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Dec 16, 2015 12:13 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jared Nicholes
Dietrich, Idaho (Zone 6a)
Hello!

I decided to buy a dragonfruit plant for my brother for Christmas off amazon, and I have some questions.

Does it grow well indoors? I am on North Idaho.

Any particular watering or fertilizer or soil?

Anything I need to know about caring for this plant?

Thanks!

Jared
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Dec 16, 2015 2:07 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Jared, it will have to grow indoors in cold weather to survive. They simply will not take any temperatures below about 40deg. F. Be prepared, though. They get pretty big!

So, when it's indoors it will need to be near a south facing window to get as much sunlight as you possibly can give it.

Once the nights are dependably warm (i.e. above 50 - some time in May where you are, I'd guess) you can put it outside for the summer. It will very likely need a bigger pot and a trellis by then. This is a "cactus" but it grows like a vine and needs support or it will sprawl all over the ground. The edges of the pseudostems are thorny, too, so wear some thick gloves when you're handling it.

They feed through their stems as well as the roots, so be sure to spray it all over with soluble fertilizer at least every couple of weeks. Let it dry out completely between waterings, but if you mist it with the hose occasionally, it will like that.

Once it's big enough to bloom (maybe next year) you'll see flower buds forming, facing upwards. Keep your eyes open because the flowers are big, gorgeous and fragrant, but they only last one night! Then IF you are lucky enough to have something pollinate it, you might get a fruit. It's hit or miss whether a pollinator will find it in Northern Idaho - mine are pollinated by a large night-flying moth. You can try hand-pollinating it with a tiny artist's paintbrush, if you have the patience and catch it at the right moment.

Bring it indoors again as soon as the night temps start to fall into the 40's.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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Dec 16, 2015 5:21 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jared Nicholes
Dietrich, Idaho (Zone 6a)
Hello!

Thanks for the Info! Just real quick, what is your opinion on this one on Amazon? Its the one I am ordering.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041PEES4/

Thanks!

Jared
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Dec 16, 2015 6:48 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Well, I can't really give you an opinion until you actually get the plant. I wouldn't buy it off Amazon, but then I live in Florida so they are readily available here.

I read a few of the reviews, and while one person got a big, well rooted plant another person got just a cutting that had been stuck in some potting soil.

They do root easily, but when you're paying $14 for a plant, I think you should get something that is actually growing.
Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill
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