Organic Dark Star 9-S Dragon Fruit Cuttings

Certified-organic Dark Star (9-S) is a dragon fruit hybrid with red fruit, darker-toned skin, and richly colored magenta flesh. Developed from Rixford and Neitzel, it is an appealing selection for growers who want dramatic fruit color as well as good eating quality. Dark Star is self-sterile and must receive compatible pollen from another dragon fruit cultivar to set fruit.

• Plant form: One live, unrooted cutting in the selected length
• Size choices: 12–16 inches, 16–24 inches, or 25–32 inches; the 36-inch-and-larger option is pickup only
• Fruit: Red with darker skin tones and magenta flesh
• Pollination: Grow with a compatible cultivar that flowers at the same time, or hand-pollinate with compatible pollen
• Structure: Provide a strong vertical post or trellis capable of carrying mature branching growth
• Exposure: Strong light in a warm, frost-protected setting
• Organic status: Listed as certified-organic planting stock

Place the cutting upright in a porous rooting mix and keep it only lightly moist until roots and new stem growth develop. Deep or continuously wet media can slow establishment, so choose a container or planting site with dependable drainage. Tie new growth loosely to its support and redirect stems before they harden. Where winters are cool, a container allows the plant to be moved under cover while it is young.

Rooting speed, bloom time, and fruit set vary with cutting condition, heat, light, pollen availability, and care. Use the dragon fruit growing guide for establishment details, then visit the dragon fruit collection to compare possible companion cultivars and flesh colors.