Woestijn-desert Hylocereus undatus - Pitaya - Dragon fruit

• Article number: HYLUND02

Hylocereus undatus or Pitahaya is also known under the names pitaya, pitaja, dragon fruit or dragon fruit.
This tropical fruit is very common in Asia, especially in Thailand, but also in southern Mexico and other South American countries with a tropical climate.

Hylocereus undatus is a highly branched cactus with a hanging habit. They can be more than 5 meters long if they are not pruned.
At the ends of the branches, the flowers appear white in color and up to 10 cm in size.

Flowering often occurs in the evening and the plant can then be pollinated on that particular night by going into the heart of the inflorescence with your hand.
That is where the male part with pollen is deepest in the flower. The female part sticks out a little more and is elongated. With the male pollen you can now pollinate the female part with a brush. Then you go to the next flower with the same hand. 
In Thailand the flowers are pollinated by bats during the night.

Click here for a movie of how pollination works.

Click here for the result of the pollination.

The special fruit that then grows on the Pitaya is oval in shape 15 to 20 cm in size and in principle green in color. This becomes bright pink in color and is then ripe.
The flesh is white and tastes very aromatic and contains a high concentration of antioxidants.
May be fertilized with Cactus focus for healthy growth. 
Winter hardiness zone 11 (+ 6ºC).