Frankie’s Red dragon fruit is a hybrid variety that is the result of a cross between Selenicereus megalanthus and Hylocereus polyrhizus. The fruit is small with red/orange skin and red flesh, and it is similar in shape and size to Columbiana fruit. It is known to be self-fertile and has easy fruit set. This sort is often confused with another, the orange dwarf. They are indeed similar, but still not the same.
Description
The shape and size of the fruit are the same as a Yellow Dragon fruit. When the fruit appears, it starts out green, then turns yellow, and finally turns orange. Inside the thin skin is a big mass of sweet red pulp and many small black seeds. The fruit is also very sweet, with a Brix score of 21 on average. It has a sweet beet flavor and is excellent eaten fresh, in jams, as a garnish, or as juice in drinks. At the bottom of the fruit, thorns grow, but when the fruit is ready to be picked, they are easily brushed off.
| Plant type: | Fruiting cactus vine |
| Brix: | 19-22 |
| Weight: | 350 grams |
| Soil & moisture: | Well-drained |
| Light requirements: | 80-100% |
| Self-pollinating: | Yes |
| Outside color: | Orange |
| Pulp color: | Red |
| Taste: | Sweet taste |
| Flavor: | 5 out of 5 |
| Appearance: | 5 out of 5 |
| Growing: | 3 out of 5 |
| Home planting: | 3 out of 5 |
| Commercial planting: | 3 out of 5 |
The flower is about the size of a fist, with white petals on the inside and yellow and white petals on the outside. When the flower is fully open, it looks like a bell. The flower buds are different from those of other Selenicereus species, but they look like those of Hylocereus species. Flowers bloom just after sunset and close just before sunrise. Flowers can make their own babies, but to make sure fruit sets, we recommend pollinating them by hand.
The plants of Frankies pitahaya are known to be slow-growing and small in size. They have narrow stems compared to other dragon fruit varieties, but the fruit itself is very similar in shape and size to Colombiana fruit. This variety of dragon fruit requires a tropical climate and will not grow in cold temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dragonfruit grows best in soils that drain well and in full sun to part shade. Don’t let the soil dry out between waterings, and don’t forget to water this cactus.
This variety is sensitive to both heat and cold, which makes it difficult to grow. Second, this variety tends to get rust when it rains too much. In our greenhouses, this kind of plant grew very slowly. Because of these reasons, this variety is not recommended for beginners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Frankie pitaya is a unique and flavorful hybrid fruit. Its small size and slow growth make it an excellent choice for backyard gardeners in tropical climates. With its sweet taste and high brix score, it is a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of culinary applications.
