dragonfruit – For the Archives

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Jessica Dofflemyer

Transformational Harvest

It’s harvest time at the outdoor shower.

For any of you following the Archives, you may recall that our family has been curiously watching the unfolding process of the dragonfruit in our backyard (see a chronicled play-by-play here). And since this plant has adhered itself to the walls of the outdoor shower, we’ve been treated to a daily accounting of its progress while we soap up and stare.

It’s been an amazing transformation, that began with this

2013-08-21_dragonfruit_closed

Soon blooming into this

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And, eventually, ripening to this

2013-10-09_dragonfruit ripe

I realize that for the last forty years of my life, I’ve been nourished at the kitchen table, daily, through the magnificent metamorphosis of seed to fruit. A wonder I clearly take for granted.

In this instance, food is growing in the shower. I observe its changes everyday, intrigued.

And who couldn’t be enamored? This “Queen of the Night” is just so darn dramatic in her ripening.

I mean, look. From this

2013-08-22_dfruit_mid

to this

2013-10-09_dragonfruit picked

Wow…

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Jessica Dofflemyer · 2 Comments

Dragonfruiting

It was one full moon ago that the dragon began stirring. Dragonfruit, that is. Which, in its cactus-ey, spinal column-like adherence to our outdoor shower wall, it began to morph, bud, and bloom.

Seems this “Queen of the Night” responds well to full moonlight, as we watched hard succulent skin, unfold in the darkness to reveal the softest petals and hair-fine stamen. The fragrance was subtle and sweet. The pollinators loved it. And we needed the bees to buzz. Their assistance would ensure fruiting. Something that we were told would, quite possibly, not be accomplished.

“I’ve seen blooms on my dragonfruit multiple times, but never got fruit from it.”

When our impressive flowers withered, we wondered.

One month later, the full Harvest moon. Just as quickly as last month’s flowers emerged, this cycle offers blushing shades of pink spreading across folds of fruit-in-the-making.

It looks like the bees were successful!

This soon-to-come harvest in process, bodes well on our days. The Bohemian has been staking out spots for planting over 300 new trees. Holes get dug, while our eyes can only scan the field, imagining. What takes root now, later fruits for future.

Me, I’m readying to share a book with the world, fulfilling a vision I’ve held since I was seven years old and pressing fingertips on the keys of a manual typewriter.

On this full moon, as we near the autumnal equinox, here’s to a fruitful harvest for all!

For those just tuning in, here’s the dragonfruiting process revisited:

This…

2013-08-21_dragonfruit_closed

became this…

2013-08-15_dragonfruit_young

And then began budding into this…

2013-08-21_dragonfruit_opening

Blooming in moonlight…

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pollinated by morning…

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Now

2013-09-20_dragonfruiting closest

beginning

to bear fruit.

2013-09-20_dragonfruiting_distant

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Jessica Dofflemyer · 8 Comments

Imbibing the Sweet

With a rare Sunday to ourselves, the Bohemian and I take cues from the monk seals. Make our way to the warm sand, land, and move little. Let the trade winds cool us in the dappled shade of Naupaka branches.

Think little, do nothing. Rest.

Mary stops by to find our beached bodies. In her basket is lemonade in a mason jar and Dragonfruit with spoons. Seems this weekend’s farmer’s market was filled with harvest and she’s got plenty to share.

Our Dragonfruit at home (the story of their epic flower power is chronicled here) are still in process – we’ll see if they fruit.

But we get a taste on this relaxing Sunday. We breathe deeply. Imbibe the sweet. Let go and lounge.

2013-09-02_naupaka sky