So, not too sweet, self-sterile, requires cross-pollination? What, you might ask, is this dragon fruit cultivar doing on this list? Although this fruit may improve certain features of metabolic syndrome — a condition associated with type 2 diabetes — not all effects may be favorable. Selenicereus costaricensis ( Pitaya roja or red-fleshed pitaya, also known as Hylocereus costaricensis, and possibly incorrectly as Hylocereus polyrhizus) has red-skinned fruit with red flesh.

Like the Led Zeppelin album this hybrid is named after, ‘Physical Graffiti’ is prolific and impressive. Give your pitahaya fertiliser every month during the growing season, which is during the warmer months. You can also feed them once in the spring and once after the plant is done making fruit. Then, stop giving the plant food in the winter. Dragon fruits do best with a fertilizer that dissolves in water, like a 20-20-20. Like all fibers, your gut cannot break them down. However, the bacteria in your gut can digest them. They use the fiber as fuel for growth, and you reap the benefits.The fruit of related species, such as S. queretaroensis and the dagger cactus or pitaya de mayo ( S. griseus), [3] :223–225 are also locally important foods. The fruit of the organ pipe cactus ( S. thurberi, called ool by the Seris) is the pitaya dulce "sweet pitaya". Antioxidants stop cell damage and inflammation by neutralizing free radicals. Antioxidant-rich diets may help prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, according to studies.

For instance, it participates in the processes necessary for the conversion of food into energy, the contraction of muscles, the construction of bones, and even the synthesis of DNA. Pitaya flowers bloom overnight and usually wilt by the evening. [10] They rely on nocturnal pollinators such as bats or moths for fertilization. Self-fertilization will not produce fruit in some species and while cross-breeding has resulted in several "self-fertile" varieties, cross-pollinating with a second, genetically distinct plant of the same species generally increases fruit set and quality. This limits the capability of home growers to produce the fruit. However, the plants can flower between three and six times per year depending on growing conditions. Like other cacti, if a healthy piece of the stem is broken off, it may take root in the soil and become its own plant.

The names pitahaya and pitaya derive from Mexico, and pitaya roja in Central America and northern South America, possibly relating to pitahaya for names of tall cacti species with flowering fruit. [2] [7] Geography [ edit ] Dragon fruit juice in Thailand The quality of your diet is one of several variables that affect your body’s capacity to fight infection. The magnesium content of dragon fruit is higher than that of most other fruits, providing 18% of your RDI in just one cup.Your body typically contains 24g, or about one ounce, of magnesium.

Some observational studies imply that diets high in fiber may offer protection against colon cancer. While more study is required and even though there’s no evidence connecting dragon fruit to any of these illnesses, its high fiber content can still help you reach your daily recommendations. If you’ve never heard of dragon fruit, you might be familiar with its other names: strawberry pear and pitaya or pitahaya. ( 3)

Hylocereus polyrhizus has pink skin with red or pink meat. This variety is generally wider and further succulent than the other kinds. Water your plant when you can feel that the top of the soil around it is dry. Water it until the soil is damp, but not so wet that it can’t hold any more water. If it doesn’t rain, twice a week should be enough. Unfortunately, not all of the plants have made it, we have lost one of the dragon fruit over winter. It just seemed to wither away and I am not really sure what happened. The other two are doing really well though so let’s have a look. The purple dragon fruit in April The white Dragon Fruit In April You can see that there has been growth, but it is slow. Saying that I don’t know whether it is slow for dragon fruit or pretty regular growth.

I will be getting a proper cutting this time. The cuttings look to be much larger than what I got which I believe was grown from seed. The scientific name of the Dragon fruit is Hylocereus Undatus, however, it goes by many other names like pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear. The two most common types of dragon fruits have bright red skin with green scales on the skin that resemble a dragon – hence the name “Dragon Fruit”. Dragon Fruit Colours Pest and Disease Control. These plants are pretty hardy, but occasional pests and diseases might still pose a challenge. Regular inspection and use of organic pest controls should keep them at bay. By seeing the branches, it can be challenging to distinguish between purple and white dragon fruits. But compared to the white ones, the purple ones’ branches have more thorns. Nutrition valueThese are compounds that protect your cells from unstable molecules called free radicals, which are linked to chronic diseases and aging ( 2).