Houghton Dragonfruit is a vigorous climbing cactus that produces stunning nocturnal flowers over 15 inches across, followed by small, oval red fruits with deep green fins. Named after Dr. A.D. Houghton, a Los Angeles botanist and city councilman who championed cacti in the early 20th century, this variety blooms earlier and later in the season than most dragonfruits, extending your harvest window significantly. The bright red-purple flesh inside is sweet with a semi-firm texture and impressive brix score of 18, making it excellent fresh, in jams, or as a vibrant juice.
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The Houghton variety is notably the first and last to bloom among dragonfruits, delivering more flowering cycles and therefore more fruit throughout the season. Its robust meaty stems stretch over five feet with olive-green coloring and small spines along the rib lines, creating a dramatic architectural presence on a trellis. The pollen is compatible with nearly any other dragonfruit species, making it invaluable for cross-pollination if you're growing multiple varieties. Each quarter to half-pound fruit delivers intense sweetness with that distinctive semi-firm dragonfruit texture, earning perfect 5-out-of-5 scores for both flavor and fruit production in catalog trials.
Houghton Dragonfruit shines in fresh eating, where its sweet semi-firm flesh and impressive brix score of 18 deliver genuine pleasure on its own. The vibrant red-purple interior also works beautifully as a garnish on plates and desserts, adding both color and tropical flair. It performs well in jams and preserves, where the natural pectin in the fruit gels nicely, and the bright color holds well through cooking. Fresh juice and drinks benefit enormously from this variety's natural sweetness and striking hue.
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Pick Houghton dragonfruit when the external skin shifts from green to fully red, indicating ripeness. Each fruit weighs roughly a quarter to half pound and should yield slightly to gentle pressure when ripe. The oval-shaped fruits are ready to eat immediately after harvest, or they can be stored briefly in cool conditions for a few days if needed.
Houghton Dragonfruit responds well to light pruning to shape the plant and direct growth along your trellis or support structure. The meaty stems can extend beyond five feet, so periodic trimming keeps the plant manageable and encourages fuller branching. Avoid heavy pruning that removes too much mature wood, as you'll lose potential flowering sites; instead, selectively remove dead or wayward stems and gently redirect vigorous growth toward your support system.
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“This variety takes its name from Dr. Arthur Duvernoix Houghton (1870-1938), a multifaceted figure in early Los Angeles horticultural and civic life. A medical doctor by training and a passionate botanist specializing in cacti, Houghton served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1904 to 1906 and was one of the founders of the American Legion. Beyond his serious work in medicine and botany, he was also a celebrated showman who performed hypnotism and séances in his earlier years, embodying the eclectic intellectual spirit of turn-of-the-century California. His dedication to cultivating and preserving dramatic cacti like this dragonfruit reflects the broader movement among wealthy Southern California collectors to establish thriving desert plant collections in Mediterranean climates.”