The Cactaceae family includes diverse cacti species native to the Americas, known for their adaptability to harsh environments. One notable member, the dragon fruit (pitaya), offers numerous health benefits and comes in various types, recognized for its nutritional value. The document provides insights on cultivation, harvesting, and culinary uses of dragon fruit, emphasizing its rising popularity worldwide.

1. The Cactaceae family of plants, which includes cacti, came from North, Central, and South
America. They live in many places, from the coast to high mountains to tropical
rainforests. Their looks are just as different. There are species the size of a thimble,
species with huge columns, and climbing species.
The cactus family is very good at adapting to new places. The plants can stand heat,
cold, drought, and poor soil. The plants can handle harsh conditions because the stems
are changed to store water, there are fewer or no leaves, the surfaces are waxy, and the
tissues open at night to take in carbon dioxide (this is called the CAM process). Words
like "xerophyte" and "succulent" are used to describe plants that have adapted in this
way.
The above-ground parts of the plant have changed to help it live in dry, hot places. The
roots aren't succulent, so they only need a small amount of water and temperatures that
are cooler. Cacti won't grow in places that are too salty or too wet, and they also won't
grow where there are no other plants.
In their home countries, the plants were used for many things, but the fruit was a very
important food source. Fruit was taken from trees that had grown there on their own.
Later, cuttings from plants that made a lot of food were taken and grown around houses.
Several countries around the world now use a similar method to grow plantations of
columnar, shrubby, and climbing cacti with edible fruit.
Epiphytic, or climbing, cacti use roots that grow from their stems to hold on to rocks and
trees. The host plant doesn't feed these roots. The plant can live even if the base is cut
off because the aerial roots can get water and nutrients from their surroundings. This
also makes it possible for cuttings to grow into healthy plants.

2. One food source is the climbing cactus Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britt and Rose,
which is thought to come from the tropical rainforests of Central and northern South
America. It is already known all over the world as an ornamental plant because of its
large, fragrant flowers that bloom at night. It is now known for its fruit all over the world,
especially in Israel, Vietnam, and Australia.
Hylocereus polyrhizus and Selenicereus megalanthus are two other climbing cactus
species with fruit that can be eaten. H. polyrhizus has red skin and red flesh with black
seeds that you can eat. On the other hand, S. megalanthus, also called the pitaya amarillo
or yellow pitaya, has yellow skin and clear to white flesh with black seeds that you can
eat. Some columnar cacti, like the apple cactus (Cereus peruvianus) and the cactus pears
(Opuntia species), are also grown for their fruit, which can be eaten.
People also know about the Opuntia species because they are considered to be weeds.
Plants grow quickly and spread far from their roots and seeds. At this point, we don't
know if Hylocereus could become a weed.

3. The nutritional value of the dragon fruit
The benefits of the dragon fruit
The different types of dragon fruit
Growing areas
Flowering and fruiting
How to grow & care
How to eat dragon fruit
Conclusion

4. The nutritional value of the dragon fruit
The dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that is native to Central and South America. The fruit
is also known as the pitaya or pitahaya. The dragon fruit is a member of the cactus family
and is grown in many parts of the world. The dragon fruit has a unique taste and is rich
in nutrients.
The dragon fruit is an excellent source of dietary fiber. It also contains vitamins C and B,
as well as minerals such as iron and calcium. The dragon fruit has a high water content,
which makes it a refreshing and healthy snack. The flesh of the dragon fruit can be eaten
fresh or used in juices, smoothies, and desserts.
The nutritional value of the dragon fruit makes it a delicious and healthy option for people
of all ages.

5. The benefits of the dragon fruit
The dragon fruit, also known as the pitaya, is a delicious and exotic fruit that offers many
health benefits. Here are just a few of the ways that this unique fruit can improve your
health:
1. The dragon fruit is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from
damage and may even help to prevent some chronic diseases.
2. This unusual looking fruit is also a good source of fiber, which can promote digestive
health and help you to feel full after eating.
3. The dragon fruit is also a good source of vitamins C and B6, which are essential for
maintaining a healthy immune system.
So, next time you see a dragon fruit at your local grocery store, be sure to give it a try!
You may be pleasantly surprised by how delicious it is – and how good it is for you!

