Pilar Vidales
Guadalhorce Ecológico
Location: Guaro, Málaga
Products: Dragon fruit, strawberries, persimmon, aromatic herbs, mushrooms and some vegetables
This family project – specifically the cultivation of dragon fruit – began 5 years ago, when Pilar Vidales’ land was infested with a disease carried by tomatoes. She was told it would take some years before tomatoes could be planted again, so began to investigate alternative crops that could thrive, including the pitaya or dragon fruit.
She was given some grafts which were grown without success, then planted a small pitaya in a pot and left it in the shade… and that is when the plant grew. From that moment the dragon fruit, with all its particularities, has been cultivated on the land in greenhouses.
What is it that makes this project different? A woman runs this business, together with her family (her son pollinates the dragon fruit flowers at night and her husband manages all system maintenance). They put a lot of effort and study into growing crops that are not typical to our climate. Besides, Pilar’s greenhouse is full of aromatic herbs that contribute to the biodiversity.
