Hylocereus undatus plant started from a stem cutting |
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Hylocereus undatus
(Dragon fuit, Pitaya, Pitahaya Orejona, Strawberry Pear, Queen of the
Night, Night-blooming Cereus, Chak-wob, Paniniokapunahoa, Papipi
pua, Reina de la Noche Chacham, Zacamb) |
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Believed to be native to southern Mexico, Pacific side of
Guatemala and Costa Rica, and El Salvador
Light:
Full sun-part shade
Height: 30'-60', climbs by aerial roots
Blooms: Fragrant, large, white, bell-shaped, night bloomer
Stems: Notched, green, 3-sided, 1-2" wide, 30' long
Fruits: Red, sweet, oval-shaped with scales, pulp has many tiny
seeds
Color of other varieties: Pink, yellow
Soil: Sandy, well-drained
Water: Keep moist during growing season
Propagation: Cuttings, seeds, in Spring
Caution: Invasive. Spiny edges, use gloves
Comments: Hylocereus undatus or Dragon fruit or Pitaya or Pitahaya
Orejona or Strawberry Pear or Queen of the Night or Night-blooming
Cereus or Chak-wob or Paniniokapunahoa or Papipi pua or Reina de la
Noche Chacham or Zacamb is an interesting
terrestrial/epiphytic cactus. This is a fruit-bearing vine that climbs onto walls and over trees
using their aerial roots. Provide initial support for the Dragon
fruit plant.
Hylocereus undatus is easily propagated and is a carefree and easy to
grow cactus. The fruit has an interesting shape and it comes in a
variety of 3 dynamic colors of intense maroon, white and pink.
Pitahaya Orejona fruit has a strange-looking scale-like appearance like
that of the skin of a dragon.
When I first saw this fruit, I was scepticle in eating it but after my
first try, I have fallen in love with it especially after knowing the
fact that it is a very healty and nutritious fruit to consume. The
red Dragon Fruit
has a slightly sweet taste to it, like that of a kiwi and a strawberry and is packed with vitamins, minerals
and water. A very popular fruit with the Asians, the Strawberry
Pear fruit is known to control diabetes, high blood pressure and for
improving liver functions. Pitaya fruits are rich in fiber and
they are also a hit with those with obesity problems and it is a natural
and healthy way to slim. When you cut the fuit into half, you can
see many minute seeds that are edible. I chill the ripe fruits, remove
the skin and eat them fresh as a dessert. The Dragon fruit is used in
making delicious drinks, in salads, in baking and in seafood and meat recipes.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 8b-11 |
