Full process fertilization plan for dragon fruit

Fertilizer demand pattern: Dragon fruit has a long flowering and fruiting time, consumes a large amount of nutrients, and the proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and boron required during the entire growth period is about 100:70:150:8:3. Dragon fruit is a potassium loving crop that requires a large amount of potassium. The root system of dragon fruit is a horizontally growing shallow root without a main root, and its lateral roots are distributed in the shallow surface of the soil. Therefore, fertilization should follow the principle of "frequent and thin application", avoid digging ditches and sinking to avoid damaging the roots. Fertilization should mainly use organic fertilizers, with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizers applied in combination. 1-2 year old dragon fruit trees should be mainly fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. For those over 3 years, the application of nitrogen fertilizer should be appropriately controlled, and the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be increased. During the flowering and fruiting period, it is necessary to supplement trace element fertilizers to improve fruit quality.

1、 Apply sufficient base fertilizer: Before planting, apply sufficient organic fertilizer to improve the soil and increase soil organic matter. After the last harvest of fruits in autumn, timely fertilization is carried out to supplement nutrients, restore tree vigor, improve cold resistance and overwintering ability, and lay the foundation for growth and fruiting in the following year. Fertilization should be done between November and March of the following year, preferably early rather than late. Generally, 20-25 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer are applied to each column, and balanced potassium sulfate compound fertilizer is 15-15-15, 17-17-17, and 1.5 kilograms.

2、 Top dressing: Flower promoting fertilizer, applied in early to mid April, with 5-10 kilograms of decomposed organic fertilizer or 2-3 kilograms of commercial organic fertilizer per column, and 1-1.5 kilograms of potassium sulfate high phosphorus compound fertilizer. The purpose is to promote the development of flower buds and improve flowering quality. Strong flower and fruit fertilizer, applied in early to mid June, with 0.5-1 kg of decomposed cake fertilizer and 0.5 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer applied per column. The purpose is to strengthen flowers, promote fruit growth, and improve quality. Heavy application of promoting flower and fruit growth fertilizer: Apply in early to mid August, with a focus on meeting the demand for Mid Autumn fruit. Apply 1-1.5 kilograms of decomposed cake fertilizer and 0.8-1 kilograms of 15-15-15 potassium sulfate compound fertilizer to each column, with the aim of promoting multiple flowering, fruit enlargement, and improving quality. Fruit strengthening and tree vigor restoration fertilizer: Apply 0.5-1 kg of 17-17-17 potassium sulfate compound fertilizer and 3-4 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per column in early to mid October, with the aim of promoting the enlargement of the last batch of fruits, restoring tree vigor, and promoting the growth of branches and vines.

3、 Topdressing outside the roots: The stems and leaves of dragon fruit trees are in a triangular column shape. When spraying foliar fertilizer, it should be applied around this area to ensure comprehensive and even spraying. Leaf fertilizer is mainly composed of micro fertilizers, and the nutrient ratio in the fertilizer is adjusted according to the growth stage. In the early stage, boron and magnesium were mainly used, while calcium and iron were mainly used in the later stage. This can effectively improve the stress resistance of dragon fruit and improve fruit quality. Suggest spraying after 5-6 pm when the stomata of dragon fruit plants are open, which is beneficial for nutrient absorption.

Water management: Dragon fruit grows rapidly under warm and humid conditions with sufficient sunlight. In spring and summer, it should be watered more to keep the soil moist and promote vigorous root growth. During the fruit enlargement period, there should be no shortage of water to facilitate fruit growth. Irrigation should avoid soaking, timely drainage should be paid attention to during the rainy season, and water should be controlled in winter to enhance the cold resistance of branches.

In order to improve the utilization of greenhouse space in the cultivation of dragon fruit in northern regions, double row stand cultivation is often adopted. On the basis of sufficient organic fertilizer application, water-soluble fertilizer is mainly used as the top dressing, with a dosage of about 5 kilograms per mu, diluted 300-500 times for drip irrigation. The principle of using fertilizer throughout the year is: high potassium, medium phosphorus, and low nitrogen. The fertilization principle during the fruiting period is to apply balanced water-soluble fertilizer at intervals of two high potassium treatments, and to apply fertilizer once every 10 days during the peak fruiting period.