Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 560 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 820 mm it can use in a normal year, and 790 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 35 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 29 °C / 23 °C
• Aug 29 °C / 23 °C
• Sep 29 °C / 23 °C
• Oct 29 °C / 19 °C
• Nov 27 °C / 14 °C
• Dec 24 °C / 10 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 24 °C / 10 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 28 °C / 13 °C
• Mar 32 °C / 17 °C
• Apr 36 °C / 22 °C (outside its best range)
• May 38 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 35 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Soil

Soil for Dragon Fruit: 8 out of 10 (good).

Not in the score: phosphorus.

• The pH here suits it.
• Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
• Most fields here are short of nitrogen.
• Most fields here are short of organic carbon.

Likes pH 5.3–6.7.

Money

Yield: about 30 quintals an acre, the typical figure in your state (its government crop records list none for your district).

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.