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aaron
forbes
21st June 2007
ScottG
Nerang
21st June 2007
Anonymous
Toowoomba
21st June 2007
AARON says...
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY GUYS, I HAVE TAKEN SOME PICTURES OF THE DRAGONFRUIT, AND ALSO ADDED ONE OF A CRYSTLE APPLE THAT IS YELLOWING??.
OUT OF INTEREST, THE DRAGONFRUIT IN QUESTION IS A YELLOW FRUITED ONE, I HAVE A RED ONE THAT IS NICE AND HEALTHY AND BEEN TREATED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, ARE THESE MORE HARDY?
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY GUYS, I HAVE TAKEN SOME PICTURES OF THE DRAGONFRUIT, AND ALSO ADDED ONE OF A CRYSTLE APPLE THAT IS YELLOWING??.
OUT OF INTEREST, THE DRAGONFRUIT IN QUESTION IS A YELLOW FRUITED ONE, I HAVE A RED ONE THAT IS NICE AND HEALTHY AND BEEN TREATED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, ARE THESE MORE HARDY?
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 | |
AARON
FORBES
27th June 2007
Kath says...
This is frost damage, you need to protect these young plants from the cold. Your pitaya will most likely rot out on the stem where it is damaged as long as it has some woody veins left it will survive, but cover these frost sensitive plants on frosty nights. A cardboard box with a weight on the top to stop it blowing off will do the trick, make sure you uncover them in the morning.
This is frost damage, you need to protect these young plants from the cold. Your pitaya will most likely rot out on the stem where it is damaged as long as it has some woody veins left it will survive, but cover these frost sensitive plants on frosty nights. A cardboard box with a weight on the top to stop it blowing off will do the trick, make sure you uncover them in the morning.
Kath
Cawongla
27th June 2007
Scott G says...
Here on the Gold Coast we got a very localised frost (the first in the 7 years i have been here.
Many of my plants were damaged from it.
Before the frost the dragon fruit had some damage from the sun and looked like a milder version of what is in the above photo. Some large flat areas facing up are blistered but the edges were ok. It has those black dots.
The frost damage is different. It froze from the thin edges inwards. Much of the larger mature stems had edge damage but the centre is OK. All new shoots and growing tips were destroyed. The damage in this early stage appears similar to the mush that lettuce that has been frozen and thawed looks like. The tips are dark and wilting.
It has only been 2 weeks since the frost so I will see how the damage and then recovery in spring goes.
I also have a yellow Dragon fruit that grows right next to the one above. The yellow one may be slightly more sheltered and had no new shoots or growing tips. It appears undamaged from the summer sun and the frost.
Here on the Gold Coast we got a very localised frost (the first in the 7 years i have been here.
Many of my plants were damaged from it.
Before the frost the dragon fruit had some damage from the sun and looked like a milder version of what is in the above photo. Some large flat areas facing up are blistered but the edges were ok. It has those black dots.
The frost damage is different. It froze from the thin edges inwards. Much of the larger mature stems had edge damage but the centre is OK. All new shoots and growing tips were destroyed. The damage in this early stage appears similar to the mush that lettuce that has been frozen and thawed looks like. The tips are dark and wilting.
It has only been 2 weeks since the frost so I will see how the damage and then recovery in spring goes.
I also have a yellow Dragon fruit that grows right next to the one above. The yellow one may be slightly more sheltered and had no new shoots or growing tips. It appears undamaged from the summer sun and the frost.
Scott G
Gold Coast
27th July 2007
Ed says...
Hi All,
A number of my trees have been affected by the rare frost on the Gold Coast. Worst affected were the mango trees. The trees are between 2 and 4 years old. The leaves have turned golden brown and the growing tips have died. Also, my Bangalow and Golden Cane palms have turned brown (also approx 3 years old).
Has anybody known for either mango or palm trees to recover from such a condition?
