A new pitaya cultivar Hongguan No. 2

Hongguan No. 2 pitaya is an excellent pitaya cultivar selected from Hongshuijing pitaya through seedling selection. In 2006, approximately 800 healthy seedlings were obtained from Hongshuijing pitaya. After several years observation and investigation, one seedling numbered 7-1 was selected according to the mature stem color, self-pollination ability, fruit size, peel and pulp color, total soluble solid (TSS) and good taste. 7-1 named Hongguan No. 2 was finally selected after regional adaptability testing at four sites including Jinsui Orchard in Baiyun district of Guangzhou; Lvfeng Company in Xinxing of Yunfu; Dafeng Orchard in Qingcheng district of Qingyuan, and Orchard in South China Agricultural University in Tianhe district of Guangzhou. The young stems were red- green while mature stems were grayish-white with an average width of 6.1 cm. The stems were mainly three edges with an average 3.4 brown spines on the edge protuberance. The lower half of the spines were suberification. The flower bud was red green. The petals were white with the same height of stigma and anther. The stigma was yellow, 21.9 cm in length with 29.2 no-split lobes. The fruit was spherical with red peel and green- red scales. The average single fruit weight was 393.5 g, and the yield was high and stable. The flesh was red, compact, crispy, and sweet with TSS content of 14.4%, total sugar content of 10.9%, titratable acid content of 0.17%, flesh firmness of 0.33 kg· cm-2 and edible rate of 81.6%. The fruit development period was 28-35 d after flowering in summer and 40-50 d in winter. The fruit mature time was from early-middle June to middle-late December. There were 12-14 cycles of fruit crop a year in Guang-zhou. Compared with its parent Hongshuijing pitaya, Hongguan No. 2 pitaya showed strong resistance to low temperature. The cultivar had long- shelf life. The mature fruits could be stored for 7-10 d at room temperature and more than 30 d at 7 ℃ with 70% relative humidity. Hongguan No. 2 pitaya could be suitably planted in pitaya cultivation area of South China. The orchard should be selected in sandy soil with good drainage and irrigation, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). The sufficient light, and average annual temperature of 22-25 ℃ with lowest temperature higher than 0 ℃ are necessary for Hongguan No. 2 pitaya.