Passion fruit typically enters the ripening stage 55-60 days after flowering and gradually undergoes the color change process. However, sometimes the ripening of passion fruit can be slow. So, what methods can be used to promote the ripening of passion fruit? Let's find out.
Factors Affecting Ripening of Passion Fruit
There are three main factors that affect the ripening of passion fruit:
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Light: Passion fruit is a photophilic crop, and the duration and intensity of light during the fruiting period have a significant impact on the ripening process.
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Nutrients: The ripening of passion fruit is related to nutrients such as carotenoids, flavonoids, lycopene, and anthocyanins, all of which require fertilization to supplement nutrients or complete nutrient conversion.
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Water: Excessive moisture during the ripening period can affect sugar accumulation, resulting in slow ripening. Poor orchard drainage and high humidity can lead to gray mold, blight, stem rot, and other fruit damage.
Methods to Promote Ripening of Passion Fruit
1. Increase Light Exposure
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Pruning: When the main vine reaches 1 meter in height, remove the apex bud and allow lateral shoots to grow. Trim the lateral shoots when they reach 2 meters to promote secondary lateral shoot growth. Prune overcrowded branches and diseased leaves, and trim hanging branches about 20-30 centimeters above the ground to maintain good light transmission.
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Use of Mulching: Mulching improves soil temperature and light conditions, leading to increased sugar content in passion fruit and earlier fruit coloring. Silver reflective mulch significantly increases light reflection, yielding prominent results.
2. Proper Fertilization
Pay attention to fertilization during the flowering and fruiting periods. Before passion fruit blooms, apply potassium-based fertilizers to improve flowering quality. After the flowers wither, apply another round of high-potassium compound fertilizer, and spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate and gibberellin on the leaves. Additionally, supplement potassium magnesium fertilizer and trace element fertilizers (boron, magnesium, calcium, etc.) before fruiting, which can be applied through foliar spraying.
3. Watering Management
During the flowering and fruiting periods, control water appropriately, but avoid soil dryness. Maintain humidity at 50-60%, and in case of rainy weather, ensure timely drainage to reduce orchard humidity.
In conclusion, to achieve rapid and good coloring of passion fruit, attention must be paid to factors such as light exposure, nutrients, and water. Ensuring suitable environmental conditions will facilitate the natural ripening process of passion fruit and promote sugar accumulation.
