Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 590 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 820 mm it can use in a normal year, and 740 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 36 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 31 °C / 24 °C
• Aug 30 °C / 24 °C
• Sep 30 °C / 24 °C
• Oct 31 °C / 21 °C
• Nov 28 °C / 15 °C
• Dec 26 °C / 12 °C
• Jan 26 °C / 12 °C
• Feb 30 °C / 15 °C
• Mar 34 °C / 19 °C
• Apr 38 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
• May 40 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 36 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Days in May get hotter than it likes. Young plants need shade and water then.

Soil

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

• The pH here suits it, though not most crops.
• Many fields here are short of boron, which it needs a lot.
• Most fields here are short of nitrogen.

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.