Thanks, Ed
Hi All,
A number of my trees have been affected by the rare frost on the Gold Coast. Worst affected were the mango trees. The trees are between 2 and 4 years old. The leaves have turned golden brown and the growing tips have died. Also, my Bangalow and Golden Cane palms have turned brown (also approx 3 years old).
Has anybody known for either mango or palm trees to recover from such a condition?
Thanks, Ed
Ed
Gold Coast Hinterland
2nd August 2007
Greg says...
If the Mango is still alive you will see shoots coming from the older wood in about 4 weeks. We still can get big frosts for the the next month so do not prune the older burnt foliage until after then. Even though unsightly the dead foliage protects any live tissue lower down the trunk. The frosts 2 weeks ago were the coldest for at least 30 years over much of SE Qld and Nortern NSW. Hopefully we wont' experience them again for a long while.
If the Mango is still alive you will see shoots coming from the older wood in about 4 weeks. We still can get big frosts for the the next month so do not prune the older burnt foliage until after then. Even though unsightly the dead foliage protects any live tissue lower down the trunk. The frosts 2 weeks ago were the coldest for at least 30 years over much of SE Qld and Nortern NSW. Hopefully we wont' experience them again for a long while.
Greg
Kyogle
2nd August 2007
Anonymous says...
I have both red and a yellow dragonfruits that have had their young shoots destroyed by frost here in Toowoomba. But the older leaves are still ok. I can even see some tiny new shoots forming already. The mangoes here in Toowoomba get a bit of frost each year but they still bear fruit well.
I have both red and a yellow dragonfruits that have had their young shoots destroyed by frost here in Toowoomba. But the older leaves are still ok. I can even see some tiny new shoots forming already. The mangoes here in Toowoomba get a bit of frost each year but they still bear fruit well.
Anonymous
4th August 2007
Scott G says...
For reference here is a photo of one of my dragon fruit plants 5 weeks after the freak frost.
The brown sections are mushy. In some areas the whole stem is dead.
I will prune the living sections from these dead stems and propagate them.
My other plant is dead (brown mush right to the ground).
For reference here is a photo of one of my dragon fruit plants 5 weeks after the freak frost.
The brown sections are mushy. In some areas the whole stem is dead.
I will prune the living sections from these dead stems and propagate them.
My other plant is dead (brown mush right to the ground).
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Scott G
Gold Coast
27th August 2007
Paul Molinari
Naples, Florida
14th September 2007
Anonymous
14th September 2007
Scott G says...
Here is the same Dragon Fruit 2 weeks after I blasted it with the hose jet (about 8 weeks after the frost). This removed all the brown mush, which was starting to stink as it rotted. The wounds from the frost damage have sealed up and there is no sign of disease.
This Plant is about 2 years old. It has only produced 2 flowers & fruits so far. My other slightly younger plant that was half the size of the one pictured had produced 5 flowers & fruits (all in the one season). Apart from a couple of cuttings I took it died in the frost. It was in a different location and I bought it from a different place (Bunnings) so it may have been slightly different genetically. Both plants were loosely tied to a star-picket and wept back down. Their tallest branch was a bit more than a metre high.
I can’t remember if all the fruit was on the weeping branches but it is quite probable.
Here is the same Dragon Fruit 2 weeks after I blasted it with the hose jet (about 8 weeks after the frost). This removed all the brown mush, which was starting to stink as it rotted. The wounds from the frost damage have sealed up and there is no sign of disease.
This Plant is about 2 years old. It has only produced 2 flowers & fruits so far. My other slightly younger plant that was half the size of the one pictured had produced 5 flowers & fruits (all in the one season). Apart from a couple of cuttings I took it died in the frost. It was in a different location and I bought it from a different place (Bunnings) so it may have been slightly different genetically. Both plants were loosely tied to a star-picket and wept back down. Their tallest branch was a bit more than a metre high.
I can’t remember if all the fruit was on the weeping branches but it is quite probable.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Scott G
Gold Coast
17th September 2007
Scott G says...
