her husband were early mentors. Some of our first plants came from them. Maybe that is where we got our fondness for Sugar Dragons from because they were so enthusiastic, but I totally agree with them! I really love the fruit! ;D

Thanks for the resource! Great to see a "modern" one! I'll have to get in touch with the person you suggest! Lots of great posts from that person here in the thread!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: LEOOEL on November 28, 2021, 08:04:53 PM
Please help:

I remember the time during the existence of this Thread, when many of Us were hoping to find a truly sweet & good quality dragon fruit variety.

Well, this Great-Breakthrough! is now Old-News, In-My-Opinion.
As You can now find such Quality Dragon-Fruit variety at a local quality Supermarket like ‘Whole-Foods.’

Next-Step (Question(s)):

Does anyone know if there’s a Dragon-Fruit Variety for my South-Florida Zone-10-b Area with these ‘Breakthrough’ specs?

And, the Best source where I can go and buy it?

Does ‘Excalibur Fruit-Tree Nursery’ in Florida have such sweet Dragon-Fruit Variety?

Thanks in Advance for any Help
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FlMikey on November 29, 2021, 08:29:55 PM
Question - I'm still a dragonfruit newb and looking for recommendations on an addition. 

So far I'm growing a palora variety, sugar dragon variety, and purple haze variety I luckily received from Spaugh.  I have room for 1 more df cutting. 

Ideally, I'd like a variety that is very productive, sweet, delicious, and self-pollinating.  I'll also be growing it in the same garden bed as the palora, sugar dragon, and purple haze, so I don't want a variety that's super aggressive that may interfere with the root biology of its neighbors. 

ANY suggestions is most appreciated!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: JCorte on November 29, 2021, 08:58:04 PM
Kim Phan has a lot of videos on dragonfruit tastings with Brix testing. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYbOLZfLUtNHlkBW09vxZMw/videos

There’s a few videos titled Special Event that featured a large tasting with Edgar Valdivia present.

Janet
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FlMikey on November 30, 2021, 08:15:39 PM
Question - is Purple Haze Self Fertile or Self Sterile?  I'm reading conflicting information and if it's Self Sterile, I'd like to understand what other dragonfruit variety would complement it to pollinate it?  I most likely wouldn't hand pollinate so would need something that flowers at that same time.  Hopefully this is all a moot point and it's Self Fertile.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Mistozy on November 30, 2021, 09:43:08 PM
I really like American beauty. It's self fertile and tastes great
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on December 01, 2021, 02:02:40 AM
I’d also say American beauty for an addition.  No idea of root biology.  It’s played nice so far in my mixed planters.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: FlMikey on December 02, 2021, 09:47:26 AM
Got it.  Thank you for the input everyone and now I'm off to find an American Beauty cutting :)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on December 02, 2021, 10:58:19 AM
American Beauty is reported to be one of the first to flower each year. Early season fruiting variety.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on December 03, 2021, 11:06:40 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/XXwvpmtV/85-BCC43-E-A4-D1-4030-A78-D-6-ADAED406-C8-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXwvpmtV)

(https://i.postimg.cc/q6dM1x6V/DEFA8-FEF-5-AA0-4138-AB05-921-A0654-A3-E6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6dM1x6V)

Had some fun up potting from 25g to 45g last night
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on December 05, 2021, 04:42:55 PM
Can a dragon fruit cutting be all used up?  What I mean is I have a fairly mature cutting that looks like it’s had growth out of every single spine at one time or another that’s not sprouting any new growth.  It’s well rooted and healthy.  It initially put out two branches but they broke off due to dog but now it just looks super dormant for almost the whole growing season. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/JHB2qRWX/AA1-D447-A-371-A-4-D45-9-C18-3-E813-D857-B9-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JHB2qRWX)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Julianna on December 23, 2021, 06:48:51 PM
Hello,

I have found a few yellow fruited yellow skinned dragon fruit at my local grocery store that were delicious, but it has been hard to identify the variety or where to find them.  Does anyone have any experience with them?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DFfarmer on December 23, 2021, 08:58:40 PM
Question - is Purple Haze Self Fertile or Self Sterile?  I'm reading conflicting information and if it's Self Sterile, I'd like to understand what other dragonfruit variety would complement it to pollinate it?  I most likely wouldn't hand pollinate so would need something that flowers at that same time.  Hopefully this is all a moot point and it's Self Fertile.
   
I don't think "Purple Haze" is self fertile. I've seen it advertised as such in several places but they might just be copying each other. Richard Le posted it as "self sterile" after testing it and I've talked to a few other people who say it is not self fertile after testing so I believe them. I have a few here and I always put all of the pollen together to pollinate all of the flowers, but those flowers have not set fruit here without that help. G2 on the other hand has set fruit without any other dragon fruit flowering near it which kind of surprised me. Just make sure you have something not closely related to pollinate, a white flesh or other variety not in the group created by Paul Thomson would work. You just have to match up flowering times.  That is why it might help to know your varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: vall on April 11, 2022, 06:55:00 PM
Today I ate a very ripe Colombian yellow dragon fruit (the small ones) and it tasted strongly of lychee instead of the usual sweet but nondescript flavor. Normally these start to turn yellow in November and I pick in January, but they are so small I hadn't bothered. I finally picked it today because it was getting sunburned. I suppose I should let them hang longer in the future, the critters don't touch them since they are covered in thorns.
Title: That time of year again...
Post by: RobPatterson on June 07, 2022, 12:49:09 PM
Well, its that time of year again. The sun is out, birds are singing, flowers are blooming and dragon fruits are.....fruiting...? How is everyone doing with their gardens this year? THe site has been pretty dormant of the last six months so Im kinda curious how things are going for the other growers and enthusiasts out there. Its been a reasonably mild start to the six month long summer we have out here in California, and as such, Ive had an above average rate of flower bud survival, which Im hoping will translate to a reasonable early harvest. I tend to get flowers May-November, with the summer 100+ temperatures wiping out my buds in the dog day months of July through September. Plant growth has been good over the winter and spring, with a mild dry winter, and I even managed to get my heirloom Costaricensis variety to full recover from the single cutting I was able to salvage, back into a full fledged plant. I'm well into my first flush, with the S-8's and a few American Beauty already blooming, and the rest of my plants showing their first solid buds. I havnt seen much in the way of bees or other flying pollinators, so Im trying to manually pollinate flowers when ever i get free time in the mornings.
Anyways, I just wanted to check in with the crowd, and put a post up to bump our discussion back onto the main page. I hope everyone's well, and I wish you the best of luck this coming season.

(https://i.postimg.cc/fV43FSWF/Plants-2022.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fV43FSWF)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 08, 2022, 05:14:16 AM
I know it’s not our season over here in Oz, but it’s been a while since I scrolled through all the posts. Had a solid season here in South east Queensland with great weather and plenty of rain. Unfortunately the rain kept coming and we’ve had nearly 2 years worth of rain since Christmas.
Plenty of fruit as a result but the parrots have acquired a taste for them and as a result, we lost probably 95% of our crop, with the birds eating most fruits before they ripened.
We did have a couple of wins though with some very impressive hybrids.
(https://i.postimg.cc/212GdbD3/19-C53-EE6-B45-D-41-C6-9430-1134-A829-B20-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/212GdbD3)



(https://i.postimg.cc/sQZJRTZZ/87-DFFA90-995-F-432-E-85-B0-78-D7-DA84-EA88.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQZJRTZZ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy/8-B3-F44-DF-4-D4-F-42-F4-985-C-6-E4-C1-BD30-C6-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy)

(https://i.postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7/A2960861-F366-44-A4-846-E-CB975-B21-D19-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk/DFC3-BD3-B-C60-B-4198-B8-FA-084-D229-AFC84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/212GdbD3/19-C53-EE6-B45-D-41-C6-9430-1134-A829-B20-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/212GdbD3)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ctyB1fQk/6-EAC060-A-5-E8-A-456-E-B406-C0382-A29611-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctyB1fQk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy/8-B3-F44-DF-4-D4-F-42-F4-985-C-6-E4-C1-BD30-C6-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy)

(https://i.postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7/A2960861-F366-44-A4-846-E-CB975-B21-D19-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk/DFC3-BD3-B-C60-B-4198-B8-FA-084-D229-AFC84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Xr7m00NG/397-F489-E-1-C15-4-C65-AF07-8563-E4-F63-B55.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xr7m00NG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/56mTGtJW/784-D609-E-7-C83-4-AB3-94-DE-90-B4-E32-AE282.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56mTGtJW)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPXqL6hd/7-DFF17-A2-8494-4-ABD-9701-76-D3-BB8-F4-E73.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mPXqL6hd)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Plantinyum on June 08, 2022, 01:11:59 PM
I know it’s not our season over here in Oz, but it’s been a while since I scrolled through all the posts. Had a solid season here in South east Queensland with great weather and plenty of rain. Unfortunately the rain kept coming and we’ve had nearly 2 years worth of rain since Christmas.
Plenty of fruit as a result but the parrots have acquired a taste for them and as a result, we lost probably 95% of our crop, with the birds eating most fruits before they ripened.
We did have a couple of wins though with some very impressive hybrids.
(https://i.postimg.cc/212GdbD3/19-C53-EE6-B45-D-41-C6-9430-1134-A829-B20-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/212GdbD3)



(https://i.postimg.cc/sQZJRTZZ/87-DFFA90-995-F-432-E-85-B0-78-D7-DA84-EA88.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQZJRTZZ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy/8-B3-F44-DF-4-D4-F-42-F4-985-C-6-E4-C1-BD30-C6-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy)

(https://i.postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7/A2960861-F366-44-A4-846-E-CB975-B21-D19-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk/DFC3-BD3-B-C60-B-4198-B8-FA-084-D229-AFC84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/212GdbD3/19-C53-EE6-B45-D-41-C6-9430-1134-A829-B20-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/212GdbD3)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ctyB1fQk/6-EAC060-A-5-E8-A-456-E-B406-C0382-A29611-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctyB1fQk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy/8-B3-F44-DF-4-D4-F-42-F4-985-C-6-E4-C1-BD30-C6-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMB1RwJy)

(https://i.postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7/A2960861-F366-44-A4-846-E-CB975-B21-D19-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7vV2gF7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk/DFC3-BD3-B-C60-B-4198-B8-FA-084-D229-AFC84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppBJxhyk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Xr7m00NG/397-F489-E-1-C15-4-C65-AF07-8563-E4-F63-B55.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xr7m00NG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/56mTGtJW/784-D609-E-7-C83-4-AB3-94-DE-90-B4-E32-AE282.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56mTGtJW)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPXqL6hd/7-DFF17-A2-8494-4-ABD-9701-76-D3-BB8-F4-E73.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mPXqL6hd)

Those really look supperior! I really like the vivid colours some/most dragon fruits have ...
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on June 08, 2022, 09:15:37 PM
I know it’s not our season over here in Oz, but it’s been a while since I scrolled through all the posts. Had a solid season here in South east Queensland with great weather and plenty of rain. Unfortunately the rain kept coming and we’ve had nearly 2 years worth of rain since Christmas.
Plenty of fruit as a result but the parrots have acquired a taste for them and as a result, we lost probably 95% of our crop, with the birds eating most fruits before they ripened.
We did have a couple of wins though with some very impressive hybrids.

