Originally from Central and South America, the Hylocereus is a vine-like cactus that is now widely grown throughout Southeast Asia for its tasty, vivid pink pitaya, often known as dragon fruit.
Are cactus and dragon fruit the same thing?
The Latin American origins of this lovely exotic fruit is where the term pitaya or pitahaya, which are equivalent, originates. It comes from Central America (dating back to the 13th century). However, it found its way to Malaysia and Vietnam, where it is now widely grown (perhaps as a result of its appeal to Asian customers). According to what we’ve heard, the Vietnamese term “thang loy,” which means “dragon fruit,” somehow translates into English. While Vietnamese producers refer to their fruit as “dragon fruit,” those in Israel, where the fruit is grown professionally and sold into the United States, prefer to call it “pitaya or “pitahaya.
Therefore, they are essentially the same fruit whether you see them labeled pitayas, pitahayas, or dragon fruits. They’re probably beginning to appear everywhere now. It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh in the fruit section of your grocery store, in your favorite juice shop, or even as an air freshener’s aroma.
And dragon fruit comes in many various interior colors:
You may also recall seeing some lovely fruit from Israel earlier this year that was marked “Pitaya” or “Pitahaya.”
The high levels of fiber and vitamin C in most dragon fruit are the only thing they have in common in terms of nutrition. However, the flavor characteristic of each fruit can vary. The white-fleshed fruit from Vietnam has a beautiful exterior but a bland, unremarkable flavor. In contrast, Nicaraguan fruit has dark-purple crimson flesh that is similar to a sweet, juicy, meaty watermelon.
The cactus pear is actually related to dragon fruit. In contrast to cactus pear seeds, which are crunchy like those in passion fruit, the seeds of the dragon fruit are fully soft and edible (much like those of a kiwifruit). Additionally, the dragon fruit lacks thorns on its skin, in contrast to the cactus pear.
Therefore, the next time you pass a large display of tropical fruits in your produce area, don’t be hesitant to buy one and give it a try. Due to their limited shelf life, it is preferable to bring home some dragon fruit and use them in a fruit salad or smoothie that same day or the following.
Is dragon fruit a cactus’ fruit?
Despite being a member of the cactus family, dragon fruit is unlike the cacti you commonly see in the desert.
In actuality, dragon fruit is a subtropical cactus native to Central and South America, which means it does best in moderate, humid climates. Keeping the plant in temperatures only between 32 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is only possible in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, is necessary for effectively growing dragon fruit (parts of southern California and Florida).
You can effectively grow a dragon fruit plant inside in a pot if the weather is too chilly or warm for the fruit outside.
Is dragon fruit from a tree or a cactus?
It looks nearly extraterrestrial. The spreading, succulent tendrils of dragon fruit cactus trees extend downward. The fruit’s leafy tendrils give the bright pink fruits the appearance of being covered in dragon scales. One of those plants that you really need to see in person in order to confirm its authenticity. Just wait till you put a Dragon Fruit on the table! It makes for a good conversation starter in the garden.
The Dragon Fruit Cactus is unlike any other plant, as is obvious at one glance. It has a trunk that resembles a palm tree and rises up from the ground. There is a Medusa-like head of swollen, fleshy, green arms that behave as vines at the top of the structure, which can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet.
The blooms will initially emerge on these branches that resemble arms, and then the fruits will follow. Usually, the blossoms are huge and white. Fully opened, they can extend up to 15 inches, but this sight often only lasts for one day. The blossoms have a lovely fragrance and can get as long as a foot. It’s a tree with a definite tropical appearance and a delightfully bizarre garden specimen.
The tree itself is probably going to stir some interesting conversations in your area. You’ll enjoy describing to onlookers its peculiar attractiveness. But when the fruit shows up, the real fun starts. And if the weather is right, that can occur multiple times per year!
On the branch, directly beneath the flower bases, dragon fruits develop. Frequently, it appears to be an arm holding a fluorescent pink ball. The dragon fruit is milky white, pink, or scarlet (depending on the cultivar) inside the brilliant pink skin highlighted with leaves, distinctive scales, and scattered with small black seeds. Nothing else really compares to it in terms of appearance or taste. The flavor has a lovely sweet and sour bite and is similar to a blend of melon and pear.
