Techniques for growing red-fleshed dragon fruit (Taiwan)

The red-fleshed dragon fruit variety originating from Taiwan was tested by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Corporation Branch in Lang Son and was initially evaluated to have good results. The dragon fruit is very productive, with red-purple 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 for widespread propagation.

* There are 3 types of Taiwanese dragon fruit: red-skinned, red-fleshed dragon fruit, red-skinned, white-fleshed dragon fruit, and 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: (Presented in the article).

* Red-fleshed dragon fruit adapts to places with lots of light, under high light, the sugar content increases, the suitable temperature is from 15 - 35oC, if below that temperature the tree will grow slowly or not grow. Therefore, when planting, take advantage of the south and southeast directions, 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, the soil has a ratio of 20% sticky seeds, 40% sand, 40% soil seeds will help the dragon fruit tree absorb nutrients, monthly rainfall from 50 - 100mm, the tree will grow well.

Planting and care techniques

Land preparation 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 in diameter or more, 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 to spray 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 it is necessary to cover to reduce weed growth.

How to plant and care

Planting distance: 2.5 x 2.5m, 5 - 10cm deep, when planting, dig a hole and erect a pole (the pole can be made of cement or wood), each hole plants 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. It is necessary to protect newly planted seedlings from the heat. Every year before winter, when fertilizing, potassium must be added to protect the plants from the cold, and at the same time, cover to maintain humidity, etc.

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