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, it’s a cross between Hylocereus ocamponis and Hylocereus undatus (or polyrhizus).

Fruit Profile

• Appearance: Egg-shaped fruit with many small fins on a bright red to dusty pink exterior.
• Flavor: Pleasantly sweet with no acidity or aftertaste; some tasters note hints of ripe raspberry or a mix of berries and watermelon.
• Size: Typically about 1 pound (450-500 grams), though some commercial hybrids reach up to 800 grams.

Plant Characteristics

• Growth Stem: Long, thick, three-sided stems covered in a gray/white powdery coating that helps protect against extreme summer heat and winter frost.
• Flowers: Massive, spectacular white flowers up to 15 inches in diameter.
• Pollination: Self-sterile – requires cross-pollination from a different variety (such as ‘Seoul Kitchen’ or ‘American Beauty’) to successfully set fruit.

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.