Want Them All

$100?? The $8 gauge from Home Depot must be a throw-away then. What do YOU use?

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Richard

Those inexpensive gauges are o.k. in clay-less soils such as commercial potting mix. The probes are relatively short so the use is limited to potted plants or shallow-rooted plants in a raised bed. I think they are a great idea for a beginning gardener with indoor plants. After awhile though I would hope the gardener would learn to judge for themselves; e.g., see Pot Culture.

Outdoor trees and shrubs are a different matter. The zone of interest is 1 to 3 feet deep. Not only are the inexpensive meters too short for this range, but if there is even a small percentage of clay in the soil the meter will over estimate the amount of moisture. There are commercial systems that measure moisture and soil chemistry. By the time you've acquired all the software and required accessories you will have spent a few thousand dollars. They are cost effective for farmers with a commercial crop, but rarely for homeowners.

I rely on published reports and experience with my soils. Your state agriculture extension office or county farm advisor's office has reports on evapotranspiration for your soils and most categories of crops. From these you can determine what the requirements are for your fruit trees. Keep in mind these are a guide, not a hard-fast rule. Historically when I have had concerns about the water situation for a tree, I dig a deep hole a short distance away from the plant to find out what the actual conditions are.

I have written guides for a few categories of fruiting plants. They include information on watering and might be a good starting point for you, keeping in mind your local conditions. See: Gardening Guides.

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xmoose

Oooh Man..... Those fruits look DELICIOUS !!! Now Im gonna have to find one of those plants around here somewhere........
Congrats on the Freat looking fruit !

conejov

Hey Richard!

The Dragon Fruit Looks delicious! I always wanted to try one. How long have you been growing them before they fruited?

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Richard

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FamilyManDude

I planted seven DF cuttings on Sept. 6th and this is the only new growth so far. I took this pic today (10-29-09).
[IMG][/IMG]
This one is American Beauty. The other cuttings, planted on the same date, have no new growth. However, they remain firm with good color. There is no denigration or mushy texture to the cacti plant-matter. I am certain they are all alive and well.
I have planted more, for a total of 21 plants w/ 9 different DF varieties. I have just ordered a new one (Voodoo Child). I should receive it shortly.
Richard, your fruit looks awesome. Thanks for sharing the pics. Cheers

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Orin

frondly

Great photo. Bet your other DF will sprout on the new moon. I'm contemplating greenhouse trellis support for my young DF. Looking for a really unique design; but I better hurry....
Can't wait to see your DF convention.

moonboy87

Where'd you get these cuttings from? And if anybody has any spare cuttings, please pm me, I'd love to try out this plant

cherokee_greg

Im not sure were they get them but I would like to know too !!!!
I found these here is a link.

Dragon Fruit Cactus (Hylocereus undates) Well-Rooted Cutting (Live Plant) Pitahaya

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

cherokee_greg

They also have a listing on ebay the same company there on sale to two sizes
i hope this link works
eBay Store ? Two Willies Nursery: Search results for dragon fruit.

I checked them out on davesgarden.com they have a good raiting too.

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

Richard

Here's a great place to obtain dragon fruit plants:

Dragon Fruit Viewer - Pine Island Nursery

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cherokee_greg

Have you ever saw these kinds

Barbed Wire Cereus - Pitahaya - Anaranjada - eBay (item 300296682264 end time Nov-22-09 18:31:55 PST)

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

Richard

The price is reasonable ... but it is not "rare" as advertised. Also don't expect a fruit that looks like dragon fruit.

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moonboy87

Yeah, I've checked them out, but their prices are too rich for my blood ( sure, let me play you all the 'i'm poor,' violin solo ). I'll just stalk somebody until they are willing to give/sell me a cutting from the kindness of their heart. :P. I just really have a curiosity with this plant that I've never felt before...

supermario

I've learned the hard way that quality comes at a price. I purchased many plants online only to end up dissappointed. The nursery Richard mentioned is not far from where I live and is an excellent place of business.

My negative experiences are not limited to online purchases either.. I purchased a jaboticaba and sapodilla plant from Richard Lyon's nursery, which is also nearby. I have been struggling to keep the sapodilla upright since the day I bought it because the root base was sooo small. The jaboticaba has done well, but I paid far too much for the plant. I know this because I found a nursery(Ray's Nursery right by Pine Island), which sold me a Jaboticaba tree 3 times the size of Richard's for only $10 more!! Richard also assured me that black pepper did not grow well here, yet I purchased a plant from Pine Island Nursery and I now have a monster of a plant loaded with fruit!

I guess what Im trying to say is.. based on Pine Islands reputation, their plants are a bargain! Richard Lyon's is more expensive and is complete garbage. Ebay sellers rarely have the real deal and usually ship plants bare root.

Also, in order to get the most out of the plant, you will need to make a significant investment into building a proper support structure. My plan is putting me over $100.. far more than I paid for the plant!

Here is a picture of a well established, properly supported plant.


You can use lots of different techniques. I have to worry about hurricanes, so I am building and extra sturdy support. Either way though, I don't think there is a cheap way to build a good, strong support since the plants can weigh over 100lbs after only a few years!

P.S. Richard Lyon's nursery is not the Richard that posts on this site. Just wanted to make that clear.

cherokee_greg

[quote=supermario;107289]I've learned the hard way that quality comes at a price. I purchased many plants online only to end up dissappointed. The nursery Richard mentioned is not far from where I live and is an excellent place of business.


After reading about the plant I figured it was way to big for me and extra work which I donot need. I have to much on my plate for this plant. It sounds good and I bet the fruit is good. And your right about were you get plants and the quility with a price. I ordered a banana from ebay right when I potted it up it wilted and never recovered. And than I had others I received from members here on the org that are strong as a ox. There great and for less money and even free ! I have a nursery here were I live that have great banana plants 5 to 6 ft tall for about 25.00 and very healthy I have to say.I have to say the best plants I received in the mail are from gardners. Any how thanks

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Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA
http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

harveyc

Mario, if you're picking up a plant in person it might be worth buying a rooted plant but these things root so easily I don't think it's worth paying that kind of price for them. There are many enthusiasts that can provide good cuttings for next to nothing and some of them even sell on eBay. A careful enthusiast is probably less likely to get a cultivar mixed up than a large nursery with many hands involved.

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Richard

Be careful. I have encountered many enthusiastic sellers of dragon fruit plants who have never fruited their cuttings or have any means of comparing them to known plant stock.

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harveyc

I've encountered many nurseries of various plants with the same problem. It's a crap shoot no matter what unless it's someone you really know well and can inspect the plant in person.

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Dalmatiansoap

How hardy DF are? I have one that cant fit my wardrobe greenhouse any more and I dont want to risk with it by taking it ouside if it isnt hardy.

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