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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Cactaceae (Cactus) |
| Origin: Central America (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Hylocereus undatus (Pitaya, Dragonfruit) - A climbing cacti that requires some form of support, has aerial roots, and can climb to 30 feet or more with 1 to 2 inch thick three-sided stems that are notched and have a few spines along the ribs. This plant grows more like a tropical vine and we have seen it climbing on boulders, buildings and even up palm trees as seen at Western Cactus in Vista, CA. From late spring into fall appear the fragrant large (10-12 inches long) white bell-shaped flowers that appear at dusk and last for only one night. From these flowers come the large oval-shaped fruit that can weigh as much as 2 pounds and have a tough pink skin of overlapping scales with an interior of white flesh and many edible tiny seeds - there are some varieties grown in California that have attractive pink flesh in the interior as well. To ensure fruiting it is advised that the flowers be hand pollinated since the natural pollinators are lacking in California. Some say cross pollination is required but the clone we grow has proven not to need this. Plant in a well-drained soil in full coastal sun but protected inland. Irrigate only a small amount (shallowly) but regularly in summer, including areas where aerial roots may be attached. This plant requires a near frost free climate to perpetuate, flower and fruit so it is not for everyone but successful fruiting has been achieved in warm locations here in Santa Barbara and further to the south. Hylocereus undatus is thought to have originated from the tropical rainforests of Central and northern South America, but has since been spread worldwide throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world because of its use as a food source and as an ornamental plant due to its large, scented, night-blooming flowers. Its fruit is both delicious and nutritious as it is rich with antioxidants, dietary fiber and a large amount of vitamin C. One can chill the ripe fruit, remove the skin and cut it into bite-sized pieces and serve it as a dessert or add it to blended fruit drinks or salads. This plant is often named for its fruit and called Red Dragonfruit, Red Pitaya (or Pitahaya) Fruit or Strawberry Pear and also by the names Belle of the Night and Conderella Plant. Our stock plant came from the Santa Barbara garden of Joyce Greenlund who related her acquisition to "The Rare Fruit Growers News Online" where she told of a friend bringing back a cutting of Hylocereus undatus from Hanoi in 1993 and giving it to her in 1995. Joyce planted this plant in full south-facing sun against a large boulder in her Santa Barbara Riviera garden where it began flowering and bearing fruit after 3 years. That first year it produced six fruits that were almost two pounds each with very smooth skin that was about 3/16" thick and bearing no spines on the fruit. The fruit when cut open shows the contrasting hot pink skin and white flesh with tiny black seeds with a flavor Joyce described as delectable. Joyce has shared the fruit at the Santa Barbara Horticultural Society and Cactus and Succulent Society meetings where it was quite popular. Anyone visiting her garden was amazed with this large sprawling cactus covered with its beautiful fruit, that often had the flowering date written on the stem below. Prior to Joyce selling her home with its lovely garden, she shared pieces of this incredible plant with us and we built up stock and offered it from 2009 until 2019 at which time we switched propduction over to two red fruiting varieties, Hylocereus undatus 'Condor' and Hylocereus costaricensis 'Kip's Red'.
The information about Hylocereus undatus 'Joyce Greenlund' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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