Dragon fruit (English: pitaya) is the fruit of several species of cactus from the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus. This fruit comes from Mexico, Central America and South America but is now also cultivated in Asian countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia. The fruit can also be found in Okinawa, Israel, northern Australia and southern China. Hylocereus only blooms at night.
In 1870 this plant brought the French from Guyana to Vietnam as an ornamental plant. By the Vietnamese and the Chinese the fruit is considered to be a blessing. Therefore, this fruit is always placed between two green dragon statues on the altar table. The red color of the fruit so conspicuous among the colors of the green dragons. It is from this custom that the fruit among Vietnamese people deeply influenced Chinese culture is known as thang loy (dragon fruit). Thang loy Vietnamese people are then translated in Europe and other English-speaking countries as dragon fruit (dragon fruit).
Kind of
The name of the dragon fruit is given on the edible fruits of the plant:
Hylocereus undatus, whose fruit is red with white flesh
Hylocereus polyrhizus, whose fruit is pink with red and red flesh
Selenicereus megalanthus with yellow fruit skin and white flesh
Hylocereus costaricensis dragon fruit super red meat.
Morphology
The morphology of dragon fruit plants consists of roots, stems, thorns and flowers and fruits. The root of the dragon fruit is just the root of the fibers that develop in the soil in the upper stem as a hanging root. The roots grow along the stem on the back of the fin at the corner of the stem. At the thorns appear this will grow flowers that look like flowers Wijayakusuma. Flowers that do not fall into fruit. Dragon fruit shape is round a bit oval-sized with avocado fruit. The skin of the fruit is bright red for the type of dragon fruit white and red, dark red for black dragon fruit and yellow for yellow dragon fruit. All over the skin is filled with tassels that are analogous to the scales of a dragon. Therefore, this fruit is called the dragon fruit. The trunk is triangular, the thorns are very short and inconspicuous, until they are considered "thorny cactus". The flowers bloom starting at dusk, if the flower buds have been 30 cm long. That's when we invite the neighbors and friends of flowers lovers to watch the blossoming of the dragon fruit. The creamy outer flower's crown blooms at nine o'clock, followed by a pure white inner crown, encompassing a number of yellow benangsaries. Flowers like the funnel finally open fully in the middle of the night. That's why he's spread all over the world as a night blooming cereus. While in full bloom, he spread a fragrant scent. It turns out this smell is spread all over the night wind, to attract the bats, so that it would be wise to come to pollinate the flower. In the dark gulitanya wilderness night, bat eyes are less alert, but nose "sharp"
The cultivation of dragon fruit
People usually multiply the plant by cutting or seeding seeds. Plants will flourish if porous growing media (not muddy), rich in nutrients, sandy, enough sun and temperature between 38-40o C. If the treatment is good enough, the plant will begin to bear fruit at the age of 11-17 months. Malang city is 400-700 dpl, very suitable for the cultivation of red dragon fruit. Although it has a fairly cool air, but get enough sunlight is the capital for the growth of dragon fruit red. Dragon fruit can develop with soil conditions and altitude of any location, but this plant is quite greedy for nutrients, so if the soil contains a good fertilizer, then its growth will be very fast. Within 1 year, the plant can reach a height of 3 meters more. Based on some sources, dragon fruit has not been widely cultivated in Indonesia, while the data obtained new areas: Mojokerto, Jember, Malang, Pasuruan, Bayuwangi, and Kulon Progo. With each acreage of not more than 3 haktar.
The Benefits of Dragon Fruit
Behind the refreshing sweet taste, dragon fruit is rich in benefits. Many people believe this fruit can lower cholesterol and blood sugar balancing. Indeed there has been no definite research on the benefits of this fruit. However, given the origin of this type of cactus fruit, we believe dragon fruit contains vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium and carbohydrates. What is certain is a high fiber dragon fiber as a binder of cancer-causing carcinogens and facilitate the process of digestion.
