What Kind of Soil is used for Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit is one of my favorite plants which can be grown for food as well as ornamental. The plant makes the best indoor decoration even in a small space. Dragon fruit is known for its health benefits, with a unique prickly cactus nature such as temperature, water, and soil.

Dragon fruit needs attention and care while growing even if you keep the plant happy by choosing the right soil. With a little knowledge about the soil for the plant, you can buy or better make your own soil for your dragon fruit plant. 

In this article, you will learn more about dragon fruit soil, components, mix, and DIY soil to make on your own.

What is Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit belongs to the genus Hylocereucs belong to cactus family and is a climbing plant native to Mexico. Dragon fruit is also known by many names. Dragon fruit thrives in sun and survives in a dry and shady place. Dragon fruit is widely known for its health benefits and can be grown in pots. There are three types of dragon fruits such as pink skin and white flesh, yellow skin and white flesh, and red skin with purple flesh.

Testing the Soil

If you want to grow any plant or tree, the first thing you should do is test your soil. Testing the soil at every stage of growth will make sure the soil is acidic enough for the plant. Starting from before planting a plant to the Flowering period, keeping a regular check on soil pH is a must. To do the soil pH test, 

• Litmus Paper Test– This traditional paper test is used to find if the soil is acidic or alkaline. Mix the water and soil in a container and dip the paper. If the Litmus paper turns red, then the soil is acidic. 
• Digital Tester– The Digital Tester is used in the soil to find the soil pH. This electronic device is made of metal, showing the mineral levels in the soil.
• Lab soil Test– Send your soil sample to a nearby soil lab or extension office to learn about the soil. They also give more information to grow the plant along with the soil pH and contents in soil.

What is the Soil pH for Dragon Fruit?

The Ideal soil pH for Dragon fruit is 6.0 to 7.0. Dragon fruits like to grow best in slightly acidic soil. If the soil is too alkaline, it may affect the plant. To make your soil acidic, add peat moss to it. pH is tested to find the potential of hydrogen and uses a chemical scale to identify the nature of the soil. Testing for soil pH is the first step in getting to know the soil. Ph can range from 0 to 14. Any soil with a pH higher than 7 is alkaline and less than 7 is acidic. Do a pH test to find the soil pH level. 

What Kind of Soil is used for Dragon Fruit?

The best soil for Dragon fruit is Sandy Loam soil. Cactus need soil that holds moisture as well nutrients. One should avoid succulent soil for the Dragon fruit tree in any situation as it does not have the right water retention for the tree. Also, avoid peat soil as it breaks the plant with too much draining of water. Using peat in small quantities is best Potting soil which is used for other plants can be directly used for dragon fruit. Using soil that gives the right drainage, is loamy, and aerated as well moisturized is the best soil for the dragon fruit.

Components of Best Soil for Dragon Fruit

The main components that should be present in the soil to make it the best soil for Dragon fruit are:

• Well-Drainage- A well-draining soil is essential for Dragon fruit. If grown in a pot, it needs a drainage hole for proper drainage. Water sitting in the pot may lead to fungal disease and destroy the root. Adding mulch or hay in the pot with soil will help solve the problem. Adding coco coir will improve drainage in the mix of the plant.
• Good aeration- Dragon fruit is like light soil that should have good aeration. As they love dry and porous soil to get the proper aeration, giving that will help them grow. Providing extra aeration to the soil will boost the growth of the plant.
• Water retention– Water retention should be enough for the need for water. Most varieties of dragon fruit ask for mixed soil while some need well-draining soil. Adding a combination of ingredients that have equal water retention and drainage will help in tree growth. 
• Texture- The texture of the soil for the dragon fruits should be from coarse light. The fruit prefers a very light and loose soil that also holds enough moisture which helps in root growth. The texture of indoor and outdoor soil can vary as one will be in a pot and the other in the land.

Did you know these facts about Dragon Fruit?

• Dragon fruit grows as a climbing cactus that can live for more than two decades.
• Dragon fruits have flowers that are edible at the growing stage and are known as pitaya or strawberry pear.
• Dragon fruit is known to be adaptable and drought resistant which is rich in protein, iron, and antioxidants.

What kind of potting mix is good for Dragon Fruit?

Dragon fruit prefers a well-draining potting mix that is coarse and provides aeration to the plant root. An orchid mix with sand mix is perfect for the dragon fruit soil. To make the soil more porous add coconut husk, pumice, and perlite. Keep a check on the acidity level of the soil and don’t miss out on any change in soil which may affect the plant.

