What are the precautions for growing star fruit?
The star fruit has a very delicate appearance. Cut into small slices, it becomes individual five-pointed stars, and its color is also very nice, 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. What the editor wants to share with everyone today are 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 a climate that is warm throughout the year, with the most suitable temperature generally maintained between 20 and 30 degrees. 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 sun and too much light, otherwise it will be scorched. As for the soil choice for growing star fruit, this is also relatively important. If the soil is not right, 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 overall permeability of the orchard must be good, so the planting density must be reasonable. Generally, the branches and leaves of mature star fruit trees grow relatively luxuriantly, so we usually 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 m or 4 m between plants and 4 m or 5 m between rows. In this way, after the star fruit trees grow up, there will still be some 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, and apply it about once every 20 days, and gradually add a small amount of urea, phosphate fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, etc. This continues until the star fruit bears fruit. When it bears fruit, we need to apply fertilizer at least five times a year. The first time is in spring when the star fruit trees sprout and bloom, applying an average of 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 protect 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 diluted with water for irrigation. The last fertilization is after the fruit is harvested and the tree enters dormancy. At this time, it is to maintain the star fruit tree so that it can grow normally and bloom and bear fruit the following year, mainly using organic fertilizer.
4. Daily management
During the growth of star fruit, we often carry out professional pruning, generally pruning away relatively rough dead branches or old branches. Then, in places where branches and leaves are denser, we give priority to retaining the branches that bear more fruit and prune away the branches that bear little or no fruit. It will then grow new branches, increasing fruit yield. Next, during the fruiting period, if the star fruit tree bears a lot of fruit, the fruit tree cannot maintain normal growth and cannot provide enough nutrients for the growth of the fruit. Then, if the fruit is not reduced, the yield and quality of the whole tree may not be very good, so in places with more fruit, we use wooden sticks to knock down some fruits that are relatively small and unattractive or have pests and diseases, which can improve economic benefits.
The above are several matters needing attention in star fruit cultivation explained to everyone by Qinnong Network. 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.