If you don’t reside in a zone 9 to 11 where it may be planted outdoors, this plant does remarkably well in containers. It thrives in drier areas of the landscape because to its minimal water requirements, but keep in mind that it’s a tropical plant, not a genuine cactus. It can resist occasional light frosts and is heat-tolerant. This strange plant doesn’t care much about the soil’s characteristics, although it does like some organic stuff.
Do dragon fruits belong to the family of cacti?
The dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is a tropical fruit that is a member of the Cactaceae family of climbing cactus. The fruit is well-liked in Southeast Asia and is widely grown in Vietnam. 1 The dragon fruit has been reported to be a good source of vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus in addition to being sweet and refreshing. 2
Origin and geographic scope The scientific name of the dragon fruit is derived from the Greek words hyle (woody), cereus (waxen), and undatus, which alludes to the wavy edges of its stems. 3 Although its origin is unknown, the dragon fruit is most likely a native of Central America. 4 Pitahaya is another name for it, as is pitaya roja in Central and northern South America. Other tall cacti species with flowering fruit may also go by the Spanish name pitahaya. 5 Over a century ago, the fruit was brought to Vietnam by the French. 6
According to a 2013 report, Vietnam is the world’s largest exporter of dragon fruit, accounting for 55% of the nation’s total fruit export sales.
7 However, other nations have also attempted to cultivate the fruit, including Thailand, Israel, the Philippines, Hawaii, northern Australia, and southern China. 8
Description It is a climbing cactus vine that thrives in dry environments. 9 Due to its epiphytic nature, it thrives on soil that contains a lot of organic matter. 10 Because the plant only produces blossoms at night, it is also frequently referred to as the “moonflower” or the “Lady of the Night.” The flowers are white and huge, measuring 20 cm or longer, and they only bloom for one night. 13 When in bloom, they have a bell-like form and smell good. In a single year, pitahaya trees can go through four to six fruiting cycles. It can be multiplied either through stem cuttings or seeds. 16
The dragon fruit has striking features, including vivid red, purple, or yellow skin variations and noticeable scales.
17 Oval, elliptical, or pearshape describe the fruit. The meat has a mildly sweet or occasionally slightly sour flavor. 18 The delicious black seeds are scattered throughout the meat, which is either white or red. 19
The orchid cacti, or epiphyllum, which are renowned for their enormous and magnificent blossoms, are related to the dragon fruit. The epiphyllum and pitahaya can cross-pollinate. 20
Application and potential Commonly consumed raw, the fruit is said to taste better when cold. 21 Additionally, it can be converted into a fruit sorbet or given as juice. 22 While syrup derived from the full fruit is used to color pastry and candies, the fruit itself can be used to flavor beverages. 23 You can prepare unopened flower buds similarly to vegetables. 24 According to legend, the dragon fruit lowers blood pressure and enhances vision. 25
Is a cactus a passion fruit?
The vine-type passion flower Passiflora edulis, sometimes known as passion fruit, is indigenous to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay.
[1] For its delicious, seedy fruit, it is commercially grown in tropical and subtropical regions. The fruit is a pepo, a sort of berry, and is round to oval in shape. When fully grown, it can be either yellow or dark purple, with a soft to firm, juicy inside that is packed with many seeds. The fruit is consumed whole and juiced, with the juice frequently being mixed with other fruit juices to add flavor.
What is dragon fruit and where does it grow?
It is a fruit that grows on a species of cactus that is regarded as a climbing vine. It genuinely belongs to the Cactaceae family of plants’ Hylocereus genus. Although it is grown throughout Southeast Asia, Florida, the Caribbean, Australia, and other places with tropical and subtropical climates, dragon fruit is said to be an indigenous fruit of America.
How long does it take for a dragon fruit to grow and produce fruits?
The projected period for fruit production is a little longer for dragon fruit plants that were grown from seeds as opposed to plants that were developed from stem cuttings. A plant needs around a year to develop and start producing fruit on average. Some plants begin bearing fruit five months after they are planted.
What is the life span of the dragon fruit plant and how tall does this plant grow?
This plant is thought to be a perennial with a lengthy lifespan. The dragon fruit plant can continue to produce fruit for 20 to 30 years. The plant can reach a height of 40 feet before the end of its life cycle, and its stems can reach a maximum length of 6 meters.
How do you grow dragon fruit and is it possible to grow it indoors?
Here are a few easy steps that can be used to produce dragon fruit plants:
- First, choose or prepare the environment for growing dragon fruits.
- Get the cuttings from a healthy plant or the seeds from a reputable nursery.
