How to prune a dragon fruit tree properly? Practical pruning methods and techniques
How should a dragon fruit tree be pruned properly? Please explain the methods. Shaping and pruning a dragon fruit tree can adjust the structure of each part of the population and the individual, improving conditions for light energy use; using the dynamic balance between the aboveground and belowground parts to regulate the overall growth of the fruit tree; adjusting the quantity, quality and rhythm of organ formation. Coordinating growth...
How should a dragon fruit tree be pruned properly? Please explain the methods
Shaping and pruning a dragon fruit tree can adjust the structure of each part of the population and the individual, improving conditions for light energy use; using the dynamic balance between the aboveground and belowground parts to regulate the overall growth of the fruit tree; adjusting the quantity, quality and rhythm of organ formation. It coordinates the contradictions between growth and fruiting, aging and rejuvenation, and the balance among the various parts and organs of the tree. Its most important role is regulating the growth and fruiting of the fruit tree.
1. Pruning of young trees
Young trees are pruned mainly for shaping, using the pinching method to promote branching. When a dragon fruit seedling grows taller than the concrete post, pinch off the growing tip to let the main stem sprout several branches, prompting the rapid formation of fruiting branches. Every year in March, as the flower bud differentiation period approaches, to keep old branches from growing excessively, all tender shoots should be removed so that nutrients accumulate and are stored in the leaf flesh of the old branches; the leaf flesh of the main stem quickly thickens in a short time and its color deepens, which is favorable for flowering.
2. Pruning of mature trees
For dragon fruit that has entered full production, after the production season ends, all old branches that have previously borne fruit and been pulled by the fruit into a position perpendicular to the ground should be cut off. This is because these old branches, first, receive less sunlight, and second, consume too much nutrition after fruiting, which is unfavorable for nutrient accumulation and the formation of the next round of fruit-bearing mother branches. The new shoots that sprout after the old branches are cut off are more robust, and point straight toward the sky, fully receiving sunlight, so both the flower and fruit quality are better than those of old branches. During the flowering and fruiting period, excess vegetative branches can be cut off to reduce nutrient consumption and promote sunlight exposure.
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