The frost burnt off the Dragon Fruits leafy flesh in many places exposing some of the plants skeleton. This skeleton is tough, woody and very fibrous.
In the first picture the skeleton is still alive and is covered in a thin layer of green flesh that is exposed when scratched with a fingernail.
In the second picture the internal branching can bee seen.In the third combination picture the top shows typical roots coming from the stem.
While the lower shows roots growing from the skeleton of a badly damaged section.
After I pruned off healthy sections where the lower stem had died off completely I realised that these sections were more limp than sections connected by living stems. This tell-tale sign could serve as an indicator in future to determine what to cut off and what to leave.
The frost burnt off the Dragon Fruits leafy flesh in many places exposing some of the plants skeleton. This skeleton is tough, woody and very fibrous.
In the first picture the skeleton is still alive and is covered in a thin layer of green flesh that is exposed when scratched with a fingernail.
In the second picture the internal branching can bee seen.In the third combination picture the top shows typical roots coming from the stem.
While the lower shows roots growing from the skeleton of a badly damaged section.
After I pruned off healthy sections where the lower stem had died off completely I realised that these sections were more limp than sections connected by living stems. This tell-tale sign could serve as an indicator in future to determine what to cut off and what to leave.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 |  Picture: 3 |
Scott G
Gold Coast
17th September 2007
Mohamad Darus Mansor
A25 Lrg 2, Tmn Sejati Indah, KEDAH
3rd November 2007
Bronwyn says...
If frost is at all possible, I would suggest usng timber rather than star pickets to support dragon fruit. I've used 2 fence posts wired together at the rail cutouts, with a cross on top to support future dangling, following online pictures of dragon fruit orchards in Vietnam (I do not have a palm tree it can grow up). But the aerial roots need timber to cling to. Metal is too cold, and not as good for clinging to.
If frost is at all possible, I would suggest usng timber rather than star pickets to support dragon fruit. I've used 2 fence posts wired together at the rail cutouts, with a cross on top to support future dangling, following online pictures of dragon fruit orchards in Vietnam (I do not have a palm tree it can grow up). But the aerial roots need timber to cling to. Metal is too cold, and not as good for clinging to.
Bronwyn
Denhams Beach-South Coast NSW
6th November 2007
Jessie Yik says...
My Dragon Fruit Vine is over 6 foot tall and does not have any stems off it. It is just one long stem.
Is this because I am not using enough fertilizer?
My Dragon Fruit Vine is over 6 foot tall and does not have any stems off it. It is just one long stem.
Is this because I am not using enough fertilizer?
Jessie Yik
Kuala Lumpur, MSIA
7th November 2007
Scott G says...
From my limited experience with Dragon Fruits I think if they are given the opportunity to climb they will and this will be at the expense of side branches. So if a Dragon Fruit is planted against a palm tree it may just get to the top before it decides to branch out.
I don think a supporting structure should be more than 1.5m tall if you want to reach all your fruits without a ladder. My experience with metal star pickets agrees with Bronwyn’s suggestion – my plants wouldn’t cling to the star pickets (neither galvanised nor rusty ones). I had fence posts for them to grow up in the beginning but the roots didn’t stick to them well enough to support their weight. They needed to be tied to them. After about 2 years I pulled out all the supports.
Now I grow them without any supporting structure. They grow less than 1.5m tall. They have lots of side shoots coming from the main stems that weep over as they get long and eventually touch the ground. The plants gradually get taller as they grow on top of themselves. I am not sure if this is the perfect way to get the most fruit from them but it works for me and requires little maintenance.
One problem I find with my method is weeding. I keep a thick layer of mulch to suppress the weeds but occasionally when I get a weed it can be a little tricky to reach. I wonder if this it the main reason commercial growers keep their weeping branches so far from the ground.
My plants have a little trouble with sunburn so I have started an experiment by planting bushes amongst them. They are shading but open bushes that let a lot of light through (in my case Banksias). They still have a bit of growing to do before they are of much help. It is now spring and the Dragon Fruits are getting a little bit of sunburn again.
