Anyone trying Dragonfruit?
I saw this 3' long snakey cactus poking up from the bananas, papayas, etc in the tropical fruit section of my local nursery. So I grabbed it up, it was a bargain compared to the $80 jackfruit, black sapotes and jaboticabas next to it. (this nursery always gets some really exotic stuff in the summer, but it's $$) I know there are several species of dragonfruit, this tag says Hylocereus guatemalensis.
So, does anyone know what sort of conditions they like?
I know they are grown commercially in San Diego county, inland a bit.
Greg
The following thread was started by Greg in Ventura on August 10, 2004 at 8:18 pm PST
Greg I've thought about trying one, but I allways assumed they would like it hotter than it is here, I don't really like the fruit of the common pink one it has no flavour as far as I can tell (I've read some others taste better) maybe some other species like it a bit cooler too? I just don't know much about them : )
Jason
The above followup was added by Jason on August 10, 2004 at 8:49 pm PST.
I started some from seed last year, but only one lived beyond a few weeks after sprouting. This year I got close to a dozen to live, if they keep going.
From what I understand, they need support to grow, in the wild they climb up into trees and bushes. They don't like full sun all day long and can take light frost or freezes, but not too hard of freezes.
A CRFG Chapter member had some planted out in her yard in the open here. They struggled, too much intense sun, but they survived one summer and winter. Well this last winter we were colder here by a degree or two, got down to 27F and had 5 nights with 8 hours below 32F. Well this winter they died dead completely.
I told her originally what conditions they liked, but she was thinking cactus and they can take it, but they can't. Pics I have seen show them being grown under shade houses, under shade cloth.
The one I had started the previous year went through last winter fine, just under my back patio roof. So they can at least take long nights of below 32F and even down to 27F, if under something, to stop the radial freeze from touching them.
I understand the fruit is quite good, but have never tasted them. There was a nice article in the Fruit Gardener, it seems just last year sometime.
David
The above followup was added by David, Waterford CA, zone9 on August 11, 2004 at 2:29 pm PST.
David
The above followup was added by David, Waterford CA, zone9 on August 11, 2004 at 2:36 pm PST.
Greg--
Do you mind giving us followers the name of the nursery that you referred to in your initial post for this topic? My wife is filipino and I'd love to find some things that *might* grow in my backyard (in Torrance).. Today I was at my local OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) and decided to see what plants they had available and they had two "Manila Mango", but nobody there could tell me anything about them.. Anyway, my wife is familiar with the Jackfruit you mention and a number of other things as well.
Thanks in advance!
-- Rick
The above followup was added by Rick on August 15, 2004 at 8:26 pm PST.
They are the ones I like the best, actually I don't like most of the others near as much. The Manila mango's are the crescent shaped thin ones, with the nice sub acid turpentine taste, if not too ripe yet. They have virtually no fiber, except on the seed shell. The flesh is buttery and oh so delicious in my books. I know many may not agree, but I know some who agree, with me, that they are the Cadillac of mango's. But I guess that is taste preference and cultural up bringing thing. Except I never had them growing up, heck I don't even remember even hearing about them, until I was probably 30 years old and never ate one until I was near 50. Guess one would say, I lived a sheltered limited life in the past.
David
The above followup was added by David, Waterford CA, zone9 on August 16, 2004 at 1:13 am PST.
If Roger does not have it, he will know who does.
David
Roger & Shirley Meyer 6
16531 Mt. Shelly Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
VOICE: 714-839-0796
E-MAIL: exoticfruit@95net.com
The above followup was added by David, Waterford CA, zone9 on August 16, 2004 at 1:18 am PST.
David,
Thanks for the info -- I'll pass on the info about the Manila Mango to my wife -- she's used to the Super Mango (carabao species) that you can easily get in the philippines (but not here I gather). Anyone know how the Manila Mango compares (fruitwise) with the Carabao species?
As for the dragon fruit -- I'm not really looking for the dragon fruit per-se, but just a good nursery with exotics in the greater LA area. Greg had mentioned one that he visits near his place in Ventura, which had Jackfruit, Sapotes, etc, which sounds like a nice place to visit..
Thanks!
-- Rick
The above followup was added by Rick, Torrance CA on August 16, 2004 at 11:00 am PST.
For the definitive place for pitahaya (dragon fruit) info, look here. Leo Manuel, CRFG member runs this. He also has a book by Paul Thompson on sale with lots of info growing Pitahaya:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PitayaFruit/
Pitaya will basically grow anywhere--in most conditions in the ground can become huge (ie big as the house huge). Southern California most folks are getting good results planting them in 5G pots (restricted roots force earlier fruiting) and tied to supports. I personally like the red/purple fruit, but others have other preferences.
Lots of info in back issues of the CRFG fruit gardener (you can order online at the CRFG web site www.crfg.org):
Very good article by Edgar Valvidia, who grows Pitaya in Simi Valley:
http://www.crfg.org/fg/2000/jan-feb.html
Interesting article on Dragon Fruit from last year in the CRFG Fruit Gardener:
http://www.crfg.org/fg/2003/jan-feb.html
The above followup was added by Ben K on August 31, 2004 at 11:00 am PST.
Hello,
I have grown quite a bit of these in my backyard past 4 years. Last year, it was a good season, not too hot weather, we had about 100 fruits last year. This year, the weather was a bit off, we have collected just 20 so far only. However, it starts blooming again this month.
Let me know if anyone interested to buy an old branch, definitely you will have fruit by next year.
The above followup was added by Victoria on September 28, 2004 at 1:37 pm PST.
We've just got a few seeds of pitahaya to germinate, has anyone actually grown plants of any size over here yet (not commercially)
The above followup was added by Sue on September 28, 2004 at 3:51 pm PST.
I have several branches of the Vietnamese variety for anyone who is interested. The fruit is as big as a grape fruit , has a mild sweet taste, slightly aromatic. Fruit goes for $8.00 per pound (~1.5 lb fruit).
Most large Vietnamese supermarkets in South CA have them. They're called "Thanh Long"
The above followup was added by Spunow on October 07, 2004 at 9:02 pm PST.
I live on Long Island, Ny and I was wondering if anyone knows a good time to put my dragon fruit outside?
Does anyone know how old the dragon fruit is when it flowers?
The above followup was added by Chris on March 09, 2005 at 2:03 pm PST.
I stay in Bay area, California. I love this fruit and am willing to spend any amount to taste it. Do anyone know where they are sold or if I can order online ??? Any site ?
The above followup was added by Lava on May 05, 2005 at 2:34 am PST.
Melissa's in Souther California sells it online in season (see link) but it isn't cheap. You might try some of the local Chinese markets such as Mei Wah.
Bill
The above followup was added by Bill Grimes on August 01, 2005 at 5:21 pm PST.
Anyone knows where I can buy a dragon fruit plant in the Philippines. My Dad and I have tasted a Dragon Fruit whilst I'm holiday in Manila and he is interested to grow them. Can anyone help. Thanks
The above followup was added by Marie on September 08, 2005 at 9:27 am PST.