Cosmic Charlie dragon fruit

Hylocereus guatemalensis and Hylocereus undatus are the parents of the dragonfruit variety Cosmic Charlie. This type of Dragon Fruit grows fruits with purple flesh that taste like grapes. Most of these fruits weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds.

Description

The Dragon Fruit is a climbing cactus that grows on the ground and has fleshy stems. From late spring to early fall, the plant has large, fragrant white flowers that can be up to 14 inches long and 12 inches wide. Flowers are complicated and only bloom at night. After pollination, round, red or yellow fruits that you can eat grow.

Cosmic Charlie is a self-fertile variety (Hylocereus undatus X Hylocereus guatemalensis). The flesh is a beautiful purple color and tastes like grapes or kiwis. The size of the fruit ranges from 1 to 1.5 pounds and is medium to large. Because of its beautiful color, it is often used as a garnish. Cosmic Charlie fruit tastes a little bit like grapes and is best when it is cold. This variety doesn’t need to be pollinated by another plant to make fruit.

Its fruit is getting more and more popular as people look for healthier and more varied foods. The crop can grow in a wide range of environments, from places that are very dry to places that get more than 3,500 mm of rain per year. Dragon fruit is mostly grown for sale in the U.S. in Florida, southern California, and Hawaii. Growers are likely to plant more acres of this crop as they learn more about it and how productive it can be.

The beautiful round fruit is covered in green scales and can grow up to 15 inches long. Inside the thin skin is a big mass of sweet red pulp and many small black seeds. Dragon Fruit can be eaten by itself, and it is also used to add flavor to baked goods and drinks.

This type of plant grows quickly. This variety makes a large fruit with purple flesh that tastes like a sweet cherry or grape. On average, one to two pounds. Average brix 18-19.

It looks a lot like the growth of Hylocereus undatus. More research on the Internet shows that 2S and Cosmic Charlie are the same. Paul Thomson made the S2 seedling, which is talked about in his book Pitahaya. The S-2 is a cross between the Rixford, which has purple flesh, and the Niezel, which has white flesh. This kind of plant came from a California tropical nursery.

Anna Gorelova

From what I've read on the Internet, this variety can reproduce itself. But for me, the fruit doesn't set on its own; I have to pollinate it by hand with another variety.

Growing experiment

At Isabela, PR, 12 different types of pitaya were grown on Oxisol soil for 5 years and closely watched. The number and weight of fruits per hectare changed a lot from year to year. From 2010 to 2013, the number of fruits and yield of cultivars went up, but then they leveled off or went down. The number of fruits and yield per hectare were very different between cultivars.

The Cosmic Charlie cultivar had the least amount of fruit, with an average of only 25.1 kg per hectare. With an average fruit weight of 346.3 g, the fruit weight of cultivars N97-20 and NOI-13 was much higher. Fruit soluble solids were on average 17.4 percent higher in NOI-16, N97-18, and Cosmic Charlie than in other cultivars. Some of the cultivars used in this study have shown promise in gardening and could be used by growers as new seeds.

Interesting facts

• Cosmic Charlie is a cartoon character;
• This type of Dragon Fruit can have up to six fruiting cycles per year when grown for business;
• The plant grows quickly and has green leaves with small spines on each side;
• Dragonfruit grows best in soils that drain well and in full sun to part shade;
• At least 6 inches will be on each new cutting;
• Don’t let the soil dry out between waterings, and don’t forget to water this cactus.

Cosmic Charlie: My Dragon Fruit Drama Queen (But Totally Worth It)

Alright, y’all listen up. I’ve been wrangling dragon fruit for over ten years now. Seen it all, from the basic white to the fire engine red. But there’s one that keeps me guessing every season – the Cosmic Charlie. This ain’t your mama’s dragon fruit. It’s a diva in a fruit basket, with a flavor twist that’ll knock your socks off.

Forget the usual red or white skin. Cosmic Charlie rocks a shocking pink flesh, like a watermelon that got dipped in a vat of sunshine. It’s enough to make you stop dead in your tracks, even before you dig in. But the good stuff goes way deeper than its flashy exterior. Crack open that spikey shell – like a pirate unearthing buried treasure – and you’re met with this vibrant pink that screams “eat me!”

Now, some folks might think a flashy fruit means a boring taste. Wrong answer, my friends. This dragon fruit is a party in your mouth. Imagine the sweetness of a perfectly ripe strawberry, the tang of a kiwi on a good day, and a hint of watermelon all getting together for a flavor jam. It’s a tropical explosion that stays with you long after you polish off the last bite.

Anna Gorelova

But hold on, the drama doesn't stop there. Unlike most dragon fruit varieties that come in predictable red or white packages, Cosmic Charlie throws you a curveball. It's got this light green, almost minty colored peel with pink scales scattered across it. Picture a mischievous little dragon, all green and pink, guarding its precious fruit within. This unique look makes it the star of any fruit platter. People can't help but pick it up, marveling at its out-of-this-world appearance.

Now, I’ll be honest, Cosmic Charlie can be a bit of a drama queen when it comes to growing. It’s a speed demon, shoots out vines like there’s no tomorrow, but unlike its tougher cousins, it’s a little picky about, well, getting busy. Some folks say it pollinates itself, but in my experience, it thrives with a little extra attention. I hand-pollinate mine with another variety, usually the dependable Selenidium, and let me tell you, the difference is like night and day. I get a way better fruit set, and the fruits themselves grow bigger, some reaching a whopping pound or even more!

Taking care of Cosmic Charlie is pretty standard dragon fruit stuff. Plenty of sunshine, well-drained soil that wouldn’t hold a drop of water, and a strong support system for those ambitious vines. But the extra effort with pollination is totally worth it. The reward? A harvest of these stunning pink gems that are not only drop-dead gorgeous but burst with flavor.

Of course, I wouldn’t be a true dragon fruit fanatic if I didn’t talk about how versatile this beauty is. Cosmic Charlie shines on its own, a refreshing and vibrant snack that’ll leave you wanting more. But it also lends itself beautifully to all sorts of culinary creations. Think smoothies that look like they belong on a Miami beach, salsa with a tropical kick, or even stunning sorbet that’ll have your guests asking for seconds. The possibilities are endless, just like the wonder this variety evokes.

So, if you’re looking for a dragon fruit that’s more than just a pretty face, give Cosmic Charlie a shot. It’s a challenge, for sure, but one that’ll reward you with a fruit that’s both delicious and a conversation starter. You’ll be growing not just a fruit, but a taste sensation, a showpiece, and a testament to the amazing diversity of the plant world.

Conclusion

The Cosmic Charlie has purple fleshed fruits that are about the size of grapes and taste like grapes. Ideal for people who garden at home.

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