Fertilizer and Water Management of Fire Dragon Orchard

(1) fertilization

Like other cactus plants, dragon fruit grows less than conventional fruit trees. Therefore, fertilization should be based on the principle of adequacy, small amount and multiple times. Young trees (1-2 years old) mainly apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote tree growth. Adult trees (more than 3 years old) mainly apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to control the amount of nitrogen fertilizer.

Fertilization should be carried out in the spring shoot germination period and fruit expansion period. Fertilizer is generally formulated with withered cake dregs, chicken manure and pig manure at 1:2:7, with 25 kg organic fertilizer per plant per year. Or in July, October and March of each year, 1.2 kg of cow manure compost and 200 g of compound fertilizer were applied to each plant.

The root system of dragon fruit is mainly distributed in the topsoil layer, so fertilization should be applied by sprinkling method, do not open ditch deep application, so as not to hurt the root. In addition, after each batch of young fruit was formed, 0.3% magnesium sulfate, 0.2% borax, 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate was sprayed outside the root to improve fruit quality.

Due to the long harvest time of dragon fruit, organic matter fertilizer should be re-applied, and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer should be applied evenly for a long time. Full use of fertilizer with high nitrogen content in pig and chicken manure makes the branches thicker, dark green and brittle, easy to break in strong wind, large and heavy fruit, poor quality, low sweetness, and even sour or salty taste. Therefore, potassium fertilizer, magnesium fertilizer and bone powder should be applied during flowering and fruiting period to promote fruit sugar accumulation and improve fruit quality.

There are many aerial roots of dragon fruit, which can be converted into absorbing roots. By expanding holes and improving soil, the root distribution can be widened gradually, and the aerial roots can also be induced by binding and traction.

(2) Water management

The dragon fruit grows rapidly in a warm, moist, well-lit environment. The soil moisture of the whole garden should be kept during the seedling growth period. The root system should be watered more in spring and summer to keep its root system growing vigorously. During the period of fruit expansion, the soil should be kept moist to facilitate fruit growth. Irrigation must not be immersed for a long time, and do not often drench water from beginning to end. Immersion irrigation will make the root system in a state of long-term hypoxia and death, water will make humidity uneven, and induce erythema (physiological lesions). Drainage should be carried out in time in rainy weather so as not to cause stem and flesh rot caused by germs. Water should be controlled in the garden in winter to enhance the cold resistance of the branches.