Dragon fruit ( Hylocereus spp and Selenicereus spp ) is a climbing cactus vine, which was introduced in South Asian tropical countries for commercial cultivation in the 1990s. If you are thinking of dragon fruit as something which has Chinese origin. Then you need to unlearn, in fact, it originated from Central and South America. The name comes from its outer scales, which resemble dragon skin. Being a xerophytic plant, dragon fruit can be easily grown in a wide climatic region. There goes the doubt if you can now grow an exotic fruit in your garden with loads of nutrients and low in calories. Pitaya offers a wide range of health and medicinal benefits, making it a must-have in any diet.
What are Varieties of Dragon Fruit
Several varieties of Pitaya are becoming popular among the growers and farm owners owing to its unique taste and appearance. Here are a few for you to explore the world of dragon fruit.
1.Alice Red
- It has deep red skin with a rich, sweet flavor.
- It has a high antioxidant content making it one of the favorite among pitaya lovers.
Buy Alice Red Dragon Fruit Variety
2.Moroccan Red
- It has a bright red skin with the reddest flesh you have ever seen.
- It will give you a tangy taste with slight fresh crunchiness.
Buy Moroccon Red Dragon Fruit Variety
3.Jumbo Red
- Jumbo means large or larger than any dragon fruit you have ever seen.
- It will make a huge glass of sweet smoothies with its juiciness and size.
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4.Vietnam Red
- It is a popular variety introduced from Vietnam having red flesh.
- It has a unique taste to offer in the form of sweet flesh.
Buy Vietnam Red Dragon Fruit Variety
5.Ecuadorian Palora
- It has pink or white flesh inside of the yellow skin, popular for its sweetness.
- A gourmet choice among the fruit lovers originated in Ecuador.
Buy Ecuadorian Palora Dragon Fruit Variety
6.C Variety Dragon
- It has a red flesh inside red skin which suits your taste buds.
- A subtle fragrance with a mildly sweet flavor that transports you to another world.
7.Black African
- It is indeed a very rare variety with dark skin and intensely flavorful red flesh.
- It has a high nutrient content inside the dark skin which will boost your health.
Buy Black African Dragon Fruit Variety
8.Townsend
- It can be distinguished by its magenta skin and pinkish flesh.
- It is a perfect balance of sour and sweet, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
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9.Delight
- A delight for those who love white flesh pitaya.
- Go for this if you are looking for fruit to add in your desserts.
Buy Delight Dragon Fruit Variety
10.Baby Cerrado
- It is a baby pitaya with small size and white flesh filled with edible black seeds.
- The sweetness of this fruit isn't compromised by the small size.
Buy Baby Cerrado Dragon Fruit Variety
11.Tricia
- It has a white flesh inside the vivid red color skin with tiny black seeds.
- A firm texture full of sweetness.
Buy Tricia Dragon Fruit Variety
12.Rainbow Dragon
- Multicolored skin with red and purple hues, flesh ranging from white to red.
- Sweet and mildly tangy in taste.
Buy Rainbow Dragon Fruit Variety
13.Cebra Dragon
- The dark red skin peel bending downward resembles a cobra feature.
- It has an intense and unique flavor as compared to other dragon fruit varieties.
Buy Cebra Dragon Fruit Variety
14.Halley's Comet
- A better tasting pitaya variety with dark red or pink flesh.
- A good choice if you want a citrus taste mix with sweetness.
Buy Halley's Comet Dragon Fruit Variety
15.Godzilla Dragon
- Yes, it is thick, large and dense with dark red flesh
- Very sweet and juicy with little maintenance on the plant.
Buy Godzilla Dragon Fruit Variety
What are Care Tips for Dragon Fruit
Pitaya is a tropical cactus with flavored fruit. It can survive in various climatic regions given proper care.
- Pitaya is highly adaptable to abiotic stresses and can thrive in less fertile dryland areas.
- It Requires minimal support like a wooden post or wall column for lateral branch growth; a tire can be used on top to prevent drooping.
- Low water requirement and minimal pest and disease issues, making it a low-maintenance plant.
- Organic growth is possible without chemical fertilizers, relying on manure and organic matter.
- Blooms at night in June, with large, fragrant flowers; fruit is ready to harvest in July when fully red.
- Perennial crop that produces multiple fruits each year, with yields starting as early as the second year.
What are Benefits of Dragon Fruit
Pitaya is a fruit with loads of medicinal benefits. Here, take a look on how to aid in our ailments.
- Low in cholesterol, helps reduce heart attack risk by curtailing cholesterol accumulation.
- High in fiber, aiding digestion and relieving constipation.
- Regulates blood sugar, beneficial for diabetic patients.
- Improves platelet count in dengue patients due to antioxidant properties.
- Known as an anti-inflammatory fruit, helping with arthritis relief.
- Mild laxative effect from the tiny black seeds.
- Edible flowers and buds can be steamed, cooked, or used as tea.
How to Grow Your Own Dragon Fruit
Growing your own pitaya from cuttings is an efficient and fast way to propagate the plant.
- Choose a healthy cutting from an existing disease and pest free mother plant. The cutting should be 8-12 inches long for good growth.
- Prepare the pot or ground with a well draining soil mix. Check the pots to confirm it has drainage holes. Improve the drainage of soil by adding perlite, sand or organic manure.
- Plant the cutting with the calloused rooted part in 2-3 inches deep soil.
- Water the soil lightly after planting. Always maintain a middle situation. Do not overwater or underwater the plant. You can lessen the watering frequency once the root get hold in the soil.
- Place a support in the form of trellis or pole for plants to grow as pitaya is climber.
- Keep the plant in sunny condition where it can receive upto eight hours of sunlight.
- Pitaya starts fruiting at 1-2 years. Till then have patience and give proper care to the plant.
Are you in awe? And looking to grow your own dragon fruit plant at home then wait no more. Hop in and get one from Paudhewale at the best price. Start your gardening journey today and enjoy homegrown fruit in no time.