How to Prepare a Potting Mix for Dragon Fruit?

To prepare the potting soil for dragon fruit, add Two parts of the Potting mix, Three parts of perlite or sand to Two parts of the manure or compost. Depending on the texture of the mix, add one or two parts of coco coir to it to improve the aeration. You can add perlite (volcanic rock) or gravel or marbles to increase the drainage of the soil.

The preparation of a potting mix for dragon fruit is easy and cost-efficient. Succulent, cactus soil is quite opposite to garden or potting soil. Succulent soil loves to have very good porous drainage but having that for dragon fruit might be a wrong idea. Adding potting mix directly for dragon soil is not suggested. But adding the minerals and mending the soil to improve drainage and aeration will make the potting mix doable. 

DIY Tips to make soil for Dragon Fruit at Home (Complete guide)

Soil for most plants can be made by mixing potting soil or some minerals and organic matter. But dragon fruit, needs soil that is rich in nutrients as well as good drainage. Dragon fruits are very picky about their choices to grow with a very light mix with no compaction. So, making a Do-it-yourself soil is your best choice. To make your own DIY soil for your Dragon fruit plant:

Preparation

• Collecting all the ingredients before making the soil.
• Take time to mix the ingredients.
• Learn other items like reading a pH tester, types of nutrients, and their uses.

Now you can start making the DIY with the below-given ingredients and follow up.

Tools

• Gear up with gloves to avoid dirt from the soil.
• Measuring cup or instrument to measure the ingredients.
• Bucket or vessel to make space to mix the soil.
• A small shovel/ Trowel to mix the soil.
• Dust mask.

Ingredients

• • Perlite– Perlite is formed from volcanic emission. They make the best aeration for the succulent soil.
  • Peat moss– This soil amendment is made from peat bogs. This active decomposing peat moss is used to hold water in the soil.
  • Coconut coir– The coconut fiber is made from coconut husk and used for many purposes. They are used in soil to improve soil texture, drainage, and aeration.
  • Sand– The sand is added to give a loose texture to the soil. The coarse sand is added to reduce the clay content in the soil.
  • Compost– Compost is a mixture of organic waste formed and added to soil to enrich it. 
  • Pumice– Formed from volcanoes when they erupted explosively. The liquid explosion is formed to pumice rock making the aeration for the soil.

Recipe

Mix 1

• 2 Parts Potting mix
• 1 Part sand
• 1 part Perlite
• 2 parts Manure or Compost

Mix 2

• 2 Parts potting soil
• 1 Part perlite or sand

Follow-up

After collecting all the required ingredients and tools add the measured ingredients to the bucket with the help of a trowel and equal parts of sand, perlite, manure, and compost and mix it well with two parts of potting mix so all are mixed for mix 1. Add 2 parts of potting soil and 1 part of perlite or sand and mix all well to make the best soil for your dragon fruit. If you are using a potting mix then add the required amount of porous to it and other nutrients to reach the pH requirement of the plant.

Where to Buy Soil for Dragon Fruit?

Soil for dragon fruit can be bought in a nearby commercial store or online. Store-bought soil is ready-made to use but may contain fertilizers. Online, you can make your choice based on your research with the review, rating, and the right mix mentioned in the label. With whatever way of buying the soil, adding some soil conditioner will help for the betterment of the plant as well the soil.

3 Best Commercial Brands to buy soil for Dragon Fruit

Fox Farm 

The Fox Farm organic potting soil is all natural ready to use a potting mix with worm casting. This product from Fox Farm is mentioned as ideal for seedlings. The pH level in this soil is adjusted to make the most of the soil for the containers or potted plants. The soil is lightweight and well-aerated which makes it also suitable for all naturally mix grown plants. The nutrients in this soil make it perfect for both indoor and outdoor gardening. The soil is mixed to adjust the ph levels of the potted plants which helps in the growth of the snake plant healthier.

Miracle-gro

Miracle-gro Cactus, palm, and citrus potting mix are ideal for your citrus tree and they give all the essential nutrients the citrus-loving plants will thrive. This fast-draining formula has sand and perlite in it to create the best environment for the plant. This soil is fortified with nutrients to prevent diseases in the plants. This is best with the added plant food which makes it super filled with nutrients.

Miracle-Gro

Miracle-Gro Houseplant potting mix is a peat moss, coconut coir, and perlite which provides well draining indoor soil mix for plants. They are not specifically made for dragon fruit but are best and value for money. This soil is less prone to gnats and other common household pests. This is a certified product but Mulch and soil are the industrial standards. The soil can feed indoor plants for up to 6 months. The product comes with how-to-use and care tips for indoor plants on the label.

Tips and Tricks

• Keeping the dragon fruit in a brightly lighted area throughout the day will make the plant grow faster. They also prefer full sun.
• Dragon fruit needs water once a week if you live in a moderately humid temperature. If the hot weather increases then increase the watering frequency.
• Dragon fruit needs a mix that is well draining and mildly acidic free from compaction.

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Can I use Garden soil and Orchid soil for Dragon Fruit?

No, you can’t use garden soil for dragon fruit. Garden soil will have lots of clay content in it which is not suitable for this. Garden soil will be heavy, damp, and moisture pretended which is quite the opposite for this dragon fruit soil. Garden soil should be avoided if a dragon fruit is grown in pots. When using garden soil in pots, use more drainage components to avoid compaction. 

Yes, orchid soil can be used for dragon fruit. Orchid soil tends to have the right acidity which is suitable for the plant. Orchid soil has well drainage and porous soil which make it the best substitute for dragon fruit. 

Can Dragon Fruit grow in Cactus Soil?

Yes, Dragon fruit can grow in cactus soil. Keeping a check on the sand in the soil will only make the difference. Cactus plants need more sandy soil than Dragon fruit. Often the term cactus and succulent are used indifferently. You may find labels in soil bags stating cactus and succulent soil. As the characteristics and needs of both cactus and succulents are common, they can be used for one another. Since Dragon fruit is a climber, cactus soil can be used but for better result, cactus mix with no soil will do best.

Selecting the Right Pot for Dragon Fruit

Picking the right pot for a Dragon fruit is crucial because of its nature. The right pot for a Dragon fruit is categorized by the size and material of the pot. 

The pot for the plant can be plastic, ceramic, or wood. But the best one for Dragon fruit is plastic because the plant needs soil to be porous and well-draining. Making holes in the plastic pots will prevent overwatering.

The size of any plant can not be fixed. There is no perfect size pot for plants. Giving the plant a pot that is two sizes bigger than the plant will be good. In that way, repotting can be done in a year or two.

When and How to Repot a Dragon Fruit?

Repotting a Dragon fruit once a year during summer will enrich the plant with nutrients in the new soil. Repotting can be done at certain times:

• When the plant has outgrown the pot or container in which it grows.
• When its plant is externally damaged due to any cause. 
• Fungal or bacterial infections can damage the soil.
• Root rot is not a major problem and the plant can recover on its own. But at times, when it gets severe repotting should be done to save the plant and root.
• When the store-bought plant is in a small pot disregarding its size, repotting is a must. 

Repotting should not be done in yellow leaves, dropping leaves, dryness, sunburn, and insect-invaded soil because it,

• Loosen the plant from the pot with a shovel or butter knife and lift it out.
• Remove the root from the pot to add it to a new mix.
• Place the plant in a new pot with a new mix and fill in the sides to make the plant straight.
• Adding nutrients or amendments to make up for the lost nutrients.

Pests in Dragon fruit 

The Dragon fruits are prone to pests and there should be a regular check on them. There are chances they are affected by ants, spider mites, scales, mealy bugs, white flies, and bacterial or fungal diseases. Treating the problem with fungicides and insecticides will help discord the problem. Insects-affected plants show signs with leaves. Keeping a check on moisture as well as plants in the soil will mostly prevent pests. 

Conclusion  

Making or choosing the ideal mix for Dragon fruit is important to grow a healthy Dragon fruit plant. The nature of the plant makes it specific to the soil’s needs. With proper care, your Dragon fruits will grow to show their beautiful and healthy heart-shaped spathe in return. Follow the DIY and make your Dragon fruit soil. Keep checking the plant and soil to avoid pest problems. If there is any problem with the plant, follow the repotting steps and swap it for better soil.

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FAQs

1. Is Dragon fruit an indoor or outdoor plant?

      Dragon fruit grows best indoors and it can be grown outdoors with the right soil, climate, and sunlight.

2. Do Dragon fruits like sun or shade?

      Dragon fruit likes shady warm sunlight to grow. Direct sunlight is also good.

3. Can Dragon fruit grow in any soil?

      No, they need sandy soil for dragon fruit to grow.

4. Is Cactus soil good for Dragon soil?

      Yes, Cactus soil is good for Cactus fruit soil.