Boost Your Rooftop Dragon Fruit Harvest with a Custom 5-10-10 Fertilizer Tablet!

Transform your rooftop garden with a homemade fertilizer tablet tailored for dragon fruit! This cactus-like plant thrives with the right nutrient balance, and a 5-10-10 mix (5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, 10% potassium) supports its growth, flowering, and fruiting. Perfect for your 10-inch planters, this guide shows you how to create and use it effectively.

Materials Needed:

Nitrogen Source: Ammonium sulfate (21% N) or urea (46% N).
Phosphorus Source: Triple superphosphate (20% P₂O₅) or bone meal (15-20% P₂O₅).
Potassium Source: Potassium chloride (60% K₂O) or potassium sulfate (50% K₂O).
Filler/Binder: Compost, peat moss, or rice husk (to bind and add organic matter).
Water: To moisten the mix (use sparingly).
Equipment: Mixing bowl, measuring scale, tablet press or mold (e.g., small round cookie cutter), gloves, and mask (for safety).

Formula for 5-10-10 Mix (for 1 kg batch):

To achieve a 5-10-10 ratio, calculate the proportions based on nutrient content:

Nitrogen (5%): Use ammonium sulfate. For 50g of N, use ~238g of ammonium sulfate (21% of 238g = ~50g N).
Phosphorus (10% P₂O₅): Use triple superphosphate. For 100g of P₂O₅, use ~500g of triple superphosphate (20% of 500g = 100g P₂O₅).
Potassium (10% K₂O): Use potassium chloride. For 100g of K₂O, use ~167g of potassium chloride (60% of 167g = ~100g K₂O).
Filler: Add ~95g of compost or rice husk to make up 1kg and act as a binder.

Steps to Make Fertilizer Tablets:

Safety First: Wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling dust or contacting chemicals.
Measure Ingredients: Weigh ammonium sulfate (238g), triple superphosphate (500g), potassium chloride (167g), and filler (95g) accurately.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl for even distribution.
Add Moisture: Sprinkle 50-100ml of water and mix until damp but not wet, like modeling clay. Adjust as needed.
Form Tablets: Use a tablet press or mold to shape into 1-2 inch tablets. Press firmly to compact.
Dry Tablets: Air-dry in a well-ventilated area or under a fan for 24-48 hours until hardened.
Storage: Store in a dry, airtight container away from moisture.

Usage for Dragon Fruit:

Application: Place 1 tablet (or a broken piece) in a 1-2 inch deep hole, 2-3 inches from the base in a 10-inch planter. Cover with soil and water with 200-300 ml to dissolve.
Frequency: Apply every 6-8 weeks during the growing season (spring to early fall).
Soil Mix: Use with a dragon fruit mix (e.g., 50% potting soil, 20-30% rice husk, 10-15% composted tea waste, 10-20% sand).