Tricia

Store: Shulman Dragon Fruit Orchard • Moorpark, CA, US

Tricia is a rare and highly sought-after hybrid dragon fruit variety known for its vibrant red flesh and exceptional sweetness with Brix scores reaching as high as 19. Developed by Edgar Valdivia and named after his daughter, this variety is a cross between Hylocereus ocamponis and Hylocereus undatus (or polyrhizus)

The Tricia variety produces fruit that is distinct in both its appearance and its flavor profile.

• Appearance: The fruit is egg-shaped and unique, featuring many small fins on a bright red to dusty pink exterior.
• Taste: The flavor as pleasantly sweet with no acidity or aftertaste. Other enthusiasts note hints of ripe raspberry or a combination of berries and watermelon.
• Brix is up to 19 points
• Size: Fruits typically weigh approximately 1 pound (roughly 450–500 grams), though some commercial hybrids can reach up to 800 grams.

Growth and Cultivation

Tricia is favored by growers for its resilience and striking physical features.

• Protective Stems: The plant has long, thick, three-sided stems covered in a gray/white powdery coating. This natural film helps protect the cactus from extreme summer heat and winter frost.
• Large Flowers: It produces massive, spectacular white flowers that can reach up to 15 inches in diameter.
• Pollination: Tricia is self-sterile, meaning it requires cross-pollination from a different dragon fruit variety (such as 'Seoul Kitchen' or 'American Beauty') to successfully set fruit.