Valdivia Roja

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

The Valdivia Roja is a unique and resilient dragon fruit variety belonging to the Hylocereus ocamponis species, originally from Jalisco, Mexico. It is highly valued by collectors for its striking appearance, featuring thick, three-sided stems with a distinctive grayish-white waxy coating and large, fragrant night-blooming flowers.

Fruit Characteristics

The Valdivia Roja produces small to medium-sized oval fruits, typically weighing between 12 oz (approx. 340 grams).

• Appearance: The skin is an orangish-red color with small green fins. The interior flesh is a vibrant, deep red or magenta.
• Flavor: It is generally sweet with an average Brix rating of 18, though some reports show it reaching up to 21.
• Texture: The flesh is extra firm, dense, or even slightly gelatinous, with a taste some compare to kiwi or a slightly tart cherry.

Growth and Cultivation

This variety is known for its adaptability to both heat and cold, though it has a slower growth rate compared to other hybrid dragon fruits.

• Pollination: self-sterile, requiring cross-pollination from another variety.
• Growing Conditions: It thrives in well-draining soil (like a cactus mix) and requires full sun, though it needs protection in temperatures above 95°F or below 30°F.
• Flowering: It produces massive 10–16 inch flowers with white petals and red-and-yellow outer calyxes.