FLOWERING AND FRUCTIFICATION OF PITAJAYA IN ZAACHILA, OAXACA, MEXICO

Abstract

La pitajaya (Hylocereus undatus Haw.) a climbing epiphyte Cactaceae, with a great fruticultural potential, it can be found in the deciduous forest. However the information about this species to back up its use is lacking. The intention.of this study is to know some aspects of its flowering and frutification. Both processess ocurred in well defined periods between May-September. Depending on the climatic conditions and periods of flowering and fruiting, anthesis ocurred 10-31 days after the sprouting of the reproductive buds; ripeness ocurred 31-41 days after anthesis and debiscence did 8-11 days after fruit maturity.