Planting methods and cultivation techniques of pitaya

Dragon fruit is a favorite fruit of many people. Common varieties on the market include red-fleshed dragon fruit and white-fleshed dragon fruit. Dragon fruit has specific temperature requirements for its growing environment, and the most suitable temperature range is 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. In addition, a temperature difference of more than 10 degrees Celsius between day and night is conducive to the formation of flower buds and the normal pollination of flowers. Let’s learn about the planting methods and cultivation techniques of pitaya.

1. Site selection

Dragon fruit does not have high requirements for soil, and most plots are suitable for planting as long as waterlogging is avoided. Greenhouse cultivation is recommended to better control the growing environment.

2. Seedling cultivation

Dragon fruit seedlings are mainly grown through cuttings and grafting. Stop seedling raising work after the end of summer. Choose healthy cuttings, about 15 cm in length, and insert them into the sand bed after the cut has healed. They will take root after half a month to a month, and can be transplanted when the roots are 3 to 4 cm long. When grafting, use a suitable rootstock to ensure healthy growth, cut the dragon fruit stem and secure it with cotton thread, maintain an environment of 38 to 30 degrees Celsius, and it will heal in 4 to 5 days.

3. Reasonable density planting

The recommended dense planting scheme for pitaya cultivation is two common methods: three-plant triangle and single-plant planting. The width of the bed for triangular planting of three plants is 1.2 meters, and the distance between each three plants is 80 cm; the width of the bed for single plant planting is 1 meter, and the distance between each plant is 40 cm. At the same time, single cement columns are spaced 2.5 meters apart and steel wires are installed.

4. Fertilization

During the growth period of pitaya, follow the principle of applying small amounts of fertilizer frequently. Due to the long harvest period, a large amount of organic fertilizer is required, and attention should be paid to the reasonable combination of potassium fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer. Supplement magnesium and potassium fertilizers during the flowering and fruiting period to increase soil moisture. During droughts, water 3 to 4 times a day. When the branches grow to 1.3 to 1.4 meters, pinch them to promote branching and make them droop naturally.

5. Intercropping and artificial pollination

Dragon fruit comes in white-heart and red-heart varieties, with the red-heart variety accounting for 90%. Increase pollination rate and fruiting quantity through intercropping. When natural pollination is impossible due to rainy weather, artificial pollination is used in the early morning when the flowers are not closed to improve the pollination effect.

6. Pruning branches

The branches that grow from fruit-bearing trees in winter and the dry season can be used as fruit-bearing branches, and 2 to 3 year old branches can also bear fruit. After harvesting, cut off branches that are more than 3 years old, injured branches and diseased branches, reduce internal hidden branches, and improve ventilation and light transmission. Select strong buds in the open space, cultivate new branches, remove young buds, concentrate nutrients, and promote the healthy growth of new branches. When the length reaches 1.2 to 1.5 meters, it is cut off to promote early flowering and shorten the maturity period.

7. Irrigation and drainage treatment

It is strictly forbidden to accumulate water and lack of oxygen at the roots during pitaya cultivation. Excessive water content in the soil will affect root respiration and cause the fruit to suffocate and die. Flood drainage channels and drainage ditches should be flexibly set up according to the groundwater level, soil water retention capacity and precipitation, with a depth of 1 meter being appropriate. Maintain sufficient water and scientifically regulate the tree temperature to facilitate fruit tree transpiration and mineral nutrient transportation.

8. Pest and disease control

Common diseases of pitaya include soft rot, canker, scab and anthracnose, and insect pests include ants, red spiders and aphids. Scientifically control the spread of soil pathogens, apply organic fertilizers, phosphorus fertilizers and potassium fertilizers to enhance plant disease resistance. Use 2500 times diluted 72% agricultural streptomycin sulfate soluble powder, 3000 times diluted phytocomycin, etc., spray once every 7 to 10 days, and spray 3 to 4 times in a row. Prefer high-efficiency, low-toxicity, and low-residue chemical pesticides, avoid the use of toxic pesticides, and improve the quality of pitaya cultivation.

9. Fruit bagging

According to the pitaya planting situation, bagging technology is selected to improve the product value. Bagging reduces external mechanical damage and avoids uneven coloring. Choose dragon fruit with soft paper and moderately soft and hard wire for bagging to improve work efficiency, promote coloring, increase sugar content, and shorten ripening time.

10. Harvest

The harvesting of pitaya requires scientific analysis based on sales characteristics and transportation requirements. For long-distance transportation, the fruit is picked 7 to 10 days after the skin turns red; for short-distance transportation, the fruit is picked 15 to 20 days after the skin turns red. Handle the fruits with care when picking to avoid damage.

In short, pitaya cultivation is a delicate process that has high requirements for soil and environment. Growers should strictly control the cultivation process according to the dragon fruit variety and characteristics. Through a series of work including site selection, seedling cultivation, reasonable density planting, fertilization, and harvesting, we ensure the normal development of pitaya and achieve planting benefits.