Growing Dragonfruit

Many of us know Dragon fruit as the bright pink colored fruit we pass in the grocery store which most times than not seems too expensive or as the flavor of many favorite beverages but what we don’t know is the hidden nutrients and benefits of this super fruit and why it’s gaining popularity.

Dragon fruit originally comes from subtropical world regions such as Mexico, Central America and South America they flourish in sunny climates where rain is in abundance. From the time they are in the soil they typically take 6–8 months for plants to begin flowering and 2 years to bear fruit. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit whose health benefits seem to go unnoticed they are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants which boost your immune system along with fiber to help with losing weight and gastrointestinal health. Dragon fruit is fat free and high in iron which makes it a super fruit while still being delicious. It varies from sweet bright pink, yellow and white pulp and has small seeds that resemble another tropical fruit, the Kiwi. Dragon fruits grow on a long cactus like plant with three sided green stems and sets of three thorns every few inches. The fruit hangs from the plant and weigh about .8 pounds each. Its flowers, Pitayas, are green with yellow and white colored petals that bloom and then close into the pink skin which harden into the eventual recognizable spikes.

The reason why this fruit has come to my interest more than others is because of a local dragon fruit grower I met recently. Miguel, who is about 40 years old with dark brown skin and pastel gray hair is a connoisseur and expert in cultivating dragon fruit. He has more than 10 years growing various types of plants and told me of his high rank in the dragon fruit community. One morning he was giving away cuttings from his old plants and I quickly told him of my recent affinity for the fruit and if any were available for purchase. He gave me his address and later that afternoon we met. He greeted me with a smile and handshake and began to show me his work. He went through various plants calling them all by name. Purple haze, Soul Kitchen, MH1, Palora, and countless more. He had baby plants, old plants, damaged stems rooted in new pots, full grown plants, none went to waste, all life was used here. He questioned my expertise on growing which I replied with the truth that I have never grown anything except for lima beans on paper towels in first grade and offered to share his knowledge. Miguel’s eyes danced around the greenery around him as he explained the various intricacies that go into growing such as how to wet the top of plants to simulate their natural tropical environment and to create water vapors from the bottom up. Umbrellas that could be used if exposed to too much sun as they will get sun damaged, but the plant will dry this part off and grow a new piece to restore it. Observing these plants, I was enthralled with curiosity and wonder, Miguel was in touch with the plants around him. He loves them and sees after them for their fruit while the plants look up and love him, because he grows and nurtures them. He gives them care and they give him a calming pastime. I recall he said “It isn’t a science” when revealing how to grow and care for them but it is! To a skilled grower, caring for the plant becomes a second instinct and they learn to identify the patterns without realizing it. He explained that I need 3/4ths of chicken manure, 1/4th of potting soil and 2 cups of perlite to loosen the dirt and allow the roots to grow through. Water two times a week or as needed and wash off any bugs that appear to be damaging or eating the plant. No pesticides were encouraged and to move the plants once they seem to outgrow their pots. He had wooden T’s set up in buckets where the plants were supported upright. “The stems grow longer and thinner because they have to travel to reach the sun, they will face whatever direction they get the most sun from.”

Grafting

A peculiar side note was also Miguel’s technique of grafting. He takes parts of the dragon fruit plant that are chopped off or ready to dispose and attaches it to a different type of dragon fruit plant to create his own variation of the species. Some can come out sweeter, taller, bitter or a new plant altogether and if it catches on, it can become world renowned and a new part of the dragon fruit community. Without knowing it, they are botanical scientist, working and rearranging the nature around them.

Miguel is surrounded with life, he has an avocado tree with arms that spiral and curve the space around it, it has cats lounging on it branches and dark green leaves that adorned the blue sky that day. He showed which cuttings he had available. One Palora, a yellow colored one, and two red fleshed Pitahaya plants, which he very kindly offered to me and told me to keep in touch with any questions or concerns. I thanked him and I was off.

Meeting with Miguel made me realize two things how alike and connected we all are, and how these plants are alive just like us and can hold secrets that are beneficial and crucial to us. We are watered with knowledge and affected by the environment around us without even realizing it. You are a part of nature and it is a part of you.

Growth

So now it has been about two weeks since I was coached on how to plant and care for my dragon fruit and they are nurturing and growing more every day. I was skeptical at first if they were not going to grow, might be too time consuming, or that I would forget but I care for them as my babies. Every two days I go out to check if they are okay and if any water is needed with the methods provided.

Keep growing and love this world!