PLANTING DRAGON FRUIT - and building a cheap DIY trellis

[@JackPitmanNica]

I love Weedy Garden videos! I live in Nicaragua, and here dragonfruit is called "Pithaya" and it grows EVERYWHERE! Im in the capital, Managua, and Managua has a lot of really old trees. Its common to see dragonfruit growing really high up in the trees, that's where it seems to grow naturally. The birds must plant it up there! They also have Pithaya farms, and the farms are interesting because they grow the pithaya on top of a cut tree at waist height. So if you look at a pithaya farm, you just see a bunch of tree trunks with cactus on top of them. It looks different than the way you planted it, though. Your dragonfruit goes into the ground but the pithaya in Nicaragua is usually not planted that way. Its like vanilla, it gets planted on trees, and the roots grow into the tree trunk. Sometimes they grow all the way down the trunk to the ground. But for the most part, most of the plant's roots are in the trunk/air. If you look at the wild dragonfruit growing high up in the trees, it will send really really long roots all the way down to the ground eventually, the roots look like vines and they sorta fuse into the treebark.

[@RAREDRAGONFRUIT]

UCNR imported many varieties from Nicaragua. Cebra, Lisa, Orejona, Sin Espinas, Kesslau, and Rosa came from your country.

[@1980mezza]

I've seen this in Thailand too. ❤

[@ohyesthelion]

Is it chill & safe to visit Nicaragua?

[@JackPitmanNica]

Yeah! If you look online it looks horrible but I've lived here for 5 years@@ohyesthelion

[@JssQLD]

Luv your channel mate, every time I come here it's like I'm catching up with an old dear friend. Gives me such inspiration to have a go when I'm still a novice gardener myself, cheers.

[@karlastrebel1909]

You are fearless!!! ❤

[@karlastrebel1909]

Beautiful perspective. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@MsFishingdog]

Great video. Thanks

[@shijudevarajan143]

Hi .. awesome visuals.❤ from India 🇮🇳

[@camerafusion]

I love photography and gardening, currently my favorite hobbies. Your channel is incredibly inspiring! The storytelling, cinematography/videography, composition, lighting, color grading, sound design, graphics, literally everything… amazing. It’s an incredible amount of work that you’re putting into these videos. Amazing garden too!!!

[@rhysdehaan]

Was looking foward to this video, after seeing the dragonfruit plants in your other videos 🐉 🐲 📹 😀 🪴 🌱

[@Morphic-Realms.]

Brother David, I fell into a blissful meditative state with this video............. amazing, I always look forward to weedy's next surprise, learning through the eyes and the harmony of the ride. .. In'Lakech

[@leticiakirsten6365]

Thanks for the simple and inexpensive trellis idea.

[@johntimings5230]

It would be interesting to see a crash course on videography by Mr. Weedy himself!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

I wonder how many gardeners would be interested in a video about photography lessons??? I could perhaps make a members video tutorial series. Then people could choose themself.

[@nathanielbravo4464]

Inspiration as always.... awesomeness mate

[@trangtrang8186]

I would rather watch your videos than watch documentaries. Admire you very much. I want to learn from your gardening style. Love from Vietnam.

[@brennerlowe]

You are the most inspiring human being I know. Thank you for fostering connection so beautifully. x

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Wow, thank you

[@oreopaksun2512]

Awww, Teddy is guarding the dragon fruit until the dragons can defend themselves! What a lovely and tough looking trellis, and clever tip about charring the bottom to fend off rot and bugs naturally. And that was some impressive carpentry with a machete! I have to go sharpen mine. And dig out my solar fairy lights to hang on my seedling dragonfruits.....eventually. Thank you for another lovely lovely look at your magical garden.

[@TheWiseOne6775]

Dragonfruit is very forgiving, I didn't check when a friend gave me a bunch of cuttings and planted them, and of the 5 I potted one was upside down. Darn if the plant didn't grow roots from the correct end and I pulled it up and replanted it and it's gone crazy growing for me. It is such a fabulous fruit to grow and oh so easy!

[@lpmoron6258]

Enjoyed the video. Always nice to have a tranquil fix in the morning. Have a wonderful day.

[@tinak.541]

Your garden is a wonderful paradise!! ❤

[@Santo-one1]

Thank you for sharing 😊 🙏 watching from Southern California

[@rhysdehaan]

They grow great with pinapples, because they both like soil that's really free draining, yet nutrient rich. 🌱

[@hakora6676]

i appreciate you david and the amount of work you put into the videos !!!! now who can send me some seeds ? hahhahhaah im attempting to grow dragon fruit up here in the far north of aotearoa - its boosting in the plastic house - im thinking of planting in the ground but mound it .....keep the roots away from frost........a lot of rain here so most tropicals need cover to stop losing the fruit......ive got mango going.....aussie finger lime......a load of papaya ......

