Hylocereus triangularis (Selenicereus triangularis, Hylocereus trigonus, Cereus trigonus, Hylocereus plumeri, Hylocereus antiguensis, Hylocereus compressus, Hylocereus cubensis, Hylocereus napoleonis, Hylocereus plumieri) is a type of plant in the cactus family that belongs to the genus Hylocereus (Cactaceae). It is one of the kinds of plants that are sometimes called “Queen of the Night”.
Dragon Fruit comes from a plant called Night-blooming Cereus, which is famous for its huge white flowers that open up at night.
This cactus grows naturally in trees, where it leans against the trunk and drapes itself over the branches. It does well in a hanging basket with bright, indirect light, or you can let it climb a tree in a warm climate. The split pads double and triple in size, and chunks are easy to root.
Description
Hylocereus triangularis is found throughout Central America in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. It can also be found in parts of South America including Colombia and Venezuela. The cactus can be identified by its three-sided stems and pink flowers. Cacti and other succulents can be used to beautify a landscape. They are popular because of their unique shape, exotic flowers, and healthy growth rate.
Most of the time, pitahaya grows like a liana, climbing and spreading. The sharp, triangular shoots have a diameter of 3 to 4 cm and have many aerial roots. Their ribs are straight or just a little bit raised around the areoles, and the backs of their ribs are not keratinized. The areoles send out 6 to 8 short, needle-like thorns that get thicker at the base.
Long days make the plant flower, and the flowers open at night in summer and early fall so that bats and insects that only come out at night can pollinate them. They are large, single flowers that can be up to 8 inches across when fully open. The outside of the flower is yellow-green, while the inside is white and smells strongly and sweetly.
Distribution and the risk of extinction
Hylocereus triangularis lives in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Carl von Linné was the first person to write about the Cactus triangularis in 1753. It was put in the genus Hylocereus by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1909.
On the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, the species is listed as “Least Concern (LC)”, which means that it is not at risk. Pitaya is grown because its fruits can be eaten, and it is sometimes used as a “living fence”.
Is used for
The pulp of a ripe fruit can be eaten. It has a mild sweetness and is usually eaten right out of hand. Like other types of dragon fruit, it can be added to fruit salads or blended into drinks, like the cold milk-based fruit drinks that are common in Southeast Asia, where dragon fruit was first grown but is now widely grown. The pulp is soft and white, and there are many tiny black seeds in it. The pulp and seeds can be swallowed together.
Hylocereus triangularis is a cactus that is used for a variety of purposes. The fruit of the cactus is edible and has a sweet, tropical flavor. The cactus can also be used to make juice, jam, and candy.
In parts of its native range, the unopened flower buds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
In the past, fishermen on the south coast of Jamaica used a strong, durable wire-like fiber that was stripped from the stems to make fish traps or “pots” that were set in deep water.
Climate
Grows naturally in subhumid to moderately humid tropical lowland to mid-elevation climates, which are usually places with annual lows of 14 to 25 °C, annual highs of 25 to 35 °C, annual rainfall of 800 to 2000 mm, and a dry season of 3 to 8 months.
In Jamaica, it is common in the drier parts of the island, from sea level to 1200 meters above sea level (4000 feet). Places where the average low temperature in the warmest month is at least 17 °C (63 °F).
For seedlings
They need heat, light, and a soil that drains well. A cactus mix is a good choice. Put your soil and water in a pot and let it drain. Put your seeds on top of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil damp, but not drenched.
A spray bottle is best because a strong stream of water can knock seeds out of the ground and bury them too deeply for them to grow. Wrap your pot in plastic wrap and put it somewhere warm and sunny. Remove the plastic wrap once you have seedlings.
Soak the seeds in water overnight, and then spread them out on a warm spot with sandy soil. They’ll handle the rest.
Growing
New plants can be grown from seeds, but cuttings are more often used. It does best in loam and sand soils with good drainage that have been improved with manure and brought to a pH level between 5.5 and 8.0. It can handle drought and soils with a lot of limestone well.
Furthermore, it grows best where there is some shade from the hot midday sun, because its stems can get sunburned if they are in full sun for too long, especially when it is dry. Likewise, it should also be planted far away from any artificial lighting, which could stop it from blooming. Most of the time, it is planted where it can grow up a trellis or small tree.
Conclusion
The Hylocereus triangularis cactus is a popular plant in many parts of the world. It is easy to care for, and it has many uses. Some people use it as a food crop, while others use it for medicinal purposes. The cactus is also popular among horticulturists, who appreciate its beauty and variety of shapes and colors.
In conclusion, this is an excellent plant for anyone looking for an easy-to-care-for cactus that blooms beautiful flowers. This cactus can be found at most garden stores and online, so be sure to add one to your garden today!
