How to Grow Dragon Fruit with Yana Brown

Dragon fruit, or pitaya, is a delicious fruit from the beautiful Moonlight Cactus. With over 150 varieties, the taste of Dragon Fruit ranges from lemon to apricot to watermelon! Ideal for desserts, smoothies, and cocktails the species is suitable for backyard and balcony growing in South-East Queensland, providing excellent yields during our hot summers. Taste testing is a key part of the session!

This workshop offers a hands-on experience for both the beginner and experienced gardeners where you’ll learn the essentials of dragon fruit cultivation, including choosing the right varieties, propagation methods, soil preparation, watering, and pest management — all with a focus on sustainable practices.

Yana will also guide you through setting up trellises and support structures that suit this unique crop, and you’ll discover tips for maximizing fruit quality and yield. We will be building at least one support tower and pruning one of the Farm's existing plants. Set ups for balcony growing will also be shown.

In addition, our workshop covers essential care techniques throughout the growing season, such as pruning, fertilizing, and identifying common issues. Yana will also have pot plants, including unusual varieties, and fruit for sale. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped to grow dragon fruit at home or on a larger scale, with confidence in each step of the process.

Join us at the Farm, get your hands in the soil, and become part of a vibrant community of dragon fruit enthusiasts!

Youth Offer

This workshop is suitable for teenagers, accompanied by mum, dad or another adult guardian, who has also paid to attend the workshop.

About the Facilitator

Yana Brown, founder of Rare Dragon Fruit in Agnes Water, Queensland, is a passionate grower with over 150 unique dragon fruit varieties cultivated through sustainable farming practices. With a deep commitment to organic agriculture, Yana’s farm uses zero pesticides, fostering a balanced ecosystem that enriches soil health and promotes biodiversity. Beyond farming, Yana is dedicated to community education, offering hands-on workshops and resources that empower others to grow their own dragon fruit.

Her boutique farm supplies high-quality dragon fruit plants, cuttings, and fresh produce to wholesalers, local markets, and home growers. Yana also shares her expertise through articles in magazines like The Rare Fruit Review and Grass Roots, as well as on her website, raredragonfruit.com.au. With creativity in the kitchen, she’s known for experimenting with dragon fruit in innovative recipes, making her a true advocate for this remarkable fruit from soil to table.