Beautiful fruits! Really like that pink ring look. I have been obliterated by birds this year and have been bagging basically any and every fruit if I want even a slim chance of eating it. Have you tried the silver jewelry bags? I think they not only prevent the beak from entering, but take away the bright colors that birds seem to recognize. They have left everything alone that is bagged here.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kapps on June 08, 2022, 09:39:52 PM
My Purple Haze flowered for the first time last week. As this is my only flowering dragon fruit (and only flower on the plant), I brought out a paint brush and went to town. I’m not expecting anything but I still have a glimmer of hope that it is self fertile.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jy6DmxP8/A9-D7-B86-E-69-A5-41-C3-A8-F1-0-D32-C356-A451.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jy6DmxP8)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YvxLDMFh/BDE9-D50-A-24-AA-4799-B16-D-59412-C547825.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvxLDMFh)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jaboticaba45 on June 08, 2022, 10:31:01 PM
Can someone please recommend me a self pollinating dragon that tastes good? I’ve had some beautiful purple flesh ones that taste like nothing.

Can these be grown in a 25 gallon pot with a trellis?
Thanks so much!!!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Nick C on June 08, 2022, 10:51:56 PM
First bloom of the season


(https://i.postimg.cc/0bMm0Wc4/IMG-0806.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0bMm0Wc4)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on June 09, 2022, 12:55:26 PM
Can someone please recommend me a self pollinating dragon that tastes good? I’ve had some beautiful purple flesh ones that taste like nothing.

Can these be grown in a 25 gallon pot with a trellis?
Thanks so much!!!

S8 is probably the best overall cultivar, in my opinion. It is self fertile and in my case often self pollinating (maybe the bees do it I don't know). It seems very resistant to disease and overall is the lowest effort for me.

For the best flavor, wait til it's getting really loose and wiggly on the arm and then give it 5-7 days no water. It'll really sweeten up.

Others that have been really good for me:

Purple Haze
Natural Mystic
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kalan on June 09, 2022, 01:53:02 PM
Agree with S8 recommendation - at least in Florida. Small, but sweet, low maintenance, super productive, self-fertile and a universal pollinator!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 09, 2022, 01:53:12 PM
S8 and American Beauty make a great combo. Both are reasonably common these days, good producers and grow well in most climates, without being too fussy. You can plant one cutting of each in a 25gallon bucket without worrying too much about them having room to grow solid root systems, but I do recommend using a watering spike in the pot, what they use for drip irrigation, so you can get the water to go deeper into the soil, and encourage the roots to follow. DF plants tend to root shallow, as thats where the water is, but if you water deeper, they will root deeper, and that builds a stronger root network in finite growing areas, like containers.
As far as a trellis, some sort of support structure is strongly advised, as these are natively climbing vine type plants, but you have to be aware that whatever you grow them in, or against, is going to become a permanent fixture in your garden eventually, as these plants get very large, weighty, and topheavy very quickly once they reach a mature state. People over the years have come up with clever mobile growing solutions for locations where the plants need to be either moved around or taken in for winter months, but its not a simple thing to do. If youre looking for trellis or support ideas, scroll back over the pages here and there are plenty of pictures and discussions about the traditional and more creative ways people grow their plants.
And as always, questions are encouraged here, and there are plenty of knowledgeable and experienced people here that always seem to be more than happy to help.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on June 09, 2022, 02:42:13 PM
I ripped out most of my dragonfruit plants and just kept S8 and american beauty.  I like dark star and a couple others but they dont self pollinate.  S8 and american beauty take zero effort.
Title: Palora
Post by: bradflorida on June 09, 2022, 03:09:40 PM
Has anyone had luck growing the Palora variety in Florida?  I see a lot of ebay sellers from California selling Palora cuttings, and it makes me wonder if this variety is more challenging to grow in Florida.

Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: rmt05 on June 09, 2022, 07:41:37 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/xkdj7yJC/Screenshot-2022-06-09-164013.png) (https://postimg.cc/xkdj7yJC)



Title: Re: Palora
Post by: Tommyng on June 09, 2022, 10:23:42 PM
Has anyone had luck growing the Palora variety in Florida?  I see a lot of ebay sellers from California selling Palora cuttings, and it makes me wonder if this variety is more challenging to grow in Florida.

Brad

I grow them. I don’t fertilize or water them, it’s the Second year with fruit, and they are getting bigger the more established they get. I’ve tried lots of dragonfruit, and these taste the best in my opinion. They self pollinate and right now the trellis have 5 more fruit and flowers.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xkyNqgF7/7-D53-B696-6229-4073-9-B93-45134993616-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xkyNqgF7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/wtds6nFL/D8-CA46-A8-48-FD-4-A26-9-EE3-2-A65-B3-ADFD3-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wtds6nFL)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on June 09, 2022, 10:48:28 PM
That's good to hear!  What part of FL are you in?  Do you have any cuttings I could purchase?   

Thanks
Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 09, 2022, 10:54:23 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/xkdj7yJC/Screenshot-2022-06-09-164013.png) (https://postimg.cc/xkdj7yJC)

I can confirm that the H. Costaricensis on this list is self-sterile, but if you can get it, its worth the effort. Its a very agressive looking variety, kind of like if the the yellow Megalanthus variety had a bitter divorce and the H. Costa was it's 14 year old daughter going through a goth phase. But the fruit is very strongly flavored, with a hint of sugar beet, and has incredibly deep red, solid flesh, that you can use as a natural food coloring if you wanted to go organic for a red velvet cake, or something of the like. Makes staining your clothing with a pomegranate seem like a light water mark. It's not super high brix score, not sweet like a strawberry, more the sugar content of a good apple.
And yes, i know this is a bit of a tangent, but I saw the H. Costa on that list and i dont often see it mentioned.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tommyng on June 10, 2022, 08:05:40 AM
That's good to hear!  What part of FL are you in?  Do you have any cuttings I could purchase?   

Thanks
Brad

South east Florida in west palm. They are flowering now but  If you are ever this way let me know, we can trade stuff.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ricshaw on June 11, 2022, 03:13:13 PM
Can someone please recommend me a self pollinating dragon that tastes good? I’ve had some beautiful purple flesh ones that taste like nothing.

Can these be grown in a 25 gallon pot with a trellis?
Thanks so much!!!

S8 is probably the best overall cultivar, in my opinion. It is self fertile and in my case often self pollinating (maybe the bees do it I don't know). It seems very resistant to disease and overall is the lowest effort for me.

For the best flavor, wait til it's getting really loose and wiggly on the arm and then give it 5-7 days no water. It'll really sweeten up.


I totally agree and S-8 goes by another name "Sugar Dragon".

It is a must have and the flavor has a floral taste.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DFfarmer on June 12, 2022, 10:12:14 AM
Another vote for 8-S as Paul Thomson called it, I think it has the best flavor, and color when added to things like in smoothies. It is also the most reliable for us here. They started blooming in April with only a small amount of first drop and are still putting out lots of blooms. G2, Rixford, and S9 were also early bloomers. Now Armando, Rosa, and a few others are chiming in. Last year it was the Halley's comet that were among the earliest. Labeled "Physical Graffiti" but they had yellow stigmas so not Physical Graffiti. Have a tremendous season everyone!
(https://i.postimg.cc/F7y0BzQ3/IMG-7417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7y0BzQ3)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on June 12, 2022, 11:36:39 AM
I ripped out most of my dragonfruit plants and just kept S8 and american beauty.  I like dark star and a couple others but they dont self pollinate.  S8 and american beauty take zero effort.

This is disappointing news. I grabbed a couple dark star vines last year after tasting a couple. No fruit yet but I've been juicing them with extra N. The guy said they were self fertile but maybe they were being cross pollinated by his other varieties.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Rannman on June 13, 2022, 06:03:21 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/SJVpY4kM/03-AD8-FFC-EC23-4-ACA-808-C-231-B7-AFFA5-AA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SJVpY4kM)
url]
I’m not sure why growers feel that it is ok to use other peoples photos to promote their products. The pic that is circled is one of mine, from Lockyer Valley Dragonfruit in Queensland, Australia.
If you don’t have an original pic of your own fruit from a plant that you are actually growing in your own collection, you obviously can’t prove that you are growing that particular variety.
I would be wary of this seller🤔🤔🤔🤔
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: eez0 on June 13, 2022, 11:27:25 AM
I have a spot in my backyard which is in the shade from November to late February/early March. The rest of the year, it has about 6+ hours of sun.

Would a dragon fruit work there?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on June 13, 2022, 11:33:02 AM
I ripped out most of my dragonfruit plants and just kept S8 and american beauty.  I like dark star and a couple others but they dont self pollinate.  S8 and american beauty take zero effort.

This is disappointing news. I grabbed a couple dark star vines last year after tasting a couple. No fruit yet but I've been juicing them with extra N. The guy said they were self fertile but maybe they were being cross pollinated by his other varieties.

If it is legitimate dark star, it is not self fertile. Dark star is one of my favorite for flavor but it's not super easy for successful pollination. One of the harder ones for me. If I had more S8 pollen which is the super juice, maybe I'd have an easier time. I'm probably going to tear out my Natural mystic and replace it with S8. It has not revived since winter where everything else has. I liked the fruit a lot and self fertile but it seems dead.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on June 13, 2022, 11:54:19 AM
I ripped out most of my dragonfruit plants and just kept S8 and american beauty.  I like dark star and a couple others but they dont self pollinate.  S8 and american beauty take zero effort.

