Dragon fruit is the edible fruit of a cactus that contains numerous seeds inside. The seeds can easily be used to grow new cactus plants that are quite fast-growing, undemanding and can produce beautiful flowers.
How to sow dragon fruit seeds correctly?
To sow dragon fruit seeds successfully, first remove the pulp from the seeds and let them dry. Then place the seeds on sandy soil, keep the soil evenly moist and ensure temperatures between 18° and 25° C. The germination time is approx. two weeks.
What you should know about pitahaya seeds
The most commonly available type of dragon fruit (bot. Hylocereus undatus) has scaly, light to dark pink skin and white flesh interspersed with many small, black seeds. It's rarer to get dragon fruits with pink flesh or those with yellow skin.
Each of the varieties contains the edible seeds that are also known from kiwis. The seeds give the gelatinous, non-fibrous pulp a little more “bite”. Among other things, the seeds are said to contain protein-splitting enzymes, which can have a digestive or even laxative effect.
Propagation by seeds
The new dragon fruit plants can be obtained through both generative and vegetative propagation. If you can get a cutting, things are easier. This simply needs to be placed in a substrate made of earth and sand, where it will take root after a short time. Growing from seeds requires a few more steps:
- Remove the pulp from the seeds and let them dry a little if necessary,
- Place seeds in a pot with sandy soil and do not cover,
- keep the soil evenly moist by spraying,
- After the two cotyledons and the main shoot appear, water only moderately,
- Isolate larger plants.
Germination temperature and duration
The germination temperature is between 18° and 25° C. The higher temperature shortens the germination time. With sufficient humidity and warmth, it takes about two weeks until the first green appears. Covering the seed with a clear plastic or glass container can be helpful; However, don’t forget to “ventilate” occasionally.
Further care
The cactus plants like it bright and warm. The ball of earth should occasionally dry out completely until the plant is watered thoroughly again. Waterlogging should definitely be avoided as it leads to root rot. At a certain height, these climbing cacti need some kind of scaffolding, support or a tree that they can climb up with their roots.
Tips & Tricks
If no pitahaya fruit can be found in stores, the seeds (€3.00 on Amazon) of the pink exotic can also be ordered from an online shop.