How to Treat Dragon Fruit Fungal Disease and Cactus Rust

1) Mix 3% Hydrogen Peroxide with water. 1:1 Ratio. I usually have a spray bottle that I fill half with hydro peroxide and half with water. I mix this well then spray it onto the cactus rust. I do this every 2-3 days until it scabs up and that’s when I know it’s controlled.
2) If hydrogen peroxide mix with water doesn’t help and you see the fungus continue to spread then I’ll jump to “Plant Doctor”. This is an organic fungicide that helps control the spread of cactus rust which is a kind of fungus. Follow the instruction on the bottle to gauge how often it needs to be treated.
3) COPPER FUNGICIDE - this will be my last resort to save my plants from further damage. This is a chemical type of treatment but gets the job done when all fails. I’ll use this once a week and once the fungus dies and starts to stop spreading I’ll use a scalpel to cut off all affected areas and discard far away.
Preventative care from this happening again once you’ve worked so hard to control and treat the illness. Use “NEEM OIL” - Spray this once a week to have a protective layer on the DF branches to help airborne diseases from settling in and attacking again. It’s natural and has properties to repel as a fungicide.
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[@paulclifford6941]

Another great video Richard, thank you! All of the fungicides you pointed out are chemicals, and they are all approved for certified organic production. (Ironically, in a chemical sense they are all "inorganic" chemicals, which makes them safe for organic gardening. The fungicides that are not so safe, because of their toxicity, are generally complex organic compounds.) They each have their advantages and disadvantages. As you pointed out, the hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat minor bacterial and fungal infections. The potassium phosphite fungicide (Plant Doctor) is a good preventive treatment because it acts both as a surface fungicide and systemically to actually strengthen the plant's immunity against fungus. Potassium phosphite directly inhibits the growth of various fungal and bacterial diseases, and it is also acts systemically; it is absorbed by the plant where it induces the plant to build cellular defenses that wall off fungal infections. It also slowly releases the essential nutrients, phosphorus and potassium, into the plant tissues. Further, when mixed with other foliar sprays it enhances the uptake of other nutrients. And, it's essentially nontoxic. That said, its use can be overdone, so everyonen should follow the label instructions. In particular, it should never be sprayed when there is any residue of any of the copper fungicides still on the leaves of a plant, because it reacts with the copper to make compounds toxic to the plant. The copper fungicides (copper salts and copper soaps) are also of very low toxicity but they can burn leaves if the concentration is too great, so again label instructions should be followed. Copper soaps (like copper octanoate) are probably the most effective agents for preventing fungal infection and killing spores. They are routinely used in the large DF plantations in Vietnam where fungus growth from the high humidity is a real problem. Often you'll see pictures of plantations where all the DF look painted blue from all the copper compounds.

[@virginniaherring8381]

Thanks for explaining that Paul! I live in Queensland, Australia and the summer humidity here is a bit of a challenge for some plants. Also your explanation of the Plant Doctor being potassium phosphite, is helpful because your brands in the USA are different to here so I can at least try to get a version of the Plant Doctor fungicide. I was really interested to learn how it works within the DF cells and supports the immune system so I will try this first this year as last year I used the Copper Fungicide. I agree with you regarding even things labeled as organic are not without consequences in some way as even these compounds can also kill beneficial bacteria, insects and pollinators. So many people think that because it’s organic means it’s harmless. Again thanks for your education!

[@howabouteverything]

I just had the same SoCal rain, and my two potted plants showed rust for the first time. I was heartbroken… but then I watched the video! Thanks bud!

[@JillyBean70]

omg..... have been binge watching your videos.....I have just had my first lot of flowers.....I have learnt so much. Thank you

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Hi Jill, thank you for taking the time to watch my videos! I’m happy that you are learning a lot and excited that you now have flowers! You’re very welcome and keep it up!

[@SS-ef8ks]

Hello, Richard. I tried Hydrogen Peroxide on dragon fruit, really great result. I had tried many solutions and your method is the best. Thanks very very much!!!!