This is disappointing news. I grabbed a couple dark star vines last year after tasting a couple. No fruit yet but I've been juicing them with extra N. The guy said they were self fertile but maybe they were being cross pollinated by his other varieties.

If it is legitimate dark star, it is not self fertile. Dark star is one of my favorite for flavor but it's not super easy for successful pollination. One of the harder ones for me. If I had more S8 pollen which is the super juice, maybe I'd have an easier time. I'm probably going to tear out my Natural mystic and replace it with S8. It has not revived since winter where everything else has. I liked the fruit a lot and self fertile but it seems dead.

It should be legit. I tasted the fruit. I have plenty of S8 but I am like Brad and don't like to do any more work than I have to when my Bien Hoa Red and S8 get pollinated by the bees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 14, 2022, 11:56:51 AM
I have a spot in my backyard which is in the shade from November to late February/early March. The rest of the year, it has about 6+ hours of sun.

Would a dragon fruit work there?

Most of my plants are on the south side of my house, shaded by my neighbors closely situated track home. I dont get direct sunlight a few months out of the year, as well. All it does is shorten my growing season by maybe a month, but since i live in warm Southern California, what happens is i lose 2 months at the beginning of the season, but I gain an additional month at the end. I typically dont start harvesting fruit until June/July, but I get ripe fruit almost until Christmas some years, weather dependent. I compensated a little by letting my plants grow taller than the traditional support methods, using a linear trellis, as opposed to the umbrella-like canopy up a single post style, so i have more surface area exposed to the little light I do get during those months. I included a picture as to how I set that up, originally.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bS21V77K/001.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bS21V77K)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Cfox248 on June 18, 2022, 06:09:24 PM
Are there any self pollinating yellow varieties? I'd like to procure a cutting.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: MorroBay on June 18, 2022, 11:58:29 PM
I'm probably going to tear out my Natural mystic and replace it with S8. It has not revived since winter where everything else has. I liked the fruit a lot and self fertile but it seems dead.
[/quote]

My natural mystic is also fairly dormant.  Do we not have enough heat?  Everything else is growing great.  Was thinking of pulling my NM as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on June 20, 2022, 03:23:04 PM
Quote
My natural mystic is also fairly dormant.  Do we not have enough heat?  Everything else is growing great.  Was thinking of pulling my NM as well.

Really confused. Last year it broke dormancy somewhat early. This year it still hasn't moved an inch. I think it may be a far more frost sensitive variety or something and it got really hurt this year in the cold.

I am more like inland temps at my house since it's on the 154 and it has been blasting 90+ for weeks. It's not heat related for sure at my house. Everything else is tearing it up and I'm afraid some of my trellises may collapse. There has to be at least 500lb of cactus on a few of them. Been adding more screws and trying to align the pots so they're absolutely vertical.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: irun5k on July 02, 2022, 08:29:31 AM
Hey all! I'm growing a Haley's Comet, Delight, and American Beauty here in Pinellas Co, FL.  First year getting blooms so far- the first round of blooms is complete.  I hand pollinated everything and most nights I was able to cross pollinate.

So far American Beauty is the overwhelming winner.  It looks like it set fruit on virtually every bloom.  From studying the blooms I also feel like American Beauty is the only one that I'd say is self pollinating. I'm not sure a single fruit set.on Delight or HC.

From what I've read, a lot of other folks have had great luck with American Beauty as well.  How about HC and Delight?  It seems like I've already done about all I can do short of cross pollinating with a better (?) pollinator that I don't have.

I am happy to at least have some fruit growing in the garden. The only slight bummer is Delight, because ignoring the fruit production issue, this is a much stronger grower for me than the other two and it is also already putting out a.second round of buds.  I will keep hand pollinating, maybe success will improve in round two.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Xr3MN9WT/IMG-0067-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xr3MN9WT)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bradflorida on July 09, 2022, 10:24:36 AM
Tommy,

Thanks.  Did you grow your palora from seed or cutting?

Brad
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 24, 2022, 12:47:24 AM
Question on hand pollination of my Asunta 3 dragon fruit flowers.
This is from a cutting from Brad, it is about 2-1/2 years old and it's the first time it has flowers.

The DF plant has 3 flowers, I didn't hand pollinate the first flower, can you tell from this photo if it will set fruit or drop the flower?

I just took some photos tonight at 8pm, this is the second flower that is blooming. Does it look ready to hand pollinate or should I wait until moring?

Thanks.

I did pick my first yellow DF fruit yesterday, it was small (Home Depot plant) but it tasted sweet.

(https://i.postimg.cc/SxkYr6Kh/Asunta-Pic2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzD7BCnb)
(https://i.postimg.cc/cLhg5vK8/Asunta-Pic3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJSkJLWY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3wy8CN2h/Asunta-Pic6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p9HMP20c)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xdbQN7ST/Asunta-Pic10.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06xFLVQL)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 24, 2022, 12:49:09 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1TvS35p/Asunta-Pic11.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TLNs5G96)
(https://i.postimg.cc/768550dd/Asunta-Pic12.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ffprqd9V)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wp8BzjJw/Asunta-Pic13.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjXT1Bdn)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 25, 2022, 11:50:02 AM
Hey all! I'm growing a Haley's Comet, Delight, and American Beauty here in Pinellas Co, FL.  First year getting blooms so far- the first round of blooms is complete.  I hand pollinated everything and most nights I was able to cross pollinate.

So far American Beauty is the overwhelming winner.  It looks like it set fruit on virtually every bloom.  From studying the blooms I also feel like American Beauty is the only one that I'd say is self pollinating. I'm not sure a single fruit set.on Delight or HC.

From what I've read, a lot of other folks have had great luck with American Beauty as well.  How about HC and Delight?  It seems like I've already done about all I can do short of cross pollinating with a better (?) pollinator that I don't have.

I am happy to at least have some fruit growing in the garden. The only slight bummer is Delight, because ignoring the fruit production issue, this is a much stronger grower for me than the other two and it is also already putting out a.second round of buds.  I will keep hand pollinating, maybe success will improve in round two.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Xr3MN9WT/IMG-0067-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xr3MN9WT)

I can only comment on HC since I have grown that. Definitely not self pollinating. I also found that cross pollination was a pain. Try early evening cross pollination with AB and/or delight. I got rid of mine, I don't care to do hand pollination anymore.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 25, 2022, 12:07:40 PM
Question on hand pollination of my Asunta 3 dragon fruit flowers.
This is from a cutting from Brad, it is about 2-1/2 years old and it's the first time it has flowers.

The DF plant has 3 flowers, I didn't hand pollinate the first flower, can you tell from this photo if it will set fruit or drop the flower?

I just took some photos tonight at 8pm, this is the second flower that is blooming. Does it look ready to hand pollinate or should I wait until moring?

Thanks.

I did pick my first yellow DF fruit yesterday, it was small (Home Depot plant) but it tasted sweet.


Too early to tell if the bloom will turn to fruit (IMO). You'll know soon enough. Asunta 3 is in the super model category of DF's. As such, they are a bit more demanding. The flowers tend to stick together and the anthers stay closed until night. You can hand pollinate it but will need to manually open that anther. It would be best at night, though. No harm also pollinating in the morning. When I grew it, the bees struggled to break into the semi closed flowers, and they did not set fruit on their own (without hand pollination), probably because of the delayed and shortened daylight bloom time for the bees. Early morning, the bloom seemed to wilt earlier than the other DF's as well.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 27, 2022, 03:48:46 AM
ok, I did notice that I will need to open the anther on the last flower that will open in another week. The pink flowers look nice, but it does close rather quickly in one night/day.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sumognat on July 27, 2022, 03:05:03 PM
Is Vietnamese White prone to fruit drop?

I live in SE FL (near the Everglades) and have 2 Vietnamese white on trellises and fruit drop/flower pollination is about 50%.  It can get a bit of rust in cool, rainy weather, too, but it's manageable to to treat with a bit of copper spray.

I have a cutting of Sugar Dragon and Neon that I am debating replacing them with.  Should I just bite the bullet and replace the 2 above with them?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kalan on July 27, 2022, 03:33:03 PM
Is Vietnamese White prone to fruit drop?

I live in SE FL (near the Everglades) and have 2 Vietnamese white on trellises and fruit drop/flower pollination is about 50%.  It can get a bit of rust in cool, rainy weather, too, but it's manageable to to treat with a bit of copper spray.

I have a cutting of Sugar Dragon and Neon that I am debating replacing them with.  Should I just bite the bullet and replace the 2 above with them?

Fruit drop or flower drop? I have never seen fruit drop with VW and I am in your neck of the woods. What I have seen, on many varieties including VW, is flower drop after failure to pollinate. Typically this for me happens if we get any rain during the 12 hour bloom window.

That said, sugar dragon is bullet proof. No problems is full sun, handles drought quite well, tasty productive fruit, albeit quite small. No experience with neon.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sumognat on July 27, 2022, 04:18:53 PM
Kalan,

Thanks so much for responding!  It's great to find someone living in the same area, who is growing in the same conditions.  :)

I think I meant flower drop.  I think you are right, that the rainfall caused the flower drop; I think it rained around the time the flowers opened.  I haven't had much issues with fruit drop, but it seems bugs can get into the fruit during the summer.

I may just go ahead and take one VW out and replace it with the SD and Neon cuttings.  Neon is very similar to SD.

Do you have issues with your DF yellowing in the summer?  I have mine planted in the ground, which I know probably keeps a bit more moisture than what is ideal.



Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 27, 2022, 06:35:43 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/p94jTf86/3-AD434-BE-50-B9-4-D2-A-A81-F-26-E5731-D6659.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p94jTf86)

Asunta, can't recall the number

(https://i.postimg.cc/bDnt2Z9N/B0-EB2-A30-A37-E-47-CD-BFC1-2-A788-F2-D7143.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDnt2Z9N)

Purple Haze

(https://i.postimg.cc/WDhrTWDZ/EEF6825-B-A79-C-4-AA3-895-D-0456-F070997-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDhrTWDZ)

Cosmic charlie

My Df are hitting really hard this year.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 27, 2022, 06:39:10 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/v1fn41z8/65527060-4430-4-A78-BB6-F-4-B15894-BA4-E6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v1fn41z8)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nj1Q16g6/747-D10-F6-2-F94-4-E78-BE47-506-D91-F0-F9-BB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nj1Q16g6)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZvKvswh0/A91-BB540-865-F-47-E7-947-C-CB673-D28-C286.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZvKvswh0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/8jXM9gcG/B8-C8078-F-215-B-4-B74-A728-DDA83-F0-F66-D7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8jXM9gcG)

Overall really happy with the plants. They are easy to take care of for the most part. Got some really bad rust on that purple haze but cosmic charlie is a champ for health. Dark Star is ok but gets really shrivelled up, if I get some energy I'll up pot it to 45 gallon - it's on the stand closest to the house. 

