Have you seen people on TikTok eating those mouth-watering dragon fruits and were wondering what it takes to grow your own?
How Often to Water Dragon Fruit?
Even if dragon fruit trees are cacti, they do require a fair share of water. You need to water them whenever the topsoil is dry to the touch, usually by adding 1 inch of water every week. Also, consider the amount of rainfall in your area to avoid overwatering the plant.
How to Tell if Dragon Fruit Needs Water?
Dragon fruit trees are technically a sort of cactus, although they are a tropical species that thrives in tropical climates. Because they are found in locations with regular rain showers, dragon fruit requires a greater amount of water than their desert cactus cousins. However, because it is still a cactus, too much water is just as terrible as not enough.
You need to make sure that the plant receives around an inch of water per week to maintain a healthy balance. Rainwater may be sufficient for dragon fruit plants that are grown outside in the sun. Utilize a rain gauge to determine how much water rain has provided your plant and then offer additional water only when necessary to avoid overwatering.
How Do You Know When Your Dragon Fruit is Sufficiently Watered?
If you stick to the recommended watering schedule, you will never have to worry about your dragon fruit not getting enough water. Check your soil daily because it should be moist at all times, so make sure you give it around one inch of water every week.
Can You Overwater Dragon Fruit?
Even if the dragon fruit tree is a species of cactus, it needs more water than the desert cactus. However, overwatering can also be a major. The truth is that many dragon fruit trees out there render no harvest because they have been overwatered.
What Are Signs of an Overwatered Dragon Fruit?
The overwatering of your dragon fruit plant might cause root rot to develop. Your dragon fruit plant is likely becoming yellow because its roots have turned black or brown and its nutrient transport system has become ineffective.
Overwatering your dragon fruit plant can cause the tiny particles in the green branches of your plant to burst and turn yellow, which can eventually lead to a wilted plant. All of the additional water makes the plant more prone to germs and fungi, which can cause it to die.
If you use an excessive amount of fertilizer, the roots may become even more weakened. To make sure the soil is excellent for your plant, you must have well-draining soil, only the appropriate amount of fertilizer, and only the appropriate amount of water.
How Long Can a Dragon Fruit Go Without Water?
Here’s the wonderful thing about dragon fruit: it’s a plant that needs a lot of water if you want to yield a bountiful harvest. However, the plant is also pretty drought-tolerant. You can get away with the occasional dry soil, but don’t expect to get a lot of fruit if that happens too often.
Why is Dragon Fruit Turning Brown/Yellow?
There are several reasons why a dragon fruit’s leaves are turning brown or yellow and the first one is too much sun exposure. Dragon fruit is a cactus, which means that it thrives in dry climates with little rainfall and plenty of sunlight. But, there is a point of too much sunlight for this plant to tolerate.
Dragon fruits should grow in a semi-tropical region, where they can enjoy the perfect blend of sunlight and cold. According to the USDA, when the temperature outdoors exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant might become sunburned and suffer from heat stress.
Another typical reason for yellowing dragon fruit plants is stem rot, which is a fungal infection in the stems. Dragon fruit trees suffering from stem rot exhibit symptoms such as increased susceptibility to disease, smaller fruit, slowed development, sensitivity to sunlight, and a reduced ability to withstand drought.
How Much Sunlight Does Dragon Fruit Need?
Dragon fruit usually needs at least 6 hours of sun every day. Even though dragon fruit is a heat-loving fruit, it can be damaged by prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and heat, which can result in sunscald.
Remember to plant in a location where you will be able to provide some shade during the warmest parts of the day, especially for young plants, to avoid this problem.
Will Temperatures and Humidity Affect Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit plants thrive at temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and start to wilt at temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Dragon fruit is a cactus, and temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit will cause long-term damage to the plant. It is capable of recovering from little injury, but a severe and sustained frost could cause the plant to die.
Will Dragon Fruit Survive in the Winter?
Yes, but there are some things you have to do to make sure that happens. Mulch is an excellent insulator for dragon fruit planted outdoors, protecting the soil from experiencing excessive temperature variations during the growing season.
Using 2 to 3 inches of bark or wood chip mulch, wrap the plant around the base, keeping it eight to 12 inches away from the trunk. This will keep the roots safe in the event of a frost.
Can You Grow Dragon Fruit Hydroponically?
Hydroponically irrigated dragon fruit plants can be successfully cultivated in a containerized system. Because the long-lived plants require support when fruiting, a sufficient root volume is needed.
How Do You Water a Dragon Fruit Plant?
When watering the dragon fruit plant, you should water it once the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. You should now allow the plant to sit in water for too long. Always make sure the soil is moist and avoid soaking it.
How Long Does Dragon Fruit Take to Grow?
Dragon fruit plants can start to show flowering signs in about six to eight months from plating. However, if they’re grown in containers, they can take up to two years to give fruit. Once the plant has fully matured, you can expect to get four to six harvests yearly for the next 20 to 30 years.
Final Thoughts
Since dragon fruit grows in areas with plenty of rainfall, you are going to have to be careful with the plant’s watering needs. Adding about one inch of water per week should ensure a healthy and happy plant, ready to yield delicious fruit with each harvest.
Read our related articles:
- How Often Should You Water Oregano?
- How Often Should You Water Pumpkins?
- How Often Should You Water a Lemon Tree Plant?
- How Often Should You Water Citronella?
- How Often Should You Water Poinsettias?
- How Often Should You Water a Dogwood Tree?
Janice is a retired High School teacher who is spending her leisure years keeping busy with all sorts of projects. Aside from freelance writing, she’s an enthusiastic amateur chef, home wine maker, and tends a large raised-bed vegetable garden, while at the same time running a Bed & Breakfast.