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The dragon fruit / pitaya plant is a climbing cactus vine that grows well in dry areas. Because of its epiphytic nature, it grows best in soil with a high level of organic materials. The flowers are white and large sometimes measuring 30cm and larger. They are ornate and produce a sweet fragrance when in bloom. The flowers bloom for one night only. Dragon fruits are also called cactus fruits. They are closely related to the orchid cacti or epiphyllum. Epiphyllums are known for their large and impressive flowers. The fruit is popularly eaten raw and tastes better chilled. It is also served as a juice. The flesh is sweet and sometimes served with mango in a tropical sorbet. Dragon fruits reputedly improve eyesight and prevent hypertension. The seeds of the fruit supposed help in controlling blood glucose levels in people with non-insulin-dependent hyperglycaemic conditions (a kind of diabetes). It is also used to treat stomach and endocrine problems.
Dark Star Dragon Fruit is a hybrid variety that comes from crossing Hylocereus guatemalensis and Hylocereus undatus. This variety has large-sized fruit with purple flesh that typically weighs between 340g to 680g. The fruit has a mild grape-like flavor and has an average brix score of 19. The fruit has a darker pink tint to the skin.
This variety is self-sterile meaning it needs compatible pollen from another variety to set fruit. Additional research has stated that Dark Star is in fact the 9S. The 9S is a seedling created by Paul Thomson and mentioned in his book Pitahaya. The 9S is a cross between a purple-fleshed variety Rixford, and a white-fleshed variety Niezel. Paul states this variety having a split lobe stigma and this is a unique trait compared to its siblings Purple Haze, Cosmic Charlie and Physical Graffiti.
