Introducing the Dragon Fruit
The sensation on dragong fruit, or night blooming cactus, can be attributed to a myth created by ingenious Asian marketers.
According to the myth, the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons. During a battle, the dragon breathed fire and the last thing that came of its mouth was this fruit. After the dragon was slain, the fruit was presented to the emperor as a coveted treasure and indication of victory.
In reality, dragon fruit is really a treasure for this fabulous fruit of the Cactaceae family has so many health benefits. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytoalbumins, and is believed to prevent cancer.
It enhances metabolism and improves memory, digestion and immune system. It also helps maintain clear vision, reduces fat, bad cholesterol, hypertension and blood glucose, strengthens bones and teeth development, promotes tissue development, improves appetite, moisturizes and smoothens skin, and is good for the liver.
Dragon fruit, or pitahaya as it is called in Mexico and Central and South America where it is native to, has also a commercial value that is why it has recently become a popular commodity in the Philippines, particularly in Cavite. It was introduced in the Philippines in 1900s through trading. This vine-like epiphytic cactus is also cultivated in Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, and Southeast China.
There are three famous cultivars. These are Hylocereus undatus, which has red skin and white flesh; Hylocereus polyrhi:us, which has a red skin and flesh; and Selinecereus megalanthus, which has a yellow skin and white flesh.
Its fruit is called “dragon fruit” because it is covered by green-tipped overlapping scales and it has bright pink to red color. It is sweet, juicy, crispy, and tastes like pear, kiwi, and watermelon. It is processed into jam, puree, cordial salad, sherbets and sorbets, fruit pizza, and beverage.
The seeds are found in the pulp of the fruit. These are very small, colored black, and covered by mucilage.
Dragon fruit flowers at night. Its ornate, bell-shaped, very fragrant, yellowish flower is about 1 foot long and 9 inches wide.
It opens in early evening and wilt by daybreak. Pollination takes place at night and at early morning.
It has triangular, fleshy, jointed, green stems. These are succulent and contain a great amount of water, enabling the plant to adapt to places with dry climates. Each stem segment is composed of three wavy wings with scalloped margins, and each trough of scalloped wings has one to three short spines.
Its primary roots, on the other hand, form patches or cloaks that grow 30 centimeters in diameter and 2 to 10 inches in depth, following the level of the soil.
September 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I wish to taste this fruit when i saw it by accident. But I was afraid to take a bite on it because I was to imagine the ones on the movie The Ruins, a killer plant. Hehehehe… I saw this only once and was amazed by it.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
i want to know if where can i buy red dragon fruit seedlings here in mindanao and their price? thank you so much.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I would like to start a Agricultural commercial cultivation of Dragon fruit.How can i get seeds or nursery plants and advice on pollination and general planting conditions.
Tambi Fernando
September 26th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I have a plantation of DRAGON FRUIT of different varieties in Cavite, and seedlings for sale, also we can assist you on how to cultivate and propagate it.If you are interested you can contact me to this email address: bizhub88@yahoo.com…Thanks