Hylocereus undatus – White Dragonfruit

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Hylocereus undatus (White Dragonfruit) is a spreading, climbing cactus that produces fruit with a bright pink skin; that is popular and expensive. This species is grown commercially for its fruit in many countries, but it is not uncommon to see it growing purely for its ornamental value.

Hylocereus undatus uses aerial roots to climb and is often grown up large stakes, posts or tree trunks; to give the appearance that it is a tree all on its own. The plant can fruit up to 6 times a year in ideal climates and the flowers are also edible.

Suitable in Warm Temperate – Tropical Climate

Hylocereus undatus (White Dragonfruit) is a spreading, climbing cactus that produces fruit with a bright pink skin; that is popular and expensive. This species is grown commercially for its fruit in many countries, but it is not uncommon to see it growing purely for its ornamental value. Hylocereus undatus uses aerial roots to climb and is often grown up large stakes, posts or tree trunks; to give the appearance that it is a tree all on its own.

It is quite a beautiful specimen in a cactus garden and bears lovely large flowers and tasty edible fruit.

Click here to check out our full range of Edibles or Fruits or to view information about the Red Dragonfruit.

Growth

Hylocereus undatus is a cactus that is native to tropical regions. It can also be grown in dry and temperate climates but it is best to keep them in pots until they are a few years old and well established, before planting them outdoors. Dragonfruit plants need support as they grow, their long succulent branches can be very heavy and may break weak structures eventually. They are easiest to grow and harvest with some height and we recommend growing them up next a strong post or kept in pot off the ground to let their branches hang down.

The 3-5 sided branches (ribs) can grow as large as 10 metres in length, which is huge. However, can easily be trimmed at the joints to keep at a preferred length. Each joint can range between 20 cm’s to over 1 metre. It’s flowers are large, getting up to 17 cm’s in diameter, have yellow-green tips and truly beautiful. The flowers are nocturnal, opening as the sun is setting and only survive for the one night, as the sun comes up the next morning the petals will start to fall and its life span is sadly over.

The skin of the fruit is bright pink-red on the outside and although almost identical to the red dragon fruit; there are subtle differences. The fruit is whit on the inside and the plant can fruit up to 6 times a year in ideal climates and the flowers are also edible.

Caring for Cacti during Winter

If growing in cooler climates, keep in mind that cacti don’t need water while they are dormant during winter, and can rot if the soil is too moist. The trickiest part if growing them outdoors is keeping the soil fairly dry during cold wet periods. It is best to keep them in containers until they are a couple of years old and well established before planting them outdoors. Raised beds or rockeries where the soil can drain easily are beneficial. Of course you can keep them indoors or in pots outdoors, so that you can move them to a protected area in winter.

FAMILY:

Cactaceae

CLIMATE:

Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

-3 to 40°C / 27 to 104°F

SOIL TYPE:

Soil MUST be well draining.

LOCATION:

Full Sun

HEIGHT:

Up to 10 metres (32 feet)

WIDTH:

Up to 10 metres (32 feet)

pH:

5.5-7.0

GROWTH TYPE:

Evergreen, Climbing

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Light

POLLINATION:

Bats and Moths

MATURITY:

4-5 years

GERMINATION RATES:

70-85%

GERMINATION TIME:

2-4 weeks

SEEDS PER GRAM:

Approximately 350

MEDICINAL QUALITIES:

Yes

WEED POTENTIAL:

Yes – Including Northern NSW & parts of QLD

FACTS ABOUT HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS (White Dragonfruit)

 

Dragon Fruit is believed to be native to Mexico but has been grown successfully from Canada to as south as Argentina.

Some countries call this fruit Pitaya, Strawberry Pear and Pitahaya. It has a similar texture and taste to mild flavoured pear and melon.

Dragonfruit has lots of vitamins and minerals and also have some medicinal health benefits.

Weight 0.5 kg
Dimensions 26 × 16 × .5 cm
Quantity

10 Seeds, 20 Seeds, 50 Seeds, Seedling

Germination Instructions

HOW TO GROW HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS (White Dragonfruit)

 

Step 1
Soak the seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours, changing the water after 12 hours.

Step 2
Prepare a seedling tray or pot/s with a well draining cactus raising soil. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with 1-2 mm’s of further cactus mix.

Use a spray bottle or light mist hose to moisten the soil, do not soak the soil as this may rot your seeds and encourage bacteria growth.

Cover the pot/s or tray with clear plastic, glass or some kitchen wrap to create a humid environment and the place them into a warm area that gets lots of light, without direct sunlight. Keep moist by using a mist spray if necessary but never wet.

Ideal germination temperatures are 20-25°C / 68-77°F

Germination will begin in ideal conditions between 2-4 weeks

Step 3
Once several seeds have germinated, slowly begin to remove the clear covering to allow some air circulation and to help the young seedlings adjust to the outdoor environment. Remove the covering a bit at a time over 1-2 weeks.

Step 4

Seedlings can be transplanted (if necessary) once they are strong enough to handle. They can also be hardened off if they are going to be outdoor plants. Hardening off can be achieved by placing them out into direct morning sun for an hour for 1-2 days and then gradually increasing this time until they are out in full sun all day (which is their preferred location). Only increase each step if they are doing well.

Step 5
For intended outdoor plants we recommend keeping them in pots until they are in their 2nd year and only plant out in Spring after you are sure that any chance of frost has definitely passed. This will give them 8-9 months to become established enough to cope with winter.

In climates where winter is quite dreary and the plants will not get a lot of sunshine, do not give any extra water. Cacti are prone to root rot and do not tolerate soggy soil.

Dragonfruit will take up to 4-5 years to begin flowering.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are not familiar with Cacti, they do not need a lot of water, they store water in fleshy trunks and branches. Only water when the soil is completely dry and only while it is actively growing (Spring, Summer – can be climate dependent). They generally do not water during cooler, darker months while the cactus is dormant.

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