Dragonfruit
Dragon fruits have their origin in Mexico, Central and South America. But they are also grown in South-East Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Southern China) and in Israel.
Dragonfruits are usually eaten fresh. The fruits are peeled and the white or purple flesh, which has a mild sweet taste, is eaten. Dragonfruits can also be used to prepare juice or wine.
Dragon fruit (or pitaya) is the fruit of a cactus which blooms at night. Three species of dragonfruit share the same name, but have different fruits. Hylocereus undatus has fruits with white pulp and a pink-red skin.
Names
Scientific
Hylocereus undatus
English
Belle of the night
Conderella plant
Dragon fruit
Dragonfruit
Moonflower
Night blooming cereus
Pitahaya
Pitaya
Queen of the night
Red pitahaya
Red pitaya
Strawberry pear
Dutch
Drakenvrucht
Pitahaya
Pitaya
Spanish
Flor de caliz
Junco
Junco tapatio
Pitahaya orejona
Pitahaya roja
Pitajava
Reina de la noche
Tasajo
French
Cierge-lézard
Fruit du dragon
Poire de chardon
German
Distelbirne
Drachenfrucht
Pitahaya
Italian
Pitahaya
Pitaya
Taxonomy
Genus
Hylocereus
Family
Cactaceae
Order
Caryophyllales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Mexico, Central and South America
Distribution:
Mexico, Central and South America, South-East Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Southern China, Israel
Evergreen or deciduous:
Evergreen
Flowers:
The plant flowers only at night. The large white flowers are called “moonflower” or “queen of the night”.
Leaves:
It’s a vine-like plants in the cactus family. The cactus-like tree has no leaves.
Fruits:
The typical bright pink or red colored fruits weigh from 200 to 700
grams. They are 7-10 cm wide and 10-15 cm long. The flesh inside is white (but varieties with other colors exist) and contains many small black seeds. It has a mildly sweet taste. The fruit is supposed to have the color and shape of a dragon’s eye. Towards the end of the fruit are several soft scales with a greenish color.
Climate and weather:
Dry tropical climates. Requires moderate amounts of rain.
Pollination:
Self pollination. But pollination improves if bees or ants are present and by hand pollination.
Height:
The plant is often grown along cement poles of about 2 meter height with wooden crosspieces to support the vines.
Type of soil:
Dragon fruit grows in any soil but likes rich organic matter plus sand. It prefers well-drained soils.
Light:
Dragon fruit likes bright sunshine.
Spacing (close range)
3 meter?
Spacing (wide range)
Propagation:
Propagated by seed or by cutting.
Insect pests:
Few pests: aphids, mealybugs
Diseases:
Stem rot (Xanthomonas campestris), Collar rot (Phytopthora sp.), Root rots (Fusarium sp., Alternara sp.)
Fruit development:
Fruits are produce throughout the year.
Harvesting:
Hand pick the mature fruits.
Uses:
Fruits are peeled and the white flesh is eaten fresh. Fruits can also be used to prepare juice or wine.
Recipes
Dragonfruit shake / Pitaya shake
Ingredients:
One dragonfruit, syrup, salt, and ice.
How to prepare it:
Cut the dragon fruit into small pieces. Put ice, dragonfruit, syrup and a little bit of salt into the blender. Blend it fine and then serve in a beautiful glass.
Crop categories
Fruits
Food crops
Tropical crops
Pictures
Dragonfruit
Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit