Artificial pollination of dragon fruit

Plant reproduction is inseparable from the pollination of female and male flowers, which is originally done by insects, ants, birds, butterflies and other insects and animals. However, in order to improve the seed setting rate of plants and improve the quality of fruits, artificial pollination came into being. However, the flower morphology and structure of each plant is different, so the ways and methods of pollination are also different.

Artificial pollination method of dragon fruit

1. Pollen collection: the dragon fruit is monoecious, and more than 95% of the flowers need to be retained in order to ensure the yield. Therefore, we can not pick the flowers or shake the tree to collect pollen, but after blooming in the evening or before the flowers wither in the morning, use a sterilized brush or brush to gently brush the anthers of different varieties of dragon fruit (preferably a variety of mixed pollen) and the pollen falling on the petals to the sterilized surface dish, so as not to lose vitality and affect the effect of pollination. If a spare is really needed for special reasons, it must be packed in a glass bottle, sealed with wax, and stored in the refrigerator at 0: 5 ℃. The white-fleshed dragon fruit begins to bloom a month later than the red-fleshed one. If possible, the pollen can be collected and stored when there is too much pollen.

2. Pollination method: mainly artificial point teaching, that is, the collected pollen is fully mixed evenly, and the pollen is dipped in the stigma with a brush, so that the pollen is evenly smeared on the center of the column.

Growth characteristics of dragon fruit

Pitaya belongs to tropical and subtropical fruit, which is resistant to drought, high temperature and light. It is not strict with soil quality. Flat land, hillside and sandy land can be planted. The optimum soil pH value is 6m / m 7.5. It is best to choose land with rich organic matter and good drainage. The dragon fruit is not resistant to frost, and the areas where the winter temperature is lower than 0 ℃ are planted in a simple greenhouse.

Matters needing attention in planting dragon fruit

1. The dragon fruit likes to be fertilized and can be directly watered with retted raw urine.

2. When the branch grows to 1.3-1.4 m long, it picks the heart, promotes the branch, and makes the branch droop naturally.

3. Pruning branches: after picking fruit every year, cut off the fruiting branches and let them sprout again to ensure the yield in the coming year.

4. The pruned branches can be inserted into new dragon seedlings, which can usually bear fruit in the same year.

5. When the dragon fruit is in overcast and rainy weather during flowering, it is best to pollinate it artificially.

6. The tender buds of dragon fruit are afraid of ants and snails, because both will eat buds.

Common species of dragon fruit

1. Red flesh dragon fruit: the flesh of red dragon fruit is red or purplish red, and the fresh food quality is good. It is produced from May to November in Taiwan, Guangdong and Guangxi, and longer in Hainan. The red meat dragon fruit has poor self-pollination compatibility, low self-pollination rate, small fruit, poor marketability, needs white meat dragon fruit pollination, high fruit setting rate and large fruit. At present, the variety name of red meat dragon fruit is confused, there is no definite variety name, and all kinds of growers decide according to their own preferences.

2. White flesh dragon fruit: White meat dragon fruit red skin and white meat, fresh food quality is general, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi production period is from June to October, self-pollination has good compatibility, high fruit rate, strong disease resistance, high yield, and can be processed into fruit juice, fruit powder and jam. At present, Vietnam No. 1 is the best variety of white meat dragon fruit, which is the main cultivated variety in Vietnam. It has strong adaptability, fast growth, large fruit and no thorns on the surface. The average weight of single fruit is 420g, the maximum is 1000 g. Soluble solids 18.1%, high yield, 16500-27500 kg per hectare.

3. Yellow flesh dragon fruit: yellow flesh dragon fruit yellow skin and white meat, good fresh food quality, large and fragrant flowers, 45-60 days from budding to flowering, 90-100 days from flowering to fruit ripening, and 110-150 days to mature in autumn and winter. The fruit does not crack, and it takes one month (winter) to change from green to yellow. after turning yellow, it can be hung on the tree, but it can be retained for more than a month without affecting its quality. it is the type of dragon fruit with the best quality and the best taste. With fragrance, the seeds in the pulp are large and soft, and the soluble solids are more than 18%, but the fruit is slightly smaller, generally about 200 grams. The main fruit production period (autumn and winter fruit) is around the Spring Festival, while the summer fruit is listed on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Dragon fruit pollination is divided into two steps, in order to produce better quality dragon fruit, every small detail can not be ignored. In addition, in order to improve the yield and quality of dragon fruit, in addition to pollination, scientific planting techniques and methods are also necessary. We must take measures in accordance with local conditions and create an environment suitable for the growth of dragon fruit.