Dragon Fruit

Water

Rain is enough, even in a dry year.

Needs about 640 mm of water here in its growing months. Rain gives about 750 mm it can use in a normal year, and 690 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 38 °C / 27 °C (outside its best range)
• Jul 32 °C / 25 °C (outside its best range)
• Aug 31 °C / 25 °C
• Sep 31 °C / 24 °C
• Oct 32 °C / 21 °C
• Nov 31 °C / 16 °C
• Dec 28 °C / 13 °C
• Jan 28 °C / 13 °C
• Feb 31 °C / 16 °C
• Mar 36 °C / 20 °C
• Apr 40 °C / 24 °C (outside its best range)
• May 43 °C / 28 °C (outside its best range)
• Jun 38 °C / 27 °C (outside its best range)

Months in orange are outside its best range.

Days in April get hotter than it likes. Young plants need shade and water then.

Soil

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

Not in the score: boron.

• 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 iron.

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.