Dragon Fruit - Pitaya

In short: Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) is a climbing cactus you can grow from seed at home. Sow into soil and sand mixed 3:2, ideally in a mini greenhouse; seeds germinate within 10–14 days. Keep it in a sunny, warm spot, overwinter it at around 10 °C without watering and protect it from temperatures below 5 °C.

Pitaya - Dragon Fruit

Pitaya - Dragon Fruit (lat. Hylocereus undatus) belongs to the cactus family. Dragon fruit originates from Mexico and South America. In the Sonoran Desert, it was a basic component of the diet. Now it grows abundantly in Asian countries - Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, Malaysia, and Israel. In the wild, the shoots can grow up to 6m in length. The shoots are three-sided.

Pitaya - let yourself be inspired by the photos. Pitaya blooms with magnificent flowers (called queens of the night), which open only at night. The flowers are yellow-white. Pitaya fruits are about 10cm long, egg-shaped. They can grow up to 20cm in diameter. The surface differs depending on the type of pitaya cultivated. It may have a red scaly skin. The scales are three-pointed. The surface can also be smooth.

The amazing flowers of Pitaya are called queens of the night or moon flowers. Pitaya blooms quickly and inconspicuously. If you want to see the flowers, wait for them at night.

Growing Pitaya is not difficult at all. Seeds germinate with 99% success rate.

Growing Pitaya

Pitaya is grown like cacti. It thrives in dry and sunny locations. It belongs to climbing plants. Ensure it has enough space and support. It prefers heavier sandy soil.

Pitaya seeds germinate very well in a mini greenhouse. In a mini greenhouse, you ensure optimal humidity and temperature for germination. Seeds can also be planted in a seed tray and covered with food wrap. Use substrate intended for sowing or prepare your own substrate from soil and sand in a 3:2 ratio. Heat the substrate in a microwave to kill mold and bacteria spores. Seeds will start germinating within ten days. The first sprouts may appear after just three days.

Recommendation: A mini greenhouse with ventilation is an excellent tool. You'll appreciate it when growing exotic plants from seeds. It will be useful for seed germination of vegetables on a smaller scale too. In the greenhouse, you can easily ensure optimal temperature and humidity. Thanks to the mini greenhouse, your windowsill will also be tidier (there won't be many cups with germinating plants on it).

Pitaya germinates easily - within ten days of planting, the first plants will appear. The first germinated plants with developed cotyledon leaves are approximately 5cm tall.

Pitaya germinates quickly. Within 14 days of sowing at the latest. However, its growth then stops and it takes a moment to gather strength and try to strengthen. These tiny seedlings are very prickly. More leaves soon grow from the cotyledons.

TIP: Transplant germinated seedlings into a prepared pot. It is always necessary to place a drainage layer of sand, pebbles or expanded clay at the bottom.

Place Pitaya in a sunny location. It is among the heat-loving cacti. You can keep it outside on a balcony or terrace during summer. Don't leave Pitaya in cold air. It tolerates temperatures below 5°C poorly. Move it indoors in time. It can overwinter at temperatures around 10°C.

Watering is not crucial for Pitaya. Adapt it to the environment where it will be placed. Don't water the plant at all during winter.

Pitaya grows very quickly. We don't prune this plant. It can be propagated by cuttings.

Harvest the fruits as soon as the bracts have a yellowish color. Store harvested fruits in a dry and cool place. We recommend quick consumption of fresh fruits. Pitaya doesn't fruit much in our conditions. If the fruits don't appear immediately, don't despair. Growing Pitaya will still be enjoyable.

Pitaya is among the beautiful cactus plants. Grow it in a sunny location.

Interesting Fruit

Pitaya has a delicious taste. It can be described as a taste of gooseberry and melon combined. You'll taste kiwi in it and perhaps even lychee. The flesh of pitaya fruit is greyish-white with tiny black seeds, like the seeds in kiwi for example. The seeds are edible.

The fruits are consumed fresh. Before consumption, cut the fruits in half and eat only the flesh. Or you can peel the whole fruits beforehand. They peel very easily. Pitaya can be drizzled with lime. It will enhance its flavor. This fruit is suitable to consume on warm summer evenings as a refreshing delicacy.

Pitaya has several types of fruits. You can have fruits with red-purple skin and white flesh, red-purple skin and red flesh, and yellow fruits with white flesh.

Pitaya looks very decorative on a plate. These are beautiful fruits with a very delicious taste. Definitely try them! Pitaya fruits - cactus fruits.

Pitaya fruits are rich in vitamin C and calcium, iron, riboflavin and carotene. You can consume them even during weight-loss diets. They contain a large amount of water and fiber and approximately 36 calories per 100g. Red fruits contain antioxidants. In Asian countries, they consume Pitaya as food suitable for diabetics, it can be a substitute for rice in the diet, for example. It is also used in the treatment of diarrheal diseases.

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Author: Hana Michalíková