Sugar Dragon is a hybrid Dragon Fruit variety from Selenicereus Guatemalensis and another unknown species. This Dragon Fruit variety is a clone created by Paul Thomson called 8-S initially, and it was a cross using the Houghton and Rixford variety. The 8-S seedlings were later renamed Voodoo Child by a nursery in Florida. Then a few years after that, 8-S was renamed by a grower in California Sugar Dragon. Voodoo Child and Sugar Dragon resemble one another and are very similar to their parent, Houghton.
Growth
The growth of this variety is a robust grower with meaty stems that are olive green. Thick small spines occur along the rib line of each branch and can extend over five feet. Stems resemble Selenicereus Setaceus in size and shape.
Flowers
Flowers of this variety are huge, with blooms over 15 inches across. When fully open, it’s a few hours after sunset and closes at sunrise. The Sugar Dragon variety is typically the first and last to bloom, giving more flowing cycles, which means more fruit. Another positive aspect of this variety is its pollen can be used with almost any other Dragon Fruit plant to create fruit.
Fruit
Fruit of this variety produces small quarter to three-quarters of a pound oval-shaped fruit. The external appearance of the fruit is red with tiny deep green, almost brown fins. The inner flesh is a bright red purplish color with a semi-firm, sweet texture. The first fruit tested in 2019 had an average brix score of 18. However, research has stated a mature plant can produce fruit with a score in the twenties.
