Dragon fruit, a great source of vitamins C and B, grows best in hot climates and needs very little water. It is hence the perfect fruit to cultivate in different regions of India. The best part is that you can cultivate this exotic fruit at home as well; in fact, many farmers around the nation are currently cultivating it.
Bengaluru native Indira Ashok Shah is an enthusiastic urban gardener who has two dragon fruit trees in her terrace garden. She explains to us how to grow the fruit in pots.
She said, "I am able to obtain close to 20 fruits each season from the two trees I nurture. Although planting the seeds is the best approach to grow dragon fruit in a pot, it can take the plant up to 4 to 5 years to develop. Consequently, getting a sapling from a nursery will also be a perfect option.
How to Grow Dragon Fruit in a Pot or Container?
Follow the steps given below;
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Get started by preparing the pot or drum that you'll be using to plant the sapling or sow the seeds. Red soil, cocopeat, compost, and sand should all be included in the potting mix.
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If you are utilizing a fruit cutting, you must wait four days for it to ripen in a shaded area before planting it. Before the cutting is placed in a pot, it must be completely dry.
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The cutting can be planted after it has dried. After adding the cutting, remember to water the soil.
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The container should then be positioned in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. For a dragon fruit to thrive, it needs a lot of sun.
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Water usage for this plant is minimal. The best test is to feel the soil's moisture content on the surface and water the plant when it feels dry. No matter what, avoid overwatering.
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As the plant grows, it will require support. To provide this support, you can add a stick and tie the plant to it.
The best thing about cultivating dragon fruit, according to Indira, is how low maintenance it is. The plant will thrive if you simply water when the top soil seems dry and add compost once every three months. Some dragon fruits self-pollinate, but others require nighttime pollination by moths and bats.
How to carry out Hand Pollination of Dragon Fruit?
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In most cases, the female flower is the one that has opened or bloomed the most, so look for it.
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Pollen from the female flower should be carefully sprinkled over the male (lesser-blooming or smaller) flowers.
Things to note
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The pot should have a diameter of 15 to 24 inches and a depth of 10 to 12 inches. A minimum of two or three drain holes must be present on the pots.
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For the dragon fruit, you can use plastic, clay, or even terracotta pots.
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While the ideal size is mentioned, using a bigger pot will only be beneficial as it will give the roots more space.
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Make an effort to ensure that your dragon fruit plant receives about 8 hours of good sunlight each day.
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The pests most likely to harm the plant are aphids and ants. You can apply an organic insecticide to solve this issue.
