Pitaya is a newcomer to the world of fruits in Indonesia. These plants come from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Dragon fruit was introduced in Indonesia in the decade 1990's. Because the shape of the exotic, fragrant aroma, sweet taste dams make the dragon fruit is addressed separately in the hearts of lovers of fruits in Indonesia. Dragon fruit began to be known widely in Indonesia beginning in 2000, which was imported from Thailand.
Now rhino fruit (another name for dragon fruit) starts we meet sometimes marketed. In addition to the sweet refreshing taste, dragon fruit is also beneficial to human health. No wonder if now the dragon fruit is inclusive of interest and sought fruit consumers, either as fresh fruit as well as to be commercially cultivated.
Currently in Indonesia have been scattered planting of dragon fruit, ranging from Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and other areas in Indonesia. From small or large scale, but in essence the dragon fruit harvest is still less than the demand of society. Thus opening up opportunities for people to cultivate dragon fruit.
Dragon fruit originated from Mexico, Central America and northern South America also known as pitahaya or pitaya roja. This cactus plant was initially used as an ornamental plant because the figures are unique, exotic and view the beautiful flowers and fruit.
Better known as dragon fruit plants from Asia, because it is developed on a large scale in several Asian countries, especially Thailand and Vietnam.
Classification and morphology of the Dragon Fruit.
Division: spermatophytes
Subdivisions: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Cactales
Family: Cactacea
Subfamily: Hylocereanea
Genus: Hylocereus
Species: Hylocereus undatus (Dragon Fruit White)

Polirhizus Hylocereus (Red Dragon Fruit)


Hylocereus costaricensis (Super Red Dragon Fruit)

Celenicereus megalanthus (Yellow Dragon Fruit)
DRAGON FRUIT CULTIVATION
Cultivate Dragon Fruit Dragon Fruit is very easy because it does not require complicated maintenance and drought resistant. Basically Dragon Fruit can be grown anywhere, from the lowland plains to the medium, Condition of fertile soil, loose, good drainage and soil pH neutral (6-7) represents the soil conditions are suitable for Dragon Fruit with temperatures ranging from 26-36 ˚ C and low rainfall (720 mm / year) with the dry months 6-8.
1. Land Preparation
Prior to plant Dragon Fruit should be prepared in advance of land to be planted. Land clearing in the intended order in the development of Dragon Fruit will not be interrupted.
2. Planting holes
Planting hole is made with size 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm, the distance between the aperture of 2.00 m - 2.50 m in the middle of the planting hole propagation pole mounted seinggi 2 m - 2.5 m made of wood, concrete or material another strong source of earning to survive during the Dragon Fruit (15-20 years), mix soil, sand and organic fertilizer with a ratio of 1: 1: 1, and enter into the planting hole.





Seedlings to be grown from cuttings of plants which are old Dragon Fruit, fruit at least have 3-4 times,Dragon Fruit Seedlings were planted in the planting hole that has been prepared earlier.





When the plants grew to the pole tip propagation cut ends about 5 cm, then from the end of this piece will appear later sprout flower buds will come out and be a fruit.






Fertilization is done every month by adding 3 kg of organic fertilizer per plant and increasing the amount of fertilizer every month provided. Dragon Fruit plant starts flowering when they entered into nine months, depending on soil fertility and planted seedlings.





Dragon Fruit Flowers will bloom perfectly at night at about 21:00 to 22:00 (night-blooming cereus), kesesokan day and what flowers will wilt if pollination has occurred it will develop into fruit. The time required ranging from flowers to fruit can be harvested 50-55 days.