Description
🌱 Dark Star Dragon Fruit – Exotic, Sweet, and Vigorous Growing! 🌱
Add a truly stunning dragon fruit to your collection with the Dark Star variety (also known as “9S”), a distinctive hybrid by famed breeder Paul Thomson. This variety stands out for its deep magenta, purple-fleshed fruit and refreshing grape-berry flavor. Fruits are medium to large (0.75–1.5lbs), with an average brix sweetness of 19–21, and develop a thin skin in vibrant shades of dark pink to red. Many fans highlight its unique combination of sweetness and mild tartness, often comparing its taste to lychee, kiwi, or grapes.
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🌿 Self-Sterile: Needs another variety in flower for cross-pollination and reliable fruit set.
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🌿 Vigorous Grower: Fast and upright, often outpacing other varieties.
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🌿 Fruit Production: Bears many beautiful magenta-fleshed fruits with proper care.
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🌿 Great for Patio or Trellis: Can climb 3–20ft, thrives in containers or training on supports.
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🌿 USDA Zones: 9–11. Prefers warmth, but can be potted and brought indoors in cooler climates.
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🌿 Low Maintenance: Not prone to pests or diseases—just avoid overwatering in winter.
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🌿 Maturity: Bears fruit in 2 years from planting (from a cutting).
Growing Tips:
Full to part sun exposure. Needs well-drained soil and regular, but not excessive, watering. Hand pollination at night boosts fruit set and size. Provide a trellis or sturdy support as this is a fast-growing, climbing cactus.
Why Choose Dark Star?
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Gorgeous magenta flesh and vibrant exterior—perfect for fruit bowls and desserts
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Exceptionally sweet with a unique grape flavor—top pick for taste
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Fast, easy growth and reliable yields in the right conditions
Order your Dark Star Dragon Fruit cutting or rooted plant today and enjoy this show-stopping, delicious variety! Fruit production as early as 2 years from planting.
Policies:
By purchasing cuttings, grafted, or rooted plants from our shop, buyers agree to the following terms:
- Once the plant leaves our care, we cannot control the conditions or handling during shipment. Any lost or damaged packages are the buyer's responsibility to file a claim with USPS. Packages are insured up to $100; additional insurance is available upon request.
- These grafts are well-established and securely connected to the rootstock. However, if they break due to rough handling during transit, it is the buyer’s responsibility to file a claim with USPS. Mayumi Garden does not offer refunds or exchanges under these circumstances.
- All sales are final. The plant is non-returnable and non-refundable.
Planting Instructions:
Upon receiving your package, it is crucial to gradually acclimate both cuttings and rooted plants to their new environment.
For Cuttings:
- Allow 4-7 days for the cutting’s end to dry and callus before planting to prevent rotting.
- Disinfect the cutting’s end before planting, especially in cooler temperatures, using organic GrowSafe.
- Keep the cutting in the shade until fully rooted, checking for resistance when gently tugged.
- New growth may appear before rooting is complete; double-check before assuming it is rooted.
- Once rooted, gradually introduce the cutting to partial sun, then to full sun, avoiding direct sunlight initially.
For Rooted Plants:
- Gradually acclimate the plant to partial sun, followed by full sun over 1-2 weeks.
- In hot areas (above 95°F), use a 30-40% shade cloth to prevent sunburn.
- Be cautious of heat reflected off cemented areas, which can harm the plant.
Growing Conditions:
- Dragon fruit thrives in tropical and subtropical climates (e.g., Hawaii, Florida, Southern California).
- In less favorable climates, protect younger plants during extreme weather with a greenhouse in winter and shade cloth in summer. Mature plants (3+ years old) can withstand more extreme conditions but may still need winter protection below 30°F.
Soil & Watering:
- Use well-draining soil, starting with a cactus mix. Once familiar with the growing process, you can customize the soil mix with perlite, chicken manure, potting soil, and compost.
- Dragon fruit loves full sun but requires protection in extremely hot conditions.
- Water during the hot season when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot. In colder temperatures, water sparingly, with no watering needed in winter unless grown in a greenhouse.
Fertilization:
- Apply chicken manure monthly during the growing season. Fish fertilizer is an alternative, though it may produce an odor.
- Use a bloom booster on mature plants to stimulate bud production.
SHIPPING
We ship year-round every Monday to locations throughout the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not offer international shipping.
Please allow 3 to 5 business days for packing and processing. To ensure your order ships on Monday, the cut-off time is Sunday at 1:00 P.M.
Mayumi Garden is not responsible for any shipping delays caused by the carrier. Please double-check your shipping address before submitting your order to avoid delays or additional shipping charges.
CANCELLATION/ RETURNS POLICY
We currently do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. However, please contact us if you encounter any issues with your order.
