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 940 mm it can use in a normal year, and 800 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 39 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 35 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Aug 33 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Sep 33 °C / 23 °C
• Oct 31 °C / 17 °C
• Nov 26 °C / 11 °C
• Dec 20 °C / 6 °C (outside its best range)
• Jan 18 °C / 5 °C (outside its best range)
• Feb 21 °C / 9 °C (outside its best range)
• Mar 27 °C / 14 °C
• Apr 33 °C / 18 °C
• May 38 °C / 23 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 39 °C / 26 °C (outside its best range)

Nights in December can bring frost. When frost is forecast, water the field lightly in the evening.

Soil

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

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

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.