[@narelle4868]

A dragonfruit cutting that I planted years ago hasn't done anything, but at least it's not dead. It didn't grow. Watching this, I need to move the plant to a sunnier position. I also have 7 babies grown from seed in a pot that sits on a table near a window and I've been too apprehensive about planting them outside as it's taken them YEARS to get to 8cm. Only courage will make me try transferring one or two to pots outside. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@blueglassog3600]

Fantastic. I suppose in Victoria I should get the desert variety. Great production quality as always. It's not your fault the world is over consuming. Thanks for the harmony. B

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

Great working with you on this, love what you have done. We love to educate people on how easy dragon fruit are to grow. There are over 100 varieties available all with different colours, flavours and textures. Explore your inner Dragon…. Thanks David for getting the word out on this fantastic easy fruit is to grow.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Yeah Yana. If anyone wants to know more about these exotic delights, then follow this woman on her instagram page!!!

[@BrokenArrow685]

Your helpful video is inspiring me to grow dragonfruit. I really appreciate the level of detail and such insightful tips for success. Fingers crossed.

[@starrmasner6015]

Thank you for taking the time to record all this wonderful information while growing such a beautiful garden. I wish I could live a life like yours. ❤your garden!

[@markrockliff2742]

Good work MR Weedy.😀

[@beapartofnature5376]

I am a very good fan of you sir, I started Permaculture on 2 acres. I wish you good luck and healthy life

[@TheWeedyGarden]

same to you. Thank you

[@annharlan8926]

I tried D.F. once and they died. Not being one to give up easily, I'm trying again. I'm in NC, U.S. 7b - probably soon to be updated to 8a. Temperatures now are 95-98 Fahrenheit by noon for about 3-4 months with high humidity (it often feels like breathing threw a hot wet washcloth). We used to get a few short-lived ice and snow storms in winter (usually January) but not in the last few years (global warming). I've bought some D.F. stems from a guy in Florida again this year and they are growing slowly. I did put mine on my porch in large pot (we have heavy clay base) - to grow and drape over the railings. I think it will work. Got a couple babies growing from original stem. They get intense morning sun and shade in the afternoon. I love your photography and videography. You are so talented. Such nice perspectives through the lenses. I'm following and going to compare with what happens to mine to see how we fair with different climbing arrangements, different parts of the world and different climates. I'll wrap mine if the winter gets cold but I don't think I need to worry. I've got a city street light near enough to attract moths in my small permaculture yard. Who will get fruit from our new plants first? Next year. Best of luck.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Let’s see 😀

[@theunexpectedpermaculturehippy]

Enjoyed the video as usual. You have the gift of transporting us right into your garden. I'm always enriched by the experience. 💚

[@aplwaplw]

A tip I've picked up from a nursery master is to wrap the central column with burlap or jute cloth. The roots will be much happier in such an environment as there is a much greater surface area which is cooler and holds moisture better than the post alone!

[@pixelfantasizer]

Your videos are so beautifully shot and the editing is so nice too!!

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Thank you 🙏🏻😃

[@marshalrommel3410]

🤙🏽Washington state!! ❤

[@thisguy6817]

I’ve actually started a dozen or so dragonfruit seeds, I wanted to show my kids how to propagate plants from store bought fruits. We’ll see how they produce, they’re about a foot or two tall but skinny. What a wonderful adventure to be on, and how serendipitous of a video for you to post. Much love brother

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

A dragon fruit cutting is the way to go but seeds are a great experiment. Seeds can take up to 7 years to fruit, Where cuttings are 1-3 years to produce dragon fruit depending on conditions. The seed experiment can be fun though you may end up with your own variety!

[@thisguy6817]

@@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater yeah it’s just gonna be house plants till I get a greenhouse. It’s more for the experience of growing them to see all the genetic variation, and if I find a “winner” then it just sweetens the deal 🤘🏼

[@zettavilla]

Wow awesome idea of the log burnt to make the trelis ..amazing idea and cheap too

[@elwood212]

Thanks for this video David. I have 4 x sweet dragon cuttings I’ve had growing for about 8 months ready to be planted. I see the TYRE will be nice and soft for the legs. Great idea and I have all these ingredients.👍🙏🇦🇺

[@RAREDRAGONFRUIT]

Rad. We make our trellises 4 feet in height. It's perfect for an average human Sugar Dragon is from the late Paul Thomson. It was called 8-S. We have one from 2002.

