skip to main content

Florida Gardening

Growing Dragon Fruit from seed in North Florida

dirtygardener73

8 years ago

I bought a dragon fruit and am attempting to start some seeds on paper towels in plastic bags. I know they are cold-hardy up here to a degree, but wanted to know if anyone had ever gotten fruit from a seed-started plant in N. Florida? Is it 3 or 5 years before they fruit?

Featured Answer

mickeymouse14

8 years ago

If you can't get any seeds to sprout..let me know. I live in Sebastian, FL and will be happy to send you some of my seed plants. Some are a foot tall already. Everything grows fast here in FL!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

flatwoods_farm
8 years ago
I grew most of mine from seed. Some fruits are excellent. Grow seeds like any cactus: get a plastic clamshell package or similar container. Slice some slits for water drainage on the bottom. Add an inch of clean sand. Wet and drain. Now just sprinkle the seeds on the sand, cover with the clear top and put in a bright area- not direct sun. They sprout quickly. Time to fruit was 3 to 4 years i think.
dirtygardener73
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks! I started mine in plastic bags on paper towels and they are already sprouting. Someone said to wait until they get true leaves, then put the entire piece of paper towel on the soil, cover it lightly with sand, and separate when they get larger. I think that even if you never get fruit, they are such pretty plants.
Related Discussions
How do you grow Dragon Fruit plant?
Q
Comments (3)
i just purchased a rooted 4inch cutting of the yellow variety dragon fruit b/c i heard they're fruit is much sweeter, is this true or is this just another gimic. i am also wondering how long it will take to bear fruit. I will be growing this indoors by a window because i live in pennsylvania, i will also be setting up a growing light,is there a specific setup i should use? I heard that the yellow varieties are self fertile and set fruit on their own, this is especially important because it will be grown indoors, is that true. I bought it online and i cannot get any info out of the person i bought it from. This is my first fruit plant that i am trying to grow and any help that you could give to help this experiance be a pleasurable one will be greatly appreciated. Thank You
...See More
your first potted citrus tree up north Grow it from seed
Q
Comments (21)
Now that I have learned to grow citrus with no problems I have 3 Poncirus trifoliata of grafting size and 4 sweetlee tangerine trees of vigor that will be graft-able next spring. That's 7 root-stocks that I can graft my twigs from the grafted tree I can purchase. My purchased tree will grow faster by waiting a year and will out grow anything I bought a year earlier. My decision is to not buy a grafted tree and to grow what I have. If it fruits, great If they don't. Well we'll see My from seed Nagami kumquat for grafting to poncirus trifoliata Seed grown Meiwa kumquat tree. The tree fruit I am interested in. To be grafted on to the poncirus trifoliata moots through the Nagami inter-stock. May also go directly to my sweetlee tangerine tree root-stock, Seed grown sweetlee tangerine tree for root-stock #1 Seed grown sweetlee tangerine tree for root-stock #2 Seed grown sweetlee tangerine tree for root-stock #3 Seed grown sweetlee tangerine tree for root-stock #4 Seed grown poncirus trifoliata to be grafted on Is posted above . Its in a blue 55 gallon half drum. This completes what I have done and what I have. If I think of anything I'll add on to this thread Steve This post was edited by poncirusguy on Tue, Nov 5, 13 at 18:29
...See More
De-fruiting queen palm seeds / Back from Florida
Q
Comments (3)
Chad: bismarcks, royals, spindles, foxtails, Christmas all do fine in metro Orlando. Even this year which was coldest since 1996, the neighboring rural areas dipped as low as 15f, Orlando recorded an official low of 30. Heat island does a lot here. I have several coconuts growing happily on my tree in my back yard. Granted Coconuts and bottle palms will need protection from frost here in inland Orlando, the species I mentioned above really grow worry free for those within the orlando heat island canopy here.
...See More
Help With Growing Mangoes From Seed In South Florida
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Mia, What type is the mango you enjoyed so much ? Just curious,..my favorite is the Kents ! It just so happens that I tried exactly what you are considering. A little over 2 years ago I started noticing the occasional small green baby mango plants that would pop up at the base of a banana plant that I used my organic compost to fertilize, ( the compost was full of old mango seeds ). Then a big 25 gallon clay pot became available so I decided to try growing one of the green sprouts, carefully digging up the root which of course, was a big, oval, thin mango seed ! I gave it all the TLC I could, a mixture of regular soil, topsoil & organic compost, put pot in a full sun spot on side lawn with a few bricks underneath so moisture could drain easily, and added half a hand full of 6 - 6 - 6 fertilizer every two months. Was just curious what would develop. Day before yesterday I ripped it out of the pot as I just got tired of looking at a wimpy, 1/2 " diameter, 3 ft tall twig with a few green leaves that was drooping one way, then the other despite my attempts to support it upright ! Had been told that any fruits the plant might generate in future would most likely not be the same as the mother tree. However, I was willing to try anyway, just a casual attempt on my part, no tears shed last Wednesday when I pulled the twig out ! ( smile ) Just my brief experience, - I wish you better luck !
...See More
dirtygardener73
Original Author
8 years ago
Mickey, they sprouted rapidly and are doing well, but no true "leaves" yet. I'll have more than I could ever use if these survive, but thanks anyway!
HU-170524854
2 months ago
Just curious how this went. I have asked my husband to build me a trellis to give growing a cutting a try. Also in North Florida.
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
l just plant the dragon fruits at the base of large potted trees. There's a Dragon fruit in my Starfruit (lol) and a Dragon fruit in my Dragon's Eye fruit tree aka Longan tree. The dragon fruits will grow up the trees and hang down into as much sun as they want.

They seem to flower once they start hanging down. I can move the potted trees with a hand truck if its going to freeze hard. Dragon Fruits will freeze here.

Also, in N FL.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
last month
I have plants that were started from sections simply laid on the ground at the base of trees. I only ever got a couple of fruits, tho - no moths here to pollinate, apparently...?
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
last month
last modified: last month
You can hand pollinate them. The hawk/hummingbird moths will also pollinate them. They are very attracted to cestrum nocturnum and white hedychium/butterfly gingers. I make sure to grow some near the dragonfruits or anything else I want pollinated. The Hawk moths seem most abundant in late summer through fall. Fruit bats will also pollinate them.

If you can grow a few diff dragonfruit varieties and cross pollinate them, manually, you should get fruit for sure. You can save pollen in the freezer and thaw to room temperature to use as flowers open since sometimes the flowers don't all bloom at the same time.

Sorry for any typos..my phone keyboard is terrible lol.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Beans

By Marianne Lipanovich

Grow your own beans for amazing variety and healthy, convenient produce all summer

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Persimmons

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sturdy and easy to care for, these trees offer bright fruit through winter — and keeping them in bounds is no sweat

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES How to Grow Eggplant at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant glossy purple eggplant as much for its beauty in the garden as its flavor on the plate

0

GARDENING GUIDES Summer Crops: How to Grow Peppers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Some like 'em hot; others like them sweet. With the incredible range of peppers available for home gardens, you can have your pick

Sponsored

More Discussions

2024 January : upload your photos of first blooms of season

19

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Garden plans for 2024?

6

Greening Satsuma

2

New Blooms Feb./Mar.

26