How to Fertilize Dragon Fruit? Detailed Guide to Fertilization Methods and Techniques
Fertilization is an indispensable part of the crop planting process, and the reasonable, appropriate use of fertilizer can help increase yields. Below, taking how to fertilize dragon fruit as an example, we will explain in detail.
How to fertilize dragon fruit for the best results?
1. According to seedling age
For dragon fruit planted for 1-2 years, mainly nitrogen fertilizer is used, in small amounts and multiple applications, so as to promote the growth of young dragon fruit trees. For fruit trees over 3 years old, mainly nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer are used, with the amount well controlled, so that sufficient nutrients are ensured and the normal growth of the fruit is not harmed.
2. According to growth stage
(1) Carry out 1 month to 2 months before planting. In orchards on hilly slopes, apply organic fertilizers such as farmyard manure, weeds, mushroom compost and poultry and livestock manure in layers in the planting pits, about 40-50 kg per pit, plus 3 kg of lime; for flatland orchards, use mound planting, and apply about 15-20 kg of decomposed poultry and livestock manure or mushroom compost per planting hole, plus 1.5 kg of lime.
(2) At the seedling stage, decomposed bran cake liquid fertilizer (water fertilizer) or decomposed poultry and livestock manure water fertilizer is suitable, following the principle of frequent application of light fertilizer, applying fertilizer once each time new branches and tendrils sprout and once when new branches and tendrils begin to turn green, with about 1.5-2 kg of liquid fertilizer per column each time. Organic compound fertilizer can also be used, with about 50-80 g per column each time. From the second year on, the fertilization amount increases by about 50%-80% compared with the first year.
(3) Generally there are 5 main fertilization periods throughout the year.
Winter tree-disk mulching with organic fertilizer: apply in December-January of winter when the branches and tendrils have completely turned green, cover the tree disk with organic fertilizer, applying 10 kg of mixed organic fertilizer per column, or cover with farmyard manure, applying 15 kg per column.
Flower-promoting fertilizer: apply in early to mid-April, applying 1-1.5 kg of organic compound fertilizer per column.
Flower-strengthening and fruit-strengthening fertilizer: apply in early to mid-June, applying 0.5-1 kg of decomposed bran cake fertilizer and 0.5 kg of organic compound fertilizer per column.
Fruit-strengthening and tree vigor recovery fertilizer: apply in early to mid-October, applying 0.5-1 kg of Norwegian compound fertilizer (nitrogen 15 : phosphorus 15 : potassium 15) and 3-4 kg of decomposed bran cake liquid fertilizer per column.
Foliar fertilizer: spray nutrient solution foliar fertilizer 3-5 times during the flower bud stage and fruit development stage.
In addition, when fertilizing dragon fruit, it is essential to do so at the right time and in the right amount, so that not only can fertilizer use efficiency be improved, but also, as far as possible, there will be no nutrient deficiency leading to malnutrition, or excessive fertilizer leading to fertilizer damage.