The Pitaya in Spain or dragon fruit is a new crop controlled by Plantae sensors. We will detail how to optimize your irrigation with sensors.
What is pitaya?
The Pitaya is a plant of the cactus family , with long, triangular stems. Its fruit is tropical, exquisite and pink or yellow. Very sweet and smooth.
Varieties 
There are basically two varieties.
- Una de fruto rojo-fucsia, muy vistoso el fruto pero más delicado y por tanto más difícil de transportar.
- Another one with yellow fruit, more resistant and very sweet, improving in flavor to the red one.
Its delicacy makes cultivation in Spain easy to market in Europe. It is easier for it to reach all markets in good condition.
Cultivation of pitaya in Spain
El clima mediterráneo se está convirtiendo en el ideal para el cultivo de la pitaya en España. Empezando en Canarias, huelva y Málaga, ahora es Almería la principal productora con grandes invernaderos. Pero su cultivo se estiende por toda la costa mediterránea y Extremadura
También zonas cálidas de la costa gallega están explorando este cultivo en invernaderos. Concretamente en el municipio de Xove en la costa lucense experimentan con la variedad hibridum de color fucsia. Por ahora con una sóla producción de agosto a octubre en contraste con las producciones del sur de España.
Almeria farmers are investing in this plant for several reasons:
- It needs much less water than other crops such as tomatoes.
- The consumption of its exotic fruit is fashionable.
- Being a very delicate product for transport, it is important that the cultivation is European, to facilitate its commercialization.
- The Mediterranean climate, especially that of Almería, is very conducive to greenhouse cultivation.
- In Almería there is a lot of experience in the training that this plant needs to develop.
- It produces two annual harvests, one from mid-June to December and another from March and April.
Irrigation controlled with sensors
The cultivation of pitaya is adapted to dry climates, but a controlled irrigation in two phases is very convenient:
- The first two years of its growth to form large, leafy plants.
- At the time of flowering.
- Water control using humidity and temperature sensors and flowmeters , to favor savings and avoid puddles to which it is sensitive.
Properties of the pitaya fruit
The benefits of the pitaya fruit are extraordinary:
- Antioxidant power.
- Regulates blood glucose levels and therefore helps to lose weight.
- High content of vitamin C.
- High energy power.
- Digestive.
- High fiber content.
- Diuretic.
- Rich in minerals.
- Low in calories.
- Stimulates defenses.
Some pages consulted:
English 
Spanish