Not shown is the whole asunta stand, which also has a frankie's red on it and I added another stalk of asunta to make it mostly an asunta stand.

There is also one other stand with Isis and baby cerrado but the dark star stand fell over on to it and really damaged the Isis stalk. It did grow above the damaged area but it's not very vigorous so I may just cut it back to below the damage. Baby cerrado is growing really well after a hard winter. I think it's way more frost sensitive.

I had a really nice natural mystic but it died at the roots - maybe frost don't know. It's in the DF graveyard now.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 28, 2022, 05:58:41 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/0bqW6mcb/flowersss.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0bqW6mcb)

My American Beauty is showing very good signs of flower retention this year, even with the 100+ degree days we had over the last couple weeks (Ontario, So Cal). I generally dont get this many flowers that survive to full bloom, as most die off in the first two weeks from summer heat exposure. Im back to hand pollinating in the mornings before i go to work, and Ive been lucky enough to have a few cooperative S8 flowers that opened later then the rest of their fellow Sugar Dragons, as those tend to pop up in distinct waves, or 'flushes', as the other growers say.
BTW, if anyone is on need of cuttings (S8/sugar Dragon, Orejona or American Beauty) in the Inland Empire area of California, Id be happy to oblige. I also have a heirloom Costaricensis and my experimental (aka home grown cross-pollination) plant I call Pink Lemonade (its good, but tart), but they aren't ready to be cut back as of yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kalan on July 30, 2022, 12:00:35 AM
Kalan,

Thanks so much for responding!  It's great to find someone living in the same area, who is growing in the same conditions.  :)

I think I meant flower drop.  I think you are right, that the rainfall caused the flower drop; I think it rained around the time the flowers opened.  I haven't had much issues with fruit drop, but it seems bugs can get into the fruit during the summer.

I may just go ahead and take one VW out and replace it with the SD and Neon cuttings.  Neon is very similar to SD.

Do you have issues with your DF yellowing in the summer?  I have mine planted in the ground, which I know probably keeps a bit more moisture than what is ideal.

My Halley's Comet is in full sun does get a bit yellow and sunburns. But my Sugar Dragon and Dark star grow on the same trellis and don't get it. So I have always chalked that up to varieties handling sun exposure differently. My VW is not in full sun all day, so I can't really compare them.

That said, give these guys all the water they can take in summer. They can take a surprising amount of water.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Cfox248 on August 07, 2022, 09:57:58 PM
Wondering if Delight and Delight 3-S are the same? It looks like they're hybrid plants crossed from the same parent plant. I've come across several websites saying they're likely the same (pic attached), however the site I bought my 3-S from says it's self sterile and every other Delight I've found is self fertile. I'm trying to only keep self fertile varieties, so I'm very curious if this one will need cross pollination or not. It's from Wallace Ranch farm.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: DFfarmer on September 21, 2022, 01:40:00 PM
Wondering if Delight and Delight 3-S are the same? It looks like they're hybrid plants crossed from the same parent plant. I've come across several websites saying they're likely the same (pic attached), however the site I bought my 3-S from says it's self sterile and every other Delight I've found is self fertile. I'm trying to only keep self fertile varieties, so I'm very curious if this one will need cross pollination or not. It's from Wallace Ranch farm.
From what I have read the original "Delight" was self sterile. I would trust Wallace Ranch, Neva and Julio work hard to know what they are doing. Julio has many years of experience to back that up. The "Delight" plants that I have all seem to be self sterile but I have so many so close together that it would be difficult to be sure. I pollinate everything. There is another called "Maria Rosa" that is similar, but I don't believe that one is self fertile either.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bryan on September 23, 2022, 09:04:19 PM
Great topic nullzero!  I'm currently growing Halley's Comet, American Beauty, Vietnamese White, Yellow DF, Frankies Red and something I call Simon's Red.  The Vietnamese White is the easiest to grow and fruit for me. I have the most difficult time growing the Yellow DF outdoors but the easiest time growing it indoors under T5 lighting.  My yellow DF grew 3 branches, each that grew about 2 feet in about a month and a half in the winter indoors. 

I just took cuttings from each plant and I'm going to start new with a planned out set up.  Previously, I just stuck them in a pot and let them climb everywhere.  They grew and fruited well this way but it was sloppy looking.  This time, I'm going to try growing them in smart pots and grow them as a DF tree like they do in Vietnam. 

I grow my DF in full sun but they do get burned in the summertime.  This summer, I may throw some shade cloth over them during the hottest part of the summer. 
Simon

Simon,
What do you suppose is the reason that the yellow DF is more difficult to grow? I have a yellow DF branch, I stuck it into the ground next to the others, it just withered and died, while the others grew normally. Why does it grow better indoor? Humidity?

I start all of my cuttings on the porch, indirect light only. Once they start to grow, I slowly introduce them to full sun. I also let them grow a few feet before putting them in their permanent spot. This way the 1 vertical branch does not get shaded at all and is strong and healthy so when I tip it, it branches better.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: bryan on September 23, 2022, 09:09:59 PM
i grow few yellow dragon fruit from seeds ,,, will they bear true to type ,,

Very much doubt it, from my experience, yellow dragon fruit seedlings produce decent quality fruit.
Mine were sweet but a little smaller than a selected variety.
That is a bit strange as Physical Graffiti and Purple haze are two that I don't put in my greenhouse and they do pretty well with just a sheet during the freezes. Yes American Beauty should also be more resistant to cold stress, but still needs some protection.
Here a chart with some info. https://ucanr.edu/sites/VCMG/files/243725.pdf
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Darby on October 31, 2022, 09:08:21 PM
Thought I would throw in my DFW Texas dragon fruit experiences. Been growing them for 6 years in pots. People ask about taste and I will share what I have experienced but keep in mind your weather may be different and may not ripen like mine. My weather is HOT. 95 at least all summer, this summer reaching  110 on a day or two. More on weather below. I grow mine in pots and have more than one in a given pot. This affects fruiting, more on that below.

Purple Haze: Very sweet, tastes almost exactly like grape soda. Not grapes, grape soda. Flowers and fruits well.
Physical Grafitti: Less sweet than Purple Haze but also grape soda. Flowers and fruits less well.
S8/Sugar Dragon/Voodoo Child (all the same): Very sweet tastes like raspberries. Flowers and fruits the most of any I have, but fruits are smaller in size. Given how much it fruits, worth it.
Yellow dragon (Selenocereus): Very sweet but otherwise bit bland flavor wise, also takes many months for fruit to ripen compared to about 30 days for the others listed here.
Valdivia Rojas: Lightly sweet cherry like taste. Doesn't grow fast, but flowers early, but those flowers are reluctant to set.
Sin Espinas: Lightly sweet cherry like taste. Newer one for me, so far not flowering and setting well.
Lisa: Very sweet, tastes like a combination of raspberries and strawberries. Best way to describe the taste is think of a tarter flavored strawberry, mix raspberry in and that is the flavor. Fantastic. Seems to flower well, can't comment on setting as it is too new.
Viet Giant: White fleshed, so not nearly so sweet, but better than grocery store dragon fruit which are not sweet at all. So very lightly sweet otherwise bland white flavor. Flowers well.
Dark Star: Getting my first fruit in the next day or so. But flowers a lot, but does not want to set fruit. This is my first in 6 years.

Here are the ones I have not been able to get to fruit although they all flowered. I strongly suspect have more than one dragon in the pot is the cause but can't be sure.
Halley's Comet: Flowers enough, never set fruit in 6 years.
American Beauty: Flowers some, never set fruit in 6 years.

Weather, watering, flowering and fruiting: I keep my DF in my garage over winter due to freezing, I minimally water leaving them dry. In the spring I water a fair amount keeping the soil constantly moist (but not soaked!). This induces a lot of flowering. If I keep them dryer through the summer they will not flower, flower less, or flower and not set fruit. They need moist soil to flower

Sun: We have brutally hot sun here and I thought it was causing yellowing in S8, Dark Star, Yellow, Viet Giant. So I used shade cloth this summer. It was not the sun, it was the heat. We were 100 degrees all summer reaching as high as 110 for a day or two. This caused the yellowing, the shade cloth did not help. Once it cooled they greened back up. I find that 100 degrees is not great for optimum flowering and fruit set. I got fruit in the spring and fall as temps lowered, nothing set in the summer heat. 90's they will set fruit in, gets to 100 and they stop setting but may flower. You let them dry out they won't fruit for sure but will survive happily.

Mentioned the potting issue above. I believe crowding is keeping the Hally's Comet and American Beauty from flowering. Pollination is not an issue, I have pollen frozen and know the genetics, do it by hand for all of them. These two would not fruit. The others seem to fruit less in a crowded pot, but will still fruit. So I can have 3 dragons in one pot and get say 3 fruit, maybe one from each. Quite likely if I had each in their own pot I would get 3 fruit from one vine each. I know, re-pot. That hasn't been my strategy, I wanted to taste them first, then cull. Halley's Comet and American Beauty have been culled. Waiting on Dark Star taste to decide on that one, though that one is less crowded, but has been hard to get to set. If it tastes meh I will cull it, really good, keep it. Physical Grafitti I am going to cull since it is just a less sweet Purple Haze (they came from the same cross). Purple Haze flowers more, tastes better. Valdivia Roja flowers well but does not set well BUT it is very good in 100 degrees, but a slow slow grower. Keeping for now, see if I can get a sweeter fruit, it is good, not great. Sin Espinas, keeping for now, see if I can get sweeter, if not, going to cull it. Some do better in 100 degrees than others. Some that can take the heat: Valdivia Rojas, Sin Espinas, Lisa, and a little less is purple haze. Things that yellow in 100 degree heat (but do not die, they green back up in the fall): Yellow, Physical Graffiti, Viet Giant, Dark Star, Halley's Comet. These plant grow ideally at 85 degrees, can handle 95 degrees, doesn't like 100+. But note there are differences as noted. But even ones that don't yellow in 100 degrees don't seem to want to set fruit for me. Here in Texas they do best in the spring and late sumer/fall when the temps are more like....85 degrees.

