This marks the third stage of our study on how three different varieties of dragon fruit adapt to Australian conditions across various regions, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

We are now at the end of the dragon fruit growing season in Australia and about to test the dragon fruit cuttings with winter. 

Among the array of exotic and vibrant fruits, dragon fruit reigns supreme, captivating not only with its beauty but also with its myriad health benefits.

Experiment with a dragon fruit facial and hair treatment. 

The time it takes for a dragon fruit cutting to produce fruit can vary depending on several factors, including the variety of dragon fruit, growing conditions, and care provided to the plant.

Ever wondered about the Pros and Cons of grafting dragon fruit?

Here is a link to a study on the heat tolerance of grafted dragon fruit plants that highlights. 

• Grafted & self-grafted Dragon fruit Hylocereus tolerate heat stress better vs non-grafted plants.•

• Grafted dragon fruit plants recover faster from heat stress and suffer less stem damage.

• Grafting dragon fruit probably confers enhanced heat tolerance by inducing “cross-tolerance”.

Cochineal

Cochineal is a scale insect scientifically known as Dactylopius coccus that feeds on certain species of cacti, particularly prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.) Cochineal also can affect the flesh of the dragon fruit plant. 

Crosses between the diploid Hylocereus polyrhizus, as the female parent, and the tetraploid Selenicereus megalanthus, as the male parent, yielded triploid and aneuploid hybrids. The fruits of these hybrids combined the attractive appearance of Hylocereus fruits with the delicious taste of S. megalanthus fruits.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how we dry seeds

We like doing this with watermelon, luffa, tomato, passion fruit pumpkin and anything else with seeds that comes through the kitchen. 

This is something shared to a Facebook page and I have added it here for your reference. 

If you don't know who Paul Thomson you may know his dragon fruit creations Dark Star, Cosmic Charlie ,PT7  Physical Graffiti , Purple haze and more. 

This is a study shared on a Facebook page, I also wanted to share for anyone who would like to read. 

The study focuses on the morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization of three dragon fruit species well-adapted to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Morphological analysis, including 34 quantitative and 26 qualitative traits, revealed genetic variations, particularly in fruit characteristics.

Key traits for identification included pulp/peel color, number of spines, and length of areoles in cladodes.

Biochemical analysis indicated higher phenol and flavonoid content in peels, suggesting greater antioxidant potential.

The study also assessed total carotenoids, β-carotene, and xanthophyll content, with specific genotypes identified as having industrial importance for nutraceutical product development.

Molecular analysis using ISSR markers distinguished three Hylocereus species based on geographic origin and pulp color, revealing genetic relationships and diversity.

Overall, the findings contribute to the understanding of dragon fruit diversity, enabling potential applications in agriculture and nutraceutical industries.