Cosmic Charlie

Cosmic Charlie is a Hylocereus guatemalensis by H. undatus hybrid that Spicy Exotics believes to be Thomson's seedling 2S, from the same Rixford by Neitzel cross that produced Physical Graffiti and Dark Star. It carries a reputation as the easiest of that sibling group to grow: fast, forgiving and free with aerial roots, which makes it the variety most often recommended to first-time dragon fruit growers. Fruit is on the large side at 1–1.5 lb with deep purple flesh and a grape flavour that growers rate highly. Pine Island Nursery in Homestead carries it among its 25-cultivar dragon fruit line. It is self-sterile — despite claims of self-fertility circulating online, growers report that it will not set on its own and must be hand-pollinated from another cultivar.