Sugar Dragon

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

Video 1: https://youtu.be/bMR_jF7Wu60 | Video 2: https://youtu.be/51Azajo2_qU
Sugar Dragon (also known as ‘8-S’) is a popular hybrid dragon fruit variety known for its exceptionally sweet, berry-like flavor and vibrant red-purple flesh. It’s sought after by both home growers and commercial operations for its high yield and self-fertile nature.

Fruit Profile

• Flavor: Sweet with a distinct blend of tropical, berry, and floral notes – hints of raspberry, lychee, and rosewater.
• Brix: Typically 18-20; mature plants can push into the low twenties.
• Size: Smaller, oval-shaped fruit, averaging 0.5-0.75 pounds (100-400 grams).
• Flesh: Bright, semi-firm red-purple with tiny, edible black seeds and a crunchy texture.

Plant Characteristics

• Growth: A robust, fast-growing cactus with thick, olive-green stems, relatively tolerant of both heat and cold.
• Pollination: Self-pollinating and an excellent universal pollinator – its pollen works well for cross-pollinating almost any other variety.

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.