Ahernan2006

I purchased several dragon fruit cuttings. I planted them each no more than 4 in in Cactus soil. I have watered the cuttings two or three times this week. Yesterday I noticed that one of the cuttings put out roots. However. I noticed the cutting developed black rot at the base? Is this normal? Please see first two pictures attached. My other cuttings are also developing some discoloration at the base. Please advice. Help is very appreciated.

rottiedog46

Too much water! Once a week at the most in very well drained soil. Do not water again until the soil looks dry.

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Steadman Family Garden

Very helpful thread ,thanks to both of you of you

crusader657

If the base is rotten, which seems to be the case, I would slice the cutting well above the rot (ie several inches past the last of the rot), then re-plant it and hope for new roots to appear.
These plants don't like to be in wet soil, so just vaguely damp will do. Forget having a regime of watering x times per week - nature doesn't do that and nor should we. Dragon fruit plants are succulents, so have a store of moisture all ready for droughts, so ease right back on the watering, which is killing them with kindness.
I would Google every bit of the (extensive) information available online about growing Epiphyllums, and watch some of the amazing videos people have posted on Youtube.
As their name suggests, Epiphyllums are epiphytes, ie they use trees and larger plants as supports, which they grow up, flower and fruit. As they live in semi-shade like this they show us that they don't need full sun.
Your soil looks good, but make sure the plants have loads of drainage as they are very vulnerable to rotting. Bags aren't suitable as there is no drainage.
If you have to slice them off above the rot and re-plant them, then leave the new cuttings in a cool, shady place indoors for 14 days to callous over, and only after that plant the cuttings. Use cinnamon powder or copper fungicide to kill rot spores, and if you're lucky and can re-root them then hold off on the watering until they beg for a drink. There aren't many plants that like their feet permanently moist, and damp conditions are a breeding ground for fungus and rot spores, so don't re-use that soil and practice absolute cleanliness in dealing with your young plants.
Don't worry if things don't work out with these cuttings: we have all killed hundreds, maybe thousands of plants in our quest to gain knowledge and become better growers. With each disaster you learn lifelong lessons, and those of us offering advice have gained experience at the expense of numerous plants. This is how plant hunters and the like have found which plants they can bring home from their travels and grow in their climate/conditions, and which object to our conditions. Bananas wouldn't grow well in Iceland. Better luck with your cuttings in future.

Ahernan2006

Thank you all!

Your advice has been extremely useful. I did cut back on the watering and it seems like the DF is doing better. The damage is done but the rot is no longer progressing. I will cut off the damaged area and try again. I am feeling more confident now. Thank you! Thank you!

Yug

After any fresh cuts, you need to wait about 10 days for the cut to form a callus. Otherwise it may rot. After the cut forms a dry callus, plant it, but only keep the media lightly damp. Any more moisture than that can cause fungus/rot. The plant is a succulent, and it acts like a reservoir for moisture, it protects if from drying out. When you water, it should be allowed a period of dryness in between, otherwise you are giving it too much.

Ahernan2006

Thank you. I have several cuttings that are curing. Can't wait to root them.

The Sugar S8 in the previous post has begun to form flower buds. Unfortunately, ants might destroy the first and only flower bud I have been able to grow in my backyard. I will need to order "Tanglefoot" soon.

laserlight

I don't even know what dragon fruit is... but black rot's probably not cool. Welcome to here.

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Вырвем оранжевому хорьку его гнилые зубы.

Yug

Think of a cactus that is capable of growing like a vine. I've had them grow vertically against a tree, and their roots will grow around the tree to anchor it in place.

HMelendez

Welcome to the banana gang!.....

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