About Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya, belongs to the cactus family and is known for its drought tolerance and minor frost resilience. While some varieties are self-fertile, most require pollination from another type, usually carried out by bees and moths during the evening and nighttime. Although some growers opt for hand pollination, this method is time and labour-intensive. Dragon fruit flowers usually open for just one day, but some may stay open longer, improving chances of natural pollination. Nevertheless, excessive dry heat or insufficient watering can cause these flowers to wilt, reducing their open duration.
Challenges of growing Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit in our Subtropical Urban Eden blooms from October to December, coinciding with the late dry and rainy season. This timing presents challenges as heavy rainfall can prevent the flower from opening due to waterlogged, heavy petals. Additionally, this damp environment increases susceptibility to fungal infections. Current cultivation involves several self-sterile varieties, highlighting an ongoing exploration of methods to overcome these seasonal and environmental issues.
Overcoming some challenges of growing Dragon fruit in Lusaka
The plan is to replace current plants with self-fertile varieties for less labour-intensive fruit production. Dragon fruit plants, which may be hard to support due to limited space, are grown in pots along fences and walls. By planting companions of dill, leeks, and fennel, pollinating bees and other insects are attracted to the blossoms. The plants thrive best in full to partially sunlit-areas. They require weekly watering — once or twice during the fruiting phase. The soils are mulched and supplemented with compost three times a year.