WANTED/ dragon fruit cuttings

[george76904]

I am interested in any of the varieties out the. I just got burned on a deal for some dragon fruit seeds (the dealer did not send appropriate paperwork and the seeds were destroyed. Thank you customs). But now I am looking into other outlets for some. If you have a cutting or two you'd like to sell or trade please PM me

[Onzuka]

I have H. undatus, but I'm in the UK. I'm sure you will find a much more local supplier, but if not, let's talk. These take for ages to make a decent plant from seeds, cuttings is the way to go.

We can buy these fruits in some supermarkets here and they are absolutely full of seeds.

Steve

[george76904]

Man I wish our local supermarkets sold it. I think one time 8 or 10 years ago I got one because our grocery store decided to have them. But not knowing anything about cacti stopped me from doing anything but eating it.

[snarfie]

they have little hylocereus plants yearround at the local garden center here

[Onzuka]

Good thinking, Snarfie. Just buy one of the abominable Gymnocalycium grafts, remove the brightly coloured scion and throw it in the fire. The stock is invariably Hylocereus here in the U.K. and will soon grow sideshoots for use as cuttings.

Steve

[george76904]

You think that it would work to just remove the little scion?

[Onzuka]

I know it will work, providing that the stock is alive and viable.

Steve

[adetheproducer]

Yes I removed a Sulcorebutia rauschii from one and now have a hylocereus startting to offset shoots.

[george76904]

How long did it take after the scion was removed before it produced offshoots?

[Onzuka]

In the warmth, it's weeks rather than month's. Growth is rapid, hence it's use as a grafting stock.

Steve

[adetheproducer]

How long did it take after the scion was removed before it produced offshoots?

Yeah it was only a few weeks, once the cut had dried out and turned brown and it fattened up a bit it then started to grow new shoots even in the cooler autumn weather.

[george76904]

Anyone have any idea which hylocereus the stock may be/is?

[7george]

Hylocereus undatus, I guess.

[george76904]

Well good enough for me! Looks like I need to make a trip to the store.

[Onzuka]

Hi George. You have not actually stated just why you want Hylocereus. I can only think of three reasons. 1.) to use as a grafting stock, or 2.) to try and produce fruits, or 3.) just to grow a big plant and maybe enjoy the flowers.

Now I don't know what your climate is like, but remembering from my schooldays, Calgary is in Canada and as such I'm guessing you have quite a severe winter. H. undatus does not like the cold. Even kept totally dry, which it doesn't like, it suffers. I've tried to grow one to flowering size here in the UK and not managed it. That, of course, does not mean it can't be done, I don't heat my greenhouses. Strangely, to me at least, Epiphylums seem much tougher.

Steve