How To Build A Trellis To Grow Dragon Fruit - Final Version Of My Go-To Design

In this video, I recreate and show you how to build a trellis using the exact materials I use for everything. Cedar wood is my choice of wood to use for trellis because it keeps its integrity very well and lasts a lot longer than other types. This trellis build has not failed me and is very dependable.

Hope this video demonstrating how to build a trellis to grow dragon fruit helps!

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[jellyg.]

Some tips for people that don't have too much experience with woodworking:
- 4"x4" posts can be made by joining together two 2"x4" posts. The 4"x4" posts are very expensive compared to the 2"x4" because of the demand for it. For example here in the local Home Depot a 4"x4", 8 feet long yellow pine post costs about $16 and are only available pressure treated (full of chemicals). The 2"x4", 8 feet long non-pressure treated yellow pine posts cost $5.13 so you buy 3 with the same cost of a single 4"x4" post and that will give you plenty of wood to make 2 trellises. You can join the 2x4' posts using 2 inch screws.
- As others have mentioned drilling pilot holes prevent the wood from splitting when you insert screws. Use a 1/8" or 7/64" drill bit for #8 screws.
- Dragonfruit takes some time to grow so there's no need to make the full trellis from the start. Just make the lower part portion (base with the post) and then when the plant grows near the top add the upper square. That also will make the project initially easier and less expensive.
- Cedar is a great option for using outdoors like he mentioned however isn't available everywhere. Here I looked at some lumber yards and the only cedar they had is for making fences which is 1"x4". To make a 4"x4" I would need to join four of those, not good idea IMO. While yellow pine isn't as resistant as cedar still is a great option for making this project and is easily found anywhere.
- You can make yellow pine more resistant to rot and outside elements (rain, sun, etc) by covering it with linseed oil. After making the trellis apply a good thick coat of it, leave it drying for some hours and then proceed to put it in your pot. From time to time apply a thin coat of it, unless roots and or leaves are touching the wood. Be sure to get the raw linseed oil, it's food safe. Other oils like coconut, olive, and vegetable oil are used to protect wood but it may attract insects and pests. Don't use varnish or paint, the chemicals will leech into the soil.
- Those cinder blocks are difficult to find in many places. There are many options you can use like normal concrete blocks which have a hole in the middle and the post can fit in, make your own concrete block using a small bucket (for kids) or a square box, fill it with fast-setting concrete (like Quikrete red bag) and when it's dry attach thr post to it with L-brackets. Sounds complicated but it's super easy to make. Also you can attach the post directly to the bottom of the pot using 4 inch L-brackets. Just be sure they are rated for outdoor use.
- Some people like to use wood pallets as a source for garden wood projects, I strongly suggest you don't use that unless the wood won't be in direct contact with the soil or the plants or if it's just for decorative purposes. Most of the wood pallets are full of chemicals used to prevent rotting, bacteria accumulation and pests, all that will get to your plants if you use that wood in the soil. Some of these chemicals are very carcinogenic 😕.
- If you have a Home depot nearby check or ask in the lumber for cull lumber (many times they drop them in a cart in the back of the section). Cull wood is wood that's not in good shape to be sold at normal price so they sell it with a huge discount (70% off). Many times you can find there a lot of non-treated pine 2"x4" posts in different lengths or even 4"x4" posts however they might be cracked, cut, bent or twisted. Still it's good cheap wood you can use for a project like a trellis and will cost you just a few bucks.
- For screws I recommend you to use deck screws for this project, they are weather resistant and will not rust easy.

Hope some of this tips help you out in this project. This trellises are a great idea and are strong enough for the dragonfruits which are very heavy plants. Thanks a lot for the video, I'm experienced in woodworking but a novice dragonfruit grower😅.

[robkeller]

Just wanted to share some info. So Lowes will cut your wood to size for free. I went with dry red wood for my setup. It's more expensive but you get what you pay for. A word of caution, though. On the 2x4x8 that needs to be cut in 5 pieces at 18". They won't cut the 5th piece because once they get to #5 the wood is too short and a safety hazard to cut. So you will be left with a long piece which you can trim yourself or better to get a 10ft instead of 8ft to begin with.

[JoshuaGloba]

A general tip to prevent wood splitting is to drill “pilot holes” before drilling the screws in. This removes some material to make room for the screw, and much easier to get them in. It’s an extra step but worth it in my opinion :)

Also interesting that the “pinwheel” base didn’t make it into the final version, but the concrete block looks much simpler and easier. Great vid as always, thanks Richard!

[hayden]

I use deck screws in my trellis. They are weather resistance and designed for outdoors.

[LuisC]

Simple cheap and good quality. Works very well. Thank you

[marcanthonycastillo]

Another great video. Thank you! I'd suggest investing in corner clamps for building your square frame. Besides holding the wood together for you while screwing it in, it will also give you perfect 90 degree angles. You can usually get a pair for under $10. Just a thought.

[Easy]

The cinder block pier with the zinc straps that you show are available in O.C. and LA area, but not San Diego! 😥Looks like a road trip coming up.

[josemorales]

good enough for a guy with not skills of carpinter! well done👍🙌 but I will recommend predrilled and that way avoid the splitting of the wood, humble opinion. Thanks Richard

[purplepill]

4:09 - Hammer Drill is only needed when drilling pilot holes into concrete, what you're looking for is a regular drill (for pilot holes into a "softer" material like wood or drywall) and then an impact driver. A drill creates holes, a driver drives screws. Impact drivers are so strong they can even drive screws into concrete without a pilot hole - although I wouldn't recommend it if you're worried about accuracy.

[thewolf]

After years of using whatever I could find to trellis, I finally made a few of these yesterday and will try growing in15 gallon containers. Your instructions are very good and concise. Please let me know if you would eveto speak at our North San Diego CRFG meeting.

[josemorales]

Smart-Bit Pre-Drilling and Countersinking, a tool that will help a lot.🤝👍

[daureenbond]

Can you please post a link to your 25 gallons pots

[robertrichard]

I love these videos, I’m growing the purple dragon fruit, very sweet love growing these plants

[salvadorraygoza]

will you be planting less than 3 plants /pot considering how much space the block takes compared to the old style? great video!

[CA_Rock]

What size pot do you use for your Dragon Fruit 4 plant + trellis system?

[redcorsair]

Chemically treated wood no longer leaches into the soil. The old chemicals were swapped out with a newer non-leaching/non-toxic chemical in the early 2000s. The leaching thing is an old school thing since most people arent aware of the swap. I believe it was approved even by the USDA.

[Detourit]

Question. My first mistake made three years ago was to use untreated pine to build my trellis. Have you ever had to re-pot because of rotted wood, and if so, any tips for repotting without destruction to the cactus? Thanksnin advance.

[JoJo-JoJo-JoJo]

Great video 👍👍 Pilot holes will stop the wood from splitting if you choose to use the thicker, stronger screws.

[KEENDARLING]

Thank you very much! Here in central Florida they sell a concrete "corner piece" I buy them to make raised beds but will work for this I think
I will hopefully get my largest dragon fruit on its own strong trellis very soon!

How old are Dragon fruit cactus before they fruit on average?

[pppeeettteeerrr]

I painted mine beige. Now it matches my back yard trellis and I know for a fact this will help the fixture last just a bit longer.