I have only seen dragon fruit sold in grocery stores once and I bought two for $9. I loved the flavor but they haven't had them since and at that price I don't think I'd buy any if I did. Since I'm doing so well with my second year of gardening and my orchid cacti are doing quite well, I'm hoping to grow some Dragon Fruit.
Obviously plants would be the easiest method but they seem to be quite spendy and would have to be shipped. I've read cuttings are easy but I have no source for those. So I'm wondering how difficult they are to start from seed? Although I'm a beginner I'm not afraid of the challenge, I just want to know if it's worth the money.
Dragon Fruit: Seeds or plants?
Unless you have a large green house, I don't think you could grow them for fruit in your zone, and they are not self pollinating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_fruit#Distribution
Quote from OCCAROL :
Unless you have a large green house, I don't think you could grow them for fruit in your zone, and they are not self pollinating. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_fruit#Distribution
True, it might not develop fruit but I'm willing to give it a try.
I don't have a greenhouse but I do have a corner window that receives east, south and west sun (just discovered the east part this year.) In Spring and Summer it would be outdoors. I could try hand pollination. I've read up on it and know more than one plant will be required to do this. Since I'm a night owl it might actually work.
ebay is a great place to buy them. Also, quite a few people on here might be willing to tade or send cuttings for postage. I would offer to send you cuttings, but mine are from cuttings themselves, and are not very large. If your planning for fruit I wouldnt try to grow from seed, cause I believe it would take years before they would fruit.
I'm watching Ebay for cuttings. I found a 6" cutting for 3.14 but the shipping is $5 and I'm not sure the shipping is a reasonable price. (Anyone want to speak up with opinions feel free.)
I did spend some time looking through trading lists but I don't seem to have anyone's wants. I always feel silly asking for postage if they don't note on their lists that they accept it.
This message was edited Dec 7, 2010 10:58 PM
I don't think you will find cheaper shipping, and at this time of year, it could arrive frozen unless heat packs are included.
Perhaps come spring I might be able to give you a tiny cutting, but, I have about 3 different kinds mixed in one pot, and I am not sure what is what. I moved, and didnt have much rooom, so, all my named plants got condensed into pots of mixed different types of the same plants (unfortunately). I do know the pot is all dragonfruit though lol.
Many people trading/selling plants are using USPS flat rate priority shipping. The smallest size is about $5.00. It gets to just about anywhere in the US in two days (usually, occasionally 3). Priority mail is probably the best way to ship a small plant, so that shipping cost sounds reasonable. The best approach, imho, is to try to get enough plants to fit a box, so there is no wasted space and the postage per plant becomes more reasonable. Many of the e-Bay plant sellers have lots of other things and will combine to save shipping.
krowten has a point, most sellers will combine shipping, which really cuts down the cost in the long run.
Thank you for the offer lismil but you don't have to do that ^_^. I'll be getting a cutting through the houseplant swap but I'm going to keep my eye out for other ones.
I'm not familiar with Ebay so thank you for pointing that out. I'm considering getting a couple things on ebay in spring, so I'll make a point of checking with each seller.
There is a guy on the seattle.craigslist.org that seems to be selling them for $1 per plant not knowing what they are. If I have the time, I could buy and ship them to you if you want. check it out first. I always shop craigslist before ebay as there are a huge number of scammers on ebay. And so much free on craigslist.
I'm looking but I can't seem to find it.
It was just up, but maybe it needs to be refreshed. It was the one I was asking about a few weeks ago.
Wow! I wish I lived near Edmonds. I'd pick up a couple of them.
Hey Tikipod, I'm new to the Daves Garden forums and just came across your thread. I ordered a Hylocereus undatus cutting from Ebay for 15.99 + 7.95 shipping costs. The seller was THoang7534. I received 2 cuttings about 8-10 in which have now grown > than 2ft since it rooted. I was staking it this summer and a small piece broke off that I potted up in my epi soil mix and it's about 9in tall now. I'd be happy to ship it to you when it gets warmer, with some cuttings if you'd like when it get warmer in the Spring. Let me know if you're interested. Annette
I got my first cuttings from jim at www.gotepis.com. They were about $9 each. I also got a lot of cuttings at the Ca. Dragon fruit growers meeting a year ago. They are growing very well. I will be glad to send you some the next time I am in Ca. Not sure when it will be but if you send me a dmail with your address I'll send you some when I can.
katie
I still haven't invested in any dragon fruit cuttings or plants but I've been keeping an eye on ebay. I spotted a cutting (or plant) of the yellow for 1.99 - with a $92 shipping lol. Nearly choked on my cheerios. I have to remember to mark north america only next time.
You could post in the plant trading forum. Someone might have some they will send you for postage (American postage). I have lots of plants, many have lost the id's but I'd be glad to send you a box of them for postage if you will dmail your address so I don't forget. I will be going to Ca. within the next few months.
kb
I'm happy to report that last night I bought a couple DF (Hylocereus) cuttings off of Ebay.