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Need some help figuring out what’s going on with my Dragonfruit. A… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

erickd8a

Need some help figuring out what’s going on with my Dragonfruit. A little under a year now, it’s been showing this hard, sometimes orangey substance. Over time, it hardens the ends but I’ve been noticing lately that some of the Dragonfruit is now rotting and getting soft and mushy. I’ve had this plant going on for almost 2 years now. It was growing really nicely and healthy up until maybe last summer when I noticed this. Have asked around and done some research but can’t really seem to pin down what it is. Have it on a fungicide treatment at the moment but hasn’t really done any progress and maybe made it worse. Really don’t want to have to get rid of it or throw it away, so appreciate any help

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7 comments

  1. Elin

    Hey 👋 what type of soil does it grow in? Are they crowded in the pot (they are often sold as crowded seedlings)? How much light does it get? I also recommend examining it for false spider mites and thrips ☺️

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    • erickd8a

      Hey Elin! Really appreciate your help! I have it growing in a standard cactus/succulent mix that you buy at nursery stores. Mass produced stuff, if that helps you imagine what it is. I don’t think they’re crowded in the pot. They have plenty of space as a matter of fact. As to light, it is in a corner of my room, hanging. I have 4 windows in my room that I keep open at all times and gets decent amount of light. There is a window right next to it but pretty sure it gets no light from that. The one window that it does get light from is a West-facing window, about 10 or so ft away from it. And…thanks for your help lol…but any advice to how to examine for mites or thrips?

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    • Elin

      Sorry for my delayed reply. I missed that you had responded to my comments. It sounds a bit too dark for your plant. Spraying off any pests with high pressures water is a great way to start. You can also use granulated sulphur for cultivar use, that you dilute with water and treat your plant with. It’s organic and very effective against spider mites. There are also plant based organic soaps that is excellent to use for creating your own insecticidal soap.

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    • erickd8a

      Thank you, Elin! Appreciate y’all’s help very much!!!

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  2. 9s

    Hey there! I came back to add that you can just use a high pressure hose and spray off this plant. Any pests can just be sprayed off. It’s an edible plant so you don’t really want to use pesticides on it. Also, I would highly recommend putting this outside in full sun when you can and during off growing season, put it in a dark corner. These grow really fast in full Sun and when they don’t get enough, they get really thin. Each stalk can get thicker than your arm. You’ll also want to introduce a trellis for it eventually when it gets taller but before it gets to that point, a tomato cage will do great. You should barely be watering it when it’s dormant in a dark corner but during growing seasons outside, water once to twice a week depending on how hot it is. Take care of it and you’ll eventually get fruits!!

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    • erickd8a

      Hey 9s! Thanks so much for the advice! I live in Vegas unfortunately and the Sun here kills all of my plants especially during the summer, even cactuses and succulents. Going to power hose it and move it to a sunnier location to see if it helps

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    • 9s

      No problem friend!! Maybe a Sun cloth will help too!! But definitely more light and it’ll thrive!! Best of luck

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