Description

Hylocereus costaricensis

Hylocereus costaricensis Dragon Fruit is also known as the Costa Rican pitaya. This is a cactus species native to Central America and northwestern South America. This plant is known for having some of the largest stems made by any Dragon Fruit variety. They are extra large, three-sided growth with medium size spines. The flower buds emerge with red outline on the edges of the bud. The night blooming flowers are huge 15-inches and need assistance to set fruit as this variety is not self-pollinating. Because of this, it lacks a 5 rating in fruit production. When the fruit is produced, they are about .75 to 1 pounds with a red flesh. This flesh has a firm texture with a tangy kiwi type flavor. The sweetness is also present with an average brix score of 18. In 2017 our fall fruit stayed on the vine around 10 days longer than normal. This allowed the fruit to mature without rupturing from the summer heat. Because of this, the brix rating was a whopping 24. Every year the fruit has an attractive external appearance. The fruit is a perfect round shape with red skin fading to green fins that protrude away and curl down from the fruit. This fruit has indicaxanthin, a type of betaxanthin, a plant pigment antioxidant. All around, this is one of my favorites. This variety was acquired from a tropical nursery in California.