Pitaya planting methods and management

I believe some interested friends are very concerned about the planting methods and management of pitaya. Let me tell you this knowledge below.

Pitaya planting methods and management

It is a good thing to be able to experience growing dragon fruit personally, but dragon fruit has its own particularity in planting, and special attention must be paid to its planting and management.

Pitaya is a tropical plant that likes light and tolerates shade, heat and drought, fertilizer and barrenness. Its stems can grow even on rocks. The plant is extremely wind-resistant and can withstand typhoons as long as the support is strong. 300 to 400 plants can be planted in 667 square meters, and a 20-centimeter square and 2-meter-high cement column can be buried in the middle of every 4 plants as a support.

Dragon fruit can adapt to various soils

However, neutral and weakly acidic soils that are rich in humus and retain water and fertilizer are better. In order to make it grow vigorously after planting, it is necessary to apply more disinfected and fermented human, livestock and poultry manure organic fertilizers, and calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizers and compound fertilizers during the seedling stage. The amount depends on the size of the plant.

Pitaya grows and matures rapidly in a warm, humid and well-lit environment. Water should be irrigated frequently in open-field cultivation in spring and summer to keep the root system growing vigorously. Drainage should be done in time in rainy weather to prevent infection with pathogens and stem rot. Pitaya can tolerate low temperatures of 0°C and high temperatures of 40°C. To ensure its year-round growth and multiple fruiting, the optimum temperature should be 20~30°C. Greenhouses must be built in the north, and the night temperature in winter should not be lower than 8°C. Plastic film may not be removed in summer, but ventilation is required.

Dragon fruit orchards do not need to be plowed

Just cut the weeds in time. Pitaya has a thick wax layer and a smooth appearance, so it does not need to be bagged, saving time and labor. Pitaya is generally free of insect pests, but occasionally there are nematodes on the roots and red spiders on the stems and leaves, which can be prevented and controlled in time.

During the one-month ripening process, the pitaya will gradually change from green to red. When the fruit exudes the unique fragrance of pitaya, it is a good time to pick it.