I strongly recommend any new Dragon Fruiters look up the genetics and growing properties done by I think U. of Cal. Genetics indicate a lot of what people are selling are the same thing under different names, or very closely related. If starting get stuff that has good ratings and is more distantly related. A lot of things they used to think were self fertile were not, like Purple Haze, Physical Grafitti and others. Recent research as proven otherwise. And genetics again folks, if you are buying the same self infertile plant that has just been given different names, you are not going to get fruit, because it is the same plant. Closely related plants like Purple Haze, Physical Grafitti, Delight, and Halley's Comet are very closely related and may not cross pollinate (don't in my experience).  American Beauty and Bien Hoa Red, same plant different names. S8/Sugar Dragon/ Voodoo Child likely the same plant, although some claim slight differences in SD/VC, but probably not based on their history. Lisa, Rosa, Oregona, and Cebra are closely related, unclear if they will cross. Bien Hoa White, Viet Giant, Seoul Kitichen and Mexicana, all closely related. Yellow (Selenocereus) and Columbiana, same plant. Valivia Rojas and El Grullo, closely related. Given the genetic grouping if you want to maximize your chances of cross pollination, keep in mind these groupings. These closely related ones may cross pollinate, but then again may not.

Note this is my growing experience in Texas DFW area. That is why I am posting this. If you live in N. Cal or Fl. your growing experience may differ due to lower temps etc. The ones that are sweet for me here are not guaranteed to be sweet in N. Cal with milder temps (but chances are they will be similar). Also note this is all in pots, too cold for in the ground here, so in ground growth quite likely results in more fruit setting due to root space. Hope all this helps.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on November 01, 2022, 07:50:51 AM
Wow what an awesome report! Thanks for that! I really hope my halleys comment in the ground will give some fruit. It's the most vigorous cultivar I have planted among the 6 in ground posts. Turns out my Vietnamese white was a deep red inside lol.
I just got a few pink panther cuttings and they have rooted. Will be making my new style post in a plastic whiskey barrel from a Big box store for those as well..
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKPzLCK9/20221023-184721.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKPzLCK9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/VrQCP9Zh/20221023-184759.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrQCP9Zh)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Pneuma on February 24, 2023, 01:02:54 PM
Love the post in this thread thanks for sharing your experiences.
I am on year 2 with my dragons I got my 1st 2 from a plant friend she older and just calls them Red and White variety they were a gift these 2 stay outside and so far have been getting though 2 winters with little damage.  I put these in a 25 gal pot with cedar for support and started learning some more.
I took a trip down to SoCal to see some family and friends one of my buddies who is really into plants had a Physically graffiti going in his back yard for 6-7 years in the ground  I was in awe was perfect timing he had fruit in the fridge ready to eat and some flowers in bloom even before I tasted it I knew I had to try and grow these.  I then tried it and its hard to put into words how inspired I was after trying( I had dreams about it haha) once I got home I ordered from CalPoly Condor, AX, physically graffiti and San Ignacio.  I put 4 small plants of each in 25gal pots with cedar supports.  I would have made the support shorter 4ft are under just for ease of working on and moving next time.  I keep mine on pallets so I can move in and out of my garage during winter months.  I used a organic Peat/coco blend with lots of lava rock for drainage so far so good.  Ill be feeding compost teas and Organics Alive supplements for nutrient's come spring.   

Red and White no names outside year around so far.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Thc0DTWh/IMG-5514.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Thc0DTWh)

Condor, AX, Phy Graffiti, San Ignacio
(https://i.postimg.cc/8FFXRxg9/IMG-5513.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8FFXRxg9)

much love and respect to you all
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on May 30, 2023, 01:09:33 PM
I was excited to see a lot of blooms early this year....then May gray hit hard here in San Diego. Very cool weather for the past couple of weeks. About 30% of the blooms are dying because the lack of heat/sun. For anyone that is within 10 miles of the coast in Socal, are you experiencing the same?
(https://i.postimg.cc/rdkjCCN2/PXL-20230530-170526893-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdkjCCN2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sMSKh0SJ/PXL-20230530-170544159-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMSKh0SJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rKDf8pw3/PXL-20230530-170559627-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKDf8pw3)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on May 30, 2023, 03:13:06 PM
Just seeing this post bumped to the top and figured I would update on the growth of the new containerized D.F. trellis I had made 6 or so months ago. It's easy to say they will fill out faster than the ones in ground, much much faster. The blue pot I wanted to make look like arc of the covenant, Indiana Jones style 😆.
Also, the in-ground posta, I finally have 2 fruit set and swelling on the haleys comet without hand pollinating. Now 4/6 in ground trellises are flowering! 🎆 🎇 good luck out there and happy growing.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtxt6D4j/20230530-150320.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtxt6D4j)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bD9zL2VB/20230530-150255.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bD9zL2VB)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SDPirate on May 30, 2023, 07:31:59 PM
I was excited to see a lot of blooms early this year....then May gray hit hard here in San Diego. Very cool weather for the past couple of weeks. About 30% of the blooms are dying because the lack of heat/sun. For anyone that is within 10 miles of the coast in Socal, are you experiencing the same?
(https://i.postimg.cc/rdkjCCN2/PXL-20230530-170526893-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdkjCCN2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sMSKh0SJ/PXL-20230530-170544159-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMSKh0SJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rKDf8pw3/PXL-20230530-170559627-PORTRAIT.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKDf8pw3)

Yes I'm up on the coast, same area.  My largest set out a 1st bud ever but aborted probably because of the cool grey weather all month.  I see a couple more buds popping up so I am hoping the sun gets out enough to make those hold.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on May 30, 2023, 08:56:45 PM
I dosed all my plants with chicken manure and then a bunch of vigoro slow release and they are blasting off like crazy and have just one lone flower bud. It's ok, I really need to rebuild my canopy after losing around 30% of it to snow this winter. I will hit them hard with strong flowering nutrient after they put on some weight again.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on May 31, 2023, 01:23:35 AM
Yes I'm up on the coast, same area.  My largest set out a 1st bud ever but aborted probably because of the cool grey weather all month.  I see a couple more buds popping up so I am hoping the sun gets out enough to make those hold.
Thanks. Yeah, we usually get afternoon sun this time of year but it was still 65 and cloudy all day today! I'll need to add some more fertilizer once it heats up again.
I dosed all my plants with chicken manure and then a bunch of vigoro slow release and they are blasting off like crazy and have just one lone flower bud. It's ok, I really need to rebuild my canopy after losing around 30% of it to snow this winter. I will hit them hard with strong flowering nutrient after they put on some weight again.

I really should have added more manure this year after the large hack they took last year, essentially killing about 40% of the vines. Instead, I doubled up on Dr. Earth Bud and bloom since it contains a bit of nitrogen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on May 31, 2023, 09:36:24 AM
Quote
Instead, I doubled up on Dr. Earth Bud and bloom since it contains a bit of nitrogen.

I kind of go wacko with fertilizer for DF as they're pretty much impossible to burn. Last year there was so much slow release in some pots you couldn't see soil anymore. The chicken manure seems to do really positive things overall so I start the season with that and then move onto synthetics. Once it's warm, I'll switch to KoolBloom which is 2-45-28 and I'll use about 1tbsp per gallon and water that in from watering cans. There's not much point in throwing P at them till it's consistently hot, but they seem to grow vegetatively nicely when cooler and have lots of food.

Quote
essentially killing about 40% of the vines


Was this due to our cold and rainy winter? Or you just hacked them back for space / weight concerns?

I have a Cosmic Charlie that must be nearing 1000lb on the trellis and I know it's going to break it one day.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on May 31, 2023, 01:59:36 PM
Quote
Instead, I doubled up on Dr. Earth Bud and bloom since it contains a bit of nitrogen.

I kind of go wacko with fertilizer for DF as they're pretty much impossible to burn. Last year there was so much slow release in some pots you couldn't see soil anymore. The chicken manure seems to do really positive things overall so I start the season with that and then move onto synthetics. Once it's warm, I'll switch to KoolBloom which is 2-45-28 and I'll use about 1tbsp per gallon and water that in from watering cans. There's not much point in throwing P at them till it's consistently hot, but they seem to grow vegetatively nicely when cooler and have lots of food.

Quote
essentially killing about 40% of the vines


Was this due to our cold and rainy winter? Or you just hacked them back for space / weight concerns?

I have a Cosmic Charlie that must be nearing 1000lb on the trellis and I know it's going to break it one day.
Yes, my pattern is similar. I still have a bunch of hydro nutes I use starting around July.

Plants were destroyed last year after my neighbor used a tree trimming company to tidy up his palm trees. Bunch of massive seed pods fell all over them. Funny thing is, he had to cut them down a few months later because the palm trees were infested with beetles. Of course, the tree company told him after they trimmed the trees.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on June 10, 2023, 12:36:21 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9zRH0pC/DC253-AAF-79-EF-4439-BBC3-8-BF6-A52-B285-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9zRH0pC)

Had to reinforce this stand. It was about to collapse!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on June 11, 2023, 10:03:56 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9zRH0pC/DC253-AAF-79-EF-4439-BBC3-8-BF6-A52-B285-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9zRH0pC)

Had to reinforce this stand. It was about to collapse!
That's a beast of a pitaya k-rimes! Hope you get rewarded heavily this season.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: kDub2020 on June 13, 2023, 03:52:37 PM
I am new to growing dragon fruit and the forum.  I grew a plant from seed last year - so this is year two.  Three or four months ago I went from a one gallon pot to a long term home and my plant seemed to love the change and grew faster than expected.  He is 6” from the top so I need to build the trellis so he can hang down.  The challenge is the base of the plant is still very small and the top of the plant is thicker but not like ones I have seen on-line.  Once it drops upside down will it keep grown this fast?

Also, should I cut off the second growth to give the main plant more energy?


(https://i.postimg.cc/4Hc4PLyd/IMG-2741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4Hc4PLyd)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vcRZTs26/IMG-2742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcRZTs26)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on June 14, 2023, 02:00:23 PM
I am new to growing dragon fruit and the forum.  I grew a plant from seed last year - so this is year two.  Three or four months ago I went from a one gallon pot to a long term home and my plant seemed to love the change and grew faster than expected.  He is 6” from the top so I need to build the trellis so he can hang down.  The challenge is the base of the plant is still very small and the top of the plant is thicker but not like ones I have seen on-line.  Once it drops upside down will it keep grown this fast?

