Method of growing red flesh dragon fruit (Taiwan)

Red flesh dragon fruit varieties originated from Taiwan were tested by Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Corporation in Lang Son, initially evaluated for good results. Dragon fruit is very wrong, intestine is red and purple, sweet food (sugar level of 16-18%), high nutritional content, rich in vitamins and minerals . Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has allowed the Fruit and Vegetable Institute to plant a pilot to multiply wide variety.

Taiwan dragon fruit has 3 types: Red-fleshed red dragon fruit, white-fleshed red dragon fruit, white-fleshed yellow dragon fruit, all have international names Hylocereas; Scientific name H. Undatus Britton & Rose, S. Megelanthus moran. Taiwan dragon fruit varieties have 4 types:

- Red-skinned white gut: It is a plant of Vietnam brought to Taiwan in 1988.

- Red-shelled white intestine: The flow from Mexico was brought into Taiwan in 1995.

- Yellow-skinned white gut: brought from Mexico,

- Red-shell red intestine: (Presenting in the article).

Red flesh dragon fruit adapt to places with lots of light, under high light, increasing sugar level, appropriate temperature from 15 - 35 ^o C, if below that temperature the tree will grow slowly or not grow. Therefore, when planting trees, take advantage of the south and southeast directions, where the land is flat and light is abundant. A drought-resistant plant suitable for all kinds of soil on rocky mountains or fences in rural and coastal areas, the soil has a rate of 20% sticky grain, 40% sand grains, 40% soil seeds will help the stick Long absorb nutrients, monthly rainfall from 50 - 100mm, the plants will grow well.

Planting and caring techniques

a. Soil preparation and fertilizer application

(Artwork: Tuoitre)

- With flat soil: Use 600 - 1000kg of manure / sample and lime powder, as well as other organic substances for soil improvement.

- For sloping land: Slope less than 15 degrees must be wide, the inside is 10 - 15cm lower than the outside to keep water against erosion.

- For hill land: Over 15 degrees of planting each clump of 2 x 2m clusters.

- For gravel mountain soil: Each planting hole must have a diameter of 1m or more, a depth of 30cm, the surrounding rock must be crushed, using 50% borrowed land, 30% fine sand, 20% organic fertilizer and little lime powder for the pit.

Attention should be paid to herbicides, not spraying into trees and around roots. When the plant is half a year, the roots have covered the entire ground without using herbicides, so it is necessary to cover up to reduce grass growth.

b. How to plant and care

Planting distance trees: 2.5 x 2.5m, planting 5 - 10cm deep, when planting, digging holes to build columns (columns can be made of cement or wood), each hole is planted with 4-8 seedlings around the column.

To make the dragon fruit grow quickly and achieve high yields, it must be carefully covered to preserve the root system so as not to be damaged by the sun, water logging, stormy wind . At the same time, cutting off the branches that cannot be grown sprouts and leaves fruits to cut flowers and monitor the situation of flowers blooming and results, each branch should leave 3-4 fruits. Need to resist heat with newly planted seedlings. Every year before winter, when applying fertilizer, add antifungal potassium to the plant, and cover it to keep the moisture, etc.