Fruits · Hard
Dragon fruit (pitaya)
Selenicereus undatus (syn. Hylocereus undatus)
Large free-draining growing-medium tub, sturdy support, warmth and full light; hand pollination in the evening.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- very long / perennial
- Difficulty
- Hard
Sound origin
Selenicereus undatus (syn. Hylocereus undatus)
The pitaya (Selenicereus undatus, formerly Hylocereus undatus) is a climbing cactus probably native to southern Mexico, found in the dry areas of Central America. Its name comes from Taíno and means “scaly fruit”.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
No reference nutritional values have been published for this plant in the Ciqual table (ANSES) or in USDA data: we'd rather not make anything up.
Key steps
- Start from a 15 to 20 cm cutting, left to callus for 5 to 7 days in a dry spot before planting (University of Hawaii); a seedling could take up to 7 years to bear fruit (University of Florida).
- Climbing cactus: large tub of very well-draining growing medium (perlite, clay pebbles) and a sturdy stake from planting; the tower only suits young cuttings.
- Optimal growth between 18 and 25 °C (64 and 77 °F), damage below -2 °C (University of Florida): sunroom or greenhouse in Belgium, protected from frost in winter.
- A thirsty plant despite its cactus looks, but the roots must never be waterlogged; irregular watering makes the fruit split (University of Hawaii).
- Night-blooming flowers from June to October, open for a single night: pollinate with a paintbrush in the evening, ideally with pollen from a second variety, since many are self-sterile (University of Florida).
- Harvest 30 to 50 days after fruit set, when the skin is well colored; waiting a little longer gives sweeter, heavier fruit (University of Hawaii).
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | none |
| Plants | Apr., May, June |
| Harvest | Aug., Sept., Oct. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Dragon fruit (pitaya) in hydroponics: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Dragon fruit (pitaya) in hydroponics: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Dragon fruit (pitaya): which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). Large free-draining growing medium tub, sturdy stake, warmth and full light; hand pollination in the evening.
Dragon fruit (pitaya): when to set out plants in Belgium?
Start from plants, set out in April, May and June (garden, patio or balcony, Belgium or northern France).
- J. H. Crane and C. F. Balerdi, University of Florida IFAS, Pitaya (Dragonfruit) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape, HS1068, 2020
- F. Zee, C. R. Yen and M. Nishina, University of Hawaiʻi CTAHR, Pitaya (Dragon Fruit, Strawberry Pear), F&N-9, 2004