Yellow dragon fruit, also known as Hylocereus megalanthus, has some unique growing traits compared to other dragon fruit varieties. Let’s learn how to grow yellow dragon fruit so you can grow this tasty and beautiful fruit easily!
How to Grow Yellow Dragon Fruit: A Comprehensive Guide
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to successfully grow yellow dragon fruit.
First of all,
Choose the Right Variety!
Before you start planting (seed or cutting), make sure you have the correct variety of yellow dragon fruit. There are different species of dragon fruit, but yellow dragon fruit is distinct. It is usually smaller in size, with bright yellow skin, and white, juicy flesh packed with tiny black seeds.
You can grow yellow dragon fruit from cuttings or seeds, though cuttings tend to produce fruit faster.
Growing Yellow Dragon Fruit from Seeds
- Remove seeds from a ripe yellow dragon fruit and wash them.
- Dry the seeds for a few days, then plant them in a small pot with well-draining soil.
- Lightly cover the seeds with soil and water gently. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Germination will occur in 1-2 weeks. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, transplant them into larger pots or directly into the ground.
Growing Yellow Dragon Fruit from Cuttings
- Cut a healthy stem from an existing yellow dragon fruit plant, preferably 12-18 inches long.
- Let the cutting dry for 2-3 days in a shaded area to allow the wound to heal and prevent rot.
- Plant the cutting about 2 inches deep into the soil. Water the soil lightly.
Growing Conditions of Yellow Dragon Fruit
🌵 For your Yellow dragon fruit plant, the temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C) wouldbe most favorable. If you live in a cooler area, grow it in a greenhouse or indoors near a sunny window.
🌵 Choose a location where your yellow dragon fruit plant will receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. A sunny spot in your garden or on a patio works well.
🌵 Yellow dragon fruit is a climbing cactus. It has fragile stems that can be damaged by strong winds. Ensure the plant is shielded from harsh weather conditions.
🌵 Dragon fruit requires well-draining soil to avoid waterlogged conditions. Excess moisture can lead to root rot. Sandy, loamy soil with a pH between 6 and 7 is ideal for this plant.
🌵 Use a cactus or succulent soil mix. You can also mix sand, perlite, and compost to improve drainage. You can also ass organic matter or compost into the soil to enhance fertility.
🌵 Yellow dragon fruit needs moderate watering. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, as overwatering can lead to root rot. During the growing season (spring and summer), water the plant more frequently, but reduce watering in the cooler months.
🌵 Feed your dragon fruit plant with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every month during the growing season. Organic fertilizers like compost tea or well-rotted manure also work well. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.
🌵 Unlike some other varieties of dragon fruit, yellow dragon fruit is self-pollinating, which means you don’t need a second plant for cross-pollination. However, hand-pollination can increase fruit yield.
How to Hand-Pollinate your dragon fruit? Learn here!
🌵 With proper care and optimum growing conditions, your Yellow dragon fruit will typically take 8-12 months to produce fruit after planting.
🌵 Harvest it and enjoy the fruit when the skin turns bright yellow and the spines begin to fall off. The fruit will be slightly soft to the touch when ripe. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the fruit from the plant. Handle the fruit carefully, as it is delicate and can bruise easily.
Remember!
Even after your yellow dragon fruit plant has produced its first harvest, continuous care is essential for future fruit production.
- Regularly prune the plant to remove dead or damaged stems. This will encourage new growth and increase air circulation.
- If you live in a region with cold winters, move your plant indoors or protect it with frost blankets to prevent damage from low temperatures.
Final Thoughts
By providing the right conditions adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, and proper care you can enjoy a healthy fruit from your yellow dragon fruit plant for years to come. With patience and attention to detail, your yellow dragon fruit will flourish and provide you with tasty, tropical treats!
FAQs
Yellow or red which dragon fruit variety is easy to grow?
Yellow dragon fruit is generally considered more challenging to grow than red-fleshed varieties. It’s more sensitive to environmental conditions and requires more specific care.
Is Yellow Dragon fruit self-fertile?
Yellow dragon fruit is self-fertile, meaning a single plant can produce fruit without cross-pollination. However, cross-pollination can still improve fruit set and quality.
What is the growth rate of yellow dragon fruit?
Yellow dragon fruit grows more slowly than red varieties.
How much time is required for the fruit development of the yellow dragon fruit plant?
Yellow dragon fruit plant takes often 150-180 days compared to 30-50 days for red varieties.
Is yellow dragon fruit cold-tolerant?
Yellow dragon fruit is slightly more cold-tolerant than red varieties.
What is the pest resistance of the yellow dragon fruit plant?
It’s generally more resistant to pests and diseases.
What is the flavor profile of Yellow dragon fruit?
The yellow variety is often considered sweeter and more flavorful than red-fleshed types.
Would you like more information on the nutritional value and health benefits of yellow dragon fruit? This one is for you!
