How long does dragon fruit cuttings sprout?
As a representative of cactus plants, dragon fruit has become a popular choice for home gardening due to its unique ornamental and edible value. As the most commonly used cultivation method, cuttage propagation directly affects the subsequent growth trend of plants. Mastering scientific and reasonable maintenance methods can enable cuttage branches to quickly complete root development. During the critical stage of cuttage rooting, management temperature and humidity are controlled. When the substrate temperature is stable in the range of 18-25℃, new buds can germinate within 25-35 days for most varieties. It is recommended to use a thermohygrometer for continuous monitoring. When the air humidity is lower than 50%, a slightly moist environment can be maintained through spray humidification. The first week of the root development Timeline is the incision healing period, the callus begins to form in weeks 2-3, and the rapid rooting stage enters the fourth week. If rooting powder is used, the rooting process can be completed 5-7 days in advance. The water management plan adopts the "three-stage watering method": the substrate is kept moist in the early stage of cuttage, the water is permeable for the first time on the 10th day, and water is watered along the edge of the pot every 5 days after the 20th day. Pay attention to avoid water accumulation in the leaf core, and build a rainproof canopy during the rainy season. Maintain 70% shading rate for the first 15 days of the light adjustment strategy, and use a double sunshade net to filter strong light. Scattered light is gradually increased after new buds germinate, and the transition period is controlled to 2 hours of direct light every day. The key measures for improving quality and increasing efficiency are branch pretreatment. The healthy twigs of two years old are selected according to the standard, and 3-5 bud points are reserved at 45° oblique angle. The incision should be disinfected by plant ash and dried in the shade for 72 hours to form a complete protective layer before cutting. Medium formulation optimization recommends using a mixed medium of perlite: vermiculite: humus =1:1:2, adjusted to pH 6.0-6.5. Adding 200g bone meal per cubic meter can enhance the fertility. The best cuttage period for seasonal selection and abnormal treatment should be carried out in the Yangtze River Basin from late April to mid-May, and in South China it can be extended to October. Avoid the plum rainy season and midsummer, and ensure that the daily temperature difference is ≤8℃. Common problems: Replace the substrate immediately after discovering that the base is rotten, and soak it with carbendazim after removing the lesion. New buds need to be checked for root rot or red spider infestation.
Through precise control of environmental parameters and scientific management, the survival rate of dragon fruit cuttings can reach more than 90%. It is recommended to regularly observe changes in growth nodes and adjust maintenance plans based on plant feedback. Mastering these core technologies, even novice gardeners can cultivate strong dragon fruit seedlings.