What are the preventive measures for flower and fruit drop in dragon fruit in summer?
Dragon fruit is a fruit that people quite like, with a relatively high market price and good economic returns, so more and more people are growing it. However, during the high-temperature period in summer, dragon fruit is prone to flower and fruit drop. So how should this be prevented? Follow along with the editor to learn more.
1. Too much or too little water
When there is too little water in the soil and the weather is dry, the plant roots find it difficult to absorb enough water and nutrients to support flower and fruit development, thus causing flower and fruit drop. When there is too much water in the soil, the plant finds it difficult to breathe, suffocation occurs, and this easily affects the roots' absorption of water and nutrients, thus causing flower and fruit drop. In summer there is more rain, and this coincides with flowering and fruiting; pollen quality is poorer, which is unfavorable for pollination, and the flowers will drop prematurely.
Preventive measures: The tree disk can be covered with weeds or straw to prevent soil moisture from evaporating too quickly. During dry periods or when temperatures are high, it can be watered a few times to promptly supplement the nutrients needed for dragon fruit growth. Establish a good field drainage and irrigation system, and drain promptly during the rainy season to avoid waterlogging in the field, which can cause root suffocation. In summer, when there is a lot of rain, deep drainage ditches can be dug to let more water seep out of the soil, and shallow loosening of the soil should be done, with care not to damage the roots.
2. Insufficient nutrients
When nutrient supply is insufficient, the plant grows thin and weak, and flower and fruit drop can also occur. Or when fertilizing, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer causes excessive vegetative growth, that is, leggy growth, leading to flower and fruit drop. Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer and insufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizer will affect the plant's flower bud differentiation; there will be fewer flowers, and the plant cannot enter the reproductive growth stage. Drop occurring at the bud stage is mainly caused by insufficient boron fertilizer application. When boron is deficient, the pollen tube develops abnormally, affecting fertilization and resulting in deformed flowers. In addition, calcium deficiency can also cause flower drop.
Preventive measures: During planting, ensure an adequate nutrient supply, reduce the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves to promote flower bud differentiation and reduce flower drop. Phosphorus fertilizer is absorbed relatively slowly, so it should be applied in advance to promote nutrient accumulation and flower bud differentiation. Boron fertilizer should be supplemented in a timely manner to cultivate strong flowers and promote pollen tube elongation.
3. Diseases
Disease is also one of the reasons for mass flower and fruit drop in dragon fruit. A common disease causing flower and fruit drop is canker disease.
Preventive measures: For this disease, spray fungicides or insecticides before flowering to protect the plant and prevent pathogens from invading. When disease occurs, remove the diseased fruits and leaves, then spray for control to prevent the disease from spreading.
The above is an introduction to preventive measures for flower and fruit drop in dragon fruit in summer. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.