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Seedworld:
*GROWING GUIDE FOR DRAGON FRUIT*

*DESCRIPTION*

Dragon fruit is an exotic cactus that is found in Asia, Mexico, and parts of South America. It is not grown in North America, that is why the plant is not as common in this region.

Dragon fruit can be planted as ornamental plants, but they do bare delicious fruit that is rather tasty. In fact, it is often used in jams, ice cream, fruit juice, and wine.

The blooms of this plant are unique; in fact, they are one of the largest flowers in the world. The reason that they are so unique is not their size; it is the fact that the blooms only open for one night, and the scents that you will experience on that night are surreal and exotically fruity.

Regardless of the type of dragon fruit that you are growing the fruit will be green until it is ripe. At that time, it will either be bright yellow in coloration or red. The inside pulp of each piece of fruit will be filled will small seeds that look similar to those that can be found in a kiwi fruit.

*DRAGON FRUIT VARIETIES*

The three types of dragon fruit are:

(1) *Hylocereus Megalanthus*

This type of dragon fruit has a white fruit flesh and a yellow shell. The shell of this variation is a bit thornier than the rest of the variations, so it is rarer to see in a garden.

2. *Hylocereus Undatus*

This is a variation that has the same white flesh, but the exterior of this fruit is red in color.

3. *Hylocereus Costaricensis*

This type of fruit is red in coloration on both the shell and in the flesh. The flesh is often a deep red coloration that looks almost unnatural or blood–like.

*TIME OF PLANTING*
The growing season of this plant takes place during the dry season. It will not grow the rest of the year, but when it does grow, it grows rapidly. Bloom will occur from July to October, but they will only bloom for one night each year. After the flowering occurs, fruit will begin to form. One plant can produce fruit for 20 to 30 years, so if you plant one, be ready for a lot of dragon fruit.

*SOIL REQUIREMENT*
This plant is able to grow in any soil that is well draining, but it prefers to grow in soil that is slightly acidic with a pH level that is between six and seven. Sandy soil is the best option for this plant; if it is not available, just ensure that it is well draining soil.

*SITE SELECTION*
Dragon fruit must be planted in an open field with direct exposure to sunlight. It is not conducive to plant the crop in areas where rainfall is well distributed. Site should be free
draining with a sandy loam soil with a high organic content.

*LAND PREPARATION*

Farmland for planting dragon must be well cleared and destump. Rows are mounded to 300mm, poles should be no more than 2m long with 600mm in the ground. Poles can be anything from concrete to PVC, (but treated timber should be avoided) with a frame attached to the top to allow the plant to hang down.

*PROPAGATION*
Dragon Fruit is propagated through seeds or cuttings. From seeds, it grow well in a compost or potting soil mix – even as a potted indoor plant.

Dragon fruit (Pitaya) cacti usually germinate between 11 and 14 days after shallow planting. As they are cacti, overwatering is a concern for home growers.

As their growth continues, these climbing plants will find something to climb on, which can involve putting aerial roots down from the branches in addition to the basal roots. Once the plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower.

From the cuttings, plant them in plastic bags for two months and transfer them in an open field. Cuttings can be purchased from some local commercial nurseries and pitaya growers. Seedlings can be purchased for commercial production.


*TRANSPLANT/SPACING*

Dragon fruit growers recommend 3 meter (approximately 10 feet)
spacing between each plants .This distance between plant gives
enough space for you to do maintenance, watering and harvesting. Of course if you plan to use machines (tractors) in your planting then adjust the spacing accordingly.

*OTHER MAINTENANCE PRACTICES*

*FERTILIZER APPLICATION*

A combination of organic and complete fertilizer like Urea (46-0-0) is recommended. Use more organic and more nitrogen. The ideal is to apply fertilizer every 3 months if possible or every six months. Use 2 kg of organic + 25g urea + 75g complete fertilizer per plant.

*IRRIGATION* Water daily through the dry season at a volume of 80L/day, regular organic mulching is strongly recommended. Water stress can cause fruit splitting; slow shoot development, yellowing and flower drop.

