Sugar Dragon (S8) Dragon Fruit – Paul Thompson Variety
Description:
Sugar Dragon (S8) is a well-known Paul Thompson hybrid, originally developed in California and now widely grown by collectors and commercial growers around the world. This variety is highly regarded for its excellent flavour and reliable pollination qualities.
Sugar Dragon is self-pollinating and also acts as a universal pollinator, meaning its pollen can successfully pollinate many other dragon fruit varieties and species. Some growers suggest that hand pollination can still improve fruit set and yield during the flowering season.
The plant is a robust grower with thick olive-green stems and shows good tolerance to rust, although it can sometimes be slower to produce roots when propagating cuttings.
This variety produces strongly scented white flowers and tends to flower early in the season. The fruit is typically 250–300 g, with red skin and bright red to purple flesh.
Sugar Dragon is widely loved for its excellent flavour and balanced sweetness, making it one of the most popular varieties for home growers and collectors.
Plant Characteristics
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Variety: Sugar Dragon (S8)
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Developed by Paul Thompson
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Self-pollinating
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Universal pollinator for many dragon fruit varieties
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Early flowering variety
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Robust plant with thick olive-green stems
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Good rust tolerance
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Can be slower to root from cuttings
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Fruit size 250–300 g
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Red skin with bright red-purple flesh
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Strongly scented white flowers
Taste:
A vibrant tropical berry and kiwi flavour with a hint of coconut, offering a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity.
Brix: 18
Source:
Sourced from a commercial Sunshine Coast dragon fruit farm.