How to Pollinate a Dragon Fruit Flower

Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred to the female reproductive organs of a plant, thereby enabling fertilization to take place. In simple terms pollination is the plants reproductive activity. It is how plants multiply.

I got this video added to see how it's done. 

There are a lot of videos you can find online. I find this one informative and simple. 

Credits to ProjectPitaya.

Most of the red and white dragon fruit varieties we have at Maryland are self-pollinating. Hand pollination is not required for self-pollinating varieties but doing this activity is fun! So, why not? You get your little brush and be a pollen vector. According to my late dragonfruit mentor doing hand pollination gives you bigger fruits. Given that reason we decided to hand pollinate! Be a human bee! 

And there is what we call as cross pollination. It occurs when pollen is delivered from the stamen of one flower to the stigma of a flower on another plant of the same species. It's another hobby! Be a pollen collector and a botanist at the same time. It's fun specially doing this in the garden. You'll feel very productive. If you own a big farm you will define this activity as "passion".

TIP: A great harvests requires great efforts. If you want more harvest, try to learn more by reading more and apply what you learn. Spend some time to do your homeworks and take notes as well.  Then, imagine how  every slice of these red flesh dragon fruit taste like as your motivation! lol

I was able to experience this activity on one of my farm visits at Graceland way back 2015. I will share my first ever flower gazing experience on a different post soon. And yes I'll show you some pictures! 

TIP: Be curious always. There is always something new to learn everyday.

So, how does a dragon fruit taste like? Checkout my personal fruit review for Lemairei variety (Hylocereus Lemairei). 

Did you learn something new? Feel free to comment below.