[@kend40]

Happy New year Richard and family, may your DRAGON FRUIT be plentiful this year, thanks for the help with DRAGON FRUITS this past year, keep up the good work. And spread thr love for DRAGON FRUIT.😁🌱

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Happy New Year Ken and to your family as well! I will continue to keep educating and spread the love for Dragon Fruit!

[@dyerseve54]

Thank you! All of your videos have helped me enjoy gardening so much more 😃

[@virginniaherring8381]

Thanks for recommending this video to me! You explained all of the different options so well as I had heard of all of them but was confused as to when to use each of them and at what stage.

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chelini260]

Oh my goodness I’m glad I came across this info. I hope I can rescue my spiral cactus and a few lil guys that have this stuff.

[@stephrager7555]

Thank you for the thorough explanation!

[@jodielopez1]

You are an amazing teacher. Thank you so much. I have learned and am still learning so much from you. You are a dragon fruit angel 🙌

[@bryanblackburn5516]

Excellent demonstration 😁

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thank you Bryan! I hope you are doing well my friend.

[@kalenaglory2483]

Sir, You would make a very excellent doctor or Nurse! You are so soothing and calm. Thank You.

[@MsCGarnica]

Thank you so much for all the great info, organics too.

[@JamesEndo1]

Very helpful! I have rust on a cutting i purchased from a DF cutting seller yesterday (not good huh?) so your video gives me some good strategies. Thanks.

[@gabrielamendez4504]

Awesome video!! Beautiful Dragon Fruit Plants! :D

[@markmation]

YES - THANK YOU!! A very informative video - great organization and presentation.

[@thamizhandaennalum6269]

If you want copper sulphate from plants, I recommend thuthi leaves, In India, it was used as a natural fungicide.It grows in all kinds of weather.

[@annee5582]

Thank you for sharing Grafting Dragon Fruit.

[@Crystal-be9ze]

Thank you so much someone just sent me 2 giant dragon fruit cactus as a gift and they both have a mild case of this and I wasn’t sure what it was or how to treat it

[@AudioStorm1980]

Thanks man u helped me save my trichocereus.

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

You’re welcome!

[@mam564]

Very informative video! Thanks!

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thank you Merrilee! I’m glad that this video was helpful for you. I hope that you are doing well and that your Dragons are flourishing! Can’t wait to hear a report of Dragon fruits from you!

[@santabajadhav3559]

Nicely explained, excellent. Thanks 👍

[@dmmmm2806]

Thank you for all your videos, I love it and I been learn with you a lot of, thank you

[@efrenjralcantara3347]

Thanks for the video. How often i spray water/hydrogen peroxide? And should i keep it away on direct sunlight or not? Thanks.

[@SS-ef8ks]

So wonderful. Learn a lot. Thanks.

[@BlakesNaturelife]

Great video helped me out!

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks Blake for watching! I’m very happy that it helped you out! 😁

[@JustinKing1]

Hey Richard hope you are doing well and things are good. I love your videos and I am wondering do you sell single stems for dragon fruit?

[@yaminsaidi989]

Thank you for the tips

[@MomtazGarden]

Nice informative video, thanks for sharing,

[@mariadozal4419]

Love your channel thank you

[@Mayte1]

Thanks for the video!!!! 😊

[@Savingusnow]

Great. Very helpful !! Thanks.

[@mavicgabayan9967]

very helpful...thank you so much for this

[@ChrisParayno]

Thanks for this!

[@sandovalmu6825]

Thank you for sharing your video it's so helpful😍😀

[@jasminruiz8116]

Thank you. I'm new to plants and was wondering what was happening to my dragon fruit

[@mavicgabayan9967]

Thanks for this

[@ZhiCheng-bg4qh]

Thank you very much, l learning lots from you

[@gerardy7500]

Hi Richard, thanks for the great video. Will the part you cut out grow back? Some of my dragon fruit branch is being eaten by something. Would you know what causing this and any treatment?

