Superfoods
A new sweet water conserving superfood
Dragon Fruit takes off in South Africa
I
f farming sustainably is not yet a focus for your
business: it should be. Dragon Fruit - nominated as
a “Superfood” in 2013 – is the new kid on the block,
that will firmly root future precision-farming and food
consumption on your agenda, says Howard Blight,
owner of Amorentia Estate.
“Predominantly consumed in
Asia, Dragon Fruit, also known as
Pitaya, looks exotically gorgeous,
and is packed with nutrients, but
its reputation for taste is generally
poor. Attributable to the predomi-
nance of the commercial cultiva-
tion of largely only the flavourless
varieties. However, this is set to
change drastically. New selec-
tions, imported from the US and
other countries around the world,
now answer two former issues:
a sweeter, punchier fruit that
is also self and naturally polli-
nated,” enthuses Blight, who is
promoting and marketing trade-
marked Amorentia sweet Dragon
Fruit varieties..
The Dragon Fruit plant is of the
cactus family. It is a climbing vine-
like epiphytic plant that regularly
produces its own roots - that, in
commercial farming, cling to the
posts provided - and are densely
planted on individual posts or
trellis systems. 1250 plants can
be planted per hectare and it
typically yields 20 and up to
30 tons per hectare when in
full production. Under good
20
management the plants will come
into production within 12 months.
Farmers can expect to breakeven
in the third season on annual
costs - this offers a strong cash
flow compliment.
Little water, long days
It grows well in subtropical
and tropical regions, frost free,
regions. And, incredibly, needs
less than half the water of typical
subtropical crops. There tends
to between 380 - 600 stomatal
pores (where oxygen, carbon
dioxide and transpiration occurs)
per sq. mm in most subtropical
crops. Dragon fruit have only 11
stomata. It is a water efficient
plant that can go into dormancy
if needed. They have shown to be
relatively free from disease thus
far, although are reported to be
partially susceptible to fruit fly in
certain areas. Minimal chemical
spraying is required.
Dragon Fruit is a long day
plant, thriving on sunlight and
needs approximately 12 hours
of sunlight a day to stimulate
SABI | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019
flowering. Amorentia Nursery
has implemented an LED lighting
system that comes on a timer
between 10pm and 2am at
night, to stimulate flowering and
produce fruit that can be picked
out of season. The first crop
from this pilot is expected in July
and September.
Health benefit research is
extensive: well known for anti-
inflammatory properties, packed
with antioxidants, diabetic and
cardiovascular
advantages.
Dragon Fruit is used in cosmetic
products. And food retailers use
Dragon Fruit in salads, vitamin
water, smoothies and ice creams
amongst others.
Sweet variety
“Until planting material for
any given crop is available in a
country, no food industry can
develop. There can be no supply
to the market until farmers under-
take production. Which is why
we have spent the past 5 years
nurturing and refining propaga-
tion of the more recent selections
to support future demand. Eight
varieties under the Amorentia
Sweet Dragon Fruit brand have
been trademarked. They come
in an array of white, pink and red
and are sensationally and vividly
named: Sweet Ballet, Sweet
Flamingo, Sweet Fuschia, Sweet
India, Sweet Lady in Red, Sweet
Magenta, Sweet Snow and Sweet
Sunset. We needed to assist the
consumer, to differentiate the old
bland tasting Dragon Fruits, from
these super-sweet, modern selec-
tions, that are so delicious to eat,”
continues Blight.
As commercial growers of maca-
damias, avocados and dragon
fruit, Blight has an intrinsic
understanding of the support
farmers need to get a new crop
up-and-running.
To
ensure
growers are in good hands, a
marketing company (Amorentia
Sweet Dragon Fruit Marketing)
has been established.
“Plans to stimulate demand
for a better understanding by
consumers, of how to differen-
tiate these special new Dragon
Fruit selections, through in-store
tastings and promotions, are
underway. We are delighted by
the interest and response from
leading national retailers and
international exporters, who
have visited our farm to taste
and be blown away by these
new super-sweet selections,”
concludes Blight.
Don’t miss the Amorentia
Superfood Garden at the
Johannesburg International
Flower Show, on from October
30 to November 3.