Dragon fruit, or pitaya in Spanish, is a rapid growing, perennial vine-like cacti that thrives in dry tropical climates. Even given the most ideal conditions, however, issues with pitaya plants may still plague the gardener. Pitaya problems may be environmental, or the result of dragon fruit pests and diseases. The following article contains information about pitaya problems and how to identify and manage dragon fruit issues. Show
Environmental Dragon Fruit ProblemsAlthough dragon fruit is heat loving, it can be damaged by long periods of intense sun and heat, resulting in sunscald. To eliminate this pitaya problem, be sure to situate pitaya in an area where you can provide some shade during the hottest periods of the day, especially to young plants. That said, in general, dragon fruit is tolerant of drought, heat, and poor soil. It is also fairly tolerant of cold; however, damage to the plant will be apparent if temperatures dip below freezing for a long period of time, but pitaya will recover quickly from shorter durations of freezing temperatures. Because pitayas are members of the cactus family, it is logical to assume that they can withstand long periods of drought. This is true to some extent, although cacti they may be, they do require significantly more water than other cacti members. There is a fine line here, however, as too much water will result in bacterial and fungal diseases and lack of soil moisture reduces blossoming, thus fruiting. Do not water pitaya during the rainy spring lest it become overly saturated, but do provide irrigation once temperatures have risen and rain is less likely. Dragon Fruit Pests and DiseasesWe’ve touched on the dragon fruit issue involving bacterial and fungal disease above. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) is a fungal disease that can infect dragon fruit. It causes halo-like concentric lesions on stems and fruit. Bipoaris cactivora is a pathogen that causes black/brown spotting on pitaya blossoms and fruit. When the infection is severe, it manifests in branch/stem rot as well. Fusarium oxysporum has also been found to infect dragon fruit. Cactus ‘Virus X,’ or cactus mild mottle virus, is a new virus afflicting pitaya. The infection appears as a splotchy mottling of light and dark green area (mosaic) on branches. Enterobacteria stem soft rot usually afflicts the tips of pitaya branches. Symptoms appear about 15 days from infection, wherein the tips of the plant soften, yellow, and begin to rot. Plants that are deficient in calcium and nitrogen are most susceptible to severe infection. Most of the time, this disease is fairly benign, although it is wise to cut off the diseased branch. Botryosphaeria dothidea is another fungal infection that results in blotchy red/brown lesions on the stems of the cacti. Sometimes they look like a ‘bull’s eye’ target and sometimes there may be multiple spots coalescing together. This disease begins as a yellowing on the infected branch progressing to the above mentioned lesions. This disease is passed by unsterile pruning shears and other tools. Most diseases are spread through unsanitary gardening practices, specifically unsanitary tools. It is important to sterilize your tools between uses so you don’t spread disease. Tools can be sterilized with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or a very weak bleach/water solution. Some diseases are spread via contact between an infected plant and an uninfected plant, so it’s a good idea to allow some space between plantings. Otherwise, treatment for fungal diseases may consist of the application of a copper fungicide. But the best way to manage disease in dragon fruit is to practice sanitary practices; that is, sanitize tools and remove and discard infected plant debris and to keep the plant healthy, watered and fertilized, the surrounding area weed free, and free from pests that can also spread disease. Pest Issues with Pitaya PlantsKeep an eye out for sap-sucking bugs such as leaf-footed Leptoglossus. These insects are known to be a vector that can spread B. dothidea. Dragon fruit may also attract ants, beetles and fruit flies, but for the most part, pitaya has few pest problems especially in comparison to other crops.
