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Dragon fruit peak , also called Pitaya [ pit - heart - ah ] , is an exotic yield cactus with colored leave , flowers , and fruits .
Pitaya typically refers to the fruit of a genus columnar – Stenocereus , which has a prominent outside with scaly spikes .
Photo Credit: Instagram @elnaranjobirdwatcher
The fruit cactus is a extremity of the cactus family and a native to various regions of Central America and South America . It ’s also widely cultivated in Colombia , Florida , Australia , Mexico , the Caribbean , Southeast Asia , Thailand , and tropical and subtropical part of the world .
Dragon fruit flowers have a few common names as follows :
Dragon Fruit Flower Care
Size and Growth
Dragon fruit flowers are a medium to fast - grow plant , an amazing feature film of a cactus . They turn an inch per twenty-four hours and produce fruit in an just locating .
To keep its balance , the plant take extra care and support from the kickoff .
The climbing cactus is one of the largest cactus in the world , deepen up to 20 ’ base tall .
The young dragon fruit plant bloom at night , showcasing its lovely fruit and peak .
The dragon plant brook tropical fruits resembling ( papaya tree , watermelon , prickly pear , and apteryx fruits ) for just about five months from other summertime to mid - fall .
Flowering and Fragrance
As stated above , Draco fruit cacti bloom during the Nox and are phone the night ’s nance .
The fragrant flowers open up at nightfall and stay abloom till midnight . Before inflorescence , the flower buds can grow up to 10″ column inch long .
Flowering begins in summer , usually at the first of June , shortly come after by the formation of fruits . It takes at least 13 days for the prime to form and 50 days for the fruits to become mature .
Under ideal conditions , the blossom exude a sweet , pleasant aroma of citrus fruit gusto and mouldy wood in later spring .
When it come to pollenation , some varieties are self - productive , but cross - cross-pollinate with other plant will raise better fruits .
Another option is to pass on pollinate from each stamen .
The fruit depending on variety will have white flesh or red physical body , and there d variety fruit has the sweetest taste . If you desire to grow white-livered fruit , opt for the yellow dragon cultivar .
miscellanea of Dragon Fruit
Light and Temperature
These pitaya plants enjoy full sun or fond shade for proper growth . So your tropic flora must get at least a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight day by day .
Too much nicety often lead to the death of the fruits as pest like fungi , bacteria , and insect consume them .
Red Dragon fruits also do n’t do well in cold conditions status . So make certain the temperature is above 40 ° degrees Fahrenheit at a lower limit .
The temperature should be between 65 ° to 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit for the best outcome . Mature works can handle high temperature .
The USDA hardiness geographical zone of the plant is 9 to 11 .
Watering and Feeding
Since the dragon fruit vine is a succulent , its water requirements are moderate to low .
irrigate the cactus when needed . However , do not allow the grease to dry out out .
Keep in mind – the soil should be moist , not boggy , as too much pee can take to base rot . Do n’t allow for the water to sit for long .
To grow Draco yield level-headed and happy , apply some balanced fertilizer once a month . This should be done during the grow time of year of the works .
In winter , avoid feed the plant until the end of the season .
Soil type and Transplanting
The flying dragon fruit flower grows well in all types of grease . However , the ground must be moist and well - drained and contain a tidy sum of constitutional matter .
Ideally , the cactus plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 to 7 . This plant also fly high in sandy soil but ensure it has adequate drain .
If either of the soil is not uncommitted , secure the soil is well - draining .
When transplantation , irrigate the soil a 24-hour interval before to make the earth for a still transfer .
cut into a new pickle 3 to 4 times as wide of the mark as a tooth root bollock .
irrigate the new hole toreduce transplant stupor .
Dig deep and hack the ancestor ball softly , making certain to disregard all the remaining root .
channel the plant to the newfangled hole . When transplant , make certain to keep the joints from bending .
If they get damage in the process , they wo n’t come through for long . Moreover , if mountain - uprise , ensure the container is at least 24″ inches wide of the mark and 10″ inches recondite .
Grooming and Maintenance
Even though the dragon yield cactus enjoys being in the sun , its overexposure may damage the yield .
Therefore , place the plant in a slightly sheltered spot in the scorching summer heat .
on a regular basis trim all in leaves to ensure the healthy development of the plant .
In summation , flying dragon fruit cacti are climbing plant that need support , so their aerial roots can decently climb and cling to structure like a climbing pole or treillage .
How to Propagate Pitaya Plants
extension of flying dragon fruit flowers is done from the black come and stem cuttings .
Growing dragon yield from source can take 7 year for fruit output . root cutting can develop fruit in 2 old age .
However , press cutting are a more pop method to circularise this cactus species .
Here ’s what you take to spread Dragon fruit cactus :
Pitaya Main Pests and Diseases
Dragon fruit trees are susceptible to sap - sucking insects like aphids andsucculent mealybugs .
Thrips and mites are also infamous for hindering the plant ’s growth .
flying dragon fruit works also hurt from stem turn rooting , sunburn bark , andanthracnose(a fungal disease ) .
Dragon Fruit Flower Uses
The exotic yet scrumptious yield of the dragon cactus has several health benefits .
The fruit help promote the immune system , care for tenderness diseases , and improve the digestive scheme .
The yield is packed with vitamin vitamin C , which helps keep the body organisation salubrious .
Apart from these wellness benefits , the splendid plant is also known for its ornamental United States .
The industrial plant appear strikingly beautiful in a yard with its silvery - green cactus and red or pinkish skin fruit .
Moreover , tartar fruit can also be used in fruit succus , jams , wine , and ice ointment .
