How to plant a Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) tree?

The pitaya (also known as pitahaya, dragon fruit, huǒ lóng guǒ (火龍果/火龙果), strawberry pear, nanettikafruit, or thanh long) is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus, but also see Stenocereus. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, these vine-like epiphytic cacti are also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. They are also found in Taiwan, Okinawa, Israel, and southern China. The pitaya only flowers at night; they are large white flowers that are often called Moonflower or Queen of the Night.Pick fully matured and healthy seeds. Plant the Seeds in the soil bed, and cover with hay.

Small plants will grow from the seeds, the germination may take 30-45 days.

Transfer the small seedlings to pots and keep in the pot till the plant grows to two feet long.
For better growth take the cuttings of 2 feet (or half meter) long plant, from 3-4 years old matured plants.
Make one meter deep hole in the soil by a special instrument.

The cement pillar should be 3 meter long. These pillars support the plant as it grows.
Set the pillars at a distance of 3 meters from the next pillar in both directions.
Plant the seedlings from the pot to the pillar. Four plants has to be planted on each pillar. Before re-planting, the end which gows into the soil has to be cut like a pencil.

When the plant starts growing, each branch that comes out has to be cut to allow the main stem to grow untill it reaches the top of the pillar.

Irrigation is to be done by fogging & drip.

Metal cap has to be made to support the plant after it reaches to the top of the pillar. This allows for more diverging branches to grow.

Keep the area between the plants clean by cutting grass and weeds by grass cutting machines.
Pesticides should be sprayed by manual or machanised pumps every 10 – 15 days

Flower comes after 2 – 3 years of planting.

Flowers convert to Fruits. It takes about 45 days for the fruit to grow. It becomes pink in color when matured.

Fruits are to be covered by plastic net bags to protect them from damage by birds and insects.

Cut the fruits from the branches by using a sharp knife.


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