Growing dragon fruit on the balcony yields fruit that is big, red and sweet

Dragon fruit is an epiphytic succulent plant, and its leaves, flowers and fruit all have ornamental value. Its flowers and fruit are fragrant and dazzlingly bright, making it an excellent ornamental flowering plant. In addition, dragon fruit is suitable both for growing in the ground and in containers, and the period for enjoying its flowers and fruit can last as long as 3~4 months. The fruit it produces is big, red and sweet, making it an excellent ornamental plant for courtyards and balconies.

When gardeners grow dragon fruit, they generally rely mainly on cuttings for propagation. Cuttings are best taken in spring and summer, and the cuttings should be selected from plump, well-grown stem sections about 15 cm long. After the wound has air-dried, insert them into a sand bed, and they can take root in about 15~30 days. When the roots are 3~4 cm long, they can be transplanted into a seedling bed.

Grafting can also be used. Gardeners can choose a local Hylocereus undatus dragon fruit that is free of pests and diseases, grows vigorously and has plump stem flesh as the rootstock, and carry out the grafting on a sunny day. Cut the dragon fruit stem section crosswise into pieces 3~4 cm long and let the wounds air-dry. Make a horizontal cut 10 cm above the base of the rootstock stem to form a flat surface, insert the scion, align the cambium layers, tie it firmly in place, and keep it indoors for care.

In addition, dragon fruit likes a warm environment with plenty of light and is relatively shade-tolerant; it likes water but is also relatively drought-tolerant. In summer, water once every 3~4 days to promote vigorous growth, flowering and fruiting. Drain promptly after rain.

After dragon fruit seedlings are planted out, they need watering once every 7~10 days and liquid fertilizer once every 10~15 days. Once the dragon fruit has grown its first plump, fleshy stem section, it can leave the nursery.

For container growing, it is best to use a nutrient soil that is both permeable and able to retain water and fertilizer. This nutrient soil is made by thoroughly and evenly mixing 6 parts coal cinder, 1 part organic fertilizer and 3 parts vegetable garden soil, then stacking it for 15~30 days to decompose before use.

Potted dragon fruit should be fertilized at the right time. To ensure vigorous growth, plenty of quick-acting organic liquid fertilizer must be applied. During the seedling stage, apply light fertilizer frequently, once every 7~10 days with an organic liquid fertilizer specially for fruits and vegetables, to promote thick, fleshy stems and robust growth. Later, apply 500x diluted fruit and vegetable nutrient solution per pot, once every 15~20 days.

With the care described above, a single dragon fruit plant will soon be covered with fruit, and every fruit will be big, red, fragrant and sweet.