Overview
H. guatemalensis × stenopterus, cv. Asunta 5
Other names: Asunta 5 (Paco)
Pollination: self-sterile
Asunta 5 is the fifth member of the famous Asunta series created by legendary dragon fruit hybridiser Edgar Valdivia. It is special because of its unique, two-tone light-pink flower and huge meaty growth, as well as an impressive fruit size. However, I think this variety is perhaps a little overhyped as to me the taste was a little watery and not that much better than a standard red, say Colombian Supreme. From what I can tell, I have the Asunta 5 (Paco) variety, which seems to be the most common. Other variants include A5 (Patricia), A5 (Sunset Sherbet), A5 (Starburst), A5 (Ventura) and A5 (Fire). There is little information on their differences, though I do know Patricia has yellow skin.
Buds
The buds on this variety are impressive right from the start. First, out pops a big round fireball tinged in a deep purple. This soon gives way to a thick, stubby bud which retains much of the purple, its chunky nature just like the thick branches it grows on. On the night of its opening, there is an explosion of colour as the purple tepals separate and reveal a surprising colour inside.
Flowers
Asunta 5 has one of the most impressive flowers in the dragon fruit repertoire. I know of no other variety that has such a colour in its flower, and the darker highlights make it truly a sight to behold. However, it is not uncommon for the stigma on this variety (and in my experience the entire flower) to come out deformed, in which case the fruit may not always set, even with cross-pollination. Perhaps there is some quirk in the DNA, though so far only my first flower has had this problem.
Fruit
The fruit are also quite unique, maintaining their fireball-like appearance throughout maturity, a bit like an ocamponis variety despite this not being part of the genetics. The skin becomes an off-red, almost orange colour as the fruit ripens. As for taste, it was certainly sweet with less seeds than average, though to me it tasted a bit watered-down. As with all dragon fruits, it's hard to give a definitive verdict with only one season's worth of fruit and I’ve heard lots of positivity surroundings its taste.