Also, should I cut off the second growth to give the main plant more energy?


(https://i.postimg.cc/4Hc4PLyd/IMG-2741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4Hc4PLyd)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vcRZTs26/IMG-2742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcRZTs26)
First thing i would do is rotate/turn the pot 90 degrees clockwise so your stem is fully facing the window. Skinny stems on my plants tend to be caused by a lack of sunlight, which your plant seems to be finally compensating for in the thickening new growth. I know it makes it less fun to look at, but think of it as any other young life; until its ready to be out in the world, you have to give it what it needs, not what you want it to have. As for that second stem, I'd personally leave it for now. Its not taking up enough energy to really bother the main stem, and if something goes wrong, until its size becomes a real issue, you have a backup. Also, if it matures enough, you can use that as a cutting to create a second plant in the future.
Btw, the skinny part of the plant will probably always remain "skinny", meaning that the fleshy green pulp around the interior branch will probably not plump out to size to match the rest of the stalk. But, thats not really important. The core inside the stem is the important part, and it grows and expands independent of the flesh surrounding it. I have some older plants that have trunk stems as big around as soda cans, with no flesh left at all, just woody core, and some that started as normal looking plant material and still look the same 6 years later. As long as its disease free and green, you have little to worry about.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on June 15, 2023, 07:18:22 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/Z0bbCvjQ/20230614-133110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z0bbCvjQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Vd5zFyxB/20230614-150931.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Vd5zFyxB)
Our first fruits from Haleys comet! I didn't know what to expect but it was a real nice flavored fruit. I think it tasted like a sweet sweet strawberry but better texture and flavor. That definitely made it harder to have a favorite fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Fygee on June 15, 2023, 05:10:52 PM
Any folks here with experience growing these in a desert climate?

I know that it can be done here in Vegas and AZ as there are some growers that have had proven success, but I personally haven't put much in the way of effort to try yet.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 20, 2023, 01:43:21 PM
My season is just getting started here, and it's off with a bang. Never seen any of my DF perform like that Asunta is with a bud on every node, a shame the fruit is not that great... But it'll be pretty with the purple flowers.

Cosmic charlie, Purple Haze, and Dark Star are also all firing up.

This year is my first year with bees on the property and I don't really know how I will manage to pollinate with them "robbing" the pollen. My concern is that they'll be fully loaded off one flower and not cross-pollinate the self sterile varieties.

(https://i.postimg.cc/686ZjRpf/435-C0-F37-E9-E3-433-A-ABD1-3-B52-B8-FE9-F1-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/686ZjRpf)

(https://i.postimg.cc/1gfqPQ6g/459-EAE88-3291-4160-A6-F4-EF60152011-FB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gfqPQ6g)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QFSQhmyz/5-AB56-E4-E-8-AFF-4-F75-98-E4-6-D50-EAB9-EF83.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFSQhmyz)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DSCXtZWk/AA94-F1-CF-DF6-B-48-C3-8086-275-BAC8-CBAF9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSCXtZWk)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 20, 2023, 02:19:00 PM
Kevin don't say that about Atsuna, my plant has lots of flower starting now as well. I have never tasted a fruit yet, but I was hoping it tasted good. I have the Atsuna 3, is that what you tasted?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 20, 2023, 02:25:16 PM
Kevin don't say that about Atsuna, my plant has lots of flower starting now as well. I have never tasted a fruit yet, but I was hoping it tasted good. I have the Atsuna 3, is that what you tasted?

I am not sure which Asunta # I have, it's either 2 or 3 though. The purple flower varieties I have are not that great. I have tried fruit from AX (ass), and Asunta so far.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on July 20, 2023, 04:12:13 PM
My season is just getting started here, and it's off with a bang. Never seen any of my DF perform like that Asunta is with a bud on every node, a shame the fruit is not that great... But it'll be pretty with the purple flowers.

Cosmic charlie, Purple Haze, and Dark Star are also all firing up.

This year is my first year with bees on the property and I don't really know how I will manage to pollinate with them "robbing" the pollen. My concern is that they'll be fully loaded off one flower and not cross-pollinate the self sterile varieties.

(https://i.postimg.cc/686ZjRpf/435-C0-F37-E9-E3-433-A-ABD1-3-B52-B8-FE9-F1-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/686ZjRpf)

(https://i.postimg.cc/1gfqPQ6g/459-EAE88-3291-4160-A6-F4-EF60152011-FB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gfqPQ6g)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QFSQhmyz/5-AB56-E4-E-8-AFF-4-F75-98-E4-6-D50-EAB9-EF83.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFSQhmyz)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DSCXtZWk/AA94-F1-CF-DF6-B-48-C3-8086-275-BAC8-CBAF9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSCXtZWk)

Looking great. In regards to the cross pollination, you could lightly tie the tip of a few flowers with a rubber band so the bees can't get to the pollen. I used to use my daughter's hair bands to do this. At night, I would take it off and save some pollen...usually from the S8. Now I let nature take its course. Black star and purple Haze have taken a hit with fruit set. I'll likely just graft everything over to S8 since fruit set is so consistent and I'm lazy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 20, 2023, 04:19:23 PM
Quote
I'll likely just graft everything over to S8 since fruit set is so consistent and I'm lazy

The more I work with dragonfruit, the more I think this is the only way to go about it. I'm several years in to DF and S8 is just way too easy. I love all the types, but despise staying up late and hand pollinating.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on July 20, 2023, 04:59:01 PM
When I got this cutting the guy said it was Susan red. I didn't do research on the cultivar for some time and now can not find any info about it. It's got 16 fruits on there and about to flower again. It set a fruit last year on its own but I go ahead and hand cross pollinate them. It only takes 5 minutes to go do the deed.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cvQ3nHC7/20230615-064030.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cvQ3nHC7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/HrG5n5Ys/20230719-084256.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HrG5n5Ys)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on July 27, 2023, 03:56:54 PM
Collecting and storing pollen is the way to go if you need to cross pollinate. You can make yourself some simple tools for pollen collection or go full on crazy person like i did a few years back.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jwwHxFZY/Df-tools.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jwwHxFZY)
The simplest collection tool Ive seen people use is a one liter bottle, cut at a 45degree angle in the middle of the body, to mimic the ice/dry bean scoop shown in the picture. You can just insert it into the flower, give it a few taps, and the pollen will settle inside the scoop. Then, just deposit it on something like a coffee filter, pick out any impurities or creepy crawlies, and let it sit in a warm (not hot) dry place for a few hours. then you can deposit it into a sealable container for use or storage. If youre going to store it, after drying, keep it in the freezer in as small of a container as you can track down, so theres as little residual moist air in the container as you can manage. With as good prep, ive been able to keep viable pollen for months at a time (S8 still works best for me). BTW, if you have access to them, the small perfume sample bottles work well for this, once cleaned. Otherwise, if youre going to buy online, Id recommend the small bottles they sell for storing essential oils, with the cork caps. I think they are still inexpensive for a small lot.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 28, 2023, 02:10:26 AM
What time of day, or when can you tell it is good to take the pollen. I haven't had much luck trying to hand pollinate the Astuna3.

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on July 28, 2023, 11:43:13 AM
What time of day, or when can you tell it is good to take the pollen. I haven't had much luck trying to hand pollinate the Astuna3.

I take pollen as soon as the flower is open enough to get a bowl in there and have it drop out. That's from around 9-11pm depending on the ambient temps. I just tap the flower with a dark brown cereal bowl underneath (easier to see). If you have bees in your neighborhood, they may take ALL the pollen, so some people resort to elastic band on the flower to prevent them from getting in. I may have to find some big organza bags or something, we'll see. I have so many flowers this year that I hope the bees will do the cross-pollinating themselves.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on July 28, 2023, 01:33:22 PM
What time of day, or when can you tell it is good to take the pollen. I haven't had much luck trying to hand pollinate the Astuna3.

Kaz do you have a 2nd type to cross it with?  You should get pollen right before the sun sets and flower is opening. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on July 28, 2023, 03:12:06 PM
What time of day, or when can you tell it is good to take the pollen. I haven't had much luck trying to hand-pollinate the Astuna3.

I open the flowers with my hands at about 8 PM (these days; as a rule, when there is like one hour and a half of light still), wait for about 20 minutes for the pollen to be ready (if you collect it just after opening the flower you get less quantity), collect the pollen with the bottle and proceed to pollinate. The pollen I don't use goes to an airtight plastic box with bags of silica gel, and 24 hours later to zip bags 4x6 cm (with cv and date annotated) and to the freezer.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on July 28, 2023, 03:42:54 PM
ok, good info. Kevin, I will put an organza bag on the flowers since it looks like it may open any day on some.

Brad, yes, this year I have the yellow DF from you that is starting to have 3 flowers, the Atsuna3 has 5 large flowers ready to open any day now. The yellow flowers looks to be another week before they will open. I don't have any other DF with flowers right now. I have one large DF with red flesh growing along my entire back block wall, but it doesn't have any flowers, I wonder what is wrong with it. Do I need to fertilize it? My citrus and loquat trees in the same area are growing great.

I will need to buy only self pollinating DF in the future, or give up on them.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RobPatterson on August 01, 2023, 12:34:20 AM
If you live in Fullerton, you might want to put the word out here and see if you can get someone in the area to 'private message' you here on the board who also has flowering dragons. I know there are alot of people in So Cal who grow these as a hobby, so odds are high that someone will reach out to you. I used to give out pollen like a dealer back in the day, but most of the folks I used to help out got pollinators of their own over time.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 01, 2023, 12:40:38 AM
ok, good info. Kevin, I will put an organza bag on the flowers since it looks like it may open any day on some.

Brad, yes, this year I have the yellow DF from you that is starting to have 3 flowers, the Atsuna3 has 5 large flowers ready to open any day now. The yellow flowers looks to be another week before they will open. I don't have any other DF with flowers right now. I have one large DF with red flesh growing along my entire back block wall, but it doesn't have any flowers, I wonder what is wrong with it. Do I need to fertilize it? My citrus and loquat trees in the same area are growing great.

I will need to buy only self pollinating DF in the future, or give up on them.

