Introduction to the planting experience and technology of dragon fruit

Mei County is a famous hometown of golden pomelo in China, but pitaya is rarely planted in this area, and the price is high in the market. The development of pitaya planting has great potential, which is conducive to changing the planting structure and increasing farmers 'income. A farmer in Bingcun Town, Mei County tried to plant 5 mu pitaya in 2003 and grew very well. Some fruits were hanging in that year. The planting technology and management experience are summarized as follows. 1. Site and soil requirements: Pitaya suitable growth temperature is 25~35℃, in the south of the Tropic of Cancer can be planted. Planting requirements choose loose soil, fertile, good aggregate structure of sandy loam, pH 6~7.5, good drainage. 2. Planting and support: Pitaya can be planted all year round, but from March to November is better. In the aspect of variety selection, Mei County area can choose white jade dragon fruit, pearl dragon and other fine varieties, pay attention to the selection of grafted seedlings. Interplanting two varieties can improve seed setting rate. Before planting, cement poles should be erected as supports for pitaya growth. Concrete rod specifications for 10 cm x 10 cm x 210 cm, rod body to have steel, the top of a symmetrical hole through, so that the future for the installation of support. The row spacing specification of the vertical cement poles is 2 m ×3 m, 110 vertical poles per mu, each cement pole buried 50 cm underground, and the ground part 160 cm. 440 seedlings are planted in each mu of garden, and 1 plant of various kinds is planted around each cement pole. After fruit seedling grows, bind on cement pole, make it grow upward. 3. Fertilizer, water and soil management: Pitaya root growth is shallow, 2~5 cm below the soil surface root growth is most active, so fertilizer and water management and soil management should be based on this characteristic. Pitaya is drought-tolerant and waterlogged, but its rapid growth still requires sufficient water, so it is necessary to irrigate enough water, water the roots, do not sprinkle the whole plant or soak irrigation in the field, soaking irrigation will lead to root hypoxia death. Fertilization is mainly decomposed farm manure, the best formula is 1∶2∶7 dry cake residue, chicken manure, pig manure, fertilizer amount depends on the growth and soil fertility, in the growth of new branches and flowering and fruiting stage can be appropriate dressing available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizer, fertilizer method is mostly used. After fruiting, the plants are usually fertilized four times in spring, summer, autumn and winter, which promote germination, spring shoot growth, flowering and fruiting, and rejuvenation after fruiting. The soil shall be kept loose, loosening can be carried out in combination with fertilization and weeding, and the root system shall not be damaged. For aerial roots on the ground, traction and binding measures can be adopted to guide them to the ground and root into the soil, so as to enhance the absorption function of plants and promote growth. 4. Plastic trimming: At the seedling stage of pitaya, one main branch is reserved to grow upward, and other lateral branches are removed. After the fruit seedlings grow to 1.5 meters high along the cement rod, the top branches are scattered into umbrellas, and a circle is tied at the top of the cement rod with steel wires for traction, fixation and support of the plants. After the fruit seedlings grow vigorously, 2/3 branches are selected to pull and droop as fruit hanging branches, and 1/3 branches grow upward as vegetative branches and reserve fruit hanging branches. The old branches after fruiting are gradually thinned. 5. Pest control: Pitaya has fewer pests and diseases, and is an environmentally friendly green food. The main diseases and insect pests are: rot disease, termites, red and yellow spiders, scale insects, etc., among which the more threatening is rot disease, which is mainly caused by insect mouth injury or mechanical injury. The treatment method is to cut off the diseased part or cut off the diseased part for drainage at high temperature and sunny day. Other diseases and insect pests can be controlled by spraying corresponding pesticides. 6. Harvest: After the top branches droop and mature, they will bloom and bear fruit from April to November every year, and they can be harvested 35 to 45 days after fruiting. The branches, flowers, dried flowers and fruits of pitaya can be supplied to the market as commodities. Click to view more Pitaya planting technology Click to view more fruit planting technology