Dragon Fruit In The Homestead Garden

The Amazing Dragon Fruit

This delicious and exciting member of my garden can be red or yellow. It always has little leave like attatchments all over. This is often compared to the antichocke. They have a deep red flesh or flesh of pure white with tiny edible seeds. Their amazing and unique taste somewhat reminds me of a cross of a Kiwi and a pear. Their is no way to describe this rather one of a kind taste.  The deep magenta Dragon Fruit are the rarest and are very expensive. Both types of Dragon Fruit are extremly good. 

A serving of Dragon Fruit has lots of fiber and 10% of the daily Vitamin C requirements, as well as many other vitamins and even iron.  Regular consumption of this fruit helps to strengthen the immune system. They are also believed to help in the healing of bruises and wounds. In the East, it is used for relief in the event of respiratory problems.

When all my fruit trees are giving their fruit in season, I like to make a fruit salad of 1 1/2 cups papaya, and 1 cup of each strawberriew, mango, dragon fruit, pineapple chunks, and slices of banana. (Whatever is not in season you can usually find Organic at a fruit market.) I take an additional cup of strawberries with a Tablespoon of fresh lime juice or two drops Lime Essential Oil and blend for the dressing. I then garnish with Kiwi or starfruit. 

Dragon Fruit is indigenous to Central America. It is grown and exported in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand.   Dragon Fruit is derived from a cross of several cactus species and grows well in arid and tropical climates. In Northern climates it will grow outside during the warm part of the year, but must be brought inside during the winters.  It can be a difficult plant to germinate directly from seed, but once it begins to thrive, it is easy to grow.  I have both the magenta and the white plant. I planted about 40 seeds and was able to raise 10 of those. The first year, I lost three of the 10 plants. I now have 7  3 year old plants grown from seed and one 6 year old producing plant that I bought a couple of years ago. 

If you are looking for something beyond what you see growing in the neighbors garden, I recomend a tropical garden of Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, and Dragon Fruit. But before you start, know your climate and build a green house, if needed. Papaya, Mango, and Pineapple due marvelous in the green house. I prefer to bring my Dragon Fruit inside, as the green house can get quite humid. 

Another day has come to a close on the homestead, and it is time to get a hot bath and  curl up with a good book.

"Explore the World and soar like an eagle"

Marla Silva @ floridagypsy

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