You should grow S8, it's the best.  I ripped out all my other plants. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 01, 2023, 12:48:04 AM
Yes, I think I should switch to the S8.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: nullzero on August 01, 2023, 02:42:54 AM
S8 has a great flavor, good production, and is self fertile. I am really enjoying the desert king seedling I have.

I like how it holds fruit from November to March and has good production and flavor. The only thing I dislike it's longer stem sections and has longer spines then average.

I have Asunta 3 flowering now. Luckily I saved pollen from a superior fruiting epiphyllum about 7 weeks ago which I pollinated with last night.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on August 01, 2023, 03:21:07 PM
Yep, already have ripe fruit from S8, and they are on their 3rd bloom flush. Most other varieties are just starting to ripen with a second flush. Grafting them all over in the fall. Maybe I'll call a couple of them "Neon".
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 01, 2023, 06:02:20 PM
While I enjoy all the nuances of each different cultivar, it is a pain in the ass managing them all and the production of every single one is not even close to as good as my extremely neglected S8. If / when I do up a new orchard or move, it will ALL be S8.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 04, 2023, 12:29:55 AM
Update, Brad, the yellow DF cutting I got from you is having flowers for the first time now. I had 2 flowers with lots of pollen so I'm collecting that to use for the Asunta3 later this week.

The yellow DF flowers were pollinated and I'm pretty sure these should set fruit for the first time. Does it take about 7-10 days before I will know if the flower falls off and there is fruit or not?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2023, 01:01:17 AM
Hello Kaz, yes you can tell if the flower pollinate in a week or 2.  If you are able to pollinate asunta 3 with the yellow skin one, that would be a good candidate for growing out the seeds and getting a new variety.

Do you remember what the yellow skin one is called?  Its a palora type ?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 04, 2023, 03:33:50 AM
Brad,

Ok, sounds good. If I get fruits, I will save the seeds from Asunta3. I think it was your Palora, I will need to research my old messages since I didn't label the yellow cutting from you.

If I take a photo of the yellow DF flower when its open, will that help you identify if it is a Palora type?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 04, 2023, 03:38:53 AM
Brad, I got the cutting from you on July 31, 2019. You said it was a Palora seedling cutting when you sold it.

Did you ever get any fruits on your Palora seedling yet?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2023, 10:45:46 AM
Kaz, I got palora fruits yes.  I did remove the plants though because the fruit take forever to get ripe and the vines did not like the dry heat here.  No matter how much water I gave them, they got dried out in summer and then cold damage in winter.  Your area maybe has more mild weather and is not as exposed. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 04, 2023, 11:46:38 AM
Ok, good to know. I hope the fruit ripens here. I have both Asunta3 and Palora seedling in the same pot and I can see the difference in their growth. The Asunta3 grows very strong, looks healthy and more branching. The yellow Palora seedling plant does look like it doesn't like something, not growing as fast as the Asunta3, but it gives a lot of pollen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2023, 12:56:58 PM
The palora plants are just a more tropical species.  Needs lots of humidity and heat.  The fruit ripen, they just take like 6 months to get ripe. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Nick C on August 07, 2023, 02:11:35 PM
Is it just me or is the “stem” on this fruit abnormally long?


(https://i.postimg.cc/PCbLqYr3/IMG-8995.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCbLqYr3)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 07, 2023, 02:16:00 PM
Is it just me or is the “stem” on this fruit abnormally long?


(https://i.postimg.cc/PCbLqYr3/IMG-8995.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCbLqYr3)

Fairly common, it's when it starts as a paddle / veg growth then decides it's flower time. Looks funny though! They also go the other way, where it's turning into a flower and SIKE it's then a paddle.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 08, 2023, 11:43:23 AM


(https://i.postimg.cc/sGKFV3q6/64-F2-F2-E5-EC07-4-CE6-A448-E4-A0-A724-C0-E7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sGKFV3q6)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PvdssC3v/CCEB5-A8-E-6400-48-B3-9644-A4-BF9093-A834.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PvdssC3v)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vgrFNrzd/E6832-BF7-872-F-42-FA-852-A-38-FEA7-ADAF12.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgrFNrzd)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Plantinyum on August 11, 2023, 11:55:57 AM
I can finally join the dragon fruit flower bud club haha, my two lazies surprised me with several flower buds a week or so ago. One has just 1 flower bud, the other one has 4. I was giving them several kinds of fertilizers prior to this, but there was nothing up until i gave them the trio of advanced hydroponics of holland. At least i believe it was this fertiliser that kicked them into flower, could be a coinsidence thought a suspicious one. Yesterday i dosed them with Guanokalong bat boost, will give them again advanced hydroponics in a few days.
I am also currently removing every vegetative growth , but i will try to let them develop more before i remove them, as i saw the upper post with the vegetative bud changing course halway. Cant let them produce any more vegetative growth for now, they are just too thick right now.
Also i dont know what varieties they are, was hoping for them to be different ones, and i think they are, the buds on them are different, one has more of a sharp scales, the other one has them very rounded.

The sharp scailed one. Only one bud, such a stingy dragon
(https://i.postimg.cc/qzr5n6nK/20230811-183735.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzr5n6nK)

(https://i.postimg.cc/8fRX9T8s/20230811-183742.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8fRX9T8s)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ThgspJyG/20230811-183746.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThgspJyG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/1nNj0pJG/20230811-183805.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nNj0pJG)

The other one, has 4 at the moment.

(https://i.postimg.cc/7fVwTkCx/20230811-183659.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fVwTkCx)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TpGTww37/20230811-183706.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TpGTww37)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vD5Qb9bx/20230811-183718.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vD5Qb9bx)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vxwb58Lm/20230811-183728.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxwb58Lm)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: drymifolia on August 13, 2023, 01:08:57 PM
Does anyone know what cultivar this is?

(https://i.postimg.cc/BtKP3vF6/PXL-20230813-165732978.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BtKP3vF6)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on August 20, 2023, 05:58:49 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/qhcRYQC5/48854-ED6-3-CCF-4837-81-D9-9578-F848-DAAA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qhcRYQC5)
Asunta(#?) seems to set fruit really easily

(https://i.postimg.cc/9DzDMGvD/4-D40-AFBB-2646-4-A0-F-A2-EC-588-CA0-BE9-CA4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9DzDMGvD)
Cosmic Charlie, my biggest plant

(https://i.postimg.cc/BPq6GDTQ/5-CE565-C3-D8-B9-46-DF-A032-467040816-A7-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BPq6GDTQ)
Ok, this is kind of weird. I had a baby cerrado which died from the roots up and I ended up potting up the chopped up upper body, well, I guess it was ready to flower.

(https://i.postimg.cc/1n1XJb4F/837-FFCF1-E3-F1-45-AC-9-B97-626-B64135-DF5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1n1XJb4F)
Purple Haze fruit set

(https://i.postimg.cc/qg0gnfPV/FD27-A584-BB98-4-C13-AC8-E-52-EFAC772160.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qg0gnfPV)
From Right to Left: Dark Star, Purple Haze, no ID Purple, AX, Cosmic Charlie, Asunta(?)/Baby Cerrado.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on August 20, 2023, 06:04:47 PM
Kevin, nice you got fruits forming on your FDs.

I got my first fruits starting now on the Asunta3 and seedling Palora (from Brad) after I had pollinated both with the Palora pollen. The Asunta3 flowers that I self pollinated did not have enough pollen (none) so those flowers dried up and died. But the last Asunta3 flower bloomed just when the yellow Palora flowers opened so I used the pollen from that and it worked. I got one Asunta3 fruit forming and two Palora fruits.

Brad, so it looks like I was able to cross your Palora seedling with the Asunta3. I will keep the seeds and plant them out later.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on September 24, 2023, 07:06:16 AM
Hi guys! Finally it happened, I saw a bud on the dragonfruit variety Bruni! This is also possible in Russia!
(https://i.postimg.cc/p9vVHKhD/L6-A3-UWG7-D-I.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p9vVHKhD)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on September 24, 2023, 09:51:15 AM
Congratulations, looks like you may get a fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ScottR on September 24, 2023, 11:26:47 AM
Kevin, in the previous post of pictures the purple flower var. was that Asunta? All your D.F. varieties have turned into a nice hedge 8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SDPirate on September 24, 2023, 02:34:10 PM
My Honduran Moon Torch(S. Hondurensis) is about to flower.  Really strange because I rooted back in January I think.  Seems more dwarfish than the other DF types and clearly can flower a lot quicker.  A little bit strange that it is late in the season too but whatever.  The flowers are actually heavy enough that it made the main stem keel over.


(https://i.postimg.cc/xNf5RWhX/20230923-152521.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xNf5RWhX)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on September 24, 2023, 07:26:49 PM
Kevin, in the previous post of pictures the purple flower var. was that Asunta? All your D.F. varieties have turned into a nice hedge 8)

I have both Asunta and AX but Asunta is the one in the photos. I can't recall which Asunta I have, I *think* it's Asunta 3. My DF sure have put on a lot of weight this year. I'll probably have to reinforce most of my stands next year.

In other news, I have a baby cerrado set for the first time! Looking forward to trying this spiny one.


(https://i.postimg.cc/PCW414Cs/FDD2781-B-99-DD-46-C6-B6-FD-56-B40-BED01-A4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCW414Cs)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on September 28, 2023, 04:33:13 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/k6mpWS3y/DC84-AC19-3858-4933-9-E9-A-90-ADE82887-CB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k6mpWS3y)

My season is here starting off with a good size Cosmic Charlie.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: ScottR on September 28, 2023, 06:11:29 PM
I'm assuming the baby cerrado is a yellow type? They are sooooo sweet 8)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on September 28, 2023, 07:01:40 PM
I'm assuming the baby cerrado is a yellow type? They are sooooo sweet 8)

Spiny dark red flesh outside, white inside. Not sure about flavor. We'll see. I don't expect fantastic, but it looks cool.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on October 01, 2023, 05:00:52 PM
I want to thank a forum member on here for advising to grow dragon fruits in tall strong reinforced tomato cages. My unknown yellow skinned variety has flowered the first time in 4 years. (2nd full year in tomato cage). Very excited to try FRESH dragonfruit
(https://i.postimg.cc/crJMQQYn/IMG-4260.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/crJMQQYn)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nXj4Wp3V/IMG-4269.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nXj4Wp3V)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 01, 2023, 11:43:05 PM
Tortuga, congratulations, nice flowers on the yellow DF. Make sure you hand pollinate the flowers just in case it needs it to set fruits. I hand pollinated my Palora and all the flowers (frist time) has set fruit and now just waiting for them to get larger and ripen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on October 02, 2023, 08:01:40 AM
That's exciting Tortuga. My seedling yellow has a fruit on it and another bloom about to open. Excited to try the fruit even though the first one is quite small compared to what it came from.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on October 02, 2023, 08:10:29 AM
Does anyone on here sell their fruits when the time arrives? I’d like to decipher which variety is my favorite and grow just one plant as it’s a pita to grow and protect here in Myrtle beach. I have 2 unknown varieties I’ve protected from hurricanes and freezes and pushed them in and out of the garage December thru March. Time to grow just one really good one
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on October 02, 2023, 09:58:11 AM
My pink panther just set some fruit for the first time and that pollen works on all the cultivars and is self fertile. I hand pollinate them anyway.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on October 02, 2023, 10:00:37 AM
Tortuga check out the for sale section. There's an add for shipping dragonfruit fruits from Cali. I don't see a list for cultivars though.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 02, 2023, 01:30:20 PM
Tortuga, yes, here's the dragon  fruit for sale. I purchased a mix box myself. I have purchased white sapote fruits from Brian before and they were very good tasting.

