How long is the growth cycle of dragon fruit?

Introduction to pitaya growth

Pitaya is a tropical and subtropical fruit. It is not very demanding on soil quality and can be planted on plains, hillsides, and sandy land. The most suitable soil pH is 6-7.5. It is best to choose land that is rich in organic matter, has good drainage, and is fertile and loose.

Dragon fruit is native to America and South America, and is widely grown in Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan and other provinces in mainland China.

Dragon fruit growth cycle

The root system of pitaya is shallow, with many aerial roots that can be transformed into absorbing roots. The roots are not tolerant to waterlogging, so they need moderate watering without water accumulation.

The growth cycle of pitaya takes 12-14 months. It will start to bloom and bear fruit more than a year after planting. It can bloom several times a year, and the fruit matures from April to November.

Dragon fruit growth rate

The growth of pitaya goes through the germination stage, seedling stage, small seedling stage, growth stage and fruiting stage. The whole process takes more than a year, and it only bears fruit once a year.

It takes about a month for pitaya to mature from flowering. The fruit will gradually change from green to red and have its own fragrance.

Dragon fruit growth cycle management

Dragon fruit can be harvested one year after planting. The yield per mu is 1,000 kg in the first year, 2,000-3,000 kg after two years, and 3,000-5,000 kg after three years, the peak production period.

Dragon fruit likes a warm, humid and sunny environment. It can be watered more frequently when cultivated in the open field in spring and summer, but watering needs to be reduced in the rainy season. Water accumulation should not occur, and drainage measures should be taken to prevent root rot.

Temperature management: Dragon fruit can tolerate temperatures as low as 0 degrees and as high as 40 degrees, but the most suitable temperature during the growth period is between 20 and 30 degrees. The temperature in winter cannot be below 8 degrees, so warming measures need to be taken in the north.

Fertilization management: Dragon fruit needs sufficient fertilizer during its growth period to ensure a good harvest. Organic fertilizer can be applied after flowering. Sprinkling it around the roots will help absorb the fertilizer. You can also apply some farmyard manure to promote plant growth.