How to Propagate Dragon Fruit

Take a cutting from a dragon fruit plant that is at least 1 year old, for best results. It is best to use cuttings from plants that have already produced fruits to ensure you know the taste and fruit quality of the cutting to be grown.

Cut a stem from the parent plant, using pruning shears that are 6 to 15 inches in length. Make a slanting cut at the base of stem section being cut off.

Pour approximately 1 tbsp. of fungicide onto a paper towel or into a small container. Dip the end of the dragon fruit cutting into it, shaking off any excess. Dipping the cutting's end into the container can contaminate the mixture, spreading diseases to other cuttings dipped into it.

Place the dragon fruit cutting onto a paper towel and situate in a dry, shady area. Allow the cutting to heal for approximately one week before planting. As with most cacti cuttings, it is best to allow it to heal over before planting into the soil.

Pour approximately 1 tbsp. of rooting hormone onto a paper towel or into a small container. Dip the end of the cutting into the hormone. Shake off any excess. As with the fungicide, dipping the cutting into the container holding the hormone can transfer diseases to other cuttings.

Fill a container with a well-draining potting mix, if planting the cutting into containers. Water the container until water runs from the drain holes, helping settle the soil before planting.

Make approximately a 2- to 3-inch indentation into the soil. Place the dragon fruit cutting into the hole. Pack the soil firmly around it. Water the container again, until water runs from its bottom. The cutting will take approximately four months to establish itself for transplanting into the garden.

Clear a planting site approximately 6 inches from the trunk of a tree or trellis, if planting the dragon fruit cutting directly into the garden. Remove grasses or other unwanted vegetation that could compete with the cutting's growth.

Dig a small hole approximately 3 inches deep. Place the cutting into it. Pack the soil firmly around the cutting's base. Water the cutting after planting, saturating the soil so the planted end is wet.

Saturate the plants with water about once per week, or when the soil has completely dried. Cease watering during the rainy season of spring, to promote flowering, according to the University of Florida.