Care of the cactus Hylocereus undatus or Dragon fruit |
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The genus Hylocereus, family Cactaceae, includes 10 species of semi-epiphytic cacti native to Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Some species are: Hylocereus undatus, Hylocereus megalanthus, Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus setaceus. Common names: Dragon fruit, White-fleshed pitahaya, Night blooming cereus, Strawberry pear, Belle of the Night, Cinderella plant, Jesus in the cradle, Pitahaya. Scientific synonyms: Selenicereus undatus. They are cacti with long and branched stems of dark green color and a triangular section that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length. On the areolas they have 1-3 small spines. They produce beautiful white flowers 30 cm (11.8") long; They bloom at night from mid-summer to early fall. The fruits are edible. They are used as an indoor or greenhouse plant; in tropical climates they are used outdoors as climbing plants on walls, for example. Hylocereus undatus needs a semi-shade exposure; in full sun the stems turn brown. Temperatures should not be less than 11 ºC (51.8 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 2/3 of peat or leaf mulch and 1/3 of coarse siliceous sand. Water abundantly in spring and summer until flowering ends. In winter reduce watering, preventing the substrate from drying out completely. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They propagate easily from cuttings; they have a tendency to produce aerial roots. |
Images of the cactus Hylocereus undatus or Dragon fruit |
 Hylocereus undatus  Hylocereus undatus  Hylocereus undatus  Hylocereus undatus |