A Detailed Guide to the Latest Key Points for Growing Star Fruit
The star fruit has a very delicate appearance; when cut into thin slices, each one becomes a five-pointed star, and its color is also very good, so it gives people a very appetizing feeling. However, star fruit has become relatively rare in recent years, because fewer and fewer people grow it. Everyone is more inclined to grow fruits that are more sought after by the public, such as cherries and blueberries, which has led to a decline in star fruit production. Even those who do grow star fruit do not understand star fruit cultivation techniques very well, so the yield is not very high either. Today, the editor wants to share with you a few issues that need attention when growing star fruit, hoping it can help everyone.
1. Growing environment
The environment for growing star fruit is mainly reflected in aspects such as temperature, light, humidity and soil. The most suitable environment for star fruit growth is generally one where the climate is relatively warm throughout the year, generally maintained between 20 and 30 degrees, which is most suitable. The lowest temperature for star fruit growth must not be lower than 10 degrees, otherwise the fruit tree will be frostbitten, causing the fruit to drop. Although star fruit likes warmth, this does not mean it likes blazing sun, so it is not suitable to grow it in places with strong sunlight and too much light, otherwise it will be scorched. As for the choice of soil for growing star fruit, this is also relatively important. If the soil is not right, then the star fruit will be sour and the yield will not be high. Generally, land with relatively sufficient soil fertility and good drainage and permeability is chosen for planting.
2. Planting density
During the growth of star fruit, the permeability of the entire orchard must be good, so the planting density must be reasonable. Generally, the branches and leaves of adult star fruit trees grow relatively luxuriantly, so we generally plant at a ratio of an average of 40 to 50 star fruit trees per mu, that is, the average density is a distance of 3 or 4 meters between plants, and a distance of 4 or 5 meters between rows. In this way, after the star fruit trees grow up, there will still be a certain amount of space between them, the ventilation performance will be better, and the yield will not be affected.
3. Scientific fertilization
Fertilization after the base fertilizer is also relatively important. Generally, for seedlings planted for one to two years, we need to fertilize multiple times a year, and the amount applied each time does not need to be too much. About 35 to 40 days after planting, water each star fruit seedling in the orchard with a small amount of human and livestock manure and urine water, and apply it about once every 20 days, and gradually add a small amount of urea, phosphate fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, etc. into it, continuing this way until the star fruit bears fruit. When it comes time to bear fruit, we need to fertilize at least five times a year. The first time is in spring when the star fruit trees sprout and bloom; on average, apply 5,000 jin of phosphate fertilizer and 3,000 jin of human and livestock manure and urine per mu, which can promote the growth of branches and leaves and promote the flowering period. The second time is after flowering when fruit setting is about to occur; we generally use 1,000 jin of human and livestock manure and urine and phosphate fertilizer to preserve the fruit and increase the fruit-setting rate. The third fertilization is after successful fruit setting, mainly to promote fruit growth and make the fruit fuller; the type and amount of fertilizer are the same as the second time. When the fruit is about to mature, one ripening fertilizer application is needed, generally using urea mixed with water for irrigation. The last fertilization is after the fruit is harvested and the tree enters the dormant period. At this time, it is to maintain the star fruit trees so that they can grow normally and bloom and bear fruit the next year, mainly using organic fertilizer.
4. Daily management
During the growth of star fruit, we often carry out pruning. Generally, relatively rough dead branches or old branches are pruned off, and then in places where branches and leaves are denser, we give priority to retaining the branches that bear more fruit and prune off the branches that bear little or no fruit. Then it will grow new branches, increasing fruit yield. Next is during the fruiting period. If the star fruit tree bears relatively many fruits, the fruit tree cannot maintain normal growth and cannot provide enough nutrients for the growth of the fruit. So if the fruit is not reduced, the yield and quality of the entire tree may not be very good. Therefore, in places with relatively many fruits, we use wooden sticks to knock down some fruits that are relatively small and unattractive or affected by pests and diseases, which can improve economic benefits.
The above are the several matters that Qinnong Network has described for everyone regarding what needs attention in star fruit cultivation. Among them, the most important are the planting density and the fertilization method. Generally, as long as these two points are handled well, the yield of star fruit will not be too low.