DRAGON FRUIT

Dragon fruit, including types of super-red, is the group or Cactaceae cactus family (subfamily Hylocereanea). This includes the genus Hylocereus fruits of some species, among which are the usual dragon fruit is cultivated, high commercial value. In full, dragon fruit classification is presented as follows.

Division Spermatophyta (seed plants)

subdivisions Agiospermae (seeds enclosed)

Class Dicotyledonae (two pieces)

Order Cactales

Famil Cactaceae

subfamily Hylocereanea

Genus Hylocereus

Species

• Hylocereus undatus (white meat)
• Hylocereus polyrhizus (red meat)
• Hylocereus costaricensis (meat super red or super red)
• Selenicereus megalanthus (yellow skin, white flesh, without scale)

Morphological, dragon fruit plants including crops are incomplete because they do not have leaves. To adapt to the desert environment, dragon fruit plants have thorns along the stems and branches that are useful to reduce evaporation. Dragon fruit plants are climbing plants and epiphytes. In its natural habitat, these plants to climb other plants to grow. Despite its roots in the soil removed, dragon fruit plants can still survive because there are roots that grow on the stem. Roots Air (air roots) can absorb the food reserves from the air.

Here is further explanation of the morphology of the dragon fruit plant roots, stems and branches, flowers, fruits, and grains.

The roots

Dragon fruit roots are generally shallow, ranging from 20-30 cm. However, towards the production of fruit, usually root can reach depths of 50-60 cm, after extra chocolate bars that are embedded in the ground. By knowing the root zone fertilization dragon fruit can be carried out in accordance with the target. Dragon fruit can survive in dry areas because of the ability of roots to adapt well in dry conditions (less water). However, the roots of dragon fruit plants generally do not tolerate standing water for long periods of time. If it floods, the dragon fruit plant roots will rot. In addition to that contained in the soil root, dragon fruit plants also have roots that grow on the stem. The root is the root of so-called air (air roots). The roots are epiphytes that serves to attach to and deploy on another plant. Thus, although the roots removed from soil, plants can still live by absorbing food and water from the air roots that grow in the trunk.

Generally, dragon fruit plants growing in normal soil pH (pH 6-7). At pH, the plants will grow and can produce well. Some literature states that the roots of dragon fruit plants are sensitive to soil acidity (pH <5). If the soil pH below 5 (acidic), plant roots become short and damaged. As a result, plant growth becomes larnbat and dwarf. However, it turns out the dragon fruit grown in peat soils with a pH of 3.5 to 5.5 are also able to produce well.

Stem and branches

branches dragon fruit Trunk bluish or blackish. The triangular-shaped stems and fresh (containing lots of mucus). In certain species, such as Hylocereus polyrhizus, when adult stem covered by mucus. From the trunk, branches will grow the same shape and color with the rod. Branch serves as a "leaf" for the process of photosynthesis. The role is to generate fotosiotat photosynthesis (food reserves) are essential for plant growth and development of dragon fruit. On trunks and branches of plants, grown-Doss Doss short and hard. Spines located on the edge of the corner of the trunk or branches and fruit of 4-5 spines on each growing point.

flowers

flowers similar to the pineapple skin. The entire surface is covered by the scaly flower crown. An elongated funnel shape, measuring about 30 cm. Green petals. If the red petals, a sign that interest rates will not fruit. After a few days will be a crown of white flowers appear in the petals. Flowers will bloom in the afternoon and will bloom at night around 22:00 (night blooming cereus). When it blooms, petals pure white in color. Inside are yellow stamens and will issue a fragrant aroma. While in the middle of a stem and anthers. The next day, after pollination, the petals will wilt. This marks the initial stage of conception.

Fruit

some round fruit shape and a long round. Generally the fruit near the end of the branch or branches of the middle. Bright red leather chair that mature green fruit fruit fin, measuring about 2 cm. When perfectly ripe, the fruit flesh is very thick, watery (Inky), and the color of the fruit flesh is very interesting (depending on species). Pieces of meat are dotted with small seeds dispersed in solid black. The thickness of the skin of the fruit about 1-4 mm. The average weight of fruit generally range from 400-800 g / fruit, depending on the type of dragon fruit are cultivated.

 Seeds

Dragon fruit seeds are black with small round shape, flat, and very hard. At first glance, the dragon fruit seeds like sesame seeds. Each fruit contains more than 1,000 seeds. Unlike other stone fruit, dragon fruit seeds which little can be eaten along with the fruit. The seeds can be used for generative plant propagation. However, how is rarely done because it takes a long time till crop production. Results from the seeds of the fruit may not be as expected because the nature of the offspring is a combination of both parents. However, for fans of the plant, the seed is the germ plasm that can be used to produce new varieties are better (superior).