Here's the for sale post for a box of dragon fruits now. Brian is only selling/shiping today and tomorrow so you better get your order in now.

https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=52509.0
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 05, 2023, 08:03:10 PM
Here's my updated photos of the Asunta3 fruit (only 1) and the Palora seedling fruits (3) plants from Brad.

Anyone know how much longer I will need to wait before these fruits are ripe?

(https://i.postimg.cc/tg9fD0RX/Asunta3-pic2-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/d3dPp8bv/Asunta3-Palora-pic1-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/d3dPp8bv/Asunta3-Palora-pic1-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zDhsJFQY/Palora-pic1-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/x8VFkBZD/Palora-pic2-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PrhRdsZ1/Palora-pic4-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QddYWQft/Palora-pic6-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/s2tT8tsQ/Palora-pic10-10-5-23.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 05, 2023, 08:59:44 PM
Hey Kaz the asunta will be ready soon.  If it feels loose like a loose tooth it's ready.  Maybe already loose.  The pagodas will be a while.  Those take like 6+ months and need to turn yellow.  Those ones will be a while.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: SHV on October 05, 2023, 11:57:45 PM
Yeah, those Palora look like they don’t want to be picked.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on October 06, 2023, 12:13:09 AM
I dont know why it said pagoda, spell correct i guess. 
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 06, 2023, 01:32:45 AM
Ok, thanks Brad, I will keep an eye on the Asunta3 fruit.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RB on October 06, 2023, 03:24:29 PM
Sharing my NorCal dragonfruit update.  Most of my cuttings were from Brad 2-3 years ago.  I’m getting an amazing harvest this season.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7fvH5FJB/IMG-3226.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fvH5FJB)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qz8ky18p/IMG-3304.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qz8ky18p)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KkRGTF5W/IMG-3358.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkRGTF5W)

(https://i.postimg.cc/y3R7fPtX/IMG-3406.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/y3R7fPtX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRLYQGyS/IMG-3430.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRLYQGyS)

(https://i.postimg.cc/dkpqmXHV/IMG-3460.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkpqmXHV)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LhJ5YkCs/IMG-3622.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LhJ5YkCs)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 06, 2023, 05:35:14 PM
Ron, nice fruits. What variety is the yellow fruits?
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: RB on October 06, 2023, 06:20:47 PM
Isis yellow, white flesh with sweet lemonade flavor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: sc4001992 on October 08, 2023, 03:53:39 PM
I got my mixed box of DF fruits from Brian L. They looked nice, taste was good, but not as sweet as what I expected. Still better than any white flesh dragon fruit I had from the market.

There was one with red flesh (very dark blood red) that tasted pretty good, with a little berry flavor.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Forester on October 17, 2023, 01:03:17 AM
Bruni
(https://i.postimg.cc/JG39r705/Lo-T0-So-K9v3-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JG39r705)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on November 26, 2023, 01:47:20 PM
Guys are my yellow dragonfruits going to stall and not finish up? They flowered the first of October. Here in Myrtle beach the lows all month have been in the 40s. Any lower than 45 and I push them in the garage that stays 60.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4YkNMnBv/IMG-4470.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4YkNMnBv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7fTZmSMY/IMG-4471.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fTZmSMY)
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 26, 2023, 03:39:44 PM
Those still need many months to finish. 

Thats why i quit growing megalanthus.  Takes too long to ripen.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on November 26, 2023, 05:43:24 PM
Spaugh which varieties would you recommend for someone out of the growing zone? I just want fresh dragonfruit!
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: K-Rimes on November 26, 2023, 07:26:50 PM
Spaugh which varieties would you recommend for someone out of the growing zone? I just want fresh dragonfruit!


S8 is a very reliable performer, but it's later, and likes heat, but honestly Brad was right about this for years now. It's probably the only one worth having, the rest are novelty in comparison to how reliable s8 is, and how sweet the flavor is. S8 though is not that cold hardy, so don't leave it outdoors in SC too late.

This said, here is my experience with the varieties I do have.

I have really good luck with Asunta, it is the first to flower, it sets almost every single flower, and the fruit has crazy long hang time... It's just not that awesome of a cultivar, unfortunately. Flavor is meh. I think most all of the purple flowers are "just ok" on flavor.

Cosmic Charlie is good for me as well, reliable, but it's self-sterile. This is a serious drawback. I don't really bother collecting DF anymore, and the only reason I keep this one is that it's my biggest plant and is somehow more cold resistant, and more disease resistant than others.

Purple Haze is good flavor, decent productivity, self fertile, but super prone to rust.

Dark star is great flavor, but productivity is not great. It doesn't grow that well for some reason, maybe my roots have issues dunno.

If I had to pick another one for the list to collect, I would like American Beauty.

I used to be crazy about dragonfruit but have backed off. I will probably break down some of my stands next year and chuck the plants in the woods to die and then re-do them with all S8 (and concrete posts).
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 27, 2023, 01:00:19 AM
S8 is the best.  Just my opinion.  Cant beat it.  Theres one called pink panther thats really similar also does great.  I quit caring for my DF plants and just let them go and we only get fruit off s8.  Lots of fruit with zero effort.  And taste is best and the vines are hardy.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on November 27, 2023, 08:58:22 AM
Thank you both. I may grab a few cuttings of S8 and start growing it while deciding over the next year or two which adult dragonfruit needs to go
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on November 28, 2023, 01:08:14 PM
The good thing about megalanthus, at least here, is that it's ready in spring when the rest of them are still in vegetative mode. Flavor-wise, as with everything else, it depends on personal preference. megalanthus is my wife's favorite, it tastes like a big white grape. For me, a good CC or PG is hard to beat. S8 is very good too but this year some of them had like a dish soap aftertaste (also present and more marked in Pink Panther) which was kind of weird, don't know if it had to be with the fertilizing regime or what happened, previous years S8 was the best for most of us.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Timbogrow on November 28, 2023, 01:53:40 PM
I got a mislabeled American beauty from home depot and it turned out being a white flesh. The first fruit was about 1.5lbs and was really disappointed when I cut it open to a white flesh. 10seconds later the disappointment went away because it's packed with sweetness and complexity. Seems self-sterile though. Haleys comet was the sweetest and had the best berry like flavor out of all. Then cosmic charley with a sweet grap flavor. Then that mislabeled white flesh. Pink panther was real enjoyable also. Next year I should have several other cultivars to test including s8, which was large but for some reason didn't flower at all. In 2 years there will be about 30 or cultivars fruiting to evaluate.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: John B on November 30, 2023, 03:30:50 PM
The good thing about megalanthus, at least here, is that it's ready in spring when the rest of them are still in vegetative mode. Flavor-wise, as with everything else, it depends on personal preference. megalanthus is my wife's favorite, it tastes like a big white grape. For me, a good CC or PG is hard to beat. S8 is very good too but this year some of them had like a dish soap aftertaste (also present and more marked in Pink Panther) which was kind of weird, don't know if it had to be with the fertilizing regime or what happened, previous years S8 was the best for most of us.

Over the years, some of our S8 have developed what you call "dish soap aftertaste". I consider it a very floral taste. Maybe in the last 5 years I started taking mental notes on it. I have a perceived correlation to the flowers that were pollinated more. It was more pronounced in the ones when I used to pollinate by hand. But since I no longer do that, that taste has become more subtle. I actually really enjoy that flavor profile because it is unique. But on nice warm sunny days when there are tons of bees in the flowers, I think excess pollen really fertilizes the fruit and makes the flavor more pronounced. The fruit are typically larger as well.

That is just a hypothesis. Maybe this spring I'll try to label some and take pictures to see if there's a lot more seeds in the ones that have that flavor. I ruled out the length of time the fruit was on the vine but we'll see.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: spaugh on November 30, 2023, 05:01:59 PM
I would call it floral rather than dish soap flavor.  Some people percive cilantro as dish soap flavor also and find it bad.  It maybe the same kind of thing.  Some people just dont like that flavor.  For me, i think it makes the s8 taste good.  The only thing is there no acid in the S8.  Its floral and sweet but lqcking acid.
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Jose Spain on December 09, 2023, 05:49:05 AM
I would call it floral rather than dish soap flavor.  Some people percive cilantro as dish soap flavor also and find it bad.  It maybe the same kind of thing.  Some people just dont like that flavor.  For me, i think it makes the s8 taste good.  The only thing is there no acid in the S8.  Its floral and sweet but lqcking acid.

It's funny because I love cilantro flavour but I've been eating it since childhood, while most Spanish don't and often complain about that aftertaste I never noticed. Now I know how they feel, I started to notice it with PP, and just after it appeared also in S8 but never so strong as in PP. :P I'll try to convince my brain that is floral during next season  ;D
Title: Re: Dragon Fruit thread.
Post by: Tortuga on February 25, 2024, 02:34:22 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/8F4j3n2g/IMG-5088.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8F4j3n2g)


The wait is almost over! Dragonfruit is major slave labor on the east coast zone 8 with no greenhouse. Too much humidity and storms. I Lost a few branches and fruit during a December tornado but still got 3 for a tasting. I really really hope fresh picked DF blows store bought out of the water like some claim.