How to make pitaya seedlings grow fast
This article introduces the knowledge of how to make pitaya seedlings grow fast and the tips for caring for pitaya seedlings in the field of green plants and flowers. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Pitaya is also known as white dragon fruit, green dragon fruit, red dragon fruit, and fairy honey fruit. It belongs to the cactus family and is a fruit popular in both northern and southern markets in China. Originally a plant of the south, pitaya is heat and drought-resistant, enjoys sunlight, and prefers shady and fertile conditions, while also being able to tolerate barren soil. To achieve robust growth, abundant flowering, and high-quality yields, it is necessary to apply fertilizers scientifically. Pitaya is also affected by temperature, soil, and water. Paying attention to these factors can significantly increase the benefits of cultivating pitaya.
1. Pitaya's temperature requirements: When growing in the north, it is necessary to master the temperature scientifically to prevent it from being too low or too high. According to planting experience, the optimal growth temperature range for pitaya is between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Although pitaya is a tropical plant of the south, it can still tolerate temperatures as low as zero degrees and can grow normally at high temperatures up to 40 degrees, although this may affect fruit production. To achieve ideal yields in the north, pitaya is mostly cultivated in protected areas, with greenhouses being the most common. Within the suitable temperature range, the proper use of fertilizers is necessary for high yields.
2. Pitaya's soil requirements: Pitaya is not strict about soil requirements and grows well in slightly acidic and neutral soils. To achieve high-quality and high-yield continuous fruiting, the plants need to be strong. These conditions are related to the soil. Generally, fully decomposed organic fertilizers should be used as base fertilizers to enrich the soil's organic matter content. Additionally, applying about 50 kg of sulfur potassium-controlled release fertilizer (45%) per mu, 50 kg of beneficial microbial菌肥, and 0.5 kg of boron and other trace elements mixed with 5,000 kg of fully decomposed organic fertilizers as a base fertilizer before planting the pitaya seedlings. Pitaya can be harvested for many years after one planting, so as long as temperature, water, and fertilizers are well controlled, the plant can yield up to 10 times a year, which is different from other fruit trees that only fruit once a year. In the south, some methods can ensure fresh fruit is available every month by supplementing lighting.
3. Pitaya's water requirements: Pitaya prefers a warm and humid climate but cannot tolerate excessive moisture. In the hot and rainy summer season, it is important to drain water after rain to prevent waterlogging and ensure that the roots have adequate air, as waterlogging can lead to rotting of the flesh of the stem. To create a moist environment for pitaya in spring and summer open-field cultivation, it is necessary to water frequently to keep the soil moist, which promotes strong root growth and robust above-ground growth.
Supporting: Pitaya is a climbing plant, and supporting it can prevent it from falling over, avoiding poor ventilation and resulting in low-quality fruit.
4. Disease and pest control: In fields that are planted continuously, root-knot nematode disease can occur, which often stimulates the enlargement of roots with tumor-like growths, affecting the normal growth of pitaya. Generally, root-knot nematode disease can be controlled by applying a 0.3% matrine solution at a rate of 700 ml per mu. Red蜘蛛 (spider mites) are also harmful to pitaya, feeding on the sap of the leaves and overlapping generations, which can affect the robust growth of pitaya. In the early stages of an outbreak, a 2000-fold solution of螺螨酯 (spirodiclofen) plus an organic silicon pesticide synergist can be sprayed evenly for good results.
The detailed explanation provided above on how to make pitaya seedlings grow fast and the tips for caring for pitaya seedlings are for reference and suggestion only!