[@Nicole-qn7kn]

Hello thanks for posting all these great videos, I have an issue with my dragon fruit that kind of looks like the fungus but I'm not sure, during hurricane Ian we had it in the shed for 2 days and the branches looked really rotted when we took it out, wondering if I should cut off, is there somewhere i can upload a photo?

[@makethegreen]

thanks again !❤

[@jo-annjewett198]

Very helpful!

[@NaniRaja1986]

Ur tips are helpful.. it worked for me.. pls add video for how to get fruit sweetness/fruit size incre

[@anotherplottwist]

big precaution with anything being sprayed, especially the h2o2 mixture. wear eye protection, personally id recommend swimming goggles since they don't let in the slightest amount blowing in the wind. :) happy safe gardening

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks for those tips gravitydaddy! Definitely need to be careful around chemicals! 👍🏼

[@yodouble2]

I’m having to do this right now.

[@aperez1060]

Thank you so much!!!

[@hienhuynh4822]

Very very helpful..!!!!!!

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks for watching Hien!

[@maryjanedecena6702]

Thank you 😊 sir.

[@mariogarcia155]

Very good information thank so much 🌵🌵🌵🌱😏😃👍

[@kikajimenez2232]

Thanks you

[@tommynguyen2612]

Thanks.

[@ParadiseAgroFarm]

Thanks

[@chavachiva8]

Hey Richard great video. Now I am going off subject again. I was looking at Edgar Valdivia video on how he makes new dragon fruit varieties. I think I understood most of his explination. Would it be possible for you to make a video on this subject. You do such a good job in explaining about dragon fruits and you vidos are so easy to understand.

[@chavachiva8]

Hey Paul How are you. Maybe I over think things but from my understanding of the Edgar Valdivia videos Its not as simple as that. Yes it starts with seedlings, then waiting for the fruiting of the seedlings to see what the fruit tastes like, then you have cross-pollination of seedlings with more varieties to see if you can improve the taste of the seedlings you have chosen because you liked its characteristic and taste. This according to Edgar takes many years to go through the process and fine tune the variety you are developing.

[@chavachiva8]

@@WhatPlantisthatPaul thanks for the information. Never heard or read about this strategy but it makes sense.

[@chavachiva8]

@@WhatPlantisthatPaul Paul I'm not familiar with a "K" dragon fruit could you give me more information. I found a picture on internet of a white flesh variety but no more information. I have some seeds from last year that I will see if rthey will germinate. Tamarillo from Peru/ Ecuador, Aji panca, aji amarillo, aji rocoto Moringa, and a blue Guatamalan squash. I have to wait for it to warmer. Same here if I am successful your welcome to some seedlings.

[@chavachiva8]

@@WhatPlantisthatPaul Great what rare fruit did you come across with the other person? You got me curious.

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Hi chava Chiva! I hope you are doing well, my apologies for such the late response! I will definitely invest in some time to making a video to explain the process of creating new Dragon fruit varieties! Thank you for giving me such kind comments on how I make my videos to simplify things for you. In return I will work on getting that info so everyone can benefit! Thanks chava Chiva!

[@Whisper1177]

On my second year of growth. No flowers yet, hopeful for this summer. Minnesota is a brutal environment to grow in. Found that I will need more intense lighting come next winter when I bring them inside. They kept growing, probably got about 2 feet of growth. But as April approached I cut off the new growth. It was less than an inch thick. Figured having new thick growth onto of 2 feet of thin growth wouldn't give me the results I'm aiming for.

[@JFlywheel]

We have a dragonfruit cutting I stuck is a pot, we don't have a proper trellis so it's going all over. I'm guessing it's best I just cut pieces off for more plants then transfer the base to a proper trellis? I just realized we have rust of allot of the plant so I just treated it with diluted peroxide! I never knew what this was so thanks for making this video!