[@lilachnahari]

thank you weedy garden, held og lukke med alt:)love to see your creative videos

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Tak

[@rhysdehaan]

Hey Mr weedy, it's still a good idea to hand pollinate them, because a lot of times the pollinators don't always get them all. That way you make sure you get all the fruits you can! 😀👍

[@Sundancer8]

As always, informative and inspiring. Big hugs and hello from Barbados. My garden is growing more magical because of your wonderful example. Thank you. I wanted to share something I did recently to a healthy Papaya tree that I didn't want growing so tall as to block a lovely view. At about four feet tall, I pinched out the tiniest of leaves from the growing tip and within a week the trunk was covered in massive flowers that are two weeks later already presenting big fat fruits. Usually my Papayas take a while to set fruit but this turn is remarkable. Maybe I frightened it into a survival response. My Dragons have no comment.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

💪🏻

[@kevinokie9196]

Thanks for your wonderful wisdom, Weedy! Love from Big Island, Hawaii. My dragon fruits are flowering now! Maybe some fairy lights for me too!

[@slaturwinters1828]

My old house in Puerto Rico has a dragonfruit tree thats spread over the roof of my house, I remember climbing the walls between the houses and climbing onto my roof to help my dad train it and pick fruit

[@lukehamilton4455]

Good to see my favorite gardener love your videos weedy! 🙏💪❤️👑

[@1980mezza]

Your soil is looking amazing and healthy really wish i had soil that looks so good.. Up here in Thailand its so sandy and takes alot of effort to make it better. Our Dragon fruits, yellow, red/purple and white flesh are in their 4th year now and we are getting ALOT from just 4 trellis. We planted 4 plants per trellis btw. One thing i can say from my experience so far is they will grow super fast eventually so you need to make sure your support is super strong. They like to climb too so i would have the trellis at 2.5m because the overhang of the branches is where you will get most of the fruit. We built our trellis/supports to around 2metres and imo they're not tall enough or strong enough. If they had been taller and stronger to support the weight we would have much much more. I also find that feeding them with Molasses during fruiting season makes them amazingly sweet.. loved your videos from the very first one.. Happy growing.

[@Katiegwen777]

Hello 😊 I’ve recently moved to far north QLD and have found dragon fruit plants scattered around the property - mostly planted in pots and growing up trees for support. I’m Tasmanian born and raised so have a lot to learn up here! Some great tips, thank you! Your videos are a pleasure to watch. So calming yet informative ❤

[@danielson2303]

Great video your garden is looking amazing

[@justinarnold7725]

Coir Blimey another great Weedy Gardner video

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Yes. 😃

[@TheParadiseParadox]

Very cool. We have some growing by the creek on the ranch here in Jalisco. I suppose the previous caretaker started cultivating them They've been spreading by themselves, but I haven't seen any fruit there yet. I didn't think of taking cuttings but now you've mentioned it, it seems obvious. obviously they're very resilient so it's a good option for a food source

[@MyEverydayGarden]

That’s so fascinating! The plant and the way it grows up the trellis

[@freethoth]

You can easily shape little seedling pots from that packing paper. The weave of it locks together nicely.

[@boshenaw.929]

I love how you make it look like anybody can do it. I will be putting my dragonfruit in soon! They have been sitting in the pots because I thought I would need some fancy structure to grow them!

[@EastxWestFarms]

Thank you for this video. We have been trying to grow dragon fruit from seeds for quite some time now. The sprout very easily but the gray to a point where they just die after a year two. You are lucky that you can just order cuttings.

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

Seeds can take 7 years to fruit V's Cutting 1-3 years. Seeds are not always true to type.

[@sareththoung359]

Lovely weedy garden ❤

[@trippnbilly7130]

I'm always amazed at how dark you soil is. We have red clay in south carolina and we really have to work ours. Love the channel

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Yes. It’s pretty good soil here

[@coobye]

What brand/size bike tyre is best David. I prefer Pirelli myself😂😂. Loving your vids mate👍.

[@Gail-gf7km]

OMG!!! Weedy is wearing shoes!!

[@OG-Everthing]

may God guide you to islam my friend you have a nice soul....peace from France

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I'm really interested to see how the rebar/tire setup works in about 5 years. I think most people building dragon fruit trellises don't realize how top-heavy the plants are when they get big. Your design is probably one of the strongest I've seen with that hefty log base.

