Hylocereus megalanthus (Yellow dragon fruit, Pitaya)

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Plant description

Hylocereus megalanthus, the yellow dragon fruit, is an epiphytic, climbing, vine-like cactus. It produces delicious edible large fruit following large, showy white and yellow flowers. It flowers at night from summer to autumn, and the flowers are fragrant. The fruit is yellow skinned, very decorative and has creamy white flesh, containing small black seeds. The fruit takes 4-8 weeks to mature from flowering. It is self pollinating.

The plant is fast growing, and suits temperate to tropical climates. It will tolerate mild frosts once mature and established, but will need protection when small. It grows and is most productive in full sun, but can be grown in part shade as well. It should be trained onto a trellis, post, tree or similar support, and can be trimmed to a suitable height. It likes a well drained soil, high in organic matter. Fertilise every couple of months with a good general purpose fertiliser. It is drought tolerant when established. It can be grown in a container.

Propagation is by cuttings. It can also be grown from the seeds.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: White and yellow
Flowering season: summer autumn

Scent

The flowers are fragrant

Plant size

Maximum height: 8 metres
Minimum height: 1 metres

Maximum width: not specified
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Insects.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: well-drained.

Clay: not specified.

Sand: moist.

Diseases

Fungal rots in wet conditions

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: Good general purpose fertiliser.

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