How to Plant a Dragon Fruit Bonsai
A comprehensive guide on how to plant a dragon fruit bonsai and the key cultivation techniques for this greenery, with specific details as follows:
Dragon fruit is a cultivated variety of cacti, a fruit that grows in tropical and subtropical regions, originally from countries such as Guatemala and Colombia in Central America. It tastes sweet when eaten, and the flesh is rich in various vitamins and other nutrients, with benefits such as promoting intestinal peristalsis, lowering cholesterol, and preventing colorectal cancer. Let's introduce the cultivation methods for a dragon fruit bonsai.
1. Seed Selection
Seeds can be selected directly from the flesh of the dragon fruit, with the number of seeds depending on the size of the pot. Since residual fruit flesh can lead to bacterial growth, it's important to remove the flesh first.
2. Choosing Potting Soil and Pot
Select well-draining, sandy soil and a pot of appropriate size for the dragon fruit. As the root system of dragon fruit is shallow, good drainage of the soil is especially important, and the pot should also have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, preferably a ceramic pot. It's also important to sterilize the soil before planting.
3. Cutting Propagation
For propagation, you can directly choose cuttings, selecting healthy and robust branches to insert into the soil. You can place some tiles and stones in the soil to increase aeration and drainage. Additionally, insert a stick into the soil along with the branch, and tie the stick and the branch together to make the plant more upright.
4. Watering
Dragon fruit is drought-tolerant but dislikes waterlogging, so it's essential to ensure timely drainage during the planting process. Increase watering frequency in spring and summer, and ensure timely drainage in rainy seasons.
5. Lighting
Dragon fruit enjoys light but can tolerate shade. Sufficient lighting can promote photosynthesis, accelerate growth, and increase the sugar content in the flesh. During the noon of summer, provide some shade to avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause excessive water evaporation from the plant.
6. Temperature
As a fruit native to tropical and subtropical regions, dragon fruit prefers warm temperatures and can tolerate high heat. Moreover, its cold resistance is also impressive. The optimal temperature for dragon fruit growth is between 25-35 degrees Celsius. It can still grow when the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius in summer. However, it's important to keep the newly planted pot warm, and if the temperature is too low, you can cover the new pot with plastic film to keep it warm.
7. Diseases and Pests
White绢 disease is one of the most common diseases and pests affecting dragon fruit, usually caused by plant wounds being exposed to a humid environment for an extended period, leading to bacterial infection. In this case, you should cut off the affected area directly or dissect the ulcerated tissue, apply sulfur phosphate powder to the affected area, or let it heal naturally in a dry environment.
This article shares all the content about how to plant a dragon fruit bonsai and the key cultivation techniques, providing you with a comprehensive understanding and reference!