AX

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

AX (short for Asunta Cross) is a hybrid dragon fruit developed by California rare fruit grower Edgar Valdivia, believed to be Asunta 1 or 2 crossed with Condor or an unknown variety. It keeps green skin even at full ripeness, which makes timing the harvest a bit of a puzzle.

Fruit Profile

• Flesh Color: Magenta or purple-pink.
• Flavor: Very sweet with no acidity – notes of watermelon, cantaloupe, mango, banana, and sometimes berry or red grape. Brix runs roughly 19-21. Left too long on the vine, some fruit can develop an “onion” off-flavor.
• Appearance: Green skin with lime-green fins and a pink undertone; harvest roughly 60 days after the flower opens.

Plant Characteristics

• Growth: A vigorous grower that trains easily onto a trellis.
• Flowers: Large, showy purple or reddish-purple blooms that open at dusk and close at sunrise.
• Pollination: Self-sterile – requires cross-pollination.

Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Water when the top inch of soil dries — dragon fruit is drought-tolerant and dislikes soggy roots. Hardy outdoors in USDA zones 9–11, or grow it in a pot or greenhouse and bring it inside when temperatures drop below 32°F.