Dark Star – H. guatemalensis X H. undatus

Native to: Central America

• Size: 3-20 feet
• Sun: Full to Part Sun
• Hardiness: Around 30 degrees
• Water: Low to medium (1-5 times weekly during dry months when established)
• Flowers: white, short bloom duration (at night?)
• Attracts: Nectar eating creatures
• Pests: None observed
• Other Information: Dark Star Dragon Fruit is a hybrid variety that comes from Hylocereus guatemalensis and Hylocereus undatus. This variety has a medium to large sized purple fleshed fruit that typically weighs .75 to 1.25 pounds. The fruit has a mild grape-like flavor that has an average brix rating of 19. The skin of the fruit has a darker pink tint to it where it could have possibly received its name. This variety is known to be self-pollinating, but I found that hand pollination is needed to set fruit. Additional internet research has stated that 9S and Dark Star are the same. The 9S is seedling created by Paul Thomson and mentioned in his book Pitahaya. The 9S is a cross between Rixford, a purple fleshed variety and Niezel, a white fleshed variety. This variety was acquired from a tropical nursery in Louisiana.

Great Links to learn more:

• https://www.spicyexotics.com/product/dark-star/
• https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/Pitaya-Dark-Star-Dragon-fruit-Hylocereus-undatus.htm
• https://www.floridahillnursery.com/433-dark-star-dragon-fruit-vine-plant-pitaya-hylocereus