Dragon Fruit Plant

The dragon fruit plant originates in Central and South America. The plant was introduced to Vietnam by the French over one hundred years ago—bringing it over as an ornamental plant.

The plant is nicknamed “Queen of the Night”, “Moonflower” and “Lady of the Night” because the large flowers only bloom at night time.

The Vietnamese, like the Mexicans, realized that the plant had great tasting fruit and therefore began to cultivate it. In fact, now the fruit is grown in many Southeast Asia countries, like Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii, as a large-scale commercial crop.

DRAGON FRUIT PLANT DESCRIPTION

The plant is actually a member of the cactus family and the vines grow well in dry areas (as any cactus does!). It grows best in soil with high levels of organic material due to its epiphytic nature. The plant’s ornate flowers are white and large and measure about 30 cm (14 inches) long or more and have a sweet fragrance when they bloom. Ironically, the flowers bloom for one night only, however the plants can have between 4-6 fruit cycles in a year.

The plant can be propagated by seed or by stem cuttings.

Since the plant is closely related to the orchid cacti or epiphyllu, the pitahaya(dragon fruit plant) can be cross pollinated with it.

FRUIT DESCRIPTION

The dragon fruit, true to its name, has a flamboyant appearance. It is either bright pink or yellow skinned with green spines. The fruit is oval shaped and inside the flesh of the fruit, either white or red with black seeds dotted all over (much like the seeds of a kiwi fruit), has either a sweet taste or a slightly sour one. The numerous seeds in the flesh of the fruit, add texture to the taste experience and make the fruit have a crunchy taste.

The fruit is also called pitaya, pitahaya or cactus fruit.

HOW TO GROW DRAGON FRUIT

Seeds from the plant are best obtained when the fruit is unblemished and overripe. Then the seeds must receive a thorough cleaning from the pulp of the fruit, and can be stored when dry. The seeds grow well in potting soil or a compost mix. The plant will germinate 10-14 days after planted if planted in a shallow planter.

Since the plant is a cactus, overwatering is always a concern. The plant will need something to grab onto as it grows. The plant is usually planted as a climber to cover chain link fencing. Since the plant is a member of the cactus family, the long stems of the plant are so heavy that they need cement pillars to support them as they grow.

Photos of Dragon Fruit Plant on Cement Pillars

Once the plant reachs about 10 lbs. in weight, it will start to produce a flower.

Since the dragon fruit is the “lady of the night”, the flowers only bloom then. As a result, the plant has to be cross pollinated manually at night time or by bats or moths. By morning, the flowers start to wither and die with the rising heat. When the flowers die by mid-morning that is when the fruit starts to grow.

The plant will flower 3-6 times a year.

Like other cacti, the dragon fruit plant will take root in soil, if a healthy chunk of it is broken off the main plant and then planted in soil.

The plant can handle temperatures from short periods of frost to 104F.

USES

The plant is used ornamentally in people’s gardens. Parts of the plants are used to produce food color. The fruit is used in syrups, popsicles, pudding, ice cream, fruit salads and even beverage enzymes. The fruit is often served raw and chilled – cut in half, the flesh can be eaten out of the skin with a spoon.

Asian people believe that the fruit’s medicinal value involved lowering high blood pressure and blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

Additional Dragon Fruit Resources on Antioxidant Fruits.com: