Description

Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock Dragon Fruit is a hybrid cross of Hylocereus undatus and some other unknown Hylocereus species. This variety was collected from Donavan Vasta while out of California. The story goes that a family member of Donovan’s wanted a Dragon Fruit plant, so Donovan found one from a Craig’s List ad. When he arrived to pick it up, Donovan found out the seller was a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers, and he lived in Eagle Rock, and this is how this variety got its name.

Growth

Eagle Rock’s plant growth is typical of undatus growth in size and color. The stems are segmented and three-sided with small thorns. This variety does an exceptional job handling the summer heat when grown in full sun. Pruning is often necessary, as growth segments can get large and weigh down the plant. 

Flowers

Flower buds and flowers of this variety are similar to other Hylocereus undatus hybrids. Buds emerge pointed, and as they get larger, the bracts begin to peel back with highlighted edges with a red tint. Flower bud emerging to flower open took 22 days. The flowers are at their largest when fully open four hours after sunset, then close a couple hours after sunrise. The flower stigma is large and has straight lobes. The flowers have lots of loose pollen that does not clump up, but it is self-sterile. Eagle Rock will set fruit with pollen from other Red, White, and Pink flesh fruit varieties. Most purple varieties may work, but we recommend avoiding other Hylocereus undatus hybrids.

Fruit

The fruits of this variety are oval and weigh one to one and a half pounds. The flesh is a bright magenta, and the skin is pink to red and green bracts. From flowers close to fruit took 30 days in Louisiana. The flesh is juicy with a nice texture and a brix score of 18 to 19. We find the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity in this variety, with sweet and tangy flavors. Donovan says it is not as sweet tasting as Paul Thomson’s clones, yet it has a nice tang with a bit of strawberry lemonade-like flavor. Check out our Pinterest page for other great uses of this variety.

Eagle Rock closing thoughts

This is a good-growing plant that makes plenty of tasty fruits. Its flowers are typical undats species like, but they are self-sterile. This variety is worth collecting as it is similar to Paul Thomson’s clones, such as Dark Star, Purple Haze, and Physical Graffiti.