Key Points on Dragon Fruit Tree Planting Technology and Management in Northern China

AbstractConstructing a greenhouse: Dragon fruit in northern China needs to be planted inside a greenhouse, and a solar greenhouse with good light transmission and insulation should be chosen for planting. Trellis planting: Dragon fruit is a climbing succulent plant, so cement trellises need to be set up inside the greenhouse, with one cement trellis securing 2 seedlings. Temperature: the suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. Reasonable water and fertilizer: apply compound fertilizer as a top dressing when sprouting, apply well-rotted organic fertilizer once before winter, and be sure to water immediately after fertilizing. Pruning branches: prune in time, and cut the tops appropriately to control height.

1. Constructing a Greenhouse

1. With the improvement of planting technology, dragon fruit can now also be planted in greenhouses in northern China. Generally, solar greenhouses are often chosen; this type of greenhouse has relatively low cost, and it also transmits light and retains heat, which is beneficial to the normal growth of dragon fruit.

2. To raise the room temperature, a layer of straw or corn stalks can be added on top of the roof. Especially in winter, when the temperature is low, a layer of straw matting should be added. In case of cloudy and rainy weather, a layer of film also needs to be covered over the straw matting, so as to achieve the best insulation effect.

2. Trellis Planting

1. Dragon fruit is a climbing succulent plant. After the land is prepared, trellises should be set up inside the greenhouse to facilitate its climbing growth. Steel trellises or cement trellises can be used, and the choice can be made according to specific conditions. The more common trellis method is the cement trellis, which is also relatively easy to build.

2. When building cement trellises, they can be reasonably distributed according to the plant spacing. To facilitate later harvesting and management, one cement trellis secures at most 2 seedlings. After the cement trellises are built, planting can be carried out.

3. Before planting, improved soil should be selected. To ensure the nutrients needed for plant growth, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, and the humidity and temperature inside the greenhouse should be well controlled. After planting, water thoroughly.

3. Humidity and Temperature

1. When dragon fruit is planted in suitable soil and a certain temperature and humidity are maintained, the survival rate of its seedlings is as high as 99%. Management should be strengthened later, as this helps improve the yield and quality of dragon fruit.

2. Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit. It likes high temperatures and is not cold-tolerant, and it has relatively strict requirements for growth temperature. It is suitable for growth at temperatures of 20-30°C. Therefore, the temperature inside the greenhouse must be well controlled to ensure the normal growth of dragon fruit seedlings. At the same time, to reduce the occurrence of diseases, ventilation should be carried out in a timely manner.

4. Reasonable Water and Fertilizer

The root system of dragon fruit is relatively shallow, and its absorption of water and fertilizer is limited. Therefore, excessive water and fertilizer should not be applied. The principle of applying small amounts more frequently should be adopted for water and fertilizer. Generally, dragon fruit is mainly given nitrogen fertilizer.

1. First, dig holes around the seedlings and apply about 1000 grams per plant. After that, compound fertilizer can be applied as a top dressing each time it sprouts, until the plant flowers.

2. Second, winters in northern China are relatively cold. To improve the plant's cold resistance, well-rotted organic fertilizer can be applied once as a top dressing, thereby ensuring that the plant overwinters safely.

3. Generally, watering dragon fruit should be done together with fertilizing, as this is more conducive to the plant's absorption and utilization. In addition, the plant is intolerant of waterlogging, so if there is standing water, drainage must be carried out in a timely manner.

5. Pruning Branches

1. When the plant grows to a certain stage, some old, weak, and diseased branches should be pruned appropriately. Some new branches that face away from the light and cannot bear fruit can also be pruned to avoid nutrient loss, thereby promoting rapid plant growth.

2. In the year dragon fruit is planted, its height should be appropriately controlled, and the top should be cut back appropriately to prevent excessive vegetative growth from affecting later fruiting and management. Generally, the fruiting branches of the plant should be at most 1 m long; otherwise, it will lead to malnutrition and also increase the difficulty of management. Therefore, the plant can be pruned appropriately according to specific conditions.