When is dragon fruit, which is rich in "anthocyanins," generally planted? Can it be grown in the cold northern regions? (Planting methods included)

Dragon fruit is a tropical and subtropical fruit rich in anthocyanins and plant protein. Its flesh is sweet and juicy, and it comes in red and white varieties. In recent years, because of its strong adaptability and relatively simple cultivation methods, it has become one of the fruit varieties favored by many growers. Besides being grown in the south, growers in the north have also taken a fancy to its economic value and are eager to try. When is dragon fruit generally planted? Is it profitable? Can it be grown in the cold northern regions? What planting methods need to be mastered?

I. When is dragon fruit generally planted?

Dragon fruit is resistant to both heat and cold and does not have high temperature requirements. Generally speaking, spring, summer, autumn, and winter are all actually possible, but spring planting is the more suitable time period, that is, March to April each year.

II. Can dragon fruit be grown in the north? Is it profitable?

1. Can dragon fruit be grown in the north?

Dragon fruit can be grown in the north, generally by choosing the greenhouse method. It is no longer anything rare for southern fruits to be grown in the north.

Why is it said to be suitable for northern cultivation? First, dragon fruit does not have very high requirements for temperature, soil properties, or soil pH, and its pests and diseases are relatively fewer compared with other fruit trees. Generally, from flowering to fruiting, no pesticide spraying is needed.

If it is a low-temperature period, that is, temperatures below 0°C, using a greenhouse is completely fine.

2. Is growing dragon fruit in the north profitable?

Dragon fruit is one of the more profitable fruits for growing southern varieties in the north. The reasons are as follows:

(1) The decisive factor of the northern market. There are not yet many cases of dragon fruit cultivation in the north, and there are not many fruits on the market either, so if sold, demand exceeds supply, and the price is naturally relatively high. If you secure the market early, the prospects are quite good.

(2) The conditions of dragon fruit itself. Dragon fruit is a fruit with strong adaptability, low input, and high output, and it requires no excessive field management.

(3) Northern people's preferences. The taste and sweetness of dragon fruit grown in the north are accepted by northern people, and it is also one of their favorite fruits, so growing it is also a good choice.

III. Dragon fruit planting methods

Generally, there are two planting methods that we use more often: trellis type and well-ring type.

1. Trellis type, or hedge type

The trellis type is a method relatively suitable for dragon fruit cultivation. Its main advantages are as follows:

(1) Sufficient light, strong light transmission, and good ventilation conditions. The fruits grown are naturally good, round in shape, attractive in appearance, and sweet;

(2) It facilitates the operation of various farm tasks. Watering, weeding, and so on are all very convenient;

(3) Flower thinning and fruit thinning are relatively convenient, the fruit-setting rate is high, the time for dragon fruit to reach the market is ensured, and economic benefits are improved.

The main method of the trellis type is to insert a mud column and let the dragon fruit grow straight upward along the direction of the mud column.

2. Well-ring type planting

The well-ring type planting model is a new type of planting model. It mainly uses cement cylinders from well pipes and drainage pipes as materials inserted on the surface of the land. Each mud column is covered with about 6 jin of organic fertilizer soil, and then dragon fruit seedlings are planted. About four seedlings are planted per pipe. Compared with the hedge method, this method can make dragon fruit flower half a month earlier.

IV. Precautions for dragon fruit cultivation

1. Dragon fruit cultivation requires balanced long-term fertilization;

2. When dragon fruit branches grow to a certain length, pinch the tips in time to promote branching;

3. After picking dragon fruit, prune the branches;

4. During the dragon fruit seedling stage, pay attention to damage from ants and snails.