Description

El Grullo

El Grullo is a Dragon Fruit variety from the genus Hylocereus and species ocamponis. It originates from El Grullo, Jalisco State, Mexico, and has exceptional tolerance to both heat and cold. It also adapts well to most new conditions. Internet information has stated that this species is closely related to Valdivia Roja. Spicy Exotics collected this variety from a tropical grower in California.

Growth

El Grullo’s growth is strong, and its attractive greyish-green stems are covered in a gray coating that helps protect the plant from the heat in the summer and cold in the winter. The stems are very long, thick, three-sided segments with prominent spines.

Flower

Flower budding to flower takes 25 days, and another 30 days from flower to fruit. Flowering blooms are impressive with bright colors and extra-large up to 15 inches in diameter. These night-blooming flowers have white petals and deep red and yellow calyx (outer peddles). Flowering happens during the hottest time during summer. The variety is self-sterile so that it will need compatible pollen from another variety.

Fruit

Fruits of El Grullo are large and oval with purplish-greenish fins on red skin and deep red flesh that typically weigh a pound. The fruit has a nice sweetness with an average Brix rating of 18. Although the fruit has a nice sweetness, it has a beet-like flavor. This variety is great eaten fresh or check out our Pinterest page for other great uses.