- Select a location for planting, such as a garden or container. If containers are used, they should have a minimum 10 inch depth and a diameter of 15 to 24 inches.
- Put some rocks in the bottom of the pot or container to prepare it, then cover them with soil that drains well. A rod or trellis should be used to secure the pot in the center.
- For planting the seeds or cuttings in a rain-fed region where the plant is being grown on the ground, mounds should be made so that water can quickly drain away in the event of an excessive downpour.
- Before planting, let the cutting dry.
- Plant them where there is sufficient sunshine for the plant.
- Plant cuttings from the nursery box in the main area should be properly changed; if seeds are being used, scatter them in the container and cover them with fine dirt.
- Because the plant is a light feeder and a slow-release low-nitrogen fertilizer must be applied once every two months, fertilize it occasionally.
- Only water the plants when they are completely dry, and if they have begun to climb the center pole, care should be made to keep it moist.
- The plant needs around two years to fully develop and establish itself.
- To promote more flowers, prune the plant.
- The best time to harvest the fruit is in the late summer or early fall.
How is the dragon fruit harvested?
The optimal period to harvest is between June and December, but this can change according on the nation where the fruit is grown. Selecting fruits for harvest should only be done when they are fully ripe, which can be done twice a week. To pick the fruit without damaging it, pruning blades are employed. Before being packed or moved to larger storage spaces, the fruits are initially kept in a shaded area.
What climate does dragon fruit grow in?
It is thought that this cactus plant is distinct from other plants with desert origins. In regions with sufficient annual rainfall between 1730 and 2540 mm, dragon fruit can be found. The plants need a minimum temperature of 20 to 30 C. Most of the plant’s cultivation takes place in tropical and subtropical climes.
What season is suitable for growing dragon fruits?
Typically, the plant is grown during the summer (summer). The plant grows slowly the rest of the year, but from July to October it blooms. Five months out of every year, the dragon fruit plant produces fruit.
Do dragon fruits grow on trees?
Pitahaya, commonly known as dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), is a native of Central and South America and requires year-round heat. It can survive a brief frost and can swiftly heal from any freeze damage, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing will cause it to perish. Up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, it is heat-tolerant (40 C.).
Despite the fact that it is a cactus, it needs a lot of water. Dragon fruit trees need something to climb because they are vying. They can grow to a height of 25 feet (8 meters) and weigh several hundred pounds, therefore they are quite hefty (136 kg.). When constructing your trellis, keep this in mind. Beams made of sturdy wood are the best option. Dragon fruit trees grow quickly and are resistant of pruning, however some pruning and tying is required to encourage it to follow the trellis.
Are there thorns on a dragon fruit cactus?
The yellow dragon fruit and the cacti both have prickly thorns. Wearing gloves while harvesting is advised. Another name for dragon fruit is “strawberry pears.
What does it mean to be dragon fruit?
Native to Mexico and Central America, dragon fruit was brought to Southeast Asia by the French in the late 19th century, initially in Vietnam. Today’s dragon fruit production and distribution market is growing in Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The term “dragon fruit” derives from the fruit’s unusual appearance, in which the scales and spikes mimic a dragon from Chinese mythology and fire, respectively.
What kind of cactus bears dragon fruit?
There is some taxonomic ambiguity regarding what a “It is dragon fruit. The phrase most frequently refers to the plump, juicy fruit of Hylocereus undatus, a vining cactus that is endemic to Central America, for the majority of us who buy the fruit at a supermarket or a juice bar. It is widely grown around the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, where it got its start “moniker for a dragon fruit. However, the phrase can equally be used to describe the fruit of any of the other 20 or so Hylocereus species. These fruits are known as pitahaya in their native Central America. To further complicate matters, other species of cactus belonging to the Stenocereus and Selenicereus genera also go by the names pitaya, pithaya, or pitayo. The organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi, also known as pitaya dulce (“sweet pitaya”), and Stenocereus gummosus, also known as pitaya agria, are two of the most well-known of these (“sour pitaya). The Seri people have long collected both of these plants for a number of purposes, including food. The fact that several Hylocereus and Selenicereus species go by the common name Queen of the Night only serves to further complicate matters. In addition to sharing names, these three genera are all part of the Cactaceae (cactus) family and contain species that provide fruit that people consume, use for medicine, and other purposes. However, only the fruit belonging to the Hylocereus genus is typically referred to as “dragon fruit.”