Kathie Van Arum is a striking hybrid dragonfruit born from the work of German hybridizer Eckhard Meier, combining Hylocereus stenopterus and Hylocereus undatus. This three-sided climber produces small, egg-shaped fruits weighing between 0.25 and 0.75 pounds with pale maroon skin and bright pink flesh, earning an exceptional brix rating of 20 or higher for remarkable sweetness. In warm climates, expect fruit to mature in roughly 45 days, and the plant rewards you with abundant harvests and gorgeous dusk-opening flowers that shade from pink to purple.
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Kathie Van Arum stands apart for its extraordinary sweetness and prolific fruit production despite its modest size. The tender, three-sided stems with minimal spines create an elegant climbing form, while the medium-sized flowers that open at dusk and close at sunrise add drama to evening gardens. Most compelling is the flavor rating of 5 out of 5 paired with equally impressive fruit production, making this hybrid worth the slight extra care it demands.
Kathie Van Arum dragonfruit is grown for its fresh fruit, which can be eaten raw by scooping the sweet pink flesh directly from the skin. The exceptional brix rating of 20 or higher indicates this variety is particularly prized for eating fresh rather than cooking, allowing the full sweetness and delicate flavor to shine.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Kathie Van Arum fruits mature in approximately 45 days after flowering and are ready to harvest when the skin transitions to a pale dark red or maroon color and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. Pick fruits by hand once they reach 0.25 to 0.75 pounds; smaller fruits develop full sweetness quickly on this prolific variety. The pink flesh should be vibrant and fragrant when ripe.
Light pruning to shape the climbing growth and remove any weak or damaged three-sided stems will encourage stronger branching and more flower buds. Train the tender stems onto your trellis as they grow to establish a structured, climbing form. Avoid heavy pruning, which can delay flowering and fruiting.
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“Kathie Van Arum emerged from the work of German hybridizer Eckhard Meier, who created three hybrid dragonfruit clones by crossing Hylocereus stenopterus with Hylocereus undatus. Kathie Van Arum is one of these three siblings, alongside Bruni and Connie Mayer. The variety was collected from a tropical nursery in California by Spicy Exotics, where it has been propagated for home gardeners seeking superior flavor and production in hybrid dragonfruit.”