*PRUNNING*
Regular prunning them to obtain an open, manageable, and productive umbrella shape canopy. Also, it is important to prune right after harvesting the fruits. Regular pruning will induce new shoots for the next cropping season.

*PEST/DISEASES*

*Pests*: Meat ants, ginger ants, and birds have been recorded as causing serious damage to plants and fruit. Plants will need some form of netting to prevent bird damage to fruit. Applicable chemicals can also be used.

*Diseases*: A soft watery rot can occur after damage such as sunburn.

*HARVESTING*

After establishing the plant in the field, it would take around 26 months to bear fruits. Harvest must be done 35-40 days after the flower opening.

For purchase of dragon fruit seedlings and all other seedlings; pls contact SEEDWORLD LTD 07082638957(Whatsapp) Email: seedworldintegratedconceptltd@gmail.com

Too expensive, others sell cuttings for N500 each

Hi, are the any contacts for buyers of watermelon in Lagos, Port Harcourt ? Please help me. Thank you.

Tohsynetita1:
Best thing is to go and think of how to make money, if you make money schooling will be easy and not a time wasted one. To me, anything education in Nigeria is over, I can't study anymore in Nigeria, I prefer to gather the money and do a business within some months. After making money, I will then leave. Ave done research on watermelon farming, have got land, got haulage service, got buyers in Lagos, just to plant by November and sell by January, within 3 months, expenses of 150k will make me about 3millions. Watermelon, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes are plants not really planted in South West, Majority plants cassava,maize, yam. The plants above takes time unlike the former plants. All ripe within 3 months, in 3 months, you make your money, No amount you can take to places like Lagos that will be enough for them. Lagos population is about 22million, so, consumption is high there. An acre should give about 3000 fruits of it. If you continue getting degree without using the degree to work or make tangible income, You might be wasting your time unknowingly. Have planted watermelon before, only on a subsistence base.

Can you send me your contact details ? I’m looking for Lagos contacts for watermelon �, please let’s discuss immediately

Ok

Hi, with the pandemic ongoing how are you able to ship out from Nigeria ?

Manuel91:
Good morning,. I'd advice you drop pictures if your farm/goats, that way it's not more talk than actionable proof (opinion).

Exactly my thinking too, no pics in how many years ? No price too but you say “buy while sales last”

okoroemeka:
sometimes if I am less busy I do use our motobike to tour around farms in my immediate vicinity,I went to a cucumber farm ran by two seriously determined guys,they are using just water pump and hose to irrigate 7000 cucumber crops up to harvesting,for farmers still asking if hose will work this is your answer,it works if you are ready to put in a bit of effort,those two guys will have a merry Xmas because they will have cold cash in their pockets.

Any pics of the water pump ?

safarigirl:
Ikwerre is a Local Government, not an ethnic group in Nigeria

and for your information the place you have in mind is called Nkwerre a Local government in Imo state. Not Ikwerre. Once again I upload specially for you ��

safarigirl:
Onyekachi is her name, except Nyekachi has a different meaning from Onyekachi, she's Igbo....but glad to not have her either.

I await your response, as well as proof that she is any other recognised ethnicity in Nigeria.

Ignorance of the highest order. Are you not a Nigerian ? Ok glad you are, now google the country Nigeria. Have you done that ? Ok click Wikipedia on Nigeria, ok I’m happy you clicked it. Now do you see MAJOR LANGUAGES ? Yes Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Ok look just below these where it says other languages = look oh, look very well in factI’ll help you upload.

2PNIGLTD:
Maize shelling machine

Location

Christaf:
This shell separator is for sale @ an affordable price
It is capable of separating the kernels from the shells. Pls call/WhatsApp:08033096215

Price on here if possible??

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@samoskyz great stuff, now back to the real world.

More sand available in Emouha, PORT HARCOURT, Rivers.

Contact: 07019136097, 08181143612, 09075936267

Cheers.

Available in Port Harcourt

Still available

Still looking

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More sand available, over 400 trips of double axle

Contact: 07019136097 Calls only
Contact: 09075936267 Whatsapp only

Cheers