Tricia Dragon Fruit live plants and cuttings

DESCRIPTION

The cutting is approximately 12 inches long unless otherwise stated, though it can occasionally be longer. Rooted plants are available at 16 inches (currently planted in a 1-gallon pot) or 30 inches tall (currently planted in 5-gallon pots). Most cuttings are made to order and will be freshly taken from the mother plant prior to shipping.

Tricia is a hybrid Dragon Fruit variety, a cross between Hylocereus ocamponis and Hylocereus undatus. The stem features a gray coating that helps protect the plant from both summer heat and winter cold. The segments are long, thick, three-sided, and lined with large spines.

Once pollinated, Tricia produces egg-shaped fruits that average around 1 pound. The fruit has a unique appearance with many small fins and deep red flesh. It offers a pleasantly sweet flavor with no acidity or aftertaste—some describe the taste as similar to sweet beet.

Do not confuse Tricia with El Grullo; while they may look similar in terms of branches, flowers, and fruit, their flavors are distinctly different. Tricia has recorded Brix scores as high as 19, indicating a high level of sweetness.

Our Tricia was acquired from Florida and is one of our most cherished varieties due to its exotic appearance. While Tricia can be a slow grower and requires cross-pollination, it rewards growers with striking flowers and delicious, unique fruit.

Tricia also requires minimal care—once established, it can thrive through both summer and winter with very little attention.

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.