Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough in a normal year. Keep one irrigation ready for a dry year.

Needs about 470 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 480 mm it can use in a normal year, and 350 mm in a dry year.

Temperature

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

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

• Jun 28 °C / 16 °C
• Jul 29 °C / 18 °C
• Aug 28 °C / 17 °C
• Sep 27 °C / 13 °C
• Oct 23 °C / 7 °C (outside its best range)
• Nov 17 °C / 2 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 10 °C / -2 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 7 °C / -3 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 10 °C / 0 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 16 °C / 4 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 21 °C / 9 °C (outside its best range)
• May 25 °C / 12 °C
• Jun 28 °C / 16 °C

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

Soil

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

• The pH here suits it.
• Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
• Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
• Most fields here are short of iron.

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.