Dark Star S9 is a magenta-fleshed, sweet dragon fruit (pitaya) cultivar of Selenicereus undatus that needs a different variety nearby to set fruit. It flowers May–September and fruit ripens 30-35 days after flowering.
- Flesh colourMagenta
- Brix18-20° · sweet
- PollinationNeeds cross-pollination
- FloweringMay–September
- Bud to flower~25 daysTypical for dragon fruit
- Harvest30-35 days after floweringGrowers report 41.2 days (2 logged harvests)
What Tendra growers see
5 Tendra growers track 7 plants of Dark Star S9, making it #5 of 90 cultivars among Tendra dragon fruit growers.
So far they have logged 14 buds, 9 blooms and 2 harvests.
On average, fruit is ready about 41.2 days after the flower (2 logged harvests).
Logged blooms by month: August (4), October (5). Peak bloom is in October.
See the full Dark Star S9 grow stats. Numbers update as growers log more.
Distinguishing features
Dark Star is bred by Paul Thomson, known for its vigorous growth and consistent production of large, uniformly shaped fruit.
Fruit and flavor
Large fruit, typically 1–1.5 lb, with medium-length bracts, and intensely dark magenta-purple flesh that's among the richest-colored of any variety. Complex berry-forward taste with hints of grape and a slight earthy depth. A favorite among collectors.