[@RAREDRAGONFRUIT]

We use 4 inch drain pipes and stuff them with rebar and concrete. They are stout.

[@oatiko3065]

@@RAREDRAGONFRUITnice seeing you here. 🍻

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

The tops can reach up to 400kg!!!

[@sharont2878]

We have just moved to the country side and the property has a well established area for growing also with some established plants...there is a existing dragon fruit plant but not with a proper trellis plus I know nothing about the plant and this video is very helpful. Thanks for sharing your growing tips.🙂🌼🌻

[@matthiasbrunger1179]

Dear Weedy, if you plan on planting more dragon fruit in the future I highly recommend varieties of the Selenicereus megalanthus species range (yes there are several dragon fruit species!), especially the "Ecuador Palora" variety. But all other Peruvian, Ecuadorian or Colombian varieties of this species are worth it. These are yellow dragon fruit with spines on the fruit itself and the fruit is bumpy, not to mistake for yellow varieties (with missing pigment) of red dragon fruit, like the Isis Gold. I find the yellow dragon fruit of the Selenicereus megalanthus species superior in taste to every other dragon fruit I tasted so far. The only downside is that the Selenicereus megalanthus dragon fruit has a weaker stem and root system, so it is best to graft it on a red variety. Hope you find a cutting in your area or even better a fruit to try it!

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

Selenicereus megalanthus are so sweet! some of the best tasting fruit!!

[@Stanley-xd1gf]

Huges from Brazil.

[@usmarma9467]

Yeyyyy!! That's my favourite fruit. I've been working more than 5 years to improve Dragon fruits quality, taste, and it's flavour to make today's consumers perspective on DF. Many says df are not tasty. It taste like nothing and bland. But I can say there are so many varieties that taste so good. Good luck mate.. If you need any information about growing df. I can help you.

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

I totally agree!! You might say you didn't like apples if you had only had a sour granny smith when you could have been eating a sweet fuji apple. We have lemonade flavoured, berry, kiwi fruit, nectarine plus more. Some varieties are plainer but great to make jams, cheesecakes and add colour to deserts. Happy Growing!!!

[@usmarma9467]

@@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater Yeah! Near future DF gonna be more sweeter

[@gameuck17]

Interesting, we have some on the pool fence. There is some led solar lights in other pots around the pool. This may have attracted night pollination with out us even knowing this was required. I guess we fluked that because we got some fruit.

[@matthewfarrell317]

There is also cold tolerant varieties. I have quite a few thriving in Melbourne. They are so easy to grow.

[@blueglassog3600]

Can I get a cutting :)

[@annharlan8926]

Please post their names. Our winters used to be cold and I'd like to try more varieties.

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

Hi, I would love some feedback on what varieties you are growing.

[@valarmorghulis8139]

I can't wait to quit my job and be a farmer again 😂

[@ss-kz9ee]

Didn't know they were hungry. That's why mines looking pale. I've been doing dragon fruit from seed to. Very easy but slow to form the cacti.

[@guillermogodinez2324]

❤

[@koala2464]

Hi. What a great video with lots of ideas for me as I plant mine. I couldn’t make up my mind about what to make for their structure to grow on. Which one do you think is better. The tyre or the first one you built? Thanks for another great video.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

The tyre solution is easier and shorter so I think it is better

[@nadietta9812]

We have to pollinate our dragon fruit by hand, because the bat that normally pollinates it, does not exist in spain. We were told that bees and other pollinators can ocasionally pollinate, but we won't get a proper harvest that way. So we go when they open at around 10 or even better early in the morning (normally untill about 10am) and pollinate by hand. If it works for you with the moths, please tell me, so we might be able to save a lot of work.

[@andreigurandaofficial]

Maybe a stupid question: if burning the log prevents bacteria from setting in, why do we use bio charcoal for harboring bacteria?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Good question. Basically to make it simple I would say that the microbes will move into the layer of charcoal to live, but for them to travel all the way through to get to the wood is too far for them. Like living in NY but your food is in CA. Easier to get food on the east coast!

[@andreigurandaofficial]

@@TheWeedyGarden Thank you Weedy! I assumed something like that, but was not sure.

