Instructions on how to plant and density of Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit planting density determines productivity and pest management throughout the life cycle. Too thick reduces yield, too thin wastes land. Instructions on standard density according to varieties + proper planting techniques for orchards in Binh Thuan, Long An.

Summary: Dragon fruit planting density is a decision that is difficult to change after 15-20 years of the tree's life cycle. Planting more than 1,200 pillars per hectare is often chosen by growers to "get income quickly" but after 3-5 years the trees are pressed against each other, productivity clearly decreases. Standard density of 800-1,000 pillars is optimal for most areas. This article provides guidance on deciding density + correct planting techniques.

Applies to: New or reconstructed dragon fruit orchards in Binh Thuan, Long An, Tien Giang.

Duration: Decide before planting. Plant at the beginning of the rainy season.

Difficulty level: Basic but important.

Estimated additional costs: 60-100 million VND per hectare for pillars + seedlings + planting.

Density Determining Factor

Planting density depends on:

Like dragon fruit

• White flesh (Malay variety): climbing vine grows quickly and spreads widely. Density of 800-900 pillars per hectare.
• Red flesh: moderately developed climbing stem. Density 900-1,000 pillars.
• Long Dinh 1, Long Dinh 5: new variety, density similar to red intestine.

Soil type

• Nutritious alluvial soil (Mekong Delta): plants grow quickly. Density is less — 800-900 pillars.
• Sea sandy soil (Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan): plants grow more slowly. Can be thicker — 1,000-1,100 pillars.
• Hilly land: depends on the thickness of the cultivated layer.

Irrigation conditions

• The orchard has an automatic watering system: good water control. Standard density.
• Manual watering with limited water resources: should be planted more sparsely for easier watering + fertilization.

Market target

• Export: need high quality → sparse planting, careful investment and care.
• Local price is low: can be thicker to compensate for quantity.

Reference density

Simple rule: 3 meters × 3 meters for most orchards (1,111 posts/hectare). Matches 80 percent of conditions.

Why should you not plant too thick

orchards planted with 1,300-1,500 pillars per hectare have problems after 3-5 years:

• The climbing branches of the pillars touch each other: block light from each other, poor flowering.
• High humidity in the orchard: anthracnose, black spots develop strongly.
• Difficult to move in the orchard: harvesting, spraying, pruning are all difficult.
• Irregular fertilization: plants compete for nutrients.

Yield per hectare of dense orchard after 5 years is usually 10-25 percent lower than standard density orchard.

Prepare before planting

Planting pole

Dragon fruit needs a pole to climb. Two main types:

Concrete pillar:

• 1.7-1.8 meters high above ground (buried 30-40 centimeters deep).
• Diameter 12-15 centimeters.
• Square or round face.
• Cost 80-150 thousand VND per pillar.

Living pillar (living tree as pillar):

• The cotton tree, the acacia tree, the acacia tree.
• Plant 1-2 years in advance so the tree is strong enough.
• Better biology, lower cost but requires care.

Current recommendation: concrete posts for commercial orchards — durable, easy to manage.

Go mo mop

Depending on region:

• Binh Thuan highlands: flat planting, no need to grow tissue.
• Delta (Long An, Tien Giang): up to 30-50 centimeters.
• Deep flooded area: up to 60-100 centimeters.

Tissue can be circular around each cylinder or long lobe-shaped.

Primer

Each planting hole (diameter 60 centimeters, depth 40 centimeters):

• 5-10 kilograms of decomposed organic matter.
• 0.3-0.5 kilograms of lime (acid soil).
• 200-300 grams of fused phosphate.
• *Trichoderma* 100 grams.

Mix well with topsoil. Leave for 15-30 days before planting.

Plant

Planting time

• Binh Thuan: September-November (beginning of the dry season when the soil is not too dry) or May-June (beginning of the rainy season).
• Mekong Delta: May-July (early rainy season).
• Avoid dry season peak and rainy season peak.

Number of cuttings per pillar

• 4 cuttings: standard. Place on 4 sides of the pillar.
• 3 cuttings: if the cuttings are short or of uneven quality.
• Maximum 4 — do not plant 5-6 cuttings per post.

Planting techniques

Step 1: set up posts before planting cuttings. The post is straight, 30-40 centimeters deep.

Step 2: dig a small hole around the post, place the cuttings.

• The base of the cuttings is buried 10-15 centimeters deep.
• Each cutting is 5-10 centimeters away from the post.
• The branches are tilted towards the pillar.

Step 3: tie the cuttings to the post.

• Use a soft string (cloth, soft nylon string).
• Do not tighten too tight — the growing cuttings will attach on their own.

Step 4: water immediately after planting.

• 3-5 liters of water per cutting.

Step 5: cover the roots.

• Dry grass, straw, rice husks around the base — retain moisture, limit weeds.

First month care

• Irrigate every 2-3 days, 3-5 liters per cutting.
• Temporary shade if planted in the middle of the dry season — 30 percent shade net.
• Check whether the cuttings are alive or not. Cuttings are dead — if you touch your hand, you'll see the tips are dry, slightly yellowish brown.
• If you replant the cuttings, they will die within 7-15 days.

Replanting

Target survival rate over 95 percent. Replant when:

• Hom died in the first month.
• The cuttings grow unevenly with other cuttings.

The cuttings need to be from the same seed source + the same age to keep the orchard uniform.

Common mistakes

Plant 1,300-1,500 pillars thick "for quick income": after 3-5 years productivity decreases.

Plant 6-8 cuttings per pillar: cuttings compete for nutrition. 4 cuttings is the maximum.

No tissue growth in lightly flooded areas: tree dies in first year.

Placing posts after planting cuttings: chop young roots, shock cuttings.

Use hard wire to tie cuttings: cut branches when they grow.

Take notes before and during planting

• orchard map — number of pillars, distance.
• Source of cuttings + planting date.
• Land improvement materials + costs.
• Survival rate after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months.

References

• *Technical process of growing dragon fruit* — Southern Fruit Institute, 2023.
• *Commercial dragon fruit production* — Department of Crop Production, 2022.

Related articles

• Instructions for preparing soil for dragon fruit
• Instructions for choosing varieties and planting time for dragon fruit
• Dragon fruit care instructions
• Tracking agricultural product prices