[@noemiliabalaba9862]

Hi i watch your video, the problem of my dragon fruit in my back yard garden, it is rotting so fast including its fruit., pls help what chemicals to use, i worried so much because i cut long stems already everyday and still it is rotting so fast. Thank you

[@wayne9508]

Hi Richard! Have you had any experience with the tips on new shoots curling over into themself? Ive got a few varieties (pearl, red) which have this problem and while i think its related to the heat from the sun currently where i live in Australia, you can have two shoots next to each other and one will curl and the other wont. Its quite frustrating when trying to trellis a plant as im typically now waiting for new shoots to grow a decent size before i decide what to remove. Any input would be appreciated mate.

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Hi Wayne! I do have a variety called Halley’s Comet that when growing shoots. It tends to curl up just as you explained. What I do is I continue to let the branch grow to about 4-6 inches. Then I would tip the branch by breaking off the tip to let it develop a new shoot and hoping that the new one won’t curl. Also if you just let it grow they eventually get heavy and will curl down and also still give you that nice umbrella canopy that you’re looking for on your trellis. Hope this helps friend!

[@allarakha8561]

Nice video

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks for watching!

[@donaldchang2091]

Can I use baking soda to my dragon fruit as pesticides

[@isaacmagana7078]

Hi, I'm new to growing dragon fruits and one of my cuttings has white fuzz on the top of the soil. Should I remove all the soil and plant it somewhere else? I'm seeing it might be due to overwatering and it could or could not be harmful to my cutting. I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me out on advice, Thanks!!!

[@thuylamvu2414]

Thank you now I don’t worry about them appear on my dragon trees

[@ameliablegur6797]

Bersyukur atas bantuannya untuk mengatasi virus yg trdapt di kebun saya.. Makasih.. GBU

[@frikandelspeciaal1431]

Tanks good video 👍

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thank you for watching!

[@frikandelspeciaal1431]

@@GraftingDragonFruit i watch good content 👍

[@tracyclarke2548]

Hi Richard, How often do I spray with the Hydrogen Peroxide to get rid of the rust? Thanks :)

[@grahamfenn9060]

Fun fact: You can also sterilize tools with hydrogen peroxide, just make sure it’s not the 50/50 dilution for max strength!

[@anniepeng]

Interesting!

[@davidschmidt270]

Thank you Sir!!! Your video was incredibly helpful!!! I'm going to save it to me catalogue for sure!!!! PS 👉 I really like the wooden stake platforms you guy's have to help hold them up....right on 👍👍👍👍 ✝️🛐💯🍟🤠🛌📝🥳🌟🐧🌵

[@jodiriis]

Hi Richard. I just commented before on another post, or was it this video? This isn’t the first time ive I’ve watched this video. I mentioned before that I just got a new dragon fruit plant that’s heavily diseased. Pieces that are very long brittle and thin have come off. They have some film on them. Can I use those cuttings to start new plants as long as I treat the cutting? This plant I had a chance to get it semi trellaced because it’s just tangled up. Literally there’s like 30 crazy branches going everywhere. I noticed at the bottom of one of the plants, most of its completely rotted, but the rest of the plant of that portion on top is green. Should I just take apart that part of the plant and re propagate it? The people who had it before me just let weeds grow out of the pot that’s way too small for this baby. I think the best thing I can do for some of this plant is to take up some of the roots and see what shape they’re in. There’s like a gold ish film covered over some of the thinner branches. I need to know if you have any suggestions on what size pot and what kind of pot? Also, do you know anyone who builds plant trellises for dragon fruit plants? Thanks , Jodi

[@lasvegasfruittrees4265]

After Watching Your Vids On How Easy It Is To grow Dragon Fruit Im On a Dragon Fruit Hunt

[@saly2011cam]

Can i use any of this products whenever i can , i mean no matter the hour (morning, afternoon or evning). Thanks si much for the ingormation.

[@SudinsCreation]

Its Helpful for me

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks for watching Sudin!