6. The different types of dragon fruit
Dragon fruit come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. The most common type of
dragon fruit is the red dragon fruit. It is oblong in shape and has a bright red exterior.
The flesh of the red dragon fruit is white with black seeds.
The second most common type of dragon fruit is the yellow dragon fruit. It is round in
shape and has a yellow exterior. The flesh of the yellow dragon fruit is white with black
seeds.
The third most common type of dragon fruit is the green dragon fruit. It is oblong in
shape and has a green exterior. The flesh of the green dragon fruit is white with black
seeds.
Growing areas
The fruits of the cactus are called pitaya, pitahaya, pitajaya, pitaya roja, and pitahaya de
Cardon in Mexico, Guatemala, and northern South America. The name pitaya has been
taken up in Israel. In Vietnam, the fruit is called Thanh Long, which means "dragon fruit".
The plants grow naturally in Mexico, Central, and South America, and people also plant
them in their own yards. There are now orchards set up to grow fruit for markets in North
America and Europe, both locally and for export.
In Israel, the strong sunlight is too much for Hylocereus undatus to handle. Plantations
are set up in shade houses with metal trellis systems so that fruit can be grown for both
the local market and for export to Europe.

7. About 100 years ago, the French brought H. undatus to Vietnam, where it was grown
only for the king. Later, it became popular among rich people all over the country.
Recently, it has been set up as a backyard and orchard plant that grows fruit for the local
market and for export to South East Asia and Europe.
Flowering and fruiting
In warm places, growth slows or stops during the dry season. H. undatus flowers can
only make fruit with the same species, but they can still cross-pollinate with other
Hylocereus species. H. undatus is a long-day plant, which means that it needs longer
days to flower. The main fruiting season in the Northern Hemisphere is from May to
October. The season in Darwin runs from October to April, according to recent
observations. H. polyrhizus doesn't depend as much on how long the days are, so it will
have fruit most of the year.
Along the three-ribbed stem are aerioles that hold
buds that open in the summer. When the buds
open, they grow into stems or flowers.
The white, fragrant flowers that bloom at night
attract bats and moths. Before dusk, when the
petals open, bees and other insects visit the
flowers.
After dawn, when the petals start to close, they
leave. Flowers only bloom for two days, and after
that, fruit quickly forms and grows. About 28 days
after the flower dies, the fruit can be picked.
The fruit has to be fully grown and have 85% of
its skin colored pink. At this point, fruit can stay on
the stem for 10 to 15 days, but birds might eat it.
350 g is the average weight of a fruit. The flowers
and fruit can be cut back so that only one or two
fruits grow on each branch. This will make sure
that the exported fruit is the same size and quality.
Unripe fruits have mucilage, which is a sticky substance that makes them taste bad. When
the fruit is fully colored, the stem is cut off and the fruit is packed for sale. At this stage,
the skin turns pink-red and the scales stay green. The fruit doesn't go through a
climacteric stage, and it tastes, has the most soluble sugar, and has the most acidity
when it is fully colored. At the green-pink stage, the fruit will change color, but it won't
get its full flavor yet.
At 7-10°C and 90-98% relative humidity, pitaya can be kept for two to three months. The
yellow pitaya (S. megalanthus) can be kept for four weeks at 10°C and for a week or
more at 20°C. At both 60 and 70%, the relative humidity is the same.

