Introduction
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), also known as Pitaya, is a member of Cactaceae family and bears attractive fruits with red/white flesh color. Owing to its medicinal value (help in diabetes, weight loss and cancer) apart from the exotic look & taste it’s demand has been increasing worldwide in recent years.
Plant description: These are fast-growing, perennial, vine-like cacti. They have triangular, green, fleshy, jointed, many-branched stems. Each stem segment has 3 flat, wavy wings, with corneous margins and may have 1-3 small spines, or are spineless. The stem section of pitaya forms aerial roots which adhere to the surface upon which they grow or climb.
Flower
The flower is white, extremely showy, edible, fragrant and bell shaped. It is a night bloomer with giant inflorescence (upto 15-16 inches long and 9 inches wide). Unopened flower buds can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable; opened flowers can enjoyed as tea.
Fruit
The fruit is a fleshy berry, which is oblong with red and yellow scaly peel. The flesh may be red or white depending on the species. Seeds are very small, numerous and black, embedded within the flesh. The red flesh varieties contain lycopene which is a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer, heart disease, and lowers blood pressure.
Site Selection
Dragon fruit plants should be planted in an open well-lit sunny area for best growth and fruit production.
Soil
It can be grown in a wide range of soils. Soils that are well drained and high in organic matter are recommended. Soil pH 5.4-6.5 is best.
Wind
Avoid windy areas as strong consistent winds can damage the support provided for the stems. Windbreak is recommended to be planted in case of a new plantation is established in new area where strong are prevalent.
Spacing
Plants are spaced: With the concrete posts -WR 12ft X 7ft or 10 x 6 feet is used
Major components for establishing a dragon fruit plantation:
1. Concrete poles (500/acre each)
2. Planting material (2000-4500 Nos/acre)
3. Drip irrigation system with sprinkler.
4. Crop nutrition (organic and chemical as required)
5. Labor for pit digging and planting operations.
6. Transportation
7. Agronomic support.
8. Fencing
Concrete poles and rings :
No. of concrete pole required 500, 7 feet height is best, can also use 6 feet, 1.5 feet should be buried inside soil and 4.5-5.5 feet above ground.
Planting material:
Good quality planting material should be procured, made from mature cuttings from a plants which have already fruited 2-3 times.
Harvesting:
Forty to forty-five days (40-45 days) after fruit set, the mature fruit turns full red or yellow. The fruits are to be carefully removed from the plants taking care not to damage the skin. In India, harvesting lasts from June to Dec with approximately 5-6 cycles of harvests per year depending on agro climatic conditions. The fruits can be kept at room temperature for more than 7 days, and in plastic bags in the refrigerator for about 24 days.
Component:
Major components for setting up a new Dragon fruit farm are RCC Pole, quality planting material, agronomic services, drip and sprinkler, fencing, mulching, labor. Depending on location and planting density the establishment cost may vary from 4-9 lac per acer.
Fruiting and Harvest:
A well managed plot with good quality plants can start bearing withing 9-10 months also. Depending on size of planting material and plantinmg density a yield of 10-15 in normal plantation and 15-25 tons per acer can be obtained from a high density plantation.