How Freddie Steyn Turned South African Dragon Fruit Farming into a Sweet Success

Dragon fruit farming in South Africa has historically been challenging, with many ventures abandoned due to low yields, diseases, and market difficulties. Freddie Steyn, a dragon fruit farmer near Mbombela, Mpumalanga, has overcome these obstacles through perseverance, experimentation, and careful management. He shared his approach, highlighting lessons for aspiring growers.

Choosing the Right Varieties
Dragon fruit’s appeal lies in its striking appearance, but flavour and sweetness determine market acceptance. Steyn grows two varieties commercially on 10 hectares and trials five additional varieties on a smaller scale. Varieties are evaluated over three years for fruit size, self-pollination, and quality before commercial adoption. Many varieties fail to meet his standards, but consistent evaluation ensures only the most suitable are planted.

Orchard Setup
Steyn uses cuttings grown in a shaded on-farm nursery for 24 months before transplanting, ensuring plants are adapted to sunlight and less prone to sunburn. Nursery cuttings are planted in bags with sand and compost. He emphasises proper soil preparation, using ripped fields to prevent compaction, and erects poles to support the climbing plants. Optimal pole height has evolved through experience, currently balancing accessibility and plant support.

Plant spacing ranges from 3.75m to 5m between rows and 2m to 2.5m between poles, with two plants per pole. Regular pruning removes side shoots and older branches, leaving only productive branches to optimise yields and prevent the plant from toppling.

Irrigation and Water Management
Steyn shifted from micro irrigation to low-flow drip irrigation to reduce trunk rot and fungal diseases. Drippers provide 0.9–1.2ℓ/hour, with irrigation scheduled over two-hour cycles twice a week. Watering focuses on the top 30cm of soil, where 80% of roots are located. Despite receiving 800–1,000mm of annual rainfall, dragon fruit requires additional irrigation of approximately 3,300m³/ha/year, mainly during the dry winter and spring months.

Soil Fertility and Nutrition
Improving soil fertility has been crucial. Compost is applied at 6t/ha annually, supplemented by cover crops that improve nitrogen availability and protect shallow roots from high summer temperatures. Steyn avoids herbicides, cutting unwanted weeds manually, which also provides material for mulch and compost.

Fertiliser management focuses on the right balance of macro and micro nutrients. Nitrogen stimulates growth, phosphorus supports root and energy development, potassium ensures fruit quality, and calcium, magnesium, and sulphur aid growth, resilience, and flavour. Microelements such as molybdenum, boron, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper further enhance flowering, pollen development, and energy metabolism.

Pest and Disease Management
Steyn relies on biocontrol and preventive measures rather than chemicals. Sunburned plants are more susceptible to fungal disease, so he sprays aluminium silicate to protect foliage. Ducks help control snails, while careful irrigation and pruning reduce fungal risk. The farm produces pesticide-free dragon fruit, aligning with EU market preferences.

Pollination and Nutrition
Although some varieties are self-pollinating, bee hives are introduced during flowering to improve fruit set. Fertiliser is adjusted based on soil analysis, with nitrogen applied post-harvest to stimulate new shoots that will bear the next season’s fruit. Consistent nutrition throughout the year ensures sweet, high-quality fruit.

Harvest and Marketing
Dragon fruit produces multiple flushes per season. Steyn harvests fruit just after it has coloured for optimum taste and shelf life. Crates transport fruit to the packhouse within two hours to prevent quality deterioration. In the packhouse, fruit is cleaned, sorted, packed, and stored at 6°C to maintain freshness during distribution.

Steyn’s farm has achieved yields nearing 20t/ha, with an average Brix of 17. Ninety-two percent of harvested fruit is marketed, including 50% for export. Success has been built through trial, adaptation, and attention to detail in orchard management, irrigation, nutrition, and post-harvest handling.

Dragon fruit farming in South Africa requires careful planning, continuous learning, and adaptive management. Freddie Steyn’s approach demonstrates that with the right variety selection, irrigation, nutrition, and pest management, producers can achieve consistent, high-quality yields. His success provides a model for new growers and ensures South African consumers have access to sweet, flavourful dragon fruit.