Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

The pitaya (also known as pitahaya, dragon fruit, (火龍果/火龙果), strawberry pear, nanettikafruit, or thanh long) is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus, but also see Stenocereus. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, these vine-like epiphytic cacti are also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. They are also found in Taiwan, Okinawa, Israel, and southern China.

These are pictures I took when I passed by a dragon fruit farm when I was on the way to be beach.

The pitaya only flowers at night; they are large white flowers that are often called Moonflower or Queen of the Night.

The name of the fruit was later changed to dragon fruit to boost sales. It made a significant difference in the marketability of the fruit.

The plant has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. The dragonfruit sets on the cactus-like tree 30-50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year.

The cycle from buds to fruit. You can see that it has turned red at the corners.

And then it slowly grows out to take the shape of the fruit.

Sorry no clear shots of the fruit, cause of bugs that threaten to eat the stem of the fruit.

Another view of the farm taken from the owner’s house.