Nutrition

Hylocereus undatus obtains nutrients in a couple of different ways. One way is via photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses light energy and converts it to chemical energy. Sun light, carbon dioxide, and water are used in this process to make sugars, which the plant is able to store as energy. More specifically, H. undatus does CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) photosynthesis. This type of photosynthesis is important for the adaptation of H. undatus during hot and dry conditions.


Another way H. undatus obtains nutrients is via its roots. As with other plants, H. undatus needs water as well as important minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil.  During the epiphytic phase of the plant's life, when the roots are not grounded in the soil, H. undatus is able nutrients through its adventitious roots.  Adventitious roots are formed from the stem rather than other roots.  They are able to obtain necessary nutrients by either growing into their host plants or other organic matter.  The plant is able to transport the nutrients procured by the roots through its vascular system, namely the xylem and the phloem, to the rest of the plant.

 

Learn more about reproduction of Hylocereus undatus.

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