Xu Zherong's Red Dragon Fruit at Gaoshu "Hongqi Organic Leisure Farm" Is Sweet and Tempting

(Taiwan Business Daily News) Gaoshu "Hongqi Organic Leisure Farm" not only grows pineapple, banana, rice, and black beans, but since last year it has also opened up more than three fen of land to grow red dragon fruit. The red dragon fruit, which belongs to the Da Hong variety, is currently in its harvest season. On the ground, four-petaled purslane, commonly known as xiaoben zhumu grass, is planted to cover the soil surface, easily forming what looks like a grass carpet. Owner Xu Zherong says that because the whole farm is organic and no pesticides are sprayed, even the grass grows especially beautifully, maintaining the environmental ecology, and the fruit is sweeter and safer.

Xu Zherong, who studied economics while studying abroad in Canada, returned to Taiwan, China six years ago to take over "Hongqi Farm," which is run by his father Xu Tianlai. The farm is most famous for pineapple, with various varieties produced throughout the year, and the well-known "Yadao Rice" often sells out. A year ago, Xu Zherong heard from friends that red dragon fruit had room for development in recent years, so last year he converted three fen of the pineapple field to grow red dragon fruit.

Xu Zherong says he consulted experts on growing red dragon fruit and adopted the Da Hong variety, which does not require artificial pollination. Planted last year, it began flowering and bearing fruit successively this May. To distinguish the maturity of fruit from different flowering periods, different types of bagging are used for identification: the first time black netting, the second time paper bags, and the third time special-purpose bags. Because the production period can last until October, each harvest is distinguished by bagging to avoid confusion.

Xu Zherong says red dragon fruit is not difficult to grow, and emphasis is placed on fertilizer and cultivation management. Four-petaled purslane is planted on the ground. This grass is extremely shade-tolerant and has strong spreading ability, covering the soil surface. It not only helps maintain fertility and keeps moisture from evaporating easily, but also has good ventilation, looking like a carpet from a distance.

The key to growing red dragon fruit is pruning. Red dragon fruit grows quickly, and unnecessary side buds and small fruits must all be cut off. Only one fruit is kept per red dragon fruit plant. He estimates that only five thousand fruits will be harvested this year, each especially large and sweet, with a single fruit reaching about one Taiwan jin.

The current market price is about one hundred yuan per jin, and some people have already begun placing orders. Xu Zherong welcomes consumers who love red dragon fruit to taste the organic ones, which are sweeter, healthier, and safer.