Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 600 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 700 mm it can use in a normal year, and 630 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 37 °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 / 20 °C
• Nov 28 °C / 14 °C
• Dec 26 °C / 11 °C
• Jan 25 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 29 °C / 14 °C
• Mar 34 °C / 18 °C
• Apr 39 °C / 23 °C (outside its best range)
• May 41 °C / 27 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 37 °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: 8 out of 10 (good).

• The pH here suits it.
• Most fields here are short of nitrogen.
• Most fields here are short of organic carbon.
• Most fields here are short of sulphur.

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.