8. In Vietnam, it is possible to get a second fruiting season by using lights to make the days
longer or potassium nitrate to make the plants bloom. Induction starts 70 days before
the expected harvest, but flower induction produces less fruit.
How to grow & care
Seedlings grow slowly and don't always produce fruit, which makes them not good for
spreading. For fast growth, it's best to use cuttings that are healthy and green. Cuttings
should come from plants that have already produced fruit, and they should be about 30
cm long for a good start. The cutting is "cured" by putting it in a dry place for a week.
Then, it is potted into a mix that drains well. Before roots grow, cuttings need to be in
the shade and need only a small amount of water and fertilizer. Once the roots have
grown, the plants can be put out in the sun for a while and then planted in a mound.
Plants should be put in well-drained beds that are up to 300 mm high, 2.5–3 m apart in
a row, and 3–4 m between rows, depending on the size of the orchard equipment. As a
support, you can use concrete or untreated wood posts. On top of the posts, you can put
a frame to train the branches. A recommended size for a post is 300 mm in diameter and
2 m in height, with 600 mm of it buried in the ground. Depending on the size of the post,
one to four plants can be used for each one. A single leader stem grows up the post, and
as it gets closer to the top, side branches are cut off.
Then, the branches need to hang down so they can flower and bear fruit. This is easier
to do in the middle of the day when the branches are soft.
The red flesh pitaya grows in a different way. It likes to grow along a trellis or fence line.
Plants are spaced every 1–2 m along the row, and the side branches are tied to the fence
to keep them up.
Most of the roots are in the top 15–30 cm of soil, and the soil needs to be watered to
make sure it doesn't dry out completely. When the fruit is growing, wet and dry times

9. can cause the fruit to split. Irrigation is used to keep the soil moist during fruit
development so that the fruit doesn't split. Water loss can also be slowed by putting thick
mulch on the mound, away from the stem.
Many of the fruiting cacti grow naturally in places with a lot of minerals, lime, and
decaying organic matter. H. undatus needs a balanced NPK fertilizer, organic fertilizer,
lime, and foliar fertilizer while the fruit is growing. Fertilizer is put in the hole where the
plant goes and then added again after a month. Fertilizer can be put on plants either as
granules or by watering them. Nitrogen is needed when the plant is growing leaves, but
it is usually less important when the plant is resting or getting ready to bloom. At a rate
of 100 g per plant, a suggested fertilizer program of NPK, dolomite, and dynamic lifter
can be used every other month.
By cutting off the tips, you can easily move through the orchard and thin out the flowers
and fruit. By thinning the branches, you can keep the canopy open, easy to work with,
and full of fruit. In the first year, a plant should have 30 branches. By the fourth year, it
should have 130 branches. After the crop is picked, the plant is trimmed so that it has no
more than 50 main branches and only one or two side branches on each main branch.
Pests can hurt cacti in many ways, so it's important to keep an eye out for them and take
the right steps to get rid of them. Ants, scale insects, mealy bugs, beetles, slugs, borers,
caterpillars, nematodes, fruit flies, mice, rats, and birds are all examples of pests. H.
undatus might have some or all of these. A soft, watery rot can be caused by an injury,
like a sunburn, or by being in a wet environment.

10. How to eat dragon fruit
Dragon fruit is not only a beautiful and exotic fruit, but it is also delicious and nutritious.
Here are some tips on how to eat dragon fruit so that you can enjoy all its benefits.
To eat dragon fruit, start by cutting it in half with a sharp
knife. Then, scoop out the flesh with a spoon and enjoy it
as is or add it to your favorite recipe. If you're juicing or
making a smoothie, simply add the dragon fruit to the
blender with your other ingredients. When shopping for
dragon fruit, look for ones that are brightly colored and
free of blemishes.
Cut the dragon fruit in half lengthwise and scoop out the
flesh with a spoon. You can eat it as is or add it to
smoothies, yogurt, or salads.
Enjoy dragon fruit fresh for the best flavor and nutritional
value. However, you can also find dragon fruit powder or
extract at health food stores if you want to add it to recipes
or take it as a supplement.
Conclusion
The dragon fruit, also known as the pitaya, is a tropical fruit that is native to Central and
South America. The fruit is grown on cacti, and the flesh of the fruit is white or pink with
black seeds. The dragon fruit has a sweet taste, and it is often used in smoothies or as a
topping for desserts.
The dragon fruit is a healthy option for those looking for a sweet treat. The fruit is high
in fiber and antioxidants, and it has been shown to improve digestive health. The dragon
fruit can also help boost immunity and protect against diseases such as cancer.
While the dragon fruit is generally safe for most people to eat, there are some potential
side effects that should be considered. Some people may experience an allergic reaction
to the dragon fruit, and it can also cause constipation or diarrhea if eaten in large
amounts.
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