Pitahaya belongs to the cactus family and is also called dragon fruit. It owes its name to its scaly appearance and the unusually bright skin color. If you want to grow pitahaya plants yourself, you have two options:
- Sowing the seeds or
- Planting cuttings.
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Location
The plants feel comfortable in tropical conditions. Your home is Central America. But they are also grown successfully in the tropical regions of Asia. A greenhouse climate that is not permanently moist is very good for them. Pitahayas need sufficient light and warmth for good growth. They tolerate drought, vigorous Rainfall, but no stagnant moisture.
Substrate and care
A mixture of earth and sand in a ratio of 1: 1 is suitable as a substrate. the Cactus soil is also suitable. The soil in the pot can dry completely before you water the plants again vigorously. In the sowing Of the young plants, however, it is important to ensure that the substrate is kept evenly moist.
The climbing cacti grow quickly and branch out strongly, so they need a support in the form of scaffolding, wall or trees, on which they can climb with the help of their adhesive roots. Cactus fertilizer can be given as needed. A winter break also proves to be beneficial for this type of cactus. Temperatures between 10 ° and 15 ° C in a bright room and very economical addition of water are ideal.
sowing
You can extract the seeds yourself from a ripe fruit that contains them in large numbers, or you can buy them in the seed trade. The sowing takes place all year round. The seeds are light germs and with sufficient light and warmth (18 ° -25 ° C) the results can be expected after 1-3 weeks. From a size of approx. The seedlings are separated about 5 cm.
Propagation by cuttings
You can get the new dragon fruit plants a little faster by cuttings. A leaf limb cut from any part of the cactus is suitable as a cutting. It is planted upright and a few centimeters deep in sandy soil. A warm and bright location as well as the occasional addition of water mean that the cuttings take root after a short time and form the first side shoots.
Flower and fruit
If you manage to get the pitahaya plants you have grown yourself to bloom, you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful flowers that bloom and smell all night. the ripe fruits The pitahaya also look very exotic and eye-catching with their bright color and scaly skin.
Tips & Tricks
In order for a fruit to develop from the flower, pollination would have to take place within a short period of one night. It is therefore more than uncertain whether one will ever reap the benefits under house conditions.
