What is the difference between night-blooming cereus and dragon fruit?
Night blooming cereus does not produce fruit, only flowers; it is a different species from dragon fruit (pitaya). True night blooming cereus leaves are flat with only 2 sides; dragon fruit leaves have 3 sides. Many people confuse the two plants and then wonder why their night blooming cereus won’t produce fruit. Yields & Economics. Dragon fruit normally fruits after 18-24 months after plantation. It is a vegetative fruit plant which normally fruits during or after monsoons. It fruits in 3 to 4 waves during one season.Dragon fruit flowers are known as “Queen of the Night” and “Moonflower” for their fleeting beauty. The flowers are nocturnal, only blooming at night, and the entire lifespan of the bloom is around eight hours.Dragon fruit thrives best with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Overexposure to direct sunlight can lead to sunburn and damage in dragon fruit plants. Adjustable shade cloths are a practical solution for managing excessive sunlight exposure for your dragon fruit.Dragon fruit provides fast return with economic production in the first year after planting and full production is attained in 3-4 years. The life expectancy of the crop is about 20 years.
Which variety of dragon fruit is the best?
Delight is a very sweet and flavorful variety of dragon fruit with a light pink flesh interior. This variety is reliable and produces an abundance of 3/4 to 1 pound fruit. Delight was hybridizer Paul Thompson’s favorite variety. They are also termed Hylocereus Undatus or Selenicereus Undatus. This dragon fruit is white in the flesh with pink skin, and it is the most widely grown dragon fruit.Certain varieties of pitahaya, also known as dragon fruit, are restricted due to the potential for pest infestation. Dragon fruit from Ecuador require a permit and inspection for entry. This vibrant fruit, known for its striking appearance and mild, sweet taste, is typically grown in tropical regions.Hylocereus undatus, commonly known as dragon fruit or red pitaya, is a tropical fruit belonging to the cactus family Cactaceae, characterized by its rich vitamin C content and water-soluble fiber in its pulp.Dragon fruit are sweet fruit from cactus plants in the genus Hylocereus and Selenecereus. This profile is referring to fruits within those genera and the term dragon fruit will be used throughout (“Other – 64: Pitahaya Research” – UCANR, n.
How long does it take for a dragon fruit cactus to bear fruit?
How Long Does It Take to Grow Dragon Fruit? Seeds usually take about 5 years to reach their vegetative maturity, ready to bear fruits. On the other hand, if you plant cuttings, you may save 3-4 years as it can already flower and produce fruits after 1-2 years! A location that receives full sun (6-8 hours daily) is best for the Dragon Fruit Tree. The Dragon Fruit thrives in a lot of light, so try to avoid shady areas no matter where you choose to plant it. It also prefers well-draining, sandy soil, so stay away from planting in wet, mucky soils with standing water.This tropical fruit loves a warm to hot and humid climate, with mild winters and no frost. If you live in a cooler climate try growing dragon fruit in pots that can be placed in a glasshouse or similar for winter frost protection.Dragon fruit cactus is best planted in the early spring to take full advantage of its growing season from March to August.The dragon fruit prefers bright, direct sunlight, warm temperatures, and moderate humidity. This plant also prefers well-drained, loam or cactus potting mix. Water this plant when the soil is almost completely dry and provide good air circulation to prevent disease.You can grow the dragon fruit plant (Hylocereus undatus) indoors if your home has a location with plenty of sunlight, such as a sunroom or a large window where the plant gets six to eight hours of sunlight, like a couple of feet from a south-facing window.