Cuttings... To Infinity and Beyond? (forum)

Becky2 starts with ...
Hi all,

This is a question that may be hard to answer as I am aware that not all species and varieties are the same, but here I go anyways..

I have received a white Dragon Fruit cutting from a woman who said that her plant is over 20 years old and has stopped being as vigorously productive as it used to be. Hence her taking it down to make room for other plants. However, I was thinking if her plant is old, and I start a cutting from it, will the cutting also be unproductive as it is a clone of the 'old plant', or will it become a 'like new' Dragon Fruit plant that will in a few years be as productive as one grown from seed or a young plant cutting?

Although there are many cases such as Avocados and Apple varieties that have a long heritage of propagation via cuttings, I am not sure if this also applies to Dragon Fruit?

Help a novice out? :)

Many thanks in advance!
Becky

Time: 2nd May 2017 9:40pm

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echinopora says...
It's most likely that the original plant became thrifty due to a combination of improper pruning and fertilisation. It's also possible it lost its pollenator. If you like whites give it a go and buy a red or hybrid to pollinate it. Or save yourself some hassle and start with proven productive self pollinating cuttings. The red and purple that Daley has are a good start, then condor and Aztec gem when you see them available.

Time: 3rd May 2017 8:16am

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terranora
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Mike Tr says...
It will be vigorous and the loss of productivity of the older one will have to do with accumulating pathogens and needing more fertiliser, light, space etc. Unfortunately it is likely to be a white. There are no heritage varieties and newer purple fleshed types are most sought.

Time: 3rd May 2017 9:29am

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About the Author Mike Tr
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Becky2 says...
Thanks for the answers guys - I'm just pretty happy to have any dragonfruit cutting and will be on the lookout for another one too, to help with the pollination.
I was just worried that the cutting would produce an unproductive 'old' plant like the original plant, but now I'm feeling a little better after reading your replies so as long as it stays fertilised and disease free, all should be well :)

Time: 4th May 2017 2:42pm

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