Description

Connie Mayer

Connie Mayer Dragon Fruit is a hybrid variety from Hylocereus stenopterus and Hylocereus undatus. It is one of three hybrid clones created by German hybridizer Eckhard Meier. The other two siblings are Bruni and Kathie Van Arum. Spicy Exotics collected this variety from a tropical grower in California who had this variety since 2000, soon after Connie Mayer was found and registered.

Growth

The growth is very tender and three-sided, which is typical of Hylocereus. The tenderness comes from the mother plant, Hylocereus stenopterus. Spines are often tiny single thorns that are similar to their sister clone Bruni.

Flowers

The flower of Connie Mayer is a medium-sized bloom with inner petals being purple shading to light pink edges and white tips. Before flowering, the flower bud is equally impressive. In Louisiana, the flower opens at dusk and closes at sunrise. When compared to other varieties, this is much earlier. One downside to Connie Mayer is it is self-sterile but will set fruit with pollen from different varieties that do not contain the stenopterus gene.

Fruit

Fruits are small to medium-sized and plentiful, often weighing .25 to one pound. This is an easy way to identify the difference compared to the Bruni variety. The green skin, when ripe, has a transparent pink color with lemon-lime green fins and white flesh. The longer the fruit is on the vine, the sweeter it is. In Louisiana, this took 45 days compared to 30 days for other Hylocereus species. The average brix rate for this fruit is 20 plus brix. The flavor profile was a rosy floral with hints of coconut, yummy! This Dragon Fruit is excellent eaten fresh, in jams, as a garnish, or as juice in drinks. Check out our Pinterest page for other great uses of this variety.