{"product_id":"rod-dragefrugt-selenicereus-undatus-fro-20-stk","title":"Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) | seeds, 20 pcs.","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e (accepted name: \u003cem\u003eSelenicereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eDanish names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rød dragefrugt, rød pitahaya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red dragon fruit, red-fleshed dragon fruit, red pitaya\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is a tropical, climbing cactus grown primarily for its spectacular dragon fruits with vibrant red to purple flesh. The combination of the intense color, the small black seeds, and the pink to red skin makes the fruit one of the most eye-catching types of pitahaya.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe species is native to Central America and is particularly associated with Costa Rica and the surrounding regions. There, it grows in warm conditions as a climbing or partially epiphytic cactus that uses trees, rocks, and other vegetation as support. The long, triangular stems can form aerial roots and eventually develop into large, vigorous plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike other dragon fruit cacti, \u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e develops very large white flowers. They typically open in the evening and at night and are only open for a short time. The flowering is an impressive sight in itself, and after successful pollination, the plant can develop the characteristic red-fleshed dragon fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA dragon fruit with intense red flesh\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is especially the flesh that makes \u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e interesting. Where the classic dragon fruit from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/hvid-dragefrugt-selenicereus-undatus-fro-20-stk?\" title=\"Hvid Dragefrugt (Hylocereus undatus) | frø\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus undatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e has white flesh with black seeds, \u003cem\u003eH. costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e develops fruits with a striking red to deep purple color inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two species have a similar climbing growth habit and can be difficult to distinguish from one another when the plants are young. When they set fruit, however, the difference becomes very clear. \u003cem\u003eH. costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is therefore particularly interesting for those who want a more unusual and colorful dragon fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a third variety, one can grow \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/gul-dragefrugt-selenicereus-megalanthus-sjaelden-fro-5-stk?\" title=\"Gul Dragefrugt (Hylocereus megalanthus) (SJÆLDEN) | frø\"\u003eHylocereus megalanthus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which produces the so-called yellow pitahaya. It has yellow skin and light-colored flesh and differs clearly from both the white-fleshed and the red-fleshed dragon fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy growing the three species together, you can therefore obtain an exciting collection of dragon fruits: \u003cem\u003eH. undatus\u003c\/em\u003e with white flesh, \u003cem\u003eH. costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e with red to purple flesh, and \u003cem\u003eH. megalanthus\u003c\/em\u003e with its characteristic yellow skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCultivation and requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is a relatively fast-growing cactus that thrives best in bright and warm conditions. It prefers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eVery bright light and preferably several hours of sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAn airy and well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eRegular watering during the active growing season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eWarm temperatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eA sturdy support for the plant to climb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough \u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is a cactus, it should not be grown exactly like a classic desert cactus. The species is adapted to a warmer and more humid environment and appreciates regular watering when in active growth. However, the soil should always be well-drained so that the roots are not constantly wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/kaktus-og-sukkulent-mix-5-l\" title=\"kaktusjord\"\u003ecactus and succulent soil\u003c\/a\u003e is suitable for cultivation. During the growing season, the plant can also benefit from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/langtidsvirkende-okologisk-godning-kaktus\" title=\"Økologisk langtidsvirkende kaktusgødning\"\u003eorganic long-term cactus fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e to support its vigorous growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the plant grows larger, it is advantageous to give it a stable support. Dragon fruit cacti are often grown up a pole or trellis, from which the long shoots can later hang down. This gives the plant a more natural growth habit and can also make a large plant easier to handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Denmark, \u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is best grown as a potted plant in a greenhouse or conservatory. In summer, the plant can be placed outdoors in a warm, sunny, and sheltered spot. The species does not tolerate a Danish winter and must be brought inside and overwintered frost-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCultivation from seeds\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e can be grown from seeds and is an exciting species to follow from the small seedlings all the way to large, climbing cactus plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSow the seeds superficially in fine and well-drained seed soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eCover the seeds only very lightly or leave them on the soil surface\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain a temperature of around 22–28 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the soil evenly slightly moist during germination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003ePlace the sowing in a bright spot, but protect the very young sprouts from strong direct sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder warm and humid conditions, the seeds can germinate relatively quickly. The newly sprouted plants are very small and do not initially look like the large, triangular dragon fruit cacti they will eventually develop into.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the seedlings grow, they can gradually be accustomed to more light. Once the root system and stems have become larger, the plants can be repotted into a coarser and more well-drained cactus soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants grown from seeds need time to reach sufficient size for flowering and fruit production. In return, seed propagation allows you to follow the entire development from a tiny seed to a large tropical fruit cactus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUtility and collector value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is interesting as an exotic fruit plant, ornamental plant, and collector's cactus alike. The long, climbing stems give the plant a different look than traditional cacti, while the enormous night-blooming flowers make a mature plant highly decorative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biggest attraction, however, is the red-fleshed dragon fruits. The intensely colored flesh makes the species an exciting contrast to the better-known \u003cem\u003eHylocereus undatus\u003c\/em\u003e, and together with the yellow \u003cem\u003eHylocereus megalanthus\u003c\/em\u003e, it shows how much variation exists among the plants we collectively know as dragon fruit or pitahaya.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHylocereus costaricensis\u003c\/em\u003e is therefore an obvious choice for those who want to grow a slightly more unusual dragon fruit from seed – and not least for the collector who wants several different types of pitahaya side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Can sometimes also be purchased as a plant \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.dk\/products\/rod-dragefrugt-hylocereus-costaricensis-plante?\" title=\"Rød Dragefrugt (Hylocereus costaricensis) | plante\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"a Piece of Nature","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44310922592524,"sku":"EF-EF-021","price":4.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/6728\/8588\/products\/Selenicereusundatus_red_1.jpg?v=1679254767","url":"https:\/\/www.apieceofnature.eu\/en\/products\/rod-dragefrugt-selenicereus-undatus-fro-20-stk","provider":"a Piece of Nature","version":"1.0","type":"link"}