Zamorano

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

The

Zamorano dragon fruit

(Selenicereus polyrhizus, formerly Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a self-fertile, red-fleshed variety originally collected from an agricultural university in Honduras. It is highly regarded by growers for its early blooming season and its role as a reliable pollen source.

Fruit Characteristics

• Appearance: The fruit has a red skin with dark green or maroon fins (bracts) and deep crimson-red flesh.
• Size: It is a small to medium-sized variety, typically weighing between 0.5 and 1.0 pound.
• Flavor Profile: sweet, mild flavor. Some sources compare its notes to red plum with a subtle hint of blood orange.

Growing & Plant Details

• Growth Habit: This variety is a vining cactus with dark green, three-sided stems and medium-sized spines. It initially grows slowly as a starter but accelerates as it matures.
• Flowers: It produces massive, night-blooming white flowers that can exceed 14 inches in diameter. These fragrant blooms typically open a few hours after sunset and close at sunrise.
• Hardiness: It is suitable for USDA Zones 9a–11. While it is heat and humidity tolerant, it should be protected or moved indoors if temperatures drop below 40°F.
• Pollination: Zamorano is self-fertile, meaning it can set fruit without another variety nearby, though hand pollination can lead to larger fruit sizes.