Description

San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a Dragon Fruit variety from the genus Hylocereus and the species costaricensis. Some other creditable web resources have this variety as a species polyrizus. At Spicy Exotics, we agree with the polyrizus gene; however, we see more costaricensis in growth, flower, and fruit shape. This variety is grown commercially in Nicaragua, and we can see why. Additional web information states that DNA tests show this variety is related to the Armando Dragon Fruit variety. Spicy Exotics collected this variety from a grower in California. We find this variety and the variety Gargantuan to be the same. We have grown both side by side and they have no unique differences.

Growth

The growth is strong, bright green, and three-sided, like typical Hylocereous species. As the plant matures, a waxy film may surface. This helps the plant tolerate frost and heat. Small but strong spins occur along the growth. In many cases, it is a cluster of 6 spins, but it can be less.

Flowers

The flower is large-sized, with white inner petals and yellow and red outer petals. In Louisiana, the flower opens fully at 10 pm and begins to close as the sunrises. This is normal compared to other Hylocereus varieties. The stigma is average size, with minimal split lobes. Pollen is plentiful and loose. However, we found it to be self-sterile. San Ignacio will set fruit with pollen from other White, Purple, and Pink flesh fruit varieties. Some red varieties may work, but we recommend avoiding costaricensis and polyrizus pollen.

Fruit

The fruit is typically round with small green fins and red flesh with eatable seeds. Once pollinated, the fruit can become extremely large. In fact, this is its best commercial value. Fruits can easily reach 2 pounds, with 1.5 pounds on average. We recommend eating half and juicing the other half. Check out our Pinterest page for other great uses of this variety. Tests from the refractometer show 15 to 19 brix. The longer the fruit is left on the vine, the sweeter it gets.

San Ignacio final thoughts

This variety has many upsides, including a strong grower, lots of pollen, and extra large red-fleshed fruit. However, stubborn spins and self-sterile pollen prevent it from being among the best varieties.