Techniques for growing red-fleshed dragon fruit (Taiwan)

The red-fleshed dragon fruit variety originating from Taiwan was planted and tested by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Corporation Branch in Lang Son, and was initially evaluated to have good results. The dragon fruit has a lot of fruit, purple-red flesh, sweet taste (sugar content 16-18%), high nutritional content, rich in vitamins and minerals... The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allowed the Fruit and Vegetable Institute to conduct a pilot planting to propagate on a large scale.

* There are 3 types of Taiwanese dragon fruit: red-skinned, red-fleshed dragon fruit, red-skinned, white-fleshed dragon fruit, yellow-skinned, white-fleshed dragon fruit, all with the international name Hylocereas; scientific name H. Undatus Britton & Rose, S. Megelanthus moran. There are 4 types of Taiwanese dragon fruit:

+ White core, red skin: This is a Vietnamese variety brought to Taiwan in 1988.

+ White core, red skin: Line from Mexico, brought to Taiwan in 1995.

+ White core, yellow skin: Imported from Mexico,

+ Red flesh, red skin: (To be presented in the lesson).

* Red-fleshed dragon fruit adapts to places with lots of light, under high light, sugar content increases, suitable temperature is from 15 - 35oC, if below that temperature the tree will grow slowly or not grow. Therefore, when planting the tree, take advantage of the south and southeast direction, where the land is flat and there is a lot of light. It is a drought-resistant tree suitable for soil types on rocky mountains or fences in rural and coastal areas, soil with a ratio of 20% sticky seeds, 40% sand, 40% soil will help the dragon fruit tree absorb nutrients, monthly rainfall from 50 - 100mm, the tree will grow well.

Planting and care techniques

Tillage and fertilization

– For flat land: Use 600 – 1000 kg of manure/acre and suitable lime powder, as well as other organic substances to improve the soil.

– For sloping land: Slopes under 15 degrees must be dug widely, the inside must be 10-15cm lower than the outside to retain water and prevent erosion.

– For hilly land: Above 15 degrees, plant each clump with a distance between clumps of 2 x 2m.

– For rocky mountain soil: Each planting hole must be 1m or more in diameter, 30cm deep, surrounding rocks must be crushed, use 50% borrowed soil, 30% fine sand, 20% organic fertilizer and a little lime powder put into the hole.

It is important to use herbicides to kill weeds, not spraying them on the tree or around the roots. When the tree is half a year old, the roots will cover the entire ground and herbicides cannot be used, so cover it to reduce weed growth.

How to plant and care

Planting distance: 2.5 x 2.5m, planting depth 5 - 10cm, when planting, dig a hole and erect a pole (the pole can be made of cement or wood), each hole plant 4 - 8 seedlings around the pole.

To help dragon fruit trees grow quickly and achieve high yields, they must be carefully covered to protect the roots from damage caused by sunlight, waterlogging, storms, etc. At the same time, trim branches that cannot sprout and bear fruit, remove flowers, and monitor the blooming and fruiting situation. Each branch should have 3-4 fruits. Newly planted seedlings need to be protected from the heat. Every year before winter, when fertilizing, potassium must be added to protect the tree from the cold, and at the same time, cover to maintain humidity, etc.

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