[@1TheLukewarm1]

I always enjoy your videos, your plants are amazing. Saying "chemical" (at least to me) is associated with synthetics, which would be a compound somebody synthesized in a lab. Neem is just the oil extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, nothing synthetic about that. The copper is certified organic, but it is still copper so it's not a chemical, it's a metal suspended in water. Copper also isn't really much of a treatment but is great disease prevention and it is most effective if you apply it before any signs of infection, it is easy to over use though. The organocide actually penetrates into the plant and helps prevent fungal growth, if you get that in your soil it may prevent the mycorrhizal fungi from multiplying though. it's not certified organic, but I don't think you can get the active ingredients without some sort of manufacturing of compounds.

[@meeng9995]

How many times in a week watering for dragon fruits?

[@kristacarignan1896]

technically everything is a chemical as they are the basis of life... carbon, oxygen all chemicals. I think sometimes people forget that and get a little misled by that word. Literally anything that has mass and exists is made of particles and atoms, therefore chemicals!

[@mrfishypep]

Copper is a chemical. Any chemical suspended in water is also still a chemical.

[@JackAllOftrades]

Hi Richard hope you can help me , most of my df buds dried up and fell any idea what is happening thank you .I'm fr. Phillipines

[@girprakrutikfarmsalimk.sor7304]

Very good information sir My dragon fruit farm like same problem how to control help please

[@kristacarignan1896]

I have a dragon fruit cactus with a bad case of powdery mildew. Any tips on salvaging? I am thinking I will have to take it apart and just save what is healthy and re root the cuttings. I did overwater it this winter and it was stuck in a cooler less bright room for about 2 weeks and that seemed to give the powdery mildew a chance to take hold.

[@MyFruitThing]

Thanks! I made the 50/50 and sprayed my Dragon Fruit plants. It is in am early stage of the fungal growth. Bit how often should I spray the the plants with the 50/50?

[@alanmurphy4931]

Hi Richard very interesting video on a fairly common problem, would it be an advantage to add a wetter additive to the spray to break the surface tension as I noticed the spray beads up on the leaf, I use one here in Australia ( A spray additive designed for use with fungicides, insecticides and weed killers. Wetter 600 increases the activity and efficiency of pesticides and herbicides by increasing wetting and improves spray coverage) some add a couple of drops of dish washing liquid but I'm not convinced about using that one. . . . . Al

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Hi Alan, I’ve been wanting to test out wetter additives and have heard of the dish soap but also have been hesitant to do so. I haven’t found anything that sounds logical to me to try out yet so I always just use the fungicide as is. If you have any recommendations I would love to know about them! It would be nice to have more coverage on the branches without them leaking off the branch.

[@alanmurphy4931]

@@GraftingDragonFruit This is one that I use is Wetter 600 surfactant from Lawn Pride in Queensland, I would think that similar products would be available to you in the USA, it's much better than using dish liquid as I believe some of the chemicals could be detrimental to the plants you use it on.

[@PlanetGreenToe]

There is a company called opticfoliar that makes a product called transport that is amazing for helping as a wetting agent

[@karabuccs7043]

Excellent information thanks

[@diemle676]

Hi Richard , I saw you have many dragon fruit plan . How many year for 1 until you have to knock down and start a new one ?? Thank you

[@aliciahipolito3461]

Richard Can I plant some new dragonfruit leaves on the base of an established dragonfruit panted in a big container? The old branches were broken n spoiled during a year house renovation but it’s roots are kept intact on the pole supporting the old branches.

[@chaseengquist9822]

So I have some really bad spot that seem to grow huge overnight wondering if mine are going from yellow to black about the size of a quarter over night is the plant just going to die? I cut out the infected areas with clean scalpel and treated with copper fungicide.

[@Striker721]

Quick question. What is the minimal age that this orange stuff can occur? I'm growing a yellow dragon fruit, and the very top of it is red. Is this normal?

