Dragonfruit

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Dragonfruit

Dragon fruit (or pitaya) is the fruit of a cactus which blooms at night. This page provides some basic information about the dragon fruit and some dragonfruit photos.

Dragonfruits on a Thai fruits market

Basic information on dragon fruit

Scientific name: Hylocereus undatus
English: Dragon fruit
English: Pitaya
English: Pitahaya
English: Strawberry pear
English: Red pitaya
English: Red pitahaya
English: Conderella plant
English: Belle of the night
English: Night blooming cereus
Dutch: Pitaya
Spanish: Pitahaya roja
Spanish: Flor de caliz
Spanish: Pitajava
Spanish: Junco
Spanish: Junco tapatio
Spanish: Pitahaya orejona
Spanish: Reina de la noche
Spanish: Tasajo
French: Fruit du dragon
French: Cierge-lézard
French: Poire de chardon
German: Drachenfrucht
German: Distelbirne
German: Pitahaya
Italian: Pitahaya
Italian: Pitaya
   
Family: Cactaceae
Order: Caryophyllales
   
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 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: Grows in any soil but likes rich organic matter plus sand. Prefers well-drained soils.
Light: Like 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.

Proverbs

  • Who knows a proverb about dragon fruit? Please send me a message.

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.

Please send me a message if you know more dragon fruit recipies.

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