Red Dragon Fruit success

[Cathy]

I'm really pleased with these guys that I just picked. We have had a huge increase in flowers after a storm battered the plant. Even now there are new fruit and flowers.

The mangos are from a roadside stand!

 

[SamfromWA]

I was thinking i might try a few from seed, do the fruits have any sweetness.

 

[Cathy]

I like this variety, I put lemon juice on it and it tastes a bit like fruit sherbet.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Lookin' good!
I noticed that a lot of people have started growing dragon fruit in my area for the past year. It makes me feel that they grow really easily, by the poor locations some of the plants I've spotted are in. Yet they seem to be doing really well.

Are the seeds very crunchy? I feel like seeds tend to really turn me off (like, I cant stand cherry tomatoes because of it).

 

[JP 1983]

Are the seeds very crunchy? I feel like seeds tend to really turn me off (like, I cant stand cherry tomatoes because of it).

Nah, they're more like kiwifruit seeds. Ya won't notice them. Spoon em in and they go straight down the gullet.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Ah, cheers @JP 1983 . I'm very tempted to try them. Is there a way to know which one is ripe when buying from the supermarket? Or do you recommend I try to find it elsewhere?

 

[TxArmour12b]

Congrats on the harvest! Those look absolutely amazing!

 

[JP 1983]

Is there a way to know which one is ripe when buying from the supermarket? Or do you recommend I try to find it elsewhere?

I don't buy them very often, but there's no obvious externals to choosing a 'ripe' dragonfruit. Unlike candy melons or mangoes, they have no 'ripe' scent that tells you they're ready. Just keep in mind there's two main commercial cultivars: red skin and white flesh, or red skin and red flesh (both dotted with the tiny black seeds).

 

[TxArmour12b]

Ah, cheers @JP 1983 . I'm very tempted to try them. Is there a way to know which one is ripe when buying from the supermarket? Or do you recommend I try to find it elsewhere?

Dragonfruit have to fully ripen on the plant or the flavor doesn't develop all the way. If possible the best are from a friend that grows them or a farmers market. The ones in the stores are usually picked at the first sign of blushing and are not truly ripe and have a more bland flavor

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Cheers guys!

 

[Ray Speed]

I have heaps growing and are super sweet off the vine, bloody awesome to eat on a summers day

 

[Cathy]

Nah, they're more like kiwifruit seeds. Ya won't notice them. Spoon em in and they go straight down the gullet.

I don't chew... just sort of swallow... they are very soft.

 

[Cathy]

Dragonfruit have to fully ripen on the plant or the flavor doesn't develop all the way. If possible the best are from a friend that grows them or a farmers market. The ones in the stores are usually picked at the first sign of blushing and are not truly ripe and have a more bland flavor

I think there are so many varieties from home grown from seed that there will be a range of sweetness but all taste a bit soapy to me so the lemon cuts that out.

 

[Cathy]

Ah, cheers @JP 1983 . I'm very tempted to try them. Is there a way to know which one is ripe when buying from the supermarket? Or do you recommend I try to find it elsewhere

I would try a market or local shop. If you have Facebook that might be an option!

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

There's a weekly farmer's market in town

 

[Cathy]

Put the word out and you will probably find someone.

I found one "branch" with 4 buds today.
Hopefully it won't get too heavy when they all grow. I think I need to prop it up.

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

Oh my 😍