A popular fruit throughout Southeast Asia, in India, however, dragon fruit garners very less attention. Often seen in the exotic fruit section of the supermarkets, the bright pink and scaly fruit could be a little intimidating at first sight. It belongs to the cactus family, and its reference to dragons is probably due to its scaly outer skin. But get past your inhibitions and you will discover that it is a delicious fruit that can be enjoyed in a number of ways. It is also commonly known as Pitaya.Dragon fruit is a rich source of antioxidants and ranks low in calories, making it the perfect ingredient for your morning fruit bowl. Including it regularly in your daily diet is said to lower cholesterol, maintain blood pressure and heart health. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the fruit, the pink scaly outer skin encloses a white or red fleshy inner specked with black seeds, which is sweet in flavour and extremely refreshing. The seeds too are rich sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for the body.So how do you eat it? It’s simple. Here are five delicious ways –1. Scoop it OutTake the dragon fruit and cut it into half. Then using a spoon, scoop out the flesh and enjoy it fresh or you can even drizzle it with a little honey and have it as a mid-meal treat. The outer skin is inedible though, so avoid it. Sat to taste Tips to Buying Dragon FruitHere are some points you should remember –1. Dragon fruit tastes best when it’s ripe and fresh. So before buying the fruit, try pressing it slightly with your fingertips. If it is slightly soft, it’s good to pick up. Make sure it isn’t too soft, or else it’s overripe.2. The fruit should be bright pink without dark spots or bruises.
We have to start by saying that Dragon fruit is clearly one of the most dramatic fruits around. If you have teenagers, especially if you have teenage girls, then you may be familiar with the term “extra”. Extra basically means what is sounds like – above and beyond, a bit more than what the norm is. This is a phrase used to describe someone who is a little much, dramatic, emotional, sometimes needy, or a little bit of a pain in the butt. Anyway, I don’t want to attribute human qualities to produce, but if a fruit was going to be labeled extra, dragon fruit might be that fruit. Or at least show-offy.  But what in the world does one do with this attention-grabbing fruit? What is Dragon Fruit?Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit, actually a member of the cactus family. It can also be called a pitaya or a strawberry fruit. What Does Dragon Fruit Look Like?The appearance of dragon fruit is part of its appeal. It comes in three varieties: yellow with white flesh, pink with red flesh, and pink with white flesh. There will be a lot of thick petal-like protrusions all over the fruit. The inside color is vibrant, almost neon, especially the red-fleshed version. All of the insides have tiny edible black seeds, sort of like kiwi seeds, sprinkled throughout. What Does Dragon Fruit Taste Like?It’s always so hard to describe the flavor of a fruit, and the default is to compare it to the taste of other more familiar fruits. Kiwi is the most common comparison, sometimes combined with the flavor of pear. The taste of dragon fruit is sweet, but usually not intensely so. It has a crunchy texture enhanced by the crunchiness of all of the tiny seeds scattered inside. How Do You Eat Dragon Fruit?Don’t cut dragon fruit until just before you plan to use it or eat it, as it will start to dry out and discolor. To prepare dragon fruit, you can simply slice it in half, and then scoop out the slightly firm flesh with a spoon and eat it right out of the shell, or carefully use a sharp spoon to cut and remove the flesh from the skin, the slice or cut it any way you like. Use dragon fruit in dazzling fruit salads. Dragon fruit can also be pureed and used in sauces, and puddings, and frozen desserts, and drinks. Don’t eat the skin, but if you want, you can save it and use it for serving your dragon fruit creation (continue the dramatic presentation!) Where Do I Buy It?Dragon fruit can be found in well stocked supermarkets, and definitely in specialty stores that carry produce. You can also find it in Latino and Asian markets, and online. How Do I Know Which Dragon Fruit to Buy?Look for dragon fruit in the produce aisle, usually near the other tropical fruits. The skin should be smooth and leathery, with those firm petal-like protrusions all over the fruit, sometimes with green tips. Look for bright evenly colored skin, that gives slightly when you press into it, but not too much—you don’t want it to be too soft.
How Do I Ripen Dragon Fruit?Dragon fruit can be ripened on the counter for a few days if it’s hard when you purchase it. And How Do I Store It?Dragon fruit can be stored on the counter as long as it’s not getting too soft. If it starts to yield too much when you press into it, transfer it to the fridge in a sealed plastic bag for a few days. Eat it before it gets mushy. When is Dragon Fruit in Season?Dragon fruit is grown in Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Mexico and Israel, Australia, the Caribbean, as well as warmer US states like Texas, California and Florida (pretty international, no?) It is in season during the summers of those climates, but available all throughout the year. Is Dragon Fruit Nutritious?Dragon fruit is high in vitamin C and a good source of fiber and antioxidants. It also offers calcium. Want to know more about unusual produce?
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