1. Habit: Pitaya is a sunny flower, which needs high light and grows rapidly in a warm and humid environment with sufficient light. If the light intensity is insufficient, it will affect its normal flowering. The suitable temperature for the growth of pitaya is 20-30 degrees, and it should not be lower than 8 degrees in winter. When the average temperature is lower than 10℃, the reproductive growth of pitaya will stop; ; Pitaya has strong adaptability to soil, and it is suitable for neutral or slightly acidic soil. The flower length of pitaya can reach about 30-40 cm, and it is a self-pollinating plant. It can ripen about 35-45 days after flowering, and the ripe fruit is attractive red.
2. Location: For balcony cultivation, the number of cultivation can be determined according to the width of the balcony. It is advisable to cultivate 2-3 pots on a balcony, and the flowerpot should be slightly larger, with a diameter of 25-35 cm, so as to ensure the nutrition needed for the growth of pitaya.
3. Cultivation management: nutrient soil needs to be prepared when pitaya is cultivated, and the proportion of pond mud or rotten leaves: decomposed organic fertilizer: coarse sand = 6: 2: 2; From April to 1 1 month, flowers can bloom in the south. Pay attention to watering more in spring and summer when the growth is vigorous and the sunshine is sufficient, and watering less in rainy and humid days to prevent root rot. The shaping and pruning of pitaya cultivated on balcony is carried out after its branches, and only three branches can be left in one plant. For example, if two plants are cultivated in a pot, five branches can be left, and the extra branches can be cut off to avoid consuming nutrition. After the branches droop naturally and mature, the middle and upper branches, especially the drooping branches, have a higher flowering and fruiting rate; Fertilization can be determined according to the size, fruiting ability and growth potential of seedlings, with organic fertilizer as the main fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied properly in the vigorous vegetative growth period, calcium magnesium phosphate can be topdressing before flowering, and the concentration is 0.3%, which can be applied less, or 0.2% urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer can be used. If the nutrients in the soil are enough for it to grow, it is necessary to apply less fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will lead to excessive growth of nutrients and inhibit reproductive growth.
Fourth, pest control: Pitaya has few pests and diseases, and there are no destructive and widespread pests and diseases. The more serious disease is rot, which is mainly caused by insect bites and mechanical damage in a rainy and humid environment for a long time. Use 10% agricultural streptomycin wettable powder 500- 1000 times for root irrigation control. In addition, the red spider is occasionally harmful, and 20% dicofol EC 1500 times solution can be controlled.
5. Propagation: Propagation mainly adopts cutting propagation and grafting propagation. Cutting can cut off the full-grown branches in the warm season, put them in a cool place 1-2 days, let the wound heal, then cut them in the plain sand and put them into a pot after taking root. Grafting propagation takes measuring ruler as rootstock and adopts the method of flat grafting, and the length of naturally full branches is better for scions.
Pitaya has become one of the most important fruits. It is rich in nutrition and vitamin C, and can be said to be the king of fruits. The pitaya planted on the balcony can be used for multiple purposes, both ornamental and edible, and the flowers and fruits also have health care functions. White flowers, red fruits and green branches make up a beautiful landscape.