We have had a lot of rain over the last month and my Dragon Fruits are growing like mad. Pictured is the one that was badly burnt by frost a few months ago (pictured damaged above in a previous post). It has made a full recovery.
From my limited experience with Dragon Fruits I think if they are given the opportunity to climb they will and this will be at the expense of side branches. So if a Dragon Fruit is planted against a palm tree it may just get to the top before it decides to branch out.
I don think a supporting structure should be more than 1.5m tall if you want to reach all your fruits without a ladder. My experience with metal star pickets agrees with Bronwyn’s suggestion – my plants wouldn’t cling to the star pickets (neither galvanised nor rusty ones). I had fence posts for them to grow up in the beginning but the roots didn’t stick to them well enough to support their weight. They needed to be tied to them. After about 2 years I pulled out all the supports.
Now I grow them without any supporting structure. They grow less than 1.5m tall. They have lots of side shoots coming from the main stems that weep over as they get long and eventually touch the ground. The plants gradually get taller as they grow on top of themselves. I am not sure if this is the perfect way to get the most fruit from them but it works for me and requires little maintenance.
One problem I find with my method is weeding. I keep a thick layer of mulch to suppress the weeds but occasionally when I get a weed it can be a little tricky to reach. I wonder if this it the main reason commercial growers keep their weeping branches so far from the ground.
My plants have a little trouble with sunburn so I have started an experiment by planting bushes amongst them. They are shading but open bushes that let a lot of light through (in my case Banksias). They still have a bit of growing to do before they are of much help. It is now spring and the Dragon Fruits are getting a little bit of sunburn again.
We have had a lot of rain over the last month and my Dragon Fruits are growing like mad. Pictured is the one that was badly burnt by frost a few months ago (pictured damaged above in a previous post). It has made a full recovery.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Scott G
Gold Coast
13th November 2007
Beth Ward says...
I have purchased a single dragon fruit plant. Do I need more in order to have fruit
I have purchased a single dragon fruit plant. Do I need more in order to have fruit
Beth Ward
20th December 2007
Correy says...
The Dragon Fruit Pitaya is self pollinating so you will not need another variety of dragon fruit in order to get fruit.
The Dragon Fruit Pitaya is self pollinating so you will not need another variety of dragon fruit in order to get fruit.
Correy
Woolloongabba, QLD
20th December 2007
Bazza says...
To Dragon Fruit Growers,
I have healthy Drg Frt vines producing abundant flowers but still no fruit. i was able to make them flower by a SEASOL foliage spray. Afrter adding Pot Ash to soil/root area still no fruit. My next "Trick" is to add MANGANESE. Has anyone tried this for fruiting?.
All The Best Bazza
To Dragon Fruit Growers,
I have healthy Drg Frt vines producing abundant flowers but still no fruit. i was able to make them flower by a SEASOL foliage spray. Afrter adding Pot Ash to soil/root area still no fruit. My next "Trick" is to add MANGANESE. Has anyone tried this for fruiting?.
All The Best Bazza
Bazza
Bundaberg Aus
7th February 2008
John says...
Bazza you wasted your money and time. Pot ash good, Seasal bad,maganese bad, better idea trace elements. My sugestion is just a good dose of all round fertilizer, with enough water, but dont keep the feet to wet. Making the plant stress a little will make want to go into survival mode therefore flowers and free will happen.
Bazza you wasted your money and time. Pot ash good, Seasal bad,maganese bad, better idea trace elements. My sugestion is just a good dose of all round fertilizer, with enough water, but dont keep the feet to wet. Making the plant stress a little will make want to go into survival mode therefore flowers and free will happen.
John
SB South Australia
7th February 2008
Correy says...
Bazza, Are your dragon fruits hanging over something? If they are growing upwards I don't think they fruit only when they have reached the top and can start hanging down. Here is a photo showing this.
