Selenicereus megalanthus YELLOW PITAYA (15 seeds)

Yellow Pitaya, also known as Palora, is a fast-growing, tender epiphytic cactus from the Cactaceae family. It climbs along tree trunks using its aerial roots. Its nocturnal flowering takes place during the summer period.

Its large white and yellow flowers measure from 10 to 30 cm in diameter. They open only once, exhaling a powerful fragrance. Bats are the primary pollinators.

Palora seeds from Selenicereus megalanthus are black, very smooth, long, and shiny, shaped like a teardrop.

Its bright yellow fruit is very unique. It is bumpy and about the size of an avocado. It is an excellent fruit with firm, white flesh and a sweet taste, typically eaten with a spoon.

The green and slightly thorny stems are trigonal and winged. They can measure up to 50 cm in length and possess numerous aerial roots.

- Uses:

Due to its beauty and unusual appearance, the Palora is primarily grown as an ornamental plant in temperate regions. In the tropics, it is planted for fruit production, which is then commercialized worldwide. It is also cultivated on a large scale by the pharmaceutical industry to extract a substitute for digitalin.

- Sowing and germination of seeds:

• The best time to sow Yellow Pitaya is in June, when it is warm enough at night.
• Soak the seeds in water for 12 hours before cultivation to break dormancy and promote germination.
• Sow them in a tray filled with equal parts fine potting soil and sand.
• Cover the seeds with 2 to 3 millimeters of substrate.
• Water the culture gently using a spray bottle.
• Place the seedling tray in a warm and humid spot, if possible in a greenhouse at a temperature near 35°C.
• Germination will generally begin as early as the second week after sowing.

- Type of soil / substrate:

For optimal growth, the substrate must be very permeable, fertile, and airy. The soil must be well-draining and rich in organic matter.

- Exposure / Light:

The light must be bright; full sun exposure is recommended to ensure proper growth.

- Growing temperature / Hardiness:

The ideal temperature should be between 20 and 35°C. Below this range, the plant stops growing. This cactus is not hardy and will not survive freezing temperatures; it must be brought indoors during the winter period. Its USDA hardiness zone is 10-11.

- Watering / Irrigation:

Despite appearances, the Palora needs regular water in summer to develop well and flower abundantly. Watering every two days during the summer period appears necessary. In winter, watering is not useful and may risk rotting the root system.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

It is easy and fast to reproduce by stem cuttings. To do this, cut a 15 cm long stem, let the cut dry for 24 hours, then plant it in a pot of sand and let it root for 3 weeks. It can also be multiplied by seeds during the summer period.

- Diseases / Pests:

It is rarely attacked by predators. Occasional attacks by slugs or red spider mites may occur, but this seems rare. In winter, if the substrate remains damp, the stems may develop orange spots, a sign of a fungal attack. Let the soil dry out, then treat with Bordeaux mixture.