How to Fertilize Dragon Fruit? Detailed Guide to the Correct Method
Dragon fruit is a typical tropical fruit, widely planted across the tropical provinces of our country. Growing dragon fruit cannot be done without nutrients, so fertilization work is very important when we plant it. However, many friends do not know how to fertilize when planting, which leads to nutrient deficiency and poor growth in dragon fruit. So today, the editor brings you the fertilization methods for dragon fruit. Let's take a look!
1. Nutrient Requirement Patterns
The nutrient needs of dragon fruit are determined by the growth stage and the age of the plant. For example, for 1-2 year old dragon fruit plants, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main focus. Then, for those over 3 years old, the application of nitrogen fertilizer should be properly controlled and the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer increased. When fertilizing, use chemical fertilizers as little as possible and focus on organic fertilizers. Then, before the dragon fruit plant blooms, the phosphorus content for the dragon fruit should be increased. About 2-3 weeks after fruiting, a top dressing should be applied once. Only in this way can the fertilizer requirements of dragon fruit be fully met, ensuring its growth and increasing yield.
2. Base Fertilizer
Applying base fertilizer before planting is very important, and we should apply the base fertilizer about 2 months before planting. The base fertilizer should mainly be fully decomposed farmyard manure, with the amount controlled according to the planting area. If the soil is relatively fertile, the base fertilizer can be applied appropriately in smaller amounts. Let the soil and fertilizer mix fully to improve soil fertility, promote the growth of seedlings after planting, increase the survival rate of seedlings, strengthen their growth, and control the growth rate of the seedlings. Only by ensuring sufficient nutrients can the normal growth of dragon fruit be guaranteed and your planting benefits expanded.
3. Top Dressing
Before the dragon fruit plant blooms and bears fruit, its nutrient requirements are relatively high, so top dressing at this time can promote the growth of dragon fruit branches. For top dressing at the seedling stage, liquid fertilizer or farmyard manure should be the main choice, and top dressing should mainly involve applying more frequently in small amounts. Then, when new branches are found sprouting and turning green, apply top dressing again. Dragon fruit requires top dressing about 5 times each year, generally during important growth periods such as the flowering stage, early fruiting stage and full fruiting stage. Note that the amount of fertilizer applied each year should be appropriately higher than the previous year.
4. Foliar Fertilizer
Foliar fertilizer is mainly used to promote the growth of dragon fruit leaves. The stems and leaves of the dragon fruit plant are triangular-column shaped, and when we spray foliar fertilizer, we should do so around this part, ensuring the spray is comprehensive and even. When spraying foliar fertilizer, trace-element fertilizers should be the main type, and the nutrient ratio in the fertilizer should be adjusted according to the growth stage. For example, in the early fruiting stage, boron and magnesium should be the main elements, while in the later stage, calcium and iron should be the main elements. These elements can effectively improve the stress resistance of dragon fruit and improve fruit quality.
The effect of spraying foliar fertilizer is more obvious than root fertilization, allowing nutrients to enter the dragon fruit more quickly and preventing nutrients from remaining in the soil. However, its effect does not last very long. Also, when applying foliar fertilizer, pay attention to the dosage, otherwise fertilizer damage is likely to occur, and foliar fertilizer cannot be used as the main fertilization method. It can only be used as a supplementary fertilization method to ensure the growth of dragon fruit. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you all for reading and supporting!