[@Bluere11e]

Living in south Florida, we get heavy, heavy rain and humidity. It’s been raining here most of December, unusual because it’s the dry season. It’s easy to monitor and control when you have dozens of plants I. Pots. But,if you have more on acres, you can’t always be this detailed. Copper fungicide is good for treatment. If you already have pretty healthy DF, can you just use Neem oil as a preventive frequently? Is there a time of day or temperature that’s best to apply? Should you apply it again after it rains? How soon after? When the branches are dry? If it rains every few days, can you apply the neem oil that frequently?

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Hi Bluere11e, If you already have pretty healthy DF. I definitely recommend using Neem Oil as a preventative. You can apply it once every week. To keep it maintenance you can apply once every 2 weeks. I normally like to apply them right as soon as sun down. Applying it during the high heat of the sun will just evaporate it so it’s best to apply when sun is going down and not making contacting with the branches. This will give it time to absorb into the branches and make it affective. If it rains, you can reapply the Neem Oil after the rain has stopped and wait until your branches are dry. Try to space it out weekly so that you aren’t over applying. I hope this helps! Kind regards, Richard

[@reneemoore6249]

Just a note for reference, 3% hydrogen peroxide at 1/1 ratio.

[@michelledelotindo944]

Hi, will i change my soilmix when treating fungus on my cactus?

[@LL-rb8wd]

So even if you use the neem oil you can still get rust? Does it just reduce the severity?

[@rupalipawar92]

I grew them from dragonfruit seeds from the fruit I ate. Now they are like 3 years old but still never flowered. What should I do to make them flower? They get maximum sunlight

[@koshka7290]

Im getting orange spots that become holes at the aerial roots and not just on any place of the dragonfruit. Is it the same rust problem

[@LastZurvivor]

Better to flame sterilize your blades with a lighter or butane Bunsen burner/torch, than alcohol. Your choice of 70% alcohol is better to keep a slow evaporation on surfaces that you work on and gloves and skin. IF you need that level of sterility. Excellent choice of fungicides though.

[@GraftingDragonFruit]

Thanks for the sterilizing tips Eric! I feel like the flame to the blade is a great idea and should be utilize! Great idea man!

[@LastZurvivor]

@@GraftingDragonFruit No problem, always happy to help out. I also wanted to point out possibly flame sterilizing between cuts on the same dragon fruit and especially between different dragon fruit. A blade is a great place for fungus to get transplanted from plant to plant.

[@ckiker72]

Should the H2O2/H2O mix be applied weekly?

[@Chris626Stitch]

Hi Richard! Great clip. My colony of DF's are becoming extinct as we speak though. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been battling with rot (brown soft flesh) and thought I got it, but it seems to have come back with a vengeance and on almost all of my plants, so putting out a 911 to ya. Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@AudioStorm1980]

Systemic bonide

[@Wajiz114]

What is the reason of this fungus ? Is it mainly due to the wet season ?? If YES, How can we prevent it from happening in the first place ??

[@aliciahipolito3461]

Hi my 5 yr old dragonfruit branches was ruined during a year long renovation. Roots are intact at the pole supporting the plant. It is in a big container. Can I plant new branches on the same container? Thank you

[@dougsantos6146]

What kind of dirt do you need for the Dragon Fruit plants?

[@bmlsb]

My brother gave me cutting with rust, is it worth it to treat, and plant the cutting?

[@itsbeatv1782]

Sir hm is the Hydrogen peroxide Copper Fungicide and organic cinement?

[@evamenez00]

Copper works even if the plant it’s really bad? Thanks...

[@brucevang5798]

How to mix the copper fungicide to water my friend?

[@Wajiz114]

Can you please inform us how to prevent it ??

[@SecurityOffDuty]

I have rust on it’s main branch, then two sprouts on the sides.

[@juliefanai582]

Interesting

[@rosalindabaniwas53]

Is painting with organic paint for trees is ok to do it with dragon fruit