This species grows fruits that are very big, and some of them can weigh more than 1 kilogram. Because of this, an Aussie Gold dragon fruit (also called Australian Golden, Isis Gold, Golden Yellow or Yellow Golden H.undatus) is very good for trading. The skin is yellow and some of the fins are still green.
The Aussie Gold dragon fruits don’t pollinate themselves, so you’ll need to help the flowers out. This species can live in temperatures that are a bit cooler.
Description
Dragon fruit are native to Central and South America, but they are grown commercially in Israel, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia. Both the red-fleshed dragon fruit (H. polyrhizus) and the white-fleshed dragon fruit (H. undatus) are grown commercially in Australia. Selenicereus sp, a smaller fruit with prickly yellow skin and sweet white flesh, is also known as dragon fruit. It is grown and sold in smaller quantities.
| Preferred climate: | Tropical, subtropical |
| Max height: | 2-5 m |
| Plants required to pollinate: | 2 compatible plants |
| Suitability in pots: | Yes |
| Water requirements: | Drought hardy |
| Time to fruit / flower/ harvest: | 2-3 years |
| Sun: | 50-80% |
| Preferred soil type: | Sand or volcanic |
| Soil pH: | Neutral (6.6-7.3pH) |
| Skin color: | Yellow |
| Flesh color: | White |
| Weather tolerance: | 4 out of 5 |
| Fruit production: | 5 out of 5 |
| Flavor: | 4 out of 5 |
| Growing: | 4 out of 5 |
Dragon fruit grown in Australia is only sold in Australia. For biosecurity reasons, no other country can sell dragon fruit on the Australian market. Dragon fruit with red flesh has always been worth more money. The flowers open at night and are usually pollinated in the early morning. By mid-morning, the flowers have withered.
Australia has about 40,000 dragon fruit trees. They produce about 740 tonnes of fruit, which has a gross value of AU$2.2 million. In the northern parts of New South Wales and Queensland, there are a number of dragon fruit farms that offer tours and tastings to tourists.
There is a common misconception that Aussie Gold and Israeli Golden are the same variety. This is not the case at all. They are different and have only one thing in common: the yellow color of the rind.
Like most exotic tropical fruits, dragon fruit is best when it is still fresh. People have said that the flesh is lightly sweet, crisp, and refreshing. You can also put dragon fruit in salads, fruit salads, jams, jellies, ices, and soft drinks.
Dragon fruit is a “super food” because it has a lot of the antioxidant phytoalbumin. In some countries, the pulp is used in smoothies and health juices.
Plant facts
- Dragon fruit, pitaya, and pitahaya are all common names for the climbing cacti with edible fruit that are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America;
- The yellow type of dragonfruit is the sweetest and tastes the best, and the Golden Isis variety is thought to be the BEST dragonfruit in the world because it is sweet, big, and has a unique citrus taste;
- Has a brix, or level of sweetness, of 19 to 22, and a great floral and citrusy taste (about 600-1500 grams). Unlike other small yellow varieties, this one is big;
- Unlike most yellow varieties, the fruit doesn’t have thorns. The plant grows quickly and makes a lot of fruit. It has thick, hard stems that make it less likely to get diseases, dry out, or rot;
- It will make two new cuttings in two months. If it grows up, one seedling can make 15–20 new cuttings each year;
- Australia makes about 740 tons of dragon fruit, which is worth about AU$2.2 million;
- Dragon fruit is called a “super food” in some places because it has a lot of the antioxidant phytoalbumin.
Production requirements
In the 1970s, the dragon fruit was brought to Queensland. As of 2013, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and northern New South Wales are all producing it for sale. About 70% of the trees that are planted in Australia are in the Northern Territory.
Dragon fruit do best in soil that drains well and is mostly sand. When lime and organic matter are added, the plant will do well.
The dragon fruit grows best in a dry, tropical climate with an average temperature of 21–29°C. However, it can survive short periods of temperatures as high as 38–40°C and as low as 0°C.
This variety can grow in many different places as long as they get enough water. They do well in both the wet/dry monsoon climate of the Northern Territory and the wet/humid monsoon climate of far north Queensland. Dragon fruit can also be grown in dry places, like Israel, as long as there is some shade.
Planting and taking care of crops
Because pitahaya seedlings grow slowly and don’t always produce fruit, cuttings from existing plants are the best way to quickly spread the plant. Cuttings from fruiting plants that are 30–50cm long should be stored in a dry place for a week before being potted into a mix that drains well. Before the roots grow, cuttings may do better in light shade and need less water and fertilizer.
Once the roots have grown, you can plant the cuttings in well-drained soil beds or mounds of soil up to 300mm high. Fertilizer should be put in the hole where the plant is planted and then added again after a month.
Different kinds of supports are used to help cuttings grow. In Australia, 2.5–3 x 3–4m spacing between vertical poles with horizontal arms or a grid at the top is often used. Around each pole, three cuttings are put in the ground at about 120-degree intervals.
In other countries, different kinds of supports are used, such as wire or steel mesh that is angled or straight, concrete pipes. When designing and building supports, keep in mind that the cactus vines and fruit weigh a lot and that the building material needs to be resistant to termites and last for many years.
As the dragon fruit grows up its support post, the side branches should be cut back until the plant reaches the top of the post. Side branches that have been cut off can be used as more plant material. As the cacti grow up the pole to the frame, they may need to be tied to the pole until they grow roots that wrap around the pole. When they reach the top, the branches will hang down from the frame at the top of the post, where they will bloom and bear fruit. About 12 to 15 months after planting, the first flowers should show up.
On a pole support system, a plant might have up to 20 branches in the first year. By the fourth year, it might have between 80 and 100 branches. Getting rid of broken or tangled branches and opening up the canopy with regular pruning will help keep the size and quality of the fruit.
Dragon fruit is a plant with shallow roots and a lot of roots in the air. Most of the time, a mix of both inorganic and organic fertilizers is best. It’s best to feed it lightly on a regular basis and give it more food before and during the flowering and fruiting seasons.
It is recommended to use mulch to support the roots near the surface and act as a buffer to stop soil moisture from evaporating. To keep the soil from drying out completely, it needs to be watered regularly with small amounts of water. During the time when the fruit is growing, if the water level fluctuates, causing wet and dry times, the fruit may split. It is suggested that lime and organic materials be used once a year.
Weeds, bugs, and illnesses
Ants, caterpillars, mites, scale insects, mealy bugs, beetles, slugs, borers, nematodes, fruit flies, mice, rats, and birds are all known to attack cacti.
A watery rot can also happen when it is too wet or when the plant has been hurt.
Conclusion
The Australian Isis pitaya (Hylocereus undatus with yellow skin) tastes sweet with a hint of citrus and floral. The level of sugar is between 19 and 22 brix. This type of Dragon Fruit needs to be pollinated by two different plants, but it flowers and bears a lot of fruit. The outside of the fruit is yellow, and the inside is white with black seeds that are crunchy.
Some customers have said that the taste of this dragon fruit is “mind-blowing” because it is so juicy and sweet, but also has a tangy depth to it. If you want an Australian Golden fruit with a good taste, this is it.
