Agriculture Business Week

agriculture business : crops, aquaculture, livestock, poultry, entrepreneurs, and agrithing…

Agriculture Business Week RSS Feed
 
 
 
 

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.

Popularity: 8%


Popularity: 8%

18 Responses to “Introducing the Dragon Fruit”

  1. chingkoy Says:
    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.
  2. jose noli ucab Says:
    i want to know if where can i buy red dragon fruit seedlings here in mindanao and their price? thank you so much.
  3. tambi fernando Says:
    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
  4. Bizhub Says:
    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
  5. lemmens raphael Says:
    hello..we got a plantation in manolo fortich bukidnon under the farm name bounty fresh food inc….to those who are interested pls feel free to contact at my mobile 09175073004 or office 088-8134493…look for arence delos reyes
  6. cleo Says:
    my husband is very much interested to start a dragon fruit farm. we would need as much information as we can please…
  7. rosariob.gill Says:
    i love dragon fruit specially the maroon colored flesh. i tasted it during my trip in malaysia.please send me some info on how to cultivate it and where to get the planting material and how much.
    thanks
  8. PKFarm Says:
    I’m dragron fruit grower in Thailand,capacity over 10,000 Ton a year. I’m looking for exportor partnership in Asia Region. Pls E-mail me at pkfarm1980@gmail.com. Thanks
  9. mhea Says:
    the pitaya or what you called dragon fruit is a fruit of several cactus species,,im conducting a study about the diseases of these fruit,,can you please help me,,
  10. leany Franz Says:
    Ihave available seedlings / cuttings of Dragon fruit (White & Red) ready for planting. and also complete soil conditioner for healthier plant esp on fruiting season.

    Contact me on this number”
    09188029145
    09232941439
    leanyfranz@yahoo.com (for images)

    Location. Cavite province.

  11. Psc Says:
    We hv big plantation of dragon fruit and seedlings for sale..If you re interested you can contat us this number..09151879733
  12. jc farm Says:
    dragon fruit planters are available at the farm…..o92942o721o
  13. amy Says:
    helo..can u send me some review of literature foe my thesis proposal?send it to my contact number 09216590376..thanks and more power!
  14. irene Says:
    I am looking for suppliers of dragon fruit cuttings. Interested? please send me your cell no/ fax no. or email ad immediately. thanks.
  15. Brenda Says:
    To those who are interested in buying dragon fruit cuttings here in Metro Manila, you can contact me:
    Brenda – Celfon # 0919-431-1012
    Landline – (02)-825-1454
    I’ve been growing dragon fruit here in BF Homes,Paranaque for 15 years but just for home consumption (earlier than those who ventured in the farms). I have lots of cuttings. It can supply for few hectares of land. We can share you some techniques for successful fruit bearing dragon fruits.
  16. Brenda Says:
    You can also send me e-mail at bqaihara@yahoo.com.
  17. shirley Says:
    for dragon fruit cuttings and fruits, please inquire at silan agri farm located at tambo kulit indang, cavite. a pioneer in planting dragon fruit since 1999.
    please contact cp # 0917 804 80 88,
    or e mail at shirleysilan@yahoo.com / eddie_silan@yahoo.com
  18. Jay honrada Says:
    Any supplier of dragon fruit cutting here in northern luzon?

Leave a Reply

Agricultural Topics

Recent Articles

Recent Comments

Translator

 

May 2012
M T W T F S S
« Apr    
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

Archives

Tags

Most Popular Posts