Bazza, Are your dragon fruits hanging over something? If they are growing upwards I don't think they fruit only when they have reached the top and can start hanging down. Here is a photo showing this.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Correy
Woolloongabba, QLD
7th February 2008
Scott G
The Gold Coast
7th February 2008
Bazza says...
Dear DRG FRT Lovers,
Thank you for your informative replies & my apologies for not replying promptly as i have been laid up for a week or so. And sorry John not SEASOL but CHARLIE CARP was used to promote FLOWERING and successful too. Yes my next move to apply my reliable NPK fertiliser. Thanks again.
All The Best Bazza
Dear DRG FRT Lovers,
Thank you for your informative replies & my apologies for not replying promptly as i have been laid up for a week or so. And sorry John not SEASOL but CHARLIE CARP was used to promote FLOWERING and successful too. Yes my next move to apply my reliable NPK fertiliser. Thanks again.
All The Best Bazza
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 | |
Bazza
Bundaberg Aus
19th February 2008
John
SB South Australia
19th February 2008
Bazza says...
For John SB STH Aus,
Yes John that is one of many my wife Lea grows for the root to make CASSAVA "cake" for her Asian friends. Lea is saying in the background to tell you we could have taken some down to SA for you when we had a holiday there recently to the Barossa, Kangaroo Is etc. Very easy to grow here just make sure to get the "ROOT" one for apparently there is another Cassava for garden and not large rooted.
All The Best Bazza
For John SB STH Aus,
Yes John that is one of many my wife Lea grows for the root to make CASSAVA "cake" for her Asian friends. Lea is saying in the background to tell you we could have taken some down to SA for you when we had a holiday there recently to the Barossa, Kangaroo Is etc. Very easy to grow here just make sure to get the "ROOT" one for apparently there is another Cassava for garden and not large rooted.
All The Best Bazza
Bazza
Bundaberg Aus
19th February 2008
John
SB South Australia
20th February 2008
Joseph says...
Hi All,
We are Vilagers who used to eat from what ever grow around us. One of the most popular is young Cassave leaves. Boiled leaves served with peanut sauce would be a tasty lunch. it's healthy too. The cassava itself can be cooked in various way creating delicious traditional cakes. John, if you visit us in 3 month from now, I will show you how healthy and rich we are living in natural way, in a very peacefull village...
Hi All,
We are Vilagers who used to eat from what ever grow around us. One of the most popular is young Cassave leaves. Boiled leaves served with peanut sauce would be a tasty lunch. it's healthy too. The cassava itself can be cooked in various way creating delicious traditional cakes. John, if you visit us in 3 month from now, I will show you how healthy and rich we are living in natural way, in a very peacefull village...
Joseph
Malang, East Java
1st March 2008
John says...
Hay Joseph, I'be in Wonosobo and Magalang, Central Java in July. Hay I enjoy eating Cassava leaves but not fermented cassava. Wonosobo, is also very peaceful and more beautiful than Bali. Just a little short on beer. I miss the monsoon rains. People dont believe here just how much it can rain there. I have a small plantation there full of durians and some other fruits.
Hay Joseph, I'be in Wonosobo and Magalang, Central Java in July. Hay I enjoy eating Cassava leaves but not fermented cassava. Wonosobo, is also very peaceful and more beautiful than Bali. Just a little short on beer. I miss the monsoon rains. People dont believe here just how much it can rain there. I have a small plantation there full of durians and some other fruits.
John
SB South Australia
1st March 2008
Joseph says...
Hi John,
Iam from Donomulyo, peaceful fertile village, south of Malang. How nice to have humble friends that can share eco adventure that is totally different than most Westerner have in their daily live. Just drop by anytime the door is open for you and for everybody to enjoy simple live free from the earth.
Have a peaceful day John.
Hi John,
Iam from Donomulyo, peaceful fertile village, south of Malang. How nice to have humble friends that can share eco adventure that is totally different than most Westerner have in their daily live. Just drop by anytime the door is open for you and for everybody to enjoy simple live free from the earth.
Have a peaceful day John.
Joseph
Malang, East Java
4th March 2008
Joseph says...
By the way,
Dragon fruits grow very well here in Donomulyo. The land is very fertile. We only have to treat them with organic compoust from the cows. They grow fast, free from morning frost. They obtain a lot of sunlight, even during rainy season.
Market is opened wide nowadays for this commodity..Anybody interested please come for free.....Thank you.
By the way,
Dragon fruits grow very well here in Donomulyo. The land is very fertile. We only have to treat them with organic compoust from the cows. They grow fast, free from morning frost. They obtain a lot of sunlight, even during rainy season.
Market is opened wide nowadays for this commodity..Anybody interested please come for free.....Thank you.
Joseph
Malang, East Java
4th March 2008
John
SB South Australia
4th March 2008
Joseph
Malang, East Java
6th March 2008
John
SB South Australia
6th March 2008
garry says...
you have to pollinate the flowers your self it is done when the flower is open at its best around 9pm you tickle the flower with a fether very carefully ind spread to centre core. I have 800 plants in . i also would like any handy tips all the best and good luck
you have to pollinate the flowers your self it is done when the flower is open at its best around 9pm you tickle the flower with a fether very carefully ind spread to centre core. I have 800 plants in . i also would like any handy tips all the best and good luck
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
garry
qld
1st June 2008
peter
adelaide
1st June 2008
Tran
Victoria
2nd June 2008
garry
qld
3rd June 2008
garry
qld
3rd June 2008
Tran
VIC
4th June 2008
Anonymous
5th June 2008
Scott G
The Gold Coast
17th June 2008
Anonymous
17th June 2008
Graham S says...
I have had both red types in for about 18months. They grew very fast for the first six months then stopped growing. They both have since flowered once, I pollinated them and got a beautiful fruit from each. I thought maybe they have a yearly growing cycle but that doesn't seem to be it as they haven't started growing again. They are growing in sandy coastal soil about 500 metres back from the coast. and get full sun. I've tried mulch, some dynamic lifter and more water but they haven't started growing again. Any ideas?
I have had both red types in for about 18months. They grew very fast for the first six months then stopped growing. They both have since flowered once, I pollinated them and got a beautiful fruit from each. I thought maybe they have a yearly growing cycle but that doesn't seem to be it as they haven't started growing again. They are growing in sandy coastal soil about 500 metres back from the coast. and get full sun. I've tried mulch, some dynamic lifter and more water but they haven't started growing again. Any ideas?
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Graham S
Sinshine Coast Qld
4th July 2008
Scott G says...
My plants are in a terraced bed of clay loam that stays damp (unless it rains and then it's wet). In the last year I have piled on the mulch. This could be why they are growing better than previously. Even now in the middle of winter they are covered in new growth. I recommend LOTS of mulch.
My plants are in a terraced bed of clay loam that stays damp (unless it rains and then it's wet). In the last year I have piled on the mulch. This could be why they are growing better than previously. Even now in the middle of winter they are covered in new growth. I recommend LOTS of mulch.
Scott G
The Gold Coast
5th July 2008
suzy4608 says...
We have 2500 cuttings in. All seem to be thriving. Biggest problem is weeds. Do any other growers have suggestions how to control woody weeds and grass other than chipping. We have them growing up trellises. Both red and white varieties. Any suggestions would be good as somewhat of a part-time venture and weeds getting the best of us.
We have 2500 cuttings in. All seem to be thriving. Biggest problem is weeds. Do any other growers have suggestions how to control woody weeds and grass other than chipping. We have them growing up trellises. Both red and white varieties. Any suggestions would be good as somewhat of a part-time venture and weeds getting the best of us.
suzy4608
Wooroolin, near Kingaroy
14th July 2008
Anonymous
Innisfail
19th July 2008