Growing techniques of dragon fruit

Dragon fruit is a perennial climbing succulent plant. Due to its long-term growth in tropical desert areas, its leaves have degenerated and the photosynthetic function is carried out by the stem. The interior of the stem is full of thin-walled cells full of viscous liquid, which facilitates the absorption of as much water as possible during the rainy season. The dragon fruit is named for its appearance of an angry red ball of fire. Inside, the flesh is like sweet cream, but covered with small black seeds. The texture is mild and the taste is refreshing.

A、Dragon fruit growth habits

Dragon fruit plant natural growth and germination is the best period of October to May of the following year. But cuttings all year round. January planted seedlings have been rooted and sprouted, as long as the rootstock is strong enough, to July, August will flower and fruit. Under normal temperature conditions, flowering and fruiting usually occur in mid-April until the end of the production period in November each year. It can produce more than 8 batches of fruit in a year, with a maximum of 4 batches. The annual yield is more than 2500 kg per mu.

B、Dragon fruit production conditions

1、Temperature

Dragon fruit is native to the tropics, subtropics, and is not hardy. If the temperature is below 5 ℃ for a long time, the leaves will be frostbite. But it does not affect the growth. Therefore, in the alpine mountains and frost often occur in the region should not be planted.

2、Water

Dragon fruit drought tolerance and fear of moisture. Therefore, in the planting process should avoid long-term waterlogging of the soil, otherwise it is prone to rotten roots and dead seedlings. Although long drought without rain, by dew will not die. However, the growth period and can not lack of water, keep the soil moist and breathable is conducive to its growth.

3、Soil

Dragon fruit on the soil quality requirements are not high. Regardless of flat land, hillside land, paddy fields, dry land can be planted. Moreover, good permeability, organic matter-rich sandy loam soil is most suitable.

C、Dragon fruit cultivation technology points

1、Species selection

Dragon fruit according to the color of the flesh has red skin white flesh, red skin red flesh, yellow skin white flesh and other varieties. Seedlings with stable traits, high self-fruit bearing branches have been fruit-bearing, cuttings of live seedlings is good. The region is generally planted with red skin and white flesh dragon fruit.

2、The whole border stand

The general requirement is that the border width is 3 meters, the border height is 0.3 meters, and the ditch depth is 0.3 meters. The pillar should be a 0.1m x 0.1m x 2.5m reinforced concrete pillar or a stone bar for spreading branches to climb. Stone pillars should be 50 cm into the soil. Generally, the spacing between two stone pillars is 2.0m x 3.0m.

3、Planting density and method

When we grow dragon fruit, plant 4-8 seedlings around the stone pillar. Dragon ruit seedlings slightly slanted into the soil from the stone column about 5 cm. In order to facilitate the climbing of branches. When planting, dig a circular trench about 5 cm deep around the column. Sprinkle compound fertilizer and mix with soil or apply well-rotted human and animal manure first. At present, the compound fertilizer more commonly used in the market is the one produced by Nagric. Then, put the seedlings in and cover with thin soil and press firmly. Finally, pour good rooting water.dragon fruitWhen we grow dragon fruit, plant 4-8 seedlings around the stone pillar. Dragon ruit seedlings slightly slanted into the soil from the stone column about 5 cm. In order to facilitate the climbing of branches. When planting, dig a circular trench about 5 cm deep around the column. Sprinkle compound fertilizer and mix with soil or apply well-rotted human and animal manure first. At present, the compound fertilizer more commonly used in the market is the one produced by Nagric. Then, put the seedlings in and cover with thin soil and press firmly. Finally, pour good rooting water.

4、Stone pillar top support

At the top of the cement can be used 0.8 cm in diameter and 85 cm long rebar welded both ends into a curved hook inward into a ten bracket and fixed. Place a used bicycle tire on the cross to support more branches for stretching, favorable to flowering and fruiting.

5、Pipe

After planting dragon fruit, water once in 3-5 days. Wait until it becomes established and then adjust the watering frequency according to the actual situation. After the seedlings are established, regularly divert water and irrigation, especially before chasing fertilizer need to water the whole garden. Keep the soil of the whole garden moist.

6、Fertilizer management

After planting dragon fruit, make sure that the seedlings are alive, so that you can fertilize. Seedlings to water fertilizer is good, thin fertilizer diligently, twice a month, and gradually increase the amount of fertilizer. In May of each year, it is advisable to fertilize the mature plants heavily. Phosphorus fertilizer is the main fertilizer, supplemented by nitrogen fertilizer. In each batch of fruit five days before harvesting is also based on phosphorus and potassium. Generally, the amount of fertilizer used is 40-50 kg of potassium sulfate and 30-40 kg of calcium-magnesium phosphorus or calcium per mu each time. We usually fertilize the borders after the diversion and irrigation. During the flowering and fruiting period, we should pay particular attention to the supply of fertilizer and water so that the fruit will be large and continue to flower and bear fruit.

7、Pest and weed control

The orchard root system is shallow and generally not weeded. However, the use of straw mulch to inhibit the growth of weeds. Pests and diseases rarely occur, generally do not need to spray. Only in the seedling stage to prevent the damage of ants and snails, you can sprinkle lime on the surface to prevent and control.

8、Harvesting

Pollination of successful flowers, the fruit room in the fifth day obviously enlarged. By 25 days, the fruit begins to turn red, and after 5 days when the fruit has a glossy appearance can be harvested. From flowering to fruit maturity generally take 30 to 35 days. However, the ripening period can extend to about 40 days in October as the temperature decreases.

9、Branch pruning

Each year after the end of the production period, we need to cut the fruiting branches in that year. Likewise, we need to cut back the older and weaker branches that are in the shade. This is conducive to the new branches more fertile, laying a solid foundation for the next year’s production. When the seedlings are 1.2 meters high, suitable for pruning, the top of each plant to pick the tip, all other auxiliary branches removed. The bud-bearing branches have 2-3 strong buds in different directions, depending on their strength and weakness. Five days after flowering, select 1-2 fruits per branch. All others cut off.

When the branches are tender and weak, they are easily blown away from the stone column by heavy wind and rain, causing them to sag and break. We need to tie the branches to the stone pillar with thick cloth strips or plastic thread in time.

Sourcing from:https://nagric.com/growing-techniques-of-dragon-fruit/