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 1,140 mm it can use in a normal year, and 910 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 / 26 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 31 °C / 25 °C
• Aug 30 °C / 24 °C
• Sep 31 °C / 24 °C
• Oct 31 °C / 23 °C
• Nov 30 °C / 19 °C
• Dec 29 °C / 15 °C
• Jan 29 °C / 15 °C
• Feb 32 °C / 18 °C
• Mar 36 °C / 22 °C (outside its best range)
• Apr 38 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• May 39 °C / 27 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 35 °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.
• Many fields here are short of zinc, which it needs a lot.
• 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 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.