Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 580 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 800 mm it can use in a normal year, and 700 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 37 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 30 °C / 24 °C
• Aug 30 °C / 24 °C
• Sep 30 °C / 23 °C
• Oct 30 °C / 19 °C
• Nov 27 °C / 14 °C
• Dec 25 °C / 11 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 24 °C / 10 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 28 °C / 14 °C
• Mar 33 °C / 18 °C
• Apr 38 °C / 22 °C (outside its best range)
• May 40 °C / 26 °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: 9 out of 10 (good).

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

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.