Hi everyone. Xenomorph suggested this is a Hylocereus, but couldn't tell me what kind. Does anyone have something like this? It was attaching to the wall of the house, so I repotted it. Wondering it it will every put out branches or just keep going up! lol
It looks like a Dragon Fruit to me.Probably Hylocereus undatus but I can't be sure from the picture.
It will put out branches.
This message was edited Jul 23, 2007 7:13 PM
Thanks! That looks like the one - found it in PlantFiles.
Well, this puppy is now well past the top of the stake (about 5ft) and not a branch in sight. Is there any way to force it to branch? Should I break it off where the skinny join is (just above the bottom tie) and pot the top?
Kaperc I had one on my back porch and it went from the pot it was planted in, to the side of the back porch post (this is going side ways ) then climbed up the post to the top of the ceiling ,curled going back toward the pot ,by then I just wacked it off, no branches what so ever...Gingerose
It will branch eventually. It does look like Hylocereus undatus, but there is no way to tell until you see the inside of the fruit.
Clare, I was watering when we returned home and found it had buds on it! Too early to tell whether they are flowers or new growth, but any action is good enough for me. I posted to a "pitaya" growing list on Yahoo and rec'd several responses. Whacking it off seems to induce branching. Also, supposedly they fruit when they bend over, which is why they are grown on T shaped supports.
Hi Kathleen, I've seen pictures of those supports in Thailand. It is pretty neat to see. Here's a link with some good pics and info.: http://www.geocities.com/wenjin92014/foto2001/dragon.htm
Here's the link from the same site showing how they are grown: http://wchow.home.znet.com/DG2005/dg2005.htm
Chrissy, I know! I'll have lots to give away at the Round-up next year. :-)
I might have to give up, because I can't think of a place where the roots will stay cool in our heat, but give it enough sun AND have room for it to grow. I wish it would eat the horrible cactus at the bottom of the slope. There would be lots of room there! I saw some growers that use cement posts!
I use rocks for keeping roots cool...or lots of leaf litter it keeps the roots cool....we can hit 115F here in the Summer ..we rely on mulch and stones so even if things are burnt off ....the come back again.My cactus stuff fends for themselves with morning sun and leaf protection from the tree above.
Stones cost the earth here, Chrissy, but yes we use them when we can and I have to battle with DH for the big ones! lol
We have no shade trees except some pines that would put them in shade all day. That's what I mean, it's tricky. We have some trees planted but it will be a few years before they really provide shade. The exposure on our lot is very harsh right now, even for native plants I would like to have We'll get there, though.