[@Colin-pg2su]

Dragon fruit stems look just like a epiphyllum. Wait! It is epiphyllum. Having a moment now. 🤯

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

They are epiphyllum and love being fed liquid fertilizer. You can even keep some bark on your post to help roots feed and get moisture. Cheers Yana -Rare Dragon Fruit

[@cazinaus4917]

Oh my that looks way too small for 3 different dragon fruits. I would also recommend giving dragon fruit there own space away from existing beds as they will expand and take over in no time. Such a stunning fruit though to fancy up any pavlova or for making vibrant smoothies 😃 Cheers for the video

[@RareDragonFruitAgnesWater]

We are trying to achieve fast fruit whit this trellis.

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

Pitahaya. En el caribe, centroamerica, y sudamerica se llama pitahaya.

[@Bernie5172]

I tie mine up with strips off an old cotton sheet. It wont dtrangle them as it rots away eventually

[@gulliverdalton8680]

Flying foxes get into the flowers, don’t seem to be very good pollinators though and they eat all the pollen if there’s just a few flowers open that night. The self fertile one produce still when they do it though. Just small low value fruit. That maybe what happens to your single one. They breed fruit fly, the fruit grows quick so fruit isn’t susceptible for long, but fruit fly love stinging them and they develop very well in the fruit.

[@pietsnot7002]

Cool, it’s so nice to have been able to see your transformation as a gardener and the transformation of the garden itself 👌 Was that a courgette l saw there? If so l guess you didn’t get any frost so far 🤙

[@GrandmomZoo]

❤❤❤

[@meliponarioepitayasnunes2585]

I love tenho 38 variedades

[@TheWeedyGarden]

wow!

[@meliponarioepitayasnunes2585]

@@TheWeedyGarden 🤣

[@meliponarioepitayasnunes2585]

Moro no sul do Brasil i love Channel

[@meliponarioepitayasnunes2585]

I dont espk inglês

[@TheWeedyGarden]

@@meliponarioepitayasnunes2585 no problem 💜👍😃

[@Lucyorganicgarden]

Should you dry the wounds on the cuttings for a few days?😊

[@TheWeedyGarden]

No need

[@Lucyorganicgarden]

@@TheWeedyGarden that is going to save me ….

[@Felixkoifish]

David , May I know where you buy your dragon fruit cutting ?

[@TheWeedyGarden]

In Australia go to raredragonfruit.com.au/pages/contact-us

[@Felixkoifish]

@@TheWeedyGarden Thanks

[@-ananda-]

Estaría bien poder ver subtitulada en español

[@JackPitmanNica]

Puedes usar los subtitulos automaticos. Para hacer esto, vaya a los subtitulos y, bajo "ingles", haga clic en "Traduccion automatica" y luego seleccione Espanol

[@JackPitmanNica]

Actualmente, la configuracion esta disponsible, pero luego no aparece nada en el videos. Que raro.

[@-ananda-]

Ya lo intenté pues hasta ahora funcionaba, pero ya no

[@JackPitmanNica]

@@-ananda- Es el mismo para mi :(

[@JackPitmanNica]

@@-ananda- Tengo el mismo problema en otros canales, a veces los subtítulos aparecen aleatoriamente a la mitad del video, pero la mayoría de las veces no hay nada

[@RAREDRAGONFRUIT]

Also, cross pollenate all varieties to make bigger fruit.

[@pn3940]

grower have their trellises about 5 ft tall are plenty high.

[@chanhoong5205]

Is that pineapple?

[@mariabonita5687]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@auroraaustralis5470]

❤️‍🔥😎🧞‍♂️

[@danielnaberhaus5337]

I wouldve left the bark on because dragonfruit have parasitic roots that feed on decaying bark

[@TheWeedyGarden]

The bark will losen and fall off in a year

[@andrewanderson6618]

You did a metre, is that the minimum height?

[@DocIndian1135]

Whats the story behind your neckless ? 🕉️

[@Mastan_food]

🌷🌷🌷

[@elainacasey7672]

Question, some plants need to sleep. Example, tomatoes without 8 hours of darkness, don't produce flowers. No flowers, no fruit! So, if you're putting lights around the dragon fruit for moth pollinators how does that affect the dragon fruit flowering. Not sure how long dragon fruit need to sleep to produce flowers. Do you know?

[@maosung5219]

۱۴۰۲~۶~۲۳🌷🌺🌸🌼🥰💛🧡❤❤❤❤😘

[@Papasqanch]

Those grinder cutting blades are very thin and brittle, they are meant for cutting things but they are not designed for grinding on the side. Just please be so careful! You are so far from a hospital! It would be a real shame if one blew apart and hit you in an artery.

[@pambrewer9082]

Weedy, will you marry me?