Dragon Fruit Flowers Drop Off

Kath says...
It could well be a pollination issue. Some pitayas are self pollinating and some require pollen from another pitaya to set fruit. Try growing another plant nearby and see if this helps.

Kath says...
You will need to get the pollen from a different plant and not from your pitaya. Your pitaya requires cross pollination meaning the pollen from a different plant in order to set fruit. Nutrients can be given as a foliar spray or in slow release granuals.

Kath says...
They grow best in semi humid climates in rich organic soils. Growth and yields are improved if they are given some moisture during the growing season, too much rain or moisture results in flower drop and fruit rot. Keep them dry until the fruits have set and then they can be watered. They respond well to liquid fertilizer or slow release fertilizer. Prune it back once it has finished fruit to encourage a multi stemmed plant.

Kath says...
A fertilizer with a balance of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Liquid fertilizers like fish emulsion are also very good products to use.

Scott G says...
Danny,
Are you sure you have a Dragon Fruit or could it be another type of night-flowering cactus that looks very similar? I have seen some cacti that are remarkably similar to Dragon Fruit (and I mistakenly grew one once).

Kath says...
I think they are a little like a delicate kiwi fruit flavour, the yellow one has the most flavour of all of them.

Kath says...
This could well be the case, if you have a warm protected space they would be worth trying though.

Sam says...
My dragon Fruit plants (3 off) are 3 years old. Each time it flowers either flowers drop off or once the fruit droped off. This time also only one plant has flowers growing on it. Why does the flowers drop off?

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Sam says...

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BJ says...
Taste is highly personal. Having said that, most who've tried them all will say Yellow is the best. But it is also the smallest and is very spiky like a cactus. The large reds with white flesh, which I think need hand pollination, are my next pick, then the red/pinks, red/reds, followed by the self pollinating red/whites. I've not yet tried the white skinned white fleshed (as sold by diggers) dfs yet.

Nick says...
I was recently on a Thai Airlines flight and was excited to see dragon fruit in their fruit salads!

emz says...
hello,, i just want to know how to prevent the dropping of flowers of my dragon fruit,, thanks

Gene-63 says...
I have been growing Dragon Fruit in Lexington, KY for 5 years now and I have the red ones with the white centers and they have a sweet taste to them. I pick them just before or just after they split and then chill them in the fridge overnight before eating.

Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Maurice

Some dragon fruits are self pollinating especially the red and purple fleshed varieties. But to increase your chance of having a better yield you need to hand pollinate.

There is plenty of you tube video tutorials on how to hand pollinate dragon fruit flowers. Videos speaks a thousand words more than the printed version.

DF flowers are fleeting thou they only last for one night so better be quick.

Some people found a shortcut to pollinate their DF. They don't need to stay late at night to hand pollinate their DF blossoms. What they do is spray the plant especially the flowering stems with a mixture of honey and water. This brew will attract the ants unwittingly pollinating the flowers as they trudge their way around the plant and into the flowers. After harvest you can eliminate the ants.

As Always....Happy Gardening :-)

Note: picture of flower with ants

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Arielle

I love the way you recycled an old bmx pushbike wheel. Just be watchful because the spokes might slowly cut and damage the branches of your DF as they grow bigger and heavier. I hope you have plenty more success with your lovely pitaya.

Happy gardening :-)