Selenicereus megalanthus (Yellow Pitaya) - How to Train?

Discussion in 'Cacti and Succulents' started by Junglekeeper, Apr 11, 2005.

  1. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    The plants are currently trained up a 3' trellis that's topped with horizontal framework. I ended up with an unruly mass (or should I say mess) of growth on top of the frame.

    I'm thinking of replacing this with 2-4 stems trained up a single 5-6' pole. The pole could be a 2x2 wrapped with chicken wire which would provide something for the aerial roots to latch onto. The stems will be kept trimmed to the height of the pole; this should encourage branching which the plant is not inclined to do naturally.

    I would welcome any comments or suggestions, particularly from people who have experience with this plant or with Hylocereus undatus, Dragon Fruit. I would like to end up with a low maintenance setup.
     
  2. Les

    Les Member

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    Good idea to wrap burlap around the chicken wire. This will absorb nutrients that you can spray on and provides a better surface (more akin to tree bark in its native habitat) that roots can attach to.
     
  3. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Hi, Les. Yours is an excellent idea. If the project was still on the books I would make use of it. I ended up cutting up the whole prickly mess and discarding it; it wasn't worth the trouble and was taking up too much valuable space. I've bought new (and more worthwhile) plants to fill up that space and more. Thanks anyway.
     

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