The cebra dragon fruit is a type of tropical fruit. The fruit is also known as pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear. The cebra dragonfruit is round or oval in shape and has a pink or red skin. The flesh of the fruit is red or pink and contains black seeds. The fruit has a sweet taste and a floral aroma.
Description
The Cebra Dragon Fruit is a type of the Hylocereus genus and the polyrhizus species. This type is a Dragon Fruit from Nicaragua. It has dark red flesh and red skin. The fruit tastes great and is sweet and savory at the same time. The fruit weighs an average of 1 pound and a brix average of 18 to 20.
In South Louisiana, it usually takes 30 days for a flower bud to turn into a night-blooming flower, and then another 30 days to harvest. The Cebra variety has big flowers that smell nice. If you want fruit from a Cebra, you’ll need to find a pollinator from a different species, since Cebra can’t make its own pollen.
| Pollinating: | Self-sterile |
| Skin color: | Red / purple |
| Flesh color: | Magenta / dark red |
| Days to harvest: | ~30-45 |
| Weather tolerance: | 4 out of 5 |
| Fruit production: | 4 out of 5 |
| Flavor: | 5 out of 5 |
| Growing: | 4 out of 5 |
The stem is grayish green and has a number of medium-sized spines on it. The stem has a gray coating that helps protect the plant from harsh weather.
The spines on the areoles are arranged randomly and are 3–7 mm long. The segment between the areoles is 26 mm long and has a slight curve. Flowers are big, and the petals are white. The calyx is yellow with red edges, and the anthers and stigma lobes are also yellow.
One of Hylocereus Costaricensis’s very close relatives. This is one of five varieties that are known to be grown commercially in Nicaragua. DNA tests show that Rosa, Lisa and Cebra are the same, but there are some small differences in how they look.
How to plant
Pitayas can be planted right next to a trellis and then tied to it. In the traditional method of agroforestry, large cuttings (1.8 m long and 8–10 cm wide) are used. In Central America and Mexico, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaem leucocephala are two trees that work well as trellises. One or two pitahaya should be planted next to each tree. The distance between plants depends on how they are grown.
When a vertical trellis is used, there should be 2-3 m between the lines, and there should be 2,000–3,500 cuttings per hectare. With horizontal or slanted support, cuttings or plants can be planted 50–75 cm closer to the trellis. This means that 6500 cuttings or plants can be planted per hectare. In Central America, a simple method is to put posts about 1.5 m long and 50 cm deep into the ground and plant cuttings next to them.
These posts are every 2.5 m along the rows, and the rows are every 4 m apart, so there are a total of 1000 plants per hectare. The stems grow up the post. When they reach the top of the post, they start to curve over and make new branches until a canopy forms. There are many other trellis systems, and each has its own pros and cons. Plantings for business can be profitable for more than 10 years before they need to be replaced.
Most of the time, rain is enough to grow pitayas, but irrigation is needed for the best results, especially in places with long dry seasons that hurt production. Because of how they are made, pitayas don’t need a lot of water, but long periods of drought will hurt the number of flowers and fruits and the size of the fruits. When it’s dry, irrigation increases production by a lot. Most of the time, drip irrigation is used for these plants with shallow roots.
Plant facts
- The fruit is large, oval, and weighs 468 grams. The skin and flesh are red, and the rind is thick;
- 15.75-20 Brix;
- it takes 46 days from bloom to harvest in Southern California;
- It can be picked from late June to late December or even January;
- The plant has medium-thick, medium-length stems with white stripes that look like zebra stripes, which is where the name comes from;
- It can handle some cold and heat, grows well in full sun, and has good commercial potential.
My Fickle Friend with a Heart of Fire
Let me tell you about the Cebra dragon fruit. It ain’t your average, run-of-the-mill cactus fruit. This thorny beauty is like a high-maintenance supermodel in the dragon fruit world. Stunning looks? Absolutely. Finicky as all get out? You betcha. But when you finally coax her into giving up her ruby red heart, well, that’s a taste explosion that’ll have you thanking your lucky stars (and maybe the fickle dragon fruit gods).
The Cebra first caught my eye at a dragon fruit convention down in Florida. It was a real showstopper – fire-engine red skin with emerald green scales that shimmered like jewels. The flesh, I was told, was a deep crimson, unlike the usual white or magenta you see. Now, I’m a sucker for a challenge, especially when it comes to something this visually arresting. So, a few pups (baby dragon fruit plants) later, I was bringing the Cebra home to my farm.
Those first few years were a test of patience. The Cebra, unlike its more easy-going cousins, is a creature of habit. It needs just the right amount of sunlight – too much and it gets sunburnt, too little and it throws a tantrum by refusing to flower. Watering is a delicate dance – too much and it rots, too little and its growth stutters to a halt. And don’t even get me started on pollination. This diva needs to be hand-pollinated, which means carefully transferring pollen from the flower bud to the pistil, one delicate bloom at a time. It’s like playing Cupid to a cactus with a bad attitude.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, the Cebra isn’t for everyone. It takes time, dedication, and a whole lot of trial and error to get it to thrive. But for those willing to put in the work, the reward is a fruit that’s as stunning to look at as it is delicious to devour. It’s a conversation starter at farmers markets, a showstopper on a dessert platter, and a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most beautiful things require a little extra TLC.
So, if you’re looking for a dragon fruit that’s more than just a pretty face, the Cebra might be your prickly soulmate. Just be prepared to put in the work, because this fiery friend won’t give up her treasures easily. But hey, that’s what makes the victory all the sweeter, right?
Conclusion
The cebra dragon fruit is a hybrid fruit that was created by combining the genetic material of the red dragonfruits. This unusual looking fruit is not only pretty to look at, but it also packs a nutritional punch. The cebra dragon fruit is an excellent source of vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and antioxidants.
