Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 470 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 770 mm it can use in a normal year, and 610 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 32 °C / 21 °C
• Jul 28 °C / 21 °C
• Aug 27 °C / 21 °C
• Sep 27 °C / 19 °C
• Oct 25 °C / 15 °C
• Nov 21 °C / 10 °C (outside its best range)
• Dec 17 °C / 6 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 15 °C / 5 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 18 °C / 8 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 23 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 29 °C / 16 °C
• May 32 °C / 20 °C
• Jun 32 °C / 21 °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: nitrogen, organic carbon, sulphur and boron.

• The pH here suits it.

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.