Armando – Hylocereus costaricensis

Native to: Central America

Size: 4-40+ feet

• Sun: Full to Part Sun
• Hardiness: Around 30 degrees
• Water: medium (2-3 times weekly during dry months when established)
• Flowers: white, short bloom duration (at night)
• Attracts: Nectar eating creatures
• Pests: Argentine Ants observed (Using Neem Oil on new growth)
• Other Information:
• Armando is a Dragon Fruit variety that comes from the genus Hylocereus and the species costaricensis. This variety was originally collected in its natural habitat near the border of Honduras and Nicaragua. DNA test shows that this variety is related to San Ignacio, a Dragon Fruit variety that is grown commercially in Nicaragua. The plant tolerates frost and heat very well due to a thicker outer waxy membrane when compared to other varieties. Flowers open at night and close in the morning. Hand pollination or the aid of mother nature is required for this variety to set fruit. Once pollinated the fruit is a good size and taste with an average weight of one pound. Like most deep red flesh varieties, the flesh is firm with a slight sweetness and the end of the tasting. Our testing showed a 17 on the brix scale of sweetness. This variety was collected from a grower in California. (Credit to Spicy Exotics)

• . Great Links to learn more:
• https://www.spicyexotics.com/product/armando/
• https://vric.ucdavis.edu/ucd-access/VC3%20workgroup/VegCropsPT_2016/05_Lobo_VegCropsPT2016.pdf