Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 540 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 910 mm it can use in a normal year, and 780 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 / 24 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 32 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Aug 33 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Sep 32 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
• Oct 31 °C / 22 °C
• Nov 28 °C / 16 °C
• Dec 24 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 24 °C / 10 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 26 °C / 12 °C
• Mar 30 °C / 16 °C
• Apr 31 °C / 19 °C
• May 32 °C / 22 °C
• Jun 32 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Soil

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

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