Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 440 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 800 mm it can use in a normal year, and 660 mm in a dry year.

Heavy rain here can waterlog it. Grow it on raised beds or land that drains well.

Temperature

Grows best at 18–28 °C on average, and survives 12–34 °C.

Here, in its growing months (day / night):

• Jun 29 °C / 18 °C
• Jul 26 °C / 18 °C
• Aug 25 °C / 17 °C
• Sep 25 °C / 16 °C
• Oct 23 °C / 12 °C (outside its best range)
• Nov 19 °C / 7 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 15 °C / 4 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 11 °C / 2 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 14 °C / 5 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 19 °C / 8 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 24 °C / 12 °C
• May 28 °C / 16 °C
• Jun 29 °C / 18 °C

Nights in December can bring frost. When frost is forecast, water the field lightly in the evening.

Soil

Soil for Dragon Fruit: 9 out of 10 (good).

Not in the score: sulphur, zinc, iron and 3 more.

• The pH here suits it.
• Many fields here are short of potassium, which it needs a lot.

Likes pH 5.3–6.7.

Money

Yield: about 23 quintals an acre, the typical figure across India (no figures for your state).

A new planting gives its first real harvest after about 2 years. The money here is for plants already bearing.

No mandi or support price for this crop yet.