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View Full Version : My Dragon Fruit - a bud FINALLY


Patty in Wisc
08-26-2010, 04:15 PM
after almost 5 yrs. I switched to my nana fert -higher in K.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36092&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36092)

soundofthemusic1
08-26-2010, 08:28 PM
Congratulations, Patty,

Five years is a long time. I bet you are very excited. Wish you more buds to come in the next few months.

Rae from Georgia

Patty in Wisc
08-26-2010, 09:39 PM
Thanks. I was told from the place I bought it to use a high P fert (NPK), but recently on a DF forum, someone told me to use a high K fert which is my nana fert. I wish I switched a long time ago!

soundofthemusic1
08-26-2010, 11:36 PM
Thanks. I was told from the place I bought it to use a high P fert (NPK), but recently on a DF forum, someone told me to use a high K fert which is my nana fert. I wish I switched a long time ago!

Patty,

Sorry to hear that...

"Banana Peel: 0-3-42. Has a high percentage of Potash and no Nitrogen" is the information I get from wiki. Have you tried using banana peels as your fertilizer?

I buy fewer bananas in the summer. But whenever I do, I use banana peels as fertilizer for my vegetable plants, a trick I learn from my mom. :o

Rae from Georgia

planetrj
08-27-2010, 04:14 PM
Patty! Looks great... I think you shouldn't worry so much, because it's really more your location. Even here, I only get fruit set every other year, just because they demand so many months of warmth, and I know your summers are shorter there.
Also, looks like you have some pretty nice Brugmansia growing there! Good job :)

AnnaJW
08-27-2010, 04:25 PM
Congrats on your bloom!

Richard
08-27-2010, 04:27 PM
Patty, I believe you have some tropical delights banana fuel? Give your dragon fruit plant a foliar feeding using 1 teaspoon per quart of water.

Patty in Wisc
08-31-2010, 06:18 PM
Wow Rae, I didn't know peels were that high in potash! I use peels & sometimes whole nanas if too ripe to eat.
When I have time, I spray w/ nana fert, AZ41 or Messenger.
Funny, the DF is right next to my first fruiting IC nana with little nanas!

The Hollyberry Lady
08-31-2010, 09:33 PM
Very cool Patty. Think I'm getting a cutting for that soon...


: )

Richard
08-31-2010, 11:17 PM
Patty,

Sorry to hear that...

"Banana Peel: 0-3-42. Has a high percentage of Potash and no Nitrogen" is the information I get from wiki. Have you tried using banana peels as your fertilizer?

I buy fewer bananas in the summer. But whenever I do, I use banana peels as fertilizer for my vegetable plants, a trick I learn from my mom. :o

Rae from Georgia

We discussed this topic a few years ago. You'll need about 2800 banana peels per year to meet the nutrient requirements for a single banana plant or hardwood fruit tree. Here's a link to the discussion:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/banana-peels-3508.html#post29049

LilRaverBoi
09-01-2010, 10:40 AM
Congrats Patty! Keep us updated with pictures....hope you get some tasty pitaya fruit!

Patty in Wisc
09-01-2010, 11:42 AM
Hey, that little bud is about 2 inches now! I'll take pics in couple days.

Patty in Wisc
09-01-2010, 03:31 PM
I think I have another bud. It's about 8 ft up at the tip of a segment but wasps on it won't let me near.

Bob
09-01-2010, 03:48 PM
You stink...... again! You do everything first and now when mine ( from you!) get a bud... it'll have been done by Patty.... again........Hrumph!

Hope they get big and taste great!:woohoonaner:

soundofthemusic1
09-03-2010, 12:08 PM
Wow Rae, I didn't know peels were that high in potash! I use peels & sometimes whole nanas if too ripe to eat.
When I have time, I spray w/ nana fert, AZ41 or Messenger.
Funny, the DF is right next to my first fruiting IC nana with little nanas!
Thanks for the tip on the fertilizer, Patty!

I have to try nana fertilizer, AZ41 or Messenger someday to see whether they will help my non-fruiting fruit trees to bloom. Sherry, the Hollyberry Lady, suggests using "an organic water-soluble formula called DNF (Dutch Nutrient Formula)", bone meal, and blood meal in another thread to help plants establish healthy roots.

It's great to know all your success with differnt fertilizers.

Best of luck to you on the first and second bud! Great job!!!

Rae from Georgia

Patty in Wisc
09-15-2010, 05:58 PM
Turns out there is only the one bud.
Here it is about a week later
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36199&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36199&ppuser=432)

and here it is today..just over 6 inches:)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36660&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36660&ppuser=432)
another
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36659&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36659)

MediaHound
09-15-2010, 06:09 PM
lookin good Patty, congratz

Want Them All
09-21-2010, 12:11 PM
That's a great looking flower! Should there be any changes in fertilizing and/or watering routine now that there are flowers?

Thanks,

saltydad
09-21-2010, 04:32 PM
Really looking great there kid. Good going!

sunfish
09-21-2010, 07:35 PM
That's a great looking flower! Should there be any changes in fertilizing and/or watering routine now that there are flowers?

Thanks,

I've read a little extra water when they flower,

Patty in Wisc
09-22-2010, 09:30 PM
It's been one week since last pic & it is now over 13 inches long .. and...I saw the white flower petals today peeking thru!!! I'm sure it will open tomorrow. Although we've had some cool temps - down to 50 or so, we have a lot of humidity ALL SUMMER. It was very tropical here so I think that help[ed. I'll get pics on soon. WOOHOOHOO
Bob, this flower will smell soooo nice, I won't 'stink' anymore LOL.
Just remember that you'll get flowers on the segments that hang down over your top trellis & feed them (in summer) a good nana fert high in K. It worked for me & you shouldn't have to wait as long as I did.

Patty in Wisc
09-23-2010, 02:22 PM
:08:Yup, it's open today
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36886&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36886&ppuser=432)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36884&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36884&ppuser=432)
Next: left is my double mahoi...mom & pup (almost same size) & I'm showing off the namwa I won from Mitchel 1 1/2 yrs ago (in back to right). Pstem is 4ft 10 inches & the base is getting HUGE...bigger than my fruiting IChttp://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36883&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36883&ppuser=432)
When it gets dark out, I'm going to pollinate my new baby to help it along. Just hoping I'll get a fruit:)

hammer
09-23-2010, 02:40 PM
Wow patty that bloom is awsome. are dragon fruit edible i know nothing about dragon fruit.

Patty in Wisc
09-23-2010, 03:31 PM
Hey, those pics were taken this a.m..... I just went out & the flower is closed up!!! It was 3:15 & it's closed. Will it open this evening?
Please don't merge this post - thanks.
Yes Shannon, they are edible.

Patty in Wisc
09-23-2010, 06:02 PM
Oh no don't tell me! Did this flower open during the night & close up now??? When I saw it this morn, it wasn't opening but starting to close already??? If this is it, I didn't know the flower is open for such short time.
I'm gonna go cry now ...boo hoo:(

sunfish
09-23-2010, 06:52 PM
Oh no don't tell me! Did this flower open during the night & close up now??? When I saw it this morn, it wasn't opening but starting to close already??? If this is it, I didn't know the flower is open for such short time.
I'm gonna go cry now ...boo hoo:(

http://www.bananas.org/f8/dragon-fruit-flower-opened-earlier-than-12572.html#post142158

hammer
09-23-2010, 07:08 PM
dragon fruit they look neat i would like to no more about them. do they grow form seed or from plant are they cold hardy if someone could give me some info i would appreciate thanks.

Patty in Wisc
09-23-2010, 07:50 PM
Tony, I've been posting there but I didn't realize the bloom was this short!Oh well, it looked like the stamen was close to anthers & it was windy today so maybe I'll be lucky.
Shannon, they grow from seed or cuttings. Look here:
Dragon Fruit Viewer - Pine Island Nursery (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/)
Here'e another:
Dragon Fruit, Pitaya, Pitahaya, Thanh Long, orchid cactus, grow, market, tips (http://www.vivapitaya.com/)

soundofthemusic1
10-20-2010, 11:22 AM
Patti,

You haven't posted any updates of your Dragon Fruit plants for a while. How are they doing?

Did you get any fruits yet?

Rae ;)

The Hollyberry Lady
10-20-2010, 04:10 PM
Patty, guess what?! :goteam:


Look what Bob sent me a few days ago...


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/2nd%20album/DSCI3915.jpg


: )

Patty in Wisc
10-20-2010, 04:48 PM
Hey! I sent that to Bob couple years ago! Hope it's a cutting from the one I sent... or else it grew real slow ha ha. Off to get a pic of my baby dragon fruit!

The Hollyberry Lady
10-20-2010, 05:08 PM
Yup, it is a cutting from one of yours, Patty! Thanks for sharing. :08:


I'm so looking forward to growing it...


: )

Patty in Wisc
10-20-2010, 09:08 PM
Took me all this time to get these pics on... my baby DF
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37655&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37655&ppuser=432)
Don't know how I'm going to get this monster back in the sunroom....
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37656&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37656&ppuser=432)

The Hollyberry Lady
10-20-2010, 09:37 PM
Wow Patty! That thing is amazing! :eek:


You must be real proud of yourself. :D


How long did it take to grow it that huge? Did you start out with a cutting as well?


So you bring it into your sunroom each year for Winter and then put it back outside in the warm months? Is this your first time getting fruit on it and how long did it take?

You are getting me so excited about growing it and I love your pics. :08:


: )

Patty in Wisc
10-20-2010, 11:50 PM
It was a 1ft high rooted cutting I got in Oct 05. Started out slow growing but the last 3 years took off. Was told to feed it fert high in P but earlier this summer was told to feed fert high in K so fed it my nana fert. It worked.
Gotta cart it in sunroom soon...have to cut some off to fit it in doorway.. Trellis is 6 ft but I'd suggest 5 ft or lower.
Sunroom not ready for plants & it's cold so I bagged the df & nanas to help keep warm tonight.

The Hollyberry Lady
11-20-2010, 01:32 PM
:goteam: Yippeee Patty!!! :goteam:



My Dragon Fruit cutting has rooted and is now growing. Here it is today...



http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/2nd%20album/DSC00042.jpg



: )

Patty in Wisc
11-23-2010, 05:17 PM
Yippee! When it gets big enough to make a trellis, don't make it as big as mine LOL. Too hard to move it around. You could also try putting it in a hanging basket...I have one of those too.
The fruit doesn't look much diff than last pic except the leafy tips are starting to turn pink.

The Hollyberry Lady
11-23-2010, 11:38 PM
Wow, I like that hanging basket idea, for sure Patty. ;)


Can ya keep these guys pruned, or will it be at the expense of fruit production?


Worried mine will get too big and out of control! :eek:


Yours is simply gorgeous Patty and I hope mine will be as vigorous and as healthy. Wonder too, how much it'll grow over winter in my south window...


I'd lke to stick it outdoors in the summer like yours. ;)


: )