Dragon Fruit, also called "pitaya" or "pitahaya," is the vibrant and sweet fruit of cactus plants. It's relatively easy to grow, particularly for those in tropical or subtropical locations. It can also be container-grown in cooler climates - just move your Dragon Fruit inside in winter.

Location: A full sun location is best. When planting outside, expect the plant to go dormant while acclimating to its new environment. Dragon Fruit cactus enjoy a lot of light, so try to avoid shady areas. They also prefer a well draining soil - a sandy cactus potting mix (if container grown) works well. Avoid wet, soggy soils. If living in more temperate growing zones the dragon fruit can be potted and brought indoors, they adapt quite well.

Planting Instructions: Many succulents and cacti are fragile, and sections will snap off easily if not handled carefully. Carefully remove the plant from its pot by laying it on its side and lightly tapping the sides of the container. Gently slide the plant out of the pot.

Use a pair of garden shears or sharp knife to make slits down the sides of the root ball. This will encourage accelerated root growth into the new soil. Be sure not to cut too deeply into the main root system - the object is to only score or cut through the secondary (or feeder) roots.

Dragon Fruit is a climbing cactus and will require support to climb as it matures. A singular "climbing pole" will assist in giving the cactus structure and help it to reach its full potential without breaking off lower sections of growth - you can also plant your Dragon Fruit along a wall or fence. For potted dragon fruit, use a similar support pole or let your cactus vines trail over the edges of a container.

Plant in the ground or in a container using well drained, sandy soil, flush with the soil line. Mixing a small amount of slow, time-release fertilizer into the lower level of the soil before planting can help speed up the rate of growth.

FGT Tip: For a potted Dragon Fruit, allow enough room for root growth. A 10+ inch container will be good to start out.

Watering: Dragon Fruit cactus should be treated like a tropical cactus and watered when nearly dry. An automatic dripper at the top of the post works well. If your Dragon Fruit is container-planted, ensure your pot has excellent drainage, and avoid overwatering - your Dragon Fruit can die if its roots are allowed to sit in water.

Pruning: Be cautious when pruning - wear long sleeved shirts, gloves and pants. Prune off branches of the cactus that may be touching, growing over one another or touching the ground. You'll want clear areas around the main branches, so the large flowers that bloom at night have plenty of room to expand. This will also make the fruit easier to pick.

FGT Tip: Feel free to discard branches you remove, or you can attempt to root them to create new cactus plants!

Fertilizing: Fertilizer can be detrimental to a Dragon Fruit cactus, and too much can kill the plant. Fertilize sparingly with low-nitrogen, slow-release cactus fertilizer. For in-ground planting, broadcast a balanced granular fertilizer once a month. Dragon Fruit cactus are light feeders - however, if left unfertilized, they will grow very slowly and remain virtually dormant. For a rich, full look, feed them every other month, but take care not to over fertilize.

Harvesting: Your Dragon Fruit cactus should be ready to harvest 30 to 50 days after flowering. Fruit will change from a bright green to a red or pink color. A few spots on the outer skin is normal, but if it has a lot of dark splotches (similar to apple bruising) it may be over-ripe.

The "wings" can also indicate whether the fruit is ripe or not. The wings are the leafier parts that extend off of the fruit. They will start to turn slightly brown and dry out. This means they are ready to be picked. If the wings are still a colorful yellow or red color, the fruit is still not quite fully ripened.

Propagating: One of the best benefits of having your own Dragon Fruit? You can harvest the seeds from the fresh fruit and use them for more Dragon Fruit plants!

1) Scoop out a pulpy seeded portion of the ripened fruit and wash all of the pulp off of the seeds.
2) Fill some very well draining pots with a sterile, germinating potting medium. You can purchase the medium or make it yourself using equal parts of sand, peat moss, vermiculite or perlite. Sow the seeds over the surface of the medium evenly.
3) Just barely cover the seeds by sprinkling a light layer of germinating medium over them.
4) Gently (but thoroughly) mist the medium and seeds at the time of sowing and when the medium is dry to the touch before germination.
5) Cover the pot with a plastic lid or glass to help maintain a level of high humidity around the seeds and cut back on the need to constantly mist. You can also enclose the pot in a plastic bag to assist with the humidity.
6) Place the seeded container in a place that receives bright but indirect light. Try to keep the temperature between 65 to 70 degrees for the best results. The seeds should germinate within 14 to 28 days and this is when you will remove the glass or plastic